Disclaimer: If you recognize it, it's probably not mine It all belongs to JK I'm just playing in her sandbox a little. I do read a lot of Fanfiction so if you see anything else you recognize I may have accidentally incorporated something.
AN: As always Read and Review
Chapter 10 – Classes
~~~~~Power of Ancestral Magics~~~~~
Hogwarts, Scotland
The next day was Saturday, as such there was no classes and Harry along with Jean-Marc, Artemis, Arsenio, and Silver explored the common room. They quickly found out, that they couldn't open the doors with the other house's crests on them. Behind one fireplace they found the entrance into another hallway with different sort of workrooms interspersed throughout the length of the hall, one you stepped into and it held all the materials for sewing another for the crafting of items, and more that even Silver couldn't say what they had been used for. He spent most of the day Hanging out with the other bearers along with Neville, and the twins, after taking the placement tests for both arithmancy and for Ancient Runes after receiving permission to drop both COMC, and Divination.
Today however was Monday the first day of classes and Harry and the other bearers headed downstairs for breakfast with the other Gryffindors, once they got to the table Professor McGonagall came up and gave them their timetables.
Harry's Schedule
Breakfast 8:00 AM
1st Period 9:00 AM
2nd Period 10:00 AM
Break 11:00 AM
3rd Period 11:30 AM
4th Period 12:30 PM
Lunch 1:30 PM
5th Period 2:30 PM
6th Period 3:30 PM
7th Period 4:30 PM
8th Period 5:30 PM
Dinner 6:30 PM
Monday
1st - History
2nd - Free
3rd - Runes
4th - DADA
5th - Arith.
6th - Free
7th - CULTURE
8th - CULTURE
Tuesday
1st - FREE
2nd - FREE
3rd - CHARMS
4th - CHARMS
5th - Transfig.
6th - FREE
7th - FREE
8th - FREE
Wednesday
1st - Potions
2nd - FREE
3rd - DADA
4th - DADA
5th - Arith.
6th - Runes
7th - FREE
8th - FREE
Thursday
1st - Runes
2nd - FREE
3rd - TRANSFIG
4th - TRANSFIG
5th - Charms
6th - FREE
7th - FREE
8th - FREE
Friday
1st - HISTORY
2nd - HISTORY
3rd - POTIONS
4th - POTIONS
5th - FREE
6th - FREE
7th - CULTURE
8th -CULTURE
Harry looked at his table disbelievingly, he had made it into both fifth year Arithmancy and Ancient Runes. He was exhilarated, he also idly wondered about all the free periods in his schedule he had sixteen. He also observed that Fridays were going to be fun with 3 sets of double lessons. He was also rather surprised he had Magical Culture for double periods Monday and Friday afternoons, more than any other class on his timetable. He was rather excited to see he had the new class Magical Culture today, though he was slightly surprised to see that it was with all three of the other houses, however Friday's history double was like that as well, though Monday's single was not. Silver prodded Harry's arm telling him that it was time to get to History of Magic class, another one Harry was excited about, as it too has a new teacher.
~~~~~Power of Ancestral Magics~~~~~
Hogwarts, Scotland – Hermione's POV
As Professor McGonagall passed out class schedules, Hermione watched Harry laugh and joke with his friends new and old. It hurt slightly that he could move on so fast and forget about her, hadn't four years of friendship meant anything to him. Harry had no right to just expect her to believe the words of some creature over the headmaster, he was the greatest wizard since Merlin and Harry had no right to challenge and disrespect him like he did. Even as she watched both Neville and Ron with Harry, she saw his happiness and was mildly surprised by it. She now felt slightly curious about why Harry had been so insistent that Dumbledore could not be trusted. Looking down at the watch on her wrist she got up and headed upstairs for History of Magic.
As she walked into the classroom with several Ravenclaws trailing behind her, she took the time to look around the classroom. Under Professor Binns' tenure it had been rather droll and boring with nothing decorating the plain brick walls. Now the back and side wall with the door of the classroom was partitioned into 7 different sections all labeled by year with different poster and signs hanging in each section. As Hermione took her seat, she noticed that the blackboard was currently covered and that Professor Sevine was nowhere to be seen.
"Well this room has certainly changed," said Dean Shamus, sliding into the seat behind her.
"Pity I was rather looking forward to a nap in the morning this year." Answered Seamus Finnigan.
Ron smirked as he and Harry's group walked in taking seats around the room. "Well at least we have all those breaks in the schedule, we can certainly use those as nap time."
"I sincerely doubt you will have time to use your free periods as nap time Mr. Weasley. I would suggest you use it instead for the various homework essays, and projects you will be required to do this year." Mr. Sevine said as he went to the front of the class. "I have heard how history of magic has been taught by that Binn's ghost and I will tell you now that falling asleep in my class or not paying attention in my classroom will land you a detention with me and the loss of points. You all are here to study the history of our magical world. I understand that it is not the most fascinating of subjects, but I expect you to honor those who have gone before you enough to listen and to show your respect for their deeds."
"Now you are my fifth year Gryffindor- Ravenclaw class, as Mr. Weasley said you have more than a few free periods in your schedule's. You may wish to slack and go flying, play games, nap, or other such activities in these periods. While here at the beginning of term that may be perfectly fine, by mid-October you will find that it will not work. You are fifth years this means that at the middle of next May you will be taking the OWL exams. Between now and then you will have, usually, a weekly essay assignment for each of your classes, and at least for my class a monthly group or partnered Project, as such you will need those extra free periods for Homework, and for spell practice."
"Now I understand that Binn's mostly lectured straight from the book, I will not, I will be expecting you to have read the next chapter of our book for Monday's class. We will then spend Monday going over what all you need to know in the chapter and Friday mornings class we will be having open discussion of the different things we have covered in said chapter and tying them into previous chapters. I will have that time open for you to ask questions."
"Every Monday when you walk into the room the homework question will be on the blackboard, as you are fifth years, I expect two and a half feet on each of your essays. I also expect your writing to be reasonably sized and for it to be suitably spaced apart. An essay of less than two and a half or more than three feet will summarily fail the assignments. No Miss Granger, I will not be changing this ruling, you have been writing essays at Hogwarts for five years now, if you have not discovered how to fit your essay into the required length, I suggest you do so. I have 6 other classes to teach, which leaves me with almost a thousand essay a week to grade, more when you count the monthly group projects. On the back board I will inform you of group projects and assignments these will be assigned the first Friday and due the last Friday of the Month."
"Now I am well aware you have not read chapter one however with so much to cover we cannot waste todays lesson period more than we already have, therefore turn to lesson one in your books, pull out a sheet of parchment and listen as this will be part of your homework due as usual next Monday."
"Some of the terms used in this class you will hear in your Magical Cultural class. As the two do cross as many of the customs we have are based in the past this is to be expected and will happen and vice versa. Now who can tell me…"
Hermione listened carefully taking notes as Professor Sevine spoke of a time before Albion, when magic was wilder, less controlled, he spoke magical creatures she had never heard of, and of the Arcane arts. The lesson was illuminating and at the end of the lesson he pulled the sheet off the black board. It clearly said, "Why are the Arcane Magics not taught in modern schools, explain why and when did this change?" Shortly after she finished writing it down, she left the classroom and headed to the library unsurprised as Ron Dean and Seamus all headed back to the common room to play games or take a nap until DADA.
She was surprised however when she got to the library and saw both Harry and his new friends already working on writing their History of Magic essay along with Neville, and some of the new Gryffindors did as well. She was both surprised and slightly angered, how many years had she chided at Harry to get his work done before the due date, how many times had she jumped his case and tried to help, and now, now he decides to do it by himself.
Huffing Hermione sat down to do the beginning of her essay, after the free period and the break Hermione got up to go to Ancient Runes surprised to see both Harry and Neville and most of the boys hanging around Harry also get up. That was confusing Harry didn't take Ancient Runes, he took divination and care.
She carefully followed the boys up the stairs and to the Ancient Runes Classroom before shouting "Harry James Potter what are you doing, this isn't your class and besides if you were taking Ancient Runes now you would be taking it with the 3rd years, now go back to doing your history homework, you don't belong in this classroom."
"Ms. Granger, how dare you yell at a fellow student in such a why. Mr. Potter requested a change in his elective classes several weeks ago. I had him take a placement test to see which class he would fit into and found him a fit for this class. Now do not assume to be above me in this manner and take your seat as well as a detention with me tonight after dinner. I am most disappointed in how rudely you just addressed young heir Potter. To you heir Potter my apologies for Ms. Grangers rudeness, please find your seat." Professor Babbling crossly stated. With that Professor Babbling went into a quick introductory lesson to how things would work this year and what all they would be studying in class that year. As Norse runes were covered in 3rd and 4th year along with the basics, they would be studying both Celtic and Anglo-Saxon runes or the futhorc and younger futhorc this year, in preparation for starting to craft with runes in the coming newt years. Class flew by and before she knew it, it was time for defense with the Slytherins.
~~~~~Power of Ancestral Magics~~~~~
Hogwarts, Scotland – Harry's POV
Harry walked to class with his new friends feeling Hermione's glare on his neck the whole way when they met up with Neville at the stairs to the fourth floor defense corridor, he quirked an eyebrow asking what Hermione's problem was, Silver explained vehemently, with answering glares to Hermione's own, shot back across the hall from his new friends . As they came in and sat down it was hard not to flinch, a defense classroom was not supposed to be pink.
"Welcome, welcome, students, please take your seats." Sweetly said Professor Umbridge as she waited for everyone to find a seat. Even Harry could see the room had been expanded from last year as they know had over fifty students instead of the twenty-five from last year. "Good Afternoon Students."
"Good Afternoon Professor", responded and few students.
"Tut, tut, that won't do, when I say good afternoon, you are to respond with Good afternoon professor, let's try again, Good Afternoon class."
"Good Afternoon, Professor." Responded Harry and the rest of the class. Afterwards she went about explaining her course goals.
"Um pardon my interruption ma'am but when are we to be doing practical wand work, for the spells we learn." Asked one of the new transfer Gryffindor boys.
"Well why on Earth would you need to cast them there will be no practical work done in this class, that will be ten points from Gryffindor for your…"
"Professor Umbridge, pardon my interruption but I thought you just said there would be no practical portion of defense." Harry said as Silver handed him his open copy of the Hogwarts charter.
"Indeed Mr. Potter."
"So, you are telling me that we are expected to learn just the theory and then we are expected to the spell for the first time the day of our owl exams, my apologies but who in this class can succeed in making a spell work the first time. That is beside the point that the Hogwarts charter clearly says that all wanded classes are to have practical lesson at least one class period a week after 3rd year, and it is heir Potter, Professor" Harry interrupted.
"Detention Mr. Potter, my office 9 o'clock, and I do not care what the Hogwarts charter says I will not be allowing and silly wand waving in this classroom. All you need to know of defense is the theory behind the spells not the spell itself." Responded Professor Umbridge.
"Unfortunately, due to one too many incidents with previous professors that will not be possible. My orders from my head of house is that the Headmaster, the potions master, and the professor of DADA are not allowed to oversee any, detentions for those belonging to house Potter." Answered Harry.
Professor Umbridge glared even she knew she could not go against the orders of a head of house but who was the head of house Potter? "Very well detention 9 o'clock with Filch. I'm sure he can find something for you to do."
"That is all well and good Professor Umbridge, but Lord Potter does bring up several good points. Besides the rumors of the return of He-who-must-not-be-named, there are many other dangers out there. And what about those of us wishing for careers as Hit wizards, Aurors, or Curse breakers, where knowing the theory as well as the practical is paramount for your survival?"
Umbridge ignored the question and continued through the rest of the course aims and goals, after which she ordered them to read chapter 1 of their book. Harry ultimately decided to write Sirius to inform him that they most definitely would be requiring a tutor for DADA, and hearing the grumbling from several of his classmates he wouldn't be the only one.
After the bell rang Harry quickly got up and headed for the great hall with his group for lunch. Immediately after lunch was Arithmancy in which Hermione glared at him for the entire class, which only got harder when Harry answered a question right that she had gotten wrong. The upside was that she did not have an outburst like earlier that morning. After Arithmancy the fifth years had a free period for everyone before the double period full year Magical Culture class that Harry was slightly worried about but also excited for. He was excited about what he might learn, he may learn something before his house guardians could teach him it, or things they had glossed over as not entirely needed at that time, he was however nervous about the teacher, he was the eldest of the Malfoy's, a few months ago he had thought that was Draco's father Lucius, now he knew it was actually Lucius's father Abraxas. He was still however a Malfoy and even if the man had called his grandson out for breaking etiquette, he did not fully trust the man.
They walked into the classroom and paused the entire room had been turned into an amphitheater, of sorts, the front was a stage with a rather large chalkboard, and some other classroom materials such as a white board, this surprised him as he hadn't known wizards knew about the muggle device, from the front stage which was the lowest point of the room, it sloped upwards in a large stair-step pattern that curved wrapping around the lower stage. It was set up in a way that there was about a three-foot gap between the lower stage and the first of these steps or levels and it went up for a good 20 or so "levels". The steps also had from about 8 to 15 desks sitting on them to show that these were for students to sit on. Stepping further into the room Harry could see normal stairs climbing from the lower stage clear up to the upper deck, they now stood on, along each of the outer wall and one going down the center of the room. Harry could see the professor and his two aids still discussing a few things with a few seventh years as that year had class before them. His group went to sit down in a seat only to discover why some of the other fifth year students were also milling about the sides and back of the room, on the stairs and off them. Each desk had another white board which was at the current moment still set up for the seventh year class by the looks of it. As the one he was looking at said:
7th year – Jordan Lee
Partner
Slytherin
Adrian Pucey.
He was shocked for as he looked at it, it suddenly erased itself and now said a new name and now said:
5th year – Mandy Brocklehurst
Partner
Hufflepuff
Megan Jones
Harry's eyes snapped to the front as Professor Malfoy spoke as he had finished with the seventh years. "The boards have now reset, please find your seats." After the class had assembled and everyone had found their seat he continued. "On each of your desks is two linked white boards, one has your name on it, yes there will be assigned seats so please no complaining they are final. Those white boards will also have the name of the your year partner that you will have to work with on all weekly projects occasionally on the projects you and your partner will be paired with another group or two depending on the project but going over your schedule that would only happen about once every month or so. If you are not in your seat, please find your correct seat now." Said their professor.
Harry had easily found his seat, though several others had not. He looked down at his board, of course the professor wanted interhouse unity as there was not a single person that was assigned a partner of their own house. Or he could very well simply want to torture Harry as his partner was Draco Malfoy. "Yes, yes your board does not have your best friends name, it does not have the name of a fellow housemate, and yes this is final, and no I will not make exceptions." Said the professor as Harry looked back up.
"As of this year the Wizengamot has decided that Hogwarts is graduating too many witches and wizards who do not know or understand how our world works." The professor continued before he was interrupted by a pureblood Ravenclaw.
"Professor, could I be excused from your class, I'm a pureblood and don't need to sit in a class that simply explains to muggleborns their place in our world, I have much better things to do." He said. Murmurs of agreement went through the room from many other Slytherin and Ravenclaw students along with a few Hufflepuffs.
"No exceptions are to be taken in the teaching of this class or in attendance, even if you are pureblood. There are things that each of your parents may have glossed over that you need to know, or that they didn't say because they didn't know. This class will follow many of the same rules of your History of Magic class so I will not go over them again they are the same. Why that class you ask because I will also be co-teaching that class and I will be having several joint Saturday classes with your history of Magic professor. No, I don't care that Saturday is a weekend day and that you don't traditionally have classes on Saturday. We find that it is needed. Now as it is a single detention for skipping a single regularly scheduled class it will be a week's worth for missing a Saturday lesson. Those lesson are not for our fun, but to help you understand some cultures of our world interlink directly into the history of the time period they originate from."
"Now many of you are wondering about the second white board. These boards you will take with you along with the endless journal I had each of you buy. The board contains your text to read over for the next week it is your homework to transcribe it over to your journals every week. Eventually as we move forward, I will give multiple texts in a week, but I can only send 1 text at a time to your boards it will be your job to transcribe the previous text before it clears, and the next one is given."
"Now please put the secondary boards away, and please pull out your notebooks." He tapped the board behind him, and the board filled with text as did the boards along the staircases. "I understand that not all of you can see the board, however the boards along the walls will also display what is on the board behind me. Therefore, please take note of them. This is how I wish for you to head your class notes. This will make it easier for you as we go along and will enable you to use the search function on your books. This will also give you ease of access to them as we go along as I will expect you to use the same book from now until graduation, these books will be graded along with quizzes and test that will go into helping you prepare for owls in this subject."
"I will not however be grading on the content of your class notes, however I do expect for you to have at least six inches by the end of this double period. I will encourage discussion from your peers in this class, as long as it is kept civil. Do not be afraid to ask questions, I am a pureblood lord, just because a term is known to me does not mean it will to our first gens, or our students that were raised in the mundane world. However, be courteous, I do not wish to see that hand waving in the air. Light the tip of your wand and then raise it into the air."
"Now let us begin, can anyone in this room tell me the social and class tiers of our society?"
A Ravenclaw from the back answered. "Pureblood, halfblood…"
"No, I said social and class tiers, and I mean for all of Albion, not just Britain." Hermione had lit her wand at his words, "Yes Miss Granger?"
"Um, I don't have the answer to your question, but one of my own." She said at the professor motion to continue, "Well you said not for just Britain but Albion what do you mean by that, and what is Albion?"
"Well that's one way to show exactly why you are nothing but a mudblood." Theodore Nott muttered loud enough for the entire room to hear, from further down Hermione's row.
"That will be 30 points from Slytherin and a Detention with me tonight. Along with an essay on why that word should not be used and you will keep writing until I am satisfied with it."
"Yes, Lord Malfoy." He said sulkily.
"Anything else Ms. Granger?" Replied the professor.
"Well another would be why he called you Lord Malfoy; I thought your son was Lord Malfoy?" answered Hermione.
"Well, for the second question, I left Britain before the fall of He-who-must-not-be-named, and left my son as Lord of the family, while I retained my rights as head. This summer I returned and found that some things had not been taken care of as they should have and have reprimanded my son. My son remains the Lord of the Malfoy family however, heir Nott was trying to save face and get his punishment lessened by showing me the respect my line is due. As it is not tradition to simply call someone head of house, he called me by the closest title, that of Lord. It is an etiquette we will get to around Samhain, or as a Muggleborn you would call it Halloween. As to the first question what is Albion, who has an answer for this, ah heir Malfoy?"
"Well, there is two answers to that question, as Granger asked the question and we have Ravenclaws listening I will give both. The short answer would be that Albion is an empire of which Britain is part of. The long answer needs more of a history lesson. After the fall of the roman empire from 400 to 500 ad a power vacuum was left in much of Europe, Britain itself faced invaders. Some of Britian held off against these invaders for a short time with the help of many houses, the house of Potter a recent immigrant from Rome itself among them."
"With the invaders eventually came the Pendragon army that conquered most of the isles, with Potters both being the last to fall but the first to swear the Pendragon oath." Harry could feel the eyes of several of the muggleborn around him.
"The Pendragon army was stopped at the fields about 30 miles away from what is now Potter manor by the Potter army." Harry said a far-away look in his eyes "The two were dead locked before Arthur Pendragon called his armies into a full retreat. Cardoc Potter the Lord Potter of the time held his men strong and had almost given the order to pursue when Arthur used the family gift against Cardoc and his armies, before it could be fully summoned Cardoc surrendered. Instead of executing Cardoc and his commanders, he offered Cardoc his protection to the lands he held. Years later after Arthur had fully conquered the Isles and half of France. Cardoc swore his line to the Pendragon's, he was the first to do so but not the last."
"Thank you, for illuminating that little bit, Heir Potter. Heir Malfoy, you may continue." The professor said.
Draco nodded and continued "Pendragon later was crowned king, and eventually with the aid of the three ancestral houses of Emrys, Le-Fay, and Eveningstar, who eventually became the kings chief advisors, and keepers, they conquered all of Europe and formed it into the Empire of Albion. After reigning for almost, a millennium, the heir to the throne was kidnapped and the remaining Pendragon's were slain all save the king who also eventually died, living just long enough to put into place the ministries, and councils. To this day almost a half a millennium later we wait for the return of the Pendragon line that we might have a king again."
"So why not just choose a new king?" asked Hermione.
"It's not as simple as just handing someone a crown, and saying congrats your now the king." Snapped Neville. "It goes into the question the Professor originally asked."
"The Pendragon line was, is our monarchs. Our world is for the most part divided into 3 social layers. We have our common people, this layer includes, muggleborns, recent immigrants, cadet lines, and the younger houses. We then have the Noble houses, and then the High Nobility that still exist and served in the Pendragon court." Neville said trying to explain.
"You, Hermione are a commoner, it's not me trying to offend or demean you. It's just one of the facts of our world. You are new to magic, you don't have the information on magic that we do. For most of us, the laws of magic that we study in class, is common knowledge that we are raised with." Neville continued.
"Perhaps taking you through the path up can help." Draco interrupted. "As a muggleborn you join the rank of over fifty percent of the populous in being a commoner. Now say a commoner wishes to ascend to the noble class. The first question would be is he/she part of a house. If not he/she needs to create a house. The creation of a house means that he needs to marry someone, not of the noble peerage, and not already part of a house. If he/she marries a daughter or son of a noble house, or a house at all then he forms a new cadet line for that house." Draco continues.
"If he/she does marry someone of the common class, not of a house, then a generational count begins. After three generations of following this guideline, family magic begins to form, in simple ways. This formation forms in some form of magic becoming easier for those of that house. From there the generational count restarts at 0. But all children of the house are considered to be pureblood."
Draco pauses to take a breath and sip a drink of water, before continuing. " After fiver generations of house status, the house is given the title of honorable, but is still a common house. The house title of the commoner houses are Honorable, Most Honorable, Elder and Most Elder. At the time that they gain the title of Most Elder House they are at 12 generations since the creation of the house, or about 330 years old. The Noble class begins with the granting of the title Noble, at 15 generations or 420 years old. At this point they are also granted there first seat in the lower court. The low court only holds 40 seats for the Noble houses, so they are rotated each year, as there are more than 40 actual Noble houses. At thirty generations they are given the title of Ancient. Ancient and Noble houses hold two seats on the lower Wizengamot. As the Wizengamot only holds 50 available seats they to rotate."
Draco paused before continuing. "At this point that is as far as a house not existing at the time of the fall of the monarchy has reached. Therefore, that ends the reach of the lower Nobility. The High Nobility includes the Ancient and Most Noble houses which has about 30 generations as well. The difference in Ancient and Noble, and Ancient and Most Noble, is not in the generations, but the wealth of the house. High nobility has certain responsibilities that require them to have a certain amount of wealth. Ancient and Most Noble houses hold votes based on several different things, the title comes with a minimum of 3 votes in the middle court. Based on resources available to the house, from wealth, to numbers of vassals, and cadet lines may raise the number of votes."
"The next title comes at 50 generations and is Most Ancient and Most Noble, at this point the house is about 1500 years old. This title comes with both a generational requirement, and a monetary requirement. The minimum of 4 votes comes with this title. Traditionally these votes are middle court votes. With the absence of any houses of higher status currently they are currently high court votes. These votes are also of a sliding scale, as the availability of resources of these houses also changes the number of votes these houses carry. Though only 4 votes are of the high court all others are middle court."
"The remaining houses are Most Ancient and Utmost Noble houses, and Utmost Ancient and Utmost Noble houses. Most Ancient and Utmost Noble houses can trace there generations back through 60 generations. Utmost Ancient and Utmost Noble houses can trace there generations back through 75 generations. They also have a monetary requirement, though the monetary requirement for these titles are the same."
Neville once more picked up the conversation from there. "To answer the question you asked, about why not just appointing a new king. All houses currently in Albion above the rank of Most Noble have sworn oaths of loyalty and device to the Pendragon crown. As such only a Pendragon may rule us Hermione. An older house won't bow or kneel to a younger house. The other issue is that the crown and wards of Albion is tied to the Pendragon name as their title is the Utmost Noble and Royal house of Pendragon."
"The only elder houses not bound to the throne of the High Nobility is the ancestral houses. Currently numbering 38, the Russian Empire was the last to have a family gain this title, though no empire holds a family that currently has a sitting lord or head. The title of ancestral is complicated to explain and something we will no doubt cover later. In many ways they have given much to the Wizarding World as a whole, not even I know all the ways or nuances of gaining that title as I believe the closest family from Albion to even start to consider that title is currently headless, grams never said." Neville finished. Hermione and several other muggleborns, along with a few Ravenclaws, looked very overwhelmed.
"Indeed, we will go into the nuances of gaining the different upper titles around Samhain, now let us continue with the next questions pertaining to the lower titles that do not have Wizengamot votes." The remaining class period flew by for Harry, with the class ending with them being given the weeks homework. As they left for dinner even Harry could say he was excited to see what the school year had in store for them.
The rest of the day flew by for Harry. Before he knew it, it was curfew and Harry found himself taking a long soak in the pool before bed. Waking up on Tuesday Morning saw Harry going through many of the same motions as the morning before. He rose early, met the other bearers in the common room, and together they walked down to breakfast. After breakfast Harry checked his schedule. As Charms didn't start until 11:30, Harry decided to spend the next two class periods, before the morning break working on his Lordship paperwork.
He began with a going through the list of all the children of all his cadet branches and vassal lines. He then sorted that list down into three groups of Before School, In School and Finished School, based on the age of the child. Any children under 11 or not yet in magical school was placed in the Before School Group. All those ages 11 to 17 were placed in the In School category, as they attended a magical school. The remaining Children of his vassal lines, classified as Finished school were all those older than 17, graduated, and not yet bonded.
Seeing that about half an hour had passed, he then began by writing each family with children not yet in school a letter, inquiring about the welfare of the child, their schooling, and such things, as was his responsibility as head of house. For the most part this was one standard document that went out to every house, the only difference between them being, that they had the family and child's name on them.
Finishing that first set Harry started onto the second group. He first divided the students up by school they were attending and then wrote a letter requesting Progress reports with an attached list with all the children of House Potter attending that school. These letters he set aside to mail more towards the end of September. He then added a caveat to the letter, requesting that said progress reports be sent at the end of each month of the school year for his assessment.
For the third group he wrote a letter informing them that House Potter once more had a head, and that anyone requiring written authorization, for work, further education, internships, or apprenticeships could contact him at any time, and he would see to these things to the best of his ability in a timely manner.
Harry had just finished writing the last name onto his last letter of the third group, when the bell signaling the end of second period rang. He quickly grabbed his books for both Charms and Transfiguration and headed for Charms class.
After that the day went quickly, with both classes being as expected, and Harry joining the rest of the group to do the homework from said classes, during the sixth seventh and eighth class sessions of the day, wherein he had no classes. After dinner he relax, pulling out an extra-curricular runes book to self-study.
Wednesday morning Harry woke up dreading the entire day as he had both Potions and DADA all before lunch. Rushing through his breakfast, and triple checking that he had his homework for class Harry arrived early for Potions. He found a seat in the middle of the room and prepped for class, even having his book open. None of it worked, Snape came in already in a mood, and wasted no time in belittling the class.
"I would say welcome but some of you are very much not, to fifth year Potions. This year we prepare for your OWLS, and to my delight some, most of you will not be with us when we reconvene next year. Potter if you are just now opening your book, you are more arrogant than I had previously believed. 10 points from Gryffndor for not being prepared for class. And a detention with me for not wearing the proper uniform." Snape sneered.
"That is his proper uniform professor." Zabini interjected. At Snape's glare he continued. "I may only speak for myself in this professor, but this is OWL year, I had hoped to actually be studying potions not listening to you insult and belittle Potter." The stunned Potions master had indeed started class, but Gryffindor had lost a whopping 50 points and it was only the third day of school. Snape's parting comment had infuriated Harry.
"Perhaps if arrogant Gryffindor's knew how to properly treat their betters, and hand over what is rightfully theirs, Gryffindor would be much better off." Harry had written of Potions for the entire year.
Despite all that Harry said that the week had gone well, and that he was glad for his friend's advice to get homework done as soon as possible, as by time the end of September hit, those who had been slacking where overwhelmed by the assignment load for the year. Overall Harry's first week of school went rather well.
