Harry Potter and the Philosophers Stone
Chapter 3
Lessons
Harry was feeling bright and fresh that morning. He had finished his shower and dressed in his school uniform, which was similar to a muggle school uniform. Black trousers, white shirt, and a black and white striped tie, with platinum edges to the white, black shoes and socks, and the odd thing about it being the long black robe with the Nero coat of arms on the right breast side. Though, he quite liked the way the robe flowed about him as he walked down to the common room, wanted to know how the coat of arms got onto his robe since he didn't put it there, but blamed it on magic and shrugged it off.
He just stepped into the common room to see a fair few students lingering around when Ginny came rushing over from near Nitrous, and grabbed his hand looking excited she began pulling him to where she was.
"Come on, Harry check this out!" she squealed out in delight as they stopped by a notice board. "Look, flying lessons are on the weekends with Madam Hooch. I can already fly but we should go together since quidditch tryouts are next month and you should tryout too, I want to be a chaser but I bet you could be an awesome seeker. And we might both get on the team together if we're best and the captain can get first years permission to play for the team, it'll be so awesome!"
Harry blinked several times in shock at her long-winded and excited rant about quidditch. He gave a nervous chuckle when she finally let his hand go, and rubbed the back of his head as he blushed lightly.
"B-but I've never even flown before, I might be rubbish," he informed her in embarrassment.
"Nonsense, Harry I'm sure you'll do great," she replied shaking her head. "Flying is easy as long as you have confidence in your self and just not think too hard. You can't really learn to fly from a book, but just feel it. The wind through your hair, and the feeling of being truly free, it's the greatest feeling in the world."
Harry smiled at her as he imagined himself flying at speed through the air with the wind blowing at his hair, and the freedom it could bring. Then his mind wondered as he shot down through the sky, and a stadium of spectators cheered as he caught the fluttering golden snitch during a quidditch match.
"Ok, I'll give it my best," he agreed as a huge grin spread to his lips. "But we should get to breakfast before we miss it, we shouldn't be hungry on our first day."
She nodded her agreement and they were about to leave when they heard an amused chuckle nearby that seemed to growl a little. They looked around in shock but found no one when they noticed Nitrous staring at them as he lay down in his painting. His orange eyes sparkled in amusement as he watched them both.
"Well we could certainly use some decent flyers on the team," the foxes growl like strong voice commented to them. "Hopefully if you two do get on the team we can at the very least win one match, preferably Slytherin, or Gryffindor since those two teams have almost always been the strongest. Did you know it's been sixty years since we've won the school quidditch cup, which is a shame since we have such brilliant students? But be weary young ones, the better you are the more attention the other houses will pay you, but fear not your house mates will always back you in times of trouble, but you should get off to breakfast."
He chuckled as they stared at him in awe.
"Err, thanks Nitrous," said Harry with a smile after a moment. "Well come on, Gin," he said and she shook her head clear and followed him across the common room and up the stairs and out of the entrance.
They walked a little way in silence before Ginny broke it.
"I would have never though the Nero common room would be that awesome," she said with a wide grin directed at Harry. "I mean I've been in the Gryffindor common room and that's rubbish compared with ours. Ours is bigger, and Gryffindor doesn't have that upper level study area, or balconies, and all it has is some fat lady painting guarding a hole to get in without any paintings inside."
"So you're glad you're in Nero House, huh?" he asked with a cheeky smirk. "Happy you're with me and not your brothers?"
"Too right I am," she agreed with a nod as they began rushing down the stairs. "I get to spend lots of time with my best friend and have an awesome common room with people who are really nice. I met the girls in my year and they were nice, though asked me a lot because I'm a pureblood and the only one near their age who can explain some stuff."
"Well I'm glad you're enjoying yourself," he said with a smile. "I just hope Professor Lupin can convince Professor Dumbledore to let the first years try out for the team, even if I'm no good I'm sure you'll get in no problem."
"Thanks, Harry," she replied with a light blush at his praise and a smile. "But I'm sure you'll do well to, I don't know why but I just have this feeling that you'll be awesome in the air."
Harry smiled at that as they continued hurrying down the stairs towards the Great Hall. They descended into a conversation about quidditch, with Ginny explaining some of the British teams, which Harry found fascinating since he had never followed any muggle sport because his 'relatives' had never let him do things like that.
They soon entered the great hall with half an hour before classes and quickly hurried over to their table and took free seats, loading up their plates with toast, bacon, sausage, and freshly cooked plum tomato's before eating happily and talking about what classes they might have first thing.
They had been sitting quietly and eating when they sensed they had guests. Turning with Ginny, Harry saw a set of twin red haired boys, and a younger ginger haired boy, three of Ginny's brothers, Fred, George, and Ron. Harry noted the twins seemed a little amused about something while Ron looked to be on the verge of a fuming temper tantrum.
"Ginny!" hissed Ron suddenly. "How could you disgrace us with this, a freaking Fox," he demanded angrily. "How could you let the hat put you here, it's almost as bad as Slytherin."
"Hey shut it, and leave her alone!" interrupted Harry angrily glaring. "Who the hell do you think you are to come over here and bother us?"
"I'm her brother that's who, so I can do whatever I like when it has to do with my baby sister!" he spat angrily. "So stay out of this muggleborn, you don't have a clue."
Harry growled angrily and Ginny and the twins would swear his emerald green eyes were glowing, but that wasn't all, the air around him crackled slightly and hissed, as the temperature around them seemed to up a few notches.
"Don't speak to me like that, moron!" he replied calmly as he stood up to face the slightly taller boy.
Ginny too stood glaring at her brother angrily, her face red as she clenched and unclenched her fists.
"Yeah Ronald!" she said through clenched teeth. "And leave me alone, I don't need you complaining because I'm a Nero, just because you're jealous I'm different from the rest of you, and I'll stand out while you're too thick to know how to step out of your brothers shadows. The hat said I could be great in this house, and I like it, so shut up and get lost!"
Ron took an angry step forward while the twins were suppressing snickers. Harry figured they expected Ron to get his ass kicked or something and were here mainly for the show.
"Excuse me, Weasley!" interrupted a very annoyed voice. They all looked over to see the quidditch captain Emily Colton and a few other Foxes standing by them all glaring at the ginger haired Gryffindor. "If you don't have anything to say to our new house mates then I suggest you make your self scarce before we inform Professor McGonagall that you're harassing a first year because of her house. And Professor McGonagall maybe your head of house but she does not tolerate such behaviour, especially from her own house."
Ron growled angrily and cursed a few times before stalking off to the Gryffindor table. The twins just laughed.
"Don't worry, sis," said Fred suddenly.
"Yeah, we don't care what house you're in," continued the other.
"Well as long as you're not in Slytherin, we're happy," added the other.
"Yep, so have a good first day, and enjoy yourself," finished George; both of them grinned and gave a short bow. "See ya later," they both chimed before walking off back to their table.
Harry and Ginny tried not to laugh as they turned to the other Foxes who shook their heads in amusement. Ginny noted that the power coming from Harry a moment ago had just disappeared. She had only ever sensed power like that coming from the teachers before, Dumbledore's being the strongest.
"Thanks for helping there," said Harry with a sheepish grin. "I don't think he would have just left us alone for awhile."
"No problem," said Emily as they all returned to their seats. "You two are family now, and family stands up for each other, even if its against our families stupid siblings. Well at least you only have one to worry about, Ginny. The twins have never been asses to us, and Percy's by the book and a prefect so won't be an ass either."
Harry and Ginny smiled at her when Professor Lupin came by as he was handing out everybody's timetables. He had just handed Ginny hers when he stopped at Harry and smiled, staring at him as if he actually knew him or something. It was weird and a little disconcerting, but the professor them just handed over the timetable and moved on. Harry looked down at his timetable moving the teachers' odd behaviour to the back of his mind.
Monday
Transfiguration – 09:30 – 11:30
Break – 11:30 – 12:00
History of Magic – 12:00 – 13:00
Lunch – 13:00 – 14:00
Charms – 14:00 – 16:00
End of Classes 16:00
Dinner – 18:00 – 20:00
Harry smiled at his timetable it was a good first day from his point of view. He looked down the page and grinned wider since potions wasn't until Friday, and last to, which was a bonus is what everyone says about Professor Snape is even half true.
Ginny and Harry soon got up, grabbing their backpacks and headed off to the transfiguration classroom. It was just a good thing Professor Lupin saw fit to pin a map to Harry's timetable or they might have been late. However, he was confused as to why Ginny had no map on hers, and neither did any of the other first years who came with them.
Ginny introduced him to a couple of the girls, a blonde haired girl with blue eyes: Emma Clarkson, and a brown haired girl with brown eyes: Jamie O'Neal, an Irish girl who luckily only has a light accent. And Harry introduced Ginny and the girls to Donavan and Sam.
They quickly entered the classroom, which was empty except for a tabby cat sitting on the teachers' desk. The pair sat at the front facing the desk with the other two girls at the desk next to them in the other isle, and the two boys behind them. They were waiting a while as the other students entered. They shared this class with the Hufflepuff first years so felt less threatened than they would if they were to share with Slytherin's or Gryffindor's.
Harry watched the strange cat on the desk curiously, as it started staring at him. Something was just off with the cat, and he wondered whether it was really at cat or something else. This is transfiguration class after all so it just might be something else in reality, and he wanted to suss it out. It was intelligent whatever it really is, but he just couldn't tell by looking at it. But still it looked at him as if it actually knows him some how, and seemed to have a sadness to its eyes.
The class was all too soon full, the professor still had not turned up, and it was already 09:40. He looked around breaking his gaze from the cat like many others looking for the teacher, but when he looked back at the cat, he jumped in shock like most of the class when the cat leapt from the desk, and morphed into Professor McGonagall.
Harry stared open mouthed at the professor in wonder as he applauded along with the other students. It was the most amazing thing he had ever seen and he wanted right now more than anything to learn how to transform into an animal.
When the applause had died down the stern professor thanked them in appreciation before she explained a little about being an animagi; and how hard it is to accomplish the transformation. But Harry didn't care how difficult it might be, he just wanted it so bad, but he didn't like the thought of having to register his form with the ministry, even though it was very unlikely he will even have an animagi form. But deep down inside he just had this gut feeling he could do it, and if his gut feeling were right he would be an animagi, and he wouldn't let the ministry know because it will be his advantage. And what right does the ministry have to restrict what he can learn or become, he is free, and his animagi form will make him more so.
He just had to go to the library and find some books on animagi to find the correct spells, and or potions.
Professor Minerva McGonagall watched Harry Potter as she talked about animagi, interested in the amount of attention he was paying to the subject very much aware of what he might be thinking, and intrigued by the young boy. She wondered what form he might have, as she could see he was at the very least going to find out what form he has if any.
Shaking her head clear as she finished her animagi lecture, she glanced at Ginny Weasley still a little surprised at the house she's in, but glad she had made friends with Mr. Potter, and noted that if Harry was going to become an animagus she would too. That's all the school needs two people like them able to sneak around as animals, but she had never stopped students yet from becoming illegal animagi to shove one to the ministry.
"Ok now class," she began as she floated a matchstick to each student landing it on his or her desk in front of them. "We shall begin with a little practical. Now this kind of transfiguration is fairly simple because it's not at all large, and has no spell, no magical words. However, it needs a fair bit of concentration and intent in your actions within your magic, but once practiced a lot and mastered you shall find it second nature.
"To begin with you might want to place a hand or both hands over your matchstick, or even hold it," she said as she watched some students placing one or both hands over their matchsticks and some picking them up and holding them. She noted Harry had his hand hanging loosely over his looking quite calm while Ginny chose to hold hers in the palm of her hand.
"Ok, now it will be doubtful you'll get it straight away, and maybe not even by the end of the lesson," she continued with a tight smile. "But I hope that most of you get some change by the end of class, and have it mastered by our next class. Ok, so I want you to concentrate, and feel inside for your magic, and push it through your hand or hands and into the matchstick, willing it to reshape into a sharp and pointed silver sowing needle. You just have to picture it in your minds, ok, so begin."
Harry began, pulling forth that strange buzzing feeling that normally only comes out under stress, fear or anger, but got distracted slightly as he felt as small spark of energy coming from Ginny as her matchstick changed from its wooden colour to silver but still very much looked like a matchstick and he still believed it is wood.
He looked back at his matchstick as it laid on his desk as McGonagall praised Ginny for her first attempt and gave her a point for Nero House. Harry concentrated forcing his will as he felt his magic spike for less that a second, though unlike Ginny's small spike, the whole class felt his and turned to look in his direction. McGonagall stared to surprised he could force out such a jolt of energy at such an early stage, she hadn't expected to feel spikes like that until at least the end of the year, though for most the end of second year or even third.
Harry was amazed as his matchstick changed into a thin silver metal needle with a sharp point, though it had no loop to it on the end like he wanted he was very pleased with it and had a huge grin on his face that Ginny mirrored pleased for him.
"Excellent Mr. Potter!" exclaimed McGonagall as she rushed over and gave him a rare smile; she picked it up and examined it. "Yes, a brilliant needle, though its missing its loop the rest is perfect, five points to Nero," she said proudly. "Mr. Potter why don't you try to master this while the other student continue," she said rhetorically as she looked at the other students as they stared, and they went back to work looking sheepish. She gave Harry back his needle and he got to work straight away wanting to master it to prove him self to the world.
By the end of the class, Harry had mastered changing the needle and earns ten more points for it, and had actually started making it different colours, which was easy compared to changing it. Ginny had also done really well, managing to fully change the needle, and progressed to trying to master it. Homework was to master the spell by next class, and to right a small essay on the theory behind the spell, but all Harry had to do was the essay, but Harry knew he might use his extra time to study some more spells for the subject that fascinated him so much, though most subjects might.
Harry and Ginny spent their break outside together reading the standard book of spells grade one to try and learn a new spell before history. They found the Expelliamus, a disarming charm, and practiced against the school wall since it isn't a damaging spell. Harry was surprised he got it right after only a few tries and it seemed to come natural after that and the more he used it the easier it became, and could actually throw the spell from nearly every inch of his body by the end of the half hour.
Ginny however, was not as perfect with the spell, though she had it mastered from her hands by the end of the hour because it's a simple spell, she promised to master it as good as Harry can by the end of the week. She did not hold Harry's natural talents at focusing his magic against him, quite the opposite she was happy he was doing so well, as so far it was getting them a nice few extra house points.
Harry believed History of Magic might have been invented as a subject to give the students a good opportunity for a nice midday nap. It was so boring listening to the ghost teacher drone on in a monotone not even seeing the students, and not reprimanding anyone for sleeping.
It was lucky the lesson was only an hour long, and they had lunch after because that class brought forth a strong appetite. Lunch was nice, but once again, the other four houses got better food than them. Harry had asked some older student who made the food, so got a short lesson on house elves, the servants/slaves that work in the kitchen. However, none of them knew the location of the kitchens so couldn't go and demand the same as everybody else, or better.
Harry and Ginny only spent twenty minutes eating and decided to go outside to lean a curse or hex to defend them when needed. However, they stopped in the entrance hall when there names were called, and span round to see a grinning Fred and George approach them.
"We heard you two, would like to know where the kitchens are," began one smugly.
"And probably how to get in, because your house is being ripped off in the food department," the other continued with a smirk.
"It's through that door, down the stairs, first right, and keep going until you reach a picture of fruit."
"Just tickle the pear, and you're set."
"Why are you helping us?" asked Ginny suspiciously.
"We're just looking out for our younger sister."
"Indeed, oh, and keep clear of Ron, Harry, he has a grudge against you, but don't worry too much his magic's nothing much, and he struggles with most spells that could be bothersome, you can easily dodge his spells they take so long to manifest."
They both laughed cheerfully as they hurried away back into the Great Hall. Harry and Ginny looked at each other and giggled before shrugging with amused looks.
"Well shall we go and speak to the elves?" asked Harry hopefully.
Ginny nodded her head glaring into the Great Hall.
"Yeah, the food isn't really bad but it's not as nice as the other tables," she agreed in annoyance. "And we don't get as much variety either."
Harry nodded and led the way with a frown. They walked down into the basement that was lined with wooden walls, turned right, and carried on walking passed paintings of food. They finally came to the correct painting and Ginny tickled the pair. They startled as the picture giggled and them swung open.
They walked in closing the door behind them and looked around. It housed five house tables as big as the ones upstairs, they figured its how the food travels. They saw the huge kitchen with several hundred small creatures wearing tee towel togas, they all had long pointed noses, and big floppy ears, and huge expressive eyes.
As soon as Harry and Ginny were spotted on elf quickly hurried over looking very eager.
"Sir, Miss, how can we help you?" it squeaked out excitedly. "We can get you cake, or pie, or even a ham if you need it, whatever you need?"
Harry and Ginny held back from giggling at the strange creatures' eagerness to help them.
"Could you answer a few questions please?" asked Harry kindly and politely.
"Oh yes sir, of course I can, what is it you need to know?" she, Harry thought asked.
"Well, why is it Nero house doesn't get the same quality food as the other four houses?" he asked interestedly, a look Ginny shared.
The little elf gasped in horror.
"Does Nero House not like their food, Professor Snape say they do many years ago," she answered looking horrified that they followed such an order the house doesn't like.
"Of course we don't," he replied thoughtfully. "Hmm, if we ordered you to correct this problem would anyone be able to override it?" he asked with a plan forming in his mind.
"No sir, as long as the order is not against any other houses, and can not hurt anybody, your order can not be cancelled," she replied nodding her head vigorously.
Harry smirked a little darkly.
"Ok then, I order you to correct the problem, and for dinner for my house tonight, have you ever heard of McDonalds, Burger King, or Pizza Hut?" he asked as he snickered as a few more eager house elves came over to hear about the new menu. "Oh, and don't ever do this for any other house because they hate muggle stuff, and no matter what they say, only our house can ever have this, and that's an order."
Twenty minutes later Harry and Ginny were giggling with success as they entered the charms classroom and sat at the front of the class. The tiny Professor Flitwick stood on a pile of books behind his desk smiling at the class as it filled, which did not take long, they were sharing this class with Ravenclaw's, which wasn't too bad.
Flitwick started off the class talking about the art of charms and explaining all it has to offer before setting them to work on the levitation charm. It has words and hand movements, but since it's a simple and not a very powerful spell it can also easily be cast like the transfiguration spell they had learnt. However, it was up to them how they wanted to perform the spell.
He had handed out feathers for them to practice of and Harry watched as everyone, Ginny included tried the easy way, but Harry did not want to take short cuts and get lazy. He wanted to show that a fox is just as talented as any other and placed his hand out towards the feather and did as Flitwick had said to levitate it this way unaware that the tiny professor had spotted his method with a grin.
Harry only got a few twitched for the first fifteen minutes while a few others had managed to get their feathers off the table for a few seconds for a few feet before they feel back down. However, Flitwick saw Harry was not giving up his method and was surprised he actually managed to float it a foot from his desk for over a minute before it fell. But Harry looked please if a little strained from concentrating so hard.
The more Harry trued the easier it became, and the less strained or exhausted he felt floating the feather. Ginny had done very well with her method and earned herself several points, but by the end of class, Harry could easily float his feather without ever dropping it, and had control of it. He had a while yet before he mastered it, but he was by far the best in the class since he did it the harder way and exceeded the teachers' expectations.
"Twenty points to Nero for Mr. Potter's excellent use of the levitation charm with no hand gestures or words!" the professor chimed cheerfully as the class was packing away. The Ravenclaw's stared over at him in shock not liking that he beat them like that, and annoyed they had not noticed him practicing the more difficult method. The Nero's however all grinned at him, glad he grabbed them such a handful of house points in one day, the first day no less.
Ginny even gave him a huge hug and said that next lesson she was going to get just as good. Before they left, Flitwick gave them the same type of homework as McGonagall gave – a sort essay and to practice their charm and try to master it.
It was the end of classes so Harry and Ginny returned to their common room and sat down in the study area for a while reading up on some spells from their standard book of spells, and practicing a few on each other like jelly legs, and a weak petrifaction for an hour before heading off and taking a long shower.
Harry relished the hot water wiping away his exhaustion for forcing out so much power and magic in one day, and so much at once. It was a delight, and he was glad his magic seemed to recharge so fast and wondered whether it was normal when he came back to the common room dressed in some normal clothes under his robes feeling fresh and bright after his rest. However, a lot of his fellow first years looked a little haggard and tired so figured recharge rates were different with everyone
It was nearing six in the evening, and dinnertime as house mates were all ready leaving for the great hall. Harry found Ginny and was pleased to see she obviously had a fast recharge rate to. They smirked to each other as they hurried out of the common room and down the nine flights of stairs and into the Great Hall where they found seats in the centre of their table.
They talked quietly to each other as the hall filled up; all of the teachers were at their table by the time six pm arrived as well as most of the school. However, when the tables filled, the Foxes were in for a pleasant surprise, as huge Pizza Hut boxes appeared with treys of French fries with McDonald's holders to scoop them into, and burgers from McDonalds and Burger King all over in stacks on the table, and buckets of KFC, along with hundreds of sauce packages and salt and pepper. Also, hundreds of McFlury's of different types with cooling charms, and hot apple pies and giant cookies with different toppings like Smarties and Rollo, and many other deserts. Bottles of Coca cola, Fanta, and Dr. Pepper lined the table with stacks of McDonald's and Burger King Cups.
However, it was the smell that was to die for, the smell of junk foods was the greatest the Foxes had smelt at Hogwarts; they just all stared in awe, and quiet. The whole hall in fact stared at their table in disbelief and awe, everyone spelling the perfection of the Nero's menu. Harry and Ginny gave each other a smug look before grabbing a spicy chicken pizza to share opening it and pulling out a delicious slice and eating. They caught the twins' eyes as everyone stared at them and winked, which caused them to laugh, and the rest of the house gained their senses and dug in right away.
The rest of the hall after a minute turned from them as they enjoyed themselves all most looking bitter, and started dishing themselves some of their now lower standard food.
"I love you two!" said Emily from across the table from them. "I don't know how you got to the elves, but this is awesome, we have a freaking McDonalds at Hogwarts," she continued almost crying in joy as she ate some of her fries.
Harry and Ginny just chuckled smugly without telling anyone their secret they continued eating. Harry looked up at the teachers table after he poured himself and Ginny some Dr. Pepper to see Snape had just finished ranting angrily at Dumbledore but returned to his seat and grumpily began his food.
He started as both Dumbledore and Lupin looked over at him directly. The old man had an amused twinkle in his eyes while Lupin actually looked proud of him, as a father might. However, he shook that thought away as he returned to his meal but let a smile grace his lips as he grabbed some chicken and mayonnaise for it.
It just had to be the greatest meal the foxes had had in years, and it gave the other four houses reason to be pissed off at them for having something better than them.
Harry and Ginny were heading for their tower after the awesome meal when the twins confronted them looking both annoyed and pleased at the same time.
"That was pretty impressive revenge you pulled on the other houses," said Fred. "So who messed with your houses meals?"
"One guess," said Ginny with a dark smirk.
"Snape," they both chimed and Harry and Ginny nodded.
"Well funny story," said George. "We were just in the kitchens talking to the elves."
"Trying to acquire some of that delicious looking fried chicken," said George. "And some sauces for it."
"But the elves actually said no," continued Fred frowning. "They've never refused service before so we asked why."
"They said because its muggle and we're from a pureblood house," added George. "And only a muggleborn house such as Nero can have muggle food, so we can't have any."
"We gathered you convinced the little darlings to take that order to heart," commented Fred a little pleadingly. "So please could you be so kind as to ask the elves to make us some?"
"Oh, what's it worth?" asked Ginny with a smug smirk.
"Hey we told you where the kitchen is, please," begged George pleadingly. "We could barely eat what was at our table having to smell all of that, and we're hungry, we won't tell anybody about it. We'll finish it off before going back to the tower."
"Well ok, since you did tell us how to get into the kitchen," agreed Harry getting two pleased twins. They were just going to lead the way when Harry called. "Dizzy!" and the house elf he talked to earlier appeared with a pop.
"How can I help young Master Harry," she asked eagerly. "Did you and your house enjoy your meals?" she asked hopefully.
"Indeed we did Dizzy, but could you fetch me a bucket of chicken with some sauces, a bottle of coke with two cups, and two Smartie McFlury's?" he asked her hopefully.
"Of course master Harry, Dizzy shall be back in a minute," she declared, overjoyed before disappearing with a small pop.
The twins were gawking at Harry in utter shock.
"What?" he asked in confusion.
"That is so not fair," they said in unison shaking their heads.
"We tried to get a house elf to track to us but they all said no, and that they only work for Hogwarts," continued George grumpily.
"Well she just likes us," said Ginny smirking to let them know the elf is tracked to her too. "Anyway she still is a Hogwarts elf; it just means she's primarily ours, and she'll leave when we do."
"Cheeky schemers, how'd you manage that?" asked George.
They both shrugged their shoulders.
"She said she was not technically a Hogwarts house elf and was waiting to find a new master," said Ginny with a smile. "And she chose Harry, and Harry asked her to track to me too, and she was only too happy to, said I reminded her a little of her previous master but wouldn't say who it was so we let it drop, it must be a sour subject for the poor thing."
Just then, Dizzy reappeared passing Harry the bucket of chicken, and Ginny the bottle of coke, McFlury's and cups.
"Will this be all masters?" she asked cheerfully.
"Yes, thank you very much Dizzy," agreed Harry with a kind smile. She grinned back, bowed and disappeared.
Harry and Ginny just shoved the food and drink on the twins before walking passed them.
"We're even now!" called Ginny. "Want anymore and you'll owe us," she added as they giggled and round the corner out of sight.
The twins sighed and shook their heads.
"I have a strange feeling with those two in Nero together this school might never be the same again," said Fred with a grin stretching across his lips.
"I'll have to agree," nodded George happily. "I think its great, maybe the other Gryffindor's will stop being pricks about their house just because they're mostly muggleborns. I remember when the hat argued with me saying I'm a fox while I was horrified about what my family would say, but I wish I didn't now; I think I could have been better suited to Nero."
"Same here brother," agreed the other sadly. "But it took our baby sister to have the guts to mess with family tradition and go to the house she belongs. It's a shame we can't ask for a resorting, I think the hat can't be swayed at all if you get resorted."
"Yeah, but that can only happen if our head of house and theirs agrees, and then the headmaster has to consent to," said George thoughtfully. "And we have to have a perfectly good reason to, as well as a letter from a parent stating its ok to do so, but if we became Gryffindor's again we don't get a second chance. Normally it would only be tried if you're having trouble with your house mates."
"Yeah, we could probably get Dumbledore and Lupin to agree," said Fred. "But mum and McGonagall are another story, unless we get dad to write the letter of consent? He hasn't anything against them like mum, and has his weird muggle fascination; he might think we'll learn some muggle things to explain to him?"
"Ohh, mum would be pissed if she found out dad did that," laughed George before looking down at the bucket of chicken he held licking his lips. "Well lets use some of our Nero cunning to find away to get into that bloody fast food paradise house after we find a nice quiet classroom and ate our chicken."
"Deal, dear brother of mine."
They laughed as they walked off towards the nearest empty classroom. Hopeful of their scheme they also knew it would doubtfully succeed but they can only hope.
However, they weren't alone because in the shadows of a hidden passageway, the very one the twins used to catch up with Harry and Ginny a greying haggard looking teacher had watched the whole exchange with a huge grin on his face with his amber eyes sparkling with new life. Hogwarts had just become a more fun and interesting place it seems, and he just had to help convince a certain stern teacher to let the twins get resorted, and make sure he knows when his house will be having another takeaway night so he can be sure to sit with them.
Then a spark of an idea struck him like lightning; his smile grew wider. Technically, he is a member of that house so the elves will give him some fried chicken too, and some fries and a teacher and didn't think Harry would ban the teachers too, he also couldn't find the appetite for what he had with the smell of all that fast food. In fact, none of the other teachers seemed able to concentrate on the crap they had either, so he quickly rushed off in the direction of the kitchens.
It didn't take long until he had entered the kitchens and closed the door. He turned around and double took as he saw all of the other teachers staring at him sheepishly, except for Snape and Quirrell, but they are weirdoes anyway. The teachers had piles of fast food on the table in front of them as they sat at the Nero table with food either in their mouths or on rout.
"Ah, Remus m'boy," chimed Dumbledore after a moments silence with a large smile. "I see you like us found yourself unsatisfied until you had some of this delicious fast food that Mr. Potter and Miss. Weasley had ordered from the house elves, please sit, there's plenty left" he said tapping the empty space next to him.
Remus didn't need telling twice as some of the other teachers laughed at the speed he rushed over and took his seat, grabbing one of the many pieces of chicken from a KFC bucket.
"I couldn't really eat the stuff we were served when I smelt all of this at the time," he said as he tore into his crispy fried chicken with vigour.
Dumbledore chuckled.
"Neither could I, I believe Mr. Potter and Miss. Weasley may stir things up a bit around school. It has been far too boring around here as of late."
Remus chuckled with a nod of his head as he pored himself some coke.
"Totally, and did you know we can't serve this to any of the other houses coz they convinced the house elves that no matter what the pureblood houses wont like it?"
The other teachers laughed and nodded.
"Yes we did," said McGonagall half glaring at the man. "I asked them about it. It's the first time they've ever refused me something."
"Yes, young Harry was being very cleaver," agreed Albus amusedly. "Using the muggle discrimination most of the school has against them. It's a shame the magical people keep thinking so blindly, but it is a happy day when the Foxes start to use it against them."
"I totally agree," nodded Remus. "It's about time my house fights back and wins the House Cup."
"Well Mr. Potter has been doing very well in my class," squeaked Flitwick eagerly. "While I offered the whole class the choice of doing the levitation charm with words and hand gestures, or doing it purely through intent and focus. He was the only one in class to choose the later, and still did better than most of the class. I have no doubt he'll have it mastered by my next class, I gave him twenty points for it. He worked so hard. It's a shame my Ravenclaw's looked so sour when they found out how much better he did. He was quite exhausted after such forceful work, but was doing it quite easily by the end of class with exceptional control."
The other teachers just looked at him impressed with what he had told them. It was not often they have a student that works so hard and chooses the more difficult method.
"Miss. Weasley wasn't bad either. She kept ahead of the rest of the class constantly," he added. "And earned a fair few points too."
"Yes, Potter and Weasley did well in my class too," agreed McGonagall. "Potter even managed to master the spell by the end of the class, and Weasley was close behind. I think they feel they have something to prove."
"Indeed," nodded Dumbledore happily. "Nero's have always worked fairly hard to prove their worth, but maybe they might push that bit harder when they catch on to these two first years."
"Oh, talking about first years, Albus," interrupted Remus suddenly since now seemed as good time as any could be. "My new quidditch captain has asked me something that I would like for your permission to enforce if I could?" he paused here and Dumbledore raised an eyebrow and gestured for him to continue. "Well she wants to allow first years to tryout for the team and for them to be allowed their own brooms if they succeed in getting in?"
"Hmm," he replied with a thoughtful frown. "I don't know Remus; the rule is there for a reason. We don't want any first years hurting them selves."
"And you twisted this rule last year for Neville Longbottom, because he's the Boy-Who-Lived?" he asked with a winners smirk.
The old mans eyes widened in surprise before he laughed.
"Well I suppose it should be ok," he finally agreed. "If they are good enough to join the team then I'll trust they are good enough to have a broom at school."
"You can't really be serious, Albus?" asked McGonagall with wide eyes. "Longbottom was a special case, an accident, he never actually tried out."
"Yes I am serious," he nodded. "I shall of course extend this as a new special rule to the other houses, but of course the fist years must use school brooms to tryout on, or borrow a broom from an older house member until they are a part of the team."
"Thanks, Albus," said Remus with a huge grin. "He'll be brilliant no matter what broom he rides. I know he will."
Albus chuckled at the younger mans enthusiasm, but he knew the boy would too.
To Be Continued…