Chapter 8

Snape kept an impassive face that hadn't wavered for as long as Harry had known the man and swept to the front of the room. A small smirk came across his young face as he crossed his arms behind his back like a young soldier prepared to give orders to his troops, "You are here to learn the subtle science and exact art of potion-making. As there is little foolish wand-waving here, many of you will hardly believe this is magic. I don't expect you will really understand the beauty of the softly simmering cauldron with its shimmering fumes, the delicate power of liquids that creep through human veins, bewitching the mind, ensnaring the senses... I can teach you how to bottle fame, brew glory, even put a stopper to death – if you aren't as big a bunch of dunderheads as I usually have to teach."

Snape then cast a gleaming sinister look over his class as he seemed to search for his first victim, "Weasley, tell me what will I get if I add the powder root of asphodel to an infusion of wormwood?"

The young Slytherin prodigy grinned, that was an easy one, but by the looks of Ron's cheeks he had no idea, Hermione however was excited about knowing the answer so she shot her hand into the air. Ron however responded, "I don't know, aren't you supposed to be teaching me these things?"

The two of the Gryffindor boys immediately started snickering at Ron's response which seemed to give the boy a little bravery while Snape's glare deepened into his black eyes, "Interesting response Weasley, perhaps we should try again, where would you look if I asked you to find me a bezoar?"

Ron shook his head, "Once again I don't know how you expect me to know that? This is my first day in this class."

Hermione however was now waving her hand in the air, Harry gently whispered over to her, "He won't call on you if you are waving your hand in the air, he hates when people raise their hand, he calls on people at random."

Hermione spat quietly back, "And how would you know that?"

Harry shrugged, "He's like my uncle, and I have been under his potion instructions for four years now."

Hermione deflated at his words and lowered her hand slowly staring at him with wide eyes, "Four years? I thought most students didn't know anything about magic when they got here?"

Harry smiled at her, "Don't worry most won't. You will find that I am an unusual exception to rules you may or may not have heard."

With that he waved his hand and a red rose materialized on the desk for her, he winked as she picked it up and took a long whiff, "That's incredible, you did that without a wand."

Snape then took his turn to interject, "Mr. Riddle, as you see fit to distract my students please answer the questions that Mr. Weasley failed to."

Harry looked at his godfather with fake innocence, "Why professor I do believe that if you infused powder root and asphodel you would have a sleeping potion so powerful that you would create a draught of living death. As for a bezoar you would likely find it in the stomach of a goat, unless a very skilled potion master wishes to create one out of boomslang and dragon heartstring."

Snape grinned, "And my last question Mr. Riddle?"

Harry shook his head having not even heard the last question, but he noticed that Draco was staring at him with serious intent. Harry hid his grin behind his lips and used a light probe of legilimency on Draco seeing the question that Snape asked clearly, "Professor I do believe your last question was what the difference between Monkshood and Wolfsbane, and the answer would simply be they are the exact same thing. Monkshood of course came around first, but then Wolfsbane was more like a remastered version that came many years later. I believe Thomas Belby created it sir."

Snape stared and the Gryffindor students including Hermione looked shocked. Hermione hadn't even heard the last question since she was so entranced by his magic. Harry was sure that the potions master suspected what Harry had done, and he turned to his godson who quickly looked away feigning ignorance. Snape then waved his wand at that board allowing several instructions to appear, "Follow these instructions to the exact point and you will come up with a simple healing draft. You have one hour, upon completion like every day you will be free to exit the classroom. You must however complete the potion in its entirety and clean your station. House points will be lost to anyone who does not follow those instructions. You may also do your homework in this classroom using me as an available resource to answer any questions, only during class time that you may or may not have available. Otherwise your homework will be due at the beginning of the next class period, except for your essays they will be assigned Monday and due that Friday, you will not have an Essay this week, but expect one every week after this. You may begin."

Harry immediately began turning on all the dials around the station and instructed Hermione, "Go get the exact ingredients that are on the board, if we are short or too much of anything our batch could be rendered obsolete. Have you ever cooked before?"

The girl's cheeks pinkened, "Once or twice with my mum around the kitchen."

Harry gave her a gentle smile, "Good then you may be a natural at this. Just think we are trying to prepare a cake. Too much flour and the cake will be mush. Too much sugar, and it'll be overkill."

Hermione immediately nodded in understanding heading off towards the cupboard. In a few short moments Harry was eying all the ingredients knowing that she had grabbed just the right amount of everything, "You will have a natural affinity for potions I believe, the ingredients are perfect, now add the boomslang skin and let's get started."

The potion only took about forty-five minutes, and when Harry and Hermione finished the only people that were even close to being done was Draco and Theo. Harry grinned at the two as he turned in his potion, "Professor the homework for tonight?"

Snape took a quick look at the potion's color and tapped it with his wand, a green light emitted off of it and Harry knew that it meant they had done the potion to perfection. Snape shook his head, "No assignment for the first day of classes, headmasters' orders. Only punishment assignments are allowed to be issued this week. However, I do expect Draco and yourself to come in sometime this week preferably Wednesday night to get your assignment from myself that should keep up with your regular instruction."

Harry nodded, "Yes sir, we will be leaving now."

"You are dismissed."

With that Harry went back to his desk to gather up his things, Hermione had already cleaned the station and everything, but the cauldron. Harry was about to head out the door when Hermione asked, "Aren't you going to clean the cauldron?"

Harry blinked and looked at her, "Just cast scourgify, it will clean it by magic."

Hermione then blinked back at him and he sighed. He walked over to her, "Let me teach you a really useful spell, I recommend memorizing it. Hold your wand straight and tap the top of the cauldron, speak softly as if you were asking for a favor, magic does not like to be commanded unless it is used for combat. Watch...Scourgify."

With that the cauldron immediately cleared all the grime from the potion and evaporated before everyone's very eyes. Harry shrugged, "Pretty simple, just remember, magic is your ally, not your bitch."

As Harry was walking back towards the door Snape called over the Newspaper he was reading, "Ten points to Slytherin for proper instruction of magic. Ten more points to Slytherin for answering my questions at the beginning of class. Finally, ten points from Gryffindor for disrespect to your professor."

Harry grinned and most of the class snickered as Ron Weasley turned scarlet red, and Harry browsed out of the room with Hermione on his heels, "Wait, we need to wait for the prefects, besides I don't know the way to charms."

Harry shrugged, "I know the way, and we have plenty of time, I can walk you to your class, Charms and Transfiguration are only a corridor apart. If you'd like to get to class thirty minutes early. Or we can explore for a little bit? We have a little too much time to head to classes now. Perhaps I can teach you a few more things about magic on the way."

Harry knew his father's rules, if he finds potential regardless of their blood he should attempt to befriend them, you just never know who they may be one day. Hermione graciously accepted his offer and he began speaking about the use of magic and how it's all about intent and focus.

Thirty minutes quickly passed, and Harry was leaving Hermione at the charms class. Before he could make off she asked, "Wait, Harry, is there any chance we can study together in the Library or something sometime? You clearly have a much better grasp on these things than I do. You seem like a pretty good teacher for someone who just had his first day in Hogwarts."

Harry smiled at her, causing the girl to blush faintly, "Of course, what are friends for?"

At that Harry turned around before the girl fainted or something else equally embarrassing. Harry knew a girl like that likely didn't have many friends. He then swore under his breath; the sorting hat did a great injustice to the muggle born witch, sorting her into the house of lions. The girl had a thirst for knowledge that reminded him much of his own.

With no dawdling Harry walked into his transfiguration class that was already half full. He saw a pretty brunette sitting by herself in the front, he walked over asking, "Do you mind if I take this seat?"

Harry refrained from groaning as the girl looked around as if he could possibly be speaking to someone else, she was also blushing red as a fire hydrant, which Harry thought was cute on the girl, but he made one too many girls already blush today, "S-s-sure, please."

She scooted over into the adjacent chair sliding her stuff with her. Harry already knew this girl was a very potential recruit, his father loved exploiting people who had no friends or sometimes family, they made for the most loyal followers. Just like Augustus, when Voldemort had found Augustus he had lost everything, no friends, no family, and Rockwood was amongst his most powerful and loyal followers. Groomed by his father to be one of the top Unspeakables in the country, and Harry was always hopeful he would get to do the same to someone similar one day.

Harry took his seat and spread out his stuff evenly before addressing the girl, "I'm Harry, Harry Riddle? May I know a pretty girl's name?"

The girl squeaked out, "Mandy, Mandy Brocklehurst. Nice to meet you Harry."

Harry then pulled Regulus' favorite flower card, but instead of a red rose he summoned a pink rose. Harry knew that his symbolism with Hermione reflected his annoyance from earlier, a red rose symbolized things like violence, impure love, or adultery, while a pink rose symbolizes beauty, youth, and innocence. As a Ravenclaw Harry was pretty sure she would either know, or find out what exactly something like this meant, "The pleasure is mine."

Harry was watching the other Ravenclaw girls at the corner of his eyes who were all giving Mandy the evil eye for getting all his attention. Regulus taught him all about wooing girls, Bellatrix had often told him that as he got older he would be quite the catch, not just for his power, but his looks and aura. The Snakes once again paired up with each other this time in groups of three. Harry shook his head at the setup of the classroom. Like the potions class it was divided perfectly down the middle that would allow one house to occupy one side of the room and the other to occupy the opposite. This was Dumbledore's way of keeping the students divided, but Harry planned on striking that down by the end of this year. There was no reason to divide the students any longer, especially if he could unite them all under one leader, particularly him.

After the rest of the class had arrived and the bell rang throughout the castle signaling the start of the second period class. The cat on the desk that Harry already recognized as an Animagus leaped off the desk and proved his theory correct as Professor McGonagall stood in the cat's place, "Good morning class, welcome to your first day of transfiguration. Transfiguration has its many uses, from making life more comfortable by turning a rock into a chair, or using it in the longest duels by turning the world around you into an animate object, or even building a skyscraper that the muggles are so fond of in London. Or perhaps you just wish to use it for entertainment."

She turned to a cage on her desk and tapped it causing a slight squeal to emit from the covered cage. She then removed the cover and revealed a pig, "By the end of the term I suspect you all will be able to complete the last test, which will be something similar to this."

She opened the cage and piglet shot out of it and she shot a spell with lightning speed and turned it into a small child's table, then shot another spell turning it into a larger brick, then back to a pig. The class clapped politely at the demonstration and the professor took a small bow, "The thing most students appreciate about Transfiguration is the lack of spell memorization required. You will be required to remember the wand motions and movements. Today's spell is non-verbal, you are simply to turn a match into a pin needle. The instruction and wand movements will be on the board. If you have any questions simply raise your hand. You may begin."

She waved her wand and suddenly three matches were on each student's desk. Harry read over the instructions to ensure there were no other things to accomplish other than change the match to the needle. At first he prepared to do the wandless incantation, but he didn't want to give away too many of his skills to the headmaster's right hand. Harry drew his wand from his holster and gently moved it in a tight circle over the three matches and they one by one turned them into needles. Mandy gasped next to him, "How did you do that?"

Harry smiled at her, "The same way I summoned you the rose. It's all about intent, just picture the needle and do the wand movement. If you can't picture it your magic will be forced to draw a memory of a needle, which is why so many people take so long to change it. The magic will eventually find a needle picture in your mind, but if you help the magic then it will flow directly into the object. Give it a try, think of the needle."

Harry noticed many people were watching them, but he was used to turning heads by now. Mandy tried once and failed, but then took a deep breath as Harry instructed her to try again. This time the needle closest to her wand turned into a pointy needle with a little bit of wood remaining on it, making an imperfect transfiguration, "You did good, you just have to picture the object in your mind, think about what it feels like, how much it weighs, details are the key to transfiguration."

Professor McGonagall who was standing behind them spoke, "Fives points to Slytherin for being the first to change the match and another five for helping another student. Five points to Ravenclaw and Slytherin for inter-house cooperation."

Harry smiled at Mandy who smiled back brightly. McGonagall put a hand on his shoulder saying, "Your father would be proud, he was a natural at Transfiguration, I look forward to hearing from Professor Flitwick if you have the same affinity as your mother, she would've been a master in charms had she just...well you understand I am sure.."

Harry nodded at his teacher, who then summoned the pig to his desk, "I would like to see just what else you can do Mr. Riddle, it seems you are well rehearsed in magic."

Harry gave her a mischievous grin, "I would hate to show all my skill on the first day, but I don't see why I can't show you a hint."

Harry waved his wand quickly over the pig turning it into a badger, then waving it again turning it into a small lion cub, then to cobra like snake, and finally an eagle which hopped onto Mandy's shoulder gently nuzzling her face affectionately.

Professor McGonagall stared in amazement, "Never in all my years have I seen a first year handle transfiguration that would've given some of my best OWL level students difficulty with such ease. I have a feeling you are going to be a constant surprise to this school Mr. Riddle."

Harry grinned, "That is the plan ma'am."

With that class resumed and mostly everyone was able to change the match to a needle. Harry and Mandy spent most of the class discussing magic and theory behind what they had done, which never gave the professor reason to interrupt the pair. Harry thought the girl kept a conversation flow fairly well which sat good with him. He didn't like social outcasts who shied away from every conversation, it seemed like he just made another new friend at Hogwarts.

With the class heading down to lunch he walked with Mandy telling her how he'd love to be her transfiguration partner for the year and perhaps even a study partner in History of Magic or Astronomy. She readily agreed and the two went their separate ways in the great hall. When they seated Draco smirked, "Trying to be friendly with all the first-year birds at Hogwarts, even lowering yourself down to a mudblood, that's low Riddle, real low."

Harry shook his head, "Muggleborns have their uses, don't forget my mum was one and she defied my father three times, more than anyone else. I will also remind you that as long as muggleborns are intelligent they are a necessity to the society my family intends to build. You would do well to remember that."

Draco grunted, "That doesn't mean I have to like them!"

Harry shot back, "But you will play nicely with them if I bring them around. I don't see me making friends with too many of them, but we have to respect all allies, Draco. If you wish to hold your position."

The other nearby Slytherins eyed the pair curiously but Draco shrugged, "I will do as I must."

Harry nodded his head, "Good, because so will I."

Harry attempted to charm Daphne into telling him more about herself with little luck, he was however having luck with getting to know Tracy and Blaise. He decided that during Tuesday's classes he would sit with his own house mates for at least two classes, probably astronomy and Defense.

Lunch went by in a jiffy, and Harry was already eying the first year Hufflepuffs to see who he would attempt to befriend. Susan Bones was a pretty redhead girl, and Harry knew that she lived with her aunt because her parents were killed by an unnamed death eater. Her Aunt was also head of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement, so she could be a useful ally. Or even an in with her Aunt if she spoke highly of him and the Riddle family. Harry made his decision quickly as the prefects guided them to the second-floor charms class. Upon arrival the professor was charming a stack of papers to stand firm that way he had a foot pedestal, but he couldn't quite keep his balance, which caused Harry to laugh as the tiny professor began slipping. Harry had his wand pointing at the tiny man in an instant and made sure he didn't quite hit the ground. The professor laughed with joy as he evened himself and brushed the hebegebees off his cloak, "Thank you Mr. Riddle, five points to Slytherin. Now please everyone have a seat. Today will be mostly theory and Wednesday we will do practical."

Harry smiled at the professor and took a seat towards the front. Each desk sat three, which not so coincidentally already held Susan Bones and Hannah Abbot. He held out his hand to the two young witches, "Harry Riddle, do you mind if I sit here?"

Hannah snorted rather unattractively, "Yeah, like we're going to turn away an attractive boy our age who wants to sit with us."

"Eh, it's always good to be polite, maybe you could've been saving this seat!"

The red headed girl Harry knew was Susan Bones offered her hand, "Susan Bones, this obnoxious and blunt friend of mine is Hannah Abbot."

Harry gave both girls his signature smile, "A pleasure, how is the first day of Hogwarts going?"

Both girls shrugged saying at the same time, "Magical!"

This caused Harry to chuckle as he tuned into the lecture that went on for far more than half of the class period. At the end professor Flitwick asked them to try the levitating charm, joking that Harry had obviously already had it down as he had done so without the words just earlier. Harry actually kicked himself a bit not even thinking about the nonverbal casting he did earlier. He did it with such ease the old dueling champion probably saw right through his skill. Harry tried to act like he struggled with the incantation, but his magic knew him all too well and the spell worked on the first time which won him five more points for Slytherin.

When the class let out Harry and Susan were talking adamantly about charms and politics. The two hitched a friendship much easier than his previous companions and with no more classes for the day he went to dinner to finish up the day with his Slytherin friends.

(A/N) First day of Hogwarts complete! Sorry for such a delay in this update. I have been super focused on my Percy Jackson fanfic, but finally got around to this one. Will try to get another update out next week. Thanks for reading! If you would like to see some advanced content of this story follow me on discord! I will post a link below on 3 separate lines, because fanfiction breaks links. Hope to hear from you all soon.