Chapter 29: The First Day of Classes

The morning light filtered softly through the dim greenish haze of the Black Lake, casting an eerie glow over the Slytherin dormitory. Damian stirred from his slumber, his mind already sharp and alert despite the early hour. Today marked the beginning of his official education at Hogwarts, though he knew that the curriculum would offer him little he hadn't already mastered.

He dressed quickly, donning the Slytherin robes that seemed to perfectly complement the grandeur of the castle. The emerald and silver accents caught the faint light from outside, giving him a presence both regal and formidable. After a quick glance at his reflection, he made his way to the common room, where his new friends were beginning to gather.

Theodore Nott, as precise and composed as always, was adjusting his tie with meticulous care. Stephen Avery, serious and reserved, stood by the fireplace, his sharp eyes already calculating the day ahead. Daphne Greengrass was smoothing out the folds of her robes with practiced elegance, while Lucien Malfoy, with his aristocratic features, waited with an air of casual confidence.

"Ready for our first day?" Lucien asked, a slight smirk playing on his lips.

"More than ready," Damian replied, his voice calm but tinged with excitement. "Let's see what Hogwarts has in store for us."

The group was soon joined by a Slytherin prefect, who led them through the familiar corridors and up the winding staircases toward the Great Hall. The castle was quieter than it had been the night before, the echoes of footsteps the only sound as students made their way to breakfast.

The Great Hall was just as grand as Damian remembered, with the enchanted ceiling reflecting the morning sky. Long tables stretched out before them, laden with a feast that made the start of the day feel almost celebratory. The Slytherins took their places at their table, mingling with students from other years as they settled in.

As they ate, the heads of house began moving along the tables, distributing timetables to the first-year students. Professor Snape approached the Slytherin table, his black robes billowing behind him. He handed each first-year a neatly rolled parchment, his expression as unreadable as ever.

"Your schedules," he said curtly. "Do not lose them."

Damian unrolled his parchment, his eyes scanning the timetable. The day was divided into periods, each one dedicated to a different subject. He noted the classes and times, mentally organizing his day.

Slytherin First-Year Timetable:

Monday:

- 9:00 AM - 10:30 AM: Potions (with Gryffindor)

- 10:45 AM - 12:15 PM: Transfiguration (with Ravenclaw)

- 1:00 PM - 2:30 PM: Charms (with Hufflepuff)

- 2:45 PM - 4:15 PM: History of Magic (Slytherin only)

Tuesday:

- 9:00 AM - 10:30 AM: Herbology (with Hufflepuff)

- 10:45 AM - 12:15 PM: Defense Against the Dark Arts (with Ravenclaw)

- 1:00 PM - 2:30 PM: Flying Lessons (with Gryffindor)

- 12:00 AM - 1:00 AM: Astronomy (with all houses)

Wednesday:

- 9:00 AM - 10:30 AM: Potions (with Gryffindor)

- 10:45 AM - 12:15 PM: Transfiguration (with Ravenclaw)

- 1:00 PM - 2:30 PM: Charms (with Hufflepuff)

- 2:45 PM - 4:15 PM: Study Period

Thursday:

- 9:00 AM - 10:30 AM: Herbology (with Hufflepuff)

- 10:45 AM - 12:15 PM: Defense Against the Dark Arts (with Ravenclaw)

- 1:00 PM - 2:30 PM: History of Magic (Slytherin only)

Friday:

- 9:00 AM - 10:30 AM: Potions (with Gryffindor)

- 10:45 AM - 12:15 PM: Transfiguration (with Ravenclaw)

- 1:00 PM - 2:30 PM: Charms (with Hufflepuff)

- 2:45 PM - 4:15 PM: Study Period

Meal Times:

- Breakfast: 7:00 AM - 8:30 AM

- Lunch: 12:30 PM - 1:00 PM

- Dinner: 6:00 PM - 7:30 PM

The schedule was rigorous, but Damian was more than prepared. Potions, his first class, was one he was particularly eager to attend. Not because he needed to learn—he already knew more than most could hope to achieve by their N.E.W.T.s—but because he was curious about how Professor Snape would conduct the lesson.

As they finished breakfast, the students began to disperse to their first classes. Damian and his friends made their way down to the dungeons for Potions, where the cool, damp air was a stark contrast to the warmth of the Great Hall.

They entered the Potions classroom, a dimly lit chamber lined with shelves filled with jars of strange and fascinating ingredients. The room was suffused with a kind of cold, clinical light that made the jars' contents look even more grotesque. Professor Snape stood at the front, his black eyes narrowing as the first-years filed in.

"Settle down," he instructed in his usual clipped tone. The room fell silent as he surveyed the group. "There will be no foolish wand-waving or silly incantations in this class. As such, I don't expect many of you to appreciate the subtle science and exact art that is potion-making. However, for those select few… who possess the predisposition… I can teach you how to bewitch the mind and ensnare the senses. I can tell you how to bottle fame, brew glory, and even put a stopper in death."

Damian listened intently, already familiar with Snape's reputation. He knew this speech by heart, but hearing it delivered in Snape's measured, menacing tone was something else entirely. He caught Snape's eye for the briefest of moments, and in that gaze, he saw a flicker of curiosity, quickly masked by the professor's usual icy demeanor.

"You are here to learn the delicate and complex art of potion-making. It is not for the faint-hearted," Snape continued, his voice cutting through the silence like a knife. "Many of you will struggle. Some of you will fail. But if you pay attention and do exactly as I say, there might just be a few of you who will leave this classroom with more than just an ordinary knowledge of potions."

He let the words hang in the air for a moment, his gaze sweeping across the room, daring anyone to speak. No one did.

With a flick of his wand, instructions appeared on the blackboard behind him.

Boil-Cure Potion:

- 6 snake fangs

- 4 horned slugs

- 4 measures of porcupine quills

- 2 measures of Flobberworm mucus

"Today," Snape announced, "we will be brewing a simple Boil-Cure Potion. Follow the instructions on the board. I expect you all to be capable of this task."

Damian glanced at the ingredients list, noting that it was indeed simple compared to the more complex potions he had already mastered. He moved to one of the empty cauldrons at the back of the room, his friends beside him, and began preparing the ingredients with practiced precision.

The class worked in relative silence, the only sounds being the bubbling of cauldrons and the occasional hiss of steam. Damian completed his potion with ease, his movements fluid and confident. He noticed Snape watching him with a critical eye, but the professor said nothing, simply moving on to observe the other students.

As the lesson progressed, Damian began to sense the undercurrents of competition among the students—each one striving to prove themselves, to stand out. He was careful not to draw too much attention, keeping his work precise but not showy. This was not the time to reveal the full extent of his abilities.

When the class finally ended, Snape walked through the rows, inspecting the potions with his usual disdain. He paused at Damian's cauldron, peering into the perfectly brewed potion before giving a curt nod.

"Adequate," Snape said, though Damian caught the slight raise of an eyebrow that hinted at his true thoughts.

The students filed out of the classroom, the tension easing as they returned to the brighter corridors above. Damian and his friends walked together, discussing the class.

"You were good," Theodore remarked, his tone appreciative. "Better than most, I'd say."

"Just following the instructions," Damian replied modestly, though his mind was already considering the next challenge.

They made their way back to the Slytherin common room, where they spent the remainder of the day discussing their first impressions of the class and the other students. Damian could feel the bonds of friendship growing stronger between them, a sense of camaraderie that would undoubtedly serve them well in the years to come.

As the day drew to a close, Damian found himself reflecting on the experience. Though he had mastered much of what Hogwarts had to offer, he knew that there was still much to learn—about his friends, about the school, and about himself.

For now, he was content to take things one step at a time, savoring the journey ahead. With his friends by his side, Damian felt ready for whatever challenges the future might hold.

And as he retired to his dormitory that night, the thought of what lay ahead filled him with a sense of quiet anticipation, eager for the next day to begin.