Disclaimer: I am not making any galleons, dollars etc of this fic. I own just the plot and future OCs.
The first years made their way to the charms classroom or more accurately followed Harry. The journey would have been pleasant if not for the untimely interruption of one Ronald Weasley. He joined Harry at his side and said rather cheerfully, "Hey Harry, why don't you ditch those nerds and join us Gryffindors where you belong. We would be happy to give you Longbottom's place."
Harry was thoroughly annoyed. This boy had insulted two of his friends in a single sentence and god be damned if he was going to let it go. "Listen Weasley, I don't like you so maintain your distance from me. And if I ever hear you saying a word about my friends, I will make sure that you are hexed into next week. Am I clear?" Harry said angrily, his green eyes flashing. Ron's ears reddened and he quickly receded back. They soon reached the charms classroom and sat themselves down.
The charms lesson was similar to the transfiguration one. During the first half, Flitwick taught the basics of charms and the theory of the levitation spell. The practical half soon started and Harry touched his wand to the feather, gave the required swish and flick and said softly, "Wingardium Leviosa". Harry found that the spell was a lot easier than performing wandlessly and the feather shot up to the ceiling of the room.
Flitwick came running seeing this, amazed just like McGonagall. "Mr Potter, excellent. Simply excellent. You sure are your mother's son. She too was a charms prodigy. Ten points to Ravenclaw." He exclaimed excitedly and had just turned when another feather joined Harry's. It seemed that Hermione, never to back down from a challenge, had also successfully completed the spell. Ravenclaw gained ten more points soon.
The class was going well and Harry was trying to help Neville till he got his own wand. Neville's feather was quivering though floating high though it was still better than most of the class.
They went to the Great Hall for lunch which was just as grand as the welcoming feast and decided to start breaking the one tradition that kept the potential at Hogwarts at bay, house rivalry. They made a beeline to the Slytherin table where Daphne and Tracey were having their lunches. Luckily, they found seats next to the girls who smiled when they joined them. The whole hall watched silently as the golden boy ate with the 'house of evil'.
After the lunch, the quad, picking Neville on the way, decided to just relax at the Hogwarts grounds. They sat under a tree and watched as other students did their daily work, some scrambling to reach their classes, some talking with friends and some playing gobstones. They decided to start playing some exploding snap and played a few games which were won mostly by Daphne and Tracey who had the most experience. They then went to the legendary library of Hogwarts, rumoured to contain thousands of books on every topic of magic.
The first thing they met with upon entering the library was a serious talk with Madam Pince about keeping quiet in there. After the long talk that never seemed to end, they explored the library. Sadly Harry found the library to be lacking severely and found no books on any topic other than the ones that were needed in the usual topics. This seemed suspicious to Harry as well as the two Slytherins who had heard stories of it from their grandparents but they decided to see to it later. They finished the little homework given to them in the two classes and retired to the great hall.
Harry soon was surprised to say the least as a tawny owl flew to him and handed him a thick book full of parchments, the Gringotts seal on top. He said a hasty goodbye to the girls and Neville and ran to the Ravenclaw common room. He stood in front of the knocker and was asked, "What is the truth?" Harry had already decided that he wasn't going to let the knocker annoy him with the daily questions and answered, "The word with the letters T, R, U and H in it" with a straight face. A distinct groaning sound came from the knocker as it replied, "There is always one in a few years" but opened nonetheless. He went to his dorm, sat on the bed, drew the curtains around and cast the basic privacy charm he had recently read about.
He opened the ledger and started reading, his jaw slowly dropping to inhumane proportions. According to the bank, he had about 10000 galleons in his trust vault to be refilled each year. The trust vault was to be used for his schooling and any hobbies that he may have his interests in. The main family vault contained more than 5 million galleons that had only increased acquiring interest over the years. Along with the money he also had controlling interest in the main wizarding newspaper, the Daily Prophet and in various other companies including the Nimbus broom company. He also had a number of shares in various muggle companies that he recognized as successful technology enterprises.
There were various forms that he had to sign which gave the goblins his permission to invest the money. After reading them very carefully, searching for any loopholes and finding none, he signed the forms which glowed a golden colour before disappearing with a crack. This was one of the greatest surprises for him because considering the fact that according to Hogwarts a history it was impossible to apparate to or from Hogwarts and neither were the transport of items like this possible. He filed it in his mind to ask the goblins later. There was also a note saying he should take an inheritance blood test to recognize other houses that he may be an heir to.
Harry was confused at that part but that vanished as he saw the papers that if signed would declare him as Lord Potter and emancipate him. He decided to give it a thought because being a minor in the wizarding world he had a magical guardian and currently he wasn't too happy with one Albus Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledore.
He packed the papers again and put them safely in his trunks and applied some locking charms that he was sure could not be broken by his dorm mates. He was shocked yet giddy at the thought of having so much money and any eleven year old would have been. He thought how getting emancipated could get him away from the Dursleys and how being Lord Potter could up his political game so that Dumbledore couldn't touch him. Of course, Dumbledore was very powerful magically but even then would not be able to do much.
He met his friends who had made themselves busy talking. At his sudden departure, he was met with a confused look from Neville, a curious look from Hermione and inquisitive ones from Daphne and Tracey but he kept silent and started a different topic to take the attention from him.
Dinner was a quiet yet enjoyable affair. They decided to dine at the Gryffindor table this time and were enjoying themselves when the all-time winner of foot in mouth disease made his appearance and shouted, "What are you two slimy Slytherins doing here?" Ron Weasley had always been taught the 'truth' about the Slytherin house and always acted with the Greater good in mind. He didn't know what Greater good meant but his mother always said so and he knew better than to anger her.
Daphne knew that sitting with the Gryffindors would have consequences. The first one being Ron Weasley was no big challenge. She then adopted a passive face like before and said coolly, "Eating Weasley," Ron sputtered for some time before shouting, "Why? You have your own table so go there and eat with those snakes."
"Listen Weasley, just shut up and eat. You are ruining our appetite with your presence." Ron was starting to say something when two pairs of hands gripped his face and dragged him to another table. The hand belonged to a pair of twins who had prior experience with the idiocy of their brother. They then gave Harry a respectful nod and started their own dinner.
The five friends talked for the duration of the dinner before they retired to their own common rooms. Harry and Hermione went straight to a rather secluded corner of the common room where no one could overhear them on Harry's request.
"Hermione, have you ever tried wandless magic before?" Harry said casually though Hermione jaw dropped at the question.
"Harry, you do know that wandless magic is very difficult right? Not even the most powerful wizards can do much with it and that too with a lot of practice and experience." Harry was seriously confused now. He didn't feel that it was that difficult. Sure it had been difficult for the first couple of weeks but it had gotten easier. Harry decided to leave the topic alone for now and started the topic of potions which was the first class the next day.
"I think we should read ahead. Though from what I have learnt even that wouldn't help." Harry said a little dejectedly but both took out their books and read the first few chapters.
The next day, the two friends were walking to the dungeons and reached the classroom. The Slytherins were already there since their common room was much closer to the class. Both sat next to Daphne and Tracey who gave them slight smiles. Slowly other students poured in the class. Soon Snape entered the class, his black robes billowing at every step of his, the class becoming silent on his arrival.
Snape started the roll call and stopped at Harry's name. "Mr Potter our new celebrity," and resumed the roll call. He then said, "You are here to learn the subtle science and exact art of potion making," he began. He spoke in barely more than a whisper, but they caught every word – like Professor McGonagall, Snape had the gift of keeping a class silent without effort. "As there is little foolish wand-waving here, many of you will hardly believe this is magic. I don't expect you will really understand the beauty of the softly simmering cauldron with its shimmering fumes, the delicate power of liquids that creep through human veins, bewitching the mind, ensnaring the senses ... I can teach you how to bottle fame, brew glory, even stopper death – if you aren't as big a bunch of dunderheads as I usually have to teach." Hermione held the edge of her seat and looked desperate to prove that she wasn't a dunderhead while Harry and Neville shared a look.
"Potter," Snape said suddenly "What would I get if I added powdered root of asphodel to an infusion of wormwood?"
Harry thought for a second before answering, "The Draught of Living Dead sir."
Snape looked taken aback. He hadn't expected the son of James Potter to open a book before the class let alone remember what he read but he persisted, "And where would you look if I told you to find me a bezoar?"
Harry smiled a little but answered, "In the potions cupboard sir"
Snape glared at him and barked, "That's 5 points from Ravenclaw for your cheek Potter. Let's try again, what is the difference between monkshood and wolfsbane." Harry had not read about that in any of the books and said, "I don't know sir."
Snape got a predatory gleam in his obsidian eyes and said, "Tut-Tut clearly fame isn't everything. Thought you wouldn't read a book properly before class did you, Potter," Harry got an indignant look and said, "Professor, we weren't informed about any quiz that we had to prepare for. Can you please do so the next time?" Harry was angry, of course, bias was one thing but outright picking on him was something he wouldn't accept.
"That just cost you thirty points from Ravenclaw and you will have detention with me at seven today." Snape shouted. Never had a student ever spoken to him in such a way.
Harry then did something that left Snape frothing in the mouth with anger and filled Harry with a feeling of satisfaction. He got up, left the class while slamming the door as hard as he could, leaving about forty gaping students and one really angry potions master.
AN: Happy New Year readers. Sorry, this chapter took so long but it's the holiday season and it was a really busy week. I promise to post the next chapter sooner but there is a really important day coming ahead on 14th Jan so maybe a tribute? Don't forget to R R