Harry and the other Slytherins filed into Charms class, where the diminutive professor offered a cheerful greeting to each student as they entered. Moments later, the Ravenclaws began to arrive, filling the room with a quiet hum of conversation. *Harry waved at Hermione, who grinned and waved back before she took a seat in front of him and Draco.

"Welcome, welcome!" Flitwick clapped his small hands. "Welcome to Charms, one of the most important types of magic in the entire wizarding world! Charms are used for most things. From household cleaning charms to large construction charms that let magical contractors carry enormous amounts of brick and stone, it's one of the most important magic types you can learn.

"Charms is one of the simplest forms of magic, but requires careful knowledge of wand movement and spell words. We will begin at chapter one. Open your books."

Harry had already read the first chapter, so he leaned forward a bit and whispered to Hermione. "How was your first day?"

"Oh, Harry, it was amazing. All the other Ravenclaws loved to see how much I enjoy books, and Ravenclaw tower has an entire library all on its own! I'm so glad I went to this house instead of Gryffindor. I originally wanted to go there because the headmaster was supposedly one, and he's the greatest wizard of this age."

While Flitwick continued the lecture, Harry grinned, "Sounds great. Wish I could see the library."

Hermione grinned at that. "Maybe I could bring you to the Ravenclaw common room sometime. I'm sure they'd be happy to have another book-lover," Hermione giggled.

Harry enjoyed the thought of that as they returned to listening to Flitwick. The first chapter was simple, explaining different wand exercises that were to be done, which Harry had performed the previous few days as an experiment. They hadn't done much, but the wand movements felt a bit floaty to him.

"Now!" Professor Flitwick said as he clapped his hands again. "We'll begin with the first spell of the book. The floating charm, Wingardium Leviosa. A stronger version of the Leviosa spell meant for heavy objects. Once you learn how to control your magic, the Leviosa spell will be more useful, as it is a shorter incantation and much easier to use.

"Now. The movement of this spell is a swish and a flick. Like this." The diminutive professor raised his wand, repeating the actions a few times. "Just like this, children. Now you try. No words, yet. Just practice the movement."

Harry's wand flicked and swished a few times, and he noticed, with fascination, how his magic seemed to gather naturally at his wand's tip, flowing smoothly with each motion. Captivated, he watched the energy shift in response to each flick and swish, the currents of magic almost visible in his mind.

"Just a swish and flick, Harry. You don't need two swishes," Hermione whispered, leaning over to correct him.

Beside him, Draco was absentmindedly swishing and flicking his own wand with an expression of utter boredom.

"I know, but isn't it cool how your magic collects around your wand when you move it in different ways?" Harry remarked.

Hermione frowned at the comment. "I don't know what you mean. But we should just do what we're told so we don't cause any accident."

Harry acquiesced and resumed his flicks and swishes. After a few more tries from the others in the room, Flitwick clapped once more to get their attention. "Very good! Now, we'll try the spell itself. Pronounce it very clearly. Wingardium Leviosa!" He explained, spelling it on the blackboard for the students.

With that, Flitwick went around, giving each student a feather. "Now, I want you to try to float this feather. Hop to it!"

The class promptly began to practice. Voices filled the room, echoing attempts at the spell as Hermione took it upon herself to guide them. She gestured to Harry, her tone precise. "Careful with the pronunciation! It's Levio-sah, not Levio-saa," she explained, emphasizing the difference with a firm nod.

Harry grinned and rolled his eyes before swishing his wand dramatically. He could see the magic focus around his wand. Without even thinking, he allowed it to slide from his wand to the feather.

The feather started to rise, floating upwards, and he grinned at Hermione. "Guess my pronunciation was right. Maybe I used the correct tense of—"

Harry fell silent, eyes wide as Hermione's face flushed with excitement. She flailed her hands, practically bouncing on the spot.

"Harryyy! You did wordless magic!" she squealed, her voice brimming with awe.

"My goodness! Outstanding, Mister Potter. Indeed, Wingardium Leviosa is one of the easiest to learn to cast without speaking, but that isn't taught until year three. Ten points to Slytherin!"

Hermione quickly turned back around, and tried to do the same. The feather quivered, rising an inch, but nowhere near Harry's. She attempted it several times before she sighed. "Wingardium Leviosa!" Hermione said in a defeated tone, a bit frustrated. Her feather easily lifted into the air.

Flitwick clapped. "My goodness. Excellent work! Five points to Ravenclaw!"

Draco suddenly realized he was falling behind and quickly took up his wand, flicking it toward the feather with determination. It trembled slightly, showing a hint of movement, but despite his clear enunciation of the incantation, it stubbornly refused to lift. Frustration crept across his face, mirroring the expressions of several others around the room who were encountering the same difficulty.

FOOMP

Crabbe's feather suddenly burst into flames and singed his eyebrows. He started to yell for help, and Flitwick hurried over, vanishing the ashes. "Too much power, Mister Crabbe. Control your magic and guide it. Don't force it."

Draco continued to try, as he flicked his wand.

"Draco, your flick isn't quite long enough. If you simply hold it-"

Draco's face twisted in a mix of frustration and anger, shouting, "I don't need your help, uppity mudblood!"

Flitwick, who was walking past to get back to his desk, turned to look at Draco. "Mister Malfoy! I will not tolerate you using such disgusting vernacular in my presence! Ten points from Slytherin, and detention! I am half goblin after all, so watch what you say around me."

He glared at Draco, who looked chastised. Harry could see Hermione was about to cry, and he whispered. "Don't worry, he's just a bit stressed… I woke him early this morning."

Hermione sniffed a bit, wiping her teary eyes, before turning back around. Draco grumbled a bit, but returned to trying to make his feather float. Much to his chagrin, the feather immediately floated upwards when he tried what Hermione had said. However, the prideful boy didn't want to apologize, and soon enough the class ended.

While they were leaving, Harry stopped Draco before they could leave. "Draco, I want you to apologize."

Draco looked at Harry, guilt on his face. "But she's a muggleborn. Purebloods don't apologize to muggleborns. If anyone saw me, they'd never let me hear the end of it."

"Just do it, Draco. You can tell the others I pressured you into it. Please?"

Draco sighed at the pleading tone. "Alright, Potter. Only because you're the one asking."

He moved over to Hermione, who was packing up. "I'm sorry, Granger. I let my frustration get the better of me."

Hermione seemed surprised as she froze in place. "Oh! Um… no, it's okay, Malfoy. Thank you for apologizing."

Draco stayed there for a second, before awkwardly going back to Harry. Hermione soon came over and joined them as they walked out. "We have a bit of free time… should we head to the library?" Hermione asked.

"Sounds good to me." Harry said.

Draco shrugged. "I have nothing better to do."

The last class of the day was History of Magic, one that Harry was especially thrilled about. After all, a ghost was rumored to teach it! Hermione had warned him that her session had been a dreadful bore, but Harry found that hard to believe—this was the History of Magic, after all! The class was held with the Hufflepuffs, so Harry was also looking forward to catching up with Neville. Hermione, a bit exasperated that Harry brushed off her caution, headed off to her first Defense Against the Dark Arts lesson with a shake of her head.

"Father told me that Professor Binns is a hack. He barely shows any enthusiasm and is dead and lifeless as a ghost can be with his lectures." Draco warned. Harry shrugged in response before grabbing a few books, carefully putting them in his bag as he checked them out. Madam Pince eyed Harry, but noticed how reverently he held every book, even when he was idle. The old spinster of a librarian had started to enjoy the fact that there were not one, but two people who treated her books well among the first-years.

"The books are due back by Sunday, Mr. Potter," Pince said as Harry nodded. He had never been able to get a library card, thanks to Aunt Petunia vehemently denying he was allowed one, so this was new. Happy to have more reading material, Harry moved to walk the halls with Draco as class time neared.

"So classes are over after History of Magic, right?" Harry asked.

"Yes, and then tomorrow is Herbology with the Ravenclaws, followed by Defense against the Dark Arts for a double six-hour class with all the houses. The day after is a double class of Potions, also six hours, with the Gryffindors during the day and Astronomy that night. Third year we'll have elective classes, but until then Thursdays are free for us, and Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays are free for all years."

Harry nodded, peering over Draco's schedule, as he had taken it out to read from. "It's wicked that we get three days off a week even in higher years."

"I heard from higher years that time's mostly spent studying and doing homework. We didn't get any today, at least for those of us who did the transfiguration right; but I hear in higher years they have to write essays that are three or four feet long."

Harry winced a bit. "That's a lot."

"Yeah." Draco said, shaking his head. "Here's the History of Magic classroom. Hopefully you're right, Potter, and the teacher isn't worthless."

Harry nodded, and the two stepped into the classroom, spotting a few Hufflepuffs already seated and chatting. Near the back, Harry noticed Neville and hurried over. "Neville!" he called, sliding into the seat beside him.

Neville seemed to pep up as he saw Harry. "Harry! It's good to see you."

"How was your first day as a Hufflepuff?"

Neville looked down at his shoes. "Horrible. Gran sent me a howler… it screamed at me in the middle of the common room."

"What's a howler?" Harry asked, wondering how concerned he should be for his friend.

Draco, however, winced. "Ooooh, tough break, Longbottom. Those can be nasty." Draco moved to sit on the other side of Harry, before looking at him. "They're magical letters that let you replay your voice as loud as you want. They come in bright red letters, and they're always used to yell."

"That's horrible! Who'd want to do that?" Harry said.

"My gran." Neville replied quietly. He was playing with something in his pocket.

"Whatcha got, Neville?" Harry asked. Around them, students were trickling in, filling the room with a low buzz of conversation. Crabbe and Goyle lumbered over to take seats on either side of Draco, who immediately leaned in to speak with them

"Oh, just a Remembrall. My Gran had planned it for an early Christmas present, but when she heard I was in Hufflepuff, she sent it early. So I could, and I quote, 'Remember my Gryffindor father that I am dishonoring.'"

Neville seemed quite sad at that as Harry shook his head. "Hey, Neville, don't worry about that. I think it's great you're a Hufflepuff."

"Really?" Neville looked up at Harry. "Yeah. It means you're loyal. I bet you're the most loyal of my friends!"

"Hey!" Draco said from his conversation with Crabbe and Goyle.

Harry and Neville burst into giggles, as Harry could see Neville lightening up. As they stopped giggling, Neville looked at Harry before whispering. "You mean it?"

"Of course I do, Neville. Don't let anyone tell you otherwise. You belong in that house, or the Sorting Hat wouldn't have put you there." Neville seemed to perk up at that, as the door closed and the bell rang.

Professor Binns, who had been floating around one side of the room, slowly moved to the front. The ethereal, ghostly old man reached for a book which floated forward and halted in front of him.

"Welcome to History of Magic, first-years... This class is possibly one of the most important of your classes at Hogwarts... It will teach you the history of the wizarding world..."

"We will begin with... the excerpts about Goblin rebellions..."

Harry realized quickly that the ghostly professor's method of lecturing was indeed bland and monotone. Not only that, but he wasn't even reading from their books; it seems he had a much earlier version. After a few minutes, Harry raised his hand.

"Professor, what year is it?" Harry asked. The Professor stopped reading from the old book.

Professor Binns' response was measured and neutral. "1814, of course, young man."

Harry sighed. He had been worried about that. "Professor, it's the year 1991."

Draco leaned forward, hissing. "Potter, what are you doing?"

"Of course it's not, young man. You're just mistaken. It's been thirty-four years since my death."

"And when did you die, Professor?" Harry asked.

The ghost looked wistful before replying, "Why, a beautiful winter's day of 1780."

"Professor, that's more than two hundred years ago." Harry repeated his statement, hoping to get through to the spirit.

Professor Binns drifted his translucent gaze over to Harry, his expression faintly twisted in spectral annoyance. *"Balderdash. Now, stop attempting to disrupt class, young man, or I will be forced to take house points."

Harry sighed. It's not like he could prove that it was the year he said it was.

When Professor Binns started lecturing again, Neville leaned over. "Nice try, Harry, but other students have tried that, too, I heard. No one's been able to convince him that more time has passed than he thinks."

Harry slouched in his chair a bit as his mind started to think. If he couldn't convince him that the time was further than he thought, then maybe… maybe he could convince him another way? *A wicked idea slithered into Harry's mind, as smooth and alluring as Amber's serpentine coils.

"Professor?"

Professor Binns paused once more, his spectral gaze fixed on Harry. In that moment, Harry began to manipulate his magic, swirling it gently around him before directing it toward the ghostly figure before him. Unbeknownst to him, the red stone pendant nestled beneath his shirt flickered and shimmered faintly as his magic flowed quietly into Professor Binns. To Harry's astonishment, the ghost became slightly less translucent, its form appearing a touch more defined. Seizing the opportunity, Harry spoke up, emboldened by the unexpected change.

"Could we perhaps start from the beginning? How the wizarding world was founded?"

Harry was eager to know about the goblins, but due to all of the chaos, he hadn't stopped to read the book he had been suggested by the Gringotts guard. He'd do that later, but for now, he wanted to know about the Wizarding World.

"Don't they teach you that in Wizarding Culture?" Professor Binns said, a clarity sliding through his ghostly form. Harry was about to state there was no such class, but then decided against it.

The idea cemented itself in his mind as he smirked, then quickly wiped it off his face. "No, Professor. The Professor of Wizarding Culture has been just telling us all about how good wizards are."

Draco watched Harry with keen interest, curiosity piqued as he tried to decipher what Potter was up to. Beside him, Neville's expression shifted from surprise to a hint of worry, clearly unsure of what Harry was attempting. The other students in the class, meanwhile, appeared resigned to their fate but also intrigued; they seemed to agree that whatever was unfolding was far more engaging than Professor Binns' usual droning monologue.

"By Jove. Such a travesty! Well, if Professor Montgomery is lacking in his duties, then I suppose I will cover for him. This means a bit more reading for the year, but don't worry students, I will only assign minor essays, nothing more than a foot."

Several of the Slytherins glared at Harry, with a few Hufflepuffs doing the same. It seemed like they had wanted to try to nap during the class. Harry gave a sheepish grin, and sat back down.

"Very well then. Let me add a few things here, a restructuring here… thankfully, you all are my first class of the year, so I should be able to do this for all four houses. Ten points to Slytherin for informing me of this travesty of education, Mr. Travers."

"I'm Harry Potter." Harry said, rolling his eyes. Did the man not remember the previous class?

"Of course, Mr. Travers. Now, we'll begin today's class with a look at the farthest known histories of the wizarding world. As you all know, by the Decree of Merlin, First Regent of Albion, all old magic and histories are to be passed down through oral tradition. This is why beings such as ghosts and intelligent magical creatures are often relied upon to preserve knowledge among witches and wizards."

Several students hurriedly knocked over their bags, scrambling to retrieve parchment, quills, and ink. Suddenly, the classroom buzzed with the sound of pens scratching notes as they became enraptured by this new information. In a few scant seconds, they had already learned something that they'd never heard before!

"It is said that everything began in the mythical Magical Nation of Atlantis, located on an enormous continent between England and Canada. It was a utopia of magic, where Muggles and magical beings lived side by side. In fact, the terms 'Muggle' and 'Magical' both derive from the same Atlantean word meaning 'Blessed by Magic.' Muggles were referred to as the Unfavored, or the Un-Blessed, while magical beings were called the Blessed."

Harry listened intently, with Neville absorbed in every word. Even Draco leaned forward in his seat, his gaze fixed on the ghost. It hardly mattered that Professor Binns' voice remained monotone; the content of his lecture was far too intriguing.

"As the Nation of Atlantis expanded, its magic began to spread across the world. Magic was gifted to various peoples and taught to the ancestors of many groups we recognize today. However, the Family Magics, known to the Atlanteans as the Great Boons, were conferred only upon the most talented practitioners of magical arts."

This revelation sparked surprised whispers and murmurs throughout the classroom, especially as Professor Binns' voice began to rise in cadence.

"Yet, a great calamity befell the Nation of Atlantis. The exact details remain unknown; all we have are accounts from survivors, many of whom were recipients of the Great Boons. Even they refrained from divulging much information, though it is rumored they inscribed their history on tablets that have since been lost to time, theoretically exempt from the magics that Merlin employed in his Decree hundreds of years later.

"This calamity became known to Muggles as an Ice Age, during which much of the planet was enveloped in vast blankets of ice formed by magical ice storms. The origins of these storms remain a mystery, but one fact is universally acknowledged: the Nation of Atlantis was no more. Even its continent sank beneath the seas, never to be seen by wizarding eyes again.

"Legend has it that the flying capital city of Atlantis, Atlantea, still exists somewhere out there, its ancient magics protecting it from harm—but at the cost of all magic users within. Some even claim to have caught glimpses of it while flying over the Atlantic today."

Harry's mind raced with visions of a world where Muggles and wizards worked together to advance humanity, where Muggle technology and magic coexisted harmoniously. He mulled over these thoughts for a moment before refocusing on Professor Binns.

"The survivors of Atlantis dispersed throughout the world, returning to the nations where they had once bestowed magic. They soon integrated into the local populations, leading to the emergence of the first witches and wizards. Here in Britain, the largest group of survivors settled, seeking to establish a new home for themselves."

The bell suddenly rang, and the entire class gave a collective groan. They wanted to learn more!

Professor Binns spoke up while everyone started packing up. "I'd like a one-foot essay on your personal thoughts of what life in Atlantis would have been like, and for extra marks, I would like you to add what sort of downsides such a nation would have in your opinion."

The students started filing out, as Draco hissed at Harry. "What did you do, Potter?"

"I don't know what he did, but it was wicked!" Neville grinned. "I learned more in that class about wizarding history than I ever have from anyone in my family! I didn't know magic came from Atlantis."

Harry shrugged at Draco. "I don't know. I just… let my magic flow, and Professor Binns seemed to, I'm not sure how to describe it… he seemed to soak it up, like a sponge." Draco blinked, opened his mouth, blinked again, and then closed it.

It took a moment for Draco's mouth to open again. "I'm going to have to ask my father about this."

Harry nodded. "Good idea. You can ask him if he knew about Atlantis, too. But it sounds like Professor Binns has been around for a loooong time."

Neville and Draco exchanged grins as Harry chuckled, the three of them making their way out of the classroom.

-Author's Notes-

First thing's first, sorry for the late chapter this week! Unfortunately, yesterday wasn't that good for me, and I completely forgot it was Monday.

So, how do you like Harry's "prank" on the ghostly professor? History of Magic was always something that frustrated me in the canon novels. It felt like a cop-out, and was a serious annoyance. Rowling could have had so much fun with cool backstories and histories from it! But no, we got something that wasn't even shown in the movies, and a snorefest barely mentioned in the books.

If you're interested in helping to beta, send me a PM! Angie has been doing amazing work so far, but more people means less stress on her shoulders.

Harry Potter is owned by JK Rowling, not me.