Chapter 6 - The first day
-Ron-
Ron awoke to the sounds of his dorm mates getting ready. Namely Neville falling out the shower with a loud thud and a croak of protest from Trevor (his toad). Groaning Ron pulled the covers over himself more in a feeble attempt of getting another 5 minutes of sleep. Seamus then shouted something at Neville he couldn't quite make out, groaning Ron pulled himself out of bed. Pulling back the thick velvet canopy, Ron got up aggressively rubbing his eyes.
"Morning Ron. Sleep well?" Harry called over as he attempted to put on socks roughly 3/4 times too big for his feet.
He knodded, simply stretching as a response.
"ye nae a morning person ae you." Seamus called across laughing as he tied his tie (somehow it was unpack to front, which Ron thought was impressive in a bad way). "Take it yae aint goin be help with this fecking thing."
Sighing Dean left the bathroom and showed Seamus how to fix his fuck up.
"it under name over." Seamus muttered himself. Ron scooped up his uniform that he had haphazardly thrown next to his bed and stumbled into the shower to freshen up before breakfast.
The smell of bacon and eggs and toast and sausages was just about enough to wake Ron to pay attention to the conversation around him. Like him Harry (sat beside him) was more interested in food than talking at this moment of time.
"I can't wait to start classes, I wonder if we'll have charms or transfiguration today." Hermione declared sitting down opposite them. Ron looked at Harry rolling his eyes in annoyance before chucking a tattie scone down his gullet.
"I'm not sure if today will just be rule setting or an ice breaker. That's what we do, in a muggle school at least. I'm curious to see how different they are. Ooh look Professor McGonagall is handing out our schedules. I do hope I don't get lost on the way to lessons." She continued. Ron silently mimicked Hermione behind a large jug of orange juice making sure to poke his front teeth out. This caused Harry to laugh mid gulp of juice and for the juice to come out his nose.
"what's so funny?" Hermione said looking between Harry and Ron confused.
"Granger, Potter, Weasleys here's your class timetable, dunnae loose them." McGonagall said sternly handing them their lessons. The three of them looked down at their lessons noticing them to be identical. Glancing at Neville's to his over side, he saw Neville's was the same. This wasn't unexpected due to the small class sizes at Hogwarts meaning most houses were kept together at all times until at least third year, where they took extra optional subjects.
"Herbology and defence against the dark arts first. That's not to shabby I don't think." Ron said to Harry.
"I'm excited for defence but I'm not sure that Professor Quirrel is going to be the best teacher. He looks terrified of like everything." Harry replied.
Hermione across the table grabbed her bag carrying an armful of books that didn't fit inside and murmured that she was going to find there classroom. Ron decided to ignore this they still had at least 5 more minutes for breakfast anyway. Harry who had been defeated by the platters of sausages and eggs looked away avoiding looking at Hermione as she left. Hermione seemed a little defeated as she glanced behind noticing that the boys hadn't joined her. Ron turned to Harry who also had noticed this and they shared an eye roll. Stuffing the last of the bagel in his mouth he turned to Harry.
"wef shoulf problee go to glass." Ron said trying to swallow the bagel mid sentence and then choking on it slightly.
"yeah." Harry replied whacking him on the back. The bagel dislodged itself and Ron finished chewing and successfully digested it this time.
As they made it to the classroom the followed Neville inside. The boys quickly grabbed a desk at the back right of the classroom. They sat down looked around and copied the over students by grabbing parchment quills and their book out.
Professor Quirrel began class by stuttering through the class register. Definitely pausing and looking a bit afraid of Harry when he said his name. The boys attempted to hide a snigger but weren't very successful. As class began Ron found his self paying very little attention instead alternating spinning his wand through his fingers and tapping his quill on the desk. Beside him Harry made a few vague notes but mostly just trying to hide his yawns. Ron then looked down at his hands before biting at his finger nails. Harry elbowed him and whispered that he would get a hang nail if he kept chewing at them. Rolling his eyes at Harry who snorted Ron instead tapped his quill on his legs. From the front of the class Hermione shot them a dirty look.
As the clock ticked on Harry and the rest of the class (minus Hermione who was hanging onto every stutter coming from Quirrel mouth) descended into restless fidgeting. When the bell finally went off signaling the lesson was over, Ron's bag was already packed and thrown over his shoulder before they were even dismissed.
"Any idea where greenhouse 3 is?" Neville asked nervously.
"Nope, but I think we're staying with the Hufflepuffs so let's just follow them." Ron replied shepherding Neville onwards.
Harry, Ron and Neville began some mindless chatter on the way to the greenhouse. Having to stop Neville from falling downstairs and then helping him up after he tripped over his untied shoe laces. Glancing behind his shoulder Ron noticed Hermione beelining it for them.
" fucking know-it all incoming let's try dodge her her by weeving in with Ernie and that." Ron hissed under his breath to Harry as they approached the greenhouses. Professor Sprout ushered them all inside telling Harry how much he looked like his dad 'although he had his mother's eyes'. Harry smiled to Professor Sprout who returned the smile warmly. Before beginning her introduction to Herbology and touring them around the greenhouse they would be in this year. Then the equipment that would be used as well as her expectations. All in all Ron found Herbology a lot more engaging than defence despite now smelling of dragon shite. As the class ended with the hoses Ron 'accidentally' soaked Hermione, who had managed to follow them around,with it.
"sorry didn't think the tap was on." He mumbled to her trying to hold back a smirk.
Professor Sprout then dismissed them so they could shower before their next lesson.
"The other professor prefer students not smelling of dragon manure." She explained looking to Neville who had accidentally knocked the manure heap on himself.
The students then headed back to the castle chatting excitedly to each over. Though Hermione now kept her distance and looked a little tearful.
-Hermione-
As Hermione tracked from Herbology, she made a point of avoiding Ron. Though Harry had been polite but distant, Ron had been outright mean to her today. After yesterday training ride she thought they could be friends. Sighing she realised she was mistaken. She should have realised when they were laughing at her at breakfast. Professor Sprout had kindly charmed her dry after she had got soaked but the act of being sprayed still had her feeling sad. She had thought that she would finally be at a school she fit into but so far that was not the case.
As they headed up the stairs to the dormitory Hermione dodged a flailing elbow from Neville falling down yet another flight of stairs. Hermione found herself wondering how it was possible to be that clumsy. Following the over first years inside Hermione managed to hide her tears until she was in the shower, silently sobbing. Why were people so mean. Taking a few deep breaths before turning the water off Hermione hopped out drying herself and putting a fresh uniform on. Using the magic hairdryer to dry her hair and then brushing it quickly, although it just got more bushy, Hermione left the bathroom. Before grabbing her bag, books and heading to transfiguration.
Despite taking several wrong turns due to staircases having moved Her,I one managed to arrive for transfiguration about 10 minutes early. Beating even Professor McGonagall to class. Once McGonagall arrived 5 minutes after Hermione did herself, she warmly invited her into the classroom.
"How's your first day going Miss Granger, have you settled into the castle well thus far?" McGonagall.
"It's going okay I think. We haven't covered much so far in Herbology or defence." She replied timidly. "I'm hoping Neville wants to review my notes with me later although they're not so much to go over."
"That's good to hear. As Professor thays not too much focus on practical magic work or academic work in the first few weeks. As we want to give you first year students a chance to settle in and get used to thay routine of Hogwarts. Although we shall do some minor practical work in class today." McGonagall replied reassuringly with a small smile.
"Really! I'm so excited. I've been looking forwards to transfiguration most I think." Hermione replied with a small smile.
"That's good to hear I just need to grab something from the staff room." McGonagall replied. Although she did not return instead an ordinary looking house cat swaggered into the room, before jumping on the desk and grooming their whiskers.
Just then the Patil twins arrived timidly walking in and sitting on a middle desk. Followed by the rest of the class. Terry Boot sat next to Lavender Brown much to her dissatisfied as she mouthed something to Pavarti who laughed. The front and back desks filled fast with Seamus, Dean and Neville making up the middle row. Although nobody sat next to Neville who was trying in vain to sweep his spilt ink back into the bottle. Mumbling anxiously to himself as he went. Everyone but Harry and Ron had arrived and yet Professor McGonagall had yet to return.
About 10 minutes after class was supposed to begin they swaggered in.
"ha it's okay Harry McGonagall ain't here yet." He said confidently to Harry. Who just smiled awkwardly as he began looking for a free desk space before reluctantly heading towards Hermiones desk where one of the only free chairs was located whilst Ron headed towards Neville and the free seat there.
The cat leaped off the desk morphing into the professor.
"whoa that's neat!" Ron exclaimed. Whilst most over students gasped in amazement.
"thank you Mr Weasley, perhaps you yourself ,or Mr Potter here, need transfigured into a pocket watch so you're not late." Professor McGonagall spoke sternly.
"we got lost. The staircase were all flipped flopped." Harry timidly mumbled as he pulled his text book out his bag.
"A pocket watch then." The professor quipped. Before beginning an introduction to her classroom, rules, expectations and transfiguration as a whole. Harry beside her began doodling on his parchment causing Hermione to roll her eyes at him which in return got her a death glare from Harry. Although unlike Ron, he remained polite although distant with her. After the basic introduction was over McGonagall handed Hermione a tray of sewing needles to hand out to everyone before they began their first practical of transfiguring into a tooth pick. Hermione was able to successfully do this within a few tries and Harry managed to just before the lesson was over. Neville and from were not having any luck with this, with Neville almost stabbing Ron in the face with his erratic wand movements. The students were then set homework was to read and take notes on the 1st chapter of the textbook for the year. They were allowed to begin this once they had successfully transfigured three needles. This meant Hermione's notes were finished before they even left the classroom as they headed off to lunch then history of magic.
History of magic was taught by a ghost with a monotone voice. Causing several students to fall asleep. Hermione herself even felt her eyelids becoming rather heavy and had to stifle several yawns.
The last lesson of the day was potions in the dungeons. Hermione noted anxiously that they were with the Slytherin for this class. Dreading seeing the obnoxious blonde boy from the train again. As they descended the stairs to the dungeon Neville gripped the banisters so hard his knuckles lost all colour on the trip down. This was enough to prevent him from slipping on the slimy and slightly moist stairway. Her,I one couldn't help thinking that this needed a mop and a wet floor sign. Although she gathered this wasn't as big of a deal in the wizarding world. As they joined the gaggle of grumpy looking Slytherins in green robe they're cackling and callous discussions became audible. Just then the classroom door swung open, with the bat like professor with incredibly greecey hair.
"in." He simple said.
As they all entered there was a clear split of students by their houses. Ron and Harry sat together with Dean awkwardly sitting next to Hermione as his usual partner, Seamus had Neville sit next to him. Seamus seemed slightly irritated but didn't say anything. As the class settled and looked up to the professor he began.
"There will be no foolish wand-waving or silly incantations in this class. 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..." he began. Stopping to look at a few Slytherins including Draco.
"Who possess, the predisposition... 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." He continued. He seemed to notice Harry erratically scribbling on his parchment.
"Then again, maybe some of you have come to Hogwarts in possession of abilities so formidable that you feel confident enough to not pay attention!" Professor Snape snapped walking towards Harry.
"Mister Potter. Our new celebrity.Tell me, what would I get if I added powdered root of asphodel to an infusion of wormwood?" Snape asked.
Harry remained silent. Hermione having read this in her book put her hand up shyly to answer.
"You don't know? Well, let's try again. Where, Mr. Potter, would you look if I asked you to find me a bezoar?" Snape continued.
" I d-don't know, sir." Harry answered.
"And what is the difference between monkshood and wolfsbane?" Snape asked sternly.
"I don't know, Sir." Harry answered again.
"For your information Potter, Asphodel and Wormwood make a sleeping potion so powerful it is known as the Draught of the Living Death, a Bezoar is a stone taken from the stomach of a goat and it will save you from most poisons. As for Monkshood and Wolfbane, they are the same plant which also goes by the name of Aconite. Well, why aren't you all copying this down?" Snape said in a dangerous sounding voice. Almost daring someone to butt in.
Hermione quickly copied this down. Snape then pointed to the board and his whiteboard had instructions for a potion appear in chalk on it .
"Instructions are on the board, cauldrons are over there,one between each pair of you, and potion ingredients are over there...why are you still standing there get going." He said.
Hermione and Dean spent the next hour brewing this potion. Malfoy made fun of her, Ron,Neville and Harry for the duration of the lesson. With the occasional rude comment being shouted at some over Gryffindor around them. Snape smirked every time this happened. Behind him Seamus had a minor explosion in his cauldron causing his eyebrows to be singed off. Hermione and Deans potion was labelled as passable. However, after asking Harry to read a line causing him to sigh as he realised he had messed it up. Snape then vanished their potion before assigning the boys extra homework on top of the reading they had been given along with 5 points being taken from Gryffindor. Seamus and Neville shared the same fate as Ron and Harry though received less of a scolding. Despite Seamus having lost his eyebrows in the processed.
The Slytherin then received praise upon praise upon praise for their potions despite many of them looking identical to potions that earned critique's belonging to Gryffindor students.Along with a smattering of points being added to them for trivial reasons. As they all left the classroom they grumbled together about how unfair that lesson had been along with the homework assigned. Together they trudged to dinner happy they had survived they're first day of lessons and eager to fill their hungry belly's.
A\n: feel really bad having Hermione being relentlessly bullied by everyone(especially Ron) she's going have a better time after the troll don't worry. Also snapes opening speech is copied from the book more or less. All credit to jk Rowling although only for that though. I don't want to give her any credit for the transphobia or over hate speech she spread as it's crappy of her to do so. I love Harry Potter just not the author any more hence fanfic being great.