Even though Harry had a lot on his mind and wasn't close to coming to terms with being champion, the Monday came without mercy and with its classes. There was no more hiding or evading his classmates really. He had to brace the storm so to speak. He had hoped that it would all be better when everyone had grown used to the whole champion thing, but the next day showed him how wrong he had been. Of course, everyone thought he had put himself into the goblet but other than the Gryffindor the people weren't to keen on that.
Hufflepuffs, to whom he normally had a rather good relationship sneered at him to a great amount. Harry was surprised, he had thought the idea of a Slytherin champion would not go down well with the badgers, but apparently, they were loyal to the one they thought was the true champion. At least Susan wasn't that way. She asked him how he got himself in and frowned slightly when he denied it but then she nodded, saying that her aunt was actually investigating in this matter and therefore she was more on board with the idea of him being the victim in this particular story. Her friend Hannah, who Harry had always thought was not so outgoing agreed actually with that, stating that she believed him after Susan explained that, something that warmed Harry's heart. Sadly that were the only nice surprises he got from his co-students.
Ravenclaw seemed more hostile than the badgers. No one really talked to him. While the Badgers at least reacted to him, like in Herbology when he asked for soil or something like that, the Ravens said no word to him. They just stared and then turned away. It felt worse than anger, it felt like disgust and that was something Harry had felt during his youth enough to really hate that sentiment. It reminded him so much of it and his second year, he had no idea whether he could have bore it if it wasn't for Dawn's warmth that gave him the strength to go through the day.
Gryffindor stood behind him, stating so, but still, none of them really heard when he said he didn't do it himself. They were so euphoric having their own champion, that they just didn't listen. Only Neville and Hermione didn't go crazy on this, talking to him in a normal way. Neville had remembered their conversation the day after the attack on the Longbottom home and said he believed Harry.
The house that didn't need to be mentioned was Slytherin. They had their own champion and made it very, very clear they hated Harry for stealing the limelight from him. He almost got hexed Sunday evening after leaving the classroom he had used with Daphne. Luckily the twins had been near, chasing away the attackers when Harry only got into a body bind and nothing worse. It was really the one house Harry wasn't really angry at. While they spat at his feet and called him names, they at least had a good reason. Cassius hadn't talked to Harry yet. If the black-haired boy was honest, he was even the better champion. For one he was an adult, but he was also tall, handsome and could work his charms. Yeah, he was an arrogant prick and a pureblood supremacist, but at nonetheless he knew how to talk and how to bear himself confidently and well.
It was hard to tell who got more attention Cassius or Harry, but at least Cassius attention was positive. He was always surrounded by a group of admirers and quite a few girls looked his way longingly. It was abundantly clear who the student body deemed the 'real' champion.
Only the first Monday was somewhat bearable after a bad start.
"Ah, look, guys, the all-mighty champion himself." Draco's sneering voice greeted him when he rounded the corner in the dungeon that led to the potions classroom. Hermione was next to him but other than that, he had tried to evade the rest of his Gryffindor classmates. All they did was asking him about that whole champion business and he could do well without it. The blond boy smirked at Harry, an eyebrow raised. The rest of Gryffindor arrived behind Harry and once again, the snakes and the Lions squared off.
"Do you guys have your autograph albums ready? We better get one quickly, no one knows how long he will last. Champions die really quick in this tournament. Can't say how long this wannabe champion Potter will last, probably five minutes into the first task and that's it." Goyle and Crabbe sniggered next to Draco, while the boy laughed at his own joke. Harry gritted his teeth but before he could answer, the door to the potions classroom opened and Niclas Flamel stood in the door, leaning on his cane and smiling at them. On his shoulder, Ember stared down at them with unreadable eyes.
"Hello there, hello, come in please." Flamel said with a warm soft voice, stepping to the side. Uncertain, the class filed in, one by one. Harry took a seat that was closer to the teacher's than usual, next to the one, where Daphne and Tracey sat down. Hermione sat down next to him. The potions room looked quite different. Gone was the smoke, the ground was smooth and more importantly, it was brightly lit. On every table stood a cauldron made out of glass. The clicking of Nicolas cane came echoed through the room while he made his way up to the front. He wore white robes and turned, still smiling at them.
"Ah yes, welcome, welcome. For the day and maybe a little longer, I will fill in for Professor Snape as he has important matters to attend and can't make it. Don't worry, soon you will get your beloved potions master back." He smiled brightly, while everyone in the room stared at the old frail-looking man. Harry had to control himself not to snort. Like hell, Snape was in questioning and far from beloved. Nicolas stepped back next to his own cauldron, placing his hand on the edge.
"I am Nicolas Flamel and maybe one or two of you have heard of me."
Someone in the back Blaise Zabini raised his hand. Nicolas smiled on and nodded at him.
"A question, Mr..." His voice trailed off.
"Zabini. Is it true that you are six hundred years old?" The boy asked and everyone looked at their new teacher with interest. Flamel chuckled a little.
"Ah, yes, of course, that question. Yes, it is correct me and my lovely wife, whom you all know by now, are six hundred years old. Maybe after class Mr Zabini you can come here and we can talk about it a little bit more, but for now, please if you have questions that aren't part of our subject, hold them in for now. Other questions?"
Another hand raised.
"Yes, Mr?"
"Weasley. Ronald Weasley." Harrys best friend said, making him flinch. Harry hadn't seen or talked to his friend since their clash two days ago. He turned, seeing the redhead stare at their new professor.
"Yes, Mr Weasley?"
Ron pointed through the room and at the glass cauldrons. "Why the light and the glass?"
Nicolas smiled and nodded. His hands folded over the handle of his cane.
"Excellent question Mr Weasley. You see, I'm as Mr Zabini noticed so well, not the youngest anymore and potions is a delicate matter where precision and care are of utmost importance. My eyes need more light than your young ones and while Professor Snape gets impressive results in such low light, I for one need to be a little bit more careful." His hand reached out resting on the edge of his glass cauldron again. "As for the cauldrons, these are for today's subject. We make Basilisks bane. Can anyone tell me what that is?"
Three hands rose, Daphnes, Hermione and Draco's. Professor Flamel pointed at the blond boy.
"Yes, Mr?"
Draco's voice was smug. "Malfoy, of the noble house of Malfoy. Basilisk Bane is the most corrosive of substances known to man. It melts away everything except glass." Harry squinted his eyes, sighing. While he hated Malfoy with all his heart, even he couldn't deny that when it came to potions, Draco knew his business and was constantly on top of the game. Not only favouritism had him at the top of the class in this one class. That was when the youngest Potion Master in the UK was your godfather and trained you ever since you were young in the subject, at least that was what Narcissa had told Harry.
Nicolas clapped his hands.
"Correct Mr Malfoy, five points to Slytherin. Yes, Basilisks Bane is the strongest acid known. Therefore, be really really careful about this. No ruckus or flamboyant antics. I mean it, this is not a laughing matter. You have been warned."
The entire class gulped and blinked at him and suddenly Harry was very glad it wasn't Snape teaching them this particular potion.
"But no need to be glum. Everything will be fine if you are careful really. You will see an-"
Ember on Niclas shoulder batted her wings once. Nicolas chuckled a little.
"Ah yes, sorry my dear. This is Ember, my oldest friend. Please be nice to her. Now." He raised his wand and waved it, making writing appear on the chalkboard. It was neat and well readable writing and then Nicolas started explaining the potion step by step, taking time to answer questions and more importantly explained why certain ingredients were added. All the time, the old man seemed almost to glow, like he had real fun teaching children, even though their questions were so simple he was asking himself if the man he filled in for had ever really explained anything to the students.
After about a half an hour of explaining and answering questions, Nicolas let them loose, gathering the ingredients and starting to work on their potions. The old man walked slowly through the rows, speaking in a low voice with every student who needed help. While some were good on their own, like Hermione and others were too proud to ask for help like Theodore Nott, others, especially Neville, were delighted. The brown-haired boy for the first time in years wasn't totally intimidated in the classroom and worked without shaking, nervous hands.
Harry worked in silence and concentrated on the potion in front of him. He liked the way Nicolas taught the class. His hands worked less strained as it would be with Snape looming over him, just waiting for a mistake. Dawn sat on his shoulder for a while, watching him and looking into the cauldron. Harry was pretty confident his companion knew that this was a dangerous substance and wouldn't dive into it, not that she had ever done it before. So he just worked, when Dawn set suddenly off, almost making him drop the fire leaf in his hands. She swept the few feet to the main desk and landed next to Ember. The size difference was obvious with the two of them next to each other. Dawn only reached about to Embers belly, while the larger dark Phoenix looked down at her, leaning her beak down. The two creatures touched their beaks for a moment like they smelled each other. Ember spread her wing and folded them around the smaller Dawn, engulfing her in black feathers. It was a beautiful scene, like a mother greeting back her child. Harry felt the tugging through his bond, the fulfilment of a longing he hadn't even known Dawn had. It made his eyes water when he heard a soft cooing from the blissful Dawn.
"She is her mother in some way." Nicolas calm voice said right behind him. Harry turned seeing the man stare fondly at their two familiars. The old man's eyes were glistening too and his smile turned a little melancholic.
"It was the same with Fawkes when he was younger. Both were born from Embers ashes, therefore having a connection to her. I noticed Ember being gloomy for a few weeks now. Don't they look peaceful?" He asked.
Harry looked at the two birds, like a few others in the class, who had settled down now and chirped quietly at each other, like they were talking. He nodded in agreement.
"Yeah. Dawn seems so happy." He murmured, watching his familiar. Nicolas nodded once more.
"Very well, Harry. Now you better continue." The long old fingers pointed at the glass cauldron and Harry resumed working. Yet his eyes were drawn to the main desk now and then, watching his beloved familiar. The class went by so fast and in the end most got the potion right, something that rarely happened. Even Neville handed in a somewhat decent potion and had a big and bright smile on his face.
To Harry's surprise, no one got hurt during this lesson, considering the calm demeanor of Nicolas and the danger of the substance, it was really surprising.
After handing in his potion Harry lingered a little, letting Dawn have a little bit more time with her 'mother' before Hermione called out to him, said they needed to hurry for the next class. Dawn heard the call and after nuzzling Embers beak once more, she flew to Harry's shoulder landing on it.
The boy was totally entranced with his familiar on the way to their next class, whispering to her and forgetting all the people who stared at him.
Sadly for the next few days, it was the only good thing that happened. These were the worst days Harry had ever endured in Hogwarts. It was even worse than the time when everybody thought he was Slytherins heir and petrified people left and right. Back then he had Ron next to him, helping him bear that burden. He had walked next to him, brushing off those people he didn't know who had glared at him. But now it wasn't just people who he didn't really know, it was his best friend. That cut deeper than all the others. Harry had the feeling that it would be easier to bear if he just had his best friend to talk to again, but he wouldn't crawl at Ron's feet. Harry had his pride and he knew when he was in the right. Still, being right felt somewhat ashen to him.
Of course, Hermione and Dawn were always near him, Daphne, Neville and Susan believed him. But they couldn't replace a best friend, who had stood with him against so much, walked into the underbelly of the school twice with him. Ron was his first real friend and Harry never before had to feel losing a friend. He never had friends before coming to Hogwarts and while it was all dangerous in the years before they had always stuck together, holding each other up. Without Ron there, Harry wasn't sure what to do, but at the same time, he was so angry at Ron, so mad that his friend had left him out of stupid jealousy and hurt ego. Harry knew it was a little double standard talking about ego when his own prevented him from talking to his best friend himself.
Ron seemed to have the same mindset. He didn't talk to Harry either, mostly he left the table when Harry sat down, in class he sat as far away from Harry as physically possible and since Harry slept down in his trunk now, they didn't say a word to each other in their dorm either. Neville had once tried to make them talk but both of them had just turned and walked away. It sucked hard for Harry but this was what it was now.
Once again, on Friday, when he sat down on the Gryffindor table, Ron stood up and left the Great Hall. Harry groaned a little and got a scowl from Hermione.
"What?" He snapped at her, glaring at his morning toast. Dawn huddled on his shoulder, feeling the distress of her beloved boy but couldn't calm him. Hermione frowned even more.
"Just talk to him." She said shortly. Harry shook his head.
"No, this is his fault. He is just too stubborn or stupid to admit it."
Hermione huffed a little. "You are both stubborn and stupid at the same time. Both of you hate, that you are fighting, why are you making this so complicated."
Harry frowned himself. "You talk to him?" He asked.
Hermione looked at him like he was stupid. "Of course I do. He is my friend in case you forgot."
Harry's frown deepened. "But you said you believed me."
Hermione stood up. "I still do. But that doesn't mean I can't talk to my friend. I had no idea I had to pick sides on this fight. Or do I have to?" The last part was hissed at him with anger. Harry flinched a little and raised his hand in defeat. She was right, his row with Ron was not hers. Still, the bushy-haired girl turned and walked away briskly.
Harry ate with no great appetite and it left him completely when he saw that Snape had returned to the head table. The nice lesson with Nicolas seemed to have been a one-time thing really.
That mood kept with him when he rose and walked down into the Dungeons, his shoulder hanging. The whispering followed him once again through the Great Hall and the corridors beyond. He walked, Dawn on his arm, petting her feathers. Only a weak smile came to his face when she normally always had the ability to make him forget all the bad things that happened but this time it wouldn't do. He reached Hermione in front of the potion
"I'm sorry, Mione." He mumbled to her. The girl looked at him for a moment, before she nodded.
"Alright." She said and brushed through Dawn's feathers herself for a moment. The two stood together, waiting when the bulk of Slytherin came down the corridor. Every one of them wore a button in bright green on their robes, with the exception of Tracey Davis and Daphne who walked a little bit behind their housemates. On the buttons was written in strong silver letters.
I support the REAL Hogwarts Champion CASSIUS WARRINGTON!
"You like it, Potter?" Malfoy said, smirking at him with a smug face. "And that's not all!" He said pushing his finger into the button. The silver letters disappeared and new once appeared.
POTTER STINKS!
Slytherin almost fell over in laughter, holding their stomach. The others also pressed their buttons and after a moment, everywhere around them, bright POTTER STINKS were showing.
"Very funny." Hermione said to Pansy who wore the button proudly on her chest. "Very creative." The sarcasm in Hermione was almost dripping from her words. Ron stood to the side with Dean and Seamus. While he didn't laugh himself, he did not stand up for Harry as their common friend did.
"You want one Granger?" Draco asked and held one to her. "I have tons of those. But please don't touch my hand. I just washed those and I don't want mudblood filth on them."
Something snapped inside of Harry. It felt like a barrier was broken inside of his mind, finally, a vent for his anger was found, flowing freely in his veins. He had his wand in hand before he even thought about it, pointing at Draco who also pulled his own.
"Harry!" Hermione warned, putting her hand on his shoulder.
"What's the matter, Potter? Not the guts for-" But Harry's curse cut Draco off.
"Furunculus!" Harry called out and a red stream shot at the blond boy.
"Densaugo!" Draco retaliated, making white sparks fly.
Both hit someone but none of them the right one. While Harry hit Goyle, Draco hit Hermione. Both students screamed and others scrambled away, out into the corridor. Pansey raised her wand at Harry, only for feel a disarming curse hit her in the back. Daphne calmly caught the grey wand and crossed her arms. Next to her Tracey was holding her own wand, looking carefully around the corridor. Dawn spread her wings letting out a chilling scream that made all people freeze in the room.
"Hermione!" Ron was suddenly at their side, standing in front of their friend. Hermione's front teeth, already quite large had grown even more, now reaching over her lower lip and to her chin. Yet they still grew, giving her a certain beaver look. Hermione felt them with her fingers and screamed.
"What is the meaning of this?" An ice-cold voice made everyone turn to the now open door. Snape stood there, his arms crossed, glaring at them. He looked more like the dungeon bat than ever before.
All the Slytherins talked to each other, trying to out scream each other. Gryffindors ducked their heads, they knew this would end badly. Finally, Snape waved his hand once, shutting everyone up.
He raised his hand and his yellow fingernail pointed first at Malfoy but then he stiffened and his finger wandered on, pointing at Daphne. The blond didn't bat an eye just watching.
"Explain." He ordered coldly. Daphne raised an eyebrow. While she was his student, she was in no way intimidated by the man. Normally Snape would have gladly heard it from his godson, but he knew he had to treat them carefully.
"Mr Malfoy provoked Lord Peverell with a bigoted comment and these buttons. Both drew and misfired spells." His free hand pointed at Goyle and Hermione. Snape glared once around.
"And why is it Miss Greengrass that you are holding Miss Parkinson's wand?"
Daphne looked down at the wand in her hand before handing it back over but not to Pansy but to Snape himself.
"The tension was high and I thought it would be best to take hold of it before she would do something...rash." A small smile appeared on her lips. Snape returned the smile even thinner. No matter what her father did with that despicable Black and no matter that she stood by Potter, this girl showed all the good qualities a Slytherin should have, he noticed once again. He turned his head.
"His bird tried to attack me!" Malfoy called pointing at Dawn, who had hopped on Hermione's shoulder and rubbed her head in the bushy hair, while Hermione held her hands in front of her mouth covering it up.
"Is that true...Greengrass?" He asked not Harry, whose judgement he cared so little for but Daphne again. Daphne shook her head slowly, smirking at Malfoy.
"No Sir. Dawn only stopped the fight before it could escalate more, intimidating, not leaving Lord Peverells shoulder. It might be that Mr Malfoy saw that as an attack since he is a-"
"I think that would be enough Miss Greengrass." Snape cut her off before she could insult his godson, something he would have to act on. Daphne nodded lightly. Snape turned to the students.
"All right Goyle, to the hospital wing." He just stated. Ron pointed at Hermione and pulled her hands away from her face, showing her large teeth. It spoke volumes about Snape's intimidation of his students that even chained like he was no one even allowed himself to snort in amusement at the girl's predicament.
"Hermione was hit too you stupid-!" Ron called out before catching his voice. His face drained all its colour.
Snape looked down at Hermione.
"You know her better than me Mr Weasley, so if you say so, I don't see much difference. Anyway, Granger Hospital wing." Hermione slammed her hands over her mouth again, her eyes teared up and she ran away crying. Dawn left her shoulder, with a batting of her wings and returned to Harrys own.
Snape looked at the black-haired boy before glaring to the side to Daphne.
"Let's see. 50 points from Gryffindor and Slytherin for fighting in the corridor. 45 points to Slytherin for stopping a student of doing something rash Miss Greengrass." He smirked a little. "I would honour your pet too, Peverell but she is not part of any house, so tough luck. Detention for you and Mr Malfoy. Oh, and 25 points and detention for you Mr Weasley, don't you think I didn't hear your insult. Now in."
Harry gritted his teeth. While it was somewhat unfair, it wasn't as bad as it could have been and he couldn't argue with the decision. There was no obvious favouritism in play here. Still, when he walked past Snape, Dawn chirped accusingly at the tall thin man. Her pride didn't take being called a pet lightly.
"Control her, Peverell!" The teacher snarled at him. He ducks his head and petted Dawn trying to calm the insulted creature. Harry and Ron for a moment walked side by side, like before, joined in their anger at Malfoy and Snape. For just a moment it felt like everything was forgotten but then Ron turned to the side, joining Seamus and Dean, leaving Harry by himself. A few rows in front of him, Malfoy turned and pushed his button shortly. A POTTER STINKS! flashed at him under the smirking face of the blond boy.
Harry turned his eyes to the front and glared at Snape. He didn't forget the insult at Hermione's cost. Of course, it was noticeable! Harry felt the anger coil and turn in his stomach. He wished so much ill onto Snape. He wished the man would turn in agony in front of him. If only he knew that Cruciatus curse. Harry blinked a little. His hate for the greasy-haired man surprised him. Yeah, he had always hated Snape but to wish him tortured...that was something new. The image of Dawn, sitting on the edge of Snape's desk, cooing at him with a sad and broken sound after their first separation flashed through his mind followed by Hermione's tears. The man would have deserved it!
"Antidotes!" Snape said, turning with billowing robes. His dark eyes flashed a little. "You should all be ready with our recipes by now. You will create your own with the utmost care! In the end, we will find someone on whom we will test one of them." His eyes were focused on Harry and the boy felt a chill roll down his spine. He had a clear idea, on whom the antidotes would be tested. Or more likely who would be poisoned. Harry was already thinking about running to the front and slamming his cauldron over Snape's head when a sudden knock on the door froze everybody. Colin Creevey stuck his head through the door, smiling brightly at Harry.
"Yes?" Snape drawled out slowly and with menace. Colin walked in still grinning.
"Sir, I was ordered to bring Harry Pot- I mean Peverell upstairs."
Snape stared down at the blond boy with squinted eyes and the smile in Collins face melted like snow on a hotplate. Snape scrunched his nose.
"Peverell has potions right now." Snape said coldly. "He will come upstairs when he is finished." The cold fire in Snape's eyes was burning into Harry's soul.
Colin turned a little pink.
"M-Mr. Bagman wants to speak to him." He said agitatedly. "All champions have to come, I think they want to take pictures."
Harry would have given almost everything if Colin just wouldn't have said those last words. Harry looked over at Ron for a moment but his friend just stared at his hands.
"Fine then." Snape snapped before glaring at Harry. "Peverell, you leave your bag here. I expect you back as fast as you can, there is an antidote to be tested."
"Sorry, Sir, but he has to take his things with him."Colin chimed in. "All champions-"
"Fine!" Snape growled. "Peverell take your things and out with you."
Harry quickly picked up his bag and hurried to the door. Dawn chirped annoyed at the greasy-haired man at the front, making Snape scowl even more. As he walked through the Slytherin tables all around him the words - POTTER STINKS! - flashed at him.
"Isn't this great Harry?" Colin said the moment, the door closed behind the two of them. "Right Harry? You being champion?" He looked so excited and Harry sighed.
"Yes, great." Harry grumbled. He wanted so to punch Colin in the face, just to wipe away the look of admiration in his features. "Why do they want to take pictures?"
Harry asked while they walked up to the main hall.
"For the Daily Prophet, I think." Colin said pointing to a side corridor.
"Great," Harry said, his fingers sneak through Dawn's feathers. "Exactly what I needed."
"Good luck." Colin said when they stopped in front of a door. Harry nodded and pulled on the handle, walking inside.