They Shook Hands: Year Three (Original Version)

They Shook Hands : Year Three

An alternate (but realistic!) universe Harry Potter fic
by Dethryl

Chapter Seven - Slytherin House Gets Bigger

Harry hurried down to the Great Hall after leaving the Deputy Headmistress's office and heard applause going on. He dashed to where Draco and the others were sitting just in time to hear tiny, little Professor Flitwick call out, "Amelia Berry!" Of all the miserable, sodding-! He'd missed the Sorting Hat's song!

"Gryffindor!" the Hat shouted out, and the table on the far end of the hall burst into applause as the first student was Sorted.

"Nice of you to join us," Jenna quipped as Harry slid into his seat. "Old McGonagall hand you detention already?"

"Yah, for being a Slytherin."

"Regina Boot!"

"She'll be a Ravenclaw, just like him," Blaise said promptly.

Terry Boot obviously agreed with her, because he was already making space at the Ravenclaw table for his cousin to join them.

Jenna giggled. "Seriously, Harry? Do you have detention?"

"No, she was being nosy about the dementor. Would you believe she called Madam Pomfrey up to check me out?"

"Maybe she was just concerned. You did collapse on the train."

"You collapsed on the train?" Ginny Weasley, their ex-Gryffindor tag-along was also sitting with them.

"Don't remind me," he said sourly.

"Slytherin!"

It was the only time Harry had ever seen Terry speechless. The rest of the Ravenclaw table was equally stunned. Tim, however, guffawed loudly and started clapping his hands and cheering. He stood up and welcomed Regina to the table.

"Camille Brocklehurst!"

"Gryffindor!"

"Is that Mandy's sister?" Millie asked.

"Her cousin," Blaise answered promptly.

"Victoria Christensen!"

"Hufflepuff!"

"Amy Derrick!"

"That's my little sister," Matthew Derrick could be heard from where he was sitting with his fellow sixth years. "I'll flatten anyone who crosses her."

"She here to replace you as Beater, then?" Harry called down the table. Hoots of laughter rose from the rest of the Quidditch team and anyone nearby.

"Slytherin!"

Hufflepuff claimed Emily Dixon, and then it was Slytherin's turn again as fourth year Michael Drummond's little sister Sanna joined them. Phillipe Fierto and Kendra Gellaes were called to Ravenclaw. Slytherin was cheering again when Timothy Hammaran, younger brother of fifth year Courtney was announced.

"Elisabeth Hampton!"

"Hufflepuff!"

"Christine Higgs!"

"Slytherin!"

"Look out, Potter!" Derrick half-bellowed. "Higgs got his sister to take back his position!"

Terence, who had been Seeker before Harry, made a horrific face and mouthed something Harry couldn't hear. It was most likely the promise of a hexing, given how sore Higgs still was about not being on the team anymore.

Hufflepuff claimed John Kelvar and Robert Kent before Gryffindor got just its third new student of the night in Benjamin King. Benedict Kivaral was sent to Slytherin, Ravenclaw got Gregory Lane, and Hufflepuff nabbed two more in a row: Alfred Leopold and Erin LePlante.

"Trevor Logan!"

"Get on with it," Goyle grumbled. "I'm starving. Again."

"Gryffindor!"

Slytherin and Ravenclaw alternated between Christopher Macnamara (younger brother of a Ravenclaw seventh year), Elizabeth Murdock (younger sister of a Slytherin sixth year), Theodore Nolan (now in Slytherin with his older sister), and Amelia Padhye (also now in Ravenclaw with her sister).

"Anyone not have siblings coming in this year?" Jenna asked, looking around the table.

"I don't," Draco grinned.

"Mary-Sue Richardson!"

"What kind of name is that?" Pansy sniffed haughtily.

"Gryffindor!"

"It's a Gryffindor name," Harry laughed.

"Michael Roitt!"

"Gryffindor!"

"Claudia Victoria Ruic!"

Perhaps the tallest eleven year old Harry had ever seen nervously stepped up to the stool.

"Slytherin!"

"Yes!" shouted the girl, her voice muffled by the Hat over her face. "Yesyesyes!" She pulled off the hat, placed it carefully back on the stool, and practically ran to the Slytherin table with her light brown hair streaming behind her.

"Excited, wot?" Draco teased her.

The girl searched out the voice with her eyes, and they sparkled as she flashed a huge smile at the blond boy. "Indubitably."

But Claudia was the last new Slytherin of the new year, as Henry Shane (Ravenclaw), Adam Shattery (Gryffindor), Sophia Sheridan (Ravenclaw), Nicholas Smith (Hufflepuff), Evan Taylor (Gryffindor), Oscar Trymelo (Ravenclaw), Arthur Wollcott (Hufflepuff), and Cynthia Wordsworth (Gryffindor) all had their turn under the Sorting Hat. Professor Flitwick rolled up his scroll, levitated the stool, and took his place up at the High Table with the rest of the teachers.

Professor Dumbledore rose to his feet. The old wizard somehow exuded an impression of great energy. He had several feet of long silver hair and beard, half-moon spectacles, and an extremely crooked nose. He was often described as the greatest wizard of the current age. He was said to be the one person that Voldemort had feared to confront, for even during the war he had never attacked Hogwarts. Dumbledore had his quirks and oddities, probably one for every star in the sky, but tonight he was incredibly focused on the students as they gazed up expectantly at him, waiting for his greeting.

"Welcome!" he said firmly, candlelight shimmering on his beard. "Welcome to another year at Hogwarts! I have a few things to say to you all, and as one of them is very serious, I think it best to get it out of the way before you become befuddled by our excellent feast."

He cleared his throat and continued, "As you will all no doubt be aware after their search of the Hogwarts Express, our school is presently playing host to some of the dementors of Azkaban, who are here on Ministry of Magic business."

By the expression on his face and the gleam in his eye, the old wizard was not pleased about his announcement.

"They are stationed at every entrance to the grounds, and while they are with us, I must make it plain that nobody is to leave school without permission. Dementors are not to be fooled by tricks or disguises -- or even Invisibility Cloaks," he added blandly. Draco cast a side-glance at Harry, matched by Tim and Blaise.

Dumbledore paused and gazed around the Great Hall, gathering every eye. Nobody made a sound. "It is not in the nature of a dementor to understand pleading or excuses. I therefore warn each and every one of you to give them no reason to harm you. I look to the prefects, and our new Head Boy and Girl, to make sure that no student runs afoul of the dementors."

Sitting with the seventh-year Slytherins, Percy Weasley sat wearing green and silver, wearing a gold badge on the front of his robes reading "Head Boy". His face was also serious, and he leaned in to hear a whisper from Jamie Zabini.

"On a happier note," Dumbledore continued, "I am pleased to welcome two new teachers to our ranks this year. First, Professor Lupin, who has kindly consented to fill the post of Defence Against the Dark Arts teacher."

There was some scattered applause, but largely from the third year Slytherins, who had watched him repel the dementor on the train. Tim was generally impressed with magical aptitude and seemed willing to give the man a fair shake regardless of how poor he seemed to be. Professor Lupin looked particularly shabby next to all the other teachers in their best robes.

"Oi, Harry, check out Snape!" Crabbe whispered.

Professor Snape was staring along the High Table at Professor Lupin. It was common knowledge that Professor Snape, Head of Slytherin House, wanted the Defence post, but Harry was stunned at the magnitude of loathing in the twisted expression on the man's face.

"As to our second appointment," Dumbledore continued as the lukewarm applause for Professor Lupin died away. "Well, I am sorry to tell you that Professor Kettleburn, our Care of Magical Creatures teacher, retired at the end of last year in order to enjoy more time with his remaining limbs. However, I am delighted to say that his place will be filled by none other than Rubeus Hagrid, who has agreed to take on this teaching job in addition to his gamekeeping duties."

"Bollocks!" exclaimed Tim.

"Absurd!" Pansy echoed.

"Just wait until Father hears of this!" Draco vowed.

The applause was about as hesitant for Hagrid as it had been for Professor Lupin. Stories still circulated around the school of the big man's drunkenness, and there were many things that Harry had seen for himself that led to a logical conclusion about his condition.

"What other fun surprises does he have in store for us?" Millie asked sarcastically. "That miserable Monster Book nearly took my hand off. I had to tie a rope around it to keep it from eating the rest of my books!"

"Mine ate my Potions assignment," Crabbe contributed. "Miserable, sodding thing!"

"Well, I think that's everything of importance," Dumbledore declared. "Let the feast begin!"

The golden plates and cups before them filled with food and drink. Everyone ravenously turned their attention to the platters of meats and bowls of vegetables. The chatter and the clatter and the clunk filled the air.

"Feeling better?" Blaise asked Harry, reaching past him for the salt.

"I knew I just needed food," he replied just as quietly. "Give me a night's sleep, and I'll be in tip-top shape."

When they had finished the main course, Crabbe left the table to go discuss Perseids with Terry at the Ravenclaw table. The rest of the gang demolished the bowls of puddings and sherbets that arrived after. When he was done, Harry wiped his mouth and sighed contentedly. "What a meal!"

"Wonderful," Goyle agreed, still chewing a slice of pie. "Gets better every year."

"That's only because you eat more, fathead," Tim needled him. "I've never seen such an appetite."

"Maybe a dragon could keep up," Blaise suggested for comparison.

At that moment, Jamie Zabini approached their group and leaned in. "Hey all, the password to the common room is 'We miss Kettleburn'."

"What?" Tim exclaimed. "We didn't even know him."

"Well plenty of us older students did, Nott," the prefect retorted. "When you're a prefect, you can pick the passwords. Until that day, when I shall thankfully be far away from the school, we will show our support for a fine teacher and our opposition to the great oaf in this manner. Those in the house will know what is expected of them -- and of you."

"I wasn't planning on taking the class," Tim retorted. "I'm sticking to Double A's."

"You know that Terry is doing that plus Magical Creatures," Blaise shared. "Mandy told me they both signed up for three new subjects. She's also going to be taking Divination."

"Three classes? Such a typical Ravenclaw."

"Hey, I'm taking three classes," Jenna pointed out. "I'm going to be there with Mandy in Divination."

"Me, too," echoed Crabbe and Goyle.

Tim's face was troubled. "I could accept such over-achievement from Boot, but you three? Intolerable," he declared. "I must find another class to take."

"There's plenty of room in Muggle Studies," Jenna said brightly.

"I'd rather fail every subject," Tim retorted. "Perhaps it would be interesting to learn about some magical creatures."

"Wonderful," Millie contributed. "You can tell us all the mistakes that Hagrid makes during his lectures."

"I need to go see Professor Snape about this. Excuse me, please."

Tim left the table and approached the faculty. Jenna shook her head as he walked away. "That boy is entirely too competitive."

"He's Slytherin," Draco said by way of an answer. "But I would never take the class with that drunken oaf teaching it."

"The gossip is that Weasley signed up. And we're going to have to see him in Divination." Jenna made a face expressing her displeasure at the prospect.

Draco reconsidered his position. "Well, tormenting Weasley is always good. I suppose I would take the class, at that."

"On the bright side, at least Crabbe'll have lots of opportunity to squeeze his neck," Harry tried to be positive. "It's a long way up to - where does Divination meet, anyway?"

"I'm not sure," Jenna confessed. "Oi, Lapointe."

"Yah?" the fourth year boy called from down the table.

"Where's Divination meet?"

"Top of North Tower."

"Thanks!" Jenna turned back to the group. "It's at the top of North Tower," she repeated.

"That's a fair walk. Plenty of time for all kinds of accidents to happen." Harry loathed Weasley and knew he'd cry only crocodile tears if something nasty were to befall him -- befall him.

"Maybe it won't be so bad," Goyle considered.

"Hi, Harry!" Laine Slater had approached their seats unseen. Her eyes were smiling as she looked only at Harry.

"Laine, hello. Ginny Weasley, Laine Slater. Laine Slater, Ginny Weasley."

"Hullo."

"Hi!"

"Ginny, has Professor McGonagall given you leave to move out of Gryffindor Tower yet?" Harry knew the answer to be no, otherwise the red-haired girl would have been bursting with joy.

"No," Ginny replied crossly. "I'm starting to get a little irritated with the old bat."

Laine giggled. "Well, your troubles are over. On behalf of the second year Slytherin girls, I'm extending a formal invitation to bunk down in the dungeons. There's no extra bed, but we can double up until we get one."

"I'd sleep on the stone floor with no pyjamas to get out of Gryffindor," Ginny vowed emphatically.

"I'm sure that won't be necessary. If you'll follow me, I'll introduce you to the rest of the girls."

Ginny stood up immediately. "What are we waiting for?"

The one-time Gryffindor cast a speculative glance back at Harry as she was led away by Laine. Harry winked at her and saw her cheeks start to redden before she turned her face. He looked around at his friends and smiled.

"No more tag-along," he said with satisfaction.

"Impressive," Jenna admired. "Who engineered that?"

"Harry did," Draco told her. "On the train."

"Prodigious," Blaise praised him.

The third years followed the crowd as Slytherin House descended to the dungeon depths of the castle. The greenish light given off by the hanging lamps on the ceiling made the common room seem cosy and inviting. The fire was crackling cheerfully in the grate, and seeing the four-poster beds in their dormitory was like coming home.

Harry was tired, more so than he'd ever been after the long trip to school. With a twisted smile, he realized that it probably had to do with that dementor. "To bed, then, lads?"

"Indeed," Tim agreed. "I'm knackered."

* * *

The next morning, the second year girls waved to Harry as he sat down at the breakfast table. Ginny seemed perfectly content, wearing a green and silver tie so naturally that it seemed she'd never worn anything else. Her smile lit up her whole face, and Harry was glad to see it.

"Good morning," he said.

"Good morning, Harry," the girls said together.

"Sleep well?" Laine inquired.

"Always," he replied, reaching for the sugar. "Ginny, did they make you sleep naked on the floor?"

Ginny turned bright red and shook her head. "No, Laine was nice enough to share with me."

"We're going to see Professor Snape after classes and get an extra bed put in," Laine giggled. "Tonight you'll have all the space you want."

Sam Palce, seventh-year Prefect, walked through the double doors and made straight for Harry. "Good, you're here," he said distractedly. He held out a fistful of parchments. "Schedules," he said shortly, handing another sheaf to Laine.

"Thanks, Sam," Harry said around a mouthful of oatmeal.

"Has anyone seen the third years yet?"

"I'm a third year," he said, trying not to laugh.

"Of course. The fourth years?"

"Not yet."

Sam hurried off, spying the fifth years just entering the hall. The girls giggled as he moved out of earshot.

"He seems distracted," Michelle observed.

"You would be too," Harry replied.

"Harry, you're up early," commented Draco as he joined the table.

"I was hungry."

"I see that."

"Schedules," Harry said with his mouth full, handing Draco one of the parchments.

"Arithmancy, excellent, Defence, History and Charms. Well, one new subject isn't bad."

"Consider it two," Harry quipped. "We might actually get a real Defence class today."

Harry's witticism set off a cascade of giggles amongst the girls. Their last two instructors in the subject of Defence Against the Dark Arts had been a stuttering simpleton scared of his own shadow and a fraud, respectively. Quirrell's stuttering had been an act, of course, but they still hadn't learned anything of much use during his lectures.

The rest of Harry's friends came trickling in a few at a time. He handed each one a schedule as he tried to eat as much food as possible. He ate until his stomach groaned, and even then he had just one last glass of pumpkin juice.

"Arithmancy first," Tim said. "Outstanding. I've been looking forward to it all summer."

"You're sick," Goyle grunted. "Holiday is supposed to get you away from studying, not leave you wanting more."

"Why are you even awake? You've got a break first period," Harry told him, enviously handing over the boy's schedule.

"I do?" Goyle's plain face had a surprised expression. "Brill! I get to sleep in on Thursdays! And Fridays!"

"I absolutely hate you," Tim avowed. "I have to get up early every morning!"

"So do I, Tim," Millie patronized him. "Shut up."

"Well then you should hate him too."

"I hate the person in charge of scheduling," she grumbled. "Stupid me took stupid Arithmancy instead of Ancient Runes. I could have been sleeping in too."

"Well I hate him," Crabbe commiserated. "Why did we sign up for Arithmancy, Millie?"

"Because we're stupid."

"Oh. Right."

Harry, who along with most of the rest got to sleep in on Tuesday and Wednesday, felt a pang of sympathy. "If Tim can get into a new class, you two should be able to."

"We could?" Crabbe's face brightened. "Switch into Ancient Runes? And sleep in?"

"I'm almost tempted," Millie said, thinking it over.

"It would be great to have the whole gang in there," Jenna commented. "Plus, I hear that there's only two Gryffindors brave enough to sign up."

"Weasley?" Harry asked with a sinking feeling.

"No, he nancied out with Magical Creatures and Divination," Pansy told them. "Mandy told me that Padma told her that-"

"We get the idea!" Tim snapped.

"I'm only saying, Timothy-"

"Shut up, you babbling she-demon!"

"She-demon? Better than a nasty little weed like you!"

"I'm a Paralysing Cuscuta," he retorted with a sneer. "Soon I'm going to wrap around your throat."

Pansy got a puzzled look on her face. "You're a paralysed what?"

"Cuscuta. Strangleweed. Witch's hair," Tim recited at her.

"What are you on about?"

"Don't you pay attention in Herbology?"

"Obviously not at much as you."

"Obviously."

There was a slight pause.

Tim spoke again, "So there."

"What do you mean?" she flamed.

"I just made you be quiet. Now be quiet."

"You don't make me do anything, Nott!"

And as the pair descended further into their bickering, Harry turned back to Millie and Crabbe. "It would be great to have everyone in Ancient Runes. I say you go for it."

"Let's go talk to Professor Snape," Millie said to Crabbe, and the pair hurried up to the High Table, where Professor Snape was casually sipping his tea.

"Who wants to volunteer to tell Tim that he's the only one who has to get up early every morning?" Jenna said softly to Harry.

Harry nearly choked on his juice. "You can," he sputtered. "Thanks."

"Oh, you're welcome!"

Harry was still mopping at his face as they picked up their bags and headed for the second floor classrooms. Arithmancy was taught by Professor Vector, and she waved them in eagerly as they opened her door.

"Come in, come in! Hurry, hurry! Time is wasting!" Professor Vector had a pleasant, no-nonsense voice. "And don't tell me you're early. Third year Slytherins, but where are the rest of you, then?"

"Bulstrode and Crabbe are switching out," Draco informed her.

"Switching out, did you say?" Professor Vector suddenly sounded extremely cross.

"Yes, ma'am," Draco nodded. "I tried to talk them out of it. I told them Arithmancy was a fascinating subject. Last year, Percy Weasley did this thing where he removed spilled ink from Harry's Charms essay. I knew right away that I had to take your class."

Professor Vector studied the pale boy for a second. She cocked her eyebrow and gave him a serious look. "I hope you're sincere in that statement, Mister Malfoy. Because I will test you in this subject. Arithmancy is a challenging branch of magic, and there is no room for fools in my class. All of you will be studying some of the most difficult concepts known to wizard and Muggle alike."

"Muggles?" questioned an incredulous Tim. "What have Muggles got to teach us about magic?"

"In the wider spirit of your question, I tell you that Muggles' brains work differently than our own, and sometimes they come to the most startling insights. Despite their general barbarity, there do exist many wise and learned Muggles. As to the more immediate point, Mister Nott, there is much that wizards have learned about magic by understanding Muggle mathematics."

"Maths!" Harry exclaimed, completely dismayed.

"Indeed, Mister Potter," Professor Vector nodded to him. "Two points to Slytherin. Muggle engineering and science-"

She broke off, shaking her head. "Ah, clever Slytherins, getting the teacher to start the lecture before the other houses arrive."

"But-"

"Ah, ah, ah, Mister Nott," Professor Vector tutted, shaking her finger. "Take your seats. I'll explain myself soon enough."

Several heartbeats later, Terry, Padma, and Mandy strolled through the door. Immediately following them were a boy and girl Harry didn't know and the Chinese girl, Su Li. Terry, Padma, and Mandy joined the Slytherins, while the other three sat apart.

"Good morning, Slytherins," Terry said, plunking his bag down at a seat next to Blaise. "Lovely way to start the day, with a new lesson."

"I couldn't agree more," Tim echoed, sharpening his quill. "Ready for me to trounce you here like in every other subject?"

"As I recall, Nott," Terry said coldly, "You couldn't trounce trout at Transfiguration compared to me."

"Nice alliteration," Blaise complimented.

"Slytherin ego brings out my poetic side," he admitted. "Thankfully most of you have it under control."

"It's not ego, Boot, just acknowledgement of talent," Tim retorted.

"Delusions of grandeur, I call it."

"Who are they?" Harry asked of Padma, inclining his head towards the three Ravenclaws sitting by themselves.

"Michael Corner, Su Li, and Lisa Turpin. They're decent. Not as exciting as you Slytherins." Padma was smiling slightly.

The Hufflepuffs were next to arrive. Ernie Macmillan and Susan Bones, both of whom were about as pureblooded as you could get, were walking in with Hannah Abbott, the very first girl to be sorted two years ago. Harry didn't associate much with the Hufflepuffs. He'd been unfortunate enough to overhear Macmillan gossiping about him last year during the whole Heir of Slytherin fiasco. Macmillan had been absolutely confident that Harry had set the basilisk on the school and killed Granger.

"Is he really such a great prat as I hear?" Harry asked Padma.

"He's a bit pompous, if that's what you mean. Very proper about everything. I talk to Susan every now and again, and she speaks well of him. I know he's smart. We share Potions with Hufflepuff, and Snape never has anything bad to say about his work. Of course he never says anything good either, but-"

"-but it's Professor Snape," Harry finished for her, laughing a bit.

"Right," she said with a giggle.

Two Gryffindor girls arrived then, but Harry didn't know their names. Neither did his friends. Professor Vector knew them, and she greeted them by name.

"Geagan! Golding!" she barked. "You're late! Spare me your excuses! Just sit so I can begin."

The two girls hurried inside and took the first seats they came to. Professor Vector slammed the door shut and stalked to the front, muttering, "Switched out," under her breath. When she reached the front of the room, she turned to face them, and it seemed like nothing was wrong.

"Welcome to Arithmancy! I am Professor Vector, as you already know, and I thank you for choosing my class. Arithmancy is a challenging branch of magic, as complicated in its own way as Transfiguration. Similarly, there is no room for fools here. Those who are not serious would be wise to -- switch out."

She levelled a piercing stare at every one of the third years in one sweeping gaze. Harry swallowed and sat a little straighter in his seat. If Professor Vector's intention was to get them to take Arithmancy seriously, she'd achieved it.

"You will be studying some of the most difficult mathematical concepts known to wizard and Muggle alike. There is much that we as wizards and witches have learned about magic and its innumerable applications by understanding Muggle mathematics.

"Muggle engineering and science rely exclusively on mathematics. It is their doorway of understanding into the natural power of the universe, which wizards control by manipulation of energy. Muggles can manipulate energy too, using the tools that their science and engineering have allowed them to develop. And at the core of it all is mathematics.

"Mister Malfoy earlier cited a textbook case of how Muggle mathematics has affected the application of magic. Suppose it's very late at night. You've just finished writing three scrolls of parchment for Professor Snape that's due in only a few hours. And your cat, or better yet, your best friend's cat, jumps up onto the desk, spills your inkwell, and gets ink all over your assignment.

Professor Vector grinned at them. "Who knows what Professor Snape is like when he's mad?"

Everyone raised their hands, some a little more hesitantly than others.

"Well we don't want that, do we? But if you do what our current Head Boy did, you apply some mathematics, that spilled ink will collect itself back up and return to the inkwell."

Several gasps of amazement were heard. Imagine the relief of not having to face Snape empty-handed with a big assignment due! Or old McGonagall. Harry knew then and there that he would study Arithmancy as hard as he could. There had to be a lot more that one could do with it with a little creativity.

"But we'll build to that. Arithmancy used to be simply a method of determining meanings out of names and letters converted to numbers, and adding numbers, and so on, and so on. It was a ghastly branch of magic, almost cousins with Divination.

"Then we discovered mathematics. Muggles developed it much earlier than wizards, you see, because they needed it. We had magic. The poor, unfortunate Muggles did not. But they evolved in their own way. Despite their general barbarity, there do exist many wise and learned Muggles. Muggles' brains work differently than our own, and sometimes they come to the most startling insights.

"So, as our learning began with mathematics, so too, shall yours. On my desk, please retrieve one scroll of parchment from that stack and begin the examination. We shall determine what you know."

to be continued...