More to Life

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Chapter Eight - Lessons

AN: Quick note before anyone tells me different. I know the DADA Professor in Harry's first year is Quirrell, but in my story there is no Quirrell so Lockhart will by the teacher, just because I love to mock him *grins* Just see it as having no Quirrell and having all the other DADA teachers moving forward a year. *coughLupinnextyearcough*

Harry had been sat awake for hours, curtains drawn around his bed. He had no idea what time it was and didn't feel like muttering the spell to see. He assumed that someone would poke their head around the curtain to wake him up when it was time for lessons. Since the dorms were in the dungeons, he had no idea if the sun was up or not.

He was twiddling with his wand again. He always carried his wand around with him, ever since he had bought it only a few weeks before. Harry remembered all the fuss it caused. Apparently, his wand had the same core as Voldemort's did; a phoenix feather. He himself didn't see what the problem was. Severus had told him never to leave the wand out of his sight, so he didn't. He found himself even sleeping with it. He still didn't know what all the fuss was about, and none of the adults were telling him.

Harry looked at the eleven inch holly wood stick. Magic came to him a lot easier using his wand rather than a training one, or even his hand. He didn't care if it shared the core of one of the most well known Dark wizards, it was his wand.

The dark haired boy mentally prepared himself for his first day of lessons at Hogwarts. He knew people would stare, people would whisper behind his back. It felt like Primary school all over again. At least this time there was no Dudley (even though Malkin was just as bad) and he could depend on Draco for a friend, maybe even Blaise, even though he had only known the boy since yesterday.

As if called by the mental mention of his name, Draco poked his head around the curtain, not at all startled by the fact that Harry was already sat up and dressed.

"Going to sit there like that all day?" the blonde asked.

"I thought about it," Harry mumbled, stuffing his wand up his sleeve.

Blaise's head joined Draco's. "Is it what Malkin said the other night?"

Harry scoffed. "Please, my fat lard of a cousin was meaner than Malkin ever will be. Malkin's just a stuck up little brat who wants attention non stop, kinda like Dudley used to be." Harry sighed. "Let go of the curtain and I'll get out of bed."

Both Draco and Blaise let go of the curtain and stepped away from the bed intent on getting dressed themselves.

Harry surveyed the room, taking a better look than he cared to the night before. He noticed the occupants of the other two beds getting dressed for the morning. He vaguely remembered them as Vincent and Gregory. He knew their Mothers' were close to Narcissa and that's how Draco knew them, same with Pansy Parkinson and Millicent. The blonde boy hadn't seen any of them much since Harry had turned up in the wizarding world, but he still remembered them enough to know who they were.

"Morning," Harry quipped as he jumped off his bed, pulling the curtain open all the way around.

"Urg, don't be too chirpy in a morning, please," Blaise moaned as he pulled his robes over his head.

"I've been up for hours unlike some people. I'm trying to look optimistic before the day comes falling down around me," Harry said.

"Just don't be cheery around me," Blaise laughed and threw his pillow at Harry. Harry caught it and threw it back onto Blaise's bed with a grin.

The dark haired boy left the room, closely followed by Blaise and Draco. The three of them managed to find the Great Hall without much trouble, intent of stuffing themselves with food. Harry heard whispers as soon as he left the comfort of the Slytherin dorms into the hallways of Hogwarts.

"There he is look."

"Over there."

"Who would have thought he would have been sorted into Slytherin."

"Ten Galleons says he'll turn dark."

"Did you see his scar?"

"Did you read the Daily Prophet this morning, about the Death Eaters' attacks? Bet he's leading them."

Harry had choked on his pumpkin juice when he heard the last comment floating around. "What!?" he half yelled half choked.

Draco had a copy of the Daily Prophet in his hand and was fighting to not laugh out loud at the comment he had heard directed at Harry. "Merlin, they actually think you're controlling Death Eaters?" Only now did he let out his laughter. "As if they would listen to an eleven year old, no offence Harry, not that you would be offended."

"Stupid Gryffindors don't know what they're on about," Blaise commented, eating a piece of toast.

"Hey Potter!" Malkin shouted from near the huge double doors of the Great Hall. "Got your Death Eaters trained, have you?" With a laugh the plump boy left the hall. Harry clenched the hand he had an orange in tightly, but caused no damaged to the actual orange even though he felt like doing.

"Give me that paper," Harry all but snatched the Daily Prophet out of Draco's hands and flipped it over to the front page.

BLACK CLOAKED FIGURES SEEN IN LONDON

Investigations are being carried out after the Ministry has been informed of disturbing accounts about masked wizards in black cloaks seen in the immediate London area. Said to be Death Eaters, (You-Know-Who supporters) the Ministry are urging witnesses to contact them with any urgent information.

The last time there was any sighting of Death Eaters was the day, only two years ago, when the small village of Little Whining in Surrey was attacked, killing the Aunt and Uncle of the one and only Boy Who Lived. Could they still be after revenge? Or is it a heavy concocted plan? This reporter doesn't know for sure.

Minister Fudge has told everyone to 'stay alert, but the Death Eaters sightings are not a cause for worry'.

"Wonder what they're up to," Millicent said as she read the article over Harry's shoulder.

Harry sighed and light threw the paper onto the table. "They're up to something, that's for sure."

"That was given Harry," Draco said quickly grabbing the last piece of toast and eating it in three bites. "Hey, maybe it had something to do with..." He paused then waved his hand dismissively. "Forget it, I'll tell you later."

Harry had looked at Draco a little puzzled until it hit him; the letters. He had nearly forgotten about the letter he had seen Severus reading a month before. It could very well all connect or it could be nothing. Whatever it was, he didn't want to be thinking about it through his first day of lessons.

Most of the first-year students took to glaring at Harry as the group of Slytherin first-years left the table and made their way to their first lesson, which happened to be Defence Against the Dark Arts, with Professor Lockhart. Harry wished everyone would stop glaring. As if an eleven year old would be controlling a group of adult Death Eaters and to murder people at that. He was beginning to think no one at the school had any common sense at all.

Harry sighed and took to memorising his lesson timetable. They had Astronomy once a week at night. Harry supposed that you couldn't really have a star gazing lesson in the middle of the day. Three times a week they had Herbology with Professor Sprout. She was nice enough, always gave everyone a smile. History of Magic was a few times a week with Professor Binns, a ghost who was probably the most boring teacher in Hogwarts, if not the world.

Of course then there was Potions with Snape. Harry couldn't say he was looking forward to the actual lesson, but he was looking forward to Severus taking points off Malkin. Harry had to snigger at the thought.

Professor Flitwick, the Head of Ravenclaw house was nice enough. He was the Charms Professor. Professor McGonagall was every bit as strict as she had been at the Sorting. She seemed to be a bit terse with Slytherins.

Harry already thought Professor Lockhart was a bit of a joke. The man smiled a bit too much for his own good. Harry had felt himself slip further and further into his chair as the lesson went on.

"Ah, Mr Potter I presume," Lockhart had said as he stood in front of the dark haired boy's desk. Draco beside him let out a snigger.

"You presumed correctly Professor," Harry said in a curt voice, hoping the Professor would leave him alone. No such luck.

"It's not easy for celebrities like us, is it Potter?"

Harry inwardly groaned. A few of the Hufflepuffs, the other house they were having the lesson with, giggled at the Professor's actions. "No sir," Harry mumbled, burying his head in his arms. He was glad no one could see his bright red face.

The quiz the Professor had given them was beyond a joke. Draco, Harry and Blaise were staring at it in disbelief.

"Name Professor Lockhart's favourite colour?" Harry read off the parchment.

"Name Professor Lockhart's most prized possession?" Draco followed up.

"Oh wait get this one; 'Name Professor Lockhart's favourite brand of tooth cleaning potion?'" Blaise chuckled lightly. "How much of an idiot is he?"

"That doesn't even deserve an answer Blaise," Draco replied.

After the quizzes were collected in, the Slytherins headed down to Potions, which happened to be a lesson with the Gryffindors.

Snape had burst into the classroom all of a sudden, making half the class jump. The dark haired man spun around as soon as he reached the front of the class.

"You are here to learn the subtle science and exact art of potion-making," he began in no more than a whisper. "As there is no foolish wand-waving here, many of you will hardly believe this is magic." He paused slightly and looked around the class.

Weasley said something behind his hand to Malkin. The dark blonde haired boy snorted softly, but Snape caught them both.

"Weasley!" he all but barked. Harry grinned a little behind his fist, fighting the urge to laugh. "What would I get if I added powered root of asphodel to an infusion of wormwood?"

Weasley looked at the Potions Master blankly. "I don't know, sir," he said quietly.

"Two points from Gryffindor. How about you Malkin, do you know the answer?" Snape asked the boy next to Weasley.

"No sir," Malkin said quietly.

"That's another two points from Gryffindor. Clearly the both of you haven't opened a book before coming to Hogwarts. Does anyone know the answer?" Snape asked slightly annoyed.

Everyone's hand stayed down except Hermione's. Harry, seeing that Snape wasn't going to let the girl answer, quietly put his own hand up. He knew the answer. He knew Draco knew it too since it was him who had been driving it into Harry's head all summer, saying that Snape would ask questions like this in the first lesson.

Snape saw Harry's hand and gave him a slight nod. "Potter?"

"Draught of the living dead, sir," he said softly.

"Correct Potter, five points to Slytherin."

Harry grinned. They were the first points he had earned all day and to say he was quite happy about it was an understatement. He couldn't stop smiling for the rest of Potions class.

Snape put them all into pairs. Harry silently thanked Severus for pairing him with Draco. They were to make a potion to cure boils. Harry groaned inwardly, but was silently grateful as well. He knew he could do this potion now. It had only taken him two years to get it right. Harry shook his head - he really was bad at potions.

Harry gave a small smile as Snape walked past his and Draco's desk and Severus gave a small, nearly undetectable nod in return. The class went about weighing dried nettles and crushing snake fangs. Snape had just turned his back on the class when clouds of acid green smoke began to rise from one of the Gryffindor's cauldrons; Longbottom, Harry recalled the boy's name to be. The cauldron began to melt and Longbottom, who was drenched in the potion, began to moan in pain as angry red boils sprang up all over his arms and legs.

"That's what happens when you don't move," Draco said in a whisper next to Harry's ear.

"Guess I have to thank you for all the times you pulled me out the way then?" Harry said with a grin.

"Idiot boy!" Snape snarled from the front of the class. "I suppose you added the porcupine quills before taking the cauldron off the fire? Take him to hospital wing," he said to the boy next to Longbottom and both of them left the classroom.

The lesson didn't last much longer. As everyone began to file out of the door, Harry hung back and waited for the classroom to empty, leaving only himself, Draco and Snape.

"Having a bad day, sir," Harry asked, trying to keep the grin off his face.

Severus face softened from the scowl it was in. "You can't even begin to comprehend how my day was," he said in a bored tone.

"That bad?" Draco said, doing nothing to keep the grin off his face. His voice told Severus that he was clearly amused. "At least it's the end of the day."

"So it is. I have to deal with first-year Ravenclaw and Hufflepuff tomorrow."

"Can you take points off them too?" Draco said a little excited. "Slytherin would be well in front then."

"Did you read the Daily Prophet this morning?" Harry suddenly blurted out. He really wanted to know what Severus thought of the story.

Severus sighed. "I wouldn't worry about it too much. There's no doubt they're up to something."

"You're not going to tell me, are you?" Harry asked resignedly.

"You're looking into it to much Harry," Severus told his giving him a small pat on the shoulder. "They can't cause you any harm while you're at Hogwarts or my home anyway."

Harry looked a little relieved. "Thank you Severus," he said quietly.

"Has he told you how all the first-years reckon he's leading this group of Death Eaters that have suddenly appeared?" Draco asked the Potions Master.

Severus gave Harry a small smile. "Is that true?"

Harry nodded. "Especially Malkin. He says it to my face while everyone else says it behind my back as I walk past them when they think I can't hear them."

"Just ignore them; they'll get tired of it. If anyone accuses you to your face come and tell me, alright?" Severus said.

"Alright," Harry said quietly.

"I assume you boys have homework to do?"

"Aww c'mon, that's just mean giving first-years homework on their first day," Draco moaned as him and Harry left the Potions classroom.

"There's something he's not telling us," Harry said quietly as they both walked towards the common room.

"Of course there is. I still think it has something to do with them letters."

"Yup, but what was in them letters?" Harry asked, coming to a stop.

"That's something we probably won't ever know unless Sev gets another one," Draco said slowly.

"He probably will," Harry muttered. "We'll just have to watch him at breakfast, see if he gets anymore."

The first week of lessons passed by rather quickly. Harry and Draco had watched Severus each morning in turn. The Potions Master hadn't had any letters all week. The first week fell to the second then the third. Just as Harry had about given up on Severus getting any post at all, a small owl dropped off a black envelope in front of Severus one morning. The head of Slytherin had taken a quick look around the staff table and shoved the letter in his robes.

Harry gave Draco a nudge. "He just got a letter," he mumbled under his breath as Snape left the Great Hall via the side door.

The two boys crept off out the Hall and ran to the corridor that led down to the Dungeons. They both caught Snape walking swiftly towards his office. Harry raised an eyebrow at Draco.

"Do you remember that temporary invisibility spell you read out of that book in your library at home?" Harry asked.

Draco tapped a finger on his chin. "Occaeco," Draco mumbled under his breath.

Harry blinked. "You gonna cast it then or are we going to stand here like idiots all day?"

"But-" Draco began to protest.

"You want to find out what the letter is, right?" Harry challenged.

"Yeah, but-"

"You want to find out if the Death Eaters are up to something big, right?"

"Yeah, but-"

"Then cast that invisibility spell!" Harry whispered harshly.

"Merlin, I liked it better when you were quieter," Draco mumbled.

Harry grinned. "You only have yourself to blame Draco."

"Yes, stupid me," the blonde boy said smacking himself on the forehead. "Occaeco!" With the spell cast, the two boys made their way carefully down the corridor towards Severus office.

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AN: CLIFFHANGER! The chapter maybe about 100 words shorter than normal but there's a nice lovely cliff-hanger to make you come back and read more! *giggles* Hope everyone liked it.

Occaeco: Latin for make invisible (hopefully)

Leatrix Malfoy ~ 28^th October 2003