AN: This should have been longer, but that may not happen for a few chapters. Which does annoy me a little, yet neccessary for now. But I hope you enjoy the chapter. R&R.
I own nothing but the plot of this fanfiction as the masterpiece is credited to its creators. All written for entertainment and not for any money.
~NicoDiAngeloLover7
Letting out a gasp as Harry grasped his quill and chanced a glimpse at his right hand. Almost grimacing away at the sight, the young Potter had burns forming on his writing hand. It was like a scorching fire was getting closer as the pain intensified. The Gryffindor dropped his quill as if it was a muggle bomb about to self-destruct. The tiny noise drew the attention of Professor Flitwick to the eleven-year old. "Is there something wrong, Mr. Potter?" Went the professor's squeaky voice as he stood still on the tower of books.
"No, sir." Was Harry's weak response. There was something wrong with the quill, it had been tampered with as he was unharmed in History of Magic. Hermione began to notice the raven-haired boy beside her starting to wince and at once saw the burns. Her brown years widened dramatically as the hour before did her best friend have unblemished skin.
"Harry, you need to report this," the bushy-haired girl hissed.
"And tell who!? McGonagall has already labelled me as a liar," Harry retorted. Hermione almost flinched at Harry's harsh tone which an apology quickly followed. Harry was tired of his situation and his aggravation showed with the little support he held. Professor Flitwick gave the Boy-Who-Lived a lingering careful glance before resuming the lesson. Harry didn't try to touch the quill again as the burns had formed along his finger tips and the web between his thumb and forefinger. Ron wasn't paying attention to the argument due to the fact he was fast asleep. Hermione wanted to add another word but a look from her best friend had her holding her tongue. Professor Flitwick took a quick look at the two Gryffindors and saw hints of a burn on their savior's hand; noticing the way he gingerly picked up his spare quill did their profesor conclude that his eldest Slytherins were the culprits of the incident. Seeing the burn made the shock realistic and almost toppled the tiny professor off his perch.
The shock transferred to the injured Gryffindor upon Flitwick's request for him to stay behind after class. The conversation with the Charms professor brought Harry's hopes down further; referred to the Hospital Wing to get a salve for the burns. Unknown to the young Potter did his professor have the perception Slytherin was behind the injustice. Confronting Severus Snape about wrong-doings of his house was like arguing with a brick wall. Harry would have ran to his next class and skip the trip to the infirmary had blisters not formed on his fingers. It was by luck that the young Gryffindor didn't run into his own house, considered arguable that he spotted one or two Slytherins. Never once was the Gryffindor stopped in his destination. No questions were asked by Madam Pomfrey and once the salve hit Harry's hand, all the pain ebbed away as the blisters disappeared."I really must ask Severus for more Essence of Murtlap," Madam Pomfrey muttered. For once the Mediwitch didn't insist on Harry staying overnight for observation.
Transfiguration was worse than Charms concerning the quill burns. Harry would receive no sympathy from Professor McGonagall where Flitwick would be a better alternative. The change of class did not stop Harry from earning a new burn. In depth with Professor McGonagall's lesson and so pushed away the momentary pain. Thinking the burns with the quill were over, had only just began. With one hand gently rest on his book did the Gryffindor's hand start to burn like a roaring fire. The young Potter jerked his hand back to cradle it in his lap. If the hand was left any longer on his book, there would be evidence of third-degree burns scattered across his palm up to his wrist. Harry had to stop the moan of pain when moving his hand, last thing he needed was to lose more points. Giving the House of Gryffindor more reason to kick the Boy-Who-Lived down into the dirt. Harry knew his handwriting would be worse off come after dinner, due to personal experience at first-hand with a stove.
Not once did McGonagall acknowledge that the young Gryffindor existed. Harry didn't know if this was worse than McGonagall's cold stare. The big surprise came to the young lion when digging into this bag and discovering two palm-sized salves.
"Not everyone is your enemy, you have allies."
The words on the note attached to the salves raised Harry's spirit as he read the labels, Essence of Dittany and Murtlap. Harry turned the note to see more words, "Use Murtlap for burns and minor injuries and Dittany for major injuries and blood loss." The Gryffindor's first thoughts that maybe Madam Pomfrey had slipped the salve she used earlier into his bag. Harry's assumption was being proven wrong as the Mediwitch would have let him know and not just leave a note and remain anonymous. Leaving the only alternative that a student knowledgeable in healing or potions could've given the tonics. Putting the wandering thoughts aide did Harry apply a thin layer of Murtlap to the wounds. The wet moisture of medicine soaked away the pain as it presented a cooling sensation. The salve did not prevent Harry feeling the ache of recent injuries.
The young Potter didn't have any real encounters till several weeks later. A return visit from the Hogwarts Library on books about the uses of Dittany and its Healing Properties. Harry was familiar enough with the uses of Murtlap and its effects. Ironic as his original book was an introductory on Potion brewing for Beginners to help aid the Gryffindor in Snape's lessons. Most the seats in the library were littered by Ravenclaws at the square tables, glaring when the eleven-year old as much as looked at them. The task of finding an isolated table wasn't as difficult as Harry imagined. Hidden in the far back of the library was a single square, wooden table. The Potter heir remained uninterrupted for several hours until a lone Slytherin joined him . The Slytherin was a fellow first-year and unlike Malfoy, didn't go ranting about the superiority of Pure-Bloods.
Under normal circumstances Harry would be wary had any Slytherin approached him. The Gryffindor almost jumped out of his seat when words were spoken to him, "You're not bad at Potions. Snape just hates Gryffindors." Someone who Harry originally thoughts was his rival was sitting straight up with his arms crossed over the open book in front of him. For once Harry studied the first-year in front of him, olive-tanned skin with deep brown eyes to match his dark raven hair. The boy in front of the Gryffindor was slender as he held the posture of a traditional Pure-Blood, yet not condescending like Malfoy. The boy in front of Harry went by the name of Blaise Zabini, his eyes holding a curious glint. Blaise's reading material laid forgotten as he moved a seat to Harry's left. "Potions isn't as difficult as you make it, you're overthinking. Very dangerous since the art of brewing has to be precise. Make sure you know what you're reading, especially when dicing ingredients," Blaise explained as he took control over Harry's reading material. Flipping through chapters till it landed on 'different ways and definition of preparing ingredients.' Where some potions require juices instead of the entire ingredient.
Had Harry thought about how Blaise had handed him the books about healing, he would have been reminded of the note that the Slytherin quoted in the library. Hidden behind the cover of the library book was another note of parchment that Harry had yet to read. Only a few steps from the library did the Gryffindor notice a piece of parchment falling to the floor.
"Choose your friends wisely, Slytherins aren't as evil as you believe just like not all Gryffindors are loyal." Harry stared at the note for several moments as the warning message sunk in. It was obvious who was on the young Gryffindor's side where everyone else opposed him. Harry knew if Ron saw the warning note, the redhead would take it as an insult. With Ron's mindset that all Slytherins are Dark Wizards, he would assume Zabini was a replica of Malfoy. Had Harry not spent several hours with the first-year Slytherin, he'd be insulted as Blaise's blunt accusation. Not a second too soon after the book and advice were safe in his bag with protective spells nearly unbreakable by Flourish and Blotts was Harry attacked. The Gryffindor wasn't struck with Stupefy but a full body-bind.
"Not much of a wizard, is he? Oliver?"