Chapter Three: These Lessons We've Learned Here Have Only Just Begun

Harry, Draco, and the rest of the Slytherins all walked into Charms as a group. Most of the Hufflepuffs were there, and Harry walked over to where three Hufflepuff girls were sitting together. His eyes found the blonde first, and he smiled.

"I'm Harry Potter," he said, and he then looked at the two redheads. "I am wondering if there would happen to be a Susan Bones sitting amongst you?"

"I am she," one of the redheads, the taller one with a stubborn set to her lips, said. "What business do you have with me?"

"Well, to start I would wish to join you fair ladies for our Charms class," he said, inclining his head to them.

"I do not see why not," Susan said, standing up. She held her hand out, and Harry lightly placed his under hers. "Susan Bones."

"I am Harry Potter," Harry said, bending down to kiss the back of her hand. Her hand smelled lightly of lavender. He straightened back up. "I am pleased to make your acquaintance."

Susan sat, and the blonde stood. "Hannah Abbott," she said as Harry took her hand and leaned down to kiss it.

"I'm Harry Potter. It's a pleasure to meet you," Harry replied after straightening up. Hannah sat and the final redhead stood, shifting slightly nervously and tucking her hands behind her robe.

"Megan Jones," she said, and Harry bent down and gently took her hand to kiss it then straightened up with a gentle smile. The nervousness faded from her eyes- green, he noticed, similar to his instead of the leaf green of Morag's.

"Harry Potter. It's wonderful to meet you."

Megan blushed and sat back down, and Harry joined them and took out his book and a quill, inkwell, and parchment and set them on the table. He then turned to the girls he was sitting with.

"So, how did you find the train ride up here?" He asked. Hannah grinned.

"Well, Susan and I sat together, of course, and some older Hufflepuffs and a Gryffindor, and Megan here, too. Cedric bought us all chocolates from the trolley- and everyone told stories about their summers," Hannah said, smiling. Her brown eyes- the color of milk chocolate, Harry decided, not that he had much experience with how that color looked- were gleaming with the excitement, of, well, maybe meeting the Boy-Who-Lived, but finding him to be polite and well-mannered.

"It was very fun," Megan said, dipping her head and blushing.

"I learned what Quidditch is," Harry offered, shrugging.

"But, shouldn't you've known what Quidditch was before you got on the train?" Susan asked, confused.

Harry sighed. This again. "I was raised unaware of the magical world, by muggles, attending a muggle school."

Susan frowned. "And why would you be raised by muggles?"

"Because apparently they're my relatives. We figure I was put there so some kind of blood wards could be put up," Harry replied.

"If you grew up unaware of the magical world, how do you know about blood wards?" Hannah asked.

"I'm Slytherin," Harry replied and left it at that.

"Makes sense," Susan said, but before the conversation could go on any further, Professor Flitwick started calling roll. When he came to Harry's name on the list, he squeaked and toppled off the stack of books he was standing on. The girls giggled, the boys snickered, and Harry blushed and tried to sink into the floor.

After roll, Flitwick began the lesson. It consisted of theory, mostly how the words directed magic and how the wand movements channeled it. At one point Harry heard Susan mutter something about 'intent', but the professor was teaching a very engaging lesson. The Hufflepuffs were dedicated note takers, whereas the Slytherins paid attention but took few notes. Megan and a couple of the other Hufflepuffs were constantly scribbling, and if Harry had to guess he would say they were muggleborn.

The lesson ended about five minutes early, and the students were allowed to leave early. Harry walked Susan, Hannah, and Megan to the Great Hall, chatting about their favorite past times, but once they reached the Great Hall Harry prepared to take his leave to the Slytherin table when Susan halted him.

"It's not against the rules for students to sit at different house tables- it just doesn't really happen. We're also allowed to eat outside, so if you and your Slytherin yearmates want to eat with us, you would be more than welcome to," Susan said, smiling. Harry nodded and turned to where Draco and the other Slytherins were walking by.

"Hey, guys," Harry said, beckoning them over. "I'm pretty sure Susan just invited us to all take our lunches outside and eat with her friends." Susan nodded.

"I would quite enjoy that," Daphne said, looking around at the other three girls with her. Blaise also nodded.

"Shall we all grab a plate of food and meet to find a proper place to eat?" Draco asked. Everyone nodded and split to their separate house tables to select their food before they headed out to the outside. Professors Snape and Sprout shared a rather surprised look at this, then shrugged and resumed their lunches. That would be a memory for the penseive… Professor Dumbledore watched them very intently.

The first year Slytherins and their Hufflepuff friends all found a bench and surrounding grassy area to sit down and eat. Harry sat next to Susan and Draco. The group chatted about random subjects, like favorite color, until Harry noticed Megan's discomfort.

"Megan," Harry said, gaining the attention of most of the group, but they continued their conversations while keeping an eye on the other, "might I suggest that the next time you can make it to Gringott's, you invest in a bloodline test?"

"A bloodline test?" She asked, cheeks turning red as she noticed some of the furtive glances the other Slytherins were giving her.

"It will identify any magical ancestry you might have," Harry replied. Megan blushed even more.

"But I'm a muggleborn, I don't have any magical ancestry," she said, and then looked down.

Harry was saved by Susan.

"Auntie Amelia is always moaning about how Professor Dumbledore doesn't advertise bloodline tests anymore," Susan said, smiling. "The official numbers are that out of all the muggleborn who take the tests, one hundred percent have at least one wizard or witch within twenty generations, about fifty percent have a magical ancestor within ten, and about five percent actually end up taking the title of an ancient family that squibbed out- who knows, you could be a descendant of Helga Hufflepuff herself!"

"Really?" Megan asked, looking up. All the people around her nodded. Megan smiled brightly, her eyes lighting up. "I'll see if I can make it to Diagon Alley over the winter hols."

"That's great," Hannah said, and embraced her friend. The conversation continued on mostly light topics until Harry turned to Susan.

"Susan, I hear your aunt is the head of the DMLE?" Harry asked, and Susan nodded.

"Why do you ask?" She asked.

"Well, this morning my housemates noticed that I had received no mail when all of them were fairly certain I would. When they discovered that I have never received a letter by owl post until my Hogwarts letter, the possibility of my mail being screened was broached," Harry replied.

"I see. Well, I can talk with my Auntie and see what she says. That is weird, but explains why you never replied to any of the letters she sent you," Susan said. Harry smiled.

"Thank you," he said, and she nodded. The group of first years continued to talk until everyone agreed that they should head in so that the Slytherins could grab their books for Transfiguration- with the Gryffindors.

Disclaimer: I am not British. Therefore, I cannot be JK Rowling.

Yes, the circle expands. Yay and stuff! Thanks for everyone who has faved, reviewed, and followed! Maybe if I get five more reviews telling me what you think by Saturday I'll update early. If not, then I'll update as usual in a week!

Question: What's your favorite cliche in the world of Harry Potter ie Independent!Harry or Evil!Dumbles or what have you?

Next Time: There's something wrong with the Transfiguration classroom...