Hey everyone! Thanks for all the follows, favourites and reviews! This chapter focuses on September 2nd, and we meet Harry's study partner, Jane Harper, along with a few new characters!
Enjoy :)
Breakfast was a gossipy affair, lots of whispers and cupped hands so others couldn't hear what they were saying. No one had quite moved on from the announcements the previous night (except for the first years, who had no idea what all the fuss was about), so Severus and Harry were both still on the receiving end of some confused staring. The students were also waiting for Dumbledore to tell them who their study partners for the next year would be.
1995 was a good year for Hogwarts students. The day they arrived, September 1st, was a Friday, meaning they had the weekend to finish any summer homework before lessons resumed on the Monday. Many students planned to introduce themselves to their study partners, and hastily depart with them to the library, where they could use resources they didn't have at home. Many were hoping they were paired with a Ravenclaw.
"I bet they have done it so all the Slytherin's are with Gryffindor's, and all the Ravenclaw's are with Hufflepuff's." A sixth year grumbled from down the Gryffindor table. Harry turned his head slightly to listen to the conversation.
"That wouldn't work. Slytherin and Gryffindor don't have the same numbers of students in every year. They have to use everybody, in all houses." A girl nearby reassured him.
"Still…" The boy grumbled, poking at his food, "Stupid system isn't it?"
"It may help with exams, and homework, and all." The girl replied, "You'll see."
The Slytherin's were looking slightly more appeased than the night before, Harry noticed. Severus had said they were generally respectful. He didn't think any of them would give him hassle over the guardianship, they were too afraid of Severus' wrath. The Gryffindor's were more daring; he feared their reaction more, even with the twins flanking him, and Hermione and Ron opposite him.
Hermione leaned across the table, "Harry, you never told us who you're paired with. You went to bed, but you said at dinner you already knew."
"A Slytherin called Jane Harper. Name rings a bell but I don't think I know her." Harry shrugged, "It was obvious they would pair me with a Slytherin. Severus apologised about making an example of me but it was an obvious move."
Ron twitched slightly at the use of a Professor's first name, especially Snape's of all people, and then replied, "You've got that right. They'll probably pair us all with Slytherin's. Maybe not the twins, but us three at least."
"I think Jane Harper was in our classes during first or second year." Hermione said thoughtfully, "I'm not sure…"
"That's a first." Ron quipped, grabbing another slice of bacon. He dropped it when Hermione hit him on the arm, "Ow! Easy there Hermione, I'm only joking. I just hope none of us get Malfoy. Can you imagine? Facing detention if you don't spend time with him, I think I'd take detention!"
"And losing house points." Hermione reminded him, and Ron grumbled something incoherent, before picking up more bacon.
Meanwhile, at the teachers table, a last minute discussion on the study partners was taking place.
"I don't understand why they had to be paired with Slytherin's!" Professor McGonagall was whispering, quite urgently, to the Headmaster. A few other teachers were listening in, if not just to avoid Umbridge's lecture on the Siamese cats she used to have, "You know the opinion towards them!"
"Minerva, those particular three students have become something of a mascot-esque team for Gryffindor house." Dumbledore gave his deputy a pointed look when she went to interrupt him, "You know it is true. Their accomplishments and rule-breaking combined have put them on a particular pedestal in their peer group. The aim of this system is to provide inter-house unity. Those three will be the guiding lights for that, and hopefully others will follow. I did not pair them all with Slytherin's, upon your request."
Minerva sighed, and turned to Severus who was sat on her other side, "And you? What do you think of this? Surely you cannot agree with him. Your Slytherin's will bring their quarrels with their Gryffindor counterparts to you."
"Students were paired on their academic talents and their ability to work towards inter-house unity." Severus said smartly, "There were students in Slytherin who matched the needs of students in Gryffindor. It was a sensible choice. As for their quarrels, unless they are serious they will go unheard. We do not accept whiners in Slytherin."
Minerva pursed her lips, but found she could not disagree with Severus' argument. She carried on with her breakfast, and decided on a different topic, "Severus, how did your start-of-term talk with the Slytherin's go? I plan on giving the Gryffindor's mine tonight. Did they ask much about your situation with Harry?"
"It went very well. I warned the first years of the opinion towards Slytherin house." At Minerva's raised eyebrow, he explained, "I have not done so before but with the upcoming war and the return of the Dark Lord I felt it should be addressed. Opinion and prejudice towards Slytherin house is worse than ever. I also addressed the situation with Harry, and allowed respectful questions to be asked. I believe we have an understanding, except for the odd student."
"You have your eye on them?"
"Of course," Severus confirmed, "Which brings me onto a similar subject. After speaking with Harry, I wish for you to keep an eye on one of your own lions, regards that particular situation."
"And who would that be?" Minerva asked. It was not the first time Severus had sighted someone in Gryffindor who he thought needed 'an eye or two' kept on them.
"Seamus Finnegan." Severus informed her, "According to Harry he is leading the Gryffindor's who are less pleased with my taking guardianship of their housemate."
"Thank you for alerting me. I will keep my eyes and ears open."
"Thank you, I would appreciate it."
Minerva eyed him for a second, "You've got better at that since Harry moved in."
"Whatever do you mean?"
"Thanking and apologising."
"Preposterous." Severus scoffed.
"Indeed." Minerva agreed, smirking.
They were interrupted by the food clearing away, and Dumbledore rising to stand at his podium. Usually the doors of the Great Hall were open at breakfast, for students to come and go as they please, but today they were shut. Each and every student needed to be present.
"Good morning students." Dumbledore said cheerfully, "I trust you all slept well. In the next few minutes you will learn who your study partner is. A piece of parchment will appear in front of you, with the student's name, house, and photograph. It is advised you spend the day getting to know them. When you receive your piece of paper, remain seated for further announcements. I ask that you give this system, and your partner, a chance. No matter whom they are, or which house they are from."
The student body waited with baited breath. Dumbledore raised his wand, and flicked it forward towards the students. Sure enough, parchment fluttered down onto everyone's now empty plates, and they excitedly picked it up. The hall was full of chatter as everyone exclaimed who they had been paired with.
"I told you, I'm paired with a Slytherin." Ron shoved his parchment at Harry. There was a picture of dark-haired boy with sharp cheekbones, "Graham Pritchard. I've never heard of the Pritchard's, I don't think this guy's pureblood. Hermione, are you with a Slytherin too?"
"A Hufflepuff, actually." Hermione seemed quite surprised, "Megan Jones. Nice enough girl I think, she was in our Divination class in third year. Strange, I thought I would be paired with a Slytherin like you two. Or, well, someone from Ravenclaw because of academia. Fred and George, who are you with?"
"Ravenclaw." George said,
While Fred said, "Hufflepuff."
George continued, "Roger Malone. Bit of a ponce, might have to prank him."
Fred agreed, "I got Oliver Rivers. Not too bad a guy, doesn't need pranking. We'll stick with Malone."
The twins grinned across the hall at Roger Malone, who was sat at the Ravenclaw table looking rather horrified. He looked up at Gryffindor just as George and Fred waved at him, and he started going rather pale.
"Don't lose Gryffindor too many house points." Hermione warned them, and they grinned at her.
Harry was trying to find the girl on his parchment at the Slytherin table. Jane Harper had dark brown hair that went down to her shoulders and freckles across her cheeks. Harry spotted her sitting quite far away from the fifth year Slytherin's he already knew from classes (Malfoy, Crabbe, Goyle, and Parkinson). She was whispered urgently to the girl next to her, pointing at her parchment. She looked up and caught eyes with Harry. He smiled at her, and gave a slight wave. Jane seemed to relax a little bit, and waved back. Her friend smiled at him too, and a boy across from them turned to look.
"She seems alright." Ron commented, after seeing the exchange, "I think that's Pritchard sat across from her, can only see his back. Maybe they're friends, that would be good. Then we can all hang out together. You know, if they're nice."
Hermione looked a little disappointed, so Harry reached across and took her hand, "With you, of course, Hermione. Bring Megan along and we can all study together."
She smiled at him, and looked down a few seats, "Nev," She called, "Who are you with?"
Neville turned around and grinned, "Mandy Brocklehurst, she's in Ravenclaw. I've worked with her in classes before, so I'm quite pleased. She's ace at potions so hopefully she can help me with Snape's awful homework!" He looked at Harry and paused, "Sorry Harry, I didn't mean that in a bad way or anything."
Harry snorted, "Just because he's my guardian, doesn't mean I won't admit he sets awful homework's!"
Neville grinned again, this time in relief, "How about all of you?"
They told him their partners, and he nodded at them all. By the time they were done, Dumbledore was clearing his throat and the hall was going quiet again, "I trust you are all pleased with your choices. Teachers are aware that you will want to finish summer homework over the weekend. You are free to use the library, which was extended over summer vacation in response to the study system. You are also free to ask your teachers for access to classrooms."
There was a quiet murmur across the hall. Many people had left Snape's homework, because it was usually the hardest, but they didn't want to ask him permission to use the classroom.
"Now, would it be useful if we co-ordinated your meeting of your study partner now, or do you wish to do it yourselves?" Dumbledore asked. There was another quiet murmur across the hall, but most seemed to be in favour of meeting their partners now, "Very well. Could all the Hufflepuff's from first to fourth year please move to find their partners."
The students called shakily stood, and moved across the Great Hall in a bid to find their cohort. The first years were especially nervous, as were those moving towards Slytherin, but after a few minutes of gentle shuffling, everyone was sorted, and Dumbledore dismissed them.
"Now the Hufflepuff's from fifth to seventh year."
Hermione and Fred were easily found by Megan and Oliver, introduced themselves, and promised to meet their friends at the library, before going on their way. Half the school had now disappeared from the Great Hall.
"Gryffindor's from first to fourth year please." Dumbledore instructed, and when they were done, "Gryffindor's left from fifth to seventh year."
Harry moved with Ron, seeing as they were headed in the same direction, but unlike Ron he went around the table because Jane was sat next to the wall, on the other side to her friend. Jane turned to him as he approached, and jumped up from her seat. The Slytherin's around them eyed them with suspicion.
"Hey," Harry said warmly, holding out a hand, "I'm Harry."
Jane smiled at the formality, and shook his hand in response, "I'm Jane, nice to meet you. I think we shared classes in second year but I never really met you."
"Hermione was saying that earlier," Harry replied, smiling, "It's nice to meet you now though!"
"You too!" Jane laughed, "Are you planning on spending the day in the library?"
"At least some of it! I've finished all my homework, but I promised to help my friends. Ron is just there and Hermione already left with her study partner." Harry informed her, pointing across the table at Ron.
"Great! Sophie and Graham are going as well. I think most of the school is, so we better get going!"
Jane quickly introduced him to Sophie and Graham, who was stood next to Ron. Both were looking fairly happy. Sophie in turn introduced them to her study partner, a Ravenclaw named Lisa Turpin who had just made her way over. They manoeuvred their way out of the hall and made small talk on the way to the library.
They found Hermione with ease. She and Megan were sat at one of the largest tables in the library, a long rectangular table with twelve seats. They were both in awe at the library's expansion, excitedly chatting about all the new books that had been added. It had been at least tripled in size. Hermione swatted Harry on the arm when he arrived.
"OW, Hermione!" He complained, rubbing the sore spot.
"You lived here for most of the summer and you failed to mention the library had been expanded!" She said crossly, before sitting back down next to Megan.
"You had that coming mate." Ron clapped Harry on the shoulder, before sitting down next to Graham, "You know how she is about books and studying."
The eight of them sat down in relative peaceful harmony, considering they were all of different houses; Harry and Jane, Ron and Graham, Hermione and Megan, Sophie and Lisa. Neville came in later and joined them, along with Mandy. A friend of Megan's from Hufflepuff came and joined them, along with her Ravenclaw partner, which filled up their table.
Between them, there was four Gryffindor's, three Slytherin's, three Ravenclaw's and two Hufflepuff's. They spread their books out, shared their resources and notes, and helped each other make essay plans for the homework's they hadn't finished.
Tables all over the library showed similar groups. Ties and crests of all different colours were sat together, and in most cases (because most of the tables in the library seated four) at least three of the houses were represented within every group.
"It's funny how the prospect of bad grades or a bad report has brought everyone together." Hermione said cheerfully.
"I think it's more the prospect of Snape's wrath. That's enough to get even the worst of Gryffindor and Slytherin working together." Ron chuckled.
Many of the teachers came in to see how they were doing, and looked pleasantly surprised that so many were agreeing to the system so quickly. A few arguments were heard around the library, quickly shushed by Madam Pince, but they were academically based, and not house related. One Slytherin had stormed out of the library, leaving behind an embarrassed and near-to-tears looking Hufflepuff. The young girl had quickly been invited to join a different group study.
Harry worked with Jane, improving her history of magic homework, and then her defence homework. When it was discovered that their fourth year Professor was actually a death eater in disguise, his set homework for the summer had been scrapped. Umbridge had not yet been decided as the new teacher, so it was Dumbledore who had decided the summer homework. It was to explain the basis of three defensive and three offensive spells, with examples for use and explanation of the wand work and spell work.
Harry had used the muggle-repelling charm, the patronus charm and the shield charm for his defensive spells. He had then used the blasting curse, the leg-locker curse and the stunning spell for his offensive examples. Jane had used similar spells, but her explanation of them was poor. Harry was trying to help her improve her explanation, and show her what could be included to get her more marks on her essay.
"See, if you explain the precise wand work that has to be done in order to cast Protego, you'll get more marks, and include the explanation of the wording, not just how it has to be said."
"I don't understand." Jane rested her head in her hands, pushing them back through her hair.
"Well, you've included how to pronounce the spell for it to work, which is good. However, for more marks you could explain how the word Protego comes from the word protect, hence the spell being a protective shield." Harry explained patiently, smiling when Jane's mouth formed an 'O' shape in understanding.
"Ok!" Jane grinned, making a note of that by her essay.
Harry furrowed his brow at her paper, "Are you going to have to rewrite your whole paper to fit that in?"
"Oh no, I'll just use the charms to fix it."
"What charms?"
"The correction charm and the movement charm." Jane said, "I can write the new lines on the edge of the paper, and then use the movement charm to move it across the parchment and into the right place. The other words will move around it, but the correction charm just makes sure it looks properly neat after using the movement charm."
"Can you teach me those?" Harry requested, "They'd really come in useful."
"Sure, they are about the only two charms except first and second year ones that I am really good at though." Jane said nervously, pointing her wand at her paper, "Don't go thinking I'm great at charms. I never have been."
"Well you can teach me these, and then I can help you with some of the others you have struggled with." Harry reassured her, "Deal?"
"Deal. Though, right now we should probably go get some lunch. We've been here all morning already." Jane replied, stretching and asking the others if they wanted to get some food. They all agreed, packed up their things and made their way back to the Great Hall. They stopped just outside, halting, "We're not allowed to sit together in here… Shall we just agree to meet back at the same table in library? May be a bit difficult otherwise."
They peered in, and saw that even though everyone had been sitting together in the library, they had separated onto their different house tables in the Hall.
"I could go ask Professor Snape if we could sit together." Harry suggested, and Jane, Graham and Sophie all stared slightly uncomfortably, "What?"
"Well, the last time that a Gryffindor asked a favour from Professor Snape, they were cleaning cauldrons until the end of the term." Sophie told him "I know it's different because you're his ward… It just may not be the best idea."
Harry shrugged, "Worth a try."
"Harry I'm not sure…" Neville and Hermione expressed at the same time, giving each other unsure looks at the corner of their eyes. Ron was grimacing, as were Megan and Mandy, but they remained quiet.
"Just stay here, I'll be right back." Harry rolled his eyes at them.
People had stopped to look at them. They did look odd, a large collective group comprising of all four houses, stopped at the doors looking rather sheepish. People began to whisper when Harry made his way up to the teacher's table, heading towards the potions Professor.
Severus was sat between Dumbledore and McGonagall, and had to raise an eyebrow when his ward started making his way towards them. He turned to McGonagall with a questioning look on his face, but it was clear she didn't know what was going on either. Harry stopped in front of him with a big smile on his face.
"What do you want Harry?"
Harry's smile did not falter, "Whatever do you mean? Why would you assume I want something?"
"I don't trust that smile of yours." Severus said, smirking, "What are you up to?"
"I am here in a strictly professional student-teacher manner, actually, Professor Snape. I would like to discuss inter-house unity with you and Professor McGonagall and Professor Dumbledore." Harry's grin still did not fall as he told his guardian this.
Professor McGonagall cut in, "Is this about the study system? Are you not happy with your partner?" She shot a sharp look at Snape and Dumbledore, as if accusing them of something.
"Quite the opposite actually." Harry shrugged, the big grin faded to a real smile, "Jane seems really nice. We've been getting on really well this morning and I've been helping her with her defence and charms work. She's going to teach me some correction and movement charms for parchment after lunch."
"That's great Harry." Severus was surprised, but pleasantly, "I'm glad you are getting on so well with Jane. We put you two together hoping you would strike up a friendship."
"I really think we could be friends," Harry told him, "Despite all the prejudice. Plus, Ron's partner is friends with her, and another of their friends, Sophie, is nice too. Both Slytherin. We've all been studying together, all morning."
"All morning? You mean ever since breakfast?"
"Yes Professor McGonagall, and with a few people from Hufflepuff and Ravenclaw too."
"That's fantastic Harry." Professor Dumbledore cut in, "Thank you for leading the way with this initiative."
"That's alright." Harry smiled widely.
"So, what do you want Harry?" Severus asked again, his eyes narrowed on that smile.
Harry rolled his eyes at his guardian, people were still watching the exchange, "Oh alright. We were wondering if we could momentarily disregard the house system, and sit together for lunch? We've been getting on so well and we want to carry on chatting together, not just studying."
"You want to… You want to chat?" Severus was momentarily stunned, "Really?"
"Really." Harry nodded.
"And that was all you wanted?"
"That's all, yes."
There was a pause, "I think it's a brilliant idea." Professor Dumbledore said suddenly, "Feel free, feel free! Inter-house unity indeed. It is nice to see you getting on!"
"Thank you Professor Dumbledore. Is that all right, Professor Snape and Professor McGonagall?" Harry asked his guardian and his head of house. Professor McGonagall nodded once in accession, not saying anything more.
Professor Snape smirked, "You may use the Slytherin table if you wish. There should be empty benches as many sixth and seventh years are in the labs."
"Thank you." Harry answered, going to walk away.
"And Harry?"
"Yes Professor Snape?" Harry turned back, cheerfully.
"We'll talk later."
Harry laughed a little, nodded, and then walked back towards his friends, who were all waiting rather anxiously at the doors still, "They said yes, we can sit together. Professor Snape offered us the Slytherin table. Let's go."
Everyone stared at him wide eyed, before Jane grinned and started following him to the Slytherin table, "Please, let's disregard all academic work, just teach me how to do that."
"Do what?" Harry asked innocently.
"Get Professor Snape to crack a smile!"
"He was smirking, not smiling, trust me."
"It was a very friendly smirk." Jane insisted.
They spent the rest of lunch finding out more about each other, before returning to the library. They studied for a while, seriously, before starting to muck about. They eventually left their studies and retreated from the library and out into the open air, sitting in the shade of a large oak tree on the grounds. Harry finally showed Hermione some of the natural magic he had been learning, and everyone insisted he teach them a little. From the steps of the school, a few teachers observed them and smiled, pleasantly surprised (as Severus had been) that this system was working.
One teacher, however, clad in pink, looked at the group with disdain. She was standing on the stairs of one of Hogwarts's many towers, by a window looking over the grounds, with good view of that particular group. She pursed her lips, and continued on her way, with a clear plan in mind.