AN: I do not own Harry Potter, Belongs to JK Rowling.
Also, I wanna say thanks again for everyone who's read and added this to either their fave fic lists, or your story alerts. I apreciate it! I got this chapter out as quick as my muse would allow, and I hope it's qaulity apeases those of you that are ravenously addicted to it. You know I'm talking about you!
Enjoy, rate and review!
Chapter Five: Bad, to good, to bad again.
Harry's first proper day back had started off not so great. Having first woke up to the knowledge of having been attacked in a dark seemingly empty corridor.
Then having to very careful with what he was saying to a certain leader of the light. His emotions running high in general, but mainly in regards to issues that he had been unable to deal with since his previous year being the main thing discussed. Something that said leader apparently was disappointed in.
But for once Harry's day seemed it wasn't only going to be bad. Next Harry found out that his friend Neville was still most assuredly his friend, even after the news that his animagus form was that of a white basilisk. Whether it was an actual albino basilisk or simply that colour due to the nature of the spell that McGonagall had used was unknown. Either way the majority of the students started calling him once more 'the heir of Slytherin' and other such monikers.
The Boy-who-lived was also lucky in finding out, just how his so called best friends felt about him when they thought he wasn't there to defend himself.
Then Harry's day took a turn for the best, his charms work being so good he was awarded 20 points and invited to a conversation after class. In which Flitwick enlightened Harry to his mother being something called a charms protégé. Though just as Harry was about to learn exactly what that was, was interrupted by Professor Flitwicks next class.
Causing him to have to run along with Neville, who had waited, to herbology. If it wasn't for a shortcut Harry remembered from the marauders map he was sure they'd have been late.
Shortcut or no, they made it in time. Upon arriving they were just in time to hear Ron being berated by Madam Sprout about not shouting in her greenhouses. From what Harry and Neville could gather, Ron and Hermione had been in yet another argument. One which most likely got heated enough for raised voices.
Harry and Neville both knew from experience, having sometimes paired up in the gardening class, that when someone spoke too loudly for the friendly head of house Hufflepuff tastes, they didn't stay that way. Either points, a detention or simply made to leave the greenhouses until next time.
This time, it was in fact the latter. Ending with Ron being ushered out of the greenhouse by an annoyed Professor Sprout.
While Neville and Harry both settled themselves at a workbench, Harry simply following Neville. The greenhouse and to be perfectly honest, herbology in general being the young Longbottom's area of expertise.
After a quick review of what they'd been studying last year, the class soon got underway with some Tentacular saplings. Admittedly Harry was a little freaked out with the plants, the way whenever he got close to them they'd try and grab hold of him. Neville didn't seem to mind; in fact he seemed to tickle the branches that reached for him. And in turn the branches seemed to like the attention they received.
However, there was something or in this case someone, who wanted some attention. A certain bushy haired witch stormed over to where Harry was standing, a most furious look on her face. A grimace which did not compliment or make her look pretty in any way what so ever.
Harry however, was determined to nip, what he assumed was going to be a lecture, in the butt, so started talking just as Hermione's mouth opened. "Before you start a speech on my childish behaviour as you called it earlier," Hermione was quickly left with her mouth hanging open whilst her face turned bright red in indignation. "Let me say that if you really want to lose my friendship more than you already have, then continue as you are."
Just as the usually smart witch was about to open her mouth to retaliate with some retort, Harry cut her off again, not quite finished. "However... if you wish to mend bridges and put our issues behind us, then for now you should leave. Let things settle, be civil and give us both a chance for emotions to calm down."
Thankfully before the bushy haired girl could find her ability to speak once again, Professor Sprout waddled over to check what was going on "is something the matter over here? Miss Granger, Mr. Longbottom and Mr. Potter."
Neville surprisingly, was the one to diffuse the tense situation, "Nothing's wrong Professor, Hermione was simply asking us a question."
At hearing this, the head of Hufflepuff smiled widely and ushered Hermione away from her star student. "Whilst I'm sure Neville would be able to help easily Miss Granger, I'd be glad to help with any question you might come up with."
Harry turned to his plant obsessed friend and smiled, thanking him profusely before following the instructions that Professor Sprout had given them at the beginning. Whilst Herbology wasn't Harry's favourite lesson, there was something relaxing about getting your hands in some compost and helping plants grow. Though there was most certainly a distinct difference between being forced to tend to his aunt petunia's rose garden and a bush that was known for being grabby.
The rest of Herbology was relatively uneventful, the only thing that piqued Harry's interests, was Hermione's hair being grabbed and pulled by her sapling. But even then his little bout of laughter wasn't enough to cheer his mood up after he realised what their next class of the day was.
Eventually despite his own aversion of the subject, Neville managed to drag the reluctant Boy-who-lived towards potions. Where after a quick sprint at the end, made it in time before Snape slammed the door in Harry's face.
Slipping into a seat next to his friend that he'd spent most of the day with cheered him up somewhat, knowing he wouldn't have to deal with the greasy git completely on his own.
Though he couldn't help but remember just how he managed to join the class despite his lack of required grade.
Harry had finally finished all of his chores for the day for his uncle and was just about to fall asleep after having fallen face first into his pillow when Fawkes, Dumbledores phoenix flashed into his bedroom. At first Harry blinked at it for a minute before realising there was two letters, grasped in its talons.
Reaching forward, Harry took the envelopes slowly from Fawkes's grip whilst stroking the beautiful bird with his other hand, resulting in a soft trill like melody. Music with ultimately calmed him for whatever was about to result from the letter.
Almost immediately flashing back to wherever it came from after it deemed its task completed. Leaving Harry to open the first of the two letters in the room alone.
Surprisingly Harry in fact found two separate letters in the same envelope.
'Dear Harry,
If it is convenient to you, I shall call at number four, Privet
Drive this coming Friday at eleven P.M. to escort you to the
Burrow, where you have been invited to spend the remainder of your school holidays.
If you are agreeable, I should also be glad of your assistance
in a matter to which I hope to attend on the way to the
Burrow. I shall explain this more fully when I see you.
Hoping to see you this Friday.
I am yours most sincerely,
Albus Wulfric Percival Brian Dumbledore.'
Harry took a few moments to re read the letter, paying only a small amount of time thinking over any reason why the man would finally seem to show an interest in his life.
Looking at the second letter Harry was surprised that it was his OWL results. With everything that had happened, he'd completely forgotten about them.
'Dear Mr. Potter,
Enclosed you will find your OWL results for the 1995-1996 Hogwarts school year. Where applicable, grades are listed as Theory – then Practical – then Overall – with your Class Rank in parenthesis (out of 40 students).
Astronomy – E – A – E (18th)
Care of Magical Creatures – O – O – O (1st)
Charms – E – O – O (3rd)
Defence Against Dark Arts – O – O+ – O+ (1st) Highest Recorded Score
Divination – A – A – A (12th)
Herbology – E – O – O (8th)
History of Magic – T (40th)
Potions – A – E – A (10th)
Transfiguration – E – O – O (7th)
Congratulations Mr. Potter on receiving 8 OWLS. You can take any OWL classes available, and have qualified for the following NEWT level subjects: Astronomy, COMC, Charms, DADA, Divination, and Transfiguration. Please select a minimum of four, but up to six classes from the following page and return to your Headmaster.
Sincerely,
Griselda Marchbanks, CEO
Chief Examinations Officer'
After reading his results, with a smile, he realised that despite the fact that Umbridge was trying to completely ruin most of the students' education, he'd still managed to take first place, as well as breaking a record of some kind. He'd most certainly keep the DA open this coming year. Before moving onto the 3rd letter, he noticed a note stuck on the back of his OWL results.
'Dear Harry,
You will be most pleased to note that after a brief discussion with Professor Snape, he's agreed to allow you to take remedial potions class on a Wednesday evening, as well as NEWT level potions. I'm sure you'll have no trouble. Make your best effort.
Yours most sincerely,
Albus Dumbledore.'
Harry was confused though after reading. Snape had repeated over and over again that anything less than an E in the OWL results would result in a failure. So why had Dumbledore gotten him in. Why had Snape allowed it? Not to mention he did certainly not want to spend any time in that class when he didn't have to. And he didn't have to, until Dumbledore stepped in. One thing was certain, he'd not be attending remedial lessons.
Harry's anger at the headmaster was growing by the day.
The 3rd letter was left almost forgotten on his desk. The wax seal of Gringotts left forgotten and unbroken until he'd calmed down and opened it to another set of letters.
"10 points from Gryffindor for dosing off in my class potter. If you didn't wish to be a part of the class then you shouldn't have gone crying to Dumbledore about it." Came a quick and decisive shout, the sneer that Professor Snape was sending in Harry's direction unmistakably full of hatred.
Despite knowing better than to aggravate the greasy git, Harry wasn't about to let him call him a cry baby, especially when he didn't even want to take the class. "First off Snivelus, I didn't want to take this NEWT course. I'd rather be having a nice free period. Secondly, the only reason I'd cry in regards to you, is having to be in your ugly presence. Now shut up and teach the class. Unless of course you want to dock me a hundred points, give me a detention, which we both know I won't attend, or I can give you a black eye to go with that knee to the groin."
To say the class was speechless would have been an understatement. Both Snape and Hermione were fuming, for different but similar reasons of course. Hermione because of the way he'd spoken to a teacher. Even to Snape, talking back to a person of authority was treason in Hermiones eyes. And Snape because of the way Harry had spoken to him in his own classroom, undermining his authority and bringing up what had happened earlier on the train platform. He'd spoken to Dumbledore about it and was assured it would be taken care of, but obviously he hadn't gotten around to it yet.
When the black haired Deatheater finally got his power of speech back he pointed towards the door and shouted at the top of his lung capacity to get out. To which Harry was most happy to comply with for once.
Picking up a book from the desk, not realising at the time that he'd not gotten any books out of his bag, and storming out, only once the door slammed did the class erupt into thunderous applause.
Harry was able to hear his name being chanted all the way up to and out of the dungeons where the potions class was situated. Only once he was surrounded by nothing but silence did Harry realise he had nowhere in specific to go. He was supposed to have a double potions lesson and then lunch. Without Neville to suggest anything, he eventually decided to head to the great hall and get ahead on his homework whilst waiting for lunch.
AN: I'm aware that my schedule for harry is a bit long, but theres no specific template for a hogwarts day. So I'm gunna claim that this is a usual first day back. If anyone has information they think might be useful, it'd be apreciated!