By the end of breakfast, Scorpius was back to his usual self and talked casually with his new friends. Despite his father's known distaste for Albus's family", Scorpius enjoyed his company and loved his open personality. Albus and Scorpius talked about everything from Quidditch to Albus's baby sister, as they got ready for their first day. It helped Scorpius stop thinking about his parents' reaction. He tried his best to keep the conversation away from his family, letting Albus chatter away and listened attentively as he recounted anecdotes from his interesting extended family.
"What's on your timetable?" Albus asked Rose casually, as he and Scorpius joined her outside the common room.
Rose rolled her eyes (which Scorpius observed that she did often) and said, "The same as yours Al! You and I are in the same house and will obviously have the same timetable."
"Well then, tell me anyway, I left mine on the bed while when I packed my satchel."
"You had it out a moment and forgot it so soon? I admire your memory Albus!" Rose rolled her eyes yet again and then informed her cousin that they had DADA first, followed by double Charms, Potions and then Transfiguration, Flying and Herbology after the break.
Albus told Scorpius that their DADA teacher was actually his uncle. Scorpius smiled and nodded, not bothering to mention that he already knew that as he had overheard James saying so earlier.
The trio followed the rest of the crowd into the DADA classroom. Scorpius worried about whom to pair up with, as he thought that Rose and Albus would sit together but, with a knowing nod Rose, conveniently - went over to join a girl, who she had met the previous night, leaving the boys together. Scorpius noted that the other girl was visibly pleased to have Rose beside her.
The class abruptly stopped chattering and settled down as a short, stocky man marched into the classroom. Scorpius had no trouble identifying him as Professor Weasley; his red hair was a trademark. He beamed at his class as he scanned it, trying to make eye contact with each and every student. Scorpius marvelled at how he skilfully overlooked the presence of his niece and nephew. Scarcely surprising though, he must have had a lot of experience with all the nieces and nephews he had to teach! The class proceeded as the Professor explained the importance of learning to protect oneself and briefed them on the topics they were going to cover in their academic year. Scorpius noticed that their teacher loved to engage the class in conversation. He shot questions at anyone; awarding points and a smile of approval to every correct answer. He kept the class interesting by narrating lively anecdotes that he said, were from his former career as a dragon tamer in Romania. One look towards Albus with his super–bored look told Scorpius that the family has already heard the stories before.
"Excuse me Professor, but isn't Lumos supposed to be covered in the charms class?" Everyone including the Professor turned towards Rose as she interrupted the Professor in mid-sentence. "It is a charm after all." She added uncertainly.
"Yes Miss Weasley it is a charm, but it can be very useful when you're defending yourself."
"How is that Professor Weasley, we may need light is we are trapped or something, but it has nothing to do with defence, I mean fighting kind of defence ."
"But it does actually; I was just coming to that Miss Weasley." This made Scorpius chuckle. Oops! The professor directed his glance towards Scorpius, "What do you think about that Mr. Malfoy? We should or should we not include the wand-lighting charm in DADA?"
"Umm…"Scorpius was caught off guard. "Well…umm sir, I think we should include it even if it is a charm. Most charms can be used to defend ourselves. But, we could also wait for our charms professor to teach it and then skip directly to the defence part, as to avoid-er-repetition."
"Makes sense; Take a point for Gryffindor for that. We shall indeed do as Mr. Malfoy suggests and as for the wand-lighting charm, I'll advice your Charms Professor to skip that to avoid repetition.
"Alright then, now getting back to Miss Weasley's matter of concern, wand -lighting charms are the only straightforward defence you could come up with while defending yourself against spectral foes such as Gytrashes and malevolent spirits.. Even though it is unlikely that you'll face one, you have to be prepared to defend yourself against every magical creature. Now why did no one ask why can't we just use Stupefy, Protego or the Impediment jinx against these foes? "
"Well, it must be because_"
"Please raise your hand if you want to speak Miss Weasley, and I shall decide where you should or should not." the professor interrupted calmly but firmly, causing Rose to blush and squirm into her seat.
Professor Weasley glanced around the classroom to see if there is anyone who had an answer, but found everyone in deep thought, but as no one had come up with an answer. So he brought his attention back to his niece, who still seemed a bit uncomfortable, "Well, maybe you can say whatever you were going to, as no one else seems to have anything." He told her gently.
"These spells may harm the creature sir. It's basically not their fault that you have crossed their path and now find it necessary to defend yourself against them." Rose replied mechanically.
"That's right, which gives your house five point. There is one more reason though,which is not sentimental like this one, anyone?
Rose had her hand it the air taking a second to compose her thoughts into words. Professor Weasley frowned as he expected greater participation. Again having no one eager to answer, he gestured Rose to do so.
"If the wand –lighting charm scares the Gytrashes or whatever, the situation may be calmer, but if we try offensive spells, it may decide for sure that we are dangerous and get more aggressive and act again."
That's my girl! Professor Weasley could hardly keep his pride off his face, it's not that Rose had read it before as she was insisting that Lumos should not a be included in DADA at all; she must have worked it out just after the question was asked, "that's exactly what it is! Take five more points for Gryffindor for this!
"Well it's time up class. For homework, make a list of all the uses you can possibly think of the wand –lighting charm, to defend yourself. I do not care if you include something as stupid as sticking a lit wand in your opponent's mouth or something like lighting your wand and throwing it far to confuse your opponent as to where you are, giving yourself time to run. I just need a long list…"
Albus: Well, that was quite interesting. Now where would the Charms class be?
Scorpius: No idea, let us just follow the crowd, there's Rose by the way, let's wait for her. Hey! I actually found the 'lighting the wand and throwing it far' quite a brilliant trick, why did your uncle call it stupid?
Albus: Probably because you'll be left without a wand after chucking it away. And yes, don't call him my uncle; he seem serious about theforgetting that he ever knew us before thing.
Rose: Hey guys! Meet Jane Macfarlane we are in the same dormitory. And Jane, this is my cousin Albus Potter and this is Scorpius Malfoy.
Albus: Nice to meet you, Jane.
Scorpius: Same here. You were quite eager to impress your own Uncle, Rose.
Albus: Oh, No! she is always like that. You might find it annoying at first, but you'll soon get used to it. She has the answers ready faster than the speed of light.
Rose: Yeah yeah, anyone knows the way to Charms?
Jane: I do. My brother drew me a map.
Albus: Lucky you; my brother said it's an art to find your way around Hogwarts, and I must master it myself.
Rose: Let's get moving then.
Charms seemed a bit demanding to everyone, except Rose of course. Everyone were excited as this was the first time they were learning to use a wand and the task of turning the raven feather blue had everyone's attention. As everyone twirled their wands making useless attempts, Rose already had her feather blue, causing Albus to whistle involuntarily. The Professor waddled towards her, excited to have someone actually perform a charm successfully in their first class, which caused the whole class to turn towards Rose. He squeaked at her to break focus or else the feather would consequently turn white, awarding her ten house points.
Jane: Wow! Rose, you were just awesome! What are you doing in Gryffindor anyway? Ravenclaw's the place for you…
Albus: I know… but pitifully our brave and noble house is contaminated by smarties… now and then… you see my Aunt Hermo_ OUCH!
Rose: Don't you dare!
Albus: Just joking Rosie… you were really great!
Scorpius: (yawning) Potions next; let's get moving… father's not exactly fond of this Slughorn guy…
"Welcome first years! I am Horace Slughorn- your potions master… and as the Slytherins here already know, I am also the head of the Slytherin house." The potion master started off as soon as they herded into the class. "May I warn you right now that that a wrongly brewed potion shall give you results you can't even think of… so the mantra is to follow instructions to the note and if you do, I promise you will be doing you best. I guess most of you didn't get what I just said. Let me clarify, I can't think of any logic to this, but I have noticed that a most brilliant potioneer is rather born… than made. Note that I said most here. I admit that some of the best students I had over the years were muggleborns, note that I again said most again. I do remember certain prodigies who were related to the same brilliant potioneers I was referring to earlier.
"I do not say this to discourage you, but I speak to urge you to give in your best as this is a very important subject, but do not be disappointed if you don't excel in it and just keep giving your best because it is very necessary that you know how to brew the most common ones at least…"
"Potions are used as medicines, deadly poisons or give you strength, enhancement, immunity or let him morph your appearance. Each potion gives you different result, and as I mentioned earlier, you do it wrong, the result can be lethal…
"So? Let's get started… I'll let you pair up as you wish for , but I may change them later if you get talkative. Who can tell me the ingredients to make a potion to cure boils?"
Rose and Scorpius raised their hand among many others. Slughorn smiled at Rose with sudden recognition and gestured towards her, "Yes, Miss Granger." Rose glanced at Albus who gave her a queasy smile, "its Weasley sir." She said.
" Ahh yes! My apology, how could I forget… I was even present at the wedding… Well well well. There are quite a few of you I can recognize" he said glancing towards Albus", you see, I have taught many of your parents, and grandparents too in some cases… While I spoke of muggleborn prodigies earlier, I had your Grandmother Lily Evan...err Potter in mind Mr. Potter and of course Hermoine Granger Weasley…
" So Miss Weasley, you were telling me the ingredients for brewing a potion to cure boils… On a second thought, let's let Mr. Potter answer that shall we. Miss Weasley, like her mother is probably used to answering only when her's is the only hand raised, let's not trouble her when half the class is eager to answer." A few laughed politely at the Professors feeble attempt on a joke, while Albus started to tense. He had read it, it was the first chapter after all… "Slugs sir, horned slugs" he remembered that much "That's right two more to go. Mr. Roberts?"
A Slytherin answered curtly, "Horned Slugs, Porcupine Quills, and Snake Fangs sir."
" That's right, now I hope everyone has these ingredients with them, the procedure is in your textbooks- open page 21- and get started."
Albus sighed with relief, as he wasn't picked on too much and started assisting Scorpius to put the cauldron on. "I hope you have the necessary requirements Mr. Potter?"
Albus jumped when he saw the professor suddenly right in front of him. "Yes sir."
"That's good, no trouble I hope."
"I don't think so..."
"That does great… hope to see you shine in my class like your father…"
really sorry for the long wait... i just had better things to do, and 'writing' fanfictions can be boring when you can't type as fast as you think