Chapter 5
Professor McGonagall handed the three their schedules and Reggie eagerly took it. “Please tell me we have lots of Defense classes!”
Monday:
Potions (with Slytherins): 8:40 am- 10:10 am
Defense Against the Dark Arts (with Hufflepuffs): 10:20 am-11:50 am
Magical Theory (with Hufflepuffs): 1:10 pm- 2:40 pm
Charms (with Ravenclaws): 2:50 pm- 4:20 pm
Tuesday:
Defense Against the Dark Arts (with Hufflepuffs): 8:40 am- 10:10 am
History of Magic (with Slytherins): 10:20 am-11:50 am
Herbology (with Ravenclaws): 1:10 pm- 2:40 pm
Transfiguration (with Hufflepuffs): 2:50 pm- 4:20 pm
Wednesday:
Potions (with Slytherins): 8:40 am- 10:10 am
Charms (with Ravenclaws): 10:20 am-11:50 am
Transfiguration (with Hufflepuffs): 1:10 pm- 2:40 pm
Magical Theory (with Hufflepuffs): 2:50 pm- 4:20 pm
Astronomy: 12:00 am- 1:30 am
Thursday:
Defense Against the Dark Arts (with Hufflepuffs): 8:40 am- 10:10 am
Defense Against the Dark Arts (with Hufflepuffs): 10:20 am-11:50 am
History of Magic (with Slytherins): 1:10 pm- 2:40 pm
Herbology (with Ravenclaws): 2:50 pm- 4:20 pm
Friday:
Potions (with Slytherins): 8:40 am- 10:10 am
Potions (with Slytherins): 10:20 am-11:50 am
Charms (with Ravenclaws): 1:10 pm- 2:40 pm
Transfiguration (with Hufflepuffs): 2:50 pm- 4:20 pm
Reggie groaned, “Bloody hell! Two potion classes on Friday? But at least there’s a double block for Defense on Thursday to make up for it!”
Their first class for the day was to be Potions, it seemed.
Harry hadn’t come across the dungeons yet so he decided to ask a few of the first-year Slytherins. He could hear Reggie come up with the same idea from breaching his mind. They make eye contact before heading towards the table, Heinrich trailing behind Harry and Reggie without question.
He went straight for the heat, heading towards the group of first-year Slytherins containing Draco Malfoy and Antoine Chevalier, both one of the richest families at Hogwarts. Malfoy was English while Chevalier was French, whose parents moved to Britain for business reasons. The two seemed to get along quite well and Harry knew there was something more to the story than he knew. He was going to figure it out, but he should start step one first.
“Excuse me, do either of you know where the Potions classroom is?” They eyed him the minute they saw he was heading in their direction, so he hadn’t had to interrupt them.
They look at each other before looking back up at him. Harry read Malfoy’s mind to find him inwardly debating what to do. His father told him to try to not mess with Harry and stay neutral for the time being.
Chevalier spoke. “Of course we do.”
Harry ignored the slightly sharp voice and Reggie cheerily cut in. “Thank Merlin! We have it first class and we didn’t know where it was.”
Harry enjoyed their slightly constipated looks as they struggled between the politeness they were taught to show and their bigotry.
“I see. We do as well.” Malfoy squeezed out.
Harry knew that as long as he didn’t offend them they wouldn’t make the first move either. However, Harry also knew that they weren’t very fond of them and definitely wouldn’t be mad at the chance to be antagonistic, so Harry was going to ensure he did not break the ice. Besides, the Potter, Black, and Klein families were all wealthy, so the equally wealthy Malfoy and Chevalier would not look down on them.
Harry smiled gently. “Splendid. Would you like to walk there together?”
The two didn’t shrug their shoulders–it was too inelegant to do– but their faces somehow showed that exact feeling. “Alright.”
The other Slytherins kept an eye on the group the whole conversation, watching in case something stirred, and Harry couldn’t blame them since it wasn’t a very private conversation. Besides, Harry wanted to show that they did not mind Slytherins to the rest of the school.
The group got up and headed over, asking and answering questions with civility. By the end of the ten-minute trip, the tension thawed as Harry and Reggie made sure that all conversation played into something Malfoy’s and Chevalier’s interests. It seemed Quidditch was something that every young wizard liked.
Heinrich didn’t make much speech but he gave off relaxed vibes, so none of them minded.
They walked into Potions class early by almost fifteen minutes. It was empty but Harry was glad, this was his chance to choose seats and they got the first pick. The room was structured with seats that rose higher the further back it got, like a muggle college class except with more desk room as well as covering two sides of the room with even the corner. Harry sat directly in front of the teacher's desk which was off-center slightly to the side, so Harry sat at the third desk on the right with Reggie on his left and Heinrich on the left of Reggie. Draco and Antoine sat next to Harr’s right.
Harry sat like this to address partnerships. He knew that sometimes there would be partner potion making and in that case, he didn’t want to choose between Reggie or Heinrich, so he decided to make sure they sat together so when the time came he didn’t have to choose. But it was also an odd number so Draco and Antoine would most likely partner together.
“Ah, if we do partners, we’ll be one short… Is there anyone you two know who would like working with me?”
Draco and Antoine chuckled together before Antoine spoke with his slightly French accent. “I think anyone I know would get along with you, Harry.”
Harry let his eyes widen, smiling tenderly with modesty. “That’s very kind of you to say.”
He waved off the thanks. “Just being honest. But, I would recommend going for Zabini, Dankworth, Nott, Crabbe, or Goyle. They are the only other pureblood males of our year. Slytherin-wise of course.”
Draco scoffed. “Even being pureblood isn’t enough to make up for Crabbe and Goyle's faults. If you choose them your potion will probably explode in a minute.”
Antoine laughed with Draco but the other three stayed silent with Harry and Reggie giving polite smiles. Between snickers, Antoine gave more advice. “Dankworth is neutral politically though, so for you, he’s probably the best.”
Draco stopped laughing, glaring at Antoine. “Why would you say that?” Draco was evidently dedicated to his family, already thinking of ways to get Harry to convert.
Harry touched shoulders with Draco soothingly. “It’s alright, I already know about that, and besides, I’m not looking at family connections, I like people based on themselves.”
Reggie nodded with an impish smile on his face. “How noble of you, Ominis.”
Draco and Antoine looked at each other with confusion. “Ominis?”
Heinrich spoke up for the first time. “Our nickname for Harry.”
Harry smiled at the ‘our’.
Draco and Antoine, being the kids that they were, did not like to be excluded. Harry could relate of course, as a kid himself.
“Can we call you that too?”
Harry nodded with a kind smile. “Certainly, call me anything you like.”
By this time, a few other students had already filed in and more were still coming. When seeing Zabini walk through the door, Harry spoke up before he could walk past where they were sitting. “Zabini, would you like to sit with us?”
Zabini looked between them and nodded lazily. “Sure, Potter.”
Draco and Antoine looked at Harry incredulously and with a tiny bit of hope. Harry could see that they hoped he would be on their family’s side.
Draco and Antoine moved so that Zabini could sit directly next to Harry. There was no need for an introduction because all six have seen each other before.
Antoine made small conversation. “I heard Professor Snape was a very good teacher. He even gives Gryffindors what they deserve!”
He paused, looking at them. “Oh, wait, sorry.”
Reggie laughed. “No worries! It's not like I was planning to be nice to him either!”
Zabini looked less bored and more interested at seeing the casualness they seemed to have, and Harry decided to break the tension sooner rather than later. “May I have the pleasure of calling you by your first name, Zabini?”
Zabini’s eyes widened and he chuckled with the same aloofness as earlier but also humor now as well. “Why so polite? We’re at school.”
Draco and Antoine scoffed along with Reggie as the boy said. “He’s always like that.”
“Well, nonetheless, sure, as long as I get to call you by yours.”
Draco piped up. “Actually, his nickname is Ominis.”
Blaise whistled. “I didn’t know you guys were friends already. And how’d you end up getting named ominous?”
Harry tilted his head. “Ominis ending with -is, not -ous.” He pouted lightly with amusement. “And are we not friends as well, Blaise?”
Blaise’s eyes brightened at Harry’s lightheartedness. “I would be honored, dear Ominis.”
Harry was about to retort but clenched his mouth shut the minute he heard loud footsteps come in, a quick glance revealed that it was their new professor. He smiled apologetically and turned to face forward.
Professor Snape walked to his desk with a stern expression and lips curved downward. All of a sudden there was a loud BOOM!
Fog immediately shrouded the classroom as the students shrieked, with even the Slytherins next to him making a pathetic sound from being startled. Harry had a feeling he knew who the culprit, or should he say, culprits, from the triumphant feeling he felt coming from both Reggie and Heinrich.
Professor Snape hissed sharply. The fog was clearing but it was still hard to see the professor. Reggie held both his hands up, Heinrich and Harry immediately high-fiving him without taking their eyes off Professor Snape while the slytherins looked at them with open mouths and unconcealed shock.
The mist finally dissipated and the students collectively gasped with horror before the Gryffindor’s cackled. Even a few of the Slytherins couldn’t keep up with their displeased facade and cracked a few smiles.
Professor Snape was entirely pink, from head to toe, even his skin. Though, it wasn’t paint, it was as if he was dyed with smooth ink.
Harry was enjoying the feelings coming from Heinrich and Reggie so he didn’t bother to see how Professor Snape felt. The man was making it pretty obvious anyway given his expression.
The man did not hesitate, immediately looking at them with flared nostrils and scrunched brows, not needing long to deduce who was likely at fault.
“You three-! How dare you.” He looked down at them, and Harry could feel the people around them shrink back. Harry, Reggie, and Heinrich just looked back at the professor unfazed, though Reggie was still bent over cackling. Harry could feel the humor rolling off Heinrich as well, though the boy still had a cold exterior.
Professor Snape walked up to them. “Detention. This week. Every. Single. Night.”
Seeing as the other two were not going to respond, Harry looked into the man’s stormy orbs. “Of course, sir.”
Reggie was heaving, barely able to speak with how much he was laughing. “We’ll- hahaha! We’ll be there!”
Professor Snape glared at them with such hate that Harry couldn’t help but tilt his head, letting his interest show. The man looked at him before turning around and gliding out the door with about as much dignity a pink man could have.
When the door slammed shut it was like a dam broke and all the tension disappeared. Roaring laughter filled the room coming from most of those wearing red while Slytherins were either watching with stony frowns or hidden laughter.
Antoine looked at them with astonishment. “Did you three do that?”
Harry smiled. “Actually, I had no clue about it.”
Reggie slapped him on the back. “Sorry! We only decided to do it this morning and we didn’t even know we would have him first class! Thank Merlin we did though, that was the funniest thing I’ve ever seen in my life!”
Blaise looked at him incredulously. “You just accepted the detention even though you weren’t a part of it, Ominis?”
Harry chuckled. “We’re a package deal.” He ignored the confused expressions at the muggle term.
When the laughter died down there was silence. Reggie spoke loud enough for the class. “So, we got two choices! One, leave! Two, stay and hang out!”
Harry also spoke to the class. There were eyes on them before they even opened their mouths, not just from their early spectacle but also their charisma. “I suggest staying. Professor Snape would likely not be pleased to hear we left early.”
That was how Harry, Reggie, and Heinrich ended up socializing with a lot of the first-year Slytherins and Gryffindors. Harry wanted them to start as soon as possible with connections, and so far they made friends out of three slytherins and they were breaking the ice with the rest of the first-year Slytherins and Gryffindors.
When the class ended, Reggie spoke up before students could start filing out. “By the way, party at Ravenclaw’s common room this Friday at 8:30! If you don’t know where, ask a Ravenclaw!”
There were cheers from most of the Gryffindors and scoffs from the Slytherins. Harry spoke to Antoine. “Antoine, is it possible for you to ensure your house won’t talk about the party to any authority figures?”
Antoine harrumphed. “Of course!”
Harry smiled, showing Antoine the approval the boy was craving—and lacked from his formal parents. “Thank you, love.”
The boy looked at him with confusion before bowing his head slightly, bashful and pleased. Harry’s breach of the boy’s mind allowed him to hear the boy tasting Harry’s kindness out. He could feel the moment Antoine truly accepted him as one of them.
“No problem, see you, Ominis.” He headed out of the class with Draco and Blaise next to him, the two giving similar goodbyes.
Harry turned to Reggie and Heinrich, the three of them heading to their next class. “So, party?”
Reggie nodded. “It was actually Heinrich’s idea! A good way to get our rep up and have fun at the same time.”
Harry approved, bumping into Heinrich’s shoulder with his own. “Great idea.”
Heinrich gave only a stony nod in return, but Harry could feel how pleased he was inside.
Harry recalled the schedule in his head. Defense Against the Dark Arts was next.
Together the three headed immediately there, but ten minutes was not enough time between classes for a castle as huge as this. The only reason they were able to even navigate it was because of Harry’s perfect memory and his late-night exploration.
When they walked in it seemed that the Hufflepuff were coming from a closer classroom because they were already sitting down in their chosen seats. Luckily, there were still a few seats in the front not taken so Harry, Reggie, and Heinrich were able to once again sit directly in front of the teacher's desk.
The only class Harry wanted to sit in the front for was Potions and that was only because he knew Professor Snape did not like him and he wanted to change that for his own amusement. However, Reggie’s favorite subject was Defense, added on to the fact that the boy’s father was the teacher, and he wanted to be as close to his father as possible, which meant Harry would sit in the front for another class.
More gryffindor’s walked in and a few of the boys held out their hand for high-fives. “Keep it up, mates.”
Sirius burst into the room. “Reg! Harry! You didn’t!”
Reggie cackled. “We did!”
Class started off with a bang but then a paper flew to each of the students.
Reggie picked it up with horror. “Dad! Quizzes?”
Sirius held a hand to his heart. “You don’t understand how much it pains me to do this! But, alas, I must. I have to see how much you guys know so that I can whip up a curriculum.”
Harry pat Reggie’s head as the boy disheartedly slumped his shoulders.
________
Lunch was a welcomed experience. There was a notable lack of one Professor Snape, but the vigor of the Gryffindor students was still noticeable even now. Fred and George Weasley were having fun taunting the Slytherin students, much to the dismay of their older brother, Percy Weasley.
Sirius was kicking his feet and Harry had a feeling he knew what his conversation with Remus and Professor Dumbledore if the man’s puffed-out chest and repeated pointing in their direction was any clue.
Professor Dumbledore smiled at Sirius and Remus warmly, but the next words were evidently a reprimand as the two deflated.
Reggie saw this as well as shown by how he deflated along with his father at the thought of disappointing Professor Dumbledore.
Heinrich and Harry was quick to comfort, pressing against the boy reassuringly.
The rest of lunch went by quickly with the occasional fist bump or high-five. Harry pushed his food around for the majority of it until a plate of chocolate cake suddenly appeared next to him and he immediately grabbed a fork and knife.
He ate fast, but with elegance of course. People seemed drawn to the three of them, and Harry wasn’t surprised. With Reggie’s charm, Heinrich’s formidity, and his fame, they made a good trio.
—
The last class of the day was Charms. Harry had met Professor Flitwick before at one of his parties, but it felt rather different to have him as a professor rather than just another eye to impress.
The small man stepped on a pile of books and started attendance. Reggie had fun coming up with an absurd response while Harry simply responded with “Present,” like the other students. Heinrich did the same but it’s tone was so much colder that the two seemed like opposites.
“Well, let’s begin with a simple charm: Wingardium Leviosa!” As he spoke the words the book in front of him rose without the man having even used his wand.
“Now, I do not expect you students to be as adept. We will be starting with lifting feathers.”
A feather was placed on every desk and the students were addressed with a nod from Professor Flitwick to indicate that they could begin.
As the other students struggled to lift their wands, Harry and Reggie did so almost immediately with a few other notable students following soon after like Heinrich and Hermione Granger.
The students that got it quickest were those with noble parents, showing that they likely had private tutoring once they were old enough to get a wand – except for Hermione of course.
Because Harry did not have a wand like the other students that he was waving, he was quite noticeable with his hand hovering over the feather. Professor Flitwick immediately squealed and jumped off his stack of books excitedly.
“Mr. Potter! I was not told you were so talented! I had the presumption that you had minimal experience, but it is spectacular to see that is not the case.”
The man acted so excited it felt almost ingenuine, but knowing the man’s personality that was likely not the case.
The tiny man turned to Reggie and Heinrich. “You as well Mr. Black and Mr. Klein! It is astonishing to see such quick use of the spell. Keep up the splendid progress you two.”
Harry smiled nicely. “Thank you, sir! Call me Harry if you would though, Mr. Potter just never sits right with me.”
Professor Flitwick laughed in a way that sounded more like a giggle due to his high-pitched voice. “Nice try, Mr. Potter, but professors ought to be more professional than that!”
Harry nodded with a put-out smile. “I suppose, sir.”
Professor Flitwick was obviously conflicted, but Harry saw the moment he made a compromise. “How about Potter?”
Harry smiled brightly once more. “That’s better.”
Professor Flitwick then went off to help struggling students and congratulate the other students who succeeded quickly.
_____
The trio went to their detention that night, a note having been passed to them from a prefect at the end of dinner informing them to go to the fifth-floor corridor. They turned the corner to come face to face with Argus.
“Oh hello, Argus! Nice to see you again.”
The man grunted, giving Harry a displeased look before indicating for them to follow with his arm. “Follow me, filthy brats. Hogwarts used to let us give punishments that would correct behavior, but now we’re stuck with cleaning as a punishment. That should be a requirement!”
Harry just chuckled, nodding along. He didn’t state any opinions directly but also didn’t dissuade any. Reggie and Heinrich stayed dead silent and let him cook.
Argus spoke. “Clean this whole corridor. With these.” He handed them a small washcloth each.
Harry nodded and cleaned while Argus watched. However, little did the man know Harry had used a slight bit of magic to ensure the grim would wipe off easier, leading to them finishing in half the expected time.
Reggie stretched dramatically. “Finally! We’re done!”
Argus huffed. “Detention isn’t over when the task is done, it’s over when the time is. Just follow me for the patrol.”
Reggie groaned while Harry and Heinrich nodded. Harry spoke up, “How has your day been Argus?”
Argus gave a slight grunt and a shrug. “None of your business.”
Harry just smiled.
There was a slight lull in the conversation before Harry decided to get to know the man more. “How did you meet Mrs. Norris, Argus?”
Argus unthawed noticeably and visibly hesitated before speaking. “Well, it was a cold and windy night…”
An hour later, the two were still conversing, and Harry was laughing at something Argus said when they crossed paths with the talk of the castle: Professor Snape. Harry coughed politely with a tilted head in kind greeting as the man took in their leisure situation.
The man sneered. “Tomorrow detention will be with me.”
Reggie saluted in the background while Harry smiled. “Of course, sir.”
With one last look at Argus, with his worry lines deep and face scrunched as if the man betrayed him, Professor Snape glided away. The minute the man turned the corner Reggie burst into giggles while Argus scoffed, walking away. The three immediately followed him, but he waved his lamp. “You’re done for tonight, go to bed before it hits curfew.”
Reggie clapped his hands in delight. “Yes sir!”
They rushed to their dorms, none of them having truly enjoyed the comfort of them the night before due to their separate explorations.
Harry saw the room for the first time, seeing a large room that fit all the first-year boys of Gryffindor. It was decorated with warm red and gold, a fireplace keeping the place cozy and giving an inviting atmosphere.
Harry sighed as he sat down at his bed. The other boys were in bed already as it was a minute until curfew but most weren’t asleep as Harry say by the lazy waves they gave to them as they walked in.
Reggie pouted as he looked between the beds. “They should give us a king-sized bed that we can share.”
Harry laughed warmly. “These beds can fit the three of us.”
Heinrich nodded stiffly, but Harry felt the warmness coming from inside him.
Reggie giggled, “Alright, let’s sleep!”
“Shh!” Three boys shush them from the other beds.
Heinrich looked in their direction with an unimpressed glare before being the first to lay down. “Good night.”
Reggie and Harry get on next, the three of them squished against the wall on the small bed with Harry in the middle. “Sweet dreams, Reggie, Heinrich.”
Harry allowed himself to fade off, going into his mental doors once more. He would explore more of the castle later on, he had plenty of time after all.