Harry woke up early the next morning as per his usual time. Getting dressed, he quietly made his way out of the dorm and to the grounds. Once outside, he jogged towards the Quidditch pitch where he did a few laps. Checking the time and finding out that it was still early enough, he went back into the castle and to the seventh floor. Pacing three times in front of the portrait of Barnabas the Barmy, he opened the door that appeared and entered the room.
The room he entered in was large with a padded floor. The room that he had used before to train in before leaving for the summer had changed. One side of the room was what could only be a firing range with a series of targets. Upon inspecting the targets, Harry found that they could be charmed to move around in random directions at different speeds. Opposite the bookshelf that was there the last time, stood a punch-back next to the dummies that Harry had practised on a few months back. Stepping back to the centre of the room and observing the changes, Harry nodded to himself in satisfaction. The additions would be useful. Not wasting any more time, he got started on his workout. The padded floor definitely was better to do push-ups on than the rough ground he was used to so far. For one, there weren't any small stones that would always find themselves underneath his knuckles, severely cutting down the number of push-ups he could do in a set.
Finished with that part of his routine, Harry went to the firing range. After playing with the settings a bit, Harry found that the rabbits and gnomes he had practised on in the summer were as good as an intermediate setting on the range.
A quick glance at his watch showed that he needed to get ready for class. Concentrating on a bathroom, Harry called Randolph, now his personal elf (mainly due to his seniority, much to Dobby's displeasure) and instructed the elf to get his bath things as well as his uniform. As the elf popped back in with the mentioned items, Harry reflected, not for the first time, that it was good to have help. And it was even better to have help that loves to work. Thanking the elf (who accepted with good grace, reminding Harry of the other advantage of selecting him as his personal elf) Harry got bathed and, now in his uniform, made his way to the dormitory.
Whistling merrily, he entered the sixth-year dorm. Ron groaned sleepily as he got up. 'Bloody hell mate, pipe down! There's no need to make so much of noise so early!' he said while Dean nodded silently as Seamus gave Harry a dirty look.
'Maybe you should also get up early too Ron,' said Harry cheerfully. 'Then go running for a bit. That way, you wouldn't be so grumpy in the mornings. Besides, it's nearly half past seven, it isn't that early!'
Harry chuckled as the other boys slowly made their way to the bathroom to get ready for the day. Harry left his dirty clothes on the floor as he knew that the house-elves would later pick them up to launder them. Having nothing to do, he left for the Great Hall on his own for breakfast.
As it was still early, the Hall was mostly empty with only the teachers filling up the staff table slowly sipping cups of tea. Most of the students present were Ravenclaws with a few Hufflepuffs and Slytherins. Spotting Hannah Abbot and not wanting to sit by alone with a bunch of third-year Gryffindors for company, Harry made his way to the Hufflepuff table.
'Mind if I join in?' he asked Hannah.
The girl squeaked before turning around, 'Harry! How are you? Sure no problem, you can sit here,' she said as she indicated to the empty spot next to her, letting Harry there.
Sitting down, Harry noted Susan looking still sleepy. 'Good morning Susan!' chirped Harry cheerfully, getting a growl and a filthy look from the still sleepy witch.
Hannah giggled softly and said, 'my, you're rather cheerful this morning.' Leaning in closer she whispered, 'don't mind Susan, she takes a while to wake up. Till then we have this troll in front of us who is probably going to eat you if you annoy her too much.'
'Oh, it's the workout I guess. Nothing wakes a person up better than a nice run outside on a crisp and clear September morning in Scotland. You should try it sometime,' leaning in to whisper just as she did, he said, 'I'll keep that in mind.'
'I think I'll pass on that,' said Hannah. 'I don't fancy running out in the cold, thank you.'
'Your loss,' said Harry in reply. 'It really does help a lot though.'
'Not that I don't admire the effect it has on your body,' said Hannah clearly thinking about the last time she had seen Harry in Diagon Alley. Those Muggle clothes showcased his body better than the robes he was currently wearing. Looking at his face a bit closer, she noticed a few features that she hadn't before. She supposed that it was because she had all the time in the world.
'Is that an invitation Ms. Abbott?' asked Harry teasingly, smiling as he saw Hannah blush.
Hannah hurriedly changed the topic, 'So what can we Hufflepuffs do for the great and mighty Harry Potter today? You don't have any more earth shattering news or dire warning for us do you?' she asked in concern at the end.
'Yes, actually, I do have a "dire warning" as you say, for you,' said Harry mock seriously. Leaning in he whispered dramatically, 'we have classes today!'
'Oh you!' Hannah slapped a laughing Harry on the shoulder. 'Seriously, why are you here Harry? Not that I mind,' she added hastily, 'but you normally don't socialise with others. I mean, even Zabini comes here time to time and talks to Ernie Macmillan.'
'Well, I did have my various issues in the last few years,' said Harry shrugging. 'Now I am mostly over them, so I thought that it would be nice to make some more friends.'
'Well, I don't mind that at all,' said Hannah nicely.
The two continued talking of inconsequential things with Susan joining them later on. By the time McGonagall stood up to hand out the schedules, requiring them to go to their house tables, Harry found himself bidding goodbye to a group of his year mates which included Ernie Macmillan, Justin Finch-Fletchley, and Terry Boot. He even nodded to Blaise Zabini, who actually nodded back.
Making his way back to the Gryffindor table, Harry met with Hermione and a finally awake Ron.
'Where were you Harry,' Ron all but demanded. 'We've been looking for you mate.'
'I could ask you the same question about last night,' Harry countered. 'Where did you disappear off to last night? I had to do your job for you since you weren't around to escort the first-years to their dorms.'
'I didn't know you knew Susan very well,' said Hermione before Ron could answer.
'We did meet up before,' said Harry casually.
By the time he realised the slipup, Hermione was already drawing conclusions, 'That would mean ... Harry! You didn't go to Diagon Alley by yourself before, did you?' she said looking at him menacingly.
'So what if I did?' Harry said slightly defiantly.
'It. Is. Not. Safe!' said Hermione pausing at each word. 'Anything could have happened to you there! I cannot believe Dumbledore let you go there!'
'What does Dumbledore have to do with anything?' asked Harry curiously.
'You mean to tell me that you went there without Dumbledore's permission?' asked Hermione sounding very disapproving.
'And why would I need to get his permission?'
'Dumbledore is the greatest wizard of modern times,' said Hermione. 'It matters because he knows what is best, and if he does not approve-'
'He's the headmaster.' Cut in Harry sharply, 'I do not see why I have to ask him for permission. School was not in session during the summer, so I fail to see why what he says in the summer matters. He is not my guardian. Besides, he didn't expressly tell me to stay in Privet Drive either.'
Hermione bristled at this and was about to open her mouth again when Harry cut her off again by greeting Professor McGonagall who had just finished talking to Neville who had an odd look of delighted incredulity on his face.
'Ah Mr. Potter, let's see now ... Potter ... here we are ... well, you have obtained the necessary scores to attend all the classes you have signed up for. I was rather impressed by your Transfiguration score by the way. Now I have noticed that you haven't signed up for Potions class? You had expressed a desire to become an Auror. You will need a Potions N.E.W.T. to get accepted in.'
'But I thought that you needed an O in the Potions O.W.L.s to be accepted in for the Potions N.E.W.T., Professor,' said Harry.
'Yes, that was a requirement put down by Professor Snape. However, Professor Slughorn has decided to lower the requirement to an E,' said Professor McGonagall. 'So shall I put your name down for the Potions N.E.W.T. class?' she inquired expectantly.
Harry looked at her expectant face. On one hand, he really no longer wanted to go for Potions since Snape had more than put him of the subject for life. Besides, Potions making was for minions! Harry shook his head at that, where had that last thought come from?
Looking back to Professor McGonagall, he gave his consent. Being in the class might help him in the long run. Slughorn sounded like a better teacher, and by the looks of it, might give Harry the same treatment Snape used to give his Slytherins. Besides, the man was also well connected, something Snape was not. Being in Slughorn's class and endearing himself to the rotund man might help Harry out a lot. Though he couldn't help but feel that the subject was somehow beneath him.
'Very well Mr. Potter, I am sure that Professor Slughorn will be willing to lend you the materials. Now I also received your note about those two other classes. Now while we don't recommend it, we do allow students to pursue O.W.L.s in other electives, those classes normally take place on Saturday mornings. You will be paired with other sixth years and those who need extra tutoring. Is that acceptable to you?' seeing him nod, she continued, 'In that case, here is your timetable. Oh, by the way, twenty hopefuls have put their names forward for the Gryffindor Quidditch team tryouts. I shall hand over the list to you and you can set a schedule at your leisure.'
In a few minutes time, Ron was cleared to do the same N.E.W.T. classes as Harry while Hermione was as usual cleared for all the classes she had opted for.
'Look Harry!' said a delighted Ron looking at his timetable. 'We've got a free period now ... and one after break ... and one after lunch ... excellent!'
They headed up to the Gryffindor dorms while Hermione scurried off to her Ancient Runes class. There they were met by Kate.
'Hey, Harry! Wow, you've really grown,' She said looking at him appraisingly. 'Congratulations on the badge by the way. I knew you would have earned it! Tell me when you're holding the trials!'
'Oh, don't be stupid, you don't need to try out! I've seen you play for five years now!' replied Harry with a confident smile on his face.
'I wouldn't go down that route if I were you,' Katie said warningly, 'there might be someone out there better than me. Many teams have been ruined because the captains have always had the old faces or let their friends in.'
Harry nodded in acquiesce; she did have a point there. Well, it looked like he was going to have his work cut out for him.
Katie then left the common room leaving Harry and Ron. Ron had a look an uncomfortable look on his face as he played with a lime green Fanged Frisbee that Harry was sure Hermione had confiscated from someone else.
After a few minutes of silence, Ron spoke up, 'What note was McGonagall talking about Harry?'
'Huh, oh well, I had sent a note to McGonagall over the summer asking if I could take up the Ancient Runes and Arithmancy O.W.L. classes in sixth year.'
'Why would you do something so mental?' asked Ron incredulously forgetting about the Frisbee which got too close to Crookshanks, biting the cat on the tail.
Harry watched the ensuing kerfuffle between Ron and Hermione's cat with amusement, trying not to laugh as he heard the occasional vicious snarl come out from the cat and Ron's pained grunts as he tried to pry the Frisbee off the cat's tail. Crookshanks definitely took after his owner in that regard. If Harry didn't know better, he would actually go so far as to say that the cat was actually berating Ron for acting like an idiot while clawing him to ribbons. As Ron sat back down again sporting numerous scratches Harry was sure he saw a look imperious disapproval so reminiscent of Hermione coming from the offended cat before it stalked up the girls' dormitory, tail, just as bushy as her hair, held high.
'Well, at least you managed to get the Frisbee in one shape,' said Harry brightly, indicating the object in Ron's hands. Ron just made a rude hand gesture in response which only served to make Harry finally break down laughing.
'So what made you do something so mental?' asked Ron suddenly.
Harry sighed and said, 'well, the classes sound interesting, and from what Bill and Fleur taught me over the summer it isn't as hard as I first thought it to be. So I thought, "why not?" after all, it will definitely help my credentials when I go searching for a job.'
'Mate, you're the Boy-Who-Lived! People will be falling over themselves just to get the honour of saying that you work for them!' said Ron rolling his eyes.
'Maybe, but they will expect a lot from me. Unlike that pompous tosser Lockhart who did nothing but sit on his arse all day writing replies to his fan mail, and churning out autographs for one half his life while spending the other half prancing around and smiling for the drivel he had written, I actually will be doing some real work. And that will need knowledge. Something even Lockhart couldn't fake. Thus I will need to go to such classes to get the knowledge to back my image,' said Harry a little testily. While he didn't detect any malice or jealousy in Ron's voice when he had said that (an improvement if there ever was one) he was still peeved that his friend thought so little of him, or would encourage him in not achieving his best potential. Did he not see that it was through years of magical experience, study and knowledge of spells that gave Dumbledore the reputation he was currently holding? Even when painted as a delusional old fool, Dumbledore still had the same presence and engendered the same amount of respect as before. Even Voldemort himself respected the old mage, despite his proclamations of the contrary. Harry wanted that, so he needed to start somewhere.
'Whoa calm down there mate! I was only joshing around,' said Ron trying to placate Harry. The look of bewilderment on his face told Harry that he had no idea why Harry had said what he had said.
It took all of Harry's self control not to pull his hair in frustration at his friend's obtuseness. Instead, taking a deep breath, he looked at the time and seeing that it was about time for the next class, got up to go out of the common room.
Harry regained some of his good mood by the time they reached the Defence Against the Dark Arts classroom. Hermione was already queuing up outside the classroom carrying an armful of books and looking rather put-upon.
'We've got so much homework for Ancient Runes,' she complained as Harry and Ron joined her. 'I've got two translations, a fifteen inch essay and I have to read these before next class!'
'Shame,' yawned Ron.
'Oh, you just wait! I bet Snape's going to give loads,' said Hermione resentfully.
Just then the man in question opened the door and as customary for him, bade the students to enter.
Harry took in the new décor of the classroom. Cheerful, he thought sarcastically as he looked at the various macabre pictures on the walls of people in pain, suffering the effects of nasty looking curses. The dark and gloomy room that was lit by candles as the curtains were drawn suddenly reminded him of the sight enhancement ritual that he had made plans to perform before school had closed for summer.
'I have not asked you to take out your books,' said Snape softly making Hermione blush and hurriedly drop her book back into her bag. Harry snorted at this; the comment was so typical of Snape. Harry knew that Snape had said that just for her. His immaturity really hadn't diminished one bit. Not only that, but Snape's low soft tones combined with the atmosphere he had created made Harry think of a cheesy Muggle horror film. He half expected to see a coffin stowed away at one side of the room. The way he stalked around in the shadows as he described the different pictures only served to enhance that image.
Harry listened to Snape's lecture on the Dark Arts and their defence with an outward expression of haughty boredom that was a close competitor for Malfoy's own look of arrogance. Inside his mind however, he was slightly alarmed by the loving caress that coloured Snape's voice when he was talking about the Dark Arts. Though he reasoned that he shouldn't be surprised as he observed Snape through the hair falling over his eyes; Snape was after all, a Death Eater, spy or not.
'The Dark Lord has used Inferi in the past,' said Snape to a slightly hysterical Parvati Patil, 'which means that you will be well-advised to assume he might use them again. Now ...'
He set off around the other side of the classroom towards his desk his dark robes billowing around him, as the class watched his every move as they had been doing since the beginning of his speech.
'... You are, I believe, complete novices in the use of non-verbal spells. What is the advantage of a non-verbal spell?'
Harry rolled his eyes when Hermione's hand shot to the air as usual. He did not understand why she had this obsessive need to answer every single question a teacher posed to her in a classroom. Not only that, but hadn't she learned by now that Snape did not appreciate her answering every single question? Really a moron would have understood that just by looking at the way Snape took his time surveying the class to make sure that he absolutely had no choice. On a whim, Harry lazily raised his hand halfway giving the impression that he couldn't be bothered to fully raise it. He wanted to see if Snape was desperate enough to pick him over her.
'Yes, Mr. Potter?'
'Your opponent won't know the spell coming from your wand till it is cast. It gives a split second advantage in a duel. Some spells do look similar when cast, so countering them is harder when the incantation isn't known. Do they shield against what could be a bone breaking curse, or move out of the way of what could possibly be a blasting charm? Also, it is harder for the enemy to counter the effects of a curse one of their numbers was hit with if they don't know what the incantation was. For all practical purposes, in a battlefield, till the fight is over, that person might as well be hit by the Killing Curse since it will take time to diagnose and counter the curse. Time the enemy won't be able to afford.' Harry drawled his answer out while inwardly laughing with glee at the look on Snape's face. It was quite a sight; Snape really was desperate enough to choose Harry over Hermione! It looked like Harry had moved down Snape's list of people to hate. Though it was more likely that Hermione had moved up on the list as far as the classroom was concerned.
'That is essentially correct Mr. Potter,' said Snape in a neutral tone, though Harry could detect the pain it was causing the man to actually complement him. 'It is good to know that the chosen one isn't as hopeless in Defence as he is in Potions,' He sneered.
Instead of infuriating him, the comment only made Harry chuckle, 'Good one Professor,' he said in a chipper tone. He was going to make it his goal to get under the bat's skin as legitimately as possible.
Snape ignored him and continued, 'As Potter said, those who can progress to casting spells without the need of shouting incantations gain a slight element of surprise. Not many wizards can do this as it requires concentration and mind power, which some,' he turned to fix Harry with a malicious gaze, 'lack.'
Harry sat back and fixed Snape with the best arrogant look he could manage, something he had spent hours perfecting in front of a mirror. Snape was insistent on holding a grudge towards both his fathers and damning him for their sins. Harry had grown tired of trying to prove the man wrong. So if Snape insisted on seeing James Potter in Harry and judging him that way, then Harry was going to give him James Potter in his arrogant best. With the added bonus of Sirius Black in his arrogant best, going by what he saw in the mirror when perfecting his I-am-a-poncy-git look. And judging by the look of surprise followed by a look of even deeper loathing in Snape's eyes, Harry had succeeded. Well, no more pretending to be a bigger man for Harry. He was sixteen, damn it! And he was going to act like it. It was his right to be as insolent and annoying as possible.
When Snape gave instructions for the class to pair up and practise on silent casting, Harry smirked to himself. He had a feeling that Snape was going to personally try and show the class that he, Harry couldn't do it. Well, the git was going to be in for a big surprise!
Snape didn't know it (or maybe he did) but Harry had taught a majority of the class the previous year. However, nobody had cast silently before and it was turning out to be quite hard for them. It was quite entertaining to see the looks of constipation on their faces as one half of the class stood with their wands pointed at their partners without achieving anything. Harry found himself thinking that if it were him, he would have had the ones casting do so verbally while the other half shielded non-verbally. At least this way the other half would be forced to shield instead of standing and waiting for a spell that would never come. Eventually a fair bit of cheating had to occur as most of them whispered the incantations instead of saying it out loud.
Harry was careful to keep his expression neutral as he watched Ron get steadily redder and redder looking to be in great pain as he tried to cast a spell non-verbally. Harry took a quick peek to see what his friend was casting; it looked like that Tickling Hex wasn't going to be coming anytime soon.
'Pathetic Weasley,' said Snape as he swept towards Harry and Ron, drawing the attention of Hermione and Neville. 'Here - let me show you-'
He turned his wand towards Harry so fast that the other students barely saw it. Harry, who was anticipating it, quickly and silently cast a shield charm so strong that it caused Snape to lose his balance and bump into a desk. The whole class stopped what they were doing at the sudden noise and turned around to watch as Snape righted himself.
'That was ... impressive Potter,' said Snape as his eyes bored into Harry's. 'One would almost think that you were practising ...'
'Oh no Professor,' Harry breezed. 'That was my first time! It was as you said, "force of concentration and mind power". I guess I have a lot of that!' he said with a wide grin on his face, reminding Snape of James Potter after he had won a Quidditch match.
Harry could feel the faint mental probe coming his way and instinctively raised his primary defence. Only he had gained that experience and instinct from Voldemort, who had naturally found the most violent and painful way to do so. Those who tried to break through Voldemort's mind always failed as they were subjected to an excruciating pain. This not only ensured that the person who dared break into his mind was debilitated, but also discouraged them from trying again. That is if they survived the next few minutes in his presence. Something that rarely, if ever, happened since they would probably be finding a Killing Curse headed their way. It took a great deal of concentration, and mental power to break through that. Thus Snape immediately felt a sharp pain in his head, and not expecting it got distracted, due to which he was violently thrown out of Harry's mind, the ejection causing his body to impact with the desk for a second time.
His vision swimming and head throbbing, Snape abruptly dismissed the class five minutes before the bell. The tone of his voice made every student scramble for their bags in order to get out of the class in record time.
'What was all that about?' asked Ron.
'Oh nothing much, just Snape running afoul of my mental defences,' said Harry with an air of self satisfaction. 'I was looking forward to testing them to be honest. It was nice of him to volunteer!'
'But you shouldn't have attacked him so violently,' admonished Hermione, 'and how did you manage to cast that shield spell non-verbally? I couldn't even manage it!'
Harry immediately got irritated at this, 'Well, he was the one who invaded my mind. And considering the identity of the last person to invade my mind, you will forgive me if I don't like it being invaded. Perhaps you will feel differently if it was your mind that was being invaded.' This effectively shut Hermione up.
'That was an impressive bit of Occlumency Harry,' said Neville. 'I really wish I was as advanced as you are.'
'Wait, Neville, you know Occlumency?' said Hermione in what Harry thought was an unnecessary amount of incredulity in her voice.
'Yeah,' said Neville modestly. 'Gran taught me this summer. I'm not too great at it though.'
'But, why would you even need it?' asked Hermione.
'Because Granger, he is required to know it. Every head of House teaches the heir after the heir finishes his O.W.L.s. After all, it is a much needed skill when conducting business.' Sneered Draco Malfoy as he came up behind them. 'I am surprised that Longbottom here has managed to learn that much.' Not waiting for an answer, he sloped off with Nott, smirking.
Ron and Hermione scowled at his back while Harry dismissed Malfoy's existence. If Malfoy was going to ignore Harry, then Harry was more than happy to reciprocate.
'Harry! Hey, Harry!'
Harry turned around; Jack Sloper, one of the Beaters of last year's Gryffindor's Quidditch team was hurrying towards him holding a roll of parchment.
'For you,' he panted heavily. 'Listen, I heard that you're the Captain. So when're you holding trials?'
'I'm not sure yet, I'll let you know,' said Harry in reply, thinking that Sloper would be lucky to get back on the team. He barely heard Sloper's answer as he recognised the handwriting on the parchment. Unrolling it confirmed his theory. The first of Dumbledore's private lessons would be held this Saturday at eight. He looked around for his two friends to tell them this, but couldn't find them anywhere. Puzzled, he asked Neville (whom he noticed was nearby) where they were.
'I dunno,' replied Neville. 'I just saw them disappear a while back.'
'Something bothering you mate?' said Harry noticing the anxious look on Neville's face.
'Well, I want to ask you something, but I don't want to sound nosy or intruding ...' Neville trailed off.
'Why don't you ask your question? If it is something personal or private I'll just tell you.' said Harry after considering Neville's words. The shy boy rarely pried into anyone's business, and Harry wondered what Neville wanted from him.
'OK, I woke up early, and I noticed that you weren't there. Your bed was empty and you weren't in the common room. So was wondering where you had gone. I asked Ron, and he said that you were always up early in the summer ... so, where were you?'
'Oh,' said Harry relaxing a bit. That was an easy question to answer. 'I was out exercising. It's something I've been doing since the summer holidays started.'
Neville took a moment to consider this, 'is it because of, you know, last year at the Ministry?' he dropped his voice at the end looking meaningfully at Harry.
'You knew what Slughorn was talking about at the train didn't you?' said Harry, amused, his voice just as low as Neville's.
Neville just looked at Harry, 'well, it wasn't hard to connect the dots. It was pretty obvious what the Death Eaters were after. We also saw your name written on it remember?'
'Fair enough,' Harry conceded. 'Yes, it is because of that. I am training myself to be able to last longer the next time when I face the bastard. The running is part of it.'
Neville looked at him for a moment, 'can I join you?' he asked at length.
'Why?' said Harry not missing a beat.
'To be able to fight back of course,' said Neville matter-of-factly.
'I don't want to drag you into this Neville. This isn't your fight,' said Harry cautiously. He wasn't willing to bring someone he knew into this conflict. He didn't want to lose another friend.
'Isn't my fight? Of course it is my fight! Weren't you there in St. Mungo's? Didn't you see my parents lying there, insane? Well, in case you didn't know, or forgot, they ended up there because of that bitch Bellatrix Lestrange, her husband and her brother-in-law! They are still out there working for him and I want them to pay! Not only that, but V-Voldemort and his Death Eaters are the reason so many people have died. Look at the number of students in our generation! The reason there are so few of us was because of that creature! He is decimating people in my world, so you can be assured that it is my fight as well! It is every witch and wizard's fight!'
Harry raised his eyebrows at this. While Neville had taken care to keep his voice down, the heat and passion in his voice was unmistakable. Well, at least it proved that Neville was willing to do what it takes.
'Alright then,' Harry said with abrupt calm. 'We'll have to get you the right stuff then. Robes are rather restrictive after all.'
'S-so you'll let me join then?' said Neville taken aback by Harry's sudden change in mood.
'Sure Neville! I only wanted to know if you had the desire to see this through. Because I warn you right now, it will be hard.'
'I can handle it,' said Neville with confidence. 'Besides, I don't know about you, but with Occlumency I have found myself waking up earlier than usual.'
'Yeah, same here,' replied Harry, 'Alright then, I don't think you have the proper clothes or shoes to go running or do most of the things, so we're going to have to sneak into London to take care of that ... I reckon that Saturday afternoon would be the best time to do that.' He said thoughtfully.
'Sure,' said Neville. 'Er, would you mind if I brought along two others?' he asked nervously.
'Who are they?' asked Harry warily. Having Neville was bad enough, but with four people totally, it would be harder.
'Susan and Hannah,' Neville replied. 'We had talked over the summer after Susan's aunt escaped that attack. Initially we thought that the DA would continue, and when we heard that you weren't going to continue it, we were thinking of convincing you to do so anyway. But this sounds like a better idea.'
'Very well,' said Harry resignedly.
Just then the bell rang, and Neville left to tell Susan and Hannah the news while Harry went up to the common room. He used the free period to do Snape's assigned homework; it really was too bad the git had assigned homework just after his lecture. At any rate, Harry found that thanks to his studies in the summer and the practise he had put in helped a lot in understanding the material and finishing the work assigned in record time just in time for lunch.
Harry spent lunch among the Gryffindor first-years. The moppets had tracked him down quickly enough and spent the lunch period talking about their first impression of Hogwarts. Harry patiently listened to them, asking them questions about their classes, and giving them tips on how to survive the different teachers and navigate the castle. They were rather engaging and before Harry knew it, lunch was already over.
Harry spent the after lunch free period he had talking to Katie and her seventh-year friends. Katie was pretty popular and knew almost one member from all four houses.
He made his way down the familiar path down towards the Potions classroom. Not even Snape's change in position influenced where Potions was held. Entering the corridor, he noticed that only a dozen of his year mates had made it into the class. There were four Slytherins; Daphne, Zabini, Malfoy and Nott, four Ravenclaws, including Anthony Goldstein, and Ernie Macmillan, the only Hufflepuff. Harry was speaking to Ernie, and Anthony with Daphne and Zabini saying an occasional word or two when Ron and Hermione finally made their appearance.
'Where were you guys? I've been looking all over for you!' said Harry after Ernie greeted them. Not that he would admit that he actually hadn't.
Before Ron or Hermione could reply, the door to the classroom opened and Slughorn appeared before them, preceded by his belly. As they filed in, Slughorn reserved his best and brightest smiles for Harry and Zabini.
The students looked at the potions bubbling away in the large cauldrons with interest. It was unusual to see potions already made in the class. Snape had never bothered to demonstrate before. He always loved to lecture on the uses of the potion, how to extract and prepare the ingredients, and (if he was in a good mood, which was never) how the ingredients reacted to each other. In the practical periods, he would just put the directions down, expecting the students to have understood everything fully. After all, if they had doubts, they would have asked! Never mind that the only people brave enough to ask Snape were some really studious Ravenclaws and the Slytherins.
The Ravenclaws and Slytherins all decided to sit with their own housemates, leaving the three Gryffindors and Ernie to share a table. As everyone settled down and started to bring out their supplies, Harry raised his hand as he hadn't bought the supplies.
'Ah yes, Professor McGonagall did mention ... not to worry, dear boy, not to worry. I'm sure we can lend you two a couple of scales. You can use the ingredients from the store cupboard and manage with some of the old books lying around here till you write to Flourish and Blotts.' With that, Slughorn walked over to the small cupboard to the side and took out two old and worn books, which he handed to Harry and Ron along with a set of tarnished scales each.
With that taken care of, Slughorn started off the class with a small test to see if they recognised the potions he had prepared. This of course, was Hermione's time to shine as her hand shot up time and time again before she rattled off the name of the potion, its properties and characteristics to an increasingly bemused Slughorn. Harry was confused when she kept shooting slightly triumphant looks at him after identifying each potion. What brought that on? He thought.
'Impressive my dear,' said a clearly impressed Slughorn after Hermione finished describing Amortentia, a love potion, in excruciating detail, ending by giving way too much information on what she likes. Though Harry wasn't too surprised that she liked the smell of fresh parchment, he was slightly nauseated by her liking freshly mown grass. He had enough of mowing the backyard at the Muggles' place to care about it. It was a good thing that she stopped there. He did not know what he would have done if she confessed to liking the smell of detergent. 'And, what is your name?'
'Hermione Granger sir'
'Granger? Granger? Are you perhaps related to Hector Dagworth-Granger, the founder of the Most Extraordinary Society of Potioneers?'
'No I didn't think so sir, I'm Muggle-born you see.'
'Oho!' said Slughorn looking at Harry, '"one of my best friends is Muggle-born and she is the best in our year!" I assume that this is the very friend you speak of, Harry?'
'Yes, sir,' said Harry. He'd really been hoping that Slughorn hadn't remembered that outburst. Though when he saw Malfoy's face, Harry thought it wasn't as bad. The look of shock and surprise that replaced the anticipation really was rather funny.
'What's so impressive in that? I'd have said the same if he'd asked me!' Ron cut across Hermione's gushing sounding a bit annoyed. He shut his mouth, looking rather disgruntled as Hermione made 'sush'ing gestures as Slughorn started to talk more about Amortentia.
Harry's estimation of Slughorn's prowess as a Potions master went up when Slughorn revealed what the golden potion that was splashing rather merrily in a small black cauldron on his desk was. Now this was what Snape had spoken about in first year. Only Slughorn actually made the potion. Harry began to wonder if Snape had ever brewed a potion in his life.
What was more, Slughorn was actually offering a vial of Felix Felicis to the best brewer of the day! The man really knew how to make a class work, as everyone was bent over their cauldron in concentration. Harry also got down to it, eagerly opening his book to the page. He frowned at the book; it was heavily written in. The previous owner had actually taken issue with some of the author's instructions, going as far as to scratch out some instructions and writing over it. Frowning, Harry got the necessary ingredients and got to work.
Within ten minutes, the class was full of bluish steam emanating out of twelve cauldrons. Harry bent over to decipher the next set of instructions. The previous owner had scratched that out and replaced it with his own directions.
'Sir, I think you knew my grandfather, Abraxas Malfoy?' Harry looked up as Slughorn passed by Malfoy's table.
'Yes, I did. I was sorry to hear that he had died, though it wasn't surprising. Dragon Pox at his age...' Slughorn said, not even looking at Malfoy. Harry smirked as he bent back over the table. It looked like Malfoy would have to rely on talent here. He really should've figured that out when he wasn't invited at the train compartment that Slughorn wasn't interested in him.
The Sopophorous Bean was proving rather hard to cut. On a whim, Harry decided to follow the alternative instructions and crushed it with the flat side of his dagger. He was rather surprised when the shrivelled Bean released more juice than it could possibly hold. Scooping it up, he added it to his potion to see it turn the exact shade of lilac as described in the book. His annoyance at the previous owner of the book vanishing on the spot, Harry started tentatively at first, and more confidently later on, following the alternative instructions given. The end result, even to his untrained eye, looked much better than the potion Hermione had made.
Slughorn definitely agreed with Harry's private assessment as he happily declared Harry the winner, waxing poetic about Harry's obvious talent in the field which, as he assured the class, was clearly inherited from his mother.
Harry felt a deep satisfaction at the look of murder in Malfoy's face. He also felt a slight amount of guilt at the look of disappointment at Hermione's face, but that feeling went away quickly. He had, after all, tried to help her. It wasn't his fault that she decided to follow the book instead.
Harry finally told Hermione and Ron the whole truth about the book at dinner at the Gryffindor table. As he described the book, Hermione's face became stonier and stonier. He looked at her challengingly and said aggressively, 'I suppose that you think that I've cheated?'
'Well, it was hardly your work,' she sniffed.
Ron however was on his side, claiming that it those were only a set of different instructions which Harry took a big risk in following. Not that Hermione was convinced, judging by the expression on her face which was the same one she wore when she was arguing about S.P.E.W.
When they got to the common room, Hermione and Ron brought out their Defence homework.
'Aren't you doing your homework Harry?' asked Hermione inquiringly when Harry made no motion to bring out his own work.
'Nah, I already did it,' said Harry, 'Finished it in the free period before lunch actually. It was rather easy.'
'Oh?' Hermione said rather sceptically. 'Well then you won't mind if I look through it would you?'
'It's OK Hermione, I checked it myself. I couldn't have done any better. To tell the truth, I actually had to cut down on the wording a bit. My first draft was three inches too long.' Harry didn't like the tone in which his friend was talking to him, but didn't let it show in his face and tone when he answered her.
'Did you copy from another person for that too?' she said snidely.
She was caught off track by the blank expression on Harry's face. Harry fixed her with a haughty look, his eyes glowing green as he said, 'If that is what you think Hermione' his suddenly frigid voice turned arctic at the last word. Abruptly standing he gave a theatrical stretch and said, 'Well, I think I'll turn in early now, it's been a long day.' He ruffled his hair, unconsciously making the few girls staring at him to sigh dreamily, leaving a spluttering Hermione in his wake. Silently fuming at what she had said. How dare she accuse him of cheating like that?
'Some people cannot take a joke,' said Hermione after a moment's awkward silence. 'What?' she said defensively upon looking at Ron's face. Ron just shrugged and resumed working on his assignment. He personally felt that Hermione was a bit too accusative for that to be a joke as she so claimed. But he wasn't going to say that out loud. He didn't want to argue with her again.