“Snowy Frost.”
The portrait of the Fat Lady swung open to admit Harry and Lita into the Gryffindor common room. It was surprisingly empty, since usually on the first night back students stayed up late to talk with one another. The only students still awake were Ron and Hermione, who were sitting beside the fireplace. Ron noticed him first. “Harry, where have you been? We lost you after the feast.”
Hermione turned in her chair to see him. “How did you get in? We didn’t tell you the password.”
“I know,” Harry answered. “Ginny told it to me before we separated. Sorry I’m late, but I had to talk with someone.” Lita walked over to the fireplace and lay down in front of the hearth.
“Who were you talking to?” Ron asked. “About what?”
Harry wasn’t sure he wanted to tell them right away. It was nothing to be embarrassed about, but Harry was keen to keep this piece of information to himself for a while. Still, Ron and Hermione were his two best friends. He could confide in them. Walking over to the fireplace, he took a seat in another armchair. “I was talking with Cho. We’re going to the Halloween ball together.”
Harry had never seen Ron’s eyes get so wide before. “Cho Chang? I thought the two of you weren’t speaking to each other.”
“Yeah we weren’t,” Harry said. “On the train, though, she came to my compartment and apologized for everything that happened last year. She asked if we could restart our relationship and I agreed to give it a shot.”
Hermione leaned back in her chair. “Well, it doesn’t really surprise me. When we were in the Prefect’s compartment, Marietta Edgecombe came up to me and apologized for snitching to the horrible Umbridge woman about the DA last year. She said something about not staying mad about something stupid and pointless. I apologized for placing the hex on her in the first place. She actually laughed it off saying it was a stroke of genius what I did, and asked if I wanted to leave Gryffindor and come to Ravenclaw.” Hermione smiled. “Of course I told her that was impossible, but we still had a laugh at the idea. Did you know that she was made Head Girl this year?”
“Who cares?” Ron replied. “I want to know how Cho can seriously ask Harry to go out with her. Wasn’t she dating that git, Michael Corner?”
Harry’s face sunk. “Oh yeah.” He had forgotten about him. Michael had originally been dating Ginny, but broke up with her after the final Quidditch match between Gryffindor and Ravenclaw. He and Cho had apparently gotten together, from Ginny had said at least. “I guess they had a falling out.”
Ron shook his head. “I wouldn’t trust her, Harry. She trades one guy for the next, you can’t be sure it’ll last a month.”
Hermione reached over and slapped the side of Ron’s head. “How can you say that? You don’t know anything about her. For all we know, Michael dumped her and she always wanted to come back to Harry. You should be happy for him.”
Ron rubbed his head. “I am, but…” He looked over at Harry. “Sorry mate. I just wanted to make sure you weren’t in over your head.”
“Thanks Ron, and you too Hermione,” he answered with a smile. “Don’t worry about me. This is going to be the best year ever, though. No Snape, whatsoever, and another great Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher. Kevin is going to teach us some really powerful spells, I just know it.” He looked around the common room. “Hey, did either of you see Ginny come in?”
Ron nodded. “She came in a few minutes before you did, said ‘goodnight’ and headed up to her room. Seemed a little out of it, though.”
So it was her that was at the top of the stairs, Harry thought. She probably was waiting for me, but she left in a hurry. He made a mental note to track her down tomorrow.
Suddenly, a wave of fatigue swept over him. He stretched out his arms and yawned. “Well, I’m tired. Better be getting to sleep. Goodnight, Hermione.” Ron stood with Harry, said his goodnight to her as well and followed Harry up to their room.
************************************************
When the sun shone through the windows of the Gryffindor dormitory, Harry and Ron were already awake in the common room. Though he was extremely tired the night before, Harry had woken quite early. Ron woke soon after him, so they decided to go downstairs and talk while they waited for breakfast to start being served. Ron asked a lot of questions about Kevin and Sara, which Harry was more than willing to answer.
At around 7:30, the other Gryffindors started coming down from their dormitories and made their way to the Great Hall. Hermione and Ginny soon followed them. They met up with Ron and Harry, though Harry thought Ginny looked a bit pale. As they walked down to breakfast, Harry decided it was best to wait until he and Ginny could have a moment alone before he asked about last night.
When they had arrived at the Great Hall, the staff had already sat themselves at the head table. Harry waved up at Kevin and Sara, who waved back. When they had found a spot near the front of the table, Harry noticed that Ginny was not with them. He looked back and saw her sitting with a group of girls in her own year. Harry frowned, then sat next to Ron.
Professor McGonagall came by the table midway through the meal and handed out course schedules. Harry took his eagerly and scanned it. Finally, he said something he thought he would never say, “All right, we’ve got Potions today.”
Ron and Hermione both started laughing. “This Kevin must be quite a guy to make Harry excited about Potions,” Ron said through fits of laughter. He looked over his own schedule. “Don’t get too excited. We’ve also got History of Magic and Care of Magical Creatures. First, though, is Herbology with the Hufflepuffs.”
“What do you suppose the Sorting hat meant when it talked about ‘dragon’s heart’ and ‘wings of flight’ when it referenced Helga Hufflepuff?” Hermione asked. “I’ve been trying to figure it out all night. It just doesn’t make sense since the animal of Hufflepuff house is a badger.”
Harry and Ron shrugged. If Hermione couldn’t figure something out, no one probably could. “Why do you care?” Ron asked.
Hermione shrugged. “I don’t know. It’s just something I noticed.”
The bell rang and the students filed out of the Great Hall to go to their first class. Harry, Ron and Hermione left the castle and walked down towards the greenhouse where the Herbology class was taking place. They entered a large glass structure filled with potted plants along the edges and in the center. When they had all gathered, Professor Sprout entered the greenhouse. She was a small, stout witch with dirty hands from constantly working in the ground. She walked to the front of the class. “Welcome sixth year students to another year at Hogwarts. This term we will be exploring the magical healing properties of plants and herbs: particularly, how to grow them and identify them. Take out your text books and turn to page 265.”
Harry pulled out his book and turned to the page. For the next hour, Professor Sprout went over the basics of identifying specifics plants and their uses. When the class had ended, The Gryffindors made their way down to Hagrid’s cabin for Care of Magical Creatures. While they were walking, Harry looked up towards the castle and saw a group of students walking in the same direction as them. He knew it was a group of Slytherin sixth years, which included the one person who could ruin Harry’s good day, Draco Malfoy.
The two groups of students met near Hagrid’s cabin, where the half-giant teacher was waiting for them. Harry tried to stay way from Malfoy, but he always seemed to find a way to be right next to him. “Another year, eh Potter? Another term and another class with a brutish oaf.”
Harry rounded on Malfoy. “Not today, Malfoy.”
Malfoy smirked. “Oh, really, and why should today be any different then any other day?”
“Because I say it will be,” Hagrid said, as he towered over the Slytherin. “Now I won’t have any fightin’ in my class, understand?” Malfoy stared at the ground and didn’t answer. Hagrid motioned for the class to follow him into an open area of the grounds. “We’ll start as soon as the animals get here.”
Harry shuddered to think what kind of creature Hagrid had in mind for today. If it could travel on its own, it was probably something dangerous. He looked towards the sky, expecting whatever it was to be able to fly, but brought his eyes down to the ground when he heard barking from the hillside. Kevin was walking towards the class followed closely by his dogs. As he got closer, Harry could see a gray owl perched on his left shoulder.
When Kevin had reached the students, he blew a sharp whistle and the dogs lined up side-by-side. He turned to Hagrid. “Well, here they are.”
Hagrid smiled widely at the discipline the animals showed. He reached out a hand and stroked the owl on Kevin’s shoulder. “Who’s this?”
The owl nipped Hagrid’s finger affectionately. “This is Avis,” Kevin replied. “Best owl I’ve ever had, but he doesn’t care much for the owlery so he keeps close to me or Sara.” He lowered his voice a bit. “It does get a bit annoying at times, though.” Avis nipped his ear. “All right, sorry. Anyway, I leave these mutts in your care, bring them back whenever.” He waved to the class and left.
Hagrid moved along the line of dogs, looking them over. “Magnificent creatures,” he said.
Malfoy scoffed. “Is he going to do this all class?”
Harry did his best to ignore the Slytherin, but it was hard. He had hated Malfoy for so long, but knew better then to try anything. Malfoy was a prefect for Slytherin house and could make his life miserable if he really wanted to, which he did. All Harry had to do was give him a reason.
Hagrid finally turned to the class. “Now what we’re gonna be doin’ today is learnin’ about enchanted creatures. Now these aren’t ordinary creatures that are common to our world. No, the creatures I’m talkin’ about are common to the Muggle world, but specially bred for use in our world.” He waved his hand over the dogs. “These creatures here are prime examples. Under the supervision of Ministry wizards, these dogs were bred and raised with magical properties. You all heard about some of them last night at the feast, but I’ll bet me cabin that there are things even Professor Hall don’t know about.”
Malfoy suppressed a laugh. “Who would bet against him for that worthless piece of firewood? The only worth less then that cabin is Hagrid himself.”
It was more then Harry could take. He turned quickly on Malfoy. “Shut the hell up,” he said, quietly so Hagrid wouldn’t hear. “I won’t hear anything else from you about Hagrid.”
Malfoy didn’t seem the least bit intimidated. “Careful, Potter.” He tapped the “P” on his robe. “I can put you in detention for so long that my grandchildren will get out of school before you do.”
Hermione tugged at Harry’s robe. “Harry, don’t sink to his level.” He turned back around and tried to listen to Hagrid. For a few moments, Malfoy didn’t make another sound, but then he heard Malfoy mutter something under his breath.
The next minute happened so fast that Harry barely understood what had gone on. Something suddenly pushed him to the ground and there was the sound of someone screaming and students excited outbursts. He opened his eyes slowly and saw red-gold fur above him. Lita had forced him onto his back and was growling at something behind him. Harry moved her off of his chest, stood up and looked to see what had happened. Malfoy was clutching his right hand, with the other three dogs surrounding him. They were all growling and baring teeth.
Hagrid blew a sharp whistle to call them off. “Now you understand why you should listen to me when I’m talkin’. Otherwise, you would have heard me when I said that these dogs have sensitive hearin’, even more so then normal dogs. They could hear your spell, almost before you said it.” Malfoy got to his feet, holding his right hand. “That, and their furs are magically enchanted to ward off spells. They make great security dogs, which is why they were brought here.”
Malfoy scowled at the animals. “These are nothing but filthy beasts. I’ll have them destroyed, just like I had your nasty hippogriff killed.”
Hagrid walked right up to Malfoy. “You can try, runt, but this time you don’t have your dad to stick up for you. Now I know that you were about to hex Harry, and that’s why the dogs attacked. They have senses that you don’t know anythin’ about. Now that’s thirty points from Slytherin and a detention I’ll think of later.”
He backed off and walked back towards the front of the class. “All right, we’re ending a little early today. This term we’ll learn about breedin’ magical creatures. If I can get the permits through, we might try a bit of it ourselves. So read up in the section in your textbooks, and be ready to answer a few questions on Wednesday. Dismissed.” The class walked back to the castle, except for Harry, Ron and Hermione.
They walked over to Hagrid, who was looking very pleased. “I know it ain’t right to bully a student, but it’s about time that spoiled prat got put in his place.”
Hermione smiled. “It was right of you to stand up to him. He is, after all, a student and you are his teacher. He should show you respect.” She leaned over and patted Lita on her head. “Though I wonder how the school governors will take an attack on a student.”
“No worry there,” Hagrid answered. “Professor Dumbledore already worked out that problem. If the dogs are preventin’ an attack on a student, then it’s all right. Chris was protectin’ Harry, so he can’t be in trouble.”
“Well, that’s good,” Ron said. “Any animal that doesn’t like Malfoy is a friend of mine.”
“It’s not that he doesn’t like Malfoy,” Hermione interrupted. “It’s just a matter of protecting a student. They can’t possibly like one person more than another.”
Hagrid’s face suddenly looked very surprised. “I don’t believe it. Hermione, I can’t believe I’m tellin’ you this but, you’re wrong.” Hermione looked positively shocked. “Yeah, these dogs can like or not like someone. Didn’t you hear me tell the rest of the class that these animals can understand what we say and can act on their own, without needin’ to be told what to do. It’s as if they’re furry people.”
Ron had to try his hardest to keep from laughing when he heard Hagrid tell Hermione she was wrong. He kept trying to hold it in as they walked up towards the castle, but failed as they entered the main hall. “I never thought I would live to hear the words ‘Hermione, you’re wrong.’ This is a day for the history books.” Hermione quickened her pace to leave Ron and Harry behind. Ron speed up to catch her, calling out “I was just joking.”
Harry decided to let them cool off a bit. He lingered outside the Great Hall, where lunch was being served. While he was there, he noticed Cho walking towards him with one her friends, Marietta Edgecombe. They were about to enter the hall when Cho noticed Harry standing off to the side. She pulled Marietta along with her and walked towards him. “Hi, Harry,” she said. “What are you doing over here?”
He smiled at her. “Letting a couple of my friends wind down before I join them.” He looked over at Marietta. “Congratulations on being made Head Girl.”
She blushed. “Thank you.”
Cho nudged her shoulder into her friend’s. “She always turns red when someone mentions that title. I guess I would to, well I have every time someone says something about my being made Quidditch captain of the Ravenclaw team.” Cho blushed a bit, obviously not wanting to brag about this.
“Really,” Harry replied. “You’re a Quidditch captain too?” Cho looked up in surprise. “I was made captain of the Gryffindor team.” The girls congratulated him. “Thanks. The only problem is now I have only two players, our keeper, Ron and myself. The two beaters we had won’t come back. Our chasers either left school or resigned from the team. As for the seeker last year, Ginny, she may come back as a chaser, but I’m not sure.”
“Sounds like you have your work cut out for you,” Cho said. Marietta tugged at her robe and nodded towards the hall. Cho understood. “We’re going to get something to eat, now. Anytime you want to talk or see me, send an owl to the dormitory and I’d be glad to meet you.” She waved and walked off.
Harry couldn’t believe the luck he was having this year so far. A lot of great things had happened to him already, and he knew more things would start going his way.
************************************************
The last statement is of course, arguable. While Harry was indeed having a great day, a few things beyond his control kept popping up to dampen his mood. For one, Malfoy found it necessary to complain about the mistreatment he had suffered in Hagrid’s class at lunchtime to Professor Snape, who was head of Slytherin house. Normally, it was better to make a complaint to a teacher in private, but Malfoy decided it was in his best interest to make as much of a scene as he could. What was worse was that neither Kevin nor Sara was in the hall to defend their animals.
Snape listened to Malfoy’s complaint and said something Harry couldn’t hear. The young Slytherin went back to his table, looking pleased. Harry ignored the snide look Malfoy shot his way, and turned his attention towards his own table. Ginny was still sitting with the same group she had last night, but this time it was plus two people, Seamus and Dean, the latter of the two seemed to sitting a bit too close to Ginny for Harry’s liking.
He forced himself to look away, still not sure why it bothered him that Dean and Ginny were together. Ron and Hermione had somewhat patched their friendship for the moment. They said a few words to each other, but mostly ate in silence. When lunch was almost over, Harry left the hall, leaving Ron and Hermione to have another quick row before Potions class. He shook his head as he thought of the many fights and wars of words the two of them had had over the past years.
As he walked towards the dungeon, he heard a menacing voice call to him. “Potter, come here.” Harry turned around and saw Professor Snape stalking towards him. The dark-haired potions master loomed over him. “I understand that you had an altercation with one of my students in your last class. I want to know what happened.”
“Didn’t Malfoy explain it all?” he replied.
“He did, but I want to hear your twisted version,” the Potions master said. “I could use a good laugh, since I won’t get to see you fail in your N.E.W.T level classes, which if it were up to me, you would no longer be in them.”
“Well, then it’s a good thing it isn’t up to you, isn’t it Severus?”
They looked over and saw Kevin standing to one side. “If it were up to you, the Potions class would have no students except those in Slytherin. Now, I heard that you wanted Harry’s side of the story. Go on, Harry.”
The young wizard smiled. “Well, it all happened so fast. I heard Malfoy mutter something, and the next thing I know, I’m flat on the ground and he’s clutching his hand.” He wished that he could have lied and said more things that would make Malfoy look bad, but he didn’t dare try it. Snape was highly skilled at Legilimency and would know if something he said was untruthful. Also, Harry couldn’t bring himself to lie in front of Kevin, someone he actually did respect.
Snape scowled at Harry. “At least my student had enough sense to know what was going on around him. He told me that you caused those beasts to attack him. I understand that you spent the summer in the same house as them, so you know how to control them.”
“First off,” Kevin interrupted. “No one controls my dogs, not even me. If they had reason to attack your student, he probably deserved it. Besides, it was just a little bite. There was no blood drawn and he will be able to continue his classes with no handicap. I expect him to be in Potions today, Severus. No half-baked excuses.”
“Very well,” Snape said. “But I am having the detention removed, since we can’t be sure who started the incident.”
Kevin shook his head. “The detention stands. Draco will go to Hagrid’s cabin tomorrow night and Hagrid will decide the appropriate punishment. If he doesn’t show up, he will be in serious danger of losing his prefect status.” Snape shot Kevin a threatening look and skulked away.
Harry looked over at him. “Thanks for the save.”
Kevin smiled. “My pleasure. I didn’t think for a minute that you did anything to start the fight, but I knew Malfoy and Snape would probably make it seem that way.” He shook his head at the retreating Snape. “So anyway, having a good year so far, Harry?”
“I am,” Harry answered. “I’m glad that you and Sara are here, but why didn’t you ever tell us you two were being made teachers?”
“Not that we were trying to hide anything from you,” Kevin said. “We just decided to keep our positions under wraps, as sort of a surprise. Actually there was a point where we weren’t sure if we were going to accept the positions. Some things happened that made Sara and I think we might be more useful somewhere else, but we made the final decision to come here after the Death Eater attack. Dumbledore was glad to have us both and we’re very glad to be here.”
A bell sounded, signaling the end of lunch and telling students to get to their next class. “Looks like I’ve got your class next,” Harry said. They walked together towards the dungeon where the Potions class was normally taught. When they reached a stone corridor, Harry could already hear students queued outside, waiting for the door to be unlocked. When Kevin and Harry had made it to them, the teacher pulled back a bit and let Harry go in on his own.
Harry didn’t notice he was alone as he joined the other students, which were made up of Gryffindors and Slytherins. Malfoy saw him walk into the hall. “Potter, we meet again. Did you have a nice talk with Professor Snape?”
Harry was a little surprised that Malfoy would talk like this in front of a teacher, when he realized he was alone. “Yeah, real nice talk,” he answered, unsure where Kevin had gone. “By the way, your detention stands.”
Malfoy’s smug expression had changed to one of anger. “How dare you speak to me like that? I am a prefect, Potter, and you’re just a pathetic little…”
A growl echoed along the stone corridor and Malfoy shut his mouth clasped his right hand. Kevin had joined them followed closely by Chris. “Pathetic little what, Mr. Malfoy?” he asked. Malfoy kept his mouth shut. “That’s what I thought. Everyone inside.” He unlocked the dungeon door and the student took seats at the various tables.
Kevin and Chris walked to the front of the class. "Welcome to your N.E.W.T. Potions class. This term we will be working in conjunction with the Defense Against the Dark Arts class, which I also happen to teach, and the Herbology class. I will be teaching you how to brew certain potions that will enhance the senses and fortify the mind. Also, once Professor Sprout has grown the necessary plants, we will be making medicinal remedies for some of the more serious injuries and illnesses that have crept up in our world. I expect each of you to do your very best in this class, as I will accept nothing below what you can accomplish. If you are having a problem with a certain potion, or if you have a question, you may get help from a fellow student or you may ask me. Do not be afraid to ask for help if it is needed.” Harry had the sneaking suspicion that he was speaking more so to Neville Longbottom than any other student. Neville often had problems in potions, for which Professor Snape gave him a very hard time. Kevin, apparently, took a different approach to this class.
“It has also come to my attention that this class has the most problems when it come to student relationships, as I saw out in the hall.” He shot Malfoy a scolding look. “I will not tolerate disrespect among my students towards other students or myself. Now, with that said, let’s start on our first potion.” He waved his wand towards the blackboard. Sentences formed across it, and the students were quick to go to work.
The Slytherins were surprisingly quiet in this lesson. Harry didn’t hear one sarcastic comment or insult the whole class. It even went well for Neville who, with a little help from Kevin, produced a passable antidote for spider venom. The entire class left feeling good about their work. When most of the class had left, Harry walked up to the teacher’s desk. “Can I talk to you for a minute?”
Kevin, who had been looking at a roll of parchment at this point, looked up at Harry. “Sure, but don’t you have a class now?”
Harry remembered that he still a History of Magic lesson. “Oh, right. Well, this might take a while, so can I catch you after dinner?”
“Sure thing,” Kevin answered. “Come by my office at about 8.”
Harry thanked him and hurried to catch up with the others.