Chapter 3

The first day of lessons rolled around for the students of Hogwarts, some distressed about the exams they had this year, while others excited for the start of a new year.

Harry wasn't sure if he fell into either category. His dreams last night had been anything but pleasant, leading him to wake up earlier than everyone in his house. Doing his usual morning routine while his roommates slept, he walked down, pulling out his Ancient Runes book as he grabbed a seat next to the dying embers of the fireplace.

This is where Hermione found her friend two hours later, so engrossed in his book that he hadn't even heard her come down the stairs. "You're up early", she remarked.

His head turned up in surprise, not realising his friend was there. He hadn't even realised that she wasn't the only person there, with most people already down in the common room. I need to pay more attention sometimes. "Yeah couldn't sleep. Excited about the first day", he replied, hoping she wouldn't persist with any more questions.

"Are you su-" but she was cut off by Ron's monstrous yawn as he walked towards his two friends. "Oh Ron, you're finally here, we need to get going now!" she almost shouted, pulling Harry up from the chair and dragging the two boys towards the portrait entrance.

"Merlin, Hermione, what's the damn rush?" Ron snapped; sleepiness still evident in his voice.

"We need to get to the front of the table, right next to the professor's seats" she replied quickly, still pulling the two boys along as she practically ran down the halls.

"Why exactly do we need to do that?" this time Harry asking the question.

"Timetables" she replied, causing the two boys to roll their eyes, and jog after their friend.

Hermione was practically jumping in her seat, when McGonagall finally rose from her chair with a stack of parchments. "Hermione, will you relax. How does it matter what order of lessons we have?" Ron spoke up, bits of bacon spilling out his mouth.

Hermione didn't dignify his question with a response.

"Ahh, Ms Granger why am I not surprised you're at the front of the table." Professor McGonagall inquired, a soft smile on her face. "Well, let's see, you'll be continuing with Ancient Runes, Arithmancy and Care of Magical Creatures?" she asked, pointing her wand at the parchment.

"Yes Professor", she replied with an eager nod, almost snatching the timetable from her hands.

"Well, Mr Potter and Mr Weasley, you boys take the same subjects, don't you? No, I apologise. Potter the headmaster informed me of your new subject choice. It's good to see you taking more effort in your education, and I hope it'll be the same in my class" she finished with a smile, as she handed the timetables to the boys.

"Oh and Mr Weasley, take this also," she said, conjuring a napkin for him and fixing him with a stern glare as she walked away, cause Harry and Hermione to laugh.

"Well, let's see what we have today" Hermione spoke, mostly to herself. "We've got potions twice today. At least it's not the first lesson" she said at Ron's face of disgust.

"Hermione, potions at any time of the day, is a drag" Harry replied. "What else is today?"

"We've got History of Magic first, ancient runes and transfiguration"

"Great, History is first!" Ron replied

"Why Ron, I didn't know you liked History" she inquired

"I don't, but it's a great nap, especially for the first day of the week"; causing Harry to laugh once again at Hermione's annoyed stare.

"Seriously, Ronald! I'm tired of having to give you my notes just because the class bores you" Hermione huffed angrily.

They had just walked out of History of Magic, and true to his words, Ron had fallen asleep. No matter how tempted Harry was to join him, he knew he had to focus, he had made a promise to Dumbledore.

"Hermione, no one manages to stay awake in that class. His voice makes me sleep, I can't control it", he remarked.

"Well, I managed to stay awake. Even Harry did! He even made his own notes"

"Well then I'll borrow Harry's notes," he said with a pleading voice.

Harry shrugged and kept walking.

"Mate where are you going, divination is this way" Ron spoke up as Harry and Hermione walked down the stairs.

"Ron, I have ancient runes with Hermione now. We'll meet up at lunch, yeah?"

"Oh sorry I forgot about your new attitude towards school" he scoffed. "I guess I'll just go alone then," he remarked as he stomped the other way. Harry rolled his eyes at his behaviour, and walked with Hermione to class.

The pair reached Ancient runes seconds before the bell struck for their second period. Harry looked at the students in the class. By far it was his smallest class, with only a handful of students. He and Hermione were the only Gryffindors, joined by Susan Bones in Hufflepuff, Terry Boot and Michael Corner from Ravenclaw. The class also included three Slytherins: Daphne, Tracey and another girl Harry had seen hang out with Pansy; Millicent Bulstrode.

Hermione had already sat down in the front with Susan Bones, leaving Harry to stand awkwardly by the door, as everyone in the class started intensely at him.

"Ahh, you must be Mr Potter. Professor McGonagall told me you'd be showing up today" a soft voice spoke.
"I'm Professor Babbling. Now let's see where should I put you?" the professor said, looking around the classroom. "Ah, there is a free spot next to Ms Davies."

Harry thanked the professor, ignoring everyone's stares as he walked to his desk, sitting down next to Tracey.

"Now, last year we covered the basics and fundamentals of runes. This year won't be so easy. I know you students are now proficient in Latin and Gaelic runes, but we must move on to a new set of runic language. For the first term, we will be learning about Ancient Greek runes, assessing the similarities and differences with the rune languages we have already learnt." The fact that the students had to learn another language elicited a groan from most of the class.

Ignoring the chagrin of her class, Babbling continued: "Now with your partners, turn to page 130, read the background on the Ancient Greeks and make notes."

Harry opened his book to the designated pages and started reading: The first known sighting of Ancient Greek runes were founded in Mesopotamia in the-

"Psst Potter, what are you doing here? I never knew a student who changed their electives one year into a course before." Tracy whispered.

Harry looked up from the textbook, wondering if he should tell the truth. Since there was no harm in telling her; he replied-"Yeah I know it's unusual, but to be honest Dumbledore offered, and I'd take any chance to drop Divination."

"So you're saying the headmaster personally came to you and asked you to switch subjects? Why would he do that?" she remarked sceptically.

"I know it sounds absurd, but that's the truth," he said looking straight at her eyes as he talked. "And for the why bit, that's between him and me. Sorry" he said once again before going back to his textbook. She remained quiet for the class, her attention hardly focused on the textbook.

"Ok class, that's about all the time we have. Next time I'll bring in some runes, and we'll start to learn the basics of the languages. Also for next week, ten inches of parchment on the history on the finding of the Greek runes."

So what were you and Potter talking about in class today?" Daphne inquired as they walked into the Great Hall for lunch.

"Nothing much to be honest. I just asked him why he was in our class", Tracey replied as the girls took a seat at the Slytherin table.

"And?" Daphne pressed, adding food onto her plate.

"He said Dumbledore requested that he switched into Ancient Runes" she replied.

"Dumbledore!" she scoffed. "He seriously said that our headmaster personally asked him to switch classes?"

"That's what I said. He said it was the truth and I actually believe him", Tracey said as she started to eat.

"Believe him. How can you believe something as ludicrous as that!" she said, almost laughing at the thought.

"Because, he has no reason to lie about it, and I thought of it the entire class. Like you said on the train, Draco was wrong about him. So why would he make up something like this? And he wasn't attention-seeking or anything like that. He didn't say it in a bragging fashion, it just sounded like the truth and I couldn't sense any deceit in him" Tracey finished.

"You may be right actually. Plus we've seen it over the years, how close he and the headmaster is. With all the special treatment he's given Potter over the years you'd think it was his grandson." She responded, thinking specifically of the time the headmaster gave Gryffindor just the right amount of housepoints to beat Slytherin in her first year.

"Exactly, it was the truth! Plus when he said it, his magnificent eyes…" she swooned. "I bet you'd stare at them for hours-"

"Oh, sweet Merlin not this again" Daphne sighed, covering her ears so she didn't have to hear Tracey's latest love speech.

Potions was the same dark and dreary classroom atmosphere it had been for the last three years. Also, like the previous years, they shared their potions class with the Slytherins. Sometimes Harry wondered if Dumbledore did this to administer his policy of unity. He had chosen to sit down next to Neville this time due to Ron's behaviour at lunch.

Ron had come from Divination in a foul mood, blaming it on Harry's absence. He then went on to complain about being given a dream diary to fill out for the month. Harry had left early from lunch just to get away from his best friends' constant scathing remarks.

Snape soon walked in, his dark robe billowing behind him, his face only seen by the candles on the wall. "Welcome to fourth-year potions. For many of you, I'm surprised you made it past the first three years", the professor remarked, shooting a look towards Neville and Harry. "But this year, shall not be easy, and I will not be as lenient as the previous years.

"The last years were him being lenient" whispered a terrified Neville to Harry. Harry knew this year he couldn't afford to make any mistakes. The folders Dumbledore gave him at the hospital, gave him an insight into Snape's hatred towards him. It was still poorly directed, but Harry wouldn't give him the satisfaction by making mistakes.

Snape continued –"Now due to the events taking place this year, the headmaster has asked for greater house cooperation", the words coming out in a way that sounded like it pained him to say it. "So for this year, each of you, will be partnered with one from the other house, and if I hear a single complaint, you'll be cleaning up my store room for the next month!" he finished menacingly.

"Now I have randomly allocated each person to their partner, once you have been seated together, your job is to make the pepper-up potion. The instructions are in your books and the board", he said as he flicked his wand at the blackboard causing the chalk to start writing.

"Weasley and Bulstrode"

"Granger and Parkinson", Harry turned to give her a sympathetic look as she moved her equipment to sit with Pansy.

"Finnigan and Davies"

The list continued, until finally

"Greengrass with … Potter" he finished, his eyes fixed on the messy haired boy. Harry stared back refusing to show him any weakness.

He moved to Daphne's table, only to see Tracey give her a wink and walk off.

Harry, had barely sat down before Daphne spoke-"Ok Potter listen up. I'm top in this class, and your performance affects my grade. So you better listen to what I have to say" she huffed.

"Fine" Harry said, opening the page in his book. "What do you want me to do first?"

Daphne's eyebrows rose, at the ease of his acceptance to her leadership. "Start cutting the aconite. Very thinly, and at a forty-five degree angle."

"The book, just says to roughly cut it up though. Why are you being so precise?"

"What did I say about listening to what I have to say?" she shot back. At his reaction, she realised she was being too harsh. "Sorry. Cutting it thinly and at that degree allows it to get infused easily into the mixture, saving mixing time. Also when you get onto step four, don't chop the root of asphodel like the instructions say. Instead, grind it into a powder."

"Woah, how do you know stuff like this?" he inquired, while cutting the aconite per her directions.

"My mum. She's brilliant at potions, she taught me a lot before Hogwarts. I've actually done most of these potions at home."

"That's amazing. You could probably teach me quite a bit then. Potions isn't my strongest subject."

"I don't think that's true Potter. From what I've observed over the years is that you're quite… passable at potions. You often just get distracted, either by Weasley or something else" looking at Snape as she said it, making Harry laugh.

"Thanks, I'll take a passable for potions" he laughed again, making Daphne smile.

Snape interrupted their conversation as he approached the table. "Ahh Ms Greengrass how is the potion going. I hope our resident celebrity isn't bringing down your usual high quality."

"No Professor. He's been fine sir" she spoke, adding crushed lacewing flies to the potion causing it to go to the required pinkish tint. Snape looked rather upset at her answer. Peering at the potion, he gave her a curt nod, walking off to the next pair of students.

"Thanks for that" he whispered as Snape walked away.

"No problem." She was quiet for most of the lesson before she broached a new subject. "So Tracey told me what you guys talked about in runes today."

"Did she?" he replied, his eyes looking down and focused at the ingredient he was chopping.

"That's pretty cool that the Headmaster told you to switch subject just at his request."

"Yeah I guess" was his only reply, his focus still on his ingredients.

Merlin, he's like a brick wall. "Why do you think so?" she asked hoping to get a longer answer for him.

Harry finally looked up from his work, and stared at her, thinking of his answer carefully. He didn't want to tell her the full truth, but seeing as she was the reason for it he answered. "Well, actually it's because of you."

"Me?" she answered, surprise evident in her voice.

"Well after the… incident, he visited me and we talked. I addressed my fear about being overpowered by the death eaters, and he suggested I be more invested in my education. Ergo runes."

"Oh, how nice of him." She knew he wasn't telling her the full story, but from this interaction alone, she knew he wasn't a person to part with his secrets that easily. "Well, I think the potion is almost finished…"

For the last lesson of the day, Gryffindors and Ravenclaws had transfiguration together. Professor McGonagall was one of Harry's favourite teachers. She was always unbiased, an incredibly skilled teacher and most importantly an avid fan of Quidditch.

From the files Dumbledore had given him, he had found about his own father's prodigious talent in the subject. James Potter had been the top of his year in transfiguration, for all his years in Hogwarts.

"Welcome back to another year of transfiguration and another year closer to your OWLs", the class becoming quiet immediately as McGonagall addressed them.

"This year, we will delve deeper into the core principals of transfiguration. If your work from last year hasn't been perfected, you will struggle to keep up this year. Be warned", fixing the students with a stern glare.

Harry thanked himself for going over the techniques and wand movements during the last month in the Burrow. With his training, he'd also start to practice spells before even being taught them.

"Today, we'll be starting with a practical lesson. You'll be doing the vanishing spell. The incantation is 'Evanesco'. Your wand movement must be perfect to ensure that the object vanishes completely. It is achieved by half a clockwise movement, and a flick. Like so", she said, demonstrating the spell on a mouse, causing it to vanish immediately.

"Yes, Ms Granger?" the professor asked after Hermione had shot her hand up.

"Where does the object go once it's been vanished?" she inquired.

"Into non-being, which is to say everything." At the entire class' confused look, she continued, "Magic is not what we just see physically, but all around us. It is the compound that makes every one of us operate, and function as witches and wizards. Now when I say into non-being, I mean that it has moved into another intangible atmosphere. However, we do not go further into these intracicies until your NEWT year. Also, Mr Longbottom looks like he may hyperventilate if I go any further", making the class laugh.

"Now I want you to attempt this spell, on the snails on your table. Snails are invertebrate, and so easier to vanish than other animals. As we progress further into the year, I will make you practice on bigger animals, such as the mouse I showed you. Also, for next week I want a full essay on the history of the spell, its uses and functions. Now go on."

She started pacing the classroom, correcting people's wand movements and incantations. Only fifteen minutes before the end of the lesson did Hermione get it, managing to vanish her snail completely.

"Good job Ms Granger. Ten points to Gryffindor," McGonagall remarked to a proudly smiling Hermione.

Hermione, turned behind her to look at Harry, who had managed to vanish only half of his snail. "It's ok Harry that you haven't gotten it yet, do you need any help?" she asked, annoying Harry.

"No, I'll attempt it one more time", he said coolly. He was annoyed by Hermione trying and failing to hide her look of superiority. Taking a deep breath, he focused on the new snail in front of him. "Evanesco!", the spell took action immediately, completely vanishing the small animal.

"Mr Potter! Well, I'm surprised, but glad. Two students getting it on their first class is quite rare. Take another ten points to Gryffindor. Looks like Ms Granger may have some extra competition this year", she said, a soft smile on her face as she walked away. Harry looked down at the empty spot on his table, happy his effort had paid off; unaware of the glare Hermione had shot his way.

Hermione came down from her dormitory to see Ron engaged in a chess match with Seamus. They had come back from dinner two hours ago, and she had spent the time going over the homework for the day.

"Harry where are you going? It's almost curfew", she questioned her friend as she spotted him walking towards the Fat Lady's portrait.

Harry turned around like a deer in headlights, sighing inwardly at the intrusion, and making sure the map and cloak were hidden in his pockets. He had wanted to go to the library to get some books so he could start his training, but he couldn't tell Hermione that. "I was just going out for a stroll."

"But Harry, we have homework to do! Babbling already set us homework, and so did McGonagall. "You can't take strolls or you'll fall behind!" she scolded.

Sighing, Harry replied- "I've already completed both of them, don't worry about it, Hermione. Do you mind if I go now?"

"You've finished them?" she replied sceptically. "Well I should check it; you tend to make quite a few mistakes."

"No I think I'll be fine", he replied coldly, walking through the Fat Lady's portrait.

He didn't know why, but Hermione's attitude had infuriated him. This added with her attitude in Transfiguration. He knew that he hadn't been the most punctual when it came to doing homework, the previous years had proved it. He often had waited for the last day and rushed it with Ron However, he didn't like her thinking that she could just remark on the quality of his work and help him. Plus, with his new attitude towards school, he had researched his work thoroughly, writing to the best of his ability.

He had started walking towards the library, with books already in mind. He wasn't only going to practice defence spells. Listening to Dumbledore's advice, he was going to cover the spells from all his subjects like charms and transfiguration. He had planned a schedule for himself and decided he'd start with defensive spells tonight, moving on to charms the day after.

Walking into the library, he picked out his chosen books, most excited to try Practical Defence against the Dark Arts. Happy with his selection, he moved to find an empty classroom, unaware of the person following him.

Daphne and Tracey had been working on their charms homework when they had first been rudely interrupted. Daphne always started her work early in the day, mostly to get the best seats which were near the fireplace. Due to the Slytherin common room being located in the dungeons and under the lake, their common room was always slight chilly and cold. Also an accurate representation of some students who stayed there.

The girls were pleasantly talking until they were interrupted."Greengrass, I saw you getting quite comfy with Potter in potions today. Why exactly would a girl of your high standing, lower yourself to talk to a half-blood" Draco sneered, settling himself comfortably on the couches opposite the girls.

"But it's alright for you to always talk to him? And for a half-blood such as him, I wonder why I can't recall you besting him in any duel or confrontation you've started with him?" she replied back coolly. Why am I defending Potter?

"Watch yourself Greengrass. Keep getting close with the golden boy, and me and some of the upper years will be wondering where your loyalties lie", he sneered.

"Malfoy maybe you can go give these speeches to someone who cares about your position in this house", this time Tracey speaking up.

"Davies, I'd watch that mouth of yours. Especially when it comes from someone of your blood. I still wonder how you were ever sorted here. I still feel you belong with the Hufflepuffs, or better yet, one of the squibs." Smirking at her reaction, he stood up and walked off.

"That bastard!" Tracey scream whispered. "Take away that boy's father, and he wouldn't even be looked at twice in this house. I'm going to bed", she said, her face flushed with anger. "The idiot ruined my night. You coming?"

"In a while", Daphne responded. "I actually need to go to the library, to get a book for this homework. Then I'll go to bed."

Tracey nodded, wishing her goodnight before walking up to the girls' dormitory.

Stretching, as she got up, Daphne walked out the common room. Even though she didn't enjoy the temperature of the common room, she liked that it was close to the library which was on the first floor, so easily convenient. Entering the library she look around it to see it practically deserted, as curfew was almost upon them. Only sixth and seventh years remained, who were allowed to stay out longer. She started to peruse the charms section, when through a crack in the books, she noticed Potter in the other section.

Not knowing why she was curious, she looked at the book he had in his hand, the title facing her. Practical defence against the dark arts. But that's a book for sixth years. What is Potter doing with a book that advanced. She knew he was first in DADA in their year, but he wasn't that good. Is this what he was omitting in Potions. But why would Dumbledore want him to do this? It makes no sense.

Making a quick decision she started following him out the library. She hid behind the corner, and peered as he stood in the middle of the corridor. Why is he just staring at some parchment. What's on it. She heard him whisper something, putting the parchment in his pocket, taking a right towards the stairs. Waiting until he climbed the first set of stairs, she applied a charm on her feet to muffle any sounds, and quietly followed, sticking to the shadows. I'd make a good assassin she smirked to herself or just some crazy stalker. Let's stick with an assassin.

He got off on the third floor, taking a left. Why is he going here. No classes are even taught in this corridor. He rounded the corner, she quickly tiptoed to the end. Peering around the corner, she looked but he was gone. What! Where could he have gone. There's nothing else here. She walked into the corridor, peering into the empty classrooms. Wait why do I even care?

"How?" she questioned herself, walking past a tapestry as she turned back to the dungeons.

Harry smiled as he locked the unused classroom with the most complex locking charm he knew. That made him upset, as he realised the locking charm was quite simple; even a first year could break it. Something to add the list.

The classroom was perfect, using the map to find it, and it was cleverly hidden. He had taken a shortcut through a tapestry, which had led him to a secluded area of the castle. Only Fred and George could find me here, or maybe Ms Norris.

He opened the book he had procured from the library, but soon shut it after browsing through its contents. I can't start with these complex spells. First I've got to perfect the spells I already know. I also need to research some spells to soundproof this room.

Pushing the tables and chairs to the side, Harry thought of the spells he should practice. Another upsetting fact was that his repertoire of spells was quite limited. I've really got my work set out for me.

Aiming at one of the desks he started shouting off the spells he knew.

"Stupefy", "Reducto", "Flipendo"…

He spent two hours firing off all the same combination of spells he knew until he felt completely drained off energy. He trudged back towards his common room, under the invisibility cloak. Collapsing onto his bed, he smiled before exhaustion overtook him.

The man clutched the letter in his hand. Quickly walking to his office, he sat down, tearing it open. The letter looked deceivingly normal. However, the man knew if someone else was to open it, they'd live the rest of their days without their hands.

The note was short, there was no signatory, but he knew his master was a careful man.

The plan has been set in motion. Do not forget your part, failure is not an option.

He couldn't make any mistakes this time. He had failed him once; he would not do it again. He looked out the window of his office, looking at the snowy mountains in the distance; the sun just starting to fall. He peered down, looking at the large lake, a massive ship docked to the side.

Hogwarts will soon be in my grasp, the child will not succeed.

Well, there's Chapter 3 done. So I just want to address a few things. As you can see Harry is not super powerful or anything like that. I'm trying to make a realistic approximation of his skill level because before the tournament he was seriously lacking. He will get more powerful, but I'm not going to make him into some kind of God.

Also, I wonder if any of you can guess who the character at the end was. The description of the area gives a big clue.

Thanks, Please Review as well!