After a delightful night spent in his fox form, the next day dawned bright and early. Harry was already up, as he often was, when Draco began to stir, propping himself up on his elbows. "Morning, Potter," he groaned, swinging his legs over the side of the bed and getting to his feet.

Harry, already fully awake, sat amidst a chaotic array of stacked books, absorbed in his reading with Amber curled comfortably in his lap.

"Three days in Hogwarts and you already have gone through three books, Potter? How are you not a Ravenclaw?" Draco teased, cracking his back as he headed over to the bathroom. Harry gave a shrug, still reading while Draco went to take a shower.

After he got out, Harry set the books aside, Amber slithering out of his lap as he stood up. "Can we go to Herbology a bit early? I want to stop by and see Hagrid."

"That oaf? I thought I warned you about him when we first met, Potter?" Draco looked over, brushing off his robes as he put them on.

"Hagrid is a perfectly fine person, Malfoy. His blood status shouldn't matter." Harry sighed gently, rubbing a hand through his hair.

"Half-breeds are an entirely different thing. When you dilute magical blood with creature blood, it taints the whole mix. That's what my father says." Draco sniffs haughtily.

"Well, I still like him," Harry glared.

Draco was about to retort something, but closed his mouth after a second. "Fine, Potter, we'll go early. But only for a quick visit. I don't want to be around him for longer than I need to be."

Harry rolled his eyes, pulling his robe on over his pants and shirt. Heading over to the door, Draco shook his head. "At least going early will make sure those two bookends leave me alone."

Draco opened up the door, only to find Crabbe and Goyle standing there, guarding the door.

"Oh come on!" Draco shouted, stamping his foot.

Harry laughed, and stepped out, gesturing. "It's fine, Draco. They're welcome to come."

Draco muttered under his breath; something about how he didn't want them to be welcome before storming out. Crabbe and Goyle quickly followed, and Harry caught up after closing the door.

Leaving the Slytherin dorms and Common Room, the group of four made their way down the hall as Harry shook his head. He wasn't sure why Draco didn't like those two; personally he'd be happy to have more friends.

Soon they arrived outside. "The Groundskeeper's Cottage is right up there. I don't understand why he wants a hut and not a proper home, at the very least." Draco said, gesturing over his shoulder.

"It's a hut? Well, maybe he finds it homely. We could ask him if you want." Harry said, as Crabbe and Goyle remained as silent as always.

Harry was suddenly flooded with a peculiar sensation, magic coursing through him like a live wire. It was as if something primal within him—a flicker of his fox self—wanted to scream and retreat, urging him to embrace his animal instincts rather than remain in human form. He forced that feeling back, shoving it deep within himself. But in that fleeting moment of hesitation, the massive dog seized its opportunity, launching itself at the small group with a leap.

Harry felt a rush of a strange sensation, magic rushing through him as something deep inside wanted to scream and hide as if he was a fox, and not a human. Harry shoved that feeling down, but the momentary freeze had given the huge dog ample time to launch itself at the small group.

Crabbe and Goyle moved in immediately, pushing Harry and Draco back as they quickly put themselves between the two and the large dog. Crabbe caught it by the neck, and Goyle held its weight. The large boy suddenly swished it around and tossing it back, causing the huge wolfhound to yelp in surprise.

"Wicked." Harry whispered, getting up from where he had fallen back.

Draco seemed surprised too. "Maybe letting you shadow me isn't a bad thing after all. Good job, you two."

Goyle snorted while Crabbe nodded. The large dog stood up and gave an annoyed "hrrruff."

Before anything else could happen, the large door opened, and Hagrid called out. "C'mon back, Fang. Y'know better tha' to pester th' students- ah! 'Arry!"

Draco stepped up. "You should really control your dog, Groundskeeper. It's a large dog and it almost hurt Heir Potter." Draco said in his 'I am of noble blood' voice that Harry had only heard a few times before. "When my father hears about this, it could cost you your job!"

Hagrid frowned when Draco mentioned that Fang almost hurt Harry, then looked horrified as Draco mentioned his father. "Ah'm sorry 'bou that. T'won't 'appen agai'." Hagrid mumbled, as he pushed Fang inside and closed the door behind himself.

Harry decided to calm the situation a bit. "We actually came to see you, Hagrid, and see how you're doing! I wanted to tell you about my first few days."

Hagrid's face brightened at that. "Oh! Tha' would be wonderfu', 'arry! Come in, come in." Hagrid beamed, opening the door. Fang immediately rushed back outside as Hagrid ushered them within. Harry giggled when he saw how the large dog immediately rushed to scare some birds that had landed on the stone wall around Hagrid's garden.

As they stepped inside, Harry gasped in amazement. The place wasn't a hut at all. A huge, magnificent cottage was visible wherever Harry looked. Paned glass windows were on several walls, with furniture that could easily hold Hagrid's size. Draco's face was a picture of shock and amazement as Harry beamed. "I love magic."

Hagrid chuckled. "Pr'fess'r Dumbledore installed th' expansion charms f'r meh a couple years ago. Said tha' th' Groundskeeper needed a' proper home. Been usin' the 'ut since I became Groundskeeper, th' pr'vious Groundskeeper died in a fire. Whole cottage burned down, it did, and th' 'eadmaster's been tryin' t' get funds t' replace it."

Harry shot a pointed glance at Draco, who let out an exasperated sigh, clearly conceding the point. Behind them, Crabbe and Goyle loomed like silent sentinels, waiting for the next move. Meanwhile, Hagrid ambled over to a large iron oven, the hinges creaking as he pulled open the heavy door. With a flourish, he retrieved a metal platter laden with steaming, gray-colored objects, the warm vapors curling up into the air, signaling their freshness. The enticing aroma wafted around the room, mingling with the earthy scent of the forest outside.

"Would'ja like a rock cake? Jus' made ah batch." Hagrid walked over, setting the platter onto a counter as Draco, Harry, Crabbe and Goyle moved to sit at a table that was almost as tall as they were.

Setting the gray rocks onto each of their plates, Harry seemed curious. "Are you sure these aren't rocks, Hagrid?" Harry asked, rapping one with a fork. The fork made a tinking sound, as if it actually had struck solid stone.

Hagrid sputtered. "O'course not! They're rock cakes. Fresh cooked."

Draco was idly poking his with a large fork, his making metallic 'tink' sounds as well. Crabbe seemed to be gnawing on his, as Goyle was trying to break his open.

Harry seemed curious, looking over the supposed cake. It seemed like a rock, for all intents and purposes. Was this Hagrid's idea of a prank?

Hagrid sat down after a moment, taking one and biting into it. Harry's thoughts of it being a prank washed away as there was a loud cracking noise. The half-giant grinned, "See? They'r grea'."

As he chewed—displaying the same lack of table manners as Ron, Harry couldn't help but notice—the swirl of magic danced around his mouth like a shimmering aura. He glanced down at his rock cake, then over at Draco, who was grimacing in a futile effort to break off a piece with his metal fork.

An idea sparked in Harry's mind. He decided to experiment, channeling his magic gently into the cake. To his delight, he felt the magic wrap around it, causing the gray exterior to shift and soften ever so slightly.

Encouraged, Harry infused more of his magic into the cake. With each pulse, he could see it transforming, the once-unyielding texture yielding to his efforts. He turned his attention to Hagrid. "Hagrid, who else enjoys your rock cakes?"

"Hmmm. P'rfess'r Dumbledore enjoys 'em here 'n there. No one else seems to like 'em, though. R'gretful, tha'. They'r quite good."

Harry looked back at his bun, which seemed to have shifted further. It actually looked a bit soft now as he picked up a fork and pushed into it.

It was like pushing a fork into a loaf of French bread. The cake gave after a moment with a satisfying crackle, letting out steam from within. Draco looked over in confusion, "How'd you do that?"

Harry mouthed the word "Magic." Draco seemed to understand, taking out his wand and tapping it to the hard cake. Harry could see Draco's glittery magic slide around the rock cake, as it seemed to absorb it as well.

Soon enough, Draco was able to pierce the cake with his fork as he and Harry looked at each other. Bringing it to their mouths, they both closed their eyes and took a bite.

Harry felt a surge of flavor in his mouth as he tasted the cake. It was incredible, a sweet, earthy tone that seemed to be like he was eating the core of a mountain. It had a taste similar to rock candy, but more mellow and much less sugary. The cake's grain was thick and stone-like, but the magic flowing around it made it light and fluffy.

Crabbe and Goyle seemed to have abandoned their attempt, but Harry and Draco grinned at each other and quickly dug into the rest of their cakes, much to Hagrid's delight.

While the two finished their cakes, Harry spoke of his first couple days between bites. Skipping over the parts about Feral Shifting, Harry explained of the duel, his first two classes, and how he had pranked Professor Binns.

"Aha! Yer father was good wi' those pranks, 'arry. It's good t' see ya takin' aft'r him." Hagrid said as Harry explained the prank. "Tho', ya might want t' consider askin' th' 'eadmaster if 'e would re-sort ya. Duelling as a firs' year isn' allowed, Snape should nev'r have let it 'appen."

Draco piped up. "He was doing what he had to! If Harry hadn't accepted the duel, he'd have been dishonored, regardless of the challenger being older than him."

"Be tha' as it may, it wasn' righ'."

"Groundskeeper Hagrid, Harry is an Heir of a Noble house. Not only that, but to one of the Eight Ancient and Noble Houses. If he were to show weakness, then he would be taken advantage of. Slytherin is a house of intense pride and ambition. If you show that you are weak, you end up becoming a target."

Hagrid looked constipated for a second before he shook his head. "Th' noble 'ouses have always been ah… bit much f'r me. I admit, ah nev'r really looked into it…"

Harry shakes his head. "It's alright, Hagrid. I won, in the end, so it's not a big deal." Hagrid frowned at Harry's comment. "Ah suppose…"

Harry enthusiastically recounted his thoughts on the past few days, particularly his excitement about Herbology and the wonders of magical plants. Hagrid chimed in, sharing fascinating insights about certain plants that exhibited behaviors akin to animals. Soon enough, however, the four realized they had to leave to make it to their upcoming Herbology class.

"C'me back soon, y' hear?" Hagrid said, waving from his door. "'N don't worry, Malfoy, ah'll keep Fang on a tight'r leash f'r ya!"

Harry waved back, as Draco gave a nod to the half giant as the four made their way towards the greenhouses. "I admit, Potter. I wasn't expecting much, but the oaf was quite a gracious host. And those rock cakes were incredible. How'd you guess that magic was needed to soften them?"

"Oh, well, I saw Hagrid eating them, and there was magic there, so I decided to try." Harry replied.

"You saw magic there? What do you mean, Potter?" Draco's eyebrow raised.

"Well, there was magic in his mouth. I think it was from him being half-giant." Harry looked thoughtful as he explained, tapping his finger to his chin.

"...whatever you say, Potter." Draco said as he rolled his eyes. "Could have just said that you had the idea out of the blue. I'd have believed you, you know."

Harry pouted a bit, but he didn't have time to put on airs before they reached the greenhouse. The four entered, once again finding themselves a bit early.

Much to Harry's chagrin, Herbology wasn't as eventful as the two classes the day before. It was mostly about safety, and how to use dragonhide gloves correctly. It was the basics, explaining what they'd be going over this year. Harry thought it was all rather boring as he peered over at Hermione.

As usual, the bushy-haired girl was scribbling down notes on everything the Professor said, the fact the greenhouse had a single long table instead of a series of desks did not impede her even in the slightest. Harry was surprised, but at least she seemed to be into it.

When the class ended, Harry and Draco went over to see Hermione. "Ugh, that was soooo boring." Draco groaned as the three friends met up.

"We can't jump into things every time, Malfoy. Magical Herbology is dangerous. One wrong touch of a plant and you could end up really hurt." Hermione says.

"Yeah, I know, but still. Bleeeeeeegh." Draco pointed a finger down his throat.

Harry laughed, while Hermione rolled her eyes but grinned. "Well, I have notes on it all, so if you want some copies, I could make you some."

Harry nodded. "I wouldn't mind a copy, Hermione. Thanks."

Draco nodded his agreement as well, which made Hermione beam. "I'll have them for you this weekend! Meet me in the Library?"

Harry grinned. "Sure! I did want to continue reading the Library's copy of 'Spells of the Ages'."

At that comment, Draco rolled his eyes. "Ravenclaws…"

"Hey! I'm not a Ravenclaw," Harry spouted, huffing.

"You're certainly close enough to one, Potter." Draco teased, grinning.

The three friends looked at each other for a moment before bursting into laughter. They walked back to the castle together, chatting about what each of them thought their next classes would be like.

-Author's Notes-

Beta read by Angie. If you're interested in helping to beta the fic, then send me a PM!

I always wondered why JK Rowling included the Rock Cakes. In canon, the rock cakes are inedible to everyone except for Hagrid, and for some reason Dumbledore. In this, hopefully things make a little more sense; different magical creatures have different innate magics. Hagrid got the giant digestive system! And, with a bit of magic, Harry and Draco discovered the secret to the cakes. They really are cakes!

As for Herbology, it always frustrated me that not much was ever explained in the first book. Harry is going to be interacting with Professor Sprout a bit more; certainly a lot more than canon. She's definitely protective of her plants, and as we saw in the second book and movie how prideful she was to have her Mandrake plants noticed, I have a feeling she's quite prideful of them as well.

Harry Potter is owned by JK Rowling, not me.