Don't own Harry Potter, kinda wish I did.

Chapter 6

Firsts

The first day as students of Hogwarts for Harry and Archer was a day of many firsts. One of the louder firsts was Harry and Archer's first meeting with a certain Miss Hermione Granger. After the seventh year transfiguration class the boy's returned to third year classes. While they were ahead of even most seventh years in spell casting they were not ahead in what they deemed the more mundane aspects of magic. The marauders were brilliant students while they were at school provided one ignored their behaviour, on grades alone they were the envy of the generation. That being said they were not without weaknesses, their practical jokes were off the back of some ingenious spell casting, James Potter was a prodigy in transfiguration, Remus Lupin had great research skills and was able to mesh spells together in creative ways and Sirius Black was unusually able with charms. Sirius preferred Defence Against the Dart Arts but he was second only to Lily Potter (neƩ Evans) in charms, often thought of as a 'girly' or soft class the flashing lights and cute effects were the basis of many of the Marauder's activities. Potions, Herbology and astronomy were not strengths, this meant with growing up with McGonagall, Sirius and Remus as tutors Harry and Archer had a hugely imbalanced education.

As the boys arrived outside the second class of the day they were greeted with an inquisition. "Harry Potter, where were you? This was your first day of school and you've already missed one class, don't you care about your education?" Screeched a part girl part bushy mane.

"Wow." The ever helpful Archer dryly commented. Harry glared at his friend before turning the girl.

"Harry Potter, I don't believe we've had the pleasure?"

"That's cause it's not a pleasure." Muttered Archer into Harry's ear.

"I'm Hermione Granger" replied the girl.

"Well Miss Granger, I have yet to miss a class and I do value my education."

"But third year Gryffindors had charms first this morning and you weren't there, so you must have missed it. I think Professor McGonagall should hear of this if you miss any more, Gryffindors shouldn't miss classes." Hermione said continuing her tirade.

"What exactly should I be hearing about Miss Granger?" asked a stiff scotch voice from behind the girl.

"Professor, Harry missed his first class, I was saying that he ought to respect his teachers more and show up to class."

"Miss Granger, it appears you are ill informed, I can assure you both Mr Potter and Mr Pittman were in their first class."

"But Professor I was in charms and they weren't there?"

"That Miss Granger, was because they were in transfiguration with me."

"Oh," was the girl's response before her curiosity struck again "Why were they in transfiguration?"

"Mr Potter and Mr Pittman are rather more advanced than most third years and so are in some advanced classes, a nightmare to timetable I assure you."

"How can they be advanced; they haven't been to Hogwarts which is the best school in the world, everyone says so."

"I assume you are not meaning to insult my teaching abilities Miss Granger; under that assumption I will answer. Have you considered how much faster your classes could move if you were the only student? The two of them have had private tuition for many years." Professor McGonagall replied clearly trying to keep the irritation from her voice.

"I never considered that Professor, would I be able to join their advanced classes? Everyone says I'm the smartest witch of our generation."

"I'm sorry Miss Granger but these boys are well above their OWLs in some classes and do not have to deal with Astronomy. I don't doubt your work ethic but at this time it is currently impossible for you to join them. Now if you'll excuse me I have to return to my classroom." With that the strict Professor walked away. Using the girl's shock, the boys slipped into the classroom for their first ever Hogwarts ancient runes class. Both had read about runes and realised their potential so were able to breeze through the introductory class. They did however feel the jealous glares on them from a certain Hermione Granger.

At lunch both of the boy's sat with Neville to catch up with how his classes had been. The nervous boy admitted his struggles which lead to an offer of tutoring from the boy in exchange for Herbology help, something Neville was a prodigy in. Otherwise nothing of note happened other than the little Weasley girl squeaking and turning as red as her hair when Harry smiled at her.

After lunch the boys had a free period, their timetables were packed so in weeks to come this hour of peace would be extremely welcome however being the first day they had nothing to catch up on. "So Harry," Archer said leaving it hanging in the quiet.

"Yes Toxin?" Harry sighed.

"I'm about to do something stupid, you being a good friend and/or the victim of a hero complex are going to accompany me to make sure I survive."

"Third floor?"

"Third floor." Archer answered getting up and striding towards the staircases. Harry followed knowing that even if he didn't Archer would explore and possibly get into more trouble. He may be the reckless Gryffindor but the ambitious Slytherin would do almost anything if he thought there was some prize or recognition.

They arrived on the forbidden corridor eerily lit with flickering torches, the windows murky and not letting the afternoon sun in. Spying a door that was shut they closed towards it, giving it a quick check before overcoming a simple locking charm and peeking in they saw something that had no place in a school. Quickly shutting the door as quietly as they could they turned to each other. "Merlin, a Basilisk and now a Cerberus, what is wrong with this school. Padfoot never said it was this crazy." Harry started.

"I think it's Moony's pet," Archer said "You remember when he and Sirius we chatting about the end of year exams?"

"The creatures part of the course is second and third year, there is no way that thing is part of Moony's assault course."

"I know but I think it might be for the NEWT students as a final test before the exams."

"That would be crazy, you think we'd have to fight that?" Harry asked wondering how he was expected to fight that thing alone.

"I think it would be a team thing. I think we should run the course early, imagine the faces when the rest of the class see a message from us waiting at the finish line. I'm going to look at Cerberus habits then we should get a camera or something we could leave at the finish for Moony to find."

Harry sighed, they'd done some crazy stuff before but that generally was when he'd lead them in to help someone. This would be all for glory, Harry had tried hard to honour his parent's memories and while that meant studying hard and planning elaborate jokes it didn't mean he was willing to run a suicide course just because Archer wanted to. Deep down he suspected he'd end up following Archer's hunt for glory anyway but the was hoping his friend would just find something else to distract him.

Soon the boy's joined the rest of the third year Gryffindors and the Hufflepuffs in the greenhouses for Herbology. They joined Neville at a bench and passed the class with some casual chat, Neville enjoyed the complete trust the other two placed in him and his tips. It was unusual for anyone to listen to his advice in class. He didn't want to boast about his talents since he has seen what a pariah Hermione had become with her loud mouth but he knew he was good at this class and it felt nice to have two friends to acknowledge it.

The evening meal was the first demonstration of the Weasley twins style of trouble and mayhem. Sitting at the Gryffindor table Archer had been able to avoid whatever had befallen the other Slytherins, namely a simple colour change locking their hair to a shade of emerald that matched the Slytherin banner around the hall. Having been sat near the Weasley twins Harry and Archer had noticed the huge grins they were unable to contain even before it had started, this had made the two particularly weary and so they noticed that no spells were cast. "Potions, a simple colour changing potion, amateurs." Archer muttered.

"It must have been in the food or drinks then," Harry said as they unravelled the simple trick, "That means they had help in the kitchens."

"It seems my friend, that we need to speak to some elves in order to control the situation and ensure we reign supreme over these amateurs."

"Sirius gave us directions and instructions." After dinner the boys found the kitchens only making one or two missteps. Once there they immediately made a new alliance. While the marauders were never big on potion based pranks, in part due to their lack of interest in brewing, they knew the value of the house elves. It turns out house elves have a hidden vice which the original marauders where able to find and in exchange for suppling the house elves the elves would assist the marauders whenever needed. Harry and Archer were able to quickly re-establish this deal.

"Honestly," Archer said as they made their way back from the kitchens to the entrance hall where they would split for the night, "of all the things that house elves could get cravings for that has to be the strangest."

"I know, so bizarre. Now keep it quiet lest others learn our tricks." Harry replied before wishing Archer goodnight. Watching his friend descend to the dungeons where he now ruled Harry became aware of a feeling, the feeling of being watched. Turning around he spotted a first year Slytherin, seeing she had been caught she walked towards him.

"I thought you'd be taller." The girl said. Harry was confused for a moment, the bright eyed girl had a regal face with high cheek bones which looked oddly familiar and long dark hair held up simply.

"Why would you think that, and why would you think you should be wandering around alone on your second night of school?"

"Many reasons, to both your questions." The girl answered with a smile that seemed oddly genuine for someone dressed in silver and green. Harry just looked at her expectantly, a trick he had picked up from Minnie was to stay quiet until the person burst out with a better answer to fill the awkward silence. It worked. "Your father was far taller than average, you're also famous and so I thought you'd be big and intimidating. Its not after curfew so there is no reason I can't walk around." Harry nodded with this accepting it but curious as to why she had approached him he kept the conversation alive.

"I'm sorry I've forgotten my manners I'm Harry Potter, sometimes known as many other things but I am Harry Potter first and foremost."

"Astoria Greengrass." The girl said now smiling from ear to ear as Harry's face revealed he had worked out who she was.

"So you're Daphne's sister." It was a statement not a question, the feeling the face was familiar was explained though the hair was about as different as could be, so too the eyes, Daphne's sapphire like blue eyes were as cold as the stones to describe them whereas Astoria's dark brown eyes were warm and rich.

"Indeed and you own my sister."

"She informed me this morning I basically owned all of her but her heart."

"Ah my dear sister would never admit to having a heart so don't worry about that bit. She'll be less of a bitch in a few years when she admits she's going to have to make this work. She's too stubborn right now."

"Is that why you approached me, to give me some advice?"

"Well partly, mostly I came here to warn you." The hint of a threat seemed strange coming from an eleven-year-old with such warm eyes. "Don't do anything stupid in your stubbornness about this contract. If you hurt her feelings she might hurt yours out of spite and you'll both be miserable. Wait for her to open up, she'll be worth it but if you mess about now she probably never will and you'll only have yourself to blame."

"Won't she be to blame too?" Harry asked feeling that it shouldn't all be on him.

"Well if she would listen to me she would but since she has been brought up to follow instructions unless they clash with personal goals she won't do anything to risk this. You might listen to me since you are my big-brother-to-be. I also expect a Christmas and birthday present now." With that she travelled towards the dungeons where Archer had headed earlier.

"When's your birthday?" Harry called wondering how to appease the Greengrass sisters.

"Ask Daphne, it'll give you something to talk about." Astoria called back without stopping or turning.

Harry headed back to Gryffindor tower in contemplation. It had been an interesting day that had already changed his life and his friend now had a which to endanger his life. As Harry got into bed he wished that his second day of class would have a little less excitement.