The first morning of classes arrived and Severus woke an empty bed. Harry had risen early and returned to his rooms to change for the day. The Potions Professor climbed out of bed and did the same as he moved the covers back he caught a whiff of the scent that was uniquely Harrys something he had come to treasure.
Minerva had called an early morning meeting so Severus dressed and headed for the staff room. All the Professors were gathered around the table when he arrived taking a seat near Professor Flitwick. The Headmistress arrived and explained the reason for the early gathering.
Harry hummed to himself, as he got ready for the day. He had left Sev early to return to his room and shower. His lover had looked so peaceful that Harry didn't want to disturb him. Before the year had started Harry had been elected Head Boy for Gryffindor and Hermione head girl with this came the luxury of having your own private room.
The Gryffindor had relished in having privacy not only because it would keep Ginny away from him but also Severus could spend time in here with Harry without the prying eyes. They liked privacy but also liked the time they could spend alone.
Dressed he stepped out of his portrait and went towards Hermione's room. He knocked sharply and heard the voice answer she was on her way. Seconds later the picture swung open and Hermione stepped out with a smile. The pair walked down to the Great Hall and joined Draco and some others at one of the long tables.
He looked up towards the staff table and noticed that Severus had not yet arrived. Probably fussing with a potion Harry mused and went back to his bacon and eggs.
Severus left the staff room and made his way to the Great Hall. He would have to take Harry aside and tell him about the meeting before he came to the class. Unsure as to how he would react Severus had swung by his lab and grabbed a calming draught just incase.
Entering the hall he spotted his green-eyed lover sitting with his godson and Hermione Granger chatting while they ate their morning meal. He walked over to the table and placed his hands on Harrys shoulders. 'Morning Beautiful' he whispered kissing the top of Harry's head.
'Morning Sev' Harry smiled taking one his hands and kissing the palm. 'Can you meet me outside the hall before you go to your first class you too Draco and Miss Granger' Severus asked.
'Sure Severus is everything alright' Draco inquired 'I'll explain after breakfast' he replied and kissing Harry once more left for the staff table.
The trio waited for Severus outside the entrance to the Great Hall. Ginny passed them grinning widely. All three wondered what had put the smile on her face. It wasn't long before they found out why.
Severus explained that due to the low number of 6th and 7th year students wanting to take potions class because of who the teacher was Minerva has decided to combine those years and have them take the same class. The problem with that was Ginny Weasley was one of those 6th years.
Harry paled and looked as if he might faint. Draco and Hermione stayed on either side of him and Severus took his hands. 'I don't know if I can handle her being in the same class as me Sev' he muttered
'You don't have to worry love I'll be there so will Draco and Hermione. I'm going now to make a list of student parings I will be putting you and Draco together and Miss Granger with Mr. Longbottom she will not try anything in my room Harry' he explained rubbing his thumbs over the backs of Harry's hands.
'No you're right Sev she wont try anything you still scare her I can do this I'm not letting some silly bint ruin this year for me' he said with a fierceness in his voice. Hearing that set the Potion Masters blood raging.
'That's why I love you Harry' he smiled 'You let nothing stand in your way' he added. He kissed Harry softly and watched as he left with Hermione. Draco turned to follow but Severus held him back.
'Take this if Harry gets too upset before the class starts give it to him' Severus instructed handing his Godson the vial.
'Calming Draught?' Draco asked. 'Indeed' the Professor answered and headed towards the dungeons to draw up the class list.
The first class of the day was Herbology. Normally it wasn't something that Harry would have chosen to study in his final year but since deciding he wanted to work with Magical Creatures it was essential.
He admitted to himself that he was looking forward to learning about the medicinal uses and properties of plants. Neville Longbottom a friend and fellow Gryffindor had offered to help Harry with anything plant related, as it was his aspiration to become a Herbologist.
The class ran smoothly and found that he was enjoying himself even if some vicious plant with sharp teeth had attacked him. The name was too long for him to be able to pronounce properly.
He considered having a serious word with Professor Sprout about the kinds of plants she kept in her greenhouses and maybe some prior warning as to the fact they had fangs would have been nice.
As the end of the class loomed nearer Harry's stomach began to tighten and churn. He took a few deep breaths and reminded himself that he had Draco and Hermione as well as Severus with him and they would not let anything happen.
Having been paired with Hermione Draco told her about the Calming Draught his godfather had given and she agreed it was a good idea. They had both noticed that their friend had paled considerably in the last few minutes.
Hermione suggested that they explain things to Neville he was a good and loyal friend to Harry and it would go no further. So they took him aside while Harry was tidying up the bench he and Neville had been working at and told him of the problems with Ginny.
Neville wasn't surprised and told them she constantly raved about Harry in the common room, it was annoying and most of the time people just ignored her. Everyone knew that Harry and Severus were in a relationship and any fool could see they really cared for each other Ginny wasn't going to change that.
The foursome left the greenhouse and headed back towards the castle. Three of the four had created flanked either side of Harry protecting him.
Ginny had been on cloud nine since Professor McGonagall had announced that 6th and 7th year students would be taking potion classes together for the term. Harry took that class it was a chance for her to talk to him and make him see that she was better than the dungeon bat.
She stopped by the girl's bathrooms on the way and fixed her hair and applied some lipstick. She wanted to look her best she loosened her tie and undid the top button of her shirt showing a small amount of cleavage. Give Harry something to focus on instead of the death eater she thought.
Harry and his friends entered the castle and were making their way to the dungeons when Professor McGonagall stopped them to speak to Draco. He asked Harry to let Severus know that he would be a few minutes late. Harry nodded and they continued on to the potions room.
Harry sat at one of the middle desks and the others sat across from him. He left a space next to him for Draco when he returned. He didn't notice Ginny come into the room. When she sat down beside him he assumed it was Draco but soon realized it wasn't.
'I'm saving that for someone' he said not looking at the redhead. 'Well as that someone is not here I will stay until they come' Ginny replied having no intention of moving.
Severus entered the room and took his seat behind the desk. Harry raised his hand. 'Yes Mr. Potter?' Severus asked. 'Sir Draco will be a few minutes late he had to speak with the headmistress' Harry informed.
'Thank you for letting me know' the Professor replied. He and Harry had agreed to remain formal when they were in the classroom and not let the fact they were together interfere with Harry's work or Severus' teaching.
'Now before we start today's lesson I am going to assign you partners for the term and tables that you will use for each class.'
'Miss Granger and Mr. Longbottom will work together at the table near the cabinet' he instructed. Hermione and Neville gathered their belongings and moved to the assigned table.
'Miss Greengrass and Miss Weasley will work together at your table Miss Greengrass. If you would kindly move to that spot please Miss Weasley' he said evenly
'I am already sitting here Sir so cant I just be Harry's partner' she said. Just as she spoke Draco entered the room and gave a small nod to his Godfather.
'Now that you are here Mr. Malfoy you will be partnered with Mr. Potter' Severus told his godson. Draco sat down opposite Harry.
'I will ask you once more to move Miss Weasley' he said in a warning tone.
'Draco can work with Daphne they are both from the same house' she jutted out her chin.
'Move now or you will be serving detention for the remainder of the year Miss Weasley' his voice was low and dangerous
Refusing to move Severus waved his wand and levitated her from the seat beside Harry to her newly assigned table and partner.
'You can't do that' she screeched and attempted to move back to the other table. Draco swiftly moved beside Harry to prevent her from coming back.
'Detention Miss Weasley' he roared. 'One more thing Miss Weasley you will fix your tie and shirt' She froze in her seat and put her head down. She was scowling and muttering to herself as she glared at the Potions Master.
Severus waved his wand and the instructions for the potion appeared on the board. Everyone began to move about the room collecting ingredients and other equipment.
Harry and Draco worked in perfect unison through the lesson and when Severus roamed the room to check on the students work he noted the potion the boys had brewed was perfect.
Ginny meanwhile was scowling and paying no attention to what Daphne was doing despite repeated attempts for her to stop sulking and help.
When class was finished and the Potions had been handed in for marking Harry took his time packing his bag and cleaning the table as he noticed Ginny was hovering near the doorway.
'Unless you need to speak to me Miss Weasley I suggest to move on to your next class and stop hovering in doorways' Severus said coldly
She huffed and left the room but hid a little way up from the classroom waiting for Harry to walk past. He and Draco were heading for the door when they heard a cough. 'Excuse me Mr. Potter but I believe you have forgotten something' he smiled.
'What might that be Professor' Harry smirked. Severus touched his lips and Harry laughed as he walked towards the desk and kissed his lover.
'I was trying to be a good student' he whispered. 'Doesn't count when no one is in here' Severus replied. Harry chuckled and headed for the door.
Severus watched as Harry and his godson left the room. Damn he loved that man he thought as he prepared for his next lesson which was sure to give him a headache as it was first years.
Harry and Draco decided to go out to the courtyard for morning break, as it was a sunny day. They invited Hermione, Neville, Blaise and Luna to join them. Finding a sunny patch the group sat down and began discussing the potions lesson.
No one could quite fathom the defiance Ginny had shown during the lesson or that Severus had actually levitated her next to Daphne. Harry thanked the stars it was the only lesson he had with her.
Luna pointed out quite bluntly that coming to class looking like a tart was hardly going to win Harry's affections. There was a burst of laughter from the group at Luna's knack for telling it how it was.
Harry had been looking forward his next class all morning. Not that he didn't love being in Sev's class.
They were in the magical creatures room inside the castle as it was the first day and Hagrid who was teaching them wanted to go over some theory before they ventured outside.