OLD MAGIC

Chapter 8: First Day Adventures

Arising early with many a groan and complaint at getting up at this hour, the boys headed for the bathroom in clumps of twos and threes. Harry was just as reluctant to leave his warm nest but Wine nipped at his fingers to get him up.

"I'm up...honest..." he groaned, sitting up and stretching then reaching out a hand to give Wine a scratch. "Going to breakfast and classes with me or off on your own?" he asked softly.

Wine answered by walking away and slipping off the bed, disappearing as he did so.

"Guess that answers that." Harry sighed, shoving the curtains aside and crawling off the bed. He grabbed his robe, slipping it on as he hurried off to the bathroom himself.

Thirty minutes later, he and the rest of his classmates poured into the great hall for breakfast. Just as dinner had been, the table was groaning with food. He worried that he'd quickly put on weight so decided to go light and picked out a small amount of toast, bacon, eggs, and applesauce.

"Is that all you're going to eat?" Ron exclaimed, piling an obscene amount of food on his plate and digging in.

Harry could only stare in amazement at the monster stack of pancakes, bacon, eggs, biscuits and gravy as well as cantaloupe on the boy's plate.

He shook his head and said demurely, "Don't want to gain too much weight."

"Harry, magic takes a lot of energy out of you, as does running around a huge castle to get to all the classes they loaded us with. I promise you, you won't be gaining weight. If anything you'll have a hard time keeping it on," Hermione cautioned him, her own plate bearing a balanced and more normal level of food...bacon, an omelet, some fruit, and a bowl of porridge.

"Uh...okay, I'll try and remember that." He put a little more food on his plate to appease her. Fortunately, he was rather hungry this morning anyway.

"What's this stuff?" he asked, holding up a glass filled with an orange drink that didn't smell like anything he'd had before. He had opted for water last night though he had seen this drink then too. Many of his classmates were drinking it in obvious enjoyment.

"Pumpkin juice!" Hermione answered.

"Really?" He sipped a tiny amount then smiled at the taste and drank more deeply. "Hmm, that's delicious."

His friends smiled at his reaction. The moment presented Hermione with the perfect opportunity to get some information about her new friend. "I like it too. I never heard of making juice from pumpkins before and I know my parents, who are muggles by the way, wouldn't think of it either. However, you are from a wizarding family, I would have thought you at least would have drank it before."

Harry eyed her warily over the rim of his glass. Setting the cup down, he said carefully, "I guess my guardians never cared for it." He knew that answer wasn't going to make anyone happy.

He was right but before she could question him on it, Ron jumped in. "Really? Blimey, I thought everyone liked it. Were you raised by muggles, then? Everyone knows what happened to your parents but no one has a clue who took you away as a baby. Why the big mystery now?"

"Ron!" Hermione snapped at him, punching him in the arm.

"What?" Ron blinked at Hermione in affronted surprise. He had no clue what he'd done wrong.

"How can you be so insensitive? Harry did lose his parents in a horrible way you know and here you are shoving that fact in his face," she said, angrily.

The red head's face turned the same color as his hair as he mumbled an apology. "Oh ... uh ... I'm sorry Harry I forgot...didn't mean to..."

"No, it's alright Ron. It was a long time ago and I was only a baby at the time. As for why I won't reveal who took me in, the answer's obvious, my enemies are still hunting for me and I certainly don't want to lose my guardians to them in the same manner as my parents, so they must remain unknown for their safety and mine. Understand?" Harry asked, softly.

Embarrassed looks were on many of the faces sitting near him that had been listening in on his conversation. Understanding and nods of their heads told Harry his classmates understood only too well the need for secrecy so wouldn't be hassling him about it any longer. Of course, that didn't mean other houses wouldn't ask but he'd deal with them when the time came.

"Oh...how stupid of me...of course you're right to be so cautious...sorry Harry, I won't bring it up again," Hermione exclaimed, ashamed she'd not thought of that herself.

"I'm sorry too, Harry!" Ron said quickly, feeling equally stupid. He'd read about what had happened to Harry in the Daily Prophet just before coming to Hogwarts. It had made him angry and sad for the wee babe that had lost his parents in such a horrible way then was taken and no one had known where. Thankfully, whoever it was had taken good care of Harry because here he was safe and sound and Ron decided, at that moment, he would make it his mission in life to see the boy stayed that way.

Harry smiled forgivingly at them and returned his attention to his food. However, the fact his classmates had no problem understanding and accepting his reasons for keeping his past secret, made him sad. It brought home to him more clearly than ever about the kind of life these children were forced to exist under. The constant fear of ones family being killed by this hidden evil had taught then well about the need for guarding their tongues and being on alert for danger at all times.

It hurt him inside to know his classmates lived in the same state of fear and anger as those muggle children living in war ravaged countries or brutal homes. The only difference, really, were these children feared spells that could kill with a word while the muggles dodged bullets and bombs.

What made this all so hard to handle for him was the fact only a small portion of the United Kingdom was involved in this deadly war while the rest of the country was, all unknowingly, enjoying peace and prosperity. It just seemed so wrong.

He hid his sorrow at this state of affairs and looked around the room. The huge hall was noisy with the constant chatter of the children and the adults sitting at the teacher's table. He briefly caught Snape's eye and mentally knocked on the man's mind shield then waited patiently to be acknowledged while keeping his attention on his food.

Snape never reacted to the touch outwardly, continuing to eat his porridge while scanning the room and listening in on the conversation at the head table with consummate skill.

"Yes, Harry?"

"Just wanted to say good morning and to tell you how I dealt with the questions of the day: who was my guardian and where have I been."

"And what was your response?"

"I said I was protecting my guardian from the enemies who killed my parents and mentioned nothing of where I'd been all this time. It was accepted far too easily. It saddens and brings home to me just how precarious their lives are here."

"Yes, it is a very sad state of affairs and one I hope we can bring to an end before more die."

"I hope we...or I can do this and soon."

"I commend your desire to bring peace to wizarding kind, Harry. But to do this with any real hope of defeating the Dark Lord, you must first learn more about being a wizard and grow in strength and size. You are still a very young boy and I want you to live long enough to reach your full potential," Snape said, gently. He well understood the boy's feeling of urgency but it really was important he wait until he was truly strong enough to take Voldemort down permanently. Though, honestly, he fervently hoped the Light might do it first without Harry.

Harry's mind voice sighed, bitterly. "I understand, but it's hard to stand by and watch so many die while I take time to get bigger and stronger."

"I know, waiting is very hard but necessary, my young friend. Best eat up quickly, nearly time to leave for class. I will see you later but remember, I will treat you rather nastily...be prepared."

Harry snorted in amusement. "I think I've learned to be a pretty good actor, professor. Don't worry, I'll play my part. See you later." He caught an amused snicker from Snape before closing the contact.

Seeing his companions were nearly done and many were leaving, Harry quickly finished his meal and hurried out of the hall with Ron. Hermione was already gone.

Throughout the meal, Dumbledore sent many glances toward the boy whom everyone pinned their salvation on. He seemed a likable fellow and bore a striking resemblance to his father with the deep green eyes of his mother, Lily. He had so many questions to ask the young man but they would have to wait until much later. They both had much to do on this first day of school. The enigma of Harry would have to wait.

Hagrid had joined the table that morning as he usually did at the beginning of the school year. He'd given a friendly nod to all the teachers and a longer glance at Snape, who returned it cautiously. They understood each other well, both having a vested interest in protecting the boy.

His eyes strayed over the Gryffindor table and was pleased to see Harry at ease and being treated well so far. He hoped the boy's classes would be the same. Too bad he wouldn't see the boy in his class until third year, more's the pity. He sighed, finished his breakfast, said farewell to his fellow teachers and headed out the main door for outside, children flowing around him like a rock in a river as they hurried off to their classes.

~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~

Ron looked lost as he and Harry began hurrying to class.

"Come on, Ron, I know the way," the black haired youth declared confidently, striking off down a corridor at a hurried pace.

"Blimey! How do you know where to go? This place is immense," Ron demanded, following on the boy's heels.

"Remember, I said I'd read the Hogwarts: A History just like Hermione. It had a map which I studied closely before coming here."

"Why would you do that?"

"Safety!"

Ron gave him a confused look as they approached a heavy door and Harry was reaching for the knob to open it.

Harry ignored his expression and stepped into a medium sized room filled with their fellow students. He grimaced. He hated being late. Searching the room, he spotted two seats at the front of the room and hurried for them, already knowing they were late and McGonagall was not pleased.

"Made it. Can you imagine the look on McGonagall's face if we were late?" Ron asked, relieved the teacher was not around or so he thought.

Harry rolled his eyes and waited for what would happen next. On the huge oak desk that was the teacher's, sat a pretty gray stripped tabby cat. Just after Ron spoke it leaped forward and morphed into the professor herself.

Ron's eyes widened in shocked awe. "That was bloody brilliant!"

"I'm glad you think so Mr. Weasley, now may we get on with the day's lesson since you finally graced us with your presence?"

Ron blushed hotly, casting his eyes downward in embarrassment.

Harry smirked a little. He'd known what the cat had been as Snape had told him about those wizards capable of taking an animagus form and instructing him on how to detect them. The professor rather thought Harry would be able to do the spell as well. Harry thought that would be cool and had many a pleasant daydream about what form he might take.

The next class was History of Magic taught by a ghost of all things and incredibly boring. Harry was hard pressed to stay awake as Professor Binns droned on and on.

Professor Snape's class was next. The room was dark with barely enough light coming through a row of windows high near the ceiling, candles were set around the room providing a little more light. As promised, Snape did do his best to single out the Gryffindors by asking questions they couldn't possibly answer at this stage, except for Harry but he wisely kept his mouth shut and simply said, 'I don't know, sir'.

Harry had to admire the excellent acting job the professor displayed before his students. He did a grand performance of sweeping into the room, his robes billowing around him, his expression flat and cold, which only made him look more sinister. Then there was his cold, precise way of speaking, scorn dripping from every word as he intimidated and browbeat his students. Despite the theatrics, though, Harry was pleased to note Snape was a good potions instructor. He was excited to further the education begun by Agatha Hagrid so listened closely and took copious notes.

Charms class was fun and amusing. During the break between classes, he watched as one of his classmates attempted to transfigure glass of water into wine but only succeeded in exploding the glass. In Charms class, that same student managed to blow up his feather. Harry and Hermione managed the spell, levitating the feather, perfectly.

By far the most anticipated class was flying a broom. It was late afternoon and they were standing in two rows facing each other, with a broom by their right foot. Their new teacher was an odd looking woman with slit pupils. She was brisk and authoritative in her manner as she instructed them on how to call their brooms. Ron had problems getting his broom to obey but not Harry who smirked a little at his friend's difficulty.

"Shove it, Harry," Ron huffed, but wasn't angry just frustrated. After several more attempts, he finally managed to get the broom to listen to him.

Madame Hooch told them to mount their brooms and take off from the ground then land. Unfortunately, Neville's thought processes were so chaotic that his broom couldn't understand and thought it was supposed to take off and go.

The boy wailed in fright as his broom proceeded to take him on a wild, uncontrolled ride that was dangerous and could result in death at the speed it was going. Harry couldn't let that happen. He took off like he was born to ride and was soon in hot pursuit of the wayward broom. He flitted between the spires of Hogwarts many towers with surprising skill, fast catching up to poor Neville.

The broom veered back to the practice field then up the side of the castle, very close to the wall. Neville's robe caught a flag stanchion which snatched him off his broom leaving him suspended dangerously high above the ground.

But Harry arrived just as the robe began to tear.

"Grab my broom!" he shouted as he swung close to the boy.

Sheer terror raced through Neville as the robe tore completely and he began to plummet to the ground but it was then he heard and saw Harry. Desperately, he reached out and snatched at the broom behind Harry's rear as the boy passed, succeeding in getting a death grip on the handle with both hands while his body swung freely in the air below.

"Just hang on Neville. I'll get you down safely," Harry assured him as he ordered his broom back to the ground.

The terrifying event hadn't gone unnoticed. Professor McGonagall had glanced out her window and saw the rescue in stunned disbelief. She'd never seen such skilled flying since...well since the boy's father, come to think of it. She quickly got to her feet and hurried downstairs.

Outside, Madame Hooch quickly grabbed hold of the frightened boy hanging from the broom and insured his feet reached the ground as Harry came closer. Once both boys were safely on the ground, she gave them a stern glare.

"Mr. Longbottom what were you doing?"

"I-I-I'm sorry...the broom wouldn't obey me." Neville stuttered and blushed, ashamed at being such a klutz at everything.

Madame Hooch shook her head. This was going to be a problem child, she could feel it already. "You must have a calm, clear mind when ordering your broom to do anything, Mr. Longbottom. A chaotic mind results in exactly what just happened. We're going to have to work on that." He nodded miserably at her and stared at the ground. She then turned her attention to the other boy.

"Mr. Potter, thank you for rescuing Mr. Longbottom before he could be injured. It appears you've had some training on a broom." Her voice held a questioning lilt.

"No ma'am. I've never been on one until now."

Her eyebrows rose in surprise. "Oh, a natural then. Well, at least you won't be taking long to learn but here me now...no flying without permission or outside of class, understood?"

"Yes, ma'am." Harry was both pleased and embarrassed at the comment.

"Madame Hooch, excuse me." A voice that was slightly out of breath said from behind them all.

The group parted to reveal Professor McGonagall. Hooch frowned at her, surprised. "Yes?"

"I'd like to take Mr. Potter away, please. He won't be back today."

"Oh, well alright. Mr. Potter study the handbook on care of your broom and first commands. I'll ask you questions on it tomorrow," Hooch told the boy.

"Yes ma'am." Harry left his broom and followed McGonagall, totally confused. What could she want with him but she said nothing except to indicate he follow her as she set off at a brisk pace for the inside once more.