Chapter 7: Hogwarts Express and Announcements
At King's Cross station, Harry Potter and his friends are about to depart for the train. The news is the fact Harry's parents are there this time. Sirius Black is there as well. "Congratulations for being Captain of the Quidditch team, Prongslet." Sirius says. (A/N: I should have mentioned it the previous chapter)
"Remember, Harry." Lily says. "As the Captain of the Quidditch team, you have the same privileges as a Head Boy."
"And don't forget to figure out what Draco Malfoy is up to." James says.
"James, don't encourage the boy." Lily scolds her husband. "Just because his father was revealed to be a Death Eater it doesn't mean Draco will also become one."
Inside the Hogwarts Express, everything happens pretty much like the original book series. Then they go to the Great Hall, where, much to Harry's surprise, Dumbledore announces Professor Horace Slughorn, former Head of Slytherin, will resume teaching Potions. Harry and his friends are shocked as they expected him to teach Defence Against the Dark Arts but then they remember Dumbledore never said which topic the new Professor would teach.
"Harry, if Slughorn is teaching Potions, what is Snape still doing here?" Ron asks. The question is answered by Dumbledore as he announces Severus Snape will be teaching Defence Against the Dark Arts. The Slytherins applaud while Harry is outraged as he knows Dumbledore didn't want Snape to take the post. Suddenly his thoughts are interrupted by an owl delivering him a message. It comes from James.
Dear Harry,
As you probably already know by the time you read this letter, Professor Horace Slughorn has returned to his old position as the Potions Master. That's good news for you, son. Like Padfoot told you before, each Professor can estabilish a certain passing grade as a minimun needed for a student to take his or her topic on a N.E.W.T. level. Back when your Mother and I were students and Slughorn was the Potions Master, Exceeds Expectations is enough to take N.E.W.T. level Potions. With him back, you can take the class. You still have the potion ingredients, the brass scales and the copy of Advanced Potion Making your Mother and I gave you. That's the required book and materials for that class. Don't worry. Professor Slughorn is a nicer teacher than Snivellous. Not that it says much. But Slughorn is still nice for a Slytherin. Too bad Dumbledore didn't reinstate him as Head of Slytherin too. Good luck.
Sincerely
James Potter
Proud Father of the Boy-Who-Lived, a.k.a. the Chosen One
P.S.: Padfoot and I made a bet once we found out Snivellus took the cursed post. Padfoot says Snivellus will lose the post when Dumbledore realizes he's still on Voldemort's side and I say the Gryffindor students (hopefully you'll be among them albeit it won't made a difference for the bet) will prank him to the point he won't take it anymore. Please tell me when he loses the teaching post. By the way, do you also have guesses?
"Well, I guess Snape will resume teaching Potions by the end of the year." Ron suggests. "Slughorn might not want to stay for a long time. Moody didn't."
"Maybe Snape will leave to join the Most Extraordinary Society of Potioneers." Hermione suggests. Ron and Harry react like they wanted to ask what that society is but decided against it. "What about you, Harry?"
"I'd guess he'll be so terrifying the students' parents will force Dumbledore to fire him." Harry answers.
"Anyway, let's tell our parents about it." Hermione suggests. They go to their common rooms to write letters telling all that happened.
Dear Dad,
Thanks for the tip on Slughorn. As for Snape, I guess he'll be so terrifying the students' parents will force Dumdledore to fire him. Ron thinks that, by the end of the year, Slughorn will return to retirement and Snape will resume teaching Potions. And Hermione suggests Snape would leave to join the Most Extraordinary Society of Potioneers. And tell Mom I said hi.
Love,
Harry
Ron also writes a letter.
Dears Mum and Dad,
Snape finally became the Defence Against the Dark Arts Professor and Slughorn is teaching Potions now. Harry's Dad said he accepts students who got Exceeds Expectations on their Potions O.W.L.s, meaning I can take the class. Please buy me the required textbook and equipment.
Love,
Ron
Hermione isn't sure of what to write since her parents don't understand too much of magic. She decides to simply write about Snape and Slughorn. Now it's just waiting for tomorrow's classes.
Please Review. I hope nobody finds it 'too rushed' either.
