Thank you to everyone who has read and reviewed this story. Added to favourites and alerts. Thank you for remaining patient with me between updates and for supporting the story.

Some of this chapter I have used from my previous stories which evolved into this one so certain sections may be familiar.

I hope you enjoy the chapter.

Any mistakes are mine and mine alone.

XXX

Chapter 5

Greengrass was already awake and dressed by the time Holly woke the following morning. The others were still asleep, taking advantage of the free period they had to counter their late night Astronomy class the night before. Holly had always been an early riser, something her aunt had ingrained into her from a young age, and she doubted it was going to change soon.

"Morning."

"Good morning." Greengrass said with a warm smile. "Do you fancy trying to make our way to breakfast on our own?"

Holly glanced at Greengrass, trying to gauge the intent behind the request, before nodding slowly. She hadn't detected any illwill from the other girl. At least not yet.

"Sure, I just need a moment to get ready."

Holly didn't take long to get ready. Yesterday's shower she had given herself the luxury of having those extra minutes. Today Holly was more practical. She washed and dressed quickly before leaving the bathroom to gather her supplies for the morning ahead. She could feel Greengrass watching her, but the other girl didn't make a sound, just silently watched. Holly couldn't shake the feeling that she was seeing more than most of their age did.

Together they left the Common Room and made their way in the general direction of the Great Hall, neither of them in any great rush.

As they walked, they talked. Holly learned that Greengrass' favourite colour was blue, and that she had an interest in Charms and Potions. She had come to Hogwarts with an extensive knowledge of the most influential people and families within Wizarding Britain and Wizarding Europe, and a full background in Wizarding Law and Pureblood Etiquette. Down to both the private tutors, her parents had arranged for her growing up, and as a member of an influential House within Britain's social elite. Something Holly was quickly coming to realise was common within the Slytherin House and not just them, either. The Potter family name had some influential power as well. Different from those she now found herself surrounded with, but there all the same. The idea didn't sit well with Holly, almost as if the expectation was there for her to join such things with no warning or prior knowledge. She was careful not to voice her opinion aloud. Her family name may have given her a standing within the Wizarding World, but Holly knew she was still an outsider. She had grown up in the muggle word and away from such frivolous day-to-day activities that had seemed to dictate Greengrass and her other housemates childhoods. It was one thing for her to not understand the Etiquette that dominated the Wizardkind lives in the games they played with each other, but she had a feeling that insulting it would be another story altogether.

Greengrass was friendly in her questions. She didn't voice her curiosity in the same way that Parkinson had with her sorting, or as open as Blaise's had been, but it was still there all the same.

It was friendly, something Holly would be the first to admit she wasn't used to. The students she had been with during Summer School had been friendly, but she hadn't accepted the extra step to be anything but polite. She hadn't been certain she could trust it, and even now, Holly didn't know whether she should trust it. Usually people didn't like her, didn't want to get to know her or go out of their way to be in contact with her. But Holly couldn't deny that the seeds of something were being planted here and now. A hand was being extended, and she was taking it.

It was nice. Different but nice. Not that Holly trusted Daphne. Trust was not something she allowed herself to give to people blindly, it was earned.. Something that Holly realised Daphne understood and was showing the same caution. Part of her rebelled at the possibility of letting others close to her, yet a small part of her. The part she had buried for her own sanity that had been lonely living with the Dursleys rejoiced she had someone she could talk to, even if neither of them trusted the other.

It was that voice she listened to for a moment, even as she showed caution.

Holly shared little bits of information about herself. Avoiding serious topics such as her home life and the Dursleys, she instead delved further into some subjects she was looking forward to and some areas of magic she was interested in discovering more about. It wasn't the most riveting, but it was something about herself she shared.

Perhaps Daphne, as she had insisted Holly call her during their walk, realised it herself by the small smile she gave her as they reached the Slytherin table. Instead of sitting they chose to grab something for breakfast and walk outside to enjoy the morning fresh air while they had their free period.

It was a crisp morning, Holly noted as they finished their walk around the grounds and met with the other first years on the steps outside the Great Doors.

"You two missed breakfast," Blaise pointed out when he saw them.

"We didn't, we were just awake earlier than you and decided to enjoy the outdoors before lessons," Daphne said.

Blaise wrinkled his nose. "I couldn't imagine even attempting to wake up early after our late night last night."

Holly smiled slightly at the boy, before turning her attention towards the prefect, who chatted enthusiastically at them, as they led them down the windy path towards the greenhouses and the waiting Professor.

Professor Sprout was a short witch, with rosy cheeks and a warm smile. Vastly different to Professor Snape, she wore grey robes and what appeared to be a patched, battered hat on top of grey wavy hair. Before allowing them to enter, she briefly explained the safety precautions they would need to follow before entering the greenhouse and leaving.

Professor Sprout ushered them into greenhouse 1, where she set them to examine three different samples of the same plant. The difference being the soil they were growing in. She further explained then that the soil properties and growing conditions impacted the plant's growth, magical properties and parts. Holly was uncertain whether she would ever develop a love for the subject, but she couldn't deny that it was interesting, and how the care for the plants that they were learning now would have an impact in other disciplines such as Potions.

Holly was certain she would never look at a plant in quite the same way again.

After lunch, Holly stepped into the Transfiguration classroom and slipped into a seat nearest the wall. Daphne and Blaise joined her, with Nott and Malfoy taking the seats behind them. They shared Transfiguration with the Ravenclaws, and she was grateful that they appeared to have taken front row seats in the class.

Professor McGonagall stood at the front of the class, standing just before a blackboard as she waited patiently for each student to settle down, take out their books and parchment, and focus their attention on her.

"Transfiguration is some of the most complex and dangerous magic you will learn at Hogwarts. Anyone messing around in my class will leave and not come back. I have warned you."

The warning hung heavy on the air of the classroom, and all anybody could do was sit and wait and see what would happen next.

Professor McGonagall didn't disappoint.

She transfigured her desk into a pig and Holly couldn't help but feel a sense of awe, just as she had when the Professor had transfigured a vase into a bird.

"It is imperative that you understand the fundamental rules governing transfiguration because it is easier here than most branches of magic for something to go wrong," Professor McGonagall continued. "When transfiguring it is important to make firm and decisive wand movements or the Transfiguration will be unsuccessful."

Professor McGonagall turned to the blackboard and with a flick of her wand, writing appeared.

Holly frowned as she scribbled down the strange equation. It wasn't a math formula, or at least not in a way she understood a maths formula to be. She did not know what it could be or even mean. Yet it had a certain symmetry to the equations her mother had left her. Not exactly the same, but close enough to make her think it was more than just a math equation.

"In Transfiguration, one must always consider the intended transformation 'T' which will be directly influenced by 'A' the bodyweight." Professor McGonagall explained, "An example of this would be, turning a button into a pig. There isn't enough mass of the original object to transfigure into the intended transformation. Bodyweight matters. However, you can transfigure something larger into something smaller."

"The next following step in the sequence for correctly transfiguring your intended transformation," Professor McGonagall continued, "V is for Viciousness or, in better terms, Will or Intent. You must want the transformation to happen; you must will it with viciousness into existence."

Holly jotted notes down, trying to get a better understanding of the subject that seemed so fascinating.

"W is for Wand Power. A wand is a tool, a tool that allows you to use your magic efficiently. The spell and the wand movements must be controlled, firm and decisive, as I explained earlier. While important in all subjects, in Transfiguration without them you are welcoming a disaster to happen."

"C is for concentration. Focus. Awareness. You must focus on every step, nothing should distract you."

"Z is for visualisation. You need to visualise every detail of your intended transformation as much as you need to place a harness on your imagination. If you visualise a detail wrongly, then what you create might be beautiful, but it will not be correct or your intended outcome."

Professor McGonagall ran through the Transfiguration formula again, adding additional parts that they needed to consider, or clarifying further points. Between the Professor's input and the first couple of chapters in their textbook, Holly had more than a few pages of extensive notes, though she couldn't say she was any clearer about putting everything from the theory into practice.

Towards the end of the class that Professor McGonagall had them attempting their first transfiguration, turning a match into a needle. They were of similar weight and size, but they were of different elemental materials, and Holly couldn't help but wonder if that would have an impact. Holly tuned out her classmates as she focused on her matchstick. It was lying on her desk, almost mockingly.

She had already successfully cast a few spells, but they had been Charms rather than Transfiguration spells.

A matchstick and a needle were of a similar size and bodyweight, which matched the first part of the Transfiguration formula.

Knowledge was the next stage, even if they did not include it in the formula. Professor McGonagall had given them it in the form of the incantation they needed to use and had them practice it several times, along with the correct wand movement.

Will, Intent, Visualisation and Magic were the final parts.

The magic answered her summons with the casting of the spell and correct wand movement. Holly could feel the gentle vibration running along her arm as she cast the spell. Next she had to visualise the needle firmly in her mind as she cast the spell. She had to intend for her magic to change the matchstick into a needle and then she had to will it to happen. In truth, one also had to understand the difference between intent and will. The Intent was intending the matchstick to become a needle. It was the goal. The Will was making it happen. Was gathering the magic and willing the magic to change the core of the matchstick into a needle. Wood to metal. Both key and natural elements in the world in some form or another. Will was the desire to affect that change. Holly needed to visualise the needle in her mind as she cast the spell and willed the magic to life and transform the matchstick into a needle.

Breaking it down it seemed natural, except every time she went to cast the spell her mind lazily argued what was the point of a needle, what did it have to offer her that would be practical in any way.

It was frustrating.

Professor McGonagall was quick to point out that the caster had to visualise and will for the change to happen, but clearly that was what she was struggling with the most. The caster needed the desire to affect the change, believe it was possible, and then, using magic, force the object to bend to their will and perception of reality. If she couldn't keep the image in her mind, then how was she ever going to change anything into well...anything?

"That will be all for today. For your homework you are to continue to practice turning your match to needle, and a ten inches on the difficulties you faced and your reasoning for why you believed there was a problem. Next class, each of you will demonstrate turning a match into a needle," Professor McGonagall announced, drawing the class to an end.

From the looks that crossed other students' faces, Holly could gauge that nobody had any genuine success at the transfiguration spell.

It was with a sigh of relief that Holly left the Transfiguration classroom when the lesson ended. She couldn't help but feel frustrated with her own poor performance. Failure wasn't an option. Not if she had any hope in healing her parents. Holly knew that turning a matchstick into a needle wouldn't heal them, but it was the first step on the ladder and if she couldn't do that, then she wouldn't be able to do the more advanced magic she needed.

"It was only our first lesson," Daphne said as she walked next to her on their way to the Defence Against the Dark Arts classroom. "None of us had much success."

Holly wasn't sure whether she was attempting to be reassuring or putting it in perspective for her. If she was honest, it didn't exactly sound reassuring.

"I know."

"Transfiguration is one of the most difficult branches of magic to master," Blaise said. "You are essentially changing something into something else and either your mind resists the process by not properly visualising the transfiguration or the original shape is resisting the change. Especially if that object is considered a part of the natural world, its own magic will refuse the change."

Holly fixed her attention to Blaise. "What do you mean? How would a matchstick have its own magic?"

"Magic is part of the fabric of the world. It exists all around us. Living things, emanate magic, create magic which in turn becomes part of the greater whole. They made a matchstick of wood, which is part of the natural world, thus having its own magic, no matter how faint that magic is now it is no longer part of the larger source there is still enough there. By changing the wood into the metal of a needle we aren't just changing the material but also -"

"The essence of its magic," Holly finished.

"Exactly."

"Of course not everyone believes that theory to magic, however it has been noted with Transfiguration there is a resistance when transfiguring living things rather than non-living things," Daphne added, throwing a look at Blaise as if she was warning him of something.

Holly filed away that particular interaction for later.

"So that would mean even the slightest doubt in your will or want to change the object would cause greater resistance because the original object's magic doesn't want to change shape?" She asked.

"It's a theory that some speculate on, yes. You have to want the magic to work, want the change to take place."

Holly only half paid attention, her mind racing over the concept. It sounded fascinating and something she would have to read up more on when she got the chance, but also gave her an understanding, at where she could have gone wrong.

"McGonagall is evil, not only do we have to practice turning a matchstick into a needle, but we have to write about each step of the Transfiguration formula and which step we had the most trouble on," Malfoy declared as he brought himself level with them. "And it's only our second day!"

"They might as well start as they mean to go on, by pushing us." Blaise noted.

"Yes, but still. You would at least think they would give us the first week to settle in. Find our feet," Malfoy countered.

"They can't with the new Educational Decree that was voted in over the summer."

Holly frowned. "Educational Decree?"

Umbridge had mentioned nothing in relation to a new Educational Decree, and she had been positively giddy whenever she mentioned anything about the Ministry or the Minister.

"It passed a few days before the term started," Blaise said. "Over the last few years many people have questioned the standard of education Hogwarts has produced. In the past students have had to repeat a year if they failed everything at the end-of-year exams. With the Decree, it ensures you have a pass rate of sixty-five percent or higher to be allowed into the next year, on top of your League standing."

"And if you want the option of every available elective, you need eighty percent pass for both first and second-year end of exams and be in the top twenty ranking in the League for your year group," Malfoy added.

"So to ensure we have full options of courses for third year onwards, for the next two years we need to make sure we pass eighty percent or higher at the end-of-year, and ensure we are in the top twenty for the League in our year."

Blaise nodded. "There is a chance the Board of Governors will increase that as well, and make it an even higher goal to reach."

"So the Professors are going to be pushing us throughout the entire year," Malfoy stated.

"No excuses. I can just imagine my father's expression if I get lower than eighty percent," Daphne said. "And being kept behind will lower our standing for jobs once we leave Hogwarts."

Holly blinked in surprise as she mulled over this new information. She hadn't expected that the school would make it more difficult itself to ensure she had every elective available to her. It meant that out of her year with just under sixty first-years, there were only twenty available spots at the top of the league. They weren't exactly good odds. Originally, Holly had no interest in where she ended up in the League, other than to ensure she was high enough to be considered for certain courses. That had now changed. She had no choice but to ensure she ended up in the top twenty.

"Why didn't the Professors mention the Decree on our first morning here?"

"Probably didn't want to alarm anyone. Besides, if they push us hard enough we should all pass the margin they have been given."

The Defence Against the Dark Arts classroom was on the first floor in the North Tower.

From the excited chatter from her fellow housemates, Holly was certain that she was not the only one that was looking forward to the class. They shared the lesson with Hufflepuff first-years and she saw a few faces from Summer School she hadn't seen since the feast. Though she noticed that they actively avoided looking at her.

Professor Quirrell wasn't exactly what she was expecting. He was a lean man of average height, though he had a frightened expression across his face that Holly quickly realised was a permanent look for him. Holly was under no illusions that she would instantly find out about the spell that had hurt her parents, but she had hoped that the class would be the gateway she needed in understanding the Dark Arts enough to look in the right places about the spell. However, the moment Quirrell opened his mouth, her hopes sunk and Defence Against the Dark Arts became another disappointing lesson, if for different reasons than History of Magic. Holly couldn't deny that the subject of their first lesson was interesting, learning about how the Ministry Classified Magical Creatures into three categories Beast, Being and Spirit and the first creature they were looking at was a Gytrash who fell into the Spirit classification. The lesson, though, he hadn't executed well. Professor Quirrell was a nervous wizard who stuttered the more agitated he became and easily startled by them practicing the wand-lighting charm - a defensive move against the Gytrash who was sensitive to light, that he fell back into his desk knocking everything off and spent the rest of the lesson picking everything off the floor.

Holly got the distinct impression that if she was to broach him with the subject of the Cruciatus Curse, he might collapse in a heap. It was disappointing, but it meant she would have to search for the answers on her own.

Something she preferred anyway. Adults had a tendency to withhold the truth to suit their own purposes, and Holly had had quite enough of that with the Dursleys.

No, better she find the answers she sought herself.

Holly retired to her dormitory earlier than her fellow dormmates, craving the solitude she was more comfortable in. She had joined them after dinner to work on the Transfiguration essay, before finally making her escape without raising too many questions. She wasn't used to people choosing to interact with her, wasn't used to being surrounded by others. The Dursleys had little love for her and left her to her own devices so long as she completed her chores and she wasn't causing them any problems. Holly wouldn't trade knowing about magic and Hogwarts for anything, but with only two days into the term she was feeling nostalgia for the quiet of her cupboard.

Drawing the curtains around her bed, to avoid any conversation with the others, she carefully read through her Transfiguration textbook for some key in how she could tackle the transfiguration successfully. Had she missed something earlier? Blaise's earlier statement in regards needing to fight through her own resistance in order to fight the resistance of the objects natural magic hit closer to the mark than she liked to believe. As much as she had resisted the Dursleys in the ways she could, her upbringing with them had ingrained some lessons she needed to unlearn. Holly knew magic existed; she had seen it and done it; she was in a school for magic but a little voice in the back of her mind, that sounded far too much like Aunt Petunia, argued again and again against the possibilities at her fingertips. It was that sliver of doubt that she belonged here, that she could ever preform magic in its truest wonder, that objects couldn't turn into other objects was enough to put doubt in herself.

That was unacceptable. Not if she hoped to heal her parents.

Magic was real. She had seen it, and she had done it. And she would Transfigure a matchstick into a needle.

She had to trust herself and her magic. Something that should be like second nature to her, as she had always thrived on her instincts, had only ever had herself to depend on.

Holly closed her eyes, took a few deep breaths before opening them again. She could do this. She would do this.

She placed the matchstick Professor McGonagall had given her in class and looked at it closely, picturing it changing shape in her mind's eye. The slow transformation as the end became pointy and sharp enough to prick a finger with. The body slimmer, sleek and shiny as the wood turned into metal. She held that image in her mind, and with a flick of her wand, she cast the incantation.

A light blue glow surrounded the matchstick. It shivered and rippled. Holly kept the image of the needle in her mind, directing with her will to shape the magic.

Eventually, the matchstick shifted into a needle.

Holly let go of the image in her mind, eyes widening as she picked up the now transfigured needle and held it in her hands. It felt like a smooth metal, and the end was pointy enough to prick her finger.

A slow smile crept across her face. She had done it. She had actually done it. It wouldn't heal her parents, but it was a start, and that was something she could feel proud of. Determination settled across her shoulders, as she leaned back against her headboard, picking up a notebook she had purchased intending to gather her thoughts, she wrote her findings, what she had learned from the last two days, and the areas she wished to look into once she had the chance. Flamel and the Philosopher's Stone were on the top of her list. As to was this Educational Decree. If she was going to survive the Wizarding World, then she needed an understanding of those who governed her world. Especially as those she shared a House with seemed to understand how it all worked.

Friday finally arrived. Something Holly was grateful for. Despite their first week being shorter than usual, it had been a long week with adjusting to life at Hogwarts. Classes were interesting and hard. Magic wasn't as easy as waving a wand and saying the right words. Not to mention Holly had an itch to spend more time exploring the Castle and finding her way to the Library had grown with each passing day, and the prospect that she would have as much time as she wished over the weekend to do just that was something she was looking forward to.

They only had double potions first thing and Transfiguration after lunch and then they were free for the rest of the day.

"I can't wait for a lie-in tomorrow," Nott groaned as she sat down for breakfast.

"Breakfast is still going to be at the same time, Theo." Blaise chuckled.

"Yes, but it won't matter so much if I miss it." The brown-haired boy grumbled.

"I can't bring myself to think about all the assignments I still have left to do. I know some of them are relatively straightforward, like History of Magic, but did every class have to give us something," Malfoy moaned.

Holly still wasn't sure what to make of the blonde-haired boy. One second he acted like a spoiled brat who thought the world owed him everything, and that reminded her far too much like Dudley for her liking. And then other times he was serious while trying to act older than he actually was, had something intelligent to say which was nothing like Dudley.

"Your father knows Professor Snape, any tips you can offer us?"

"Professor Snape does not suffer fools lightly." Malfoy shrugged, choosing not to expand any further.

Not that they needed a further explanation. They had all heard the stories about their Head of House; he was not a Professor any of them wanted to cross if they didn't have to.

Finishing their breakfast, they made their way down to the Potions classroom and entered. They still had fifteen minutes to spare before class began, allowing them plenty of time to set up. One prefect had forewarned them that Snape liked the students who came to class prepared.

Holly sat down at one workbench. Surprised to find Malfoy sitting next to her, rather than Daphne or Blaise. She had spent most of her time with Daphne or Blaise since the feast. Though she had found most of the first-years congregated together more often than not.

She shared a look with Daphne, who just shook her head, sitting down on the other side of Malfoy. Holly nodded her head in greeting at Malfoy as she took out everything she would need for the lesson and skimmed the first chapter of their textbook. The others chatted quietly amongst themselves as the Gryffindors slowly started entering the classroom.

She spotted Longbottom instantly. A nervous look crossed his face as he entered the room, though the redhead next to him appeared to be talking to him. They hadn't shared a class with the Gryffindors before. Holly saw Granger for the first time since their Sorting, but the other girl didn't glance in her direction as she grabbed a station near the front on the opposite half of the room and set about setting up her station.

It did not surprise Holly by the lack of interaction from the students who she had been with during Summer School. Not since she was Sorted into Slytherin. Something the older Slytherins had made that clear was the general distaste the other Houses had of them. Holly was more than used to being disliked by others, based on an idea of who she was, and what she was like. It made her more than grateful that she hadn't gotten close to any of them during the summer weeks if they were going to allow her Sorting cloud their judgement.

A few minutes later, the door swung open and the entire class fell silent as Professor Snape stalked into the room like a shadow. With a flick of his wand, the door slammed shut behind him, causing several students to jump in their seats.

The bell rang as he strode forward to the front of the classroom, his black robes sweeping behind him.

He turned to face them, gazing down his nose at them. His eyes were black. Cold and empty. That reminded Holly of a dark tunnel. He started calling their names with a sense of impatience and disdain. He paused on her name with a slight grimace. The edges of his mouth tilting ever so slightly. Before swiftly moving on.

She didn't think the grimace meant anything good.

The class fell silent after Blaise confirmed his presence. Professor Snape's eyes glanced over at them like a hawk looking for prey. Seeking any weakness.

"Potions is a demanding art," he began, "You are here to learn the subtle science and exact art of potion-making."

He spoke in barely more than a whisper, but they caught every word - like Professor McGonagall. Their Head of House had the gift of keeping the class silent without effort.

"I don't expect many of you will really understand the beauty of the softly simmering cauldron with its shimmering fumes, the delicate power of liquids that creep through the human veins, bewitching the minds and ensnaring the senses," he paused letting his words to sink in.

"But to those of you who appreciate that Potions takes more than it gives I can teach you how to bottle fame, brew glory, even stopper death."

Holly could admit that Potions had captured her interest the moment she had first read over her school textbook. Whether she would be any good at it, she couldn't say. From the speech Snape had given, she doubted it was going to be an easy subject to learn, but the possibilities it presented in being a way to cure her parents it wasn't one she was about to pass up or screw up.

Not a single person moved a muscle throughout Snape's speech as he walked down the aisles between the workstations.

"Potter!" he barked.

Holly didn't jump, something she was grateful for.

"Yes Sir," she said looking up at him. He was close enough to pierce her with his sharp eyes. She could feel the weight boring down on her.

"Where would I find a Bezoar and what is it used for?"

Holly mentally left out a sigh of relief. She had read her textbook multiple times, but even then she knew she wouldn't be able to keep every bit of information. Bezoar had stuck out because of its usefulness. A tool in the arsenal that would add a layer of protection when she had one.

"It is a small stone that neutralises most poisons. We can find it in the stomach of a goat."

"Name one poison it would not neutralise?"

"Bloodroot Poison," she answered. That one had stuck out in her mind as well. Its main ingredient bloodroot killed animal cells. The exact effects on the body were unknown, but one of the known effects was excessive bleeding. She had read there was no known cure for the poison.

He didn't congratulate her, didn't give her any sign that she was right or wrong. He just stared at her intensely for a moment longer before snapping out the next name.

She felt like she could breathe now he was no longer boring down and tried to focus on the questions he was asking her classmates.

"Weasley!"

The redhead boy gulped nervously and seemed to pale considerably as he shifted in his seat.

"Name a potion that we use Pungous onions in?"

"Uh...I don't know, sorry."

Snape waved his wand at the blackboard, where writing slowly appeared.

"To answer your question, Mr Weasley," he said with a bit more rancour than perhaps needed, "something you would have been able to answer had you bothered to pick up your book and read before entering this classroom. We use Pungous onions in a Boil Cure potion. Something which you will all be making now."

He looked at them all, his gaze no friendlier than it had been at the beginning of the lesson.

"The instructions are on the board, if you do not have all the ingredients in your kits, then you may use the student store cupboard at the front to collect the missing ingredients," he stated, "You have until the end of the lesson to complete the potion. You may begin."

Holly lit the flame under her cauldron, allowing it to settle and heat slowly, as the book recommended doing. She read over her textbook and memorised the steps before moving the book out of her way so she could begin crushing six snake fangs in the mortar. She added the powdered fangs to the cauldron and stirred three times clockwise. Holly sliced the Pungous onion finely before adding them, the dried nettles and a dash of flobberworm mucus to the cauldron before stirring vigorously.

There was something methodical about Potions, almost therapeutic. The uncertainty when casting spells was absent as she brewed. Holly enjoyed the process. She added and stirred the ingredients one by one, watching the potion come to life before her eyes. Each step bringing a tingle of excitement.

Professor Snape watched them like a hawk, circling those students who seemed like they were struggling. Swooping down on them. He wasn't nice about it, causing more than a few to flinch back at the bite of his tone, but he it seemed had prevented disaster with the almost mishaps.

Holly remembered to take her cauldron off the fire before adding the porcupine quills, but only just.

Waving her wand over the potion to finish, smiling slightly as pink smoke raised from the cauldron. According to the book, it meant she had been successful, but she supposed only Snape would be the accurate judge of that.

Holly bottled her sample before packing up her station and ensured her cauldron was clean and dry. Malfoy had finished a few moments ahead of her, as had Granger. Considering the enthusiasm the girl had shown in completing tasks during Summer School, Holly wasn't surprised. Holly carefully placed her sample on Snape's desk before returning to her station.

"You have twenty minutes left," Snape announced to the class, causing a few students to panic and stir a little more vigorously than they had been.

Not wanting to waste time sitting ideally, Holly reached for her textbook and began reading the next few chapters. And possible future potions they would brew in the class.

"What do you think of Hogwarts so far?" Malfoy asked quietly.

Holly glanced at him. The class wasn't exactly silent, but there wasn't useless chatter happening either. Considering that they both had finished their potions, though, she presumed Malfoy wanted to pass the time.

"It is more than I expected. The lessons are interesting, and there are some that aren't what I was expecting." She answered honestly.

"Such as?"

Holly paused, casting a cautious eye in Snape's direction. He hadn't appeared to have noticed they were talking yet.

"Defence Against the Dark Arts. I expected it to be… more."

Malfoy snorted.

"You can say that again. Apparently it's been a bit of a joke for several years, at least that was what my father has said."

Before she could respond, a startled cry snapped her attention to the back of the class. Longbottom had melted Weasley's cauldron into a twisted blob, and their potion was seeping across the stone floor and burning holes into people's shoes.

"Idiot boy!" Snape snarled, waving his wand clearing the mess. "Clearly fame isn't everything if you are incapable of brewing the simplest of potions. Five points from Gryffindor. Weasley take him to the hospital wing."

Malfoy snorted softly, loudly in front of her.

"Due to Longbottom's obvious mistake, I expect an eight-inch essay regarding the safety precautions one should take when brewing potions," Snape snapped at them, "Due Monday. You're dismissed."

Nobody dared to groan while they packed their belongings up and exited the classroom, but from the grumbling mutterings, Holly heard around her some of her classmates were less than pleased with the homework that had been set and with only the weekend to complete it. The weekend would not be as half as relaxing as some were hoping it would be.

Thank you for remaining patient with me between updates. I am busy working on this story as well as my other story Red Threads of Fate. Sometimes the muse fixes on one over the other.

I can't promise when I will update this story or even predict the next update. I am struggling with burning out when it comes to writing but I am working on it and I hope that it will be in the next couple of months or so.

Thank you and I hope you enjoy the story