Harry Potter and the Chest of Death

Chapter 2: Start of Term

Everyone entered the Great Hall where the tables were once again set with the familiar golden dishes. A thousand candles still illuminated from high above, and Dumbledore's silver beard could be seen shimmering in their light. Harry felt a large smile leap across his face as he headed towards the Gryffindor table. Fred and George were all ready seated, and they waved their brother and his friends over.

"Hey Harry," Fred whispered as the First Years filed in, "We've got a couple of positions open on the Quidditch team, and we need a captain. Madam Hooch says trials are going to be next Thursday." Harry nodded because Dumbledore had raised his hands to signal silence. They First Years had lined up, and Harry remembered when that had been him. He felt nostalgic.

The Sorting Hat had been placed on the familiar stool. It was still tattered and aged. The Hall fell quiet immediately. Everyone watched as it slowly opened its mouth. It began its yearly rhyme:

"Two thousand years ago to this very day,

In Mortania there lived the one to start

This school on its way.

And with three others, he began to teach...

An interesting man of course,

But very hard to reach.

Then came a day when all were old,

And they enchanted me.

And now their story has been told,

And for them I see!"

Everyone was surprised at the content of the song. It had never talked about the founders like that. The hat did not say more. Instead, McGonnagal just called the first student up. Harry watched as "Blaire, Persephone" became a Gryffindor. "Blustrode, Marvin" was sent to Slytherine. One by one the students were put to their houses, and when they had all been sorted, Dumbledore rose up for his yearly speech:

"Another year has come at last, and we are ready to learn. I promise each and every one of you that this will be a safe and frugal year for Hogwarts. But, in order to guarantee that safety, several new rules have been put into affect. Some may seem a bit overdone, but I'm sure you will all realize that every one of them is completely necessary.

Firstly, the curfew has been shortened to 8:30 P.M. No student may be on the grounds or in the corridors past that time without adult supervision or a written pass. Next, when using the corridors or being on the grounds, every student must be accompanied by one or more other students. And lastly, we will be instituting a no tolerance policy for the use of magic against other students. This simply means that using your knowledge of magic to physically harm another student is strictly prohibited, as always but there is new enforcement of this policy. We have several activities planned for this school year, and the other professors and I will not hesitate to take the privilege of going to them away, and taking a minimum of 100 points from their house for any student who is seen doing any of the activities that are forbidden.

On a lighter note, we will be having a winter ball, and summer dance, to which all students of every year are invited. Your prefects will tell you more." Suddenly, the tables filled with what seemed like every delicious food imaginable.

Harry quickly grabbed his fork and piled some beef on his plate. Everyone was eating hungrily and silently, until Hermione spoke first:

"I wonder what sort of dances they'll be. We've never had one just to celebrate a season," then her curious expression turned to that of horror, "We don't have to bring dates again to we?" she said franticly. Everyone turned to the other, each with the same aghast appearance.

Except for Ron, who began to quietly chuckle, "What's smatter Hermione? Don't think you can send Krum an owl in time?" His soft laugh suddenly became quiet loud, and Hermione stared at him in shock.

"I can't believe you'd say that Ron," Michelle said angrily, "Hermione told me about the Tournament last year, and the fact that you'd make a joke like that is absolutely dreadful!" Ron opened his mouth to speak, but Michelle cut him off, "How would you like it if I said 'O Ron, how was the dance last year? Harry had to ask someone to go with you because you were too much of a goose? O, well, hope you don't freeze up again...' You wouldn't like it much would you?"

Harry almost spit out his milk, "She's right you know Ron. That was kind of mean."

"O you too?" Ron said, "I don't believe it. It was just a joke."

"I didn't laugh," Hermione said, obviously hurt by it. Seeing this, Ron's face softened.

"I'm sorry Hermione. I didn't mean to hurt your feelings."

"It's okay Ron," she said, "And you're right. We've all got to ask somebody again. Wait! I've got an idea!" she said with a twinkle in her eye, "There's two boys here, and two girls. How about if neither of us has a chance to ask anyone, or be asked, we go with each other? It's sort of like a safety net." Everyone looked around the group before finally nodding in agreement. "Great. Let's shake on it then?" Everyone 'shook on it' and the promise was sealed.

*

All the Gryffindors were excitedly chatting in the Common Room at about seven o'clock. Harry, Ron, Hermione, and Michelle were all comparing their schedules. Michelle and Hermione were both taking Advanced Alchemy while Harry and Ron had Divination 3 (a picture of Professor Treelany entered Harry's mind). Other than that their classes were almost the same.

The new Gryffindor Prefect, Jerry Sandstone, stood on one of the armchairs. Harry became excited. 'This must be about the dances,' he thought.

"Okay, quiet everyone," Jerry began, "Alright then. I've got something to read about the dances. Here goes:

'The Winter Ball will be held the Friday before students are to leave for their holiday break. The ball is not mandatory, but students are expected to attend. Also, the attire for this event will be formal. Boys are to either wear dress robes, or formal (Muggle) dress. Under no circumstances will casual clothing be accepted. It is encouraged that students attend the ball with another of their approximate age. ("I guess she means a date," Harry thought.)

The event to take place in the summer will be a casual affair. Students may attend in clothing fancier than what they would wear to classes, but not what they could have worn to the Ball.

Hope to see you all there,

Headmaster Dumbledore.'

"So, anyone have any questions?" Jerry asked them all. No one spoke. Finally he said, "Right then, off to bed."

Slowly the other students filed out and only about 10 remained awake. Hermione and Michelle went up to the girl's dormitories, and Harry and Ron headed for the boys. They didn't go to sleep right away however; instead they stayed up, whispering to each other about Quidditch.

"Gryffindor needs a new Keeper, and a new Chaser. Not to mention a Captain," Harry told Ron.

"Harry, do you think that I should try out? I mean, I bet I could be a good Keeper..." Ron asked, obviously nervous. "I've been practicing every chance I had. Dad says that I've got a good shot at it."

"O yeah Ron! That's a great idea!" Harry replied ecstatically as he imagined it. "But it's already almost ten. We should get to sleep." Ron's snoring signaled to Harry that he agreed.

Harry woke up and headed down to breakfast. They were all eating and chatting about their classes for the day (Potions and then Herbology) when Draco strolled over, of course with Crabbe and Goyle.

"Hello there, Potter. I see you've recruited another reject. Ah, Weasley. I can see that your family still can't afford a decent robe. I bet not even a button on that rag is new. Such a pity." He then laughed his cold and high-pitched cackle.

"You're Draco Malfoy right?" Michelle said with a smile.

"Yes. And who are you?"

"Michelle Swift. It's a good thing I saw you. My dad has a message your dad: Tell your father that he still owes my dad that £40,000. He'll take it in Muggle money or Galleons."

Draco turned very pale and then abruptly spun around and hurried away. Harry was deeply curious, "His father owes that much?"

"How am I supposed to know?" she said nonchalantly. "I just guessed that he wouldn't know about his father's finances, and I took a chance."

All Ron could say was "Brilliant."

The Potions room had not changed. It still smelled fowl and it was still dangerously dark. Snape himself was still as callous. He paced the room, taking stock of the students. He glared from one to the other; from the Slytherines to the Gryffindors. Finally, after what seemed like days of his stare, he spoke.

"Potions, as I've said infinite times before, is an art. This year is no exception," he paused and Neville could be heard whimpering in the back of the room. "We begin today's lesson with notes on how to make a Devil's Eye potion that renders its victim temporarily blind. Then, we will make it, and you will graded as a quiz." He immediately started talking at an alarming speed, and quills could be heard scratching upon the parchment, desperate to keep up.

Shortly thereafter, the fires were lit, and the cauldrons began to bubble. Harry and Ron's was a mossy green color. Harry looked back and Hermione and Michelle to see that there's was a deep blood red. "Uh, Ron..." he said, motioning behind him, "I think we shouldn't have added that extra gargoyle blood." In fact they had emptied the jar that had been filled with the thick, green liquid. "Let's add some..." Harry said searching around the desk, "Unicorn hoof! We've hardly used any of that."

"Good idea," Ron said as he dumped the entire bowl of hoof scrapings in. Slowly the liquid turned a dull orange. It began to boil and swirl.

"What are you both doing?" Hermione asked them. "The potions supposed to be green."

"But," Ron replied, obviously confused, "yours was red!"

"That's because we hadn't added the vile of gargoyle blood yet," Michelle responded. "You were supposed to put in the whole thing."

"SILENCE!" Snape bellowed, "Let's have a look at your potions. I trust all of you followed my instructions exactly..." Thinking quickly, Harry grabbed Draco's gargoyle blood and poured it in the cauldron. He put the vile back on Draco's desk. As Snape was walking over, the potion turned green. "Well, Mister Potter, Mister Weasley...It looks like you've finally gotten one right. B plus."

"What did you do, you idiot!" Draco was screaming at Goyle. "It's red! It's RED!" Goyle was scratching his head, clearly bewildered.

"Something wrong Mister Malfoy?" Snape questioned as he glided over.

"Yes, Professor. We did everything we were supposed to, and it's still red." Then Draco did the most peculiar thing: he smiled. "I am so sorry Professor. This is my favorite class, and I still can't make a potion right." He didn't fool Harry who saw that he still had his trademark smirk.

"Well, considering that you did follow my instructions...B plus," Snape said. He was about to walk away when he turned back to Draco, "Don't worry Mister Malfoy. If Potter can get this right, I'm sure you can as well." Harry was fuming.

"Why should Draco get the same grade as us when he didn't even get it right?" Harry whispered to Ron.

"For you idle chit chat," Snape yelled, "five points from Gryffindor. Class dismissed."

The students filed out of the classroom. It was lunchtime, and then they'd have Herbology. Harry was angry with himself. As always he had managed to be the first Gryffindor to lose points from the house.

"I can't believe I did it again," he said.

"Don't worry Harry," Ron replied. "Everyone knows that Snape hates you. I think we would have all been surprised if he hadn't taken away points."

Hermione agreed, "He's like that every year. What can we expect but for him to be the same? Besides we have Herbology after lunch, and I'm sure that we can earn some points with Professor Sprout."

"Yeah. I guess you're right," Harry said, as they headed towards the Great Hall.

There were many students already in the Hall, eating. They sat down and began to do the same, when Fred came over.

"Hey Harry," he said, "Just wanted to remind you that tomorrow after school we have to be on the Quidditch field for tryouts. Also, I've talked to the other teammates, and everyone thinks that Angelina should be the new Captain. What do you think, Harry?"

"Yeah," he responded. "I think that's a great idea."

"Right, then it's settled. I'll see you tomorrow." And with that Fred walked away.

"So," Michelle said, changing the subject, "Have any of you asked someone to the Ball, or been asked?"

"No," Ron said flatly. "Besides, it's only September. We've got three months to ask someone."

"O," she said, "because I went to ask Jerry Sandstone, and he told me that he was already going with someone else. So, I asked a few other kids from around school, and I'd say that 80 percent of them already had a date set up."

"What?" Ron replied. "That's not good!"

"I know," Michelle said. "That's why I think it's best we just decide who's going with who now, in case that we need to use that safety net." Everyone looked at each other. Harry didn't know what to say. Hermione was his best friend, but Michelle barely knew Ron. Then it dawned on him: he'd just say that.

"Hermione, you are one of my best friends, but Michelle barely knows Ron. I think I should go with her."

"Fine with me," Michelle added.

"Okay. I wanted to go with Ron anyway," Hermione said. Immediately after doing so, she put her hand over her mouth, realizing what she had let slip out. "I mean, umm, Harry's just not my type?" Everyone could hear the question in her voice at this explanation. "I better get to Herbology," she said as she gathered her books. Michelle did the same and took off after Hermione.

"Did she just say she wanted to go with me?" Ron asked. "Did she mean out of the group, or out of everyone?"

"Well Ron," Harry answered, "she was the one to come up with this idea... Maybe she wanted to go with you out of everyone that could have asked."

Draco, who walked over bordered by Crabbe and Goyle, cut their conversation short. "I couldn't help overhearing..."

"More like you couldn't help listening. Although, if I had a life as boring as yours, I would listen to what other people were saying too," Harry smiled at his own wit.

"Whatever you want to believe, Potter. I couldn't care less either way. Besides I came to talk to Weasly," he then turned to Ron, "I don't think anyone would want to go with you, but if it came down to a choice between you and Potter, anyone would pick you. Most people would rather have rags than be cursed by Potter's innately bad luck." He walked away after saying this, and Harry just sat there, glaring at Draco. He wished Dumbledore hadn't put in those heavy penalties for using magic on another student. Then, the bell rang and broke his rage. He and Ron gathered their books into their rucksacks, and headed for Herbology. 'Anything to take my mind off Draco,' Harry thought.

He headed for Herbology with Ron. They had to walk at a brisk pace, because they didn't have much time. When they got in, they took a seat by Hermione and Michelle.

"Welcome back everyone," Professor Sprout said to all of them, "Today we are going to be working with a very dangerous plant today. Some of you may have had some experience with it already. Please put on your dragon hide gloves. Alright. Everyone all set? Okay then, here's your yearlong project: Devil's Snare. I've copied some notes for you all on it," she said as she passed them out. "This year we're going to try something different. Instead of a serious of projects, you will grow this Devil's Snare. Whoever has the largest gets an A, and then the rest of the grades will be scaled from that. Also, you can earn house points if you teach your Snare to do tricks. Now that I've explained, and you have your information, pick a plant off the table, and get to work."

Harry got a small plant, but it's vines were thick, and it's color good. Remembering that the plant likes the dark and damp, Harry misted it with some water from his can; then, he took a sack off the floor and covered the plant. Immediately the plant began to wriggle under the burlap. Harry took out his quill and ink, and tried to write his name on the sack. It proved to be difficult, since the plant was moving quite a lot. But, he did manage to get "Harry P." on it. To make sure the sack stayed on, he tied it with a piece of cord he found on his table. Looking over at Ron, he saw his friend pouring a tremendous amount of water onto his plant. This looked especially funny because Ron was trying to keep as much distance between him and the Snare as possible.

The class seemed to be over quickly, and Harry headed up to the Common Room with his friends, the thought of Quidditch trials were dancing through his mind. He desperately hoped that Ron would make the team. Harry hadn't practiced much over the holidays, but he was sure that he'd be alright.