Their First Day
Their first day would certainly be one to remember. When Mikael woke up, Draco was already gone. He let out a yawn as he stretched before getting dressed and heading down to the Great Hall, forgetting to do his hair, as he sat down next to Draco with a head full of curls, only realising it when Draco laughed at him and ruffled his hair. He smiled as he greeted Draco and Silene, when he grabbed some food and took a sip of orange juice from the golden goblet meant for him.
Him, Draco and Silene talked about their next classes, well, it was more like Draco avoiding Silene and Silene being included by Mikael, which Draco wasn’t all too fond of. They came to the conclusion that their next class would be potions. Mikael felt a nervous flutter in his stomach. His whole family had a reputation for being absolutely miserable in potions. Mikael took a deep breath before he continued to excitedly talk with his friends about the rest of their day.
Neville groaned as he was half asleep at the Gryffindor dining table, nerves had kept him up all night. His first class was potions, and from what he had seen yesterday, he was horrified. He had heard some 4th years talking about how crude and horrible Professor Snape was. A shiver ran down his spine at the thought of facing the man before he stuffed his face with food in an attempt to shake off the thought. Seamus and Dean, who sat next to him, looked a bit concerned for him.
When breakfast was over and everyone had finished, the first year Gryffindors and Slytherins were headed over to their first ever class; Potions from Professor Snape. Once they sat down in the gloomy, dark classroom the even gloomier and darker Professor stepped inside the room. “Morning class.” His icy cold, but smooth voice rang. Mikael jumped up in his seat, as he looked at Snape carefully, not daring to make a sound. Draco, who was sitting next to him, thought this was rather funny, as Mikael could hear a quiet giggle escape from him. Mikael shrugged it off as he focussed on Snape, who was interrogating poor Harry Potter with questions, and ignoring a girl with bushy brown hair, who, Mikael thought, if she would put her hand up any higher would probably reach the ceiling. Mikael didn’t really pick up on anything the Professor was saying until further down the lesson when his voice seemed louder than before. “Alright, class. Pair up into groups to make the Cure for Boils. I want Slytherins to pair with Gryffindors.” Mikael let out a quiet laugh as a loud, collective groan was the only response Snape got from everyone. Mikael hadn’t been paying much attention when he bumped into someone as he tried to look for a partner. A loud ‘OOMPH’ echoed through the classroom as Snape shot them a stone cold glare. “Adder. Longbottom. You will pair up together.” He said, uninterested. “I’m sorry..” Mike muttered as he helped the other up, Neville smiled at him. “’S alright” He whispered as they walked up to a desk together.
As they set up their cauldrons and got out their measuring tools, Mikael looked at the ingredients and made a face. Horned Slugs, Porcupine Quills and Snake Fangs. “Eeugh…” Mikael groaned as he grabbed his mortar after reading some instructions.
‘’Add 6 Snake Fangs to your mortar and crush them into a fine powder.
Add 4 measures of the crushed fangs to your cauldron.’
Mikael grabbed 6 Snake Fangs as he put them into his mortar, looking over at Neville, who had also been reading the instructions. “Uhm.. So.. I’ll crush the fangs, and you’ll add the Horned Slugs and Porcupine Quills after..?” Mikael suggested, as Neville nodded. “Alright, I’m not sure if you can trust me with this though… I’m absolutely horrid at Potions..” Mikael chuckled. “And what makes you think you can trust me?” Mikael teased as he read the next part of the instructions whilst crushing the fangs.
‘’Heat the mixture to 250 degrees for 10 seconds.
Wave your wand and leave to brew.”
Mikael did just that. After adding the 4 measures of Snake Fang dust to the pot he heated the mixture and waved his wand. Now for the hardest part, waiting.
“So….” Mikael started, leaning on the desk. “Longbottom..” The taller boy looked at him. “Yes?” He asked. “Made any friends yet?” Mikael decided small talk was the play. “Actually, I think I have. Seamus Finnigan. Do you know him?” Neville answered. “No. No I don’t think so..” He frowned, trying to remember a Seamus Finnigan when they heard an explosion. They whipped their head around to find a boy sitting utterly perplexed with a wand in his hand. “That’s him, actually.” Neville said in a nonchalant tone, causing Mikael to laugh. “Oh, hey! You can add the slugs and quills now!” Mikael said, watching as Neville grabbed 4 Horned Slugs and 2 Porcupine Quills and added them to the cauldron before he stirred the mixture clockwise 5 times. After all this, he waved his wand. “Is it done?” Neville asked. Mikael nodded. “Mhm! And nothing exploded!” He joked, but Neville didn’t think it was all that funny.
Snape came to take a look at the potion the two of them had made. “Very well. 15 points for Slytherin. 10 for Gryffindor.” He said, and before he could walk off, Neville asked a question. “Isn’t that a little unfair, P-Professor Snape?” He asked as he fidgeted with his fingers, avoiding eye contact with the tall man. “Unless you want me to take your points away, I suggest you keep your mouth shut unless spoken to, Longbottom.” Snape sneered before walking off, as Mikael and Neville shared a look. Neville looked down in embarrassment.
After the students had packed up, they headed to Charms class.
“Good morning, students!” Professor Flitwick said, smiling as the first years walked into his classroom, exited whispers being exchanged about what they would be learning. Mikael sat in between Draco and Silene. “God, I hate Gryffindors.” Draco spat, talking about their previous class. “Uhh… Yeah, me too.” Mikael replied quickly as he looked over at the Gryffindor students sitting in front of them. He didn’t really mind them, but he wanted to appease Draco.
“Today, I will be teaching you about the levitating charm; Wingardium Leviosa. I will demonstrate it only a few times, so pay attention!” The Professor chimed as he stood on a huge pile of books, demonstrating the pose and movements needed for the charm. “Remember, students; Swish and flick!” He said, before stepping down and letting the students attempt the spell themselves.
Mikael got the hang of it soon enough, even helping Draco by holding his hand and moving it to demonstrate what he should be doing. Silene quietly asked him some questions, as Mikael took his sweet time explaining things to her. Draco seemed annoyed at him helping Silene, but Mikael chose to ignore it. After a while, Draco and Silene got the hang of the charm too, and the three of them were looking at their respective feathers floating in the air.
“It’s Levi-ooooohh-sa, not Levio-saaahrr!” He heard from across the room as he spotted the same bushy brown haired girl that Snape had ignored, explain the spell to a ginger haired boy next to her, he didn’t seem too appreciative of her help, though. He shook his head as he looked away with second hand embarrassment. He couldn’t stand it when people acted like smart-asses. It annoyed him greatly. But before he could even say anything about it to Draco, an explosion caught his attention followed by immense laughter, when he saw that Seamus Finnigan had somehow exploded something again. He couldn’t help but laugh at him either, Seamus, who looked embarrassed, was patted on the back by Neville, who shot the Slytherins a quick glare, but no one seemed to have noticed. Mikael thought it was quite hilarious, how someone could do something as simple as a levitation charm so wrong that he made the subject he was trying to levitate explode! But their laughter was cut short when their professor spoke up. “Alright, alright settle down now! Everyone makes mistakes!” As a new feather drifted through the air. “Here you go, boy. Try again.” He said as Seamus nodded.
Soon after, they were dismissed and it was time for lunch. The students all rushed to the Great Hall, hungry as ever. “I hope they have baked potatoes!” One boy said, as another agreed, and soon enough the tables were filled with hungry students and delicious food. Mikael chose some roast chicken, as Draco had a Stoat Sandwich, and Silene a Steak and Kidney pudding. The two boys teased her for it because of the odd name, but forgot soon enough when they started eating, not having noticed how hungry they had been.
After lunch, they had Transfiguration with Professor McGonagall. Where they had to turn a match into a needle. Mikael, skilled at most things to do with wand waving, transfigured the match just after Hermione, who, to him, seemed way too proud for what she had accomplished. He quietly scoffed as he grinned at Draco, who immediately grinned back, as if they could communicate without words. Draco got it on his third try, and Silene on her second. Mikael looked around the class, watching the struggling students with a bored, but smug expression on his face before him and Draco started to discuss their next class; Flying with Madam Hooch. They were both very, very excited, being some of the biggest Quidditch fans of their age. When Professor McGonnagal dismissed the class, the two of them rushed to the castle grounds as fast as their little legs would take them. Grabbing a broom from the shed and being the first two to stand ready on the field, to Madam Hooch’s pleasant surprise.
“Seems like we have got ourselves some eager young men, huh?” She joked, to which the two of them nodded excitedly. As they watched more and more students step onto the field with their brooms, Madam Hooch began to teach. “Alright, children. Today we are learning how to summon your brooms.” Quick whispers were exchanged between students, but died down soon after Madam Hooch started actually explaining what to do. “So you want to hold your hand steadily over your broom, and say ‘Up!’ with all your might, don’t be scared, the broom will know and make it a whole lot harder for you.” She said before demonstrating as she chimed a quick ‘Up!’ and the broom shot up into her hand. “Now you do it.”
Mikael steadied his hand above his broom. “Up!” He said, but the broom didn’t get higher than just above his ankles. “Up!!” He tried again, as Draco, broom in hand, chuckled. “You have to be calmer, Mike, it won’t listen if you yell at it like that.” He explained as Mikael nodded. “Ohh…” He replied as he tried again. “Up!” He tried again, but he sounded calmer, and nicer this time. The broom shot up to his knees before dropping down. “Try again!” Draco exclaimed in support, as Mikael did what he was told. After a few more times, the broom shot up into his hand. “Woah!!” Mikael smiled as he looked at Draco. “It worked!” Draco grinned. “Of course it did, idiot! I taught you!” Mikael chuckled as they talked for a while, until a loud yelp could be heard behind them. Neville had accidentally flown into the air. He didn’t seem to be able to control his broom at all! Draco laughed at the sight, as Mikael followed with a more hesitant chuckle, turning into laughter when others could be heard laughing, not long after.
“Mister Longbottom! Get down now!!!” Madam Hooch protested. “I-I don’t know how!!” The boy cried as the broom slammed against the castle walls, eventually dropping to the ground when Neville let go, and the sound of robes ripping filled the air as he his robes got caught on an iron stake, hanging from the castle. “Step back, children!!” Madam Hooch proclaimed as she looked up at Neville. “Mister Longbottom, are you alright?!” She yelled, as Mikael rolled his eyes. “Of course he’s alright, who wouldn’t be after almost being impaled by a castle?” He whispered into Draco’s ear, who chuckled as Mikael grinned. “Shut up!” A voice from behind them chimed, it was Harry Potter, Mikael scoffed, “Oh sorry, almighty chosen one! For I was just poking a bit of fun at words!! Please, find it in your willing heart to forgive me!” He cried with a dramatic sigh, falling into Draco’s arms with his hand resting on his forehead. Harry grumbled before Draco added; “Yeah Potter, mind your own business!” But before Harry could respond, a loud cry was heard, followed by a deafening crash. “Oh dear...” Madam Hooch mumbled before rushing over to Neville, who had fallen to the ground, crying in pain. Mikael looked startled, as he jumped up from Draco’s arms. “Yep, that’s broken.” Madam Hooch said after examining the boy. “Listen up, you kids are not to move, and especially not to fly until the bell chimes! I am going to the nurse’s office with mister Longbottom here. Behave.” She exclaimed as the students nodded, Draco bent down, picking up a little glass ball from the ground. “Well would you look at that!” He laughed as he stood up. “Longbottom’s rememberall!” He smirked. “Give it back, Malfoy!” Harry demanded, Draco laughed. “Why don’t you come and get it, Potter?!” He challenged as he stepped on his broom and flew up into the air. “Fine!” Harry yelled as he too stepped on his broom and started the chase. Mikael and Silene shared a look. “That Potter kid is gonna be the death of him, just you wait.” Mikael exclaimed in a tired tone of voice, rolling his eyes as Silene giggled. “Yeah, I bet.” She said as they locked their sight on the two boys in the air, just like everyone else.
“Do you reckon that he has been practising?” Mikael asked, not looking away from the boys. “Which one? Potter or Draco?” Silene countered, also unable to take their eyes off of the two. “Both, being honest.” He said. “Yeah, I think so. I’ve seen Draco practising at home, he bragged to me about how he was going to impress you, or something.” Mikael laughed. “Ha! Of course he would. Never misses an opportunity to show off.” They laughed at Mikael’s remark when to everyone’s surprise, Harry caught the rememberall after Draco had dropped it straight down. “That was one impressive dive!!! He could be a seeker!” Mikael yelled in amazement as surprised gasps were heard throughout the field. Another wave of gasps were heard as Professor McGonnagall came running onto the field. “Class dismissed!! Mister Potter! You come with me right now! And mister Malfoy, get off of that broom before I make you!” Draco quickly sank down to the ground, as he was met by Mikael and Silene, Mikael grinned as he patted the other on the back. “You’ve got skill, Draco!” Draco smirked. “How could I not? I am me after all.” He teased as he got off of his broom. “I hope that filthy Potter gets expelled. Showing off like that..” Draco added at they were putting their brooms away. Mikael rolled his eyes.
“Yeah, yeah, whatever.” He smirked as they walked back to the castle. “Classes are over now, anyways. And dinner is in 2 hours!” Draco nodded. “Hey, Silene, want to study with us later?” Mikael asked to Draco’s dismay. “Oh, sure! I’ll meet you guys in the library!” She said as she walked off. “Why would you do that?!” Draco sneered quietly. “I’m just making friends. What’s the matter??” Mikael asked. “You know I despise her!!” Draco said, to which Mikael responded with laughter. “Well, that’s too bad!” He teased as he threw an arm around the other. “You are now obligated to be her friend!” Draco scathed at the words coming out of Mikael’s mouth, but knew he couldn’t change the other’s mind.
When the boys finally arrived at the library, Silene was already waiting for them at a table. Mikael waved as Draco rolled his eyes and crossed his arms. When they sat down, Mikael put his books down. “So.. what did we have for homework again?” Silene looked at her notes. “We need to explain what Transfiguration is for, well, Transfiguration… Start reading and taking notes about the next charm, Lumos, and it’s counterfeit, Nox for Charms… And read up on Wiggenweld Potion for Potions.” She stated, the boys nodded. “Seems easy enough to me.” Draco scoffed as he slammed open one of his books. “He’s still mad at me for inviting you, sorry.” Mikael whispered to Silene as they chuckled about it. “I can hear you!” Draco whisper-yelled at them as they abruptly stopped before bending over their books as well, exchanging a look between the two of them.
It wasn’t long before they had all finished their homework, looking at the time and noticing they had an hour left before dinner. “Do you think Potter is expelled yet?” Mikael asked, breaking the silence between the three of them as they walked back to their common room. “No, I heard he joined the quidditch team!” Silene exclaimed, to which Draco looked shocked. “What?! Stupid Potter got in the quidditch team?!! But he’s a first year!!” Draco yelled. “Yeah! Something about being an excellent seeker.” Silene added as Mikael looked surprised. “I mean, that dive was really clean.. Let’s hope it was just beginners luck. It would be fun to see someone like him embarrass himself in front of the whole school.” Mikael cooed as he rested his hands behind his head. “Oh, how I would love to see that!” Draco snickered as Silene chuckled. “That would be pretty hilarious.” She chimed in as they reached the common room, sitting down by the fireplace as they continued to talk, Draco hiding his hatred for Silene just for a moment, to let Mikael have his way for once.
It went surprisingly well, especially during dinner, when there was less talking, and more stuffing their faces with food. Mikael had noticed that Neville hadn’t been at the Gryffindor table. “Guess Longbottom is still in the infirmary?” He asked, as Draco shrugged. “Guess so.. Eugh.. Would you look at Potter, all high and mighty being the new seeker..” He scoffed, as he took a bite from his chicken. Mikael chuckled at his friends hatred for Harry, he thought it was extremely amusing. Mikael gave Silene a look that said ‘I told you so.’ As Silene let out an amused chuckle, and continued to eat.
After returning to their common room, they all said their goodbyes and went to bed almost immediately, only noticing how tired they all were after entering the room.
Mikael looked up at the ceiling, unable to sleep when Draco’s soft snores in the background and thoughts of Neville filled his head as they laid in their beds. He couldn’t help but think of Neville. Was he okay? He didn’t know. Forcing his eyes shut, he told himself he’d check up on him tomorrow. And after a while of tossing and turning, he finally fell asleep.