𝖂𝖎𝖘𝖙𝖊𝖗𝖎𝖆 𝕭𝖔𝖓𝖊𝖘
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!TW!
!Cursing!
!Mentions of Abuse!
!Self Deprecation!
!Bullying!
!Religious Trauma!
!Eating Disorders!
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3rd person, Harry’s POV
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Harry Potter was having the absolute best day of his life even if it meant being Harry Elphric instead and accompanied by Draco Malfoy.
Correction, Draco Malfoy could potentially ruin this. They hadn’t spoken after last night, not until right before Dumbledore would call them out. Harry was an absolute nervous wreck. What if they hated him? Like really REALLY loathed him? He didn’t know if he could take that kind of heartbreak. At the very least he needed to make sure Malfoy could be a team player before going out there. Sighing, he knew he had to be the bigger person and say something first even if Malfoy was an insufferable prick.
“Malfoy, I’m sorry.” Harry breathed out with much difficulty. He fiddled with his new brown hair in anticipation.
Malfoy merely looked at him through thin eyes, then away. “Whatever. Let’s get on with this.” Dumbledore called out for them and Harry’s stomach might’ve cartwheeled out of his mouth and onto the Great Hall floor. Stepping out with Malfoy closely behind, emerging into a large room with floating candles that looked exactly as he had known it, save for a couple of suits of armor in slightly different positions.
He caught his breath staring out at all these faces he almost knew. From the Slytherin table, he had to double-check that Draco was standing next to him and not a younger Lucius staring with mild curiosity. Next to him was a younger Snape. He was watching with skeptical black eyes. Harry didn’t know how to feel so he changed his gaze to the table adorned with red. His breathing hitched. There was nothing he could’ve done to prepare for it.
There she was. Smiling, bright, and absolutely beautiful. Her hair was long on her shoulders, a shiny red. Her eyes were distinctly green, even from the stage he could see them. She was everything he’d ever imagined she’d be and more.
A little ways behind her was a much more youthful Remus along with a very alive Sirius. He tried to ignore the presence of Peter Pettigrew, because, and I cannot stress this enough, nothing could ruin this for him. And then there he was. 1977, James Potter. Harry felt like he’s seen the same face in the mirror yet it couldn’t be more different.
His hair was the same black messy curls but there was an air of confidence in his face and strong jaw that was accentuated by hazelnut eyes. Harry suddenly felt incredibly inadequate.
Soon, Dumbledore’s speech ended and Harry almost tripped on his way down the steps.
“Nice going, Potter. I’m sure they’ll be real impressed.” Draco drawled under his breath.
“Shut up, for the love of God. Where do we sit?” Whispering back, while scanning for an empty spot to sit.
“Probably in a seat.”
“Kill yourself.”
“I’m reporting you.”
“Report deez nutz.”
“What??”
“Nothing, it’s a muggle joke.” He finally found a desolate place at the end of the table. Malfoy grumbled about all things red next to him while he served himself some salad.
It had come as a shock when the previously dead family members and friends decided to sit with them. Harry was sure he’d give them away. He wasn’t ready, so forgive him if he was still shell-shocked. They were right here, in front of him. They were real and alive.
They talked about Quidditch and classes, and even though it was just a casual conversation, Harry couldn’t ever want anything more. He realized he was smaller than most people his age but he still burned red with embarrassment at being called a 5th year. Back in their own time, everyone knew exactly who he was so no one doubted his age.
Getting back to the dorms, Harry felt a massive weight fall off his shoulders. He was home. Albeit, 20 years in the past, still, it was home.
The group chatted in the commons until Draco decided to be difficult. Dragging the blonde boy to the dorms before slamming the door behind them.
“What the hell is your problem!” Harry practically fumed. In hindsight, he vaguely reminded himself of Mrs. Weasley back in 2nd year.
“Me? He started it!” Harry rubbed his temples in irritation.
“Malfoy, you are so- just- UGH! Would it be so hard for you not to ruin this for me? That’s my dad! Don’t you get it? Someone who means more to me than I’ll ever know because your daddy’s master wanted to terrorize my life! So for once in your life can you just quit being SELFISH!” Harry was red in the face. Draco was fuming.
“Excuse me!? I’M selfish? I didn’t drag us into this mess! You’re the one with a hero complex and an inexplicable need to stick your nose in everyone’s business! Of course, it’s just my luck I have to be stuck here with you!” Draco towered over the furious boy in front of him.
“Oh yeah? Well, if I’ve got a hero complex what does that make you, Mr. Deatheater?”
Draco went very pale. “Could you be any louder!?”
“Oh, what? You scared people will hear us?” Harry’s laugh was spiteful. “IS THIS BETTER? DRACO MALFOY’S A DEATHEATER! DEATHEATER! DEATHEATER HERE!” Harry shouted mockingly.
Draco shoved him. “Shut up! Just, shut up before the lot of meatheads downstairs hear you! Merlin, you’re so stupid. Honestly, if the Dark Lord can’t get a grip and kill you, I will.”
“You- ugh!” Oh, he couldn’t stand him! He was impossible. Maybe it would have been best if they went to separate houses. It would certainly lessen Harry’s ever-growing headache.
Draco snorted. “How articulate, really-” They both stopped dead when the door opened. Shit. How much had they heard? Harry hadn’t meant to be loud; he was just trying to press Malfoy’s buttons. They gave no signs they heard anything they weren’t supposed to but there was still tension when they strode over to their bunks. It was probably fine. Right?
The rest of the evening went on fine, well no actually it was pretty dog shite, but as far as he knew, nothing catastrophic. He knew that the Marauders noticed that he and Draco had changed in the bathroom. Harry didn’t want to show off his scars that would certainly warrant unwanted attention and he assumed Draco wanted to keep his dark mark concealed.
Now lying in bed, anxiety creeping into him about sleeping in the dorms. Even in his own time, it had taken him four years to get used to sleeping with Ron, Dean, Seamus, and Neville. Changing in front of them became easier because who didn’t know the tales of Harry Potter and all the times he’s almost gotten himself sent to the afterlife? No, it was the nightmares he was worried about.
He’d done a good enough job of not making too much sound at the Dursleys but there had been times when the night terrors became so awful that he’d wake up in a cold sweat with Ron shaking his shoulders saying he’d woken everyone with his screams of bloody murder.
He’d put a good load of silencing charms around his bed just to be safe.
The next morning, Harry had woken up reminiscing about the most absurd dream. He had met his father and somehow Draco Malfoy had been involved. Very odd indeed. He rolled out of bed with a groan. The sun was shining through the window and the room was already alive and moving. Was he at Hogwarts?
“Bloody hell, Ron, take it down a notch, it’s too early-” Opening his eyes, it was in fact not a red-headed boy screaming an obscure interpretation of Dancing Queen, but a young Sirius Black in his boxers and his red tie being worn as a headband.
Draco was already awake and changed and seemed put together. “About time you woke up. Get your arse together or we’ll miss breakfast.” Oh, joy. It was not a dream.
“Ah, come on, Alban, don’t be stick in the mud!” James teased, ruffling the irritable boy’s hair.
“Don’t touch me.” James simply laughed, giving Malfoy a noogie. Harry stifled a laugh. “No, seriously, don’t touch me.”
Harry got his robes together to get changed in the bathroom. Coming back, everyone was already dressed as well. Malfoy looked odd in red but then again, he didn’t quite look like himself either.
“I’m starved!” Pettigrew whined obnoxiously. Harry wasn’t quite sure how he felt about living with Peter. A big part of him wanted to hate him viciously but in his rationality, he also knew he hadn’t done anything yet. He was just 17. Like him. Besides, making an enemy out of him certainly wouldn’t be convenient for anyone.
Moony tossed a book at Sirius who was pretending to be a stripper on the bedpost who toppled over with a yelp. “Let’s go!” James taking the lead with his arm swung over Sirius’ shoulder, the group made their way to the great hall.
Breakfast went on as it normally would, no different than Hogwarts in 1997, with an array of pancakes and eggs. Harry picked at some strawberries while Sirius viciously tore into a sausage slice, Remus rolling his eyes.
“Just strawberries, mate? Didn’t eat too much at the Welcome Feast last night, either.” Remus pointed out, concern lining his face with a piece of scrambled egg suspended in the air.
Harry tousled his hair nervously under the attention. “Oh, ‘m not really hungry in the mornings, I guess- and last night I was too nervous to eat anything, it being a new place and all.” They all seemed to buy it, but ferret-face who was observing him through squinted scrutiny.
Harry almost whipped out his wand in a panicked defense when he heard the boom. His eyes darted around the hall to find the offender only to find that all the Slytherins were being hung by their ankles by the floating candle wicks. Still tense, he turned to see the marauder grinning wildly and the teachers rushing to the snake bearer’s aid. Malfoy senior’s face was a brilliant red and Draco seemed equally indignant at the sight.
Snape happened to also be turned hot pink with a very big white wig that looked similar to Marie Antoinette’s boat hair. Harry felt frustrated. This wasn’t right. He felt that he should stand up for them but what about the marauders? Screw it. With a few flicks of his wands, he assisted the staff in lowering all the Slytherins to their respective seats and reversing the effects done to Snape. Said black-haired Slytherin glared at him. Well, you’re welcome, Harry thought exasperatedly.
“Why the hell did you do that?” Ah, shit. Harry hadn’t thought it’d bother the Marauders so much.
“I mean, I dunno, I was just helping them down, Sirius. I- They could’ve gotten hurt falling from that high.” Harry didn’t think it was a big deal.
James scoffed. “It was just our welcome-back prank, we do one every year. C’mon, Elphric. No need to get so worked up over some snakes.”
“Just a prank? Are you fucking stupid? I don’t see how a targeted attack is remotely a practical joke.” Draco was positively fuming. He was now standing defiantly, glaring down Harry’s freaking dad. So, all in all, a wonderful situation. Yet, Harry found himself standing by Malfoy.
“Hey, Harry, tell your prat of friend that he should learn how things work here at Hogwarts.” Sirius shoved Draco who swelled angrily.
“Excuse me? He DOES NOT speak for me-!”
“No.” Harry’s eyes clouded with turmoil. He wished he could just side with Sirius. Dammit, why did he care so much anyway? They were Slytherins, all they ever did was pray on his downfall. But it wasn’t right.
“Ha! Thataboy, Harry. I knew you’d get it-”
“No, I mean he’s right. C’mon, guys,” Harry laughed nervously, he developed this anxiety habit during his days at muggle school when cornered by Dudley’s dumb friends. “They’re Slytherins, sure, but we’re all just trying to have breakfast-”
“I’m so fed up with you bigots! ‘Just because they’re Slytherins’ ‘They’re just Slytherins’ ‘They’re snakes’. Why is being in a fucking house that they don't even choose a reason to be the butt of every snide remark?! And you four are the worst of them all! I’ve sat here and I’ve tried to play nice, for what? You think you’re better than everyone when really, everyone hates you.”
Now everyone, even the peace-making Hufflepuffs, had circled the six of them to speculate. Many Slytherins stood behind him and Draco. Ugh! God, why couldn't he be uninvolved in drama for even a week? The Marauders seemed to interpret this declaration to speak for them both as Slytherin lovers.
“Yeah, and what do you two know? You’ve just got here and you think you know everything, do you? Show up with that nasty attitude of yours and that stupid snake-loving face and think we’d just let you disrespect our house? You two being in Gryffindor is a joke. Especially you, Elphric. Cowering at anyone who looks at you for too long and letting him carry on doing whatever he wants.” Sirius spat viciously, flanked by James and a very excited Peter. Remus looked mildly uncomfortable.
Harry felt an unsettling pang in his chest at being shot at unnecessarily. He wished he could protest but hadn’t the hat told him he’d be better in Slytherin? Why was he being stupid? Obviously, he should just choose his family over Malfoy. When did this escalate so quickly? Why had Sirius gotten so angry, all he had done was help them down.
Malfoy pushed past the crowd angrily, exiting the great hall. Hesitantly, Harry gathered his and Draco’s things rather clumsily, pushed through the gaping students, and trailed after Draco. His stomach grumbled, regretting not consuming more than a few berries before fleeing.
“Ma- Alban! Alban?” Harry had to quicken his pace to catch up to him.
“What do you want? Come to scold me for ruining your perfect little family reunion, have you?”
“What? No, I’ve got your school things, prick.” Harry handed Draco his bag. “And we’ve got Transfiguration in a few minutes.”
The pair walked in silence before reaching McGonagall’s classroom. The room was almost exactly as Harry knew it. A few Slytherins and Gryffindors were already seated and staring at them. One of the few in the class was Lily with what Harry assumed to be her friends. He turned his eyes away and found seats in the very back for the two of them.
He tried not to think of her curious eyes, shuffling through his bag to pull out a notebook. Hermione always tried to make him take notes but the majority of the worn pages were doodles. Draco had apparently decided to stare at a little globe statue on McGonagall’s desk. The two sat in comfortable silence, trying to ignore the stares, Draco even more determined to do so.
McGonagall strode in with a few disgruntled Slytherins following suit. The Marauders came shuffling in at the very last minute, sending looks of indifference in their general direction. The class started as it normally would with the Professor’s algorithm and class rules.
It was amazing how well McGonagall could act like he and Malfoy were regular students, regarding all that she knew about them. After a lengthy lecture about the lack of patience for tomfoolery in her classroom, McGonagall allowed them a study hall to catch up on summer assignments.
Harry wished Draco would say something to start conversation. You know, with pitting the Marauders along with any Gryffindor with a sense of self-preservation against them. With a huff, he opened his potions textbook and tried to decipher Snape’s horrid handwriting. That was until a girl sat right in front of his desk almost scaring him to death. Looking up, there sat Lily motherfucking Evans.
Harry caught a whiff of her apple bomb perfume as she smiled brightly at the two of them. “Hey there, I should’ve introduced myself last night but I was so busy with first-years I didn’t get the chance. I’m Head Girl, Lily Evans.”
Once again, Harry found himself relatively speechless. He knew Draco would soon grow annoyed at his incompetence in speech, so he pushed himself to put all thoughts away. “Oh, um, yeah, I’m Harry and this is Julian. It’s very nice to meet you.” He hoped he looked less weird than he felt.
Draco simply grunted in acknowledgment. She paid no mind. “So I’ve heard. I saw your scuffle with my boyfriend and his friends this morning. Are you ok?” Harry looked behind her anxiously to see James and the Marauders glaring viciously in the distance. Oh brudder.
“Er- yeah, I’m sorry, we really don’t want any trouble-” Malfoy snorted with something that sounded suspiciously like ‘speak for yourself’. She waved his worries away with a lopsided smile.
“No worries, my boyfriend’s drama is not mine. Although I do apologize if they might make you two feel unwelcome,” She sighed softly. “He and his friends tend to get carried away when they catch wind of an idea and run with it. I hope things get better between you boys, I mean really, arguing over simple opinions.”
Draco gave her a confused yet appreciative look. Well, at least he liked her. Harry couldn’t help but give a lop-sided smile. “Um, thanks.”
The class ended soon after, Draco striding dutifully out of the room with Harry following closely behind.
“So, transfiguration wasn’t so bad, right?”
Draco side eyed him unenthusiastically. “Yeah, fine, I guess.” Harry huffed at his unwillingness to be friendly. Whatever, it’s ok. Just, things will work themselves out. He and Draco had to be a team since, once again, Hogwarts was against him. Yay. He just wished Draco would quit his brooding and realize the same thing.
Herbology with the Hufflepuffs was boring but it came and went. Hufflepuff girls were giggling and whispering about Draco but wouldn’t dare approach. Harry felt slightly uncomfortable for some unknown reason yet pushed it aside. Probably because he felt it weird to think about Draco dating anyone who could be their parents. That was it.
Harry’s thoughts went as soon as they came. Before he knew it, it was lunch. Joy. As soon as they entered the Great Hall, all eyes were on them. Most glares coming from those in red and apprehensive looks from the other tables. Oh brudder. Whatever. All is well. Nothing he wasn’t used to, anyway. He glanced up at Draco’s solemn face. Of course he was fine with all this unwanted attention, he was probably obsessed with the fact that all eyes were on him. Narcissist.
Draco shoved his hands in his pockets with a bored expression to the very end of the Gryffindor table, Harry following closely behind. Oh yum, cheesy mac and cheese with bacon bits. His stomach growled loudly. He could eat something just this once, right? He piled a mini mountain of the pasta on his plate and ate quickly, guarding his plate.
Stuffing his mouth as quickly as he could, he looked up to find Draco watching him with a smirk. “What?” It came out muffled with all the cheese in his mouth.
“You know you can have more, right? Merlin, did no one teach you how to eat like a normal person.” Draco apparently found this all very amusing. “Maybe you should’ve had breakfast afterall.”
Harry burned red in embarrassment and gently put down his fork and swallowed everything very thickly. “Shut up.”
Draco simply smirked, but not in a sharp, arrogant way, but in a curious, bright expression. Harry couldn’t even bring himself to be remotely bothered by his comment, smiling back.
Harry didn’t even notice how some younger Gryffindors sitting around them who stared judgmentally at his eating habits shrunk back in fear when the lankier of the two glared at them menacingly.
The rest of lunch, Harry felt much more at ease knowing Draco wouldn’t penalize him for his insecurities.
Harry was very excited for Defense Against the Dark Arts. It was everything he always looked forward to.
Walking into the pleasantly familiar classroom, Harry felt in place. The room was very clean and organized with neatly arranged desks with a very large, empty space on the other side of the room for what he assumed to be for sparring. At least this professor wouldn’t be like Umbrigde, he thought happily to himself.
Draco lugged after him, watching with a faint smile at seeing the shorter boy light up.
The witch, Professor Brindlemore, sat organizing some loose papers at her desk. Harry hoped she’d be one of the better DADA teachers and prayed that if she was, she wouldn’t meet a devastating death.
More students came trickling into the room, whispering about this year’s new professor.
‘I heard she has a pet dragon.’
‘I heard she was getting it on with Flitwick-!’
‘I heard her ancestor’s go all the way back to the Salem witch trials! Definitely a powerful pure blood!’
She quickly quieted down the class with hush and even the Marauders were too curious to disobey.
“I’m sure as you’ve all heard, I am Professor Brindlemore, this year’s Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher. I’m aware there’s been speculation of this professions’ stability per say, but rest assured, no one will come to any harm as far as I can prevent it.” Her long, purple skirt contrasted her sunshine yellow button-up blouse as it billowed behind her while she kept a steady pace walking between desks, before finally choosing an empty one to sit on. She was certainly different from most adults. “Now, I was once a teenager too, I know I can hardly believe it myself, and I know you all must have some questions or rumors about me and I give you the opportunity to get to know me now. No question is forbidden, I’m an open book.” She grinned.
Hesitantly, a girl with kinky hair raised her hand. “Ah, yes. Ms. Clearwater, is it?” The girl nodded enthusiastically.
“Can we meet your pet dragon?”
Professor Brindlemore simply laughed. “Of course, although I’m sure Bernard isn’t exactly as big as you might think. He’s a muggle Bearded Dragon, but I’m sure if the lazy brute decides he’s up for it, perhaps he can visit a class.”
Sirius shot his hand up without waiting to be called on. “Is it true you shagged Flitwick?” A burst of giggles erupted around him as he smirked, obviously very content with himself.
Harry had half-expected her to shut him down but instead laughed along. “No, Mr. Black, I should hope not, seeing as I am shagging Madam Hooch instead.” Draco looked mildly surprised, homosexuals were not very common among wizards, regarding the importance of descendants. The Marauders, however, whooped and cheered along with anyone who followed their lead.
Then some more serious looking Slytherin shot his hand in the air. She nodded in his direction. “But aren’t you a pureblood?”
“I hardly see the core-relation of those two topics, but no, I happen to be a muggle-born witch, top of my class might I add.” She smiled proudly. Harry doubted anything could shake her.
The Slytherin’s face hid his displeasure fairly well. “Mudblood? I thought you were a descendant of the Salem Witches?”
Keeping her voice light-hearted, “No, I’m afraid my ancestry is of those muggles that hunted Salem Witches, unfortunately. You can imagine my surprise as well, seeing as my family particularly honored tradition very much. As a result, I don’t speak with my relatives.” Draco felt a twinge of compassion for the energetic witch. He knew if his family knew about all his secrets, he’d be banished as well. “Although, I do recommend not using such foul language in my classroom.”
The rest of that class went on with questions until their time was up. Harry felt particularly good about Professor Brindlemore.
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Walking down to the dungeons felt much more relaxed between the two of them, although Harry had to admit, he was nervous for potions.
He had been told his mother was talented at potions and that his father had simply been good at everything. Harry thought by blood he had to be at least half decent at it then without Snape breathing down his neck. Hopefully.
Thankfully he still had Snape’s stupid Half-Blood Prince potions book but he wondered if it’d be smart to use the book with Snape in the same room. That would certainly cause confusion.
The dungeon looked relatively the same except it wasn’t quite as dark or organized, yet it had the same rows of two seater desks in black. Slughorn had all sorts of photographs and newspaper clippings of famous witches and wizards along every spare space on the walls and a few especially large frames on his desk.
A couple of familiar looking Slytherins were already sitting around on the desks and Slughorn seemed nowhere to be found. Harry made a beeline for the desk in the very front, saving a seat for Draco. If there’s anything public school taught him, try to stay within a teacher’s peripheral view.
“Hey, Alban, was it?” A dark haired Slytherin called to Draco, sliding off the desk he was sitting on. Malfoy stiffened.
“Yes.” Draco drawled. “Alban. Julian Alban.”
“Funny, I don’t recall that being a pureblood name yet you don’t act like a mudblood. I’m Regulus Black, 6th year, Slytherin Chaser.” He grinned. Harry hoped his surprise didn’t show on his face. Now that it was mentioned, he did look remarkably familiar. Just like Sirius except for certain features in his face and aura that was equally confident but in an entirely different way.
Through gritted teeth, Draco replied, “I’m a half-blood. My mum was a muggle-born and my dad was half-blood. Both Ravenclaws.”
“Was?” The younger Black asked curiously. Harry almost forgot he was there himself and thought he should probably stop staring since it wasn’t his conversation. Still, he listened closely.
“Is.” Draco corrected himself. “We just don’t speak very often.”
“Interesting.” The boy looked at his three friends then back at Draco who was feigning confidence under the pressure.
“Almost as riveting as this conversation. Are we done?” Draco sneered with a bored face.
Regulus laughed. “I think I like you, for a Gryffindor, anyway. Why don’t we be lab partners? Come on, Mulciber and Avery will be a pair and Snape can go sit with your little friend.” Both Snape and Harry looked equally horrified at this request.
Just as Snape was about to protest, Harry knew better than to argue, Draco agreed. “Fine.” Harry had two singular thoughts. Fuck. You.
Harry stared hopelessly at Draco’s retreating form as Snape begrudgingly dragged his things into the seat next to him. This was all simply perfect. Harry decided on diligently staring at an interesting stone in the wall until the class started.
As the minutes passed, more and more familiar and not so familiar faces came strolling in. Harry made a little game with himself to guess who was related to whom. Ah, he was fairly certain that the blonde Gryffindor that just walked in to sit with her friend had to be Hannah Abbott’s mother.
Slughorn had at some point returned from whichever potions storage room to his desk as his bronze device, Harry assumed it was an alarm of sorts, rang. Just at the last second, low and behold, the Marauders. They sat in the back, James going next to his girlfriend and kicking his feet up on the desk, Remus and Sirius in the seat in front of them, and Peter sitting across from them with some short brunette.
“Hello Gryffindors and Slytherins, welcome to my Year 7 Advanced Potions class! I am Professor Slughorn for those of you who may not know me,” His eyes glanced at Draco and then Harry. “And I must warn you, this class is for the diligent and well-prepared. Having said that, take a look at the person you are sitting next to. That will be your potions lab partner for the following semester.” Harry could not have been more horrified.
The room was split between satisfied whispering and groans. Snape being the latter, looking at Harry through the corner of his eyes as though he were something nasty looking that one would find on the bottom of their shoe. The feeling was mutual.
“Your first day's assignment is to make a simple Cure for Boils. All ingredients and instruments will be in the potions closet. Get to!”
Snape quickly raced to the closet and came back with his arms full of things. Placing them down gingerly on their working table, he laid them out neatly. “Well? Are you going to be of any use or will I do it all myself?”
Harry got up hastily to help before Snape slapped his hands away. “Merlin, Elphric, go wash your hands and get on an apron.” He drawled. Harry was growing frustrated but obeyed regardless.
The dark haired boy glared at him. “Don’t mess me up.” Harry rolled his eyes but agreed. “Pass me the horned slugs while you strip the porcupine quills.” Harry was almost impressed at how skillfully Snape sliced the slugs into thin, precise pieces on the wooden cutting board. Harry quickly got to peeling the quills into thin layers.
“You’re doing it all wrong, give it here.” Snape snatched the quill and began peeling it from the bottom to the top. Harry did vaguely recall that being scribbled somewhere in his potions book. He huffed in frustration.
Harry tried to remember something from Snape’s notes that would help him be useful. He picked up the snake fangs, searching his memory. Snake fangs. . . Oh! The book said to shave them with a cheese grater but Snape’s notes had scribbled in black pen on the side that shaving it with a rock created a finer powder!
Now certain, Harry took his own marble slab cutting board and vigorously made a small mountain of snake fang powder. Snape eventually noticed and looked at him curiously. “What are you doing?”
“Oh- well, shaving the fangs with a rock instead of a grater will make the powder smaller so it’ll mix with the potion easier and it won’t be so chunky.” Harry was second guessing himself. Had he been wrong?
Snape looked him and his work up and down before nodding and jotting a little note in his own potions book. Wait. Had he not known that yet? Even more so, had Harry been the one to teach it to him? Time-travel was so baffling.
Their Cure for Boils potion was a faint orange when they were done and looked a lot smoother than the cauldrons around them. Professor Slughorn came up to inspect it, Snape watching his every move. Carefully, Slughorn poured some of the potion into a little cork-sealed vial and lifted it up to the light.
“Attention class! Misters Snape and Elphric have successfully made the first potion! Although I must say, I’ve never seen the consistency so smooth. What’s your secret?” The fat man grinned enthusiastically.
Snape answered before Harry could get to it. “Just extra stirring, sir.” The professor nodded in approval before moving to the next pair.
“Why’d you say that?” Harry wasn’t sure if he felt indignant or confused. He expected him to at least take credit for Harry’s advice. Snape’s advice? Technically, Snape learned it from Harry, who learned it from Snape, who first learned it from him. . . -
Snape rolled his eyes and slurred his speech, as if speaking to someone with a very low intelligence. “Because then everyone would copy us.”
“So? Then everyone would get it right?” Harry wasn’t following.
“Exactly, nitwit. Everyone will profit off of our hard work without having to do half the struggle. Would they deserve the grade?” Snape snorted, as if referring to very specific people.
Harry wanted to argue but Snape had a point. He supposed it wouldn’t be fair.
As soon as the class was over, Snape walked off like a man on a mission to get away from Harry as quickly as possible. Draco returned shortly after to his side.
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“So, classes today weren’t so bad, eh?”
“I could feel your parents’ eyes burning holes into the back of my neck.”
“Yeah well at least you weren’t paired up with Snape.” Harry half-heartedly complained. The two decided it’d be better to hide out in the Room of Requirements when they had nowhere to be. Right now the room served as a mix of both the Gryffindor and the Slytherin common room. Harry had to admit, he was impressed.
“Merlin, I’m tired. Don’t suppose the room could make beds, could it? Then we wouldn’t have to spend the night worrying about being murdered in our sleep.”
“Nah, I worry about that regardless.” The room had apparently heard their conversation and instantly provided a lofty bunk bed. The top had a green, smooth comforter and the bottom was surrounded by lion stuffies.
“How convenient.”
Just then, a little house elf apparated in front of them (Harry had forgotten that they knew about the room).
“Dipsy has a letter for Mister Elphric, Sir!” The wide eyed elf had almost scared the Jesus out of him, but he took the little paper from her hands.
“A letter? From who?” Had Dumbledore called for them?
“Can’t say, Sir, Dipsy swore!” Her eyes welled up with tears and wailed snottily, hugging tightly to Draco’s pant leg. In retrospect, Harry would’ve found the look on Malfoy’s face hilarious.
“It’s alright, Dipsy! Thank you, anyway.” Harry forgot how emotional house elves were because she just began crying loudly once more.
Draco awkwardly patted her on the head as Harry unfolded the paper carefully.
‘Go to the Wisteria Tree at the Witching Hour on the 9th.’
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Word Count: 5,799
Finished Date: February 9th, 2024, Friday, 10:29 pm
Sorry this took so long, I know I said I’d release it sooner- Like a lot sooner- Like two months sooner- But yk shit’s still kinda kicking my ass rn. I’m back at my parents house under the terms that I pay rent lol and I live on an inflatable mattress in the living room. But hey, at least I got free wifi to post this :) I’m also retaking three classes I failed this semester so that’s been fun. But anyways, enjoy the new chapter, doing my best to get the next chapter going. This chapter seems kinda useless lol
-Rae Mina