Chapter 4: Potions and Broomsticks

Ginny shook Helena's shoulder "Helena. Helena, wake up."

Helena groaned before she turned and opened her eyes. As she stood straight, she wiped her sleepy eyes. But reminding herself that today was the first day of the term, Helena nodded while taking her glasses from the nightstand on the left side of her bed and puts them on "Okay, I'm coming…" she yawned before asking and climbed out of bed "What time is it?"

"Ten to seven." Parvati answered while putting on a bathrobe and putted on her slippers and took her towel. Clearly she was planning to take a morning shower.

Seeing they too could use a morning shower, both Helena and Ginny putted on a bathrobe and went to the girls bathroom, with both a towel in their hand.

The Gryffindor girls bathroom was huge, with the floor being pink colored and the walls painted with all kinds of flowers. At each side of the bathroom were a dozen showers, each behind a separate wooden door in order to give each girl their privacy, and in the middle were many sinks made of shining marble and many mirrors hanging on a big pilar.

There were a few other Gryffindor girls in the bathroom, being both young and older students, each either taking a shower, doing their hair or brushing their teeth. Helena saw two sixth-year students exchanging some gossip about a handsome boy in Hufflepuff which made them giggle. Helena ignored them and both she and Ginny each went into a separate shower that were not occupied.

After 20 minutes, having taken a good shower, dried themselves and combed their hair, Helena and Ginny emerged out of the bathroom wearing their bathrobes and headed back to the girls dormitory to get dressed.

Several minutes later, now wearing their school uniforms and robes, Helena and Ginny exited the dormitory, with both carrying a handbag for some books for each class of the day. Both held piece of parchment in their hands, which was their class schedule.

Ginny looked at their class schedule one more time, before giving an annoying big sigh of what she read "I can't believe we have Potions class together with the Slytherins! What's worse; all my brothers told me how cruel Professor Snape is to the other students and only favorites his own house before anyone else."

That made Helena raise an eyebrow at her friend "He's really that bad?"

"Well, that's what my brothers told me. He even takes points for even the slightest bit of distraction." Ginny stated.

Hearing the rumors of how stern and cruel Snape is towards the students, made Helena think how she should cope with a teacher like that.

While thinking all this in her mind, she and Ginny met with Neville at the Great Hall.

"Hey, Neville." Ginny said.

Neville gave a small wave while walking over to them "Hey…" and then gave a big yawn.

"You look tired, Neville," Helena said while they sat together at the Gryffindor table "Had a rough night?"

Neville shook his head "No. Well, a bit… When I was going to the loo around six o'clock, I couldn't find Trevor at where I had placed him in. It took me nearly an hour to find him in the common room." Neville stated that he couldn't sleep anymore cause he'd lost his toad again.

Helena and Ginny gave him a nod in understanding before all began digging in for breakfast.

While most of the Gryffindors were just enjoying the food and sharing a few talks, Helena decided to go through some pages of her book for Potions class while eating her breakfast, wanting to be prepared.

"Do you really have to go through all of that, Helena?" Parvati asked as she noticed how serious Helena was reading her book for Potions class.

Lavender agreed with Parvati "Yeah, Helena. It's only the first day. You don't have to be too serious."

Helena gave a shrug as she stated "You can never be too prepared for anything. Before you know it, the teacher might suddenly quiz you. Believe me, I learned it the hard way when I was still attending my Muggle school before coming to Hogwarts," she then smiled before reading back into her Potions book, flipping a page "And, truth be told, I think Potions class might be fascinating."

That was when Fred and George passed by, having heard what Helena said "Ooooh, looks like somebody has thing for Professor Snape." One of the twins said, clearly Fred and both laughed.

Helena narrowed her eyes at the Weasley twins "I am not! I'm just being prepared."

"Sure you are," George said with a grin on his face. Clearly he and Fred were teasing her.

"Leave her alone, guys," Ginny warned her brothers. She then turned supportive to her friend "I don't mind if you want to be prepared for class."

"Me neither." Neville added.

Helena was thankful for their encouragement.

Fred then told Helena "You should be careful though, Helena,"

"Snape has an eye for anyone who's interested in Potions," George added.

"Besides those interesting ones from Slytherin,"

"Too interest students are his favorite target,"

"Last student who tried to impress Snape didn't last very long,"

"Oooooh, the humanity!" George said dramatic, but clearly was joking as he and his twin brother chuckled before sitting somewhere else on the Gryffindor table.

Ginny gave them a glare before telling Helena, ensuring her "Don't bother yourself, Helena. Fred and George are always like that."

Helena, though a bit annoyed by Fred and George's teasing, gave a small chuckle "Yeah, I've noticed. Don't worry, I'm not bothered at all."

Right then, above the Great Hall, lots of owls were heard flying in.

"Ah, the mail's here." Ginny said as she looked up.

Dozens of owls flew over the tables, bringing letters, small packages or even a copy of the Daily Prophet newspaper.

Ginny got a letter from her parents, while Neville got both a letter and a small package. Helena then saw her snowy owl, Hedwig flying among the owls and landed close to her, but wasn't carrying anything. Figures, Helena thought, as she wouldn't be surprised that none of the Dursleys would ever write her letters.

Clearly Hedwig just wanted to drop by and say hi to Helena.

Helena smiled and softly petted her owl "Hi Hedwig," she took a few sausages and gave them to Hedwig, who gladly took them and eat them.

When Neville opened his little package, he finds in it a sort off small glass orb in it.

Dean Thomas saw what Neville got and said "Hey, look. Neville's got a Remembrall."

Helena took a look and wandered "A Remembrall? What are those?"

Neville explained as he wrote the part in his letter, being from his grandmother "A Remembrall can be used to remind you you'd forgotten something. You can see it when the smoke in the orb turns red."

Helena understood. But when she noticed the smoke in the Remembrall turned red, she said "Oh, look Neville. Looks like it showing you already you've forgotten something."

Neville gave a nod but gave a shrug "Yeah, but… the only problem is; I can't remember what I've forgotten."

When the clock showed it was 8:40AM, most students had eaten enough breakfast and both the Gryffindor and Slytherin first years began to leave the Great Hall to head for Potions class. Parvati and Lavender had to walk a bit faster to keep up with the other Gryffindors as they were sharing a long talk with her sister Padma and Hermione. Luckily for Hermione and Padma, they had a period free, so they both decided to head to the library and do some studying.

"Does one of you know where Potions class will be exactly?" Helena asked Ginny and Neville.

Neville seemed to not having a clue, feeling embarrassed for not asking.

Ginny thought for a second and answered "I believe it will be in the dungeons, but I don't know yet where that is."

Luckily, they came across Percy and gave them the direction when Ginny asked him to where they could find Potions class in the dungeons. Percy then left, wanting to be left alone for now as he wants to take his studies really seriously.

However, when Helena, Ginny and Neville made it to the stairs leading down to the dungeons, Neville froze in shock as he remembered what he'd forgotten "Oh! I remember now what I'd forgotten! I forgot to feed Trevor! I need to go back to the common room and give him food!" Neville said with a nearly crying face.

Ginny held her hands up, trying to calm Neville down, while Helena said "Going back to the common room? But class starts in 15 minutes."

"I-I-I'll be fast!" Neville quickly said "Oh, I can't leave Trevor to starve in the common room!"

"Okay, okay. But please be quickly, Neville," Ginny said "If you're showing up too late, our house could lose points. Snape hates it when students are late for his class."

"I'll hurry! I promise!" Neville said and nearly raced down the hallway, heading to the Gryffindor common room.

But, only a few seconds later, Neville raced back to his friends and quickly asked "Where is the Gryffindor common room again?!"

"On the seventh floor, behind the portrait of the Fat Lady." Helena reminded him.

"Thanks!" Neville thanked her and raced back through the hallway.

But a few seconds later, he raced back to them again and asked, nearly out of breath "What was… the password… again?"

Ginny rolled her eyes in amusement and whispered in his ear "Caput Draconis."

Neville nodded heavily "Thanks!" and raced down the hallway, heading to the main stairwell.

Seeing that he wasn't coming back this time, Ginny sighed before she shook her head "I just hope he'll be back on time for class."

Helena nodded and both headed down to the dungeons.

The dungeons were colder than then up in the main castle. Inside the Potions class there were over a hundred jars on the desks at every wall with what seemed to be pickled animals floating in them. To many, it was a creepy and scary place, but Helena wasn't as much bothered by it and was in her mind very exited to learn Potions, just as much as much as Defense Against the Dark Arts, which would be their next class after Potions.

While everybody took their seats, with Ginny sitting next to Helena, all placed their Potions book, quill, ink and notebook on their table.

It was now 8:58AM and Helena and Ginny still didn't see any sight of Neville.

"I hope Neville hasn't lost his way." Helena said.

"I hope so too." Ginny said.

And just as it was 8:59, Neville ran into the Potions class, being nearly out of breath and was sweating. The Slytherins were chuckling to see Neville like this, with his hair messed up and had dirt on his robes.

Seeing there was an empty spot next to Sean Finnigen, Neville took his seat and puts his things on the table.

Ginny, who she and Helena sat a few tables away from Neville, asked him "What took you so long? And what happened to you?" she wandered, seeing how messy he was.

Neville, while putting his things on the table, answered while trying to gain his breath "Well… I made it to the common room and fed Trevor fast before I went back to the dungeons, but the stairwell I was using suddenly changed, so I had to take different turns, nearly found myself lost on 2 floors and then I tripped over Filch's cat, Mrs. Norris on the staircase down the dungeons."

"Oh dear." Ginny said, being shocked that Neville fell all the way down from the stairs "You alright, Neville?"

Neville nodded "Yeah, yeah, I'm alright."

Sean gave a small chuckle as he told Neville "Don't worry, Neville. My Mum said she'd lost her way in school many times in her first year and always looked like she'd ran a marathon."

Just as Neville had put all his things on the table, the door suddenly swung open, making all the students stop talking when Professor Snape marched inside, going over in front of the class, looking very serious and stern, far more stern than Professor McGonagall "There will be no foolish wand-waving or silly incantations in this class,"

Snape turned, glancing at all the first year students. Just his presence was enough to keep the class quiet "As such, I don't expect many of you to appreciate the subtle science and exact art that is potion-making. However, for those select few…" Snape turned to Pansy Parkinson and her friends, and Draco Malfoy "…who possess the predisposition…" Snape folded his arms and glanced at all the other students "I can teach you how to bewitch the mind and ensnare the senses. I can tell you how to bottle fame, brew glory and even put a stopper in death – if you aren't as big bunch of dunderheads as I usually have to teach."

Helena could see that Snape made everyone nervous and some Gryffindors, including Neville, were already afraid of him. She wandered if this was one of Snape's teaching methods to make sure that no student would dare take Potions for granted. Helena was ready to prove she was not one of those students and learn everything about the subject.

Snape began the class by taking the roll call. He paused at Helena's name.

"Ah, yes," he said softly "Helena Potter. Our new celebrity."

When Snape was finished calling the names, seeing everyone was in his class, Pansy gave a quick whisper to Daphne, making her giggle.

Snape gave a short look to the Slytherins, but then turned to Helena "Potter!" Helena was a bit shocked, but listened to what Snape had to say "What would I get if I added powdered root of asphodel to an infusion of wormwood?"

Pansy, Millicent and Daphne all smirked, clearly believing that Potter would make a fool of herself.

However, Helena answered Snape with a little smile, remembering that brew after reading most of the Potions book before the start of the term "Asphodel and wormwood together make a sleeping potion, sir. It is so powerful that it is known as the Draught of Living Death."

Ginny and Neville exchanged a surprised look, but feeling proud at Helena for knowing that. the Slytherins were stunned, not expecting Helena to know that.

Snape formed a very small look of impression "Correct." then he turned serious again, wanting to test if Potter knew more than just how to brew a sleeping potion "And where, Potter, would you look if I told you to find me a bezoar?"

Pansy was sure that Helena didn't know that answer.

But, Helena proved her wrong again "A bezoar can be taken from the stomach of a goat. A bezoar is a kind of stone that will save someone from most poisons."

"And what is the difference, Potter, between monkshood and wolfsbane?"

For a moment, Helena turned quiet, trying to think what the difference was between those ingredients.

Pansy formed a smirk.

Then Helena answered Snape "Actually, sir, there is no difference. Monkshood and wolfsbane are both coming from the same plant, which is called aconite."

Pansy, Millicent and Daphne's mouths fell open, before Pansy turned angry. Draco, though surprised as well, was actually a bit impressed, but didn't showed it to the other Slytherins.

Snape formed a small grin "Well… it seems that at least one of you has actually come to my class prepared. Two points for Gryffindor." then he turned with a sneer to the rest of class "And why aren't you all copying this valuable information?"

All the students quickly began writing with their quills on their notebooks. Helena and Ginny exchanged a short glance, with the redhead girl giving her friend a nod while she smiled. Helena felt really happy deep down for having earned two points for her house on her very first class.

For the rest of class, Snape taught his class a simple lecture about Wiggenweld Potion, till class had ended at 9:45AM.

As Helena, Ginny and Neville climbed the steps out of the dungeon, Helena was approached by Seamus and said with a smile as she was able to score two points for Gryffindor during Snape's class "Hey, great job, Helena!"

"Thanks, Sean." Helena said. She then told Parvati with a small grin on her face "I told you that you can never be too prepared for anything."

Parvati nodded "Yeah, you're right, Helena. Great job. If you keep this up, you might score even more points with Professor Snape."

"I sure hope so." Helena said with a smile while she shrugged.

That was when Pansy, Millicent and Daphne bypassed them, with Millicent pushing Neville out of the way, with all three having an angry look on their face, while Pansy mocked Helena "Ha! That was pure beginners luck, Potter. Trust me, Professor Snape is not going to remain this 'nice' to you as he only supports Slytherin. So enjoy your victory for now, while you still can." She finished with a smirk and left along with her 'gang'.

Ginny told Helena after Pansy's gang had left "Don't mind her, Helena. She's just jealous."

Lavender agreed with Ginny "Yeah. I mean, Slytherin didn't seemed to have scored any points during Potions, right?" Parvati nodded while she and Lavender giggled.

Helena didn't seemed to be bothered by Pansy's insults, having already noticed that she's just jealous for coming to Potions Class prepared. She then checked the time and said "Well, we better hurry for Defense Against the Dark Arts class with Professor Quirrell."

Ginny agreed but then wandered "Uhm… does anyone know where Defense Against the Dark Arts class is?"

Nobody seemed to know exactly.

But that was when Neville reminded himself "Oh! I actually stumbled across Professor Quirrell's class when I got lost trying to find Potions Class. It's on the first floor in the Northern Tower."

"Well, lead the way, Neville," Helena said, allowing them to show where Professor Quirrell's class was going to be.

Along the way, Ginny checked the school's schedule, seeing that they would share classes with Ravenclaw during Quirrell's class and later on during Magical Theory "By the looks of it, we will be sharing classes with Ravenclaw now."

Helena gave a shrug "Well, at least we won't be bothered by the Slytherins for the rest of the day. I hope." Ginny, Sean, Parvati, Neville and Lavender all agreed to that.

However, as though everyone had really been looking forward to Defense Against the Dark Arts, Professor Quirrell's lessons turned out to be a bit of a joke. His classroom smelled strongly of garlic, which everyone said was to ward off a vampire he'd met in Romania and was afraid would be coming back to get him one of these days. Even his turban smelled like garlic. When asked about his turban, Quirrell stated that it had been given to him by an African prince as a way to thank him for getting rid of a troublesome zombie, but Helena and the others weren't sure they believed that story. When Sean asked Quirrell to tell how he'd fought off the zombie, Quirrell avoided his question and talked about the weather.

Magical Theory turned out to be, as the name says, theory; teaching to understand all about the Fundamental Laws of Magic and topics of how spells work.

Though it was hard for Helena understand, luckily for her, as their class was being shared with Ravenclaw, Hermione knew mostly all the answers. It was clear to Helena that despite Hermione Granger was a kind of know-it-all, she was definitely smarter than she is, which Helena began to see why she was sorted into Ravenclaw.

In the following days, Helena was shown all of the different classes, having felt that there was a lot more to magic, more than just waving your wand and say funny words.

Every Wednesday at midnight, the first years would have Astronomy class and learn the names of different stars and the movements of the planets, using their telescopes to study the night skies. Neville had nearly shown up late as he'd overslept, but was luckily on time thanks to his Remembrall.

Three times a week they went out to the greenhouses behind the castle to study Herbology, with a dumpy little witch called Professor Sprout, where they learned how to take care of all the strange plants and fungi. Though Helena and Ginny did their best, Neville turned out to be a natural at Herbology. This amused Helena, as Neville had found a class he was really good at, just as much as she was at both Potions and Defense Against the Dark Arts.

History of Magic turned out to be the most boring class, which was the only one taught by a ghost. Professor Binns would mostly fall asleep while teaching his class and would often mix up some historical people.

Professor Flitwick, the Charms teacher, was a tiny little wizard who had to stand on a pile of books to see over his desk. Helena, Ginny and Neville found his class very entertaining, especially to learn all kinds of spells, charms and jinxes.

Professor McGonagall, despite being head of Gryffindor house, was a teacher not to be messed with, as she was both strict and clever. When she warned that Transfiguration is some of the most complex and dangerous magic to learn at Hogwarts and anyone messing around in her class would leave and not come back, many students knew that McGonagall was indeed very serious about Transfiguration, showing how you could use Transfiguration magic to turn furniture into animals or even change a match into a needle.

Though Pansy and her gang tried at some occasions during the week to either insult or mock Helena, she always had Ginny and Neville's back to challenge them back. However, one of Pansy's usual insults of how Helena is so much better in Potions than her, nearly escalated after Wednesday's lunch. But luckily, it didn't turned into a magical fight as they were interrupted when suddenly the Poltergeist Peeves showed himself and threw garbage at both Pansy and her friends, and the Gryffindors. So, both sides only got off with dirty robes, which had to be washed in the laundry that same evening.

While Helena was mostly hanging out with her two best friends, Ginny and Neville, she also began to get closer to Lavender Brown and Parvati Patil, who introduced Helena to things they enjoyed, like fashion, something that Helena barely paid any attention to as she didn't had any friends when living with the Dursleys, and shared some gossips with her too, which resulted in sharing a few giggles.

Parvati's twin-sister, Padma, however was less outgoing, being more serious and more studious. Traits which she shared with Hermione, who she considered as her best friend. But despite being in different houses, Helena got also closer to Padma and Hermione, who sometimes helped her and her friends with homework. Hermione even complimented Helena for preparing herself before every class, especially for Potions.

Everything had turned out great for Helena, as she was no longer lonely or not having any friends; she was now part of a friend-group who would help and support each other.

-:-

Friday would turn out to be a busy day for Helena and her friends.

While all three had taken their seats at the Gryffindor table for breakfast, Neville asked while adding sugar to his porridge "What have we got today?"

Helena answered after taking a bite from her scrambled eggs "We'll be having double Potions, then after that Herbology and then Charms."

Neville began to feel nervous "W-w-with Professor S-S-Snape?" he stuttered, nearly like Professor Quirrell.

Ginny wandered what bothered him "Yes, but… are you scared of his classes?"

Neville gave a nervous nod.

Helena cheered him up saying "Don't worry, Neville. If Professor Snape gets too scary, just think of happy thoughts."

Neville gave another nervous nod "Okay," and told himself "Just happy thoughts. T-t-think of happy thoughts."

Helena didn't blame Neville for being scared of Snape, as even his presence would make everyone shiver. However, she didn't seemed to be scared of him. Despite he was strict and a bit of cruel to all who don't take his class seriously, Snape didn't seemed to bother her that much as he found she had a gift for Potions, which resulted in him rewarding a few points to Gryffindor, which was very rare as normally Snape takes points from other houses than Slytherin.

Lavender and Parvati then joined them at the table, having eavesdropped on their little conversation.

"You better be careful, Helena." Parvati told Helena.

"How come?" Helena asked with a raised eyebrow.

Lavender whispered "Some Slytherins have been talking behind your back, sharing their frustrations that Snape prefers you over them."

Helena gave a shrug "It's not my fault that I'm good at Potions and Professor Snape notices it."

"Still, you should be careful, Helena," Parvati added "Some students are beginning to call you Snape's pet."

Helena shared a glance with Ginny and Neville, who shared a shrug.

And so, at the same time of every morning, the owls would fly into the Big Hall and deliver mail to the students. Helena was then surprised that her owl, Hedwig flew down to her and gave her a note.

Curious, Helena opened it and began to read it. It said, in a very untidy scrawl:

Dear Helena,

I know you get Friday afternoons off, so would you like to come and have a cup of tea with me around one o'clock before Flying lessons?

I want to hear all about your first week. Send me an answer back with Hedwig.

Hagrid

Helena thought it was a good idea to pay Hagrid a little visit. She glanced at Ginny and Neville and asked them "Hey. Hagrid invited me over for tea this afternoon. Want to come over?"

Ginny and Neville gave a short glance to each other before both nodded "Sure." Ginny said with a smile, wanting to get to know Hagrid too after Helena told about how he helped her when delivering the letter and helped her with buying school supplies.

Helena took a quill and wrote on the back of the note:

Sure Hagrid. I would love to come over for tea.

I'll even bring my friends Ginny and Neville over, if that's alright?

Helena

After Helena rewarded Hedwig with a nice sausage, she gave her owl the note, who took it in her peak and flew off.

-:-

During Potions lesson, Snape had put everyone into pairs and set them to mixing up a simple potion to cure boils. As he swept around in his long black cloak, watching his students weigh dried nettles and crush snake fangs, he criticized almost everyone except for Malfoy.

When Snape glanced at how Helena was doing, who was paired with Lavender, he saw how she was doing exactly as told, adding the right ingredients into her pewter cauldron and stirring the potion in perfect order. As Helena stewed her horned slugs to the potion, a cloud of green smoke and a loud hissing filled the dungeon. She managed to brew a perfect potion to cure boils. Pansy glared at Helena with a very jealous look.

"Care on, Potter." Snape told Helena, sharing a small rare compliment, before looking stern at Lavender "Miss Brown, if you would brew the potion half as good as Potter, you still wouldn't be struggling crushing something as simple as snake fangs." He then moved on to the next pair.

Then, while Helena took a few notes of her successful potion, she took a glance at Neville, who was paired with Ginny, her eyes went wide as she saw that Neville was about to add an ingredient to his potion "Neville!" she whispered "Neville!" she whispered again, now a bit more louder.

Neville was this close to add his ingredients before he turned to Helena "What?" he asked in a similar whispering voice.

Helena shook her head "You need to take your cauldron off the fire first before adding porcupine quills!"

"Silence!" Snape called, having heard Helena's loud whisper "Miss Potter, during class I demand absolute silence while brewing potions! Understand?" Snape snarled.

Helena nodded "Yes, professor. Sorry professor."

"One point from Gryffindor."

Helena gave small look in surprise as Snape had taken a point for just telling Neville the right process of brewing the potion against boils. But wanting to remain on Snape's good side, Helena went back writing in her notebook.

Neville however, having taken Helena's quick advice, took his cauldron off the fire and then added the porcupine quills to it.

A few minutes later, green smoke came from Neville's cauldron, and gave a loud hissing noise just as Helena when she had completed her potion.

Snape took a look at Neville's potion, seeing it was almost as good as Helena's. Snape gave a simple nod and went to the next pair.

Neville gave a long sigh of relief and gave Helena a smile, thanking her for telling him the right process. Helena gave him a nod.

When most of the students were ready with their potion, Snape then told the students "As homework for this weekend, I want you all to write the exact process of making the Forgetfulness potion," he then turned to Helena "Potter! As you've shown how well prepared you are for class than all these other idiotic students, I am sure you can tell us all about the Forgetfulness potion, which ingredients are needed and the exact brewing process?"

Clearly Snape was quizzing Helena again, testing her knowledge of Potions. Helena didn't thought of it for too long and answered "The Forgetfulness Potion can cause a person an unknown degree of memory loss. Mostly it would be used on people to forget certain events or memories that the people themselves prefer to forget," she then told the ingredients of the potion "The ingredients of the Forgetfulness potion are; Lethe River Water, Valerian sprigs and mistletoe berries," Helena gave a small sigh to tell the exact brewing process. Neville and Ginny meanwhile took notes, having learned that it was best to take notes at moments like these.

Helena then told the process "For starters; you need to add 2 drops of Lethe River Water to the cauldron, gently heat the cauldron for 20 seconds, add 2 Valerian sprigs, stir 3 times clockwise, wave your wand and then leave it to brew and return between 45 and 60 minutes. Once there, you will need to add 2 measures of the standard ingredients to the mortar, add 4 mistletoe berries to the mortar and crush it into a medium-fine powder using the pestle. Add 2 pinches of the crushed mixture to the cauldron, stir 5 times anti-clockwise, then wave your wand and then you get a fully complete Forgetfulness potion."

The other students were impressed that Helena was able to memorize everything about the Forgetfulness potion, while the Slytherins gave Helena a glare, with some muttering under their breaths "Teacher's pet." While the Gryffindors all looked proud at Helena, including Ginny and Neville.

Snape formed a very small smile of impression which was hard to see, but Helena could clearly see it "Impressive. To fully memorize the exact process of making a Forgetfulness potion surely takes more than just fame, isn't it, Potter?" Snape said "Eight points for Gryffindor." Then he turned to the other students, looking with a mixture of anger and disappointment "It is also a pity, that not EVERYBODY wrote down all this valuable information, unlike a select few," Snape meaning with the few students that did wrote on their notebooks all that Helena told, including Draco, Neville and Ginny. "Class is dismissed."

While leaving Potions Class, Helena was met with lots of congrats from, Lavender, Parvati, Seamus Finnigan and Dean Thomas.

The Slytherins all bypassed the Gryffindors, with most of them giving The Girl Who Lived a jealous look.

"Lucky shot, teacher's pet." Pansy said while leaving the Potions.

Helena groaned as she watched Pansy leaving with her gang and fellow Slytherins "I hate her."

She then looked at Draco, who left the class last together with Vincent Crabbe and Gregory Goyle. At first she too wanted to give him a glare, but to her surprise, she saw Draco giving her a nod with a little smile, which went unnoticed by his bodyguards.

-:-

A few hours later, having finished Charms class, Helena, Ginny and Neville went to the Great Hall for lunch. When Padma invited them to sit with her and Hermione at the Ravenclaw table, Helena and her friends didn't seemed to mind.

After Ginny told Hermione and Padma in detail of what happened during Potions, of how Helena was able to tell Professor Snape the whole recipe of the Forgetfulness potion and how she helped Neville from a possible disaster by doing the process of Potion against boils wrong, Hermione was very impressed with what Helena already knew.

Padme gave a small chuckle as she told Hermione "Helena is almost like you during Potions, Hermione."

Helena rolled her eyes in amusement while taking a bite from an apple.

Hermione then suggested "Well, since me and the other Ravenclaws have a period free before Flying class like you have, I suggest we should do something about that extra homework you've all received from Professor Snape and of Professor Flitwick's of the Wand-Lighting Charm."

That was when Helena answered "Actually, me, Ginny and Neville are going to visit Hagrid."

That surprised both Padma and Hermione "You mean… the giant Keykeeper?"

Helena nodded and ensured "He's not as bad as he looks. He's actually really nice."

"And visiting him is more important than doing some extra studies?" Padma asked with a raised eyebrow.

Neville shrugged "We've got all weekend to do our homework."

Hermione formed a little frown that they didn't took everything serious. Ginny didn't liked that look of Hermione.

Helena noticed it and suggested, trying to calm the situation "Tell you what, Hermione. What about we will be joining you and Padma in the library after Flying class? Then we will work on our homework of Potions and Charms till dinner."

Hermione and Padma exchanged a short glance, with Hermione eventually smiling and gave a nod "Okay, seems fair."

-:-

At five to one, Helena, Ginny and Neville left the castle and made their way across the grounds. The trio approached a small wooden house on the edge of the forbidden forest, which was Hagrid's little house.

When Helena knocked on the door, they heard a frantic scrabbling and several booming arks from inside.

"Back, Fang – back." Hagrid's voice was heard inside.

As soon as Hagrid opened the door, his big, hairy face appeared before he called back inside "Back, Fang." He then turned back to Helena, Ginny and Neville and smiled, allowing them to enter "Come in."

But when they entered, a big black boarhound enthusiastically barked, wanting to meet these new visitors. Hagrid struggled to keep him on hold while Neville became a bit scared while Helena and Ginny just looked with some surprise.

Hagrid ensured everyone while he chuckled "Oh, this is Fang. My dog," Hagrid introduced his hound to the trio and let him go, allowing him to curiously sniff and licking Neville's ears. Neville gave a small chuckle as his fears for the hound vanished. Clearly Fang wasn't as fierce as he looked but rather a happy dog.

"Make yerselves at home," Hagrid said.

Hagrid's house had only one room. Hams and pheasants were hanging from the ceiling, a copper kettle was boiling on the open fire, and in the corner stood a massive bed with a patchwork quilt over it.

While Hagrid poured boiling water into a large teapot and putting rock cakes onto a plate, Helena introduced her friends to Hagrid "Oh, these are Ginny Weasley and Neville Longbottom."

Hagrid looked at Ginny "Another Weasley, eh?" he sighed with a smile on his face "I spend half me life chasin' yer twin brothers away from the forest."

Ginny humorously rolled her eyes as it wasn't surprising that Fred and George gave Hagrid a bit of a hard time with their pranks and fooling around.

Hagrid then looked at Neville "Longbottom, ye say?" Neville nodded "I know yer parents."

Neville gave Hagrid a look in surprise as he sat down at a table "You knew my parents?"

Hagrid nodded "Of course, I know yer parents! Ye mother and father had been part of-" but Hagrid interrupted himself, not wanting to share that part with Helena or Neville "Uuuh… well, they have been fighting You-Know-Who too, just as Lily and James Potter."

Ginny and Helena exchanged a look in surprise that Hagrid knows Neville's parents. But as they saw Neville feeling uncomfortable, Ginny asked him "You alright?"

Neville gave a nod, but became a bit sad. Clearly when mentioning his parents was hard for him.

Hagrid noticed Neville's sadness too, feeling he should have not mentioned what happened to Neville's father and mother. So, changing the subject, he handed over some cups of tea "Here, have some tea."

While Helena told Hagrid how her first week at Hogwarts is going so far, Neville seemed to be feeling a bit better.

As Helena and Ginny told how the school's caretaker Filch was acting towards the students, Hagrid understood as he knew that all students hated Argus Filch. Some people even believed that his cat, Mrs. Norris, was spying on students in the hallways and call upon Filch when there was trouble.

All three were delighted to hear Hagrid calling Filch 'that old git'. Hagrid even mentioned that he would be delighted to introduce his dog, Fang to Mrs. Norris, as that cat follows him every time he got up to the school and can't seem to get rid of her.

When Helena mentioned about Snape's lessons and he was actually somewhat impressed with her natural talent for Potions, Hagrid was surprised to hear that, but understood and told that though Snape hardly liked any of the students, he does have an eye for talent and would be sure that that kind of talent would not go into waste.

Helena smiled and said "Well… In that case I better keep myself on Professor Snape's good side if I want to earn some more points that he takes from Gryffindor."

Ginny nodded and added "Not to mention that some of the first years even go to you for advice in Potions. I got to say, you're actually getting very popular," but then she shrugged "Well, except at the Slytherins."

Helena sighed, as she wasn't much in the mood for more attention because she's The Girl Who Lived and just wants to be treated like everybody else. But she was glad that some Gryffindors came to her for advice on Potions, though she couldn't promise them that Snape would go easy on them as he clearly wasn't that harsh towards her.

While trying out one of Hagrid's rock cakes, which were shapeless lumps with raisins, Helena, Ginny and Neville almost broke their teeth as how hard it was, but all three pretended to be enjoying them as they didn't wanted to hurt Hagrid's feelings.

Hagrid then asked Ginny how her brother Charlie was doing as he liked him and was great with animals, Ginny began to tell about Charlie's work with dragons in Romania.

Helena then noticed a piece of paper that was laying on the table under the tea cozy. It was a cutting from the Daily Prophet:

GRINGOTTS BREAK-IN LATEST

Investigations continue into the break-in at Gringotts on 31 July, widely believed to be the work of Dark wizards or witches unknown.

Gringotts goblins acknowledge the breach but insisted nothing was taken. The vault in question, number 713 had in fact been emptied earlier that same day.

Helena was surprised to read this as that was the very same vault she and Hagrid visited the day they were buying school supplies. She showed the article to Hagrid "Hagrid! Somebody broke into Gringotts!" she wanted him to read the article "Just look! It's the vault you and I went to, the day we went to buy school supplies on Diagon Alley."

Hagrid however didn't looked back at her. He grunted and changed the subject by offering her another rock cake

Though it was strange why Hagrid didn't shared anything with her, she only guessed that that small package that Hagrid took from the vault must be the one the thieves were looking for. But most importantly, what was exactly in it that made Hagrid so secretive and avoided to answer any questions.

Hearing the clocktower struck three o'clock, the trio knew that they had to head back if they didn't wanted to be late for Flying lesson.

With Hagrid giving them extra rock cakes, which made their pockets weigh down, Helena, Ginny and Neville took them, being too polite to refuse. But before leaving, Helena tried one more time asking Hagrid what was inside that vault.

"Hagrid? What was exactly in that vault that was so important?"

Hagrid however didn't answer and just said "Yer better be off, or ya'll miss yer first lessons on a broomstick. Goodbye!"

"But-" Helena tried to ask but Hagrid closed the door.

Seeing it was no use to keep asking, Helena left with her two friends

-:-

Stepping onto the grounds, all the first years students, Gryffindors, Hufflepuffs and Ravenclaws hurried down the front steps for their first flying lesson.

The skies was clear and the grass rippled under their feet as they all walked towards a smooth, flat lawn.

The Slytherins were already there, and so were forty broomsticks laying in neat lines on the ground.

As everyone took a place, standing next to a broom on the ground, with Ginny on Helena's left side and Neville on the right, Helena saw Pansy Parkinson together with her friends on the other side, giving Helena a mocking face, hoping that Helena was going to embarrass herself in front of all the Slytherins.

Ginny had recently told Helena that back home she would sneakily practice on her brothers' broomsticks so she knew how to handle one already.

Neville on the other hand had never been on a broomstick his whole life cause his grandmother wouldn't allow him near one. Helena didn't blamed him as his grandmother probably did it for a good reason.

Hermione, Parvati, Padma and Lavender were almost as nervous about flying as Neville.

Their teacher, Madam Hooch, arrived. She had short, gray hair and yellow eyes like a hawk.

"Good afternoon, class." Madam Hooch said.

"Good afternoon, Madam Hooch." Nearly all the students said.

Having walked over to the other side, Madam hooch began to say "Welcome to your first flying lesson." She then barked "Well, what are you all waiting for? Everyone stand up to the left side of their broomstick. Come on now, hurry up."

All the first years stepped forward, standing on the left side of each of their broomstick.

"Stick out your right hand over your broom," Madam Hooch called, instructing them how to do it "and say 'Up!'"

"UP!" everyone called.

Helena's broom jumped into her hand at once, surprising her "Whoa…!"

With Ginny was the same results, with her broom jumping into her hand. Pansy Parkinson had the same, which was to no surprise as she had been privately lessoned by her parents to fly with a broomstick since she could walk. Draco too lifted the broomstick into his hand flawlessly.

The other students however had more difficulty to get their broomstick jump into their hand, keep calling 'Up', with some going very slow, while others didn't moved.

Hermione's broom just simply rolled over the ground.

When Neville for a moment got impatient, he jumped a few times while calling "Up! Come on, U-UP!" but then his broomstick hit his face, hurting him.

Some first years began to laugh at him, while Helena and Ginny giggled.

Neville groaned with some annoyance "I'm trying."

Ginny tried to say while slowly her giggling stopped "Sorry, Neville… hihihihi… it's just so funny. Hihihihi."

Of course, to Helena, Ginny and Neville's delight, Millicent Bullstrode and Goyle had it way more difficult to get their broomstick fly up into their hands and Madam Hooch had to instruct them both how to do it precisely.

Once all first years had their broomsticks in their hand, Madam Hooch began her next instruction "Now, once you've got hold of your broom, I want you to mount it. And grip it tight. You don't wanna be sliding off the end."

All students mount their broomsticks, holding it as Madam Hooch told them.

"Now, when I blow my whistle, you kick off from the ground hard. Keep your brooms steady, rise a few feet, and then come straight down by leaning forward slightly." She held her whistle ready "On my whistle – three – two –"

But even before the whistle touched Madam Hooch's lips, Neville's broom floated up by itself, frighten him.

"Mr. Longbottom." Madam Hooch told him, clearly wanting him to land.

"Neville, what are you doing?" Ginny said.

Neville, looking paled shook his head "I'm not doing anything!"

The first years called Neville to go down, but the Slytherins looked with amusement as Longbottom was making a fool of himself.

And just then, Neville's broom began flying up as if it had a will of its own and then fast straight up like a cork shot out of a bottle.

"Neville!" Helena called, but it was to no avail.

"Help! Help me!" Neville called in panic, having no control over his broom as if it had a will of its own.

Angrily, Madam Hooch called to him "Mr. Longbottom, come back down this instant!"

Neville's broom fastly moved right, left and right, hitting a few walls of the castle, making Neville nearly fall from his groom and then dived down to the ground, then back up, heading straight to the class!

Everyone ran out of the way in panic before Neville went up like a rocket and Neville fall of his broom with his black robe getting stuck up a stone statue!

"Help-" Neville called before his robe tore and he fell down, getting stuck again to a torch before falling on the ground with a thud!

Helena and Ginny ran over to him in shock "Neville!"

Madam Hooch ran over to him to check on him "Move aside!" she bend over to him to check on him. She saw his right wrist was clearly broken, making him grunt in pain "Oh dear, it's a broken wrist," she helped him up "Come on, boy – it's all right, up you get."

Neville tried to apologize "I'm… I'm sorry, I had no control over my broom and - Ow!"

"It's alright, dear," Madam Hooch ensured him and then told the rest of her class as she began to leave with Neville "Everyone's to keep their feet on the ground while I take Mr. Longbottom to the hospital wing. Understand?" she then warned her class with a fierce look "If I see a single broom in the air, you'll be out of Hogwarts before you can say 'Quidditch'."

On the ground, Pansy found Neville's Remembrall. She picked it up and began to chuckle while telling her friends and Slytherins "Hahahahaha. Did you see his face, the great lump?"

Millicent and Daphne both laughed, joined with the other Slytherins. Draco however gave only a small chuckle.

Ginny angrily walked over to Pansy, joined by Helena "Shut up, Parkinson!"

Parvati added, also angry at Pansy's remark "Yeah, Neville could've been killed just now!"

Pansy chuckled as she held up his Remembrall "Ooh, sticking up to Longbottom? Well, maybe if he had given this a squeeze, he would have remembered to land on his fat arse."

The other Slytherins laughed.

"Give that here, Parkinson." Helena warned Pansy.

Pansy formed a smirk "No. I think I'll leave it somewhere for Longbottom to find. How about up a tree?" she then leapt onto her broomstick and moved around the first years "Or what about on the roof?" and then flew up, challenging Helena while mocking her as Pansy was now like 20 meters high in midair "What's the matter, Potter? Bit beyond your reach?"

This whole thing reminded Helena of when she was bullied nearly similar, by either Dudley or by the other bullying girls. Helena narrowed her eyes and mounted her broom.

Hermione however tried to stop her "Helena, No way! You heard what Madam Hooch said. Besides, you don't know how to fly."

Helena ignored her, not letting any bullies to run over her again or any of her friends. She kicked hard against the ground and flew up into the air.

"Helena, no!" Padma called her back, but it was pointless as Helena flew higher up.

Helena, though feeling flying a broomstick was easy for her, she had no time to enjoy this wonderful moment as she was about to face a bullying and jealous witch in order to get back Neville's Remembrall back.

She faced Pansy in midair "Give that here, Parkinson or I'll knock you off your broom!"

Pansy gave her a smirk, mocking her again "Now, now. That's not very lady like."

Helena knew, somehow, what to do. She leaned forward and grasped the broom tightly in both her hands, and it shot toward Pansy like javelin. The Slytherin girl barely had time to avoid just in time! Helena made a sharp about-face and held her broom steady.

A few first years below ere clapping, while some were gasping.

"Bulltrode and Greengrass are not going to save your neck this time, Parkinson," Helena called.

Pansy, though a bit paled by Helena's fast broomstick move, made a smirk while holding the Remembrall up "Have it your way then," she then threw Neville's glass ball high into the air "Catch!"

Helena, completely relying on her instincts, flew straight to the Remembrall, gathering speed, shocking Pansy as she bypassed her with such speed. Seeing the ball headed down to the ground, Helena leaned forward and headed into a steep dive, racing to it with wind whistling in her ears, mingled with the shocking gasps of the first years. She stretched out her arm… and caught the Remembrall just a meter of the ground!

All the first years were beyond shock and surprise as Helena held up the Remembrall she'd caught and landed back on the grass.

Unbeknownst to Helena and the others, Professor McGonagall had seen everything.

All the first years Gryffindors, Hufflepuffs and Ravenclaws ran to Helena, congratulating her.

"That was wicked, Helena!" Dean Thomas said

"Great job, Helena!" Hannah Abbot said.

"That was amazing!" Ginny said.

"You were way better than Parkinson just now!" Lavender added.

"HELENA POTTER!"

All the first years went quiet as Professor McGonagall was running towards them. Helena's heart sank faster than she'd just dived.

"Never – in all my time at Hogwarts have I…" Professor McGonagall was almost speechless witch shock "You could have… you could have broken your neck!"

Lavender tried to explain for Helena "It wasn't her fault Professor, it was Parkinson who-"

"Be quiet, Miss Brown-"

"Parkinson was the one who started!" Ginny nearly shouted.

McGonagall looked stern at her "That's enough, Miss Weasly," she turned to Helena "Potter, follow me."

Helena did as she was told and followed Professor McGonagall back inside the castle.

Pansy, Millicent and Daphne formed triumphant faces, while Daphne said "She's going to be kicked out of school now."

Some Slytherins chuckled, while Ginny glared at them.

-:-

Helena knew, as she followed Professor McGonagall through the corridors, that she was going to be expelled. She cursed herself in her mind 'Nice work, Helena. Great job! Now I'm going to get expelled! I know I will! If I had just… controlled myself…' she sighed, trying to keep up with McGonagall 'I've been only here for a week… and I've already made lots of friends. I should have listened to Hermione and not letting my emotions control me.'

Going through one corridor to the next, Helena thought that McGonagall was taking her to Professor Dumbledore. But to her confusion, they were close to the Defense Against the Dark Arts class.

"You wait here." Professor McGonagall told Helena. Helena did and wandered why Professor McGonagall was going to Professor Quirrell's class.

When McGonagall opened the door, she asked while poking her head out of the door opening "Professor Quirrell, excuse me. Could I borrow Wood for a moment?"

Quirrell glanced to McGonagall and gave a shrug "U-uh… yes, of course."

A fifth-year Gryffindor boy stood up and followed Professor McGonagall out of the classroom, also being confused.

Helena wandered who he was. But most importantly, why was McGonagall taking her to see him instead of Dumbledore.

"Follow me, you two," Professor McGonagall said and they marched on up the corridor, entering an empty classroom, where Peeves was writing rude words on the blackboard.

After McGonagall had send the poltergeist away, McGonagall introduced Wood to Helena "Potter this is Oliver Wood." McGonagall then turned her face with excitement "Wood – I've found you a seeker."

Helena blinked her eyes of even more confusion. But upon realizing what Professor McGonagall meant by having found a seeker meant, her eyes went a bit wide in surprise 'Seeker? Wait… Quidditch?"

A/N: Well, that's it for this chapter so far. As there wasn't much detail about exactly WHERE the Gryffindor students would go shower, I thought I made up that there were some special bathrooms for boy and girls students in the Gryffindor Common room.

Okay, honestly, I don't know what the whole Hogwarts class schedule truly is as… to be honest, there is no to barely any detail about it and those I have found were either theories or speculations on how the Hogwarts class schedules for each year looks like, so I just made some stuff up.

I know you guys see Snape as a stern and cruel teacher, and I couldn't more agree. But, since Helena looks more like her mother and also has a gift for Potions, I suppose that Snape would be a little less harsh to her and actually 'reward' some good work for her, despite he only favors Slytherin, if you know what I mean.

Now, despite Helena is getting a bit more popular, other then being The Girl Who Lived, she still doesn't fully like her fame and just wants to be treated like anyone else.

I hope you all have enjoyed this chapter just as much as I have writing it.

The next chapter might come in a bit, or much later, it just depends on how my life goes, my attention to my other stories and so on.

Either way, see you all in the next chapter!