Bats and Broomsticks
The next morning dawned and a nervous excitement coursed through the school like a tidal wave. First years chattered anxiously about their class timetables while older students bemoaned various classes and professors. Harry sat at the Gryffindor table, looking at his schedule. Potions class was first with the Slytherins. His stomach dropped a little at that. Even with his very brief encounter with Draco Malfoy, Harry didn't like the Slytherins.
"Potions, bloody hell. Everyone says it's the worst class if you're not in Slytherin," Ron grumbled.
"Honestly, it can't be that bad. I think it sounds fascinating," Hermione retorted.
"I don't think Snape likes me," Harry interjected.
"Don't be silly, Harry. You haven't even met him yet,' Hermione muttered.
Over at the Ravenclaw table, Irlynn was having similar misgivings as Harry about Potions. She'd seen the surly Potions Master on her way to breakfast and he had looked down at her with a disgusted look. She was glad that she wasn't in his house. Professor Flitwick, her Head of House, seemed kind enough.
"Could you pass the jam?" Luna's airy voice asked. Irlynn reached for the spread and passed it to her left.
Breakfast ended and students dispersed in various directions. The first year Gryffindors moved in a horde towards the dungeons, all fearing they'd get lost and earn themselves detention on the first day. The Slytherins beat them to the classroom. Harry sat down at a desk near the front of the room, pulling out parchment, ink bottle and quill in preparation. Ron sat behind him next to Hermione. Harry glanced over to see Draco laughing at a couple of the other Gryffindor students with two large boys. Just then there was a loud 'slam' as the door to the room opened and closed. Professor Snape strode up to the front of the class before he spoke.
"There will be no foolish wand waving in this class," he began, glaring disapprovingly at the students in gold and crimson.
"Most of you do no possess the respect for the silence and subtlety that is potion making. For the few that do, you will do well in this class," he continued, beginning to pace along the front row of desks.
"I can teach you to bottle fame, brew glory and even put a stopper in death," he sneered, stopping in front of Harry's desk. Harry finished writing the word 'death' before looking up to meet the professor's gaze.
"Mr. Potter. Our new celebrity," Snape snickered. Harry suddenly regretted sitting in the front row.
On the other side of the castle, Irlynn sat in her first class of the day; Transfiguration with the first year Hufflepuffs. She was copying notes from the blackboard when it hit her. It was if she couldn't control it. She was looking up at Professor Snape and he was lecturing on things she'd never heard of. As always she never heard the response from the person she was. She could tell whoever it was, was getting embarrassed. She was finally snapped back from the vision by the loud clock tower bell ringing, dismissing class. She stood and gathered her bag and parchments. She checked the board one last time to make sure she had copied down the assignment correctly before walking out of the classroom.
Harry walked out of potions, feeling humiliated. It was his first day at Hogwarts and he'd already lost his house ten points. Ron and Hermione caught up with him as they left the dungeons on their way to charms.
"Don't feel bad, Harry. I didn't know it either,' Ron said.
"You would if you'd read the text before class," Hermione scoffed.
"You're loads of help, Hermione. Really, just loads," Ron snapped.
"Professor Snape should have picked me. I clearly had my hand raised," she muttered.
"He was too busy humiliating me," Harry mumbled.
"I bet Charms will go better. I hear Flitwick is a really easy teacher," Ron said, trying to cheer his new friend up.
As the trio walked through the halls, they passed Irlynn briefly. They exchanged 'good morning' and waves before going on their way. Irlynn was glad she had a break before her next class. She wandered towards the library to get some peace and quiet. After securing a table out of the way, she pulled out parchment and quill, beginning the promised letter to her parents.
Dear Mum and Dad,
I have settled into school. I share a room with four other girls. They all seem very pleasant and kind. One girl, Luna, is a bit odd but still very sweet. The train ride was uneventful and I think I have begun to make some new friends.
I have had my first class, Transfiguration. It is a very fascinating subject. I hope you are both well. I miss you terribly and look forward to seeing you at the Christmas holiday.
Lots of love,
Irlynn
She let the ink dry for a few minutes before rolling it up. She checked the nearest clock and got to her feet. She didn't want to be late to her first potions class. She tossed the letter in her bag and ran off. She would have to mail it later.
She arrived in the dungeons and sat in the back, hoping to be out of Snape's line of fire when it came to questioning students. The class passed by and she avoided being called on. She was free to scribble notes to her heart's content. Harry had a similar experience with Professor Flitwick's class. He made the feather levitate a small amount in the air. Of course it was nothing compared to Hermione's attempt. She'd earned ten point for Gryffindor, essentially canceling out the ten Snape took from him earlier.
"I told you Charms would be easier," Ron muttered in Harry's ear as they left.
"I'm starving," he added as they made a turn for the Great Hall. Hermione shook her head and sat down a few seats from the boys. After piling some food on his plate, Ron looked at Harry.
"She's a bit…odd isn't she," he said around a mouthful of chicken.
"She seems alright. A bit of a show-off but I suppose it's her choice," Harry said back. He shivered; getting the feeling someone was watching him. He slowly turned his head but found nothing there. Not a soul was looking at him. All he saw was the back of Professor Quirrel's turban.
The rest of the afternoon was mildly uneventful. Harry had to try and stay awake in History of Magic. Binns made it extremely difficult to accomplish that task as he droned one. Finally, they arrived just outside the castle for their first flying lesson. They'd been split up so that some students from each house met together. Irlynn spotted Harry and went to stand next to him.
"How is your first day?" she asked, looking down at the broom lying next to her.
"Alright. I don't think I'm going to do well in potions," he answered.
"Me either. I get the feeling Snape doesn't like me much," Irlynn murmured. Harry laughed. He knew that feeling. Just then Madam Hooch walked out.
"Good afternoon class," she said.
"Good afternoon Madam Hooch," they responded in an imperfect unison.
"Welcome to your first flying lesson," she began. Harry looked over to see Ron gulp.
"Now, this is going to be very simple. You will hold your right hand over the broom and say 'up'," she began. Harry looked down at the broom and held out his hand.
"Up," he said and the broom jumped into his hand on first command.
Draco's broom hopped into his hand after a couple of tries. Harry couldn't help but snicker at Hermione's firm commands. Irlynn concentrated on the object and took a deep breath.
"Up," she said and it wobbled before slowly rising into her hand. She grabbed hold of it and heaved a small sigh.
"Up," Ron ordered and earned a smack in the face from the broom handle. Harry snickered a little bit. Irlynn covered her mouth to try and stifle a giggle of her own.
"Ow! That's not funny," Ron groaned.
"Sure it is Weasel," Malfoy called from the other line. Madam Hooch gave him a glare and he kept his mouth shut. Some six or seven minutes later the rest of the class had managed to make their brooms rise.
"Very good. Now, you will mount the broom," Madam Hooch instructed. The group of students swung a leg over the broom.
"Now, I want you to lean forward on your room. You will rise a few inches into the air and then come back down," she finished. Near the end of the line that Harry and Irlynn were standing in, Neville began to rise not of his own volition.
'Help!" he yelped as he continued to rise higher into the air.
"Mr. Longbottom, come down!" Madam Hooch ordered.
"I'm trying," Neville squealed before the broom took off like a shot and Neville began a small dot flying around the castle spires.