Thank you to every one who has read and reviewed this story, along with adding to alerts and favourites. It has been a while and for that I can only apologise for. Real life took over, though I did eventually get a new laptop.
I hope you all had a lovely holiday, and while not quite what we were expecting for this time of year that you were able to stay safe and still have a nice time.
Some of this chapter has been reworked from my previous story that I have since taken down so maybe familiar to some of you.
All mistakes are mine and mine alone, but hopefully there won't be too many.
Please enjoy.
X
Chapter 4
Holly shifted from slumber to alertness as she registered sound. She paused, waiting for the familiar rattle of the cupboard door, accompanied by the order to get up and cook breakfast.
It never came.
Holly frowned as she opened her eyes, muscles relaxing as her conscious caught up to the world around her and the sounds registered for what they were. Hogwarts, she was at Hogwarts. The move from her cupboard, to Dudley's second bedroom, hadn't prepared her for sharing a room with other people. Thick heavy drapes, in dark green, hung around the four-poster bed which she had drawn shut the night before. They did nothing to block the fact that she wasn't alone. An experience that was both new and strange, and for far different reasons compared to the mumbled complaints from one of the other girls last night. It would take some getting used to.
Holly took a moment and peered at the canopy overhead. She listened to the noises of the other girls before she sat up and pulled back the curtains. She shuffled to the side of the bed, and let her feet touch the floor, toes curling as soon as they touched the cold stone floor.
Nobody else was awake. It gave her the opportunity to get ready in peace. Holly rose and walked to her trunk at the foot of her bed and opened it. It didn't take her long to gather her wash bag, towel, school robes, and clean underwear. No windows graced the walls, but Holly noted the alcoves stretched upwards, and appeared to give a greenish light that filled the room enough to see her surroundings. A small bedside cabinet sat to the left of her bed, comprising of three draws and a personal lamp. A board framed the bed. To the right, there was a wooden chair and a chest of drawers.
Holly stepped into the shared bathroom and closed the door behind her. Holly took advantage of being the first awake and relished in a hot shower. Showers had always been relaxing, and she treasured every second she could under the scorching water. Once she finished, she gave it a quick clean before she cleaned her teeth, braided her hair and dressed in her school uniform.
Holly steeled herself for the day ahead, taking a deep breath, before re-entering the dorm room where an impatient growl greeted her before a body shoved past her.
"You took forever," the girl said, before shutting the door behind her, with more force than needed.
Holly blinked in surprise before turning to see the others were in various states of waking.
"I didn't wake you, did I?" Holly could hear the uncertainty lacing her voice. Conversation was a concept she hadn't had to deal with before. At least not outside of people throwing insults.
"No, you didn't," Greengrass said, her gaze softening as she glanced at her. "And don't mind Parkinson, she isn't a morning person."
Holly wasn't sure how to respond. She smiled a little as she made her way back to her bed, between Greengrass' and Bulstrode's. Hanging her towel over the canopy to dry before she would return it to her trunk. She caught the amused glance Greengrass threw her, but the girl didn't comment any further. Holly put her wash bag back into her trunk before getting a few things ready near the top she knew she would need for the day.
Not confident to venture out to find the Great Hall. Holly opted for picking up An Introduction to Human Anatomy and settled back on to her bed and continued reading from where she had left off yesterday. Giving her an escape to avoid the awkwardness of striking up conversation with nothing to say.
A groan emanated from the bed next to her.
"Why do we have to get up so early?" The curtain opened as a bleary-eyed Bulstrode poked her head out of them.
"It's not early," Davis said, from across the room.
"I don't know about you Davis, but quarter to seven is early in my eyes."
"Yes, well, some of us never had the luxury to lie around in bed all day, before." Parkinson huffed as she exited the bathroom. "And if you don't get a move on soon, you won't be ready to make it in time for breakfast."
"I have plenty of time."
Holly glanced up from her book and looked at Parkinson. Brown hair in a bob cut did nothing to soften the girl's hard face. Her short nose wrinkled in disgust as she passed them. Her uniform was pristine and looked to be far more expensive than the school robes Holly had purchased. Compared to Bulstrode, who had in fact now moved out of the bed, Parkinson was petite. The two girls stared at each other, neither willing to give an inch, Holly knew all too well the weird posturing that some children did in order to gain dominance over others. To establish that they were on top of the pecking order and everyone else was below them. She had witnessed Dudley doing it more times than she cared to count, to not recognise it for what it was. Holly didn't know if Parkinson wanted the top spot and she was making just one of many moves she would no doubt make to prove the point or if there was something else going on. Holly had little interest in the dormitory hierarchy. She wasn't a fool, though. Holly recognised the tension for what it was. She couldn't help but notice that Bulstrode turned away first, and that Parkinson moved out of the way of Greengrass as the other girl moved to the bathroom.
Parkinson fixed her gaze onto her.
"So tell me Potter, how does the daughter of a Light family make it into Slytherin?"
Holly blinked as she met the gaze of the other girl. There was no heat in the girl's voice, nothing but a curiosity that matched the glint in her brown eyes.
Never Flinch.
Never Fear.
She would not give satisfaction in admitting she didn't understand what Parkinson meant by Light family. There was a deeper meaning to those words than one would presume if the curious glances Davis and Bulstrode were giving her were anything to go by. Holly couldn't help but think it went deeper than what side of the war you aligned with. She wouldn't be unpleasant, but she would show care. Parkinson had been polite in her question. At least Holly hadn't been able to detect any malice in the question. She chose caution in her answer.
"The same way you made it into Slytherin, Parkinson," Holly responded, ensuring her features expressed nothing. "The Sorting Hat sorted me." There, let them speculate what that means.
Parkinson tilted her head. Puzzled look crossed her face, as if she hadn't expected that answer and was uncertain how she should respond, Holly didn't give her a chance. She closed her book and rose from the bed, dismissing Parkinson as the Dursleys had dismissed her, pretending that the girl wasn't there. Holly didn't have the time to waste with discussions about whether she belonged, or attempt to prove that she did. She had not belonged her entire life and didn't expect the Slytherin House to be any different from living with the Dursleys. She had no time to worry about proving herself to others. It wouldn't help her achieve her goal. It wouldn't help her heal her parents.
Holly headed to the door, making her escape from more queries, without appearing to flee the room. To her surprise, Greengrass had finished in the bathroom and followed behind her. Together, the two of them made their way down to the Common Room. As she reached the foot of the stairs, Holly could see a few older students waiting for them along with a few fellow first years. She spotted Blaise, who offered her a warm smile as he moved closer to where she and Greengrass were standing.
"Ah right, I will take the first lot up, I'm starving," an athletic-looking boy with sandy brown hair greeted.
"You're always hungry, Pucey." Another laughed.
"I'm a growing boy, I need to keep my strength up," Pucey said, flashing a devilish smile and eyes that glistened with amusement before turning to face them. "I'm Adrian Pucey if you would like to follow me I will take those of you that are here up to the Great Hall for breakfast."
The first years formed a line behind Pucey and followed him out of the Common Room.
"Did you both sleep well?" Blaise asked, his gaze fixed upon them, as he moved next to them.
"I did, thank you." Holly nodded.
"Better than you, I am guessing," Greengrass smirked. "Are those bags around your eyes?"
Blaise grimaced. "You try sharing a dorm with Crabbe and Goyle. They both snore like mountain trolls."
"I think I will pass thanks."
"Then you will never know my pain," Blaise said with a dramatic sigh.
Greengrass rolled her eyes. "Dramatic much."
Holly watched the two of them snipe back and forth with each other. The teasing tone in both of their voices softened the prickly words shared between them. There was no malice behind the words, something she found both fascinating and odd. The Dursleys had always meant every word they threw her way.
"Excuse them," a voice next to her said. Holly glanced out the corner of her eye to see a tall thin boy with chestnut brown hair, who had stepped beside her. "They are usually like that."
"I will take your word for it," Holly said.
"Theodore Nott, I don't believe I introduced myself last night."
Holly glanced at the boy, Nott was a name she was familiar with. A name connected with Voldemort, and a family that claimed they only served him because they were under the Imperius Curse. It was an excuse that many had made from what she read in old news articles. She would need to show caution, but be polite as well. After all, she would spend the next seven years with these children.
"Holly Potter." Holly followed the formal introduction expected by those who belonged to the elite of the Wizarding World. She couldn't help but add, "but you already knew that."
Holly threw him a pointed look.
He shrugged, ignoring the look.
"Manners hurt no one."
"No, they don't."
Though she was pretty certain they hurt the Dursleys.
"I am surprised a Potter sorted into Slytherin."
Holly glanced up at him, but he wasn't looking at her. Instead, he focused on the route that Pucey was leading them through the dungeons. Quite a few people seemed surprised she sorted into Slytherin, and she needed to work out why. She knew her parents had been Gryffindor's. Was it a tradition for families to be sorted into the same House and she had broken decades of that tradition or was it something else?
"You aren't the first person to say that."
Holly chose her words carefully, not wanting to give more away than she should. Nott turned to look at her, their gazes meeting. She smoothed her features, ensuring her face was blank.
"No, I don't suppose I would be."
Holly could see the questions swimming in his eyes: are you capable of being a Slytherin? Do you have what it takes to survive?
"I have never been one to worry about meeting others' expectations of me."
Holly held his gaze longer than was necessary. She refused to cower to the challenge in his eyes as she answered his unvoiced questions. Showing caution was one thing, but she had no intention of letting anyone think that she would make an easy target for them. Those days were gone, and the Dursleys couldn't make her life hell because she hadn't cowered properly to their son.
Was this what her time in Hogwarts would be like? Dudley and his gang had always been direct, but then she couldn't say they had been intelligent enough to try underhand tactics. Unless it involved Dudley turning on the waterworks to get his own way. But so far her fellow first-year Slytherins seemed cautious yet curious. Testing the waters without coming out and saying whether they were going to be friends with her or whether they were going to ignore her. It was confusing, and not the type of behaviour she was used to. Nott fell silent, as Holly noted, had Blaise and Greengrass. She wasn't sure when they had stopped their bickering, but they did not hide the fact they had been listening to the two of them.
They continued their journey up through the dungeons. It didn't seem to take as long to get to the Great Hall from the Common Room as it had done the previous night, though she still struggled to memorise every turn they made. She would need more time to explore a little on her own to get a better lay of the land surrounding her new home. Pucey led them to the middle of the Slytherin table while he chatted to Nott, who had turned his attention towards the older boy. Holly could already see some older years already seated, eating and talking amongst themselves. They were the early risers of the House. Breakfast wasn't as extravagant as the feast had been, but the food was no less delicious. Holly helped herself to a slice of toast and a couple rashers of bacon before adding a 'pain au chocolat' to her plate. It wasn't long before the other students trickled in, and Holly kept a close eye on the Slytherins joining the table. A blonde boy, she recalled as Draco Malfoy from his Sorting, sat down next to Blaise.
"You could have waited for me," he grumbled.
"You were still preening yourself in the bathroom and I was hungry." There was indifference in Blaise's tone to the annoyance that was clear in Malfoy's.
Malfoy pressed his lips together thinly in irritation before pale blue eyes turned onto her.
"Draco Malfoy, pleased to meet you."
A courteous smile graced his lips. The irritation that had been there moments ago vanished.
"Holly Potter," she said, offering a small smile. She had formally introduced herself so many times she was feeling foolish, but Holly knew that she was sitting amongst pure-bloods, children that lived and breathed the etiquette when dealing with other witches and wizards. Umbridge had driven home the importance of people's words and actions amongst wizardkind and the dangers of blood feuds and other such things Holly had no interest in. These children were a part of the elite, belonging to families who helped make the laws, but more important than that, had been a part of the war, and not necessarily on the same side her parents had been. Holly knew that she couldn't hold it against them in such a way that it blinded her to them. At least until they proved they were a threat and that their parents had been true supporters of Voldemort.
"What classes are you looking forward to, Potter?" Malfoy asked, his gaze fixed on her as he poured himself a drink.
She blinked in surprise at the question, already noting the waiting glances of both her year mates and Pucey for her answer.
"I am looking forward to them all," she said, sipping her pumpkin juice. She hoped the action masked the hesitation in her voice.
"No particular favourite in mind then?"
"Learning magic as a collective is something I am looking forward to. As to a favourite subject, I can't say I am an expert in any area to form an actual opinion on them or even what to expect from them." And it was true, as much as she intended to focus on learning all she could about Healing, every branch of magic had caught her interest, and she was looking forward to exploring them all.
Pucey smiled at her slightly.
"Learning all magic is a suitable response, forming favourites now could lead you to overlook another area that is also relevant and useful."
Thankfully, she didn't have to take part in further conversation by a Professor in long black robes sweeping down upon them. Dark eyes swept across them all taking in their appearance and Holly got the distinct impression he was analysing each one of them. She knew that this was Professor Snape, their Head of House, and Holly couldn't say he looked friendly.
"Goyle! Straighten your tie. Crabbe! Tuck your collar in," he said, his voice as cold as ice. "I expect every one of you to ensure your appearance is pristine at all times. You are Slytherins not animals."
He gave them another warning look, before he started handing out their timetables without another word. Holly accepted hers with a polite 'thank you' garnering her an unreadable look before he hastened on. Holly glanced at the timetable in her hands. They had rather a full first day, with Magical Theory first thing, followed by a History of Magic. After lunch, they had Double Charms and at midnight, they would be in Astronomy studying the night sky.
Professor Snape turned to face them, speaking coldly.
"First-years, you are to remain for your orientation, once the bell rings. Professor Flamel knows that you will be late. I expect each of you to pay attention and ensure they do not bring shame to the Slytherin House."
As if his words were the signal, the castle bell rang loudly across the hall, and Professor McGonagall rose from her seat at the High Table and addressed the Great Hall.
"First years, please remain seated." As the other students rose from their seats, she added, "Sixth-year prefects please remain behind you're excused from your first lesson to show the first years to their dorms to collect the books required for their morning lessons, along with showing them to their first class."
The older students filled out of the Great Hall, presumably to gather their own belongings before heading to their first class of the day. Surveying the remaining children in the hall, it surprised Holly at how many first years there were. The previous night her nerves had taken over, and she hadn't paid attention to how many students were waiting alongside her to find their place in the school.
"Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, once again welcomes you all. I trust that you are all settling into your Houses," Professor McGonagall greeted. "And are ready to begin your magical journey."
With a wave of her hand, a leather-bound book in a deep red, the size of a dairy appeared in front of them with a pop and dropped to the table. Professor McGonagall waited for the noise to die down before she began.
"You're Hogwarts Welcome Pack, inside you will find a definitive manual on School ethics, rules and regulations. Your pack will show your records, with a personalised class and extra-curricular schedule, along with a detailed list of your year, house and school, rankings within the League. You will find a calendar complete with significant events and astronomical dates."
Holly broke the seal on her own pack and skimmed through the first page. It listed the rules and regulations of the school. The second page provided a list of their mandatory class, along with a list of extracurricular activities they could take part in.
Holly looked back towards Professor McGonagall as she continued talking to them.
"Hogwarts accepts the best and brightest, this year that is you. Hogwarts makes no mistakes, and each one of you has a unique opportunity, to study within the Castle walls. Not only for the curriculum the school offers but also the unique way in which we teach."
Whispers broke out over the statement, and McGonagall waited patiently for them to cease before continuing with her introduction.
"The School League will rank you based on your individual performance throughout the year, both with your classwork, practicals, and exam results. We will rank you amongst your Housemates, Year mates and collectively within the school," she continued, "Your ranking by the end of the second year will determine the subjects available to you moving forward into your third year. Every one of you has a responsibility to yourself to work towards improving your rank. Just as you can rise rank you can also lose your position should another student work hard and improve their own standing."
She gave them all a warning look as she spoke that was hard to ignore. Holly knew in her mind there would be consequences if they didn't work hard. She flipped through the pages that had each student from each of the years marked alongside their ranks, followed by the top twenty names of the school overall. She skimmed the first year's page, where for the moment each student's name listed alphabetically with no visible ranking next to their name. Umbridge had briefly touched upon the League within the school, and how it marked the progress of each student and the importance it held for what options would be available to them later on. An ingenious idea that Minister Gaunt had put into place to ensure that Hogwarts was producing the best of the best. Along with the reintroduction of subjects that the School hadn't in the last couple of decades.
"Hogwarts students attend eight classes during their first two years of schooling. Theory forms the foundation of your understanding of magical theory and is mandatory for the first two years. Your grade by the end of your second year will determine whether you proceed to the next level and join Spell Creation, if you achieve high grades."
A hushed silence filled the hall, nobody willing to speak.
"Astronomy is once a week. The rest of your classes are Charms, Defence Against the Dark Art, Herbology, History of Magic, Potions, Theory and Transfiguration."
Holly glanced up from her Welcome Pack to look at Professor McGonagall.
"There are many extracurricular activities and clubs you may join, however, they are a privilege, and if we feel they are detrimental towards your classes and work, then we will enforce our right to deny you access. Remember, your future is in your hands, only you can determine what you will achieve. But for now, you need to focus on your first year, which should be a much more pressing concern for you all."
Holly blinked in surprise.
The rest of McGonagall's introduction informed them about the extra-curricular activities that would be available to them, and that should they undertake any projects the Professors would be available for them provided it did not interfere with their class work.
Holly found her interest caught once or twice at the possibilities, but would need to find out more information. She couldn't allow her attention to wonder away too much from her primary goal. Now that she was finally at Hogwarts, she hoped that she could make more headway regarding reaching her goals, rather than just reading through textbooks.
"I can't believe we can't take Duelling until third year."
Malfoy protested loudly enough as they exited the Great Hall, that Holly could hear him several people behind as they followed behind their prefect.
"Provided you rank high enough in Defence, Charms and Transfiguration," Nott pointed out.
Malfoy threw him a pointed look, and said, "I am a Malfoy."
Holly could hear the weight in those words and knew it was far more than merely a statement. It meant something; it mattered. And while it was another name, she knew had connections to Voldemort; she knew that the Malfoy family had power and influence in the Wizarding World.
"I suppose we should be grateful that we can learn to duel in the third year, at the very least. A few years ago it was nothing more than an extracurricular activity with only a handful of positions in the club," Blaise said, dryly.
"The Minister is trying to ensure that Hogwarts students receive the education they deserve. They have banned a lot of subjects in the last century and a half. He is trying to build a better Wizarding Britain," Malfoy answered, puffing up his chest a little as the attention of the first years fixed on him.
Holly tilted her head slightly, keeping silent as she listened while she watched which path the Prefect was taking them down.
"And you know how?"
"My father is a supporter of Minister Gaunt's party and is a member of the Board of Governors for the school."
Blaise snorted. "Been listening at doors again, have you Malfoy?"
Malfoy's cheeks flushed and his eyes widened as he opened his mouth before promptly shutting it tightly. Blaise flashed a smirk at him as he ducked through the door to their Common Room and out of sight.
X
Hogwarts was nothing like Holly had expected once she could venture further into the castle. Her own imagination hadn't done it justice, as she had never dreamed that such a place could exist. As they dutifully followed the prefects to their first class, she felt as if her head was turning full circle at every moment. There was so much to see, so much to explore, Hogwarts was...magnificent. She supposed the word summed it up accurately enough, but even she wasn't sure it actually caught everything that Hogwarts seemed to be.
There were more staircases than she cared to count that seemed to move on their own accord. Narrow, rickety ones, along with sweeping and twisting ones. Students appeared to be here and there, heading in either direction like a flowing river as they went about their own class schedules. Holly was certain it would take her a lifetime to learn all the secrets of her new home.
The Magical Theory classroom was on the fourth floor on the east side of the castle, and it was a class they shared with the Ravenclaw's first years. The prefect that had been leading left them at the door, informing them that another prefect would lead them down to their second period after class.
She spotted Entwhistle and Sloper amongst the Ravenclaws as she took her seat and hid her surprise when Blaise and Greengrass joined her. Nobody had ever actively chosen to sit by her before. Moments after they had settled down, Professor Flamel entered the room. Holly knew what to expect from Flamel and hoped that he taught in the same manner that he had during summer school. He called their names with minimal fuss, before taking his place in front of his desk.
"What makes a great wizard or witch?"
The question caught the first years by surprise, but Professor Flamel seemed undeterred by their stunned silence. In fact, the wizard just continued to stare at them from the front of the room, never once blinking.
"Anyone?" he asked, glancing around the classroom for any sign that someone was going to answer. "How about you?" He pointed to the blonde-haired boy she had shared the boat with.
"How well they do something," he answered, tentatively.
"That could be said about everything, Mr Goldstein," Flamel smiled. "But it was a good attempt, but I can tell you it takes more than that to make a great wizard or witch."
The Professor nodded once before turning back to the entire class, "Anyone else willing to have a guess?"
Several hands slowly rose.
"Yes, Miss Patil?"
A Ravenclaw with dark black hair answered, "Talent."
"No."
He pointed to the next student with a raised hand, "Mr Malfoy"
"Strength." There was a hint of arrogance in Malfoy's tone as he answered. As though there could be no other answer.
"Absolutely not," Flamel snapped. "We often confuse strength with power and greatness. But one does not have to be strong to be great. In fact, I have found it is usually the humblest of us that are the greatest."
The Professor stepped forward, down between the rows of first years, "Miss Greengrass."
"Eagerness."
"No," He said, his tone gentler. "Though a critical attribute and one we expect from all witches and wizards. Willingness to use magic is not the same as the ability to use magic."
Holly felt a tingling at the top of her spine. What would she say if he asked her? She drew in a quiet breath and let it out gradually, steadying herself.
"Miss Potter."
"Control."
The Professor met her eyes with his own pale blue ones.
"No," he sighed and moved to the front of the room. Holly stared at the wooden table before her. Professor Flamel stopped in front of the desk and crossed his arms. He looked around the room again.
"Many attributes make up a witch or wizard. But the most important quality of a witch or wizard is knowledge," he paused, and then looked at each of the students who had spoken. "Without it their strength is useless, you have nothing to be skilled at or talented in, despite your best intentions."
"But Professor, how can one be great if you don't have power? Surely in a duel the weaker of the two would always lose," Parkinson voiced.
"I won't deny that being powerful gives you an advantage over an opponent that is magically weaker than you, but if that opponent has more knowledge at using magic, I can guarantee that they will have the higher chance of winning."
Professor Flamel looked at all of them and chuckled, "I can see that you doubt my words. All of you have performed accidental magic at least on one occasion as you grew up. Accidental magic acts on your desires, strong desires but it isn't a conscious decision on your part to perform the magic, so while some of you may be powerful enough to perform an amazing display of accidental magic, right now you don't have the knowledge to do that same feat of magic consciously."
"But surely Professor, a witch or wizard with a darker registering colour for their magical core would mean they are a greater witch or wizard?" Davis asked.
Holly stiffened at the mention of magical cores, before forcing herself to relax. She hadn't forgotten about her first day in summer school and the colour her core had registered as. It wasn't something anybody was likely to forget, but her true colour was not something she wished to share with anyone else. For a moment, Professor Flamel's gaze met hers, before he returned his attention to Davis.
"Imagine two witches, Miss Davis, one has spent years studying, learning as much as she is able and continues to learn every day, her magical core however registers as Amber. The second witch, her magical core registers as Grey, she focused her attention on mastering a single spell, a spell she is exceptional at. Now if we were to measure them on core strength alone, then the second witch registers seven colours higher than the first," Flamel paused, his gaze moving across the classroom, ensuring he had all of their attention before continuing. "In a battle of strength, that second witch would last longer before she tired. However, the first witch, while magically weaker, has a vast more knowledge than her opponent and can easily use that knowledge to her advantage. Strength can be an advantage, but knowledge is power."
Flamel turned his attention to the rest of the class.
"Hogwarts has one of the largest and most comprehensive stores of knowledge in Wizarding Britain. During the years you spend here, that knowledge can be yours. Depending on you as an individual will determine on how much knowledge you glean. If you pay attention, listen to what your Professors tell you and make use of the resources here such as the extensive library you will excel. You will gain knowledge of the spells, the skill to cast a spell correctly, to manipulate it to your will consciously. To shape and mould it and control it, that is skill and those are the components that make a wizard or witch great."
"However," his tone darkened. "If you do not pay attention or take advantage of the centuries of knowledge gathered by your predecessors, you will shame only yourselves. The years ahead will not be easy."
Holly could see the warning look in his eyes.
"You need dedication and discipline if you are going to reach your full potential. Whether that potential is to be great depends on you."
The atmosphere in the room had changed to a new tension. The first years were so quiet that Holly could swear she could hear their hearts beating. Holly wasn't sure what she had actually been expecting from Magical Theory, but it definitely hadn't been this.
"Welcome all to Magical Theory. I am certain many of you are expecting this class to be a class that just involves discussions about different concepts of magic, and while there will be many debates in the days to come, there will be a practical element to this class."
A smile crossed his lips.
"It is my job to ensure you have a full understanding of the components to cast spells and use magic. While also forming the foundation of spell creation you will later need should you meet the passing criteria."
He waved his wand at the blackboard, and a large triangle appeared. He turned his attention back to them.
"I will not only be teaching you the theory of magic but also the techniques used to control magic, but also to help you hone your skills. We will touch on subjects such as Arithmancy, Ancient Runes, Sacred Geometry, and so much more. Now, would you all turn to chapter one of your textbooks and we will begin?"
X
Magic was more complicated than simply waving a wand and saying a word.
There was structure, formula, knowledge, intent, will, visualisation and of course magic, Flamel had explained some during Summer School, but sitting in a class and learning the subjects properly was both exciting and amazing. Magic was instinctive, she had learned over the summer that it came to her call, but directing where it went after took more than just pointing her wand. Which proved Professor Flamel's point even more to her. She needed the knowledge of the spells to do more than blow things up.
Holly had learnt that early on when she had attempted her first spell, but as the Slytherin first years walked out of Magical Theory, she couldn't help but wonder how many of her classmates had realised that. Had they, who had grown up surrounded by magic rather than fearing it, understood the principles that their Professor had been trying to ingrain into them or had they taken for granted the ability to wield magic and expected it to come naturally to them.
From the mutterings and groaning of a few of them, she couldn't help but think that some of them had, in fact, thought that.
Willingness to use magic is not the same as the ability to use it.
"Well, that was more interesting than I thought it was going to be."
Greengrass muttered next to her. A prefect had been waiting for them the moment the bell rang, and had signalled for them to follow her, as she led them to their next lesson: History of Magic.
"I have to say he wasn't what I was expecting." Blaise nodded.
Greengrass snorted.
"What precisely were you expecting, Blaise?"
"The wizard is over six hundred years old, Daphne, and he looks younger than the Headmaster."
Holly paused, tilting her head as she glanced at Blaise.
"He is over six hundred years old?"
If she were to hazard a guess at how old he was, she wouldn't have said 600, she wouldn't have said a hundred. Blaise turned towards her, nodding his head.
"He is. He was born in the early 14th century, noted on record as being an incredibly talented wizard, who delved into Alchemy. As a result, he is the maker of the Philosopher's Stone. The only Philosopher Stone in existence."
Holly frowned, she hadn't come across Flamel's name in any of the books she had read over the Summer, nor had she read anything about the Philosopher Stone.
"Philosopher Stone?"
"A magical stone that can turn any metal into gold," Greengrass supplied. "Along with creating the substance the elixir of life, which grants the drinker immortality, along with other rejuvenation properties."
Holly glanced at Greengrass, keeping her face smooth of emotions, as a thrill of excitement shot through her. Her mind racing at the information she had just gleamed. Could it be that easy? Could the Stone heal? Surely if it granted immortality, then it had to have properties that impacted one's health overall. After all, Flamel appeared to be in good health. It was something she would have to look into further and even speak to Professor Flamel when she had the chance. She had no interest in immortality herself, had no interest to have untold wealth either, but if there was even a slim chance the stone could help heal her parents, then Holly had to look into it.
History of Magic, Holly quickly found, was a lesson which turned out to be far more disappointing than it should have been. The only lesson in the school that a ghost taught. An interesting notion except he had such a monotone voice that the only time it seemed to change was when he called her name and he turned to stare at her before he hurried with the next name, Holly paid enough attention to make a note of the topic he was discussing in order to look it up in her own time before promptly getting out An Introduction to Human Anatomy and continued reading from where she left off earlier.
XXX
Draco glanced towards Potter where she was sitting next to Blaise across the table. From the way she had her nose pressed in a book, though, Draco didn't think she was engaging in any of the surrounding conversations. He had no idea what she was reading from where he was sitting, but it was something that was holding her attention enough to ignore others around her.
He took a careful bite of his sandwich, ensuring that no crumbs sullied his school robes, his thought turning as he chewed. His head was hurting again. Magic rattled around him. His father had taught him to shield against the everyday magic that he would find in Hogwarts, but he wasn't strong enough yet to not feel Potter's magic. He glanced towards her the third time. Her magic was like she was the sun, pulling at him, and he was sinking into her orbit and he couldn't help but look. Not stare, he was a Malfoy after all, but look.
He couldn't believe that the girl who he had seen on the train journey was Holly Potter, and the Sorting Hat had placed her in Slytherin. It made it easier to get to know her since she was in the same House as him, and more difficult because she was a Potter. A girl who, while may not be the proclaimed Saviour of the Wizarding World, was the third part of the equation to what happened that night. Draco found it odd that the Boy-Who-Lived didn't emanate as much magic as Holly Potter did. It should be the other way round, Potter should be the ordinary one of the two. And yet there was something, something that rattled inside of him, and his own magic curled tighter around him. Not Draco was to guess it would do much to protect him from the whirlwind that seemed to surround Potter.
And he wasn't the only one noticing.
Not from the side glance a few of the other Slytherins were giving. Not all, but enough. It surprised him that the rest of the school weren't noticing, but then Slytherins were the most intelligent, regardless of what others thought of them. He would need to write to his father, to inform him of what he had discovered. He would write to his mother as well, because she would know what to do on approaching Potter. Until then, he would observe, and see if he was really feeling that much power from Potter.
XXX
It surprised Holly to see Malfoy walking beside her to Charms after lunch, rather than Blaise and Greengrass. Not that she had grown used to Blaise or Greengrass choosing to walk next to her either. Her fellow Slytherin first years were acting rather oddly. Not Dudley odd, not the Dursleys level of odd, but so far it seemed to split evenly down the middle of those who were actively choosing to talk to her, and those who didn't, and the ones that didn't, didn't ignore her in the same away the children from her primary school did either. More that they were holding back. Watching and waiting to see what was to happen. Holly found the entire thing strange, just as she found Malfoy and the other students watching her over lunch oddly. She may have spent the time reading, but she wasn't oblivious to the curious eyes, she felt as though she had been a bug under a microscope. She said nothing, didn't react in any way that could they could against her. Dudley and his friends had done far worse than stare at her after all.
"Are you looking forward to Charms, Potter?" Malfoy asked, his tone civil but inquisitive.
Holly glanced at the boy. He seemed determined to be friendly to her, if his half smile was anything to go by. Open hostility was something Holly was used to, something she had in part expected. This friendly approach was not something she was used to, and she felt out of her depth. But there was no reason not to answer his question.
"I am looking forward to Charms," she answered, her lips turning up. "Charms does sound rather fascinating. Are you looking forward to Charms?"
Malfoy nodded, his blue eyes shining, as though he had just triumphed. Holly pushed back the frown that wanted to crease her brow and kept her face as blank as she could manage it.
"Professor Flitwick is a Charms Master, and an accomplished duellist. It will be interesting to learn from him."
It wasn't a yes or a no, Holly noted. It was a respectful answer that gave an insight into the way Malfoy thought, whether he realised it or not, Holly couldn't say. Holly stored that nugget of information away for her to think about later, as they entered the Charms classroom. Unlike Theory and History which had rows of desks where two or three students could sit at a time, Charms had two rows of longer benches that surrounded the classroom. Allowing students to sit in clusters. Malfoy herded her towards the second row on the left-hand side of the classroom where Blaise, Greengrass and Nott already sat and she found herself seated between Nott and Malfoy.
Professor Flitwick arrived moments after they did, saving her from any further attempts at conversation. He was small and chipper and began roll calling after hefted himself onto a large stack of books, that appeared unbalanced in Holly's opinion, but the Professor seemed to have the art of standing on them to an art.
The professor spent the first half of the lesson discussing the theory of Charm work. Holly was quick to note Will and Visualisation were key elements along with correct wand movements and spell pronunciation for this branch of magic. The second half of the lesson, Professor had them start on the 'Repairing Charm', using various broken objects that Flitwick seemed to keep for the lesson.
In his words. "Accidents happen, so it is essential to know how to mend our errors,"
Certain materials were easier than others Holly found, and even though she had repaired a broken glass jar, cracks had still been visible. Despite the visible cracks, Holly couldn't stop herself from feeling the jolt of excitement that she had accomplished the repair. It wasn't perfect, but the jar had repaired itself and that was an achievement in her eyes, as it was their first lesson of the day where they could use magic.
X
It was a far more subdued group of first years that entered the Slytherin common room after Charms. The excitement and energy that had driven them through the day had dwindled into a tiredness that came with a full day of learning and concentration. Even the students whose parents had afforded private tutors were used to a structured day of learning, Hogwarts was different. Holly was certain it would take them a few days to settle into the pace of the school and the expectations set on them. They cleaned up using the free time; they had before dinner and commandeered two large tables close and sat down. Holly shared a table with Blaise, Greengrass, Nott and Malfoy.
Holly tried to sit on the outskirts, not apart but not separate from them either. She had fallen through the social cracks and avoided interactions with others when she could, Holly wasn't stupid enough to alienate herself from her housemates. At least not yet.
It would be noticeable if she did. But it seemed her housemates had other ideas and weren't prepared to let her slip through the social cracks. Rather than choosing to make a start on their homework, they settled for a game of Exploding Snap. Holly found that one of the ways to play was like the muggle game, except the cards spontaneously exploded during the game. When you matched a pair, you had to hit the card with the tip of your wand, not only winning a point but also preventing the matched pair from exploding, which required quick reflexes.
It was a fun game. Holly couldn't help but join in with the others as they teased and laughed at each other's mishaps. Especially when Malfoy received singed eyebrows because he wasn't quick enough. The other boy seemed to take great pride in his appearance, and it wasn't until one of the older students finally put them right again that he stopped pouting.
A.N: 2020 was a challenging year for us all, and while 2021 has started, from the start of it, it is looking to be equally challenging. We are only nine days into the New Year and already a lot has happened, a lot is still happening. Remember to be kind to yourself, give yourself time away from social media, or watching the news if at any point it becomes too much for you. Remember to give yourself a chance to destress anyway that destresses you. Look after yourself, ease up on the pressure you put on yourselves. Life isn't normal at the moment for a lot of us, and could quite possibly not be normal for a while longer. Don't push yourself to breaking point.
Stay safe.