To Mary Macdonald

I hope this letter finds you well, Miss Macdonald. My name is Harry Potter. I heard from Professor McGonagall that you are one of my mother's – Lily Evans – closest friends. I have just started my education at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. As I have no memories or any recollection of my parents, I was hoping you could tell me more about them.

She gave me a photograph of Christmas of 1978 with you, my mother, Alice Longbottom, Marlene McKinnon, and Dorcas Meadowes. It's in my hopes that my owl would find you, I really just want to feel closer to my parents through their friends. Neville – Alice's son – is also hoping that you get back to us and we would like to hear from you personally, seeing as how we were both orphaned - de facto in Neville's case - by the war.

Sincerely,

Harry James Potter

To Remus Lupin

I hope this letter finds you well, Mr. Lupin. My name is Harry. Harry Potter. I have just started my education at Hogwarts. Professor McGonagall told me you are one of my dad's closest friends. As I have no memories or recollection of my parents, I was hoping that you could tell me more about them. It would be great that you could correspond to me, seeing as talking to you would mean I am connected with my parents in a way even if they aren't here.

Sincerely yours,

Harry James Potter

Harry was writing letters when Hedwig swooped down the Gryffindor table, landed on his shoulder, and nibbled his ear. The bird promptly dropped a note to which Harry tore open.

Dear Harry,

I know you get Friday afternoons off so would you like to come and have a cup of tea with me around three? I want to hear all about your first week. Send us an answer back with Hedwig.

Hagrid

"Wait for a moment, Hedwig, I'll finish everything then I'll set you off," said Harry as he immediately scribbled another note saying, I'll be there, Hagrid. See you.

Harry folded the letters and tied them to Hedwig's talons and the snowy owl took off to drop Harry's reply to Hagrid before presumably finding Mary Macdonald and Remus Lupin. Harry remembered the name Mary Macdonald from the pensieve memories of Snape. She was just mentioned though, but Harry remained hopeful that he will see a face on the name soon.

On the other hand, Professor McGonagall was right. Neville was absolutely ecstatic finding more about her mother and was equally happy that his mother and Harry's mother were close friends. Harry also informed Neville that Alice was his godmother and Neville's eyes became dull as he told Harry his mother and father's condition.

Last timeline, Harry wouldn't have learned of the condition of Neville's parents until fifth year when they visited Arthur Weasley in St. Mungo's. It was during this moment that Harry realized Neville and he suffered so much because of Voldemort and his crazy Death Eaters.

Peter Pettigrew. Bellatrix Lestrange. Barty Crouch Jr. Rodolphus Lestrange. Rabastan Lestrange.

Speaking of Pettigrew, Harry has formulated plans for his capture. He wouldn't wait until third year for Sirius to escape. Sirius had suffered enough and Pettigrew had ten years of freedom. But Harry pushed the thoughts back for later. For now, he had to face his greatest challenge: Facing Snape.

It was Friday and he had double potions with Slytherins. Gossip had spread amongst the first years about Snape's dour demeanor and sour attitude. During the afternoon break on Tuesday, Harry and his group joined the few first-year students that had congregated in the entrance courtyard to share about their class experiences and was fairly on a good energy until Hermione mentioned Potions.

"Well, Potions sound interesting don't you think? What was your experience?"

The jovial tone immediately vanished and replaced by a negative energy that made the Ravens and Badgers shudder. Susan Bones immediately how the professor made the learning environment not conducive, to which Ernie Macmillan – the lone Hufflepuff in N.E.W.T. Potions last timeline – loudly seconded, "Hear, hear!"

"Honestly, I don't know why he's so gloomy," ranted Stephen Cornfoot.

Justin Finch-Fletchley shuddered before adding, "You can't deny though, he's got the terror teacher acting down pat. It's effective."

"Well, I'll say he should change his teaching style, I wouldn't learn anything if he keeps breathing down our necks!" said a frustrated Hannah Abbott.

Hermione gasped out, "Really? He's that terrible?"

"Well, Professor Snape isn't the friendliest of teachers," said Daphne Greengrass bluntly.

"Really?" asked Ron. "My brothers said he often treats Slytherins differently."

Tracey Davis hummed, "Well, of course he does. He's more lenient with the Slytherins from what I've heard."

"And from what I've heard, we're lucky too because he doesn't show much animosity to the other houses as he does with Gryffindor," Padma Patil said, eyeing her sister. The Gryffindors looked terrified, most of all Neville, but Hermione was skeptical.

"I'm pretty sure that's all just rumors blown out of proportions," suggested Hermione diplomatically.

"We'll find out on Friday, shouldn't we?" Harry dryly said with a wry smile, already knowing that it would be hell.

"I'm pretty sure he's much worse, I don't know who's worse – Binns or him," quipped Victor Rosier, his head still buried in a book but participating in the conversation every now and then. Everyone groaned.

Everyone was under the impression Cuthbert Binns was just following his daily routine and teaching using medieval methods – expecting students to listen to him attentively rather than sparking their curiosity and taking their attention.

Hermione did find out that Snape was a horrible teacher. Potions class was always a dreadful time for Harry, except for sixth year although the reason for that was because he had Snape's help indirectly. Like last time, Snape called attention to his name.

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

"You are here to learn the subtle science and exact art of potionmaking," he began. He spoke in barely more than a whisper, but they caught every word — like Professor McGonagall, Snape had the gift of keeping a class silent without effort. "As there is little foolish wand-waving here, many of you will hardly believe this is magic. I don't expect you will really understand the beauty of the softly simmering cauldron with its shimmering fumes, the delicate power of liquids that creep through human veins, bewitching the mind, ensnaring the senses... I can teach you how to bottle fame, brew glory, even put a stopper in death — if you aren't as big a bunch of dunderheads as I usually have to teach."

More silence followed this little speech. Harry grimaced as Neville and Ron exchanged looks with raised eyebrows. Hermione was on the edge of her seat and looked desperate to start proving that she wasn't a dunderhead. Daphne and Tracey looked determined while the other Gryffindors were barely breathing.

"Potter!" said Snape suddenly. "What would I get if I added powdered root of asphodel to an infusion of wormwood?"

Harry suddenly realized what the question meant. It was a hidden message from Snape. The library in Grimmauld Place had a lot of books, and the most harmless of them was a directory of Victorian flower language. When Harry was off-duty from surveilling the Ministry, he was often found perusing this book – searched for his mother's name and his aunt's.

These were his first words to Harry letting Harry know he bitterly regrets Lily's death.

"No answer?" drawled Snape, his lips curled into a sneer, ignoring Hermione's raised hand.

"Draught of the Living Dead, sir," answered Harry. Though this man proved to be a good person, he's still a git and Harry wouldn't be cowed by Snape.

This seemed to have shocked Snape since he clearly didn't expect Harry to know the answer. His expression got pinched.

"Hm. Where would you look if I told you to find me a bezoar?"

Harry defiantly stared at Snape's cold, black eyes even if he knew he was risking his mind being read. Snape seemed to be determined to mock Harry on his first day, though. Sort of a payback to the hard times James Potter put through him, Harry surmised.

"The apothecary, sir," said Harry bluntly which caused the laughing Slytherins to choke and the Gryffindors to laugh out loud, Daphne snorting with them. Hermione, Ron, and Neville looked horrified and sent a worried look to Harry though.

Snape's face rapidly showed fury but before he could get another word out, Harry spoke again: "But if you mean where can a bezoar be harvested from, the answer is in the stomach of a goat, sir. Saves you from most poisons."

Snape looked at Harry in a strange expression. Harry would've thought he would blow up because of his cheek but apparently, it reminded him of something. Harry didn't want to think about that.

"And the difference between monkshood and wolfsbane?"

"Same plant, I reckon. The other name's aconite."

Snape levelled Harry a cool gaze before regarding Hermione, "Put that arm down already. Well? Why aren't you all noting the information down?"

He then moved back to his table, robes billowing behind them.

"Potter!" called Snape softly and Harry looked at him. "Don't expect points for doing the bare minimum of reading in advance."

Harry and Hermione's eyes met, Harry conveying an I told you so. Hermione merely sighed and shook her head, disbelieving the thought of a biased teacher. Snape spent his attention criticizing Gryffindors as the lesson continued, though at least he's not directing it solely towards Harry. Harry remembered Neville's blunder last time that he exchanged partners – Seamus now partnered with Ron – to prevent it from happening.

Harry lingered on after the Potions class despite Ron and Neville begging Harry not to do so because Snape will find another reason to dock points off from Gryffindor.

"What are you doing here, Potter?" sneered Snape.

"Er—I understood the hidden meaning behind your first question, Sir—" Harry didn't even finish his sentence when Snape cut him off sharply.

"And how would you know that," said Snape, his voice uncharacteristically strained.

Oops, Harry didn't plan that far ahead for an excuse. "Er—Aunt Petunia had magazines that contained flower language stuffed in the cupboard under the stairs – which used to be my room until recently. I've heard from Professor McGonagall you were friends with my mother, so I put two and two together."

For an excuse, that wasn't too bad, Harry mused. Snape's eye twitched.

"Well, that's awfully perceptive of you," said Snape sourly, "but I'm afraid you're reading too much into it, Potter."

Harry held back the urge to roll his eyes. Of course, you'd say that, you bastard.

"Maybe. But Professor if you had anything of my mother's – if you have photographs of her – or stories even, I'd like to see or hear them. It's just I wanted to know my mother more than sacrificing herself for me."

And that was true, he realized that he really didn't know more about his mother except for the fact that she sacrificed herself for Harry. The letter he discovered at Grimmauld Place was a shock to him even.

Snape raised his eyebrows, his mouth curling into a sneer. "Only your mother? I'd have thought you'd want to know more about your father."

Of course, Snape would find anything to rile him up.

"Well, I didn't want to assume Professor – after all, Professor McGonagall told me you and my mother were friends; not you and my father. Does that mean you're friends with my father, too?" said Harry innocently.

Snape's face contorted rather comically and spat out a "No!" rather forcefully and quickly. Silence stretched before Harry pleaded once more, "Please, Sn—Professor. I really just want to know her…"

"Fine. I will see what I can offer. Now, begone and don't disturb me anymore," Snape relented, but still looked sour, before turning his back on Harry determined not to acknowledge his presence any longer. Harry took this as a sign of dismissal but before he's out of the door, he called Snape's attention once more.

"Er—Professor?"

"What is it?" said Snape, gritting his teeth.

"Can you not draw attention to my anymore? It's bad enough that my scar gets gawked at by people – it's not the most pleasant of experience, especially that it's a constant reminder that my parents are dead."

Snape's face became ashen but did not come up with a response. Harry looked at him before looking down, his voice heavy and low, "You're lucky you got to know my mother, Professor. It was more than the time she spent with me."

Harry quickly made his exit. He didn't get a chance to see how those words affected Snape, his face crumpling with grief, finally letting a window of his emotions out. Seeing Lily's eyes staring back at him once more, alive in James Potter's son, it reminded him of his greatest regret.

Powdered root of asphodel into an infusion of wormwood indeed.

"So, how was your double Potions with Professor Snape?" asked Victor who joined them in Gryffindor table this time. Daphne and Tracey sat with them too – which rather shocked the entire school, since Gryffindors and Slytherins usually do not want anything to do with each other – along with Ernie, Hannah, Susan, Justin and Stephen.

Parvati and Lavender sat at Ravenclaw this time to sit with Padma, Mandy, Lily, Lisa joined by Hufflepuffs Megan and Isobel.

The people who had Double Potions collectively winced.

"Awful," piped Sally-Anne.

"More than awful, it was horrible!" huffed Ron, his eyes looked at Seamus and Dean who was sitting in Hufflepuff with some Ravenclaws, "Seamus almost blew up our cauldron and he docked ten points from Gryffindor."

"Honestly!" said Tracey. "I can feel the preference, as a Slytherin, and I think it's rather unfair!"

"Blatant favoritism," seconded Daphne thoughtfully, munching a treacle tart. "I'd much prefer Father's Potions professor back then, even if that old Potions master still picked favorites, at least he's passionate and good at teaching, according to my father."

Harry stilled… He more or less knew who Daphne's referring to…

"Oh, who's that?" inquired Sophie.

"Horace Slughorn."

Ernie and Susan gave a noise of acknowledgement. Harry wholeheartedly agreed with Daphne's assessment towards the old Potions professor.

"My aunt Amelia was taught by Horace Slughorn, too!" said Susan.

"Now that's an idea! But if I had someone I wanted to get replaced, it's Binns," muttered Ernie.

"Then," whispered Harry conspiratorially, "what if we ask the rest of our mates what improvements they can suggest in Hogwarts, and then, we'll draft a letter to the headmaster and deputy headmistress? We can channel it through an endorsement by the prefects…"

Everyone's eyes widened as Harry suggested this rather ingenious idea. Harry realized that Hogwarts had more students than its teachers, and even though this school is magic, there would still be thresholds that should be imposed on the teachers' rather heavy load.

Hermione's eyes twinkled as her mood considerably brightened. "Oh! We can reference facts too by available research that are published…"

Victor stared at Harry, sizing him carefully, before saying, "You sure you're sorted in the right house, Harry? With that mind, you could have been in Ravenclaw…"

Which didn't really shock Harry because the Sorting Hat also said something along those lines but nonetheless taken aback. Before he could get a word in, Daphne added, "Or Slytherin."

"Well, Harry was a Hatstall. He sat there for longer than five minutes, I'm pretty sure he was considered at those houses," Hermione said, "I was considered for Ravenclaw, too, before it put me in Gryffindor."

Harry gaped. He was a Hatstall this time around? It wasn't a Hatstall though, he and the Hat were just conversing. But really, he can't say that, can he?

"Oh yeah, we could totally see why Hermione," added Hannah, smiling kindly.

Responding to reviews

To The Aberrant One, seems like it was a great story! Would have loved to read it.

To Zero-Zoldyck, ARWilliams, and Lazymanjones96, thank you!

To HeartsGlow, thank you for your review! I didn't forget Fay Dunbar - she wasn't listed as a first-year in the wiki nor was in the Original Forty. We'll see her in the background but prolly as a second year she's presumably born between 78 and 79. I prefer Lilian than Lilith, but either way they are shortened to Lily. I also took creative liberty to change Oliver's sex to balance the number of boys and girls in Harry's class and because we already have another prominent Oliver (Wood) in the story. Runcorn was in JK Rowling's list but wasn't included in the Pottermore feature although the list only featured 39 names, maybe she was left out by mistake, so Victor is the only OC - yet - in the story (and his father who was mentioned in passing).

As for Ron having nothing to say about a Rosier - it's probably because since Evan Rosier's death, no other prominent Rosier was strutting in the Ministry unlike the Malfoys whom Arthur would have to see everyday. But the most definite answers are that Victor was polite and amicable in the Hogwarts Express and Harry told him how it's unfair to judge them by their relatives. :)