I do not own Harry Potter. I do own a smart watch so I am lucky i supose

Chapter 22 First Day at Hogwarts

Harry, Hermione and Nevil made it to potions class with a few minutes to spare. They claimed a bench together and began to set out their supplies, they finally placed their potions. The remaining Grifendores arrived next led by Ron.

"Nevil. Come sit over hear with us, it will be a right laugh." Ron beckoned Nevil to a bench next to the one he was sharing with Dean Thomas and Seamus Finnigin.

"No thanks Ron." Nevil said politely. "I'm fine where I am."

"Suit your self, but you won't have any fun sat over their with Harry and Hermione." Ron told him. "Lets face it Snape will just try and embarrass Harry and Hermione is such a swot she wont let you try and have a laugh."

"There is more to life than having a laugh Ronald." Hermione said.

"Who asked you Granger." Ron spat. The rest of the Griffendores looked on not quite sure what was causing the rift between what was formally an inseparable trio of friends.

Hermione was about to answer as the Slytherins came into the room led by Draco Malfoy who was linking arms with Pansy Parkinson.

"Ah look, theirs Potter and his Mudblood." Malfoy sneered.

"I'm warning you Malfoy, I don't care who your father is or who he works for…" Harry said.

"My father works for no man!" Malfoy declared.

"You father is a Death Eater and a god damned coward!" Harry retorted. "But you are just a silly little boy who thinks his Name is enough to get by." He continued. "I would careful Parkinson, I wouldn't get too attached to that Malfoy name if I was you."

"Don't you dare talk to my intended." Malfoy snapped.

"Why not?" Harry demanded. You don't show the same consideration for my intended."

"You are going to marry Granger?" Malfoy demanded.

"If she'll have me." Harry said.

"I suppose I may consider it if no better offer comes along." Hermione quipped.

Nevil sniggered. Malfoy was about to say some thing else but Snape came into the room at that moment.

"That's enough!" The Potions Master snapped. "This is a very important year for you all because at the end of this school year you will each face your Potions Examination in your Ordanery Wizerding Levels." He reached the front of the room and turned to face his class for the first time and was some what surprised to see Harry Potter sat at the front of the class.

"I have come to expect a certin amount of success from my students and I will be most displeased if you do not achieve at least an Acceptable pass, however any one who wishes to matriculate to the N.E.W.T Advanced potions class will have to have an Outstanding grade. Which, unless some of you are hideing some hitherto un-displayed talent for potions, will mean many of you will not be takeing potions next year. However, until such time…" Snape pointed his wand at the black bored and the words Befuddlement Draught appeard. "Who can tell me what a Befuddlement Draught is?"

Naturally Hermiones hand flew up. Snape ignored it inseted looking to the Slytherins. "Parkinson?"

"I don't know Professor." Parkenson said in a small voice.

"Pitty." Snape sneered then turned to Hermione. "Oh very well. Granger?"

"A Befuddlement Draught is a potion which causes the drinker to become belligerent and reckless." Hermione said.

"Text book answer." Snape reluctantly said. "One point to Griffendore."

The Slytherins where shocked. Snape never gave points to other houses.

"Very well. Mister Malfoy, perhaps you could tell me what the main ingredients for this potion are?"

"erm… Unicorn Hair?" Malfoy asked.

"Did you do the summer reading Mister Malfoy? Perhaps Potter will be able to tell us?"

The Slytherins sniggered smelling blood in the water. Potter never knew the answers and Snape always made him look like a moron.

"Yes Professor." Harry said. "I believe there are three ingredients. Scurvy Grass, Lovage and Sneezewort."

"Correct Potter." Snape said some what surprised. "Another point to Gryffindor. The instructions for this potion are now on the bored." The ingridents and Method appeard with a flick of Snapes wand. "You have the remainder of this lesson to brew the Draught. Begin!"

The potion was fairly simple. Merely a case of adding the ingredients to simmering water in the correct order at the correct time and allow to stew for another hour. About half way thru the brewing Harry sensed movement behind them, but he knew that Snape was busy pointing out Ron's appalling knife skills, ("Honestly Weasley, I would have thought by now you would have at least mastered a fine dice."), he saw a dung bombe being thrown over his shoulder. He glanced behind him and saw Malfoy pocketing the packet. Harry gathered his will "Go back." He murmured, and the bomb turned around and landed in Pansys cauldron. A few moments later acrid smoke began bellowing from the cauldron before a mauve coloured foam boiled over spilling onto the desk. Pansy screamed in shock and Malfoy hopped up on the desk spilling his own cauldron in the process.

"EVERY BODY STOP!" Snape bellowed. He quickly banished the spilled potions then turned to Malfoy. "What happened here?"

"Potter threw a dung bomb in Pansy's potion." Malfoy lied.

"Fifty Points from Gryffendore." Snape snapped rounded on Harry "And detention Potter. You all have fifteen minutes left of your potion. Parkinson, Malfoy, you will return hear at lunchtime tomorrow and redo your potions."

"But Sir!" Harry protested. "I don't have any dung bombs."

"No, you threw your dung bomb in some one else's potion to deflect attention away from your own poor performance." Snape sneered. "Just like your Godfather, thinking you can get away with dangerous pranks. You will not get away with it in my class room!"

As the minutes ticked away Snape kept a steely gaze on Harry.

"Your time is up." He said. "Every one who has managed to complete the potion will bring me a sample for testing. leave your summer homework on my desk and for your next lesion I want a two and a half foot essay on the properties and uses of the Moon Stone."

Harry carried up his beaker of potion and placed his homework on the desk.

"My office Potter." Snape said. "We need to arrange your detention. The rest of you may go."

Harry followed Snape into his office.

"Close the door Potter." He ordered. "I saw Malfoy throw that Dung Bomb at Grangers Cauldron, I also saw you windlessly cast a spell to redirect the bomb back from whence it came. I assume it was a mistake on your part that it wound up in Parkinson's Cauldron?"

"Yes Sir." Harry said.

"In the interests of fairness, I will not ask you if you where aiming for Malfoys cauldron, but instead assume you where merely trying to prevent an accident from injuring Granger."

"Thank you, Sir." Harry said.

"As such I will not be demanding a detention in this instance. However, Potter, I would warn you to take more care with your casting in the futcher. Do I make myself clear Potter?"

"Yes sir." Harry repeated.

"Very well you may go." Snape said. Harry moved to the door. "Oh and Potter?" Harry stopped and turned to look at the potions professor. "I noticed a marked improvement on your work today. Fifty-two points to Gryffindor Potter."

"Thank you Sir." Harry said again leaving the office somewhat confused and caught up with Hermione and Nevil who where on their way to Charms.

Their next lesion was Charms. Hermione, Harry and Nevil found seats near the front of the class room again and set their desks up with fresh parchment, quills and ink for taking notes and their copies of the Standerd Book of Spells grade five. They chatted quietly wile the rest of the class filed in. The Grifendores shared their charms class with the Raven Claws, who all said Hi to Harry and Hermione as they found their own seats. The only person not in the class room by the time the bell sounded to signal the end of brake was Ron. Professor Flitwick entered the room and quickly scurried up to his lecturn.

"Good morning every one." He said cheerfully. "Right then, this is your owl year and we have a lot to get through. We will use half of the lesson to revise charms from previous years and the other half to learn new spells. I am afraid their will be little time for theory in these classes so I expect you all to keep up with your reading in your own time." the demunitive professor continued as the door opend and Ron slunk in.

"Where have you been Mr Weasley?" Flitwick demanded.

"Toilette sir." Ron answered going bright red.

"Too much red meat Weasley." One of the Ravenclaws called out. The rest of the class laughed.

"Five points from Gryffindor Mr Weasley and next time you are late to my lesson you will receive a detention." Flitwick continued. "Right then. Revision. Who can show me a summoning charm?" Harry's hand shot straight into the air. "Yes, Mister Potter. Summon for me one of the cushions across the room if you please."

Harry stood and pulled his wand out.

"Accio Cushion." Harry cast. The cubberd across the class room burst open and the cushion flew into Harrys waiting hand.

"Well done Mr Potter." Flitwick said. "Take five points. Now, who can tell me why Mr Potters spell worked?" Not surprisingly Hermione's hand shot into the air. "Yes Miss Granger?"

"Harry would have had to have the picture of the object in his minds eye and determination."

"That is correct Miss Granger." Flitwick declared. "Now, for the next hour I want you all to practice your Summoning Charms."

After their practice Flitwick brings the class back together.

"All right every one, now we are going to begin discussing the Descendo charm. Who can tell me the what this spell can do? Weasley?"

"My dad uses it to pull the ladder down from our attack." Ron said.

"That's right." Flitwick said. Ron beamed expecting points. "The spell will lower any object to ground level. Observe." Flitwick waved his wand up and down as if he was cracking a whip. "Descendo." A blue beam of light left his wand connecting with a chandelier above the class. The chandelier began lowering to the ground. "Just like that." He said triumphantly. "Now since we only have one chandelier in hear I will reset this one and every one will take turns lowering it down."

With the chandelier reset the class formed a line behind Nevil who, to every ones surprise, managed to get the spell to work on the fourth attempt. Harry managed it on the second try and of course Hermione cracked it on the first try. As the class ended for the day Flitwick gave them their homework for the day.

"I want two feet of parchment on the uses of the decsendo charm for next lesson. Also, you will want to brush up on your levitation charm and read the chapter in your books on the colour changing charm." Flitwick said as the class groaned. "Off you pop for your lunch then." He finished dismissing the class.

"That was a bit full on." Harry complained at lunch.

"Well it is OWL year after all." Hermione said. "You did really well in charms Nevil."

"Thanks." Nevil smiled. "I've been practicing."

Harry quickly finished his lunch, "I have to go see McGonigal." He told them. "I'll see you in class." He slung his bag over his shoulder and quickly made his was to McGonigal's office.

"Ah come in Potter." She said. "Have a seat."

Harry sat down.

"Professor, I wonderd if it would be possible to change one of my classes?"

"Is that a fact?" McGonigal asked. "So which is it to be Potter? Do you wish to drop Care of Magical Creatures or Divination?"

"Divination Professor." Harry asked.

"I see Potter. May I ask why?"

"I'm fed up of Professor Trelawny prophesising my death in every single bloody lesson." Harry told her. "I won't get an OWL in it. I don't have the gift of Sight, thank Marlin and I think there are better uses of my time."

"And what might they be?" McGonigal demanded.

"I was thinking Antient Ruins." Harry said. "I have read most of Hermione's text book on the subject over the summer and she has tutored me on the basics."

"This is most unusual." Magonical said. "But it is not unheard of. I will of course speak to Professor Babbling. It will be her decision."

"Thank you, Professor." Harry said. "If Professor Babbling says no would I have to continue with Divination?"

"It may be possible to drop Divination, but speaking as your head of house I would prefer you to persevere until at least you have sat your OWL exam."

"I will fail the exam professor." Harry persisted.

"Very well Potter. If Professor Babbling will not accept you into her class then I shall speak with the Headmaster and see what he thinks is the best way forward."

"Thank you, Professor." Harry said as the Bell rang. He left the office and found a seat at the front of the Transfiguration class room as the rest of the Griffendores filed in. they were surprised to find that they where the only house taking this class.

"Good afternoon Gryffindor." McGonigal began, "And welcome to your OWL year. This year we will be focusing on vanishing spells as well as some other transfigurations. The vanishing spell is one that we will spend time working on each lesson because the vanishing spell is some of the most advanced and difficult magics taught at Hogwarts." She continued. "I will say this only once, wile it is perfectly possible to vanish a person if any of you even attempt it I will ensure you are expelled from Hogwarts. If not done correctly you will kill your victim." She let this sink in for a moment. "Now the incantation is Evanesco. You all try it."

"Evanesco." The class repeated.

"Good. The first thing you will attempt to banish will be snails. As invertebrate's the body of a snail is a simple thing to banish. It will require immense amounts of concentration." The Professor continued as she wandered around the class room handing out the snails.

"Will the animal be hurt Professor?" Lavender Brown asked.

"Good havens no!" McGonigal exclaimed. "The animal will cease to exist for as long as they are banished. They will feel no pain and when they return from their banishment it will be as though no time has passed for them. Now. Concentrate very hard on banishing the snail, as you say the incantation gently poke the snail with your wand. You may begin."

No one managed it. For the rest of the class the students attempted in vain to banish their invertebrates. Harry to his ultimate surprise came the closest out of every one, when just five minutes before the class ended, and with sweat running down his brow he managed to turn his snail translucent.

"Well done Potter. Five points." McGonigal congratulated him. "For your homework I want you each to spend one hour practicing this spell every night before our next class together Friday morning. If you stick at it there is no reason why each of you shouldn't be able to manage your snails then. Class dismissed."

"Well done Harry." Hermione said as they left the class.

"Thanks Hermione." Harry replied. "I almost had it with the spell, but I could have done it instantly using my other powers."

"That may be true Harry, but your other powers aren't really intended for you to win house points from McGonigal." Hermione told him earnestly.

"That's true." Harry said. "Hey we still have an hour before dinner, would you like to take a walk around the lake together?"

"That would be nice." Hermione beamed. "I feel as though we haven't had the chance to spend much alone time together since getting back."

"Let's go then." Harry said extending his arm to his beloved Hermione. She linked her own arm in with his and they left the castle.

AUTHERS NOTES:

Good god it has been a long wile since i put pen to paper/fingures to keys on this story. It was not abandond, but i did sort of lose faith after a few negative reviews pokeing fun at my bad spelling.

fair warning this chapter is so far un-beterd. i have reached out to my former Beta but as i was bitten by the bug i decided to post this chapter and I have another in the can awaiting formatting. the reason i have desided to continue is because of the many positive reviews i have recived. every so often i get a new one in the old inbox and they make me and my wife smile. so in the time i have been away I have gone back to work (our pub was open for 6 weeks before tear 3'd) had a baby and become a bit of a home schooling expert.

Right, so Reveiw Time!

Fraeweyn: Thank you! I am glad you are enjoying it.
Danial Lanning: Thank you for your kind words.
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ijen524: Thank you for your kind words as well. I was genuinly touched when I saw this review. I am glad your enjoying my little ditty.
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Lucy Maud Montgomery: May i call you Lucy? I agree with you people are arse holes! I'm glad you are enjoying my writeing.
shurtugal88: Haters are gonnna hate. i just wish they would do it so place else. Thank you for your kind words.
Karate_kid_ninja: Thank you, as ever for your detaild review. I'm glad your enjoying the Snape/Harry interactions.
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Mwinter1: sorry for the delay. and that would be telling.
Jkaar: I have every faith in the twins ability to deliver.
Bones71: if i have helped you in any way in the last year, then it is my absolute pleasure. Bones is gunning for Umbridge. Hermione is some what put out with the youngest Weasly, what dose that mean? havent the foggyest. Ronnikins is a product of his upbrining. I hope you and yours are safe!
LisaClark1: Thanks for the review and I think you have expressed yourself wounderfully
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I do hope people find their way back to this story, and if you have welcome back. if you are new and just stumbled on the story Welcome.

Untill next time. Stay safe and healthy. and if it is the law where you are stay the hell home!