Chapter 12
Sitting next to Cedric at dinner felt nice. So far he’d only really spent time with his group of Hannah, Justin, and Susan. The girls were sitting a bit further down the table, but Justin and his mentor sat across from Harry and Cedric.
“Hey Ced, Potter. My name is Graham Cracknel, Justin’s mentor, it is nice to meet you Potter. We all were surprised when you sorted Hufflepuff, but we sure are happy to welcome you to our family.”, Graham said while he started to put food on his plate.
“Since Graham did not bother to introduce me”, Cedric said with an eye-roll, “Hello Justin my name is Cedric Diggory, Harry’s mentor.”
“Well you can speak for yourself can’t you? There is still a brain rattling around in that pretty head right?”, Graham said teasingly.
“Sigh I wish you all the luck with this one Fletchley. You are going to have a few interesting years ahead of you.”, Cedric replied.
“Eh don’t listen to old goody two shoes over there, I’ll teach you about all the stuff you need to know Justin, just you wait.”, Graham put his arm on Justin’s shoulder and squeezed as he said this. “Just stick to your boy Graham here and it’ll be ok.”
Justin looked at Harry with big eyes, while Harry just started laughing. He thought he would grow to like these guys. Loading up on food, the conversation soon became about getting to know eachother. Cedric was an only child, his father worked for the ministry, and his mother was a stay at home wife, but during school terms she tended to take on part time work. Cedric was also the seeker for the Hufflepuff Quidditch team, and surprisingly or not, his favourite colour was yellow, like the sun.
Graham came from a larger family with two older sisters, and one little brother. He and his brother still lived at home with their parents, but his sisters had already graduated, and were out living on their own. Graham held one of the chaser spots on the house Quidditch theme, and his favourite colour was a deep, sea-green colour.
Justin was as well an only child. He lived with his parents, but they often were away, since they were pretty high up in the muggle society, so he spent a lot of time alone, or with a nanny. He had been on his way to start at Eton, when the Hogwarts letter came together with professor McGonagall. His parents had been a bit peeved at first, since they couldn’t tell people their son was going to Eton any more, but they came up with a story about a more prestigious, hidden school. He was mostly looking forward to transfiguration, and his favourite colour was a spring green.
Then Harry’s turn came, even though they knew his background story. He mentioned that he lived with his mother’s sister, her husband, and their son, his cousin Dudley, and how they all were muggles that didn’t care for magic. He talked about his love of gardening, and that he was looking forward to the herbology lessons coming up. Harry had never really thought about having a favourite colour, after all he head never gotten to pick clothes or wallpaper for himself, but he said he liked the common room’s wall colour, with it’s honey like tones.
It felt really nice just sitting and chatting over dinner, and soon the desserts were gone as well. Feeling full and content, they started heading back to the common room. The girls were done with their dinner too, so they all joined in on the walk there. Wanting to test himself, Harry volunteered to knock on the barrel. Getting a go ahead, he went up and knocked the rhythm they had learned. For a second he thought he did it wrong, but then the door opened allowing them access inside.
Inside the common room, people were still hanging around in groups, talking or playing games. It was definitely something he needed to get used to, cause Harry mostly spent his time with the Dursleys. He and Justin said goodnight to their mentors, and went to sit with Hannah and Susan for a bit before bed.
“So girls, how did it go with your mentors?”, Harry asked.
“Well Hannah had a Quidditch enthusiast just like her, my mentor though was very timid, I had to do most of the talking myself.”
“She was just shy Susan, besides you barely gave her any time to talk about herself, with all your questions about school.”, Hannah said to Susan.
“Hmph I still think she was a meek little thing, but time will tell. How about you then boys?”. Susan asked.
“Cedric seem really great, he was really easy to talk with, and seemed to know his things.”, Harry replied.
“Umm Graham was a bit intense, but he also seemed really nice. I think he will do well as a mentor, if he just matures a little.”, came Justin’s reply.
“Well that’s good then guys, it seems like we are off to a good start here in Hufflepuff. However I think it is now time to head to bed, I’m getting tired and we have classes tomorrow.”, Hannah said with a yawn.
They all agreed and said goodnight to eachother, heading of to their dorm rooms. After talking to Hermione, Harry really understood how lucky he were to just share a room with Justin, no stuff everywhere, and no noisy room-mates. Harry decided to take a shower tonight, so he just could get dressed in the morning. It seemed like Justin had the same thought, so they were fortunate to have two shower stalls. Coming out of the bathroom, they sat and talked for a while, before they both headed to bed, ready for a good night’s sleep.
The next day dawned, and Pomona was in a fabulously good mood. Today she would have her first class with her newest badgers. The lesson was going to be shared with Gryffindor, so she was hoping that group weren’t too wild. Oh Merlin if they got more students like the Weasley twins. Her poor greenhouses wouldn’t make it. As if called through magic, Minerva came up to her, as they were sitting down to breakfast.
“Good morning Pomona.”
“Good morning to you as well Minerva. Is there anything you need me for this early?”
“No, no, I just wanted to talk to you about the first year students, that are starting with you today. I got some warnings about Mr. Longbottom struggling in class yesterday, so could you keep an eye on him for me please?”
“Yes of course Minerva, I’ll make sure to look out for him. We aren’t doing anything dangerous today either. Just a normal start of year lecture, then some planting of herbs, so don’t you worry about a thing.”, Pomona said with her usual smile.
“Thank you that makes me feel better. The poor boy had to grow up with his grandmother after the war. I think that has stunted his confidence, and with that his magic.”, Minerva said nodding.
“You will be seeing my badgers this afternoon Minerva, how do you feel about being Mr. Potter’s teacher?”
“It will certainly be hard not to see James in him, but I will try my hardest to make sure Harry is treated just like anyone else.”
“Harry is it Minerva? You already sound fond of the boy?”
“I was the one taking him into our world for the first time, so I’d say we bonded. We have to talk later about how his situation at home as well, but not here.”, Minerva said, sending a look toward the headmaster.
That’s worrisome Pomona thought to herself, but she would make sure to bring it up to Poppy later.
With breakfast over the two professors went their separate ways, and headed off to start today’s classes.
Harry was brimming with excitement this morning, it was finally time for a herbology lesson! This was his most awaited class after all. Justin had been laughing at him all morning about how much he wanted to get started. Thanking Justin for still tying his tie, they headed to breakfast with the girls, and now they were walking outside on their way to the greenhouses.
“Ah I just can’t wait. I’m so excited to be around all kinds of different plants today!”, Harry exclaimed while they were walking.
The others just shook their heads, smiling at their little gardener.
“Oi Harry wait up mate!”
Harry froze hearing that voice.
“Please tell me there isn’t a red-head coming this way.”
“There isn’t a red-head coming this way.”, Hannah said.
Relieved Harry turned around, just to come face to face with one Ronald Weasley. He sent a glare toward Hannah.
“Hey you told me yourself to say it.”, Hannah said with a smirk.
Rolling his eyes he focused back in on Ronald, who was out of breath after running.
“Hello mate, I thought maybe you and me could partner in class today. You have been forced to spend time around these guys for way too long. I bet you’ll like us Gryffs better anyway, you have to meet Seamus and Dean, they are good guys. Of course we have that know-it-all Granger, and loser Longbottom, but you don’t have to be around them.” Ronald babbled on.
Harry just turned around walking away followed by his friends, while Ron still stood there, getting angry about being snubbed.
“Go be with them duffers then Potter, you’ll be a wuss just like them, after all heroes only come from Gryffindor.”, Ronald shouted after them, but they had reached the entry to the herbology classroom by then.
“One day I will hex that boy so he can’t speak to me for a week at least!”, Harry got out frustrated.
“He definitely is brainless that boy, hex him good for me as well then, I don’t like being called a wuss.”, Susan said, just as frustrated as Harry.
Just as they all had sat down in front of the long planting benches, professor Sprout appeared from a door in the back.
“Good morning students, it is very nice to finally have you all here with me. My name is professor Sprout and I will take care of you all when in the greenhouses. This class will be focused on the world around us, and what grows in it. We will cover, trees, bushes, weeds, herbs, flowers, fruits and vegetables, both of the mundane and magical kind. Now some of you may think herbology don’t have any room in this school, but I beg to differ. Potions and herbology go hand in hand when it comes to growing, tending, and harvesting ingredients. Much of what you do here will spill over into your potions class.”
“There are a few rules for you to follow. You are never allowed to enter a greenhouse that is beyond your level, there are dangerous, and both venomous and poisonous plants in there. You can get hurt badly, which we don’t want to happen. If by any reason you ever needed entry, you will come to me, so I can accompany you there. I want you to always pay attention in class as well, to prevent getting harmed, or harming your plant that we are using. Lastly always have proper equipment, gloves, aprons and at some point eye protection. If you can all follow these simple rules, we won’t have any problems.”
“Now today we will have a short lecture, then I want you to plant this in pots, that are available over there. Can anyone tell me what plant this is? Yes, Mr. Potter.”
“That is a lavender plant professor.”
“Good boy, can you tell me anything about it?”
“Well I know both the smell and the plant itself has soothing, relaxing, and calming properties.”
“Excellent, 5 points to Hufflepuff. Lavender is a really pleasant plant, that also has its usage in potions, like a calming draught. Let me show you all how to plant them, and then I want you to read about them in your books.”
Feeling good about getting house points, Harry started with his lavender. For him with all his experience in the garden it went quickly. He looked around and saw that the Longbottom boy also held a high tempo. He helped Justin get the technique right, and coached the girls on the other side. He heard Weasley complain about how boring he thought it was, which made him feel angry at him.
“How is it going here then, very good I see Mr. Potter, you really have the hand for this. Mr. Finch-Fletchley, you need to be a bit more careful with the roots, so they don’t break off, but still very well done boys”, professor Sprout said before moving on.
By the end of the class, Harry and Longbottom had potted the most plants. As they were carrying their pots to put them aside, Weasley, without anyone seeing it he thought, put out his leg and made poor Longbottom fall and crush his pots he was holding.
“You clumsy thing”, he said and laughed, getting the other Gryffindors to laugh as well, except for Hermione, who was helping Longbottom stand up and glaring at Ronald.
Susan, who had seen him trip Neville, went to go past Weasley, and tipped all of her planting soil over him.
“Oops I am just as clumsy it seems.”, she said, after he was covered in dirt.
“You did that on purpose.”, Weasley shouted.
“What’s going on over here?”, professor Sprout came asking.
“She dumped dirt all over me on purpose professor!”
“No I did not, it was an accident.”, Susan said.
“Now if she says it was an accident it was Mr. Weasley. Go clean yourself by the tap over there before you leave.”, professor Sprout told him and waved him off.
Making sure to leave quickly, Harry and his group went outside, while laughing at Weasley.
“That was perfect Susan, but why did you do it?”, Hannah asked.
“Because I saw him trip Longbottom, he is so mean towards that boy.”
They all felt mad about this, but there wasn’t anything more they could do about it right now. It was time to head in for lunch, then they were going to have their first transfiguration class with professor McGonagall. This was Harry’s second most anticipated class, cause he really wanted to be good at it, and do his best in front of aunt Minnie, as she now was called in his mind.
Minerva McGonagall was also anticipating the first class with Harry in it. She had prepared mentally, and put aside the thoughts about him being James’ son. She watched the Slytherins, and Hufflepuffs enter the room, while in her feline form. She was surprised to see the first year boys of Slytherin, talk happily with Harry’s group of Hufflepuffs, but she felt a small bit of pride over how well Harry was doing so far around the others.
She suddenly startled when she was picked up by Harry.
“Hey there kitty, you are a real pretty one aren’t you? Now I would love for you to be here with us, but class is about to start, so I have to put you outside now.”, Harry said while carrying her. No student had ever picked her up like this, and Minerva felt embarrassed for once. As soon as Harry had put her outside the door she tried to go in again.
“No, no kitty you have to stay out here.”, Harry said and closed the door on her.
The bell rang and Harry was confused that Minnie wasn’t already in the room with them, but she came in through the door just as he thought about it.
Minerva, feeling a bit shaken, went up to her desk and started roll call. After she was done with that, she demonstrated the power of transfiguration, by turning her desk into a pig and back.
“Good afternoon students. As you just saw the power of transfiguration made this desk into something other than it originally was. That is the essence of transfiguration, to put it in easier terms. This class will have no acting up, or you will leave and don’t be welcome back. It is one of the most dangerous kinds of magic, so I expect you to listen, and behave yourselves.”, she said while giving them all a stern look.
“Now as with most of your classes we will start with the theory, then you will get to practise turning these matches into needles.”
She then held a lecture about the proper uses of transfiguring items, and a bit more about the theory behind it. Harry was amazed about all the things you could do with it, and promised himself to study really hard. When the lecture part was over, professor McGonagall went around giving out matchsticks for them to work with. She said to not worry if you couldn’t get it by the end of the lesson, but she was expecting everyone to try.
Focusing on his matchstick, Harry tried to think about the similarities of it and a sewing needle. They both were straight in shape, with a part being a bit larger in one end. The differences were that the needle was of a different material, had an end that was pointier, and that the other end was rounded with a hole in it to pull the thread through.
He took some time after that to really visualize it in his mind, while connecting to his magic. He felt his wand react, like it really wanted to transfigure this thing, which he felt was a bit odd. Saying the spell he saw immediately how his match turned into a fine looking needle. Harry gaped at it, astounded that he would get it this fast.
Professor McGonagall came walking up to him and was shocked as well. Usually it took a couple of tries to get it.
“That was certainly impressive of you Mr. Potter. Do you think you can reverse it?”
“I can try to professor.”, Harry said and thought about it the other way round. His wand reacted again, as if had a mind of its own, and soon there was the match again, looking as it did before.
Minerva just looked at it, not knowing what to say. At last she said: “Excellent work Mr. Potter, that will be 10 points to Hufflepuff. Please do keep practising during the rest of the lesson to see if it keeps working for you.”
Harry nodded, proud of the praise, and that he could do it. By the end of the lesson only he, Theo, and Draco hade made good enough needles. His Hufflepuff friends were close though. Justin’s was a little bit off colour-wise, Hannah’s was a bit crooked, and Susan hadn’t got the opening of the needle right yet. Still they had made great progress.
When the bell rang out, they all complimented Harry and Draco about getting it, before splitting up on the ground floor to get to the common rooms. Deciding to just relax, Harry helped the others with their attempts at transfiguring the match. They practised until dinner, and afterwards they all felt tired, so they said goodnight to eachother and decided on an early night after the day they had. Tomorrow they had their first potion class after all.