After the feast, the Slytherin Prefect Adam Night gave the first years a tour of the castle and finally took them to the Slytherin common room where they were told to sit and wait for Professor Snape to come and speak to them. After making sure the first-years knew where the toilets were, he took off to look at a second-year's Transfiguration essay.
Harry and Draco sat down on a couch with Crabbe and Goyle. Harry had met them over the summer and found them to be entertaining. Draco wasn't too close with them but he was friendly with them.
"They might not be the brightest but they make good allies," Draco had told Harry when the two boys had gotten lost in Draco's house despite having been in that house at least a dozen times that summer alone.
"Did you see the potions lab?" Harry asked Draco in awe. Harry was amazed with how large the lab had been and how impressive it looked. Harry was looking forward to exploring the lab and seeing how many brilliant potions he could make. He had worked in his father's lab over the summer and found himself fascinated by potion brewing. Draco had simply made a crack about having it in his blood before claiming Harry as his potions lab partner.
When Severus walked in, Harry smiled and turned his attention to his father who was already handing out pieces of parchment to them.
"Welcome to Slytherin, little hatchlings; I am Severus Snape. These are your schedules; they not only show your class times but your bi-weekly study sessions," Severus said, nodding towards the schedules.
"Here in Slytherin unity is very important which is why you are divided into study groups which will be led by a sixth-year student. They are there to help you with homework, adjusting to certain materials and to the school in general. I expect my hatchlings to be in bed by no later than ten. I will be in charge of discipline and making sure you have everything you should need. That means if you find you have outgrown your robes, should you become ill at night or if you have any problems with other students."
Severus walked over to a chalkboard and pointed to it.
"This is a self-updating chalkboard. This is where you will find your notifications and class cancellations, should they come about. You will also find reminders of upcoming tests and assignments here," Severus informed them before he began telling the first-years where to find their dorms. When he was finished, Harry and Draco stayed behind to speak to Severus.
"Harry, I wanted to let you know that your Godfather wishes to have lunch this weekend; he wishes to introduce himself to you," Severus told Harry who gave Draco a confused glance before looking up at his father. He wasn't even aware that he had a godfather but the Dursleys had lied about a lot so it wasn't that surprising to learn that they would lie about this as well.
"Sirius Black?" Draco asked looking to Severus for confirmation. Harry had heard his name being whispered and had seen the man being introduced as their History of Magic professor but hadn't been aware that he was Harry's godfather.
"That is him. Do you want to go, Harry?" Severus asked and received an eager nod from Harry in return. Harry was excited at the idea of meeting his Godfather and couldn't wait to meet the man.
"Are you ready for your classes tomorrow, boys?" Severus asked.
"Yes, father. I can't wait for potions," Harry said. "And transfiguration looks interesting too."
Severus couldn't help but smirk at Harry's interest in transfiguration. He knew Harry would study hard in that class to help with his animagus training later in life. Severus knew that would ensure great marks within that class.
"You boys had better get to bed, you have a busy day ahead of you tomorrow."
When the boys disappeared into the dorm rooms Severus took a chance to reflect upon how much his life had changed since he was sent off the deliver a letter to Harry Potter. Suddenly he was a father and he still couldn't believe it. But Severus was surprised at just how happy the idea of having a son actually made him. He was going to have to work extra hard to remain the scariest teacher at Hogwarts.
Transfiguration was interesting and to Harry's pleasure, they began by turning matches into needles. A girl called Hermione Granger got hers to turn first and earned Gryffindor twenty points. Harry and Draco succeeded next, both earning Slytherin fifteen points each. By the end of class, no one else had turned their matches but Neville Longbottom had somehow managed to turn his green.
"Did you see when Crabbe's match started to glow?" Draco asked Harry as they made their way to the potions lab. Harry fought the urge to chuckle as he remembered Crabbe's awed expression before he decided to ask the Professor McGonagall what he was doing wrong.
"At least his did something. Did you see Goyle? He looked ready to throw his match out the window?" Harry chuckled.
As they made their way to the Potions Lab, Harry once again heard students whispering in the halls. They had whispered at breakfast and now they were whispering again about 'the potion master's son.' He heard a couple students better that Harry had been created by a potion because 'there was no way a woman would have gone near that greasy git.' Harry rolled his eyes and stepped into the potions lab.
Harry and Draco took a seat and watched as the rest of the students made their way into the classroom. Everyone sat down and began whispering to each other until the door slammed shut. Severus stood at the front of the classroom with an expression that would bring small children to tears. Neville Longbottom seemed the tremor at the site of the Potions professor.
"I do not want any foolish wand waving or giggles. You will be working with volatile chemicals and extreme temperatures. Failure to follow instructions could result in injury, illness or death. I expect you to work hard and respect my lab and materials. If you do not pay attention, you will lose points and possibly be dismissed from class," Severus said, causing several students to pale or go stiff with nerves. Harry, of course, understood why it was important to follow instructions but the other students seemed to only hear what would happen when things went wrong. Harry looked at Neville Longbottom's shaking fingers and knew he wasn't going to enjoy this class very much.
"I can teach you to make potions beyond your wildest dreams if you can push aside you frivolous thoughts and pay attention long enough. Mr Weasley! What is the difference between Monkshood and Wolfsbane?"
Ron Weasley paled and turned to Severus and shrugged nervously. Clearly, the red-headed boy had not expected to be singled out so quickly; especially during the first class. Hermione Granger began waving her hand frantically in the air; it almost looked like she was trying to grip the ceiling.
"Speak up, Weasley!"
"I don't know, sir," Ron said with a tremble in his voice.
"Mr Snape?" Severus turned to Harry who sat up straight upon being addressed.
"They're the same plant, sir. Just different names," Harry said nervously. He was pretty sure of his answer from reading his textbook. When Severus nodded, Harry knew he had gotten the answer correct.
"Tell me what will I get if I add Powdered Root of Asphodel to an infusion of Wormwood, Mr Weasley," Severus turned to Ron once again with a sharp expression. Once again the red-head paled a little bit. Harry saw the boys shoulder lift a fraction before he remembered that Severus preferred vocal answers over shrugs. Once again, Hermione's hand flew up into the air, this time even higher than the last time.
"I don't know, sir."
"Mr Snape!"
"Draught of the Living Dead, sir," Harry said. Once again Severus nodded and once again turned to face Ron.
"Where would you look if I tell you to find me a Bezoar, Mr Weasley?"
Once again Hermione's hand went into the air and once again Ron told Severus that he didn't know the answer to the question.
"Pitiful. Clearly having so many brothers ahead of you has been of no benefit, has it. Mr Snape, if you will," Severus said, his tone was slightly irritated at the redhead's lack of basic knowledge.
"In the goat of a stomach, sir," Harry answered, causing Severus to smirk.
"See, someone actually bothered to open a book this summer! Twenty points to Slytherin!" Severus announced, causing the Slytherin students to grin. Crabbe and Goyle shared a high five under their table and Draco patted Harry on the back.
"Sir, I'm sure Hermione would have gotten those answers right if you had have asked her!" Ron said suddenly, causing Severus to cast him a look that would have brought a grown man to tears.
"That will be twenty points from Gryffindor, Mr Weasley," Severus said. When Ron opened his mouth to protest, Hermione put up her hand to stop him. Ron turned red with anger but didn't say anything.
After class, Harry was starving. But before he could get out the door, he found himself blocked by Ron Weasley.
"Bet you loved that, Teacher's Pet! I bet your daddy told you the answer to those questions before you got here!" Ron said to Harry, his face still red with anger and embarrassment from the beginning of class. Harry rolled his eyes and tried to push past the boy but he wouldn't let Harry pass.
"Look, Weasley, I happened to study this summer. Maybe you should give it a try instead of blaming me because you couldn't answer such basic questions!" Harry said, causing the boy to turn another shade of red. Harry noticed that the boy's fists were clenched and he looked about ready to punch something.. Or someone, Harry realised with a touch of fear. The last thing he needed was a bloody face when he went to History of Magic.
"Why you little..."
"Is there a problem, Mr Weasley?" Harry felt himself sag with relief when his father stepped behind Ron. His eyes were fixed on the red-haired boy with a look of frustration and protective rage. Ron seemed to shrink a little bit before nervously shaking his head.
"N-no, sir!"
"Well, off you go! And that will be ten points from Gryffindor," Severus said, stepping aside so Ron could leave. Ron dashed away from the classroom without looking back. It took Harry a great amount of restraint to not chuckle when the boy stumbled as he turned a corner that led to the stairwell away from the dungeons.
"Thanks," Harry muttered, causing Severus to nod and place a hand on Harry's shoulder.
"Anytime. I'll walk you to the Great Hall," Severus said. "Draco was wondering where you were; I'm glad I came looking," Severus said as he led Harry towards the Great Hall. Harry once again remembered how hungry he was and happily followed his father. Nervous butterflies began fluttering in Harry's stomach because, in an hour, he was going to meet his Godfather in his first History of Magic class. He really wanted to make a good first impression.
Oh, Severus! He had to target someone. I hope to have the next chapter up soon.