CHAPTER 9 - THE FIRST WEEK 3

2900 WORDS!!!

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Turning back, they saw a round-faced, short, chubby, boy who also had blond hair. He is the same boy who had lost his toad when they were on the train, Neville Longbottom.

"I-I mean, only if you guys don't have any problems with me, I will understand if you don't want my company." He looked down avoiding the group's gaze.

"No, it's fine, let's go, I'm hungry!"

...

As they didn't have any other classes to attend today, because History of magic would only start next week, Hermione together with a few Gryffindor girls who wanted tips on transfiguration class, went to the library, and Andrew together with, Harry, Ron, Neville, Seamus Finnigan, and Dean Thomas, his roommates, spend the rest of the day talking about things like quidditch and Soccer.

People like Ron, who didn't have any muggle background couldn't understand how a sport with only one ball and no one flying could be interesting, so Harry, and Dean who had a muggle upbringing and was also one of the biggest fans of West Ham football team, tried to explain to him how exciting soccer could be, while Ron would try to refute them by saying things he liked about quidditch.

Andrew, who wasn't interested in neither, a few hours later went to Gryffindor common room and decided to spend some time with his cat, before going to sleep earlier, he didn't need to worry about food since he always carried some healthy snacks inside his backpack in case he needed.

When the sky outside started to darken, Andrew was already asleep. In his mind, the same process he had been repeating every since awakening his magic was undergoing some changes...

The moment he drank the hundredth drop of the mysterious liquid, golden shining lines spread through his body and slowly took over the entire place.

That place which resembled a library in his mind slowly broke apart and started to undergo a lot of changes, the wooden shelves where the books were, slowly transformed into diamond shelves.

The floor and walls, once cement, now appeared to be made of marble and blocks of gold. The old, dirty mat where he meditated now seemed to be made of the most expensive materials, and it also seemed to emit a faint light, not only that, around the mat where he meditated, nine new different mats appeared, each with a different color and a word attached to it.

ANGER, FEAR, DISGUST, CONTEMPT, PRIDE, RESENTMENT, SADNESS, JOY, and AMUSEMENT.

Soon, the place that seemed to look like a little humble library became a mansion worthy of a king.

As the place changes finished, the shining golden lines retreated and formed 9 connections, each linking Andrew's mat with another one. At that moment, only one of the lines kept glowing, the one that connected his mat to the one with the word joy. At the same time, Andrew started to emit a golden aura that little by little seemed to be moving to the other side of the line.

After 10 hours, a shadow of a humanoid figure seated in lotus position seemed to have formed above the mat, and currently, it was impossible to identify the appearance of the shadow, at best, it seemed to be the shadow of a man.

Then, slowly the place disappeared and Andrew opened his eyes, back at the dormitory, seeing the sun rising, he couldn't help but think about his dreams, 'Could they be connected with that vision, also, all that knowledge in my mind that didn't seem to work in real life, what is its purpose? Where did that come from? I wonder, if I should talk about it to someone, perhaps, my father or Dumbledore could help me solve the mystery behind it...'

Getting up, he put on his uniform and backpack and after playing with the cat for a while, he left the dormitory and to his surprise, Hermione left the dormitory at the same time, smiling, they went to the Great Hall together.

"Doesn't it bother you?" Asked Hermione as she observed how people talked and looked at him as if he was some kind of animal in a zoo, because of the matter with the ice.

"No, its human nature to fear and be curious about the unknown. If I were in their place, I would probably do the same thing, I guess." Andrew replied without thinking much of his words.

"You are quite mature for your age, aren't you?"

"It must be my parent's fault, their friends are all scientists or people from high society, I think it ended up affecting me a little over the years, ever since I was a little kid I had to attend with them some sophisticated events. Not that I like them or anything similar, I would prefer to stay home, but they always insisted, so I couldn't say no to my parents."

"Speak for yourself, I would love to visit some of those events, just thinking about me talking with some of those famous scientists and scholars makes me feel excited, so many things to learn, if it was those famous and incredible wizards then, I would probably be so happy, that I wouldn't be able to sleep until the day of the event." Hermione's eyes seemed to shine as she spoke.

"Haha, I think my parents would love you! Your personality truly matches theirs."

While they were having breakfast in the Great Hall, several owls appeared and started to deliver letters and packages to the students, seeing that Andrew had received a book, curious, Hermione started to ask questions about it.

"This? It's a book about potions and alchemy." Andrew said as he showed her the cover of the book that contained only the words: 'Nicolas Flamel / 13'.

"Nicolas Flamel? I think I read his name somewhere ..." Hermione said, trying to remember where she heard the name from.

"I believe that every wizard who knows a little about the history of magic has heard his name, haha! Nicolas Flamel, he is the greatest alchemist in history, the man who created the Philosopher's Stone! He is also an old man with both feet in the grave if I'm not mistaken he is over 600 years old."

She nodded, clearly interested in the subject, "And why did you received this book? I don't think I've ever heard of it."

"Oh, its because I'm his disciple, a few years ago, I started to learn alchemy, and my parents tried to buy books personally written by him, at the beginning he was little reluctant to do it, so he only sent one book after my parents paid a hefty price, but he also sent some sort of challenge with it, that was written at the end of the book, and when I completed it, and I somehow managed to surprise him, he asked if I wanted to become his apprentice."

"Ever since then, he started to send me those books on a regular base, and every time I finish one, he sends me a new one, unfortunately, this will be the penultimate, and I don't know when I'll receive the last one."

"And why is that?" She asked with confusion on her face.

"Well, it seems he is going to fully retire? I don't really understand, but it seems that he doesn't want to work anymore. Thankfully, he promised to send me something that would allow me to continue studying even after he retires, although I don't know what he's going to send."

"Can you let me see your old books? The one's you don't need anymore? I promise to give it back to you after I'm done with them."

"Only if you manage to finish studying and practice the books of potions we will use in the first 3 years as I did."

"Wait, you said the first 3 years? How did you do it?"

"Well, basically, I had a lot more time to prepare for Hogwarts since I was born in a wizard family."

Hermione sighed as she heard Andrew's answer, but this only increased her resolve to study and practice as many subjects as she can.

"Speaking of potions, today is our first Potions lesson, I wonder, how Professor Snape classes are."

"Ahh... Do you want a piece of advice? Just, try not to show off, I learned this lesson the hard way, but don't worry, I'll try to make him more friendly with you..."

...

The Potions classroom was a large square, with large tables, and windows, in one corner of the room, there was a cabinet with some ingredients that the students could use and in the other corner was a stone base in which cold water spilled from the mouth of a gargoyle that could be used to wash students' hands and ladles, and on the walls, pickled animal's were floating inside jars.

The place was cold and had a spooky atmosphere as if it was created based on some sort of horror movie like Frankenstein.

Hermione and Andrew had sat together, and in front of them were Harry and Ron.

When Professor Snape arrived, he instantly captured everyone's attention, he had an air around him that made students pay attention to him very easily.

Like Flitwick, Snape started the class by making a roll call, and when Snape said Andrew and Draco's name, everyone could see that his gloomy expression brightened a little bit, however, the moment he said Harry's name, he made a sudden pause.

"Ah, yes," he said softly, "Harry Potter. Our new — celebrity."

Draco Malfoy and his friends Crabbe and Goyle sniggered behind their hands. Snape finished calling the names and looked up at the class. His eyes were black like Hagrid's, but they had none of Hagrid's warmth. They were cold and empty and made you think of dark tunnels.

"You are here to learn the subtle science and exact art of potion-making," he began. He spoke in barely more than a whisper, but they caught every word — like Professor McGonagall, Snape had the gift of keeping a class silent without effort. "As there is little foolish wand-waving here, many of you will hardly believe this is magic. I don't expect you will really understand the beauty of the softly simmering cauldron with its shimmering fumes, the delicate power of liquids that creep through human veins, bewitching the mind, ensnaring the senses. . . . I can teach you how to bottle fame, brew glory, even stopper death — if you aren't as big a bunch of dunderheads as I usually have to teach."

More silence followed this little speech. Harry and Ron exchanged looks with raised eyebrows. Hermione was on the edge of her seat and looked anxious to start proving that she wasn't a dunderhead. However, she also had in mind Andrew's words and knew she had to be more restrained if she wanted to get Snape's approval.

"Potter!" said Snape suddenly. "What would I get if I added powdered root of asphodel to an infusion of wormwood?"

Harry glanced at Ron, who looked as stumped as he was; Hermione's hand had almost shot into the air, but the moment she was about to make a movement, Andrew hold her hand while shaking his head, this made her remember what he told her, so she decided to stop her early action.

This didn't scape Snape's eyes, he gazed in Andrew's direction for a fraction of a second then turned to Harry once again.

"I don't know, sir," said Harry.

Snape's lips curled into a sneer.

"Tut, tut — fame clearly isn't everything."

"Let's try again. Potter, where would you look if I told you to find me a bezoar?"

Harry didn't have the faintest idea of what a bezoar was. He tried not to look at Malfoy, Crabbe, and Goyle, who were shaking with laughter.

"I don't know, sir."

"Thought you wouldn't open a book before coming, eh, Potter?"

Andrew observed Harry's face and knew that his friend was really uncomfortable, depressed, and slightly angered as well. He wished he could help, but remembering what his father said, about Snape having a grudge against Harry's father, he knew it would only be a temporary solution if he intervened this way, if he truly wanted to help, he would have to find a way to make Snape accept Harry and perhaps become more friendly with him, which at the moment seemed to be an impossible task.

"What is the difference, Potter, between monkshood and wolfsbane?"

At that moment, Hermione was practically shaking, she knew the answers to all these questions, but Andrew was still holding her in place, trying to make sure she made a good first impression on Snape.

However, as her actions grew more and more, "energetic", Snape couldn't pretend anymore that he didn't saw Andrew's pleading eyes, that were trying to convey two messages, stop messing with Harry, and give Hermione a chance.

"I don't know," said Harry quietly.

"Really disappointing, Potter." He turned to Hermione and said.

"Granger, seeing that you at least hang out with the right people," He looked at Andrew for a moment and turned his attention back to her. "You should be able to answer my questions. So, say the answers to each one of them."

Hermione, noticing Snape's words, turned to Andrew and thanked him for his help, Andrew just smiled, and whispered, "You better not keep him waiting."

"Professor, asphodel and wormwood make a sleeping potion so powerful it is known as the Draught of Living Death. A bezoar is a stone taken from the stomach of a goat and it will save you from most poisons. As for monkshood and wolfsbane, they are the same plant, which also goes by the name of aconite!" Hermione said all this very fast, some people even had blank faces, trying to remember everything she said.

Snape looked at her surprised, then he looked back to Andrew, and couldn't help but see himself on the boy, this for some reason made him look at Harry with resentment in his eyes.

"Well, it seems this class, will have at least three, good students." Said Snape as he swept his eyes, between Draco, Andrew, and Hermione. "Why aren't you copying Granger's answer?"

There was a sudden rummaging for quills and parchment. Over the noise, Snape said, "And you should be thankful for the girl, Potter, I would have taken a point from Gryffindor because of you, but considering Granger perfect answer I decided to not do it, but I won't be so generous next time."

Things didn't improve for the Gryffindors as the Potions lesson continued. Snape put them all into pairs and set them to mixing up a simple potion to cure boils.

He swept around in his long black cloak, watching them weigh dried nettles and crush snake fangs, criticizing almost everyone except Malfoy, and Andrew and Hermione duo, whom he seemed to like.

He was just telling everyone to look at the perfect way Malfoy had stewed his horned slugs when clouds of acid green smoke and a loud hissing filled the dungeon.

Neville had somehow managed to melt Seamus's cauldron into a twisted blob, and their potion was seeping across the stone floor, burning holes in people's shoes. Within seconds, the whole class was standing on their stools while Neville, who had been drenched in the potion when the cauldron collapsed, moaned in pain as angry red boils sprang up all over his arms and legs.

"Idiot boy!" snarled Snape, clearing the spilled potion away with one wave of his wand. "I suppose you added the porcupine quills before taking the cauldron off the fire?"

Neville whimpered as boils started to pop up all over his nose. "Take him up to the hospital wing," Snape spat at Seamus. Then he rounded on Harry and Ron, who had been working next to Neville.

"You — Potter — why didn't you tell him not to add the quills? Thought he'd make you look good if he got it wrong, did you? One less point for Gryffindor."

This was so unfair that Harry opened his mouth to argue, but Ron kicked him behind their cauldron.

"Don't push it," he muttered, "I've heard Snape can turn very nasty."

...

As they climbed the steps out of the dungeons an hour later, Andrew noticed Harry was absorbed in his thoughts, and seemed to be low spirited, he was sure that Harry thought that Snape hated him...

Well... maybe a little, still, he didn't want Harry, to think of Snape as some kind of dark and evil man who pick on others for no reason.

He tried his best to cheer him up, but he didn't know if it had worked, not long after, they went separate ways. Harry and Ron went somewhere, while he and Hermione went to the library to continue studying.

As the days passed, Andrew had his other classes, such as DADA, Herbology, and Astronomy, and although all of them were the most boring classes he ever had, he still did exceptionally well in all of then, even getting 20 more points for Gryffindor, in this time, mainly because of how much time he spent with Hermione, they end up growing a little bit closer, it wouldn't be exaggerated to say they could be considered best's friend by now.

But he still had one more class to go, before saying he had truly spent his first week in Hogwarts, Flying class with Professor Rolanda Hooch!

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Ohhhhh I'm so tired right now, I wish I could snap my finger and make my lack of energy disappear... (My mother is better, thanks for your kind words!)

Hey guys, do you remember what I said a few chapters ago? About how I know nothing about relationships? Yeah, that's still true, so please, can anyone, at least, give me some tips on how to progress Andrew's relationship with Hermione??? I don't have any idea how to make it look natural, so if later, things end up happening in a weird way, I won't even bother to read your complaints on how their relationship progress!