Ch 2 - Potions

or

Snape can single-handedly run this show

...

I sat up from the stool, under the happy gaze of McGonagall, and went towards the cheering Gryffindor Table, Hermione reserved me a spot it seems, how did she know I would end up as a Gryffin tho? A couple of pats on the back and a hug from a bushy-haired teen later and we were all ready for presentations.

On my right left was Dean Thomas, on the left Hermione, on the front Ron and Harry... I guess the universe doesn't want to let me live in peace, does it?

I chuckle at myself, I had decided, probably even before I wanted to admit it to myself, that helping out in the story was what I wanted to do, but I wasn't so naive to think that it would be a walk in the park, I had to be prepared, with everything I could, without gaining suspicion from Dumbledore and Snape.

I couldn't let kids enter a war alone, I had to do something exactly because I could, I have the knowledge and the drive to change things, for the better. I have the power to do it, and from power comes responsibility.

I looked at Dean and, with a smile, I introduce myself "Christian Wielding but call me Chris please" he smiles back albeit nervously

"Dean, Dean Thomas"

I did the same with Neville, Ron, and Harry, the last one rather a sigh of relief when I didn't scream or ask him if he had the scar, poor guy.

"Welcome," started Dumbledore "Welcome to a new year at Hogwarts! Before we begin our banquet, I would like to say a few words. And here they are Nitwit! Blubber! Oddment! Tweak!

"Thank you!"

Everyone looked at each other in surprise

"Is he insane?" Harry mirrored our thoughts completely.

It was Percy the one to answer his question

"Insane?" said Percy airily as he is used doing. "He's a genius! Best wizard in the world! But he is a bit insane, yes. Potatoes, Harry?"

"Umh sure, thank you!"

Laughing a bit I decided to give my own input "I believe they are the names of the cooks who prepare our food or something, wanna test this theory?" I asked everybody in the vicinity in a conspirational tone immediately grabbing the attention of the present. It was easy to amuse kids.

"Let's try this one, hey Tweak, I don't really like Pumpkin Juice so could I have a glass of Coca-Cola instead please?" we waited with bathed breaths and after a few seconds my drink was replaced, I smiled as if I won the world cup and said smugly "Thank you Tweak, you are a dear"

Hermione chuckling hit my shoulder and said "Wipe that grin off your face, there was no prize for this" I immediately countered striking a pose "It was for science and fame, and today we can conclude magic finally won" I nodded sagely using edible magical algae (quite delicious in fact) to make a makeshift beard, a croquette in my fork as a scepter and a Dumbledore-like voice. This simple and honestly childish skit was enough to ease the tension and awkwardness of meeting new people, some chuckled, some shook their heads amused, and Harry was laughing his ass off, such a simple guy. Life was good. Conversations started left and right, and I did my part.

Turning my head I saw the headmaster looking in our direction smiling, probably at Harry, Minerva was also looking at us, she noticed my gaze, I smiled and she nodded her head back as if signaling to me I did a good job, or maybe it was just me projecting.

...

"Can't sleep?" I asked the young Potter

He was surprised to see me but made space nevertheless still petting his beautiful Owl

"Not really" he started while looking outside the window "Too excited perhaps. This is all new to me, too... fantastical to put into words." he smiled

"Well the view from her is certainly amazing" I smiled

"That it is... Can't sleep as well?" he shot back

"Yup, too excited. No matter how many times I see a small light getting out of this wand, it is as if I see it for the first time. I don't think I can get tired of seeing magic honestly, at least not right now, that's for sure. Can't wait to know what they will teach us"

"I think I get what you are saying... Say wanna try to pet her?" he asks me

"Oh she is very beautiful but I fear my Blackie will eat me alive if she smells another Owl, what is her name?"

He laughs a bit "Hedwig"

"Good name"

We stayed like this for a while before sleep finally caught on to us, I set my personal magical alarm clock (don't ask me how that works, but I will find out) so that I woke up on time and finally went to bed.

...

Lessons started on Thursday for some reason, but it is probably to give us a basic rundown of the classes followed by a two-day break. To effectively start the year, not a bad set up honestly.

"Morning Hermione, why am I not surprised to see you up so early?" she raised her chin and answered in her teacher's voice

"Well, we have to get up early if we want to arrive on time to the classes, the stairs keep changing and we might get lost on the way and...." I tuned her out at some point while making her think I was following every word, an art only possible to those who have dabbled with females for a long time. It takes skills and a lot of courage. Maybe that's why I'm a Gryffindor.

When she finished speaking and I gathered the necessary books for the day (people held their books in hand her, no bag or anything of the sort, it was kind of an unwritten rule) I told her "Then what are we waiting for, to the Great Hall" she smiled and decided to be my guide for the trip. A bit unnecessary since you could visually see our destination but still...

After a while Harry and Ron came into the Hall themselves, Ron spoke "Oh man I'm so famished, hey Chris, hello Hermione, you woke up early"

"Or you two woke up late," she said with her usual superior-like tone making the atmosphere in the group a bit awkward. She needed to learn how to speak to other people, I would give her help, but only if and when she asks, I am not going to spoon-feed her character development.

I laughed a bit before turning my attention to the two "Sorry I didn't wait for you guys but I thought you would sleep longer and I was feeling very hungry" that turned Ron's mood

"Don't worry mate, I understand. Wanna go to our class together?"

"With pleasure," I answer before Hermione could reply

"Hey Ron, how was your first night at Hogwarts?"

"Comfortable we hope"

Two redheads appeared at our table sitting one close to me and the other opposite and close to Ron

"Ugh, yea after the scare you gave me about fighting a troll I slept like a baby"

""Happy we could Help"" ahh, they are way too good, magical twins these two I tell ya.

"Oh, you are the famous tricksters right?" I asked in excitement

"My my, seems like our fame"

"Proceeds us brother,"

""Who wants to know?""

"Ah my name is Christian, you can call me Chris" I extend a hand they both shake eagerly

"Fred"

"George"

"Uh... You know what you could do to make people go literally mad?" I ask them curiously

"Nope"

"Why don't you tell us"

"Why don't you put your two names together, like Gred and Forge, it is already hard to distinguish the two of you imagine with that"

The two of them looked at each other and gave a big smile "Chris, we would like to officially thank you, you are exempt from pranks for a while and you can ask for a free prank from somebody"

"Okay then" I laughed a bit "happy to help, will tell you if I need that sweet service" the two nodded and left

"Only you could get along with those two," said Ron out of nowhere to which I laughed

...

Friday

The castle was too big, complete exploration was almost impossible even with a week to spare, there would always be new secrets, new passages, and new rooms, it was never-ending. And I loved it.

"In the end, I finally reached the Potion's classroom, we had double pots today with Slytherin"

"Just in time," said Hermione, she had taken this habit of always reserving me a place, so nice of her

"Yup, imagine being late with Snape, I could end my career right there" she nodded a bit and was about to start one of her usual lectures when the showman finally appeared.

Roll call was briefly interrupted when Harry's name was called

"Our new celebrity"

Finishing the Roll-call he started his speech

"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 y 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 Granger was on the edge of her seat and looked desperate to start proving that she wasn't a dunderhead.

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

Powdered root of what to an infusion of what? Harry glanced at Ron, who looked as stumped as he was; Hermione's hand had shot into the air.

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

Snape's lips curled into a sneer.

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

He ignored Hermione's hand.

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

"I don't know, sir."

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

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

"I don't know," said Harry quietly. "I think Hermione does, though, why don't you try her?"

A few people laughed; Harry caught Seamus's eye, and Seamus winked.

Snape, however, was not pleased.

"Sit down," he snapped at Hermione. "For your information, Potter, 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. Well? Why aren't you all copying that down?"

Ah yes, one of the best scenes in history.

After the theoretical lesson came the practical, we were all in pairs in front of the cauldron, and Hermione chose me as quickly as lightning.

We chose to tackle the potion like this, one prepares the ingredients needed and the other manages the cauldron, then when the second part came we would switch places.

Apart from the Neville incident, all went smoothly, Hermione remained concentrated and the results were more than satisfactory if Snape's expression and lack of recrimination were anything to go by.

"You work very well," she said, "I thought you would be messier in your preparations and was a bit worried,"

"What can I say, I can assure you I also have some flaws, they are just that hard to find"

She shook her head playfully before ranting about some other things I conveniently tuned out.

We made it through the first Potions it seemed.