~ By Chris S. (alias WerewolfKing350)

Professor Slughorn brought all of the first-years down to the common room after breakfast, the next morning, and went over the Slytherin house rules and gave them their class schedules. The rules were simple enough to remember—be back in the common room by nine, bedtime was ten, homework was to be completed on time, group study sessions were to be held weekly, and dorms were to be kept tidy. Aside from that, the key rule was solidarity. Helping your fellow snakes, when needed, wasn’t just encouraged; it was expected.

Professor Slughorn also explained how he didn’t want any public displays of arguments or pettiness. Once Slughorn was done with the rules, he posted a sign-up sheet for vaccination reviews and explained that he expected to see every student sign up to ensure they had received all of their wizarding and muggle vaccinations.

“We don’t need to be dealing with dragon- or smallpox outbreaks, so if I see one name not present on this list, it will be placed before the sun rises, and don’t think I won’t drag your butt down there at five o’clock in the morning,” Slughorn explained as he pointed to the paper with a serious expression. 

The Dursleys had never bothered to take Harry for the standard muggle vaccines, let alone magical vaccinations. He wondered exactly what was involved with magical vaccinations; he would have to ask Severus about this at lunch today.

“I will be very involved with your education. Unlike the other houses, if I notice any potential troubles in classes, or problems within your dietary habits, I will look into it to make sure you are healthy and doing as well as possible in all areas.” Slughorn gave the students each a glance before he began speaking again. “You will find me tough but fair, and this is because I want you to be and do the very best you can. You will also be partnered with a specific classmate from the second year; they will be there to answer questions, study with you, and help you adjust to the school. Because today is Saturday, you will not have any classes, but I advise that you take advantage of the time to glance at your textbooks; perhaps unwrap some of them to make it appear like you did.”

Slughorn stood up and made his way to the door before reminding the first-years how to get in touch with him, if needed. Everyone then went back to whatever they had been doing before they had been called to the meeting; none of them actually went to unwrap their books, as they had been instructed. Harry had already finished all of his books, and was halfway through Severus’ books. He found that he enjoyed reading, now that he was actually allowed to touch books. It was nice to not be yelled at and beaten for wanting to fill his mind with knowledge.

Over the weekend, Harry was partnered up with Severus, and figured it was because Slughorn saw that he was comfortable with the older boy. Severus showed Harry the library, where all the good books could be found, and how to write with a quill. Harry found himself learning more in those two days than he ever had at the Dursleys.

Severus also showed Harry hidden shortcuts that let them travel faster through the school. Even better, it made it easier for them to avoid James Potter and his friends, who made more efforts to seek them out than Dudley ever had patience for. Harry assumed it had something to do with wanting answers on who he was and why they had the same last name. He also knew it was because he was with Severus, whom they really enjoy taunting.  

Harry had to wonder how James wound up with someone as sweet and kind as Lily. Especially since Lily, at present, didn’t seem to like James Potter; in fact, she barely tolerated him at all. So how had they become close enough to get married and have a baby?

By the time Monday came around, Harry was excited for his first day of classes. He woke up early and showered, then ate a healthy breakfast and prepared his supplies in his bag. He was going to be organised and ready to learn when he got to Potions this morning. Yesterday, Severus had shown him some methods for cutting, mixing, and storing potion ingredients; Harry couldn’t wait to show his classmates that he wasn’t a moron and really did belong here.

Potions class was with the Gryffindors, so Harry followed his housemates to the dungeons where they found Slughorn sitting in the lab, laughing over a cauldron of bubbling potion.

“It works! My giggling goo works!” Slughorn said between snorts of laughter. 

He drank the contents of another phial and the effects from his giggling goo seemed to wear off completely as he gestured for the students to come into the room. The first-years hesitantly filed in, staring at the professor as though they expected him to burst into peals of laughter again.

“Everyone sit down, two to a table!” Slughorn said, watching as the students sat down and watched him carefully. “The person you are sitting beside will be your partner for the duration of the year. Your performance will impact both of your marks; if one person messes up, you will both be graded accordingly. This will make sure you work as a team for best results. First of all, can someone tell me where you would find a bezoar and what is it used for?”

Harry was thrilled to find that he actually knew the answer. Before raising his hand to answer, he glanced around the classroom to make sure nobody else knew.  

“Yes, Mr Potter?” Slughorn asked, looking at Harry expectantly.

“It’s found in the stomach of a goat, and it’s used to fight the effects of most poisons,” Harry said, glad that all the time he had spent studying with Severus had paid off.

“Excellent! Ten points to Slytherin!” At Slughorn’s words, Harry felt pride bubbling up. “Okay, Mr. Potter. What would I get if I added powdered root of asphodel to an infusion of wormwood?”

“Isn’t that the Draught of Living Death?”

“Brilliant! Ten more points to Slytherin! One more question! What is the difference between monkshood and wolfsbane?”

“There is no difference; they are the same thing,” Harry answered, happily.

“Excellent! Excellent! Well done! Ten more points to Slytherin!” Slughorn cried, causing the Slytherin first-years to pat Harry’s back and beam proudly in their seats while the Gryffindors tried to process what had just happened. “The art of Potions is a delicate subject. It requires a combination of patience, knowledge, and at the same time, creativity. You will be learning to make potions, and hopefully you will leave my class with a strong foundation in the subject. Because of the delicate nature of this class, I will be enforcing rules that I expect to be followed for your own safety.”

Harry listened carefully and took notes as the Professor warned them about safety when handling dangerous ingredients, and how to react should they come in contact with the skin.

When a student asked what to do if something dangerous got on their clothes, Slughorn answered, “You take off your robes. Modesty is fine and all, but safety is a little more of a concern than someone seeing you in your underwear. Failure to follow rules designated for your safety will result in removal from this class. Now, I want everyone to bring out your cauldrons and open your books to page twenty-five. Begin preparing the cure for boils.”

Harry opened his book and smiled when he recognised the potion as one he’d prepared with Severus a few days ago, and was still fresh in his mind. “I’ve made this one before,” he told his partner, who seemed relieved to be working with someone who knew what he was doing.

“Good, because I’ve never brewed a potion in my life. I’m Alex,” the boy said, offering his hand to Harry, who shook it.

“I’m Harry.  Do you want to add the ingredients, or cut them?” He was fine doing either task, and wanted to establish a good relationship with the boy who would determine fifty percent of his marks in this class.

“You know what you’re doing. You can prepare, and I’ll add. Next class, we’ll switch,” Alex said. 

Harry nodded. “I think that’s a good idea, and we can compare notes at the end of each class to make sure we’re on the same page.” That’s how Severus did it with his partner.

“That sounds like a plan,” Alex said.

As they were brewing, Harry told Alex that the potion would brew almost fifteen minutes faster had they been allowed to use a copper cauldron. When their potion was finished, Slughorn dashed excitedly over to inspect it.

“Very good, Mr. Potter and Mr. Green! Twenty points to Slytherin for completing the potion first, and ten points for getting it correct on your first try! I’m going to send this over to the Hospital Wing, if that’s okay with you? And for your success, you will each get to keep a phial of the potion for yourself.”

“I have no problem with that. Alex?” Harry asked, receiving a proud nod from his partner.

“Go ahead!” Alex said, smiling as Professor Slughorn took the cauldron to the front of the room, where he prepared it to be transported.

“My parents are going to be so proud! First class, and my potion will be used in the hospital wing! I’m sure your parents will be thrilled!” Alex said to Harry who frowned, not sure what to say.

“My parents…they died when I was a baby, but my guardian and her son will be happy,” Harry explained, technically telling the truth. Of course, the whole truth would have sounded completely crazy. My parents are in second-year and aren’t aware of the fact that I’m their son because I haven’t been born yet. Harry could only imagine how well that would go.

“I’m sorry, Harry…” Alex began, but stopped when Harry raised his hand and shook his head.

“I never really got to know them, but since this is their old school…maybe I’ll be able to learn more about them,” Harry said, leaving out the fact that they were actually attending school with him, so he was getting to know them in person. The last thing Harry needed was the smug look on James’s face if he found out the truth. Or worse, to be labelled the “crazy kid”.

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