Memories: Well, I'm terribly sorry for the wait and it's going to be really long before the next one is out because I'm going to try and write a chapter ahead before I publish it. The main reasons my chapters take so long is lack of inspiration and lack of motivation and lack of time.

Sarika: Don't forget your other news, Memories.

Memories: Oh, yeah, I almost forgot. After this chapter, Michele will not be speaking Italian anymore. I really didn't like doing it, and I've got complaints from people. Thanks to all my reviewers and everyone who stayed with me during the time period in which I had no motivation. You really are an inspiration and I hope to the Gods and Dreamers that I don't disappoint you.

Sarika: Memories owns nothing but Michele. The others haven't yet arrived.

"Spell."

"Speech."

/Parseltounge. /

'Thoughts.'

(Author Notes)

"Another language"

'Writings'

Edit: Well, for those of you who have kept up on my edits, you already know that I've taken Michele's Italian away and just made him a prick who speaks English. The reasons are the same as those I've given above and before.

:::

"Well this is rather unexpected."

Philomel's eyes fly open at the familiar voice and she turns quickly over to look at Michele. "What, Michele? Please, close them before anyone else sees, Michele, please."

Michele pulls them closed, but speaks through the fabric while Philomel gets dressed. "I thought something was off about you, my dearest girl. I figured it out after Hermione voiced her suspicions. But, still, did you think you could fool us for long? My dear girl, did you think that some would not figure it out? Perhaps, if you did not act like yourself; but it's too late now. To pull off such an act would require help; one cannot do it on one's own."

Philomel slips out of the bed and immediately begins to beg, "Please, Michele, you won't tell anyone, will you? This is supposedly for my protection, please, Michele."

Michele rolls his eyes but nods. "Now calm down, my dear girl. Now, get up, as much as I love having a pretty girl begging me on her knees. I will not tell anyone. Though you might want to inform Hermione. Ah, speak of the devil and the devil will come."

Hermione was waiting in the common room, eyes flicking over the various books then into a brief glare at Michele. "There you are, Harry, Michele! I was waiting for you. Can you believe that this is the first day of school, Harry? And these books seem fascinating; I simply can't wait for a little free time. You ready?"

Both Philomel and Michele nod. Hermione whispers, "Herman Melville."

The common room disappears in a swirl of dust and air, reappearing as the old, abandoned room. Philomel sees the dust guardian watching them before disappearing. Hermione pulls Philomel and Michele to the Great Hall where breakfast was waiting for them.

Once there, a middle-aged witch with brown hair swept up into a messy bun passes out their schedules before introducing herself. "I am Professor Vector, the Arithmancy teacher and Ravenclaw Head of House. You will not have me until your third year; I look forward to it. This evening there will be a formal introduction into Ravenclaw. You are expected to be there. Do your best to not lose any points today, all will be explained in the evening. Good day to you three. Michele, make sure to behave around the other professors."

As Vector walks away, Michele smirks and asks, "So, what do you both have today?"

Hermione looks at the parchment in her hands and says happily, "Potions first then Transfiguration. In the afternoon I have double History of Magic. What do you have Harry?"

Philomel glances at her own schedule before replying politely, "I have the same as you. Tomorrow, I have double Defense Against the Dark Arts then Charms and Herbology in the afternoon. Wednesday, I have Potions then Transfiguration. Thursday, I have Charms, History of Magic, then Defense Against the Dark Arts and Herbology. Friday, I have Potions and Transfiguration then Charms and Herbology."

Hermione looks over the rest of her own then says, surprised, "We have all the same classes! I mean, I assumed that we would have a lot of them together, but not all!"

Michele chuckles. "Now children, of course you do. You are in the same year and House. Now, I have to go to my own classes. Be good, and I'll see you two later."

Michele walks away, leaving the two first years. Then Hermione realizes the time and grabs Philomel before dashing off to the dungeons. The two Ravenclaws slip into the Potions dungeon with plenty of time to set out their things. Philomel lays out a piece of parchment and a quill, making sure that anything else needed for Potions was quite accessible. Hermione, on the other hand, set out her wand and many things not needed for Potions.

Moments later, Severus stalks in and begins to call roll. As soon as he gets to 'Harry Potter', he gains a sneer and glares in Philomel's direction.

"Ah, yes, Harry Potter, our newest celebrity. What an honour."

Philomel lowers her eyes demurely at his inspection. Severus sneers at her again and continues on with the roll call.

\/\'/\/'\/\'/\/

"You are here to learn the subtle science and exact art of potion-making." The class was absolutely silent and heard every word, though he only spoke in a low voice barely above a whisper. Severus had an aura that kept normally rowdy children, quiet and obedient.

"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."

More silence. Hermione has long since swiped her wand from her desk and secreted it somewhere, now she looks desperate to prove her worth to the potions professor.

Severus suddenly snaps out, "Potter! Where would you look if I told you to find me a bezoar?" Hermione's hand shoots up.

Philomel responds instantly, "In the stomach of the goat, sir. This stone will save you from most poisons."

Severus sneers, looking a little pained. "Correct. What is the difference between monkshood and wolfsbane?" Hermione's hand reaches a new height.

Philomel's answer is less swift this time but still correct, "Monkshood and wolfsbane are the same plant that also goes by aconite, leopard's bane, women's bane, Devil's helmet, and blue rocket. Muggles know it by aconite."

Severus grinds his teeth then asks, "Potter, what would I get if I added powdered root of asphodel to an infusion of wormwood?"

Philomel looks stricken for a moment then regains her composure. In a shaky voice she answers, "I'm sorry, sir, I do not know that combination. Apparently, my knowledge is severely lacking in respect to this class and I will do all that is in my power to remedy this lapse." The Slytherins all look at her incredulously; the use of such polite language was usually restricted to the purebloods that were raised as such. Severus hides his reaction before smirking.

"Tut, tut, fame clearly isn't everything. For your information," Severus sneers at Philomel before continuing, "It produces the Draught of the Living Death." To the rest of the class, who had been watching Philomel and the potions professor like a tennis match, Severus snaps, "Why aren't you copying this down?"

The rest of the class was relatively quiet, except for when Draco pulled Philomel aside after they'd finished their potions.

Philomel looks curiously at Draco. "Yes, Mr. Malfoy?"

Draco glances around to make sure no one is listening before whispering, "Harry, I want to repair your opinion of my behavior on the Express. I clearly had no right to try and choose your friends for you. I will refrain from disparaging any you call friend again, if that is your wish. I really do want to get to know you better, Harry."

Philomel sighs mentally, thinking, 'Why is it that no one here wants to come out and say an apology? Well it is better than nothing, not that I really expected this to happen.'

"Thank you, Mr. Malfoy. I didn't expect any reparations to be attempted, so you have already far exceeded any hope I had. I also look forward to getting to know you, as well."

The bell rings above them and they gather their things and go their separate ways. Hermione falls in next to Philomel.

"Who was that, Harry?" asked Hermione on their way to Transfiguration.

"That was Draco Malfoy. I met on the train before I met you and Michele. He was just apologizing for insulting the first person I met on the train."

\/\'/\/'\/\'/\/

"Transfiguration is some of the most complex and dangerous magic you will learn at Hogwarts. Anyone messing around in my class will leave and not come back. You have been warned." was the speech made by the Transfiguration professor, McGonagall, at the start of class. Then she lectured on how to change a matchstick into a needle before demonstrating it. Then McGonagall assigned the class to work on transfiguring their matchsticks for the rest of the period.

Philomel sat there staring at her notes hoping that this was nothing like charms for a moment, then raised her wand. An incantation later the match is silver. Another incantation and it's looking a bit pointy. A third incantation and the match is now a full fledged needle. Philomel has just earned 10 points to Ravenclaw for being the first to achieve the transfiguration.

\/\'/\/'\/\'/\/

History of Magic, in Philomel's opinion, was her favorite class so far. For the other students in the class, it was the worst, up to and including Potions.

Professor Binns had floated through the chalk board as per usual, and begun lecturing on Goblin revolutions when Philomel raises her hand.

"Yes, miss…?"

"Harry Potter, sir. I don't mean to be rude or anything, but shouldn't you start off with British magical history?"

"Right you are, Miss Porter. I just can't seem to remember my classes, anymore…"

"It's Harry Potter, sir. I am a boy."

\/\'/\/'\/\'/\/

The next day was a disaster for Philomel.

Not only did she fail to levitate the feather, even with Hermione's help, but she did manage to levitate Professor Flitwick out the window on accident.

Defense Against the Dark Arts was a little better than Charms, but it failed utterly to hold Philomel's attention and she spent the period thinking that it would be better to just learn the Dark Arts because, as Philomel thought near the end of class, 'At least they sound interesting.'

Herbology was not as bad as the rest of the day, seeing as Philomel had had experience with plants. However, these plants were vastly different from the plants that she normally had contact with. Overall, the class was interesting and quite dangerous to Philomel whenever she got complacent.

\/\'/\/'\/\'/\/

And so the rest of the weeks that followed. The first mention of the philosopher's stone Philomel got was actually in History of Magic, Philomel, once again, the only one bothering to pay full and complete attention.

Professor Binns was lecturing on the various attempts of muggles—or, as he called them, non-adepts at control of inherent magical power—to produce magic or a magical product.

"The most notable, and the longest, attempt of various non-adepts to produce a magical product was the Philosopher's Stone, made by Nicholas Flamel in conjunction with Albus Dumbledore, the esteemed Transfiguration Professor."

Philomel wrote this off as interesting and thought nothing more of it.

\/\'/\/'\/\'/\/

At the Halloween feast, with Philomel enjoying her first celebration of the holiday and quietly toasting to Samhain1, instead of the traditional English holiday. At somewhere around the usual curfew, Professor Quirrel burst in through the doors of the Great Hall.

"Troll! Troll, in the dungeons! Thought you ought to know…" The man faints forward after his message is delivered. Philomel rolls her eyes.

'Idiot, people don't faint forwards. Just shout out that you're up to something.'

Meanwhile, mass hysteria ensues until Dumbledore lets off a shot with his wand.

"QUIET! Prefects, please take the students to their dorm rooms. Food will be sent to you there."

Philomel starts and her head swings over to the Slytherin table. "Mr. Malfoy! Malfoy! Draco!" she hisses until she has his attention. "Tell your prefect not to obey."

One of Draco's eyebrows rise at this strange request. "I hope you know, Harry, that that could spell trouble for my House."

"And it could spell even more trouble for the Slytherins if the troll is in the dungeons."

Draco's eyes widen as he understands and he races after his prefect. Minutes later, the Slytherin house files back into the Great Hall, earning a frown of consternation from Dumbledore, unnoticed by anyone. Philomel smiles slightly and leans over to whisper to Sirrush.

/Sirrush, see the man lying on the floor? Latch onto his cloak and see where he is going then find me. / Sirrush quickly rears up.

/Yesss, Missstresss. /

Philomel gets up and follows her prefect to the Ravenclaw dorms.

\/\'/\/'\/\'/\/

An hour later, Sirrush returns to Philomel.

/Missstresss, the man went sssomewhere, like you thought. Your guardian came before the man got passst the thriccce-dog. I can lead you there if you want, Missstresss. /

Philomel nods her head. /Yes, Sirrush, I would like that. I hope this venture will be profitable, were you waiting long? /

/No, Missstresss. One of the sssnake-emblemsss sssplassshed the man with water and told him to make himssself ussseful. I wasss drenched. The man left the Hall and went to the thriccce-dog place. After your guardian came and took away the man, I ssstayed and tried to reassson with the thriccce-dog. It told me that it'sss massster put it there to protect sssomething. It doesss not know what. /

Philomel tilts her head inquisitively to the side at this new revelation. /Oh? Did you try and find out what it is? /

/Yesss, Missstresss. There were many traps and I could only get passst a few of them. One had many vinesss. Another had moving playing piecccesss. Another had flying keysss. The lassst one I could get to had a large troll. Missstresss, pleassse wait awhile to go through. You will need help. / Sirrush winds her way around Philomel's delicate, currently masculine, fingers.

/Okay, Sirrush. I will wait for winter's break. I still need to tell Hermione…/ Philomel shakes her head and pats Sirrush before moving on to preen the snake's wings.

On the bed, next to Philomel, is a paper that Philomel had been staring at until Sirrush came. Philomel finally decides what she is going to do and carefully pulls the curtains to her bed together, before taking off the raven necklace. Picking up the quill with her left hand, she begins the letter with a flourish:

'Gringotts manager,

'I am Philomel Faye Potter, and I am writing on behalf of my cousin, Harry Potter. We would like a full assessment of our assets and an examination to make sure that no fraud has been committed. We are not, of course, accusing your prestigious bank of such behavior, but other, more unscrupulous peoples would most certainly stoop to it. In any case, it is just a precaution, as our assets have been collecting interest, I assume it has, for, at the very least, eleven years.

'Also, if you could send me a list of ways to obtain a new key, it seems that Harry's parents key was taken by Dumbledore, as was my parents'. If at all possible, is there a way to change the locks? You can never be too careful when dealing with money, as Creon said in 'Antigone', 'Crookedness of all kinds, and all for money!'

'May gold always flow for you and yours,

Philomel Faye Potter.'

The last line was just finished as the curtains were pulled open and Hermione was talking, "…Harry, I just wanted to see if you were okay; your snake was missing when we came in…Harry?"

Philomel looks up and mutters, "Damn."

"I knew it!"

:::

We were just reading Antigone in class and the quote from it in the letter just felt right. I needed the time skip because they really don't do anything in the in between weeks. Notice the classes I emphasized that Philomel is good at are not the ones Harry is. I will be doing more with the Dark Arts in another one of this series of stories. Sirrush will have a major part when they are going to get the philosophers stone. It will be earlier than normal because Philomel does not have to piece together the clues; in fact she doesn't even care what's down there, so long as it helps her. This will also mean that everything will be sped up. Quirrel has to be down there as well, doesn't he? Up next chapter, Flying lessons and Christmas break. As always, I welcome all reviews and critiques and even flames. Flames keep me warm as Florida freezes over and sinks into the sea.

1) Pronounced Suh-OW-in. This is a Wiccan holiday with pagan roots in Celtic celebrations. I thought it would be more appropriate for the wizarding world to be celebrating.