Albus Dumbledore was baffled. Harry Potter was not suppose to be in Slytherin, but in Gryffindor. And what was with Severus' appearance? He was a Death Eater for Merlin's sake! Not some... some...male model for Witch Weekly! He seethed inside his office. No this wouldn't do. Harry was to defeat the Dark Lord Voldemort. He was to trust Albus completely. When Albus gained his trust he would bring up how he didn't have the funds to make Hogwarts great and Harry, so filled with gratitude, would offer the money.
Of course it wouldn't really go to the school, but in his own vault. He needed that money. Much more than some clueless brat. He sighed in frustration. He would sleep on it and figure out a new way to manipulate Harry. After all he was the one who split Severus and Lily up when they were born. Eileen had been easy to Obliviate and alter her memories to think Tobias was the father. A simple spell on Tobias Snape, who just happened to be single and Eileen's neighbor, made it perfect. Orion Black had been harder to get a hold of, but he had managed it. Served the pure-blood right anyway, Walburga would have been devastated if Orion had called things off. Yes. He would formulate a new plan soon.
Harry woke up early. He got up and put on a pair of sweats before going on a run outside. He got back, showered, and changed just as everyone else was rising. When they went to breakfast, Harry made sure to stop and talk to Neville first.
" Good morning Neville. Did Trevor like his new accommodations?", he asked. " Oh yes. I put plenty of grass, leaves, and such in there with him so he would be comfortable. How was your first night in the snakes' lair?", Neville asked. " It was good. Everyone was welcoming and polite.", Harry answered. They parted ways and Harry took a seat beside Draco.
" You were up rather early.", Draco said. " I went for a run. A healthy wizard is a strong wizard.", Harry replied. " Can I join you tomorrow morning then? I want to be the best wizard I can be.", Draco said with passion. " Of course. I will see if Neville would like to join us as well.", Harry said. Just before they finished eating Severus came around with their schedules. " Thank you Professor.", Harry said politely. Severus just nodded and headed out of the Great Hall. He looked down at his schedule.
Slytherin First Years' Schedule September 2, 1991-September 13, 1991
Monday: Transfiguration 9am-10am / History of Magic 10:15-11 / 11-12 Free Period / Lunch 12-1 / Charms 1:15-2:15 / Potions 2:30-4
Tuesday: Herbology 9am-10:30 / DADA 10:45-12 / Lunch / Astrology 10pm-12am
Wednesday: Transfiguration: 10am-11 / History of Magic 11:15-12 / Lunch / Charms 1:15-2:15 / Potions 2:30-4
Thursday: DADA 9am-10:30 / Herbology 10:45-12 / Lunch / Astrology 10:30pm-11:30
Friday: Charms 9am-10 / Potions 10:15-12 / Lunch / History of Magic 1:15-2 / Transfiguration 2:15-4
All in all there was quite a bit of free time the first two weeks. Harry hadn't realized it last time, because there was so much to learn and he was so behind everyone else. Now he could use this time to stay on top of his homework and to research in the library. Harry put his schedule neatly into a binder he had got while in the muggle world. He had gotten quite a few things such as a day planner, regular pens, pencils, notebooks, folders, and even post it notes. Keeping everything organized would help immensely. Like instead of wasting so much parchment, he could write out his essays and such on regular paper first, then when satisfied, he could copy it onto parchment with a quill.
After making sure he had everything he needed in his dragon hide leather messenger bag, Harry walked with Draco, Blaise, and Theo as they followed Marcus Flint to Transfiguration. They had been notified previously that all first years would be escorted to their classes the first week, so as not to get lost. Harry and Draco got a table in the back. Theo, Blaise, and Vince sat at a table next to them. When the Gryffindors arrived, Harry beckoned Neville over. Hermione came in and looked for a seat. Harry wasn't sure about Hermione. He didn't know if she was in on what happened last time or not. Really though it didn't matter now. Harry noticed Daphne, Pansy, and Tracy sitting at the table in front of him.
" Ms. Greengrass? Would you mind if Ms. Granger sat with your group? I hear that although she is a muggleborn, she is wicked smart. I think if she just had a little guidance she would do very well here indeed and who knows? She may very well be related to some pure-bloods. Like when I found out that my mother wasn't really muggleborn, but a pure-blood that had been adopted. You never know what's lurking behind a person's facade.", Harry said. Daphne and the others looked thoughtful and then she nodded. She got up and went over to Hermione. There was a quiet discussion and then Hermione joined the group.
Harry smiled. Snakes and Lions mixing together. Who would have guessed? The bell chimed and Harry watched Professor McGonagall's tail twitch as she stayed seated on the desk. Sure enough just like last time, Ron skidded into the classroom late. Instead of Harry being with him though, it was Seamus Finnegan. The Professor jumped off the desk and transformed mid-air.
" Five points from Gryffindor for your tardiness. Take a seat.", she said in her usual no nonsense tone. After that she gave the same speech as before. Harry raised his hand. " Yes Mr. Potter?", she acknowledged. " Can any witch or wizard become an animagus?", he asked. McGonagall's eyes widen in surprise. " Five points to Slytherin for an excellent question Mr. Potter. And the answer is no. Only powerful witches and wizards can become animagi. Now today we will start off by trying to change a matchstick into a needle. Visualization is key.", she lectured. Harry, having already done this successfully at home, quickly did the spell. He then began to help the others. Now was the perfect opportunity to shed light on Neville's wand.
Neville was frustrated. He knew he could do this. The match had turned silver at least. " Neville is that really your wand?", Harry asked. Neville looked at him guiltily. " It was... is my father's.", he answered softly. " Professor I believe Neville should be taken to Ollivanders immediately. The wand he is using isn't his. The wand chooses the wizard, not the other way around.", Harry told McGonagall. " You are absolutely right Mr. Potter. Another 10 points to Slytherin for helping others. I want a foot long essay on the technique behind transfiguring a match into a needle. Class dismissed.", she said. " Neville stay behind with me."
History of Magic was as usual boring. It was a shame too, what with all the rich history magic had to offer. Harry had a plan to change that. When class was over he stayed behind.
" Professor Binns?", he asked. The ghost looked over to him. " Yes Mr. Peter?", he said. Harry didn't bother to correct him. " Would you like to finally move on?", Harry questioned. The ghost looked relieved. " I would indeed. Can you help me? I'm afraid I made a mistake not going when I died, but I was scared of what was on the other side.", Binns said. Harry made sure they were alone before calling on his power. " I release you from this plane to move on to where you need be. May you rest in peace.", Harry said before touching the ghost. There was a flash of light and Binns was gone.
In his place Death stood. He was tall with pitch black eyes, straight black hair that fell to his shoulders, black lips and pale white skin that faintly glowed. He was dressed all in black. Though he was Death he was still healthy looking.
" We meet at last Peverell's offspring.", Death said in a soft, but deep voice. " Is it time for me to go already? Did I change something I shouldn't?", Harry asked. He wasn't afraid of Death, but things here were going so much better than last time. " You are doing well. I just wanted to thank you for sending this soul as well as Riddle's. You may not have done Riddle's personally this time, but it is because of you that I have him.", Death said. Harry sighed in relief. " You are most welcome. Is there something besides Death I can call you?", he asked. Death cocked his head to the side as if trying to understand him. " You are a most unusual person Hadarian Potter, but I must confess I have never thought about being called by a regular name before.", Death said. Harry thought about it for a moment. " How about Osiris Anubis Hades. That way if you ever need to do business on this plane you can do transactions under a name instead of Death. After all you never know if you'll need assistance one day and it is the name the Egyptians and Greeks gave you.", Harry suggested.
" You provide sound reasoning. Yes. I like it.", Osiris said. " As always it has been a pleasure speaking with you. Perhaps we shall do it again one day.", he said before turning into shadow and disappearing.
AN: Longest chapter I've wrote so far. Hope you enjoy. Please R/R