Chapter 27

Harry sat back on his bed, going over his first day in his head. It had certainly shocked a few people, including him.

He sat with the Slytherins in Herbology. Professor Sprout seemed very fair, although it was possible she just cared more about her plants than House rivalry. Hermione earned Ravenclaw 5 points for knowing about Devil's Snare, which Harry chuckled about. They worked quietly at their work-stations, taking small clippings of Devil's Snare and re-potting them without getting hurt or hurting the clipping and earning 5 points per workstation for doing so correctly. Harry was grateful that he had a free period right after, so he had time to properly wash up before lunch.

Lunch was somewhat quiet, as it was first day and everyone was still getting used to their schedules. After lunch, he headed off to DADA with their 6th year prefect leading them and telling them that if the doors to their indoor classes were closed when they arrived, they were expected to line up in an orderly fashion outside the door, but if the door was open, they were to enter and sit at their assigned seats. She also told them that they should have their materials ready whenever possible before the teachers walked into the room. This made sense to Harry, and he promised himself that he would try to always be prepared for class.

As predicted, some of the Gryffindors, led by Ron, hissed when they saw Harry standing with the Slytherins outside the DADA classroom. Harry ignored him and focused on those who were not with the red-headed twerp. Neville was off to one side, with a curious look on his face. The Gryffindor girls were also standing away from Ron and his little crew. They went in when Quirrell arrived and sat for their first DADA class.

DADA was just as boring with Quirrell teaching as it had been first time around. He again got a weird feeling whenever Quirrell had his back to them, but his Occlumency shields were working, so he didn't get a headache this time. He made a mental note to keep an eye on Quirrell, he'd have to try and stop Dumbledore's plans before they could really get a hold in his life.

Potions was another surpise all around. Harry sat in the second row at a desk by himself, as there was an odd number of Slytherins. This was all to plan, since he wanted Neville to sit by him. When the Gryffindors entered, followed by Professor Snape, they all hurried to get seats. Harry caught Neville's eye and made a motion for Neville to join him. Neville hesitated, but then sat down. Ron, of course, couldn't let it go and hissed "Figures a squib like you would join that snake!" at Neville. Neville gripped his desk, and looked down, obviously upset at the red-heads words.

"Detention, Mr. Weasley, for insulting two students – one of them from your own House - before the class has even begun!"said Snape, from right behind Ron.

Ron jumped at hearing Snape so close behind him, and gulped audibly.

The rest of the class went smoothly, with the students taking notes on the potion they would be making during the second half of the class and then making said potion with varying results. Again Harry chuckled as he remembered that Ron and Seamus' potion refused to leave the cauldron – they had to chip pieces out to turn in their vial. Harry and Neville's potion was a little runny, but Snape assured them that it was a good effort and told them to add a counter-clockwise stir after they had finished simmering it, if they noticed such a thing again. Neville, it turned out, was very good at recognizing the best pieces of plants to use when they had to gather their ingredients. He was also very precise in cutting them up. 'Must be his Herbology skills coming into play.' thought Harry.

Because they were done early, Professor Snape told them they could talk quietly amongst themselves, as long as they didn't disrupt anyone else who was still working. All the Slytherins were done at this point and a few of the Gryffindors.

Neville turned to Harry and asked, "Why did you ask me to be your potions partner? You don't even know me."

"Neville," Harry began, " Can I call you Neville?" at Neville's nod, he continued, "and please call me Harry. Well, Neville, it seems I had heard that our parents knew each other. In fact, we should have known each other before we got here to Hogwarts. Potters and Longbottoms have always stood together in times of battle and been friends in times of peace. Our parents were close and I'd like that to continue."

"Harry, how do you know something like that? I heard you were raised in the muggle world..." said Neville, surprised.

"I'm not ignorant of my family's history, Neville. So, what do you say? Friends?" Harry offered his hand to Neville.

"I'd like that."replied Neville, taking Harry's hand and shaking it. "I hope the Slytherins don't give you any trouble though. I wouldn't want to be the cause of something like that."

"Don't worry, Neville. We're actually encouraged to make friends outside of our house, it's just that so many students are told we're all slimy, evil snakes that it can be hard for us. In our case, I'll just point out that we have family history together. That's one thing all us snakes can understand." Harry replied, with a slight smile.

Neville chuckled, nodding, and turned back to pack the rest of his belongings. Harry had just finished putting his things away when the bell rang, dismissing them.

Snape called out "Don't forget, Mr. Weasley, detention tonight. I expect you at my office at 7 o'clock sharp this evening."

Dinner had been a little more boisterous than lunch, but Harry figured that was because most of the school was finished for the day. The first year Slytherins, however, had Astronomy to look forward to with the Hufflepuffs later on that evening.

With dinner finished, the Slytherins went back to the common room. Harry made a start on his homework, and saw that he wasn't the only one. Evidently, the Slytherins liked to get their work out of the way before they relaxed.

At 8 o'clock, Harry was on the Astronomy tower, setting up his telescope when Professor Sinistra entered. She gave both Houses points for preparedness, and started out with a star chart they would have to complete. Because it was partner work, Harry motioned for Susan Bones to join him. She looked back at her friends, who all nodded, and joined him at his station. They worked together well, with Harry finding the stars, showing them to Susan who then labelled their chart appropriately. They were more than half-way done when Susan asked Harry "Harry, I mean, Potter, why did you ask me to be your partner? You don't know me from Eve. I thought all you Slytherins stuck together."

"First, call me Harry please. Can I call you Susan?" Harry asked, and at her nod continued "Susan, we have some things in common."

At her skeptical look, Harry said, "Yes, we do. My father was an auror with your aunt. The Bones' and the Potters were good friends, with your aunt being a mentor to my father while he was coming up in the auror ranks. So, we do have a reason to talk." Harry smiled. "And besides, like I told Neville, we Slytherins are encouraged to have friends from other Houses, so I figured I'd give it a shot."

Susan was taken aback at this, she obviously had heard rumors already about the different Houses and seemed to be trying to reconcile what she heard with what she saw. Coming to a decision, she held her hand out to Harry.

"Friends?"

"That would be great, Susan! I don't know too many people yet, and want to make sure I meet the right kind." Harry said, shaking her hand politely.

"What do you mean, the right kind? And did you say Neville? As in Neville Longbottom?" asked Susan, wondering what she had gotten herself into.

"Well, I figured I'd start with people who knew or were related to those who knew my parents. You and Neville both have family that was close with my own. I figure I can trust my parents' judgment and hopefully, make a few friends while I'm here." Harry said this last bit quietly.

"Oh! Well, that explains that! I can introduce you to a few more people whose parents knew yours if you'd like? Or write to Aunt Amelia if you're not sure? You could even write to her – she'd be glad to hear from you even if she doesn't know you personally – she still says that your father was one of the best aurors she ever worked with." Susan said.

"As long as it wouldn't be a problem, I'll write to her."said Harry, already formulating what he would say in a letter to her. "I'll write to her on the weekend. That'll give you time to let her know you've spoken to me and all." said Harry, with a knowing look at Susan.

Susan blushed and nodded. Harry knew she'd be telling all her friends, as well as her aunt, that she was now friends with Harry Potter. Harry knew that she would be honest though, not some star-struck stalker like a certain female red-head he knew. She would be a true friend to him, he thought.

Harry laid back on his bed, hoping he had changed things enough that Dumbledore couldn't get his hooks into him this time around. He was satisfied with his first day, and thought he had made great strides in becoming who he was supposed to.