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If I thought my little crass prank would have no consequences until the next day, I was very mistaken. A cheerful fifth year prefect duo was just gathering up us firsties after the feast, when down swooped a hand and grabbed me by the collar.

"Amelia, Derek, pardon me, but I'll escort this one." The seventh year prefect, Ophelia says sweetly. Iron grip on my collar, as Tonks stands behind her giving me a death glare.

Looking up at Ophelia and feeling slightly nervous, I can't help but notice that her hair; which is done up in a crown on top of her head - with braids falling back down behind her all the way down to her lower back, is covered in little almost invisible butterfly charms. It's beautiful. Funny the things you notice when you're about to die!

"That's not really how it's supposed to be done, Ophelia…" Derek, a very pretty Hufflepuff boy with fluffy brown hair and warm brown eyes says, giving the fuming Tonks a nervous look.

"Yes, definitely, we must follow tradition!" I say, nodding rapidly. Susan and Hannah are both giving me looks easily translated to; take your, lumps, mister. Neville mostly looks confused.

Ophelia smiles pleasantly, yet it feels like I have a great white shark circling above my head, as she slowly speaks, with a lot of teeth on display, "Really? And as a fifth year, new prefect. You know better than me?" She makes a considering sound in her throat, leaning forward slightly, "You're better than me? Is it?"

What the fuck!? Isn't Hufflepuff supposed to be the nice, friendly, duffer house!? I think nervously. Tonks alone was pretty badass, but this girl was giving off serious; I'm going to break your bones - not because I want to hurt you, but because you deserve it - vibes.

Derek might have had the balls to continue and argue, but a quick look behind him showed that the female prefect had much better self preservation instincts and was already halfway out the Great Hall with the rest of the first years.

A quick glance at the professor's table showed that the headmaster and all the heads of houses had already departed the hall.

"But tradition!" I say weakly. As Derek quickly turns on his heels and marches away. Trying to look like he's not escaping. Somewhat ruined by the way he keeps nervously looking back over his shoulder.

"Ophelia… You're still a scary bitch." Tonks says with an appreciative whistle. Coming to stand beside us instead of lurking behind.

Ophelia smirks, "I am aren't I?" She sounds delighted. She starts walking, I'm suddenly very aware that her hand on my collar has some very sharp looking golden coloured nails, very close to my throat.

"Isn't Tonks already going to beat me up tomorrow, is it really necessary to manhandle me today?" I say, having to walk fast to keep up with the girls' longer legs. Especially with Ophelia's grip on my collar. It feels like we've made it two corridors away in the blink of an eye.

"That is Tonks' business." Ophelia says sharply, she looks down at me with fiery cold eyes, a combination I have never seen before. "Tonight, you deal with me!"

"Ehm, Ophelia, don't make the firstie piss himself, he's already going to get his comeuppance." Tonks says suddenly looking a little uncomfortable.

"I didn't do anything to you!" I splutter, letting out a gasp as Ophelia pulls me by the collar and pushes me against the wall, one hand right by my throat as she looks down at me, nostrils flaring.

"Ophelia…" Tonks says, sounding worried. Her eyes flickering between her friend and myself.

"You little cretin!" Ophelia hisses at me, I freeze up, what did I do to piss her off? She looks murderous!? I think rapidly, thinking back on when I pranked Tonks. Nothing comes to mind.

Suddenly Ophelia's wand is out and pressed against my cheek. My eyes go wide as I try and look down at it, gulping.

"Ophelia!" Tonks says sharply. Taking a step closer. "You're taking it too far, it was a prank, I'm fine!"

"A prank, just a little prank…" Ophelia scoffs, she glares at me, "Do you have any idea, ANY, idea… The things Tonks had to go through to be taken seriously? To be seen as anything but a girl able to make her tits bigger on command!?" Her wand pushes harder against me.

I'm starting to realize my mistake now. Looking up at the absolutely furious girl that's berating me on Tonks behalf.

"You think coming up to a girl, and making a sexual joke, is okay?" Ophelia leans down, face to face with me, our noses almost touching. Her golden eyes look at me like I'm pure trash. "In front of her peers, when she's finally accepted as the amazing person she is!" Ophelia growls and the tip of her wand is lighting up,"I have half a mind to…"

She doesn't finish the sentence as suddenly she's pulled off me, Tonks grabbing her by the shoulders and pulling her away. "Ophelia, enough, he gets it. He didn't know, sweetie."

I am only through shock, able to keep from shedding tears. I have treated everything like fun and games, not even pausing to think of how my actions and words would impact the kids around me. I was supposed to be an adult. I had gotten into a fun tit for tat with Tonks, and not even once, I questioned myself on making fun of her like that in front of all of her friends and peers. Being shocked to be in Hufflepuff was no excuse to act out like that. Poking fun at Zacharias was one thing, that's just two brats poking fun. I went up to a girl, still not fully an adult, by my standards, and made a sexual joke about her, in front of everyone. The people she's lived with for six years.

Why did I think that was okay? I would have never done that in my previous life. Have I despite all my plans, and realizations of how dangerous this world is. Still made the mistake of thinking of the people around me as book characters. I'm surprised no one slapped my disrespectful fucking mouth. If someone had done that to my sister I would have probably broken a leg or two. Hell… She would have beaten me to it!

I look up at Tonks who's having a whispered argument with Ophelia. "I am so so sorry, I didn't…I-I…I am so stupid, I shouldn't have…I'm sorry, Tonks. I'll never do it again!"

Ophelia snorts, "Typical little boy, thinks a quick apology fixes anything."

Tonks runs a hand through her hair, sighing explosively, "Ophelia, you know I love it when you're a total bitch, but maybe dial it down right now, he's just a firstie muggleborn, he couldn't have known."

I squirm guiltily. But I had known, I am smart enough to figure out what being a pretty metamorphmagus, in what was basically high school would mean. I had still done it. It hadn't been done by malice, I hadn't planned to hurt her, but it doesn't matter if it was intended or not. Just making that joke in public at all was stupid.

"Hey, Lucas. Seriously. I'm okay." Tonks says, having squatted down somewhat to get face to face with me, one hand on my shoulder, her eyes compassionate.

This girl was just too nice of a person. I feel something in my throat as I try to speak. "I hurt you." I manage to whisper out

"Nah, it was even kind of funny, I was still gonna break your nose for it, but I got a thicker skin than that, ickle baby claw." Tonks says softly. She gives me a bop on the nose, "I'm still bloody pissed, but you're okay."

"Seriously? You said scare him, Ophelia, make him wish he didn't come to Hogwarts, Ophelia, and you're going to forgive him just like that?" Ophelia groans, pinching her nose.

Tonks looks over her shoulder, sounding dry as the desert as she chides her friend, "I said scare him, not toss him into a wall, hold him at wand point and make him think you're going to Avada him!"

"You're impossible to please!" Ophelia scoffs, irritatedly.

"I know." Tonks smirks, sounding pleased. Her eyes back on me. "How are you doing ickle claw?"

My brain is finally catching on that Tonks accepted my apologies, that she is okay. I breathe a sigh of internal relief. While looking at her feeling guilty still, muttering. "Not a claw."

She chuckles, patting my head, "Nah, to me you're always definitely going to be a baby claw. C'mon let's go before Sprout has a coronary and takes Ophelia's pretty little badge."

"She can have it, two years already of covering up your messes, I could do without a third, it's NEWTs year." Ophelia smirks, "Maybe she'll give you the badge?"

Tonks rolls her eyes, grabbing my hand and pulling me away from the wall, "And Snape is going to propose to you any day now." She teases. "That's more likely than me becoming a prefect!"

I gape as Ophelia blushes slightly, barely noticeable on her dark skin. "Snape!?" I say disbelievingly.

Tonks shrugs, giving me a tiny push as we start walking, "Ophelia has terrible taste."

Ophelia tosses her hair, which incidentally smacks her braids into Tonks face. "Fuck you, Tonks, I have excellent taste." She says haughtily.

"Fawley." Tonks coughs. A wicked smirk on her face. Giving me a wink when I look up at her wondering why she's aggravating the scary lady.

Ophelia blushes again, giving Tonks an irritated look, "Why is this turning into pick on Ophelia? We were supposed to terrorize the firstie…" She complains sulkily.

"You were too good at it, Ophie." Tonks says nonchalantly, as we take the steps down towards the kitchens, and the Hufflepuff dorms nearby.

"If you're going to start calling me Ophie, again, then I'll call you Nymphadora." Ophelia snarks, "You know I hate that nickname."

Tonks shudders exaggeratedly, "Alright, no nicknames and no first name for me. Are you feeling better, Lucas?" She asks me suddenly.

I blink, giving a hesitant nod, not sure of my words at the moment. I need to sit and reevaluate my thought process, and how I managed to go from calm and collected to acting so childishly. Teasing Tonks was one thing, I had stepped way over the line - doing what I did at the opening feast of all things.

"By the way, firstie who's name I don't care about." Ophelia starts speaking to me, ignoring Tonks' exasperated look. "If you mention my nickname, or… Other things about me…" she fingers her wand, staring at me with those piercing golden eyes. "I'll turn you inside out, okay?"

"Yes ma'am." I say quickly.

"Ophelia…" Tonks says wearily. Before shrugging with a wry grin. "Oh well, it's not like he's going to speak about it anyway, right Lucas?"

"Definitely not, she's absolutely terrifying." I say not at all hesitant to admit she scares the crap out of me. No Hufflepuff should be that ready to hex the shit out of an eleven year old.

Ophelia preens, hips swaying as she takes the lead towards the common room. "You know what, he's already growing on me a little."

"You're seriously messed up." Tonks chuckles, but she's smiling at her friend, the mood has improved for now. She looks down at me in thought, a sparkle in her eyes. I don't like that look. No, Tonks, just no. I try to tell her with my eyes.

"You should join me." Tonks offers her friend, who glances back at her with a raised eyebrow.

"I was going to use him for target practice anyway, you need more practice for Defense too, right?" Tonks offers cheerfully, ignoring how my head falls. I deserve it, but c'mon!

"What does the firstie feel about that, hmm?" Ophelia glances at me, face unreadable.

"I probably deserve it, but you're scary as hell, so please don't." I say frankly.

She smiles, pleased. "Tonks, I'd be delighted to join you." She chirps.

Does the wizarding world have insurance policies? I think I might need life insurance. I gripe mentally. I stop as we arrive, having walked past the kitchens, coming around the corner to a room filled with thick barrels.

"You'll have to tap them exactly as I show you or you'll be drenched in vinegar, and that would be a terrible shame." Ophelia tells me, stepping forward with her wand, to tap the barrel. Specifically the one two from the bottom, in the middle of the second row. I pay close attention, definitely not wishing to be the duffer that manages to get myself drenched.

The portal to the Hufflepuff common room slides open, the barrels sliding away slowly to reveal the passage. Huh, that's different, I thought it was supposed to be a space to crawl through with the lid flipping open, not this spacious passage. I guess book logic is defeated by the real world common sense of not making students crawl into the common room. I think, eyeing the passage, quickly following Tonks and Ophelia as they enter.

"We're probably going to get detention." Tonks says carelessly.

"A detention because of Nymphadora Tonks, why I've never experienced such a thing." Ophelia drawls sarcastically.

I keep my mouth shut, I hardly need to draw more attention to the fact this is only happening because I pissed both girls off royally. Only Tonks being so nice and Hufflepuffish having her let me off the hook, with a future beating to square us up.

We traveled slightly upwards through an earthy tunnel with vines covering the walls, sometimes forming into the Hufflepuff crest. Flower buds in the ceiling were shining just enough to give enough light to see, and we soon entered through the hallway into the Hufflepuff common room. The first year students waiting on us, with an annoyed looking Professor Sprout. She looked almost exactly like the movie version, maybe a bit younger looking, just like McGonagall.

I looked around the common room, the only Hogwarts common room I never experienced in any game or novel.

The common room has a low ceiling, and was perfectly round and cozy looking, easily large enough to hold all of Hufflepuff house, with the colors yellow and black everywhere. All the woodwork in the common room, including tables, chairs and doors, had this honey color to it that matched very well with the Hufflepuff colored walls. Comfortable arm chairs dotted the room, especially around the large fireplace, its honey coloured wood mantelpiece carved with dancing badgers. A portrait of Helga Hufflepuff hung above the mantelpiece, her cup in hand as if toasting the students of her house. In the middle of the room there was an actual tree, growing out of the floor and into the ceiling, its many branches spreading out across the low ceiling, leaves and flower petals periodically falling down. The tree was hollowed out, and I could spy little reading areas inside. I would wager those were a hot commodity in here, as there couldn't be room in there for more than a couple people, especially if they're seventh years.

I take a deep breath, taking it all in, the smell was divine. You could notice Professor Sprout's hands in the room, or maybe this was always the Hufflepuff way? Plants were everywhere. There were cactii on wooden shelves, curved to fit the wall, that seemed to dance in excitement when you looked their way. From the low ceiling, copper bottomed plant holders hang low, ferns and Ivies reaching down, probably brushing the heads of seventh years with how far down they hang. There's just this awesome scent of life and nature all around me. I love it!

Even the lights in here, enchanted wooden lanterns that seemed to float in the air above us, were covered in vines, with flowers blooming around them. The tables each had a flower pot with beautifully colorful flowers in them, there was even a small fountain opposite from the fireplace, with seats carved into its base, allowing students to sit and study with the sound of running water at their back. Not surprisingly the statue pouring out water into the fountain was a group of badgers. "This is amazing." I can't help but say it out loud.

Tonks ruffles my hair with a grin. "You're a Puff alright." She's looking around the room with clear pride.

This room was clearly the best common room in Hogwarts. The tranquility and peace in here … No wonder Hufflepuffs didn't become dark lords. They were way too zen.

Harry Potter wouldn't have been half the angsty bugger he was if he'd just gotten himself sorted here.

"I'm glad you enjoy it, Mister Greenwood. It's even more amazing to experience it together with your yearmates." Professor Sprout walks up to us, giving me a quick smile, before turning vexed eyes on the two seventh year girls. "Miss Tonks, Miss Onai, do you have an explanation?"

"Tonks did it." Ophelia says, crossing her arms, "As usual."

Tonks grins unrepentantly at her head of house. "Yup, I just needed a quick chat with Lucas. And since Ophelia is a prefect I figured she could supervise, to look after the firstie and all."

"And Mister Greenwood, do you feel that this is how events unfolded?" Professor Sprout looks down at me with a furrowed brow, obviously she didn't believe one sentence of that bullshit.

I'm not a snitch, so there's really only one answer I can give. "Yes, Professor."

"Detention this Saturday, Miss Tonks, for interrupting the first year introduction." Professor Sprout says calmly. She turns and gives Ophelia Onai - and where do I recognize that name from? - a dry look. "As always, thank you Miss Onai, for looking after Miss Tonks."

"It's my lot in life." Ophelia sighs dramatically. Tonks giving her a wink. Ophelia's lips twitching slightly.

Professor Sprout turns to the other firsties, and spots the numerous yawns amongst them, "Well… Off you trot, I'll just send along Mister Greenwood once he's caught up." She decides, instead of making them all stay up later to wait on me. I wave to my friends who all give me a sleepy wave back.

"Since you're both wide awake, you can escort the first years to their dorms." Professor Sprout tells Tonks and Ophelia. Both mutter out a "Yes, Professor," And walk off to do just that. Leaving me alone with the professor.

She gives me another smile, and offers me a seat at one of the ridiculously comfortable arm chairs, sinking into the one across from me. "Dear, if there is anything, anything at all that is going on with Miss Tonks, you needn't worry about telling me." She starts softly. As I thought, she hadn't believed the two of them for a second.

"It really was nothing, professor. I met Tonks before I came to Hogwarts and she just wanted to catch up." I lie.

Professor Sprout nods, I'm not sure whether she believes me, or is just giving up on prodding. "Well, It's a bit late for it, but welcome to Hufflepuff, Mister Greenwood. I am its head of house, Pomona Sprout. I also teach Herbology here at Hogwarts."

"It's nice to meet you, Professor." I say politely. I look around me, "I couldn't even imagine… It's so magical."

Professor Sprout smiles wistfully, "Ah, to see the common room for the first time, it's a favorite memory of all us badgers." She clears her throat, "There are some rules you need to be aware of. Miss Tonks is a delightful young woman, but her adherence to the rules is… Not ideal. I expect that you'll avoid the same mistakes?"

And what can you say to that? Other than, "Yes, Professor."

Professor Sprout nods, with a pleased smile, "Now, Hufflepuff has several house rules, they are always posted on the notice board in the middle of the room." She points, and I can see there's a board attached to the trunk of the tree in the middle of the common room. "However, some rules I'd like you to be aware of, first, boys are not allowed in the girls dormitories. For any reason. The dorms are charmed and I would not suggest testing this. Secondly, we have a mandatory study group by year group once a week. Your prefects will let you know when, and one of them will also lead your study group and be available for assistance."

My immediate despondent thought is; it's going to be Ophelia. One hundred percent it's going to be her. She'll probably volunteer to take on my year group. Why did I have to piss off the scariest lady in the castle on day one?

"While other houses sometimes allow students from other houses into their common room, we do not. This is our students' safe space. No one else will be allowed in, no one not from Hufflepuff has been in here for a thousand years. You will not give anyone else the way into the common room, nor will you bring in a friend. I hope that is very clear, Mister Greenwood?" Professor Sprout asks me, looking intense.

I seriously doubted no one had made their way into the common room in a thousand years. But I saw no reason why I would break the rule anyway. So I nod along, "Yes, professor."

She claps her hands, "Good, anything else your prefects will cover or is up on the notice board. You should get some rest, the stairways to the right hold the boys' dorms, yours will be one of the first two doors."

"One of two?" I ask, wondering how that's come about.

"Hogwarts doesn't seem to like keeping more than four students to a room here in the Hufflepuff dorms, so whenever we get more students in a year, another dorm forms adjacent to the first." Professor Sprout says calmly. "You have six male students in your year, yourself included."

Calmly...Like she didn't just imply Hogwarts has sentience, and preferences. Or am I overthinking again and the founders programmed Hogwarts this way? I need to get to the damn library, my fingers are itching to get their hands on magic books galore.

"Well, off you trot, you need sleep, the prefects will have you up bright and early for breakfast." She claps her hands again, and I jolt out of my library fantasies and get up, "Thank you, Professor." I say politely. "Have a good night."

And then I'm off to my dorm, the stairs are very interesting, because the common room has a very low ceiling. But as I go up the heavy wooden stairs, carvings of badgers and nature across it, vines wrapped around the handlebar. I notice that even though I just went up one set of stairs, now seeing two round dorm doors with the number 1 on them, I can look out from the stairs and see the common room just as it was, as if I haven't gone up at all. I wager if I go up one more landing, there will be dorms with the number 2, and the exact same view, like we haven't gone up a floor at all. Magic was fucking fantastic.

I open the first door, finding a comfy round room, plants around the walls here as well, tiny little windows on the walls showing a view of the outside, four large beds with large quilts on them facing each other from four directions, a writing desk and chair next to them. Three have sleeping students in them, one has a grumpy Zacharias Smith about to climb into bed.

You might be reading a pirated copy. Look for the official release to support the author.

"What do you wa-" he starts, getting all puffed up.

"I'm sorry, we haven't been introduced." I interrupt him politely. "My name is Lucas Greenwood, I was just looking for my dorm, which I now realize must be the other one with Neville."

"I know your na-" Zacharias face is twitching and his hands are curled into fists.

"It was nice meeting you for the first time." I give him a small wave and close the door. Chuckling to myself, I totally messed up with Tonks, but it didn't mean I would be an angel, I just needed to not be cruel or a creep. Speaking of, I better get to meditating and figure out what the hell I was doing earlier.

I open the second dorm, finding a similar room, with only two beds and desks, Neville already fast asleep in the one to the left. I notice my trunk is at the foot of my bed, house elf express has efficient service. I think, amused.

As I undress it is only now that I notice that the floor in the dorm is grass! How cool is that? The darkness of the room had made me miss the detail when I poked into the other boys dorm. I wiggle my toes in it, there's no dirt or mud or anything, so I figure magic is the answer. Probably fire proof as well. For obvious reasons. It's comfortable and honestly makes the whole room feel and smell so fresh and free. Despite being almost a Hobbit dwelling underground.

I jump up on my bed, almost melting into it. This was without a doubt the most comfortable bed I have ever felt. I fight against the urge to lay down. Instead sitting on the bed in the lotus position and slowly sinking into meditation. Going over my day, starting at the Leaky Cauldron. As I move across the day, sorting memories and examining them and my emotions, I come to a realization.

In my almost total isolation before, I had easily been able to keep my calm head and cool countenance. I craved companionship however, I knew this. As soon as I started feeling comfortable with the girls on the way to Hogwarts. It's like my emotional walls just crumbled. All those childish wants and desires and feelings that I kept bottled up behind walls throughout the orphanage years just seeped out. I realize now looking over my memory, I had been quite sillier and immediately friendly then what would have been my norm from my old life. I had acted my age. Not my mental one, my body one!

In my old life, most real friendships I made. I made them as a young adult, not as a child. I really only had my parents and my sister before then. I never had the experience of being silly and having fun with a couple mates at this age.

Then the sorting had happened. Going over it again, I am able to see that I wasn't quite as collected about becoming a Hufflepuff as I made myself out to be. I had felt destined to become a Ravenclaw. All tests I've ever taken in my previous life said I was a Ravenclaw. Everyone I met from the magical world told me I would be a Ravenclaw. Seeing it now, I can notice the disappointment and hurt, that the hat ignored my wishes and sent me where I did not want to be. I lashed out, childishly. At someone I knew to be safe to do so to. Tonks. Someone I already had a teasing sort of relationship with. It was not okay. It was childish and spiteful and ridiculous.

I might need to find an Occlumency book… I thought my childish emotions and reactions from having a young body with young biological impulses would be managed by Occlumency. Yet here I had gone and made an ass out of myself just like a spoiled child, because a hat didn't put me where I wanted.

What a bother.

Wait? Wasn't Snape already a decent Occlumens before leaving Hogwarts? That bastard had no emotional control at all! Not at Hogwarts at least. Hell, not even now with how he could fly off the handle at times. Fuck… is this why Occlumency is mostly learned by students already done puberty? The body and hormonal processes make my emotions stronger than my Occlumency can regulate? It's all supposition, I'll have to find a book on it. I'm certainly not asking Snape.

This is why I do this meditation. And why I need those tarot cards eventually. Self reflection really does find all those things about yourself you hide, even from yourself.

I have always known I would be a little troll by the time I entered Hogwarts. And the teasing on the train, and the little game with Smith isn't too bad, all in all.

My version of a tantrum however. Trying to humiliate Tonks in the Great Hall… Yeah I need better control, or at least to acknowledge I still have those childish impulses and not ignore them like they're not there.

I come out of meditation with a silent huff. My sister always used to say that I was the worst person on earth in acknowledging my feelings. Seems I was learning.

I go to bed in the insanely comfortable bed, in the insanely relaxing and charming dorm room. Not feeling too bad about the whole Hufflepuff thing anymore.

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As my habit for years already was to get up early and meditate after my morning rituals, I awoke at 6am, Neville still dead to the world in the other bed. I just lay in bed for a few minutes. Just taking it all in. I was at Hogwarts. Finally, I was here. Not a completely ideal start perhaps, due to ignoring my own feelings until they burst at the most inopportune moment, but I was here. Able to finally really study magic!

I jump out of bed, exhilarating in wiggling my toes in the grass that we had instead of a cold stone floor. I wiggle my fingers at my nightstand, "Accio." Smiling like a loon as my wand flies through the air to smack into my hand.

My morning rituals do not take long now that magic is involved. Even the bathroom being magically tricked out, badger faucets and showerheads of course, the toilet even had little badger feet. Cute.

I finish meditating long before the prefect from yesterday pokes his head in. Raising a surprised eyebrow at seeing me awake. "Wake your mate, all you firsties need to be down in the sett in one hour." He says, before disappearing.

My lips curl in amusement, they really do take this badger thing seriously. I walk over and wake Neville, who blinks slowly at me as if wondering where he was, before yesterday comes into his memories and he sits up, looking around in pleased wonder. "It wasn't a dream." He whispers, holding his quilt tightly in his hands.

"We got to be downstairs in one hour according to the prefect, so you should probably start getting ready." I advise him, patting him on the shoulder, "Good morning, Neville."

He smiles at me, "Good morning, Lucas!" Before scrambling out of bed and somehow managing to catch his foot in the blanket and face planting into the floor.

Well…At least it's grass… I barely hold back a chuckle as I help him up.

I sit down at my desk as Neville rushes about, casually rolling my dice between my fingers as has become habit, while reading over my potions book again. I did not remember what order of classes Harry had, but I wouldn't go into that Potions classroom without being fully prepared.

Eventually Neville is finished with about ten minutes to spare and we head downstairs. The rest of our year group is already sitting down, waiting for us. We exchange a quick smile with Hannah and Susan, before paying attention as the two fifth year prefects stand before us. The few scattered older years sitting around, watching us with amusement. I definitely hear someone whisper; we were never that small were we?

"Alright, you're all on time, good. For the next week, we'll expect you here right on time at 7:30, to walk you to the Great Hall." Derek says with a pleasant smile, looking over all of us with his chest puffed out slightly. "We'll also be walking you to classes for the first one for each class. So try and memorize the route, okay?"

Amelia, a rather plain looking tall girl with strawberry blonde hair, takes over. "If you get lost, try finding the nearest Hufflepuff or a professor to ask for directions, if nothing else, try asking one of the paintings. Most of them are very helpful."

"Do not ask a Slytherin." Derek says firmly, Amelia nodding along immediately. "In fact never go alone anywhere with a Slytherin at all. Consider it…" He pauses, looking for the word. "Unofficial house policy."

"You can always come to us, or to Professor Sprout. She has an office right around the corner from here, and even if she isn't there, you can ask the magical painting at her door to leave a message." Amelia continues on with this obviously practiced speech by the two new prefects.

"If all else fails, any student of Hogwarts can call for assistance and an elf will come and inquire what help you need, do not misuse this, as detention and house points will be the least of your worries if it's not for a serious reason." Amelia finishes with a stern look at us all.

"For those of you who might have missed it yesterday, due to sleepiness." Here Derek gives me a look, "Or other reasons. We are your fifth year prefects." He puffs his chest out more, it makes him look slightly ridiculous, "I'm Derek Court."

Amelia picks it right up, "And I am Amelia Hecat."

They definitely practiced that on the train. I think amusedly. Following along as they walk us to the Great Hall for breakfast. The castle is no less impressive now that daylight shines through the giant glass windows as we exit the dungeons. Every inch of the castle feels ancient and powerful. You can really tell it's been here as long as it has.

As we enter the Great Hall, I notice that the Ravenclaw table is already half full, and I slink to the back of our Puff group, "I'm going to go say hi to Padma and Su." I tell the others.

"Tell them hi from us as well, and that we have to plan that study group too! We'd come along but… Well." Susan says, biting her lip, looking at the prefects.

"We're not you." Hannah giggles, Neville nervously smiling at me as well.

"You don't have to be. I'll be me enough for all of us." I say, waving at them as I turn away and head for where Padma and Su are sitting together. I don't blame them, they're firsties, going and sitting at another table probably feels like rule breaking, although I was fairly certain there wasn't a rule against it. Except for perhaps the welcoming and ending feasts.

"How's my favorite ravens?" I call out as I sink down in a seat next to Su. Padma sitting across from us.

"I'm pretty sure we're the only Raven's you know." Padma says dryly, while holding a cup of… Is that coffee?

Su smiles at me, and offers me a plate of buttered toast. I absentmindedly grab one as I stare at Padma.

"What? Is there something on my face?" She says after a minute, giving me an annoyed look.

"Where did you find something other than that disgusting pumpkin juice!!" I ask her, waving my arm and almost hitting Su on the face with the piece of toast.

"....You just ask for another beverage." Padma says slowly, like she can't understand the crisis I was facing.

"You thought Hogwarts only has pumpkin juice?" Su asks me, looking amused. Ducking her head and taking a big bite of toast to try and hide her grin.

"....No." I say, eventually.

"Boys." Padma shakes her head, "I see now why you didn't end up in Ravenclaw, no logic at all." She lightly teases me.

"Hufflepuff is awesome." I say loyally. "Susan and the others say hi by the way, they're just too scared to come over to this table while the prefects are watching over them like proud badger parents."

"Badger parents?" Su wants to know. Padma as well gives me a look; that says dish, girlfriend. I blame my sister for why I know that look by heart. Parvati is probably why Padma knows that look.

"Well look at them," I say waving to the Hufflepuff table. Finally taking a bite out of my toast. How do house elves make even bread taste this good!?

Padma and Su peer over and see what I see. Firsties eating their breakfast, as two fifth years constantly hovers over them, barely eating anything themselves as if they seem afraid a firstie is accidentally going to fall on a butter knife under their watch. It was adorable.

"Not very good badger parents if they haven't noticed they lost you." Padma says dryly, taking a long sip of her coffee.

"They noticed, they keep turning this way every few minutes." Su says quietly.

I help myself to some bacon and eggs, "So how's Ravenclaw? Made anymore friends? Any ideas for when we should set up our study group?" I fire off some questions, while focusing on eating, with table manners this time.

"It's as I expected." Padma says, which really doesn't tell me shit, thanks for being so vivid in detail in your explanations, Padma.

I turn to look at Su, raising an eyebrow questioningly as my mouth is full of eggs.

Su shakes her head, "Ravenclaw seems nice enough, but none of the others seem very interested in making friends."

I swallow my food, pondering who was in Ravenclaw that I could remember. "Who's in your year?" I ask. And I ask Su, because she actually shares, unlike Padma.

"I only remember the last names for the boys," She says apologetically. I wave her on and she continues. "Goldstein, Boot, Corner, Entwhistle, Wildsmith, Takkar, Rookwood and Cornfoot."

"I recognize none of those, cool, go on." I say before taking another mouthful of delicious bacon and eggs. A lie, I definitely recognize Rookwood. Wildsmith too, how couldn't I after all those annoying times Ignatia talked to me in the legacy game…The creator of the floo, and entirely annoying.

Su giggles at me, while Padma snorts, giving me a dry look. "Why did you even ask then?"

"So I know the name of who to beat up if they give you any trouble." I say with a quick smile. Turning back to Su, "So what's the girls' names and why don't they seem like friend material?" I ask shrewdly. One night seemed hardly enough to make that judgment yet both Padma and Su seemed to have done so.

"Mandy Brocklehurst, Augustine Oakes, Lisa Turpin, Morag MacDougal and Lily Moon." Su says, hesitating after, before hunching her shoulders slightly, "And it's just…. A feeling." She mumbles.

"Translate please?" I ask Padma, patting Su on the shoulder as thanks for the information.

Padma sighs, "They haven't said anything, they just clustered together and seem unwilling to include us."

I don't say anything more, it could all be nothing. Or it could be the obvious reason why the two foreign looking girls weren't welcome with the other girls. "Well you have us Puffs! So who needs them, right?" I point out, slinging an arm around Su, making her squeak loudly.

"Indeed. That's my thoughts exactly." Padma says with a small smile. She looks at Su sighing exasperatedly, "Su, you need to breathe."

I let her go instantly, feeling sheepish as a red faced Su takes a couple of quick breaths. "Sorry, Su, I keep forgetting not everyone is as cuddly as me."

"You're a strange boy." Padma says, making me take on an affronted expression. She rolls her eyes, "Most boys don't even want hugs." She points out.

"I am the better, improved version, obviously." I say imperiously, drawing a giggle out of a yet again breathing Su.

"It's alright, I don't mind." She says, before looking away red faced.

I nod decisively, I turn to Padma, "I'm not in Ravenclaw so you'll have to hug Su for me at least twice a day." Su freezes, looking at Padma with a deer in headlights expression.

Padma actually laughs, her shoulders shaking slightly. "You are absolutely ridiculous, you know that?" She manages to get out. She shakes her head, her plait swinging behind her. "That's so sweet, though, don't worry I'll take care of Su."

"I can take care of myself." Su mumbles, looking between us both, like she can't understand how this is what we're discussing right now.

"Of course you can, you're a smart Ravenclaw and everything." I say with a sharp nod, "I'm just ensuring your hug quota is met." I reach out with a fist to Padma and I'm delighted when this pureblood girl fistbumps me, a wry smile on her face.

"You're too silly for this time in the morning." Su sighs, pulling the coffee pot towards herself. Sniffing it experimentally, before jerking back in disgust. "How can you drink that?" She asks Padma with a wrinkled nose.

"With practice." Padma says calmly, taking another deep sip. "If you'd have to deal with Parvati early in the morning, you'd start drinking coffee too."

"Speaking of," I say, seeing said girl enter the Great Hall, scanning the Ravenclaw table for her sister. "I gotta get my schedule back at the Hufflepuff table. Say hi to your sister from me." I valiantly run away, Padma scowling at me, while Su holds back a grin.

I slide into a seat next to Neville, ignoring the long look from the prefect, Amelia. "Pass me a muffin, I'm starving. And is there any tea anywhere?"

"We've got pumpkin juice." Susan says brightly, taking a long sip and then smacking her lips at me, "Delicious!"

"Very funny. Are we even in Britain anymore? How can there be no tea?" I say, aggressively biting into a carrot muffin.

"I think you just ask for it." Neville says, slowly working his way through a bowl of porridge. He also has a cup of devil juice. Who has porridge with pumpkin juice? Wizards are insane!

"Tea, Earl Grey, hot!" I say, peering intently at the table. Making a happy noise when a steaming cup of tea appears, and my pumpkin juice disappears. "I love you magic table."

"It's the house elves." Hannah says, rolling her eyes.

"The what now?" I say, having to pretend some level of cluelessness, because I should not know about that. Not on the brief mention of elves I had gotten from the prefects.

"Magical servants that do all the cooking and cleaning and stuff. I think Hogwarts has hundreds of them." Hannah says with a shrug. Going back to buttering her muffin.

I take a sip of tea, "I love house elves then." I decide, since they make an excellent cup of tea.

"Did you manage to set up a study group meeting with Padma and Su?" Susan asks, tossing her braid behind her, as it almost fell into her eggs.

I take a long sip of tea, the tips of my ears reddening. Ah, that is why I went over there isn't it?

"Oh, Lucas." Susan sighs, shaking her head as Neville snorts into his porridgel. "That was the reason you were supposed to be over there."

"We'll just have to do it, not trust a boy, no offense, Neville." Hannah says, sharing a determined look with Susan.

"Some offense taken." Neville mutters. And I grin at him, so different then the panicky boy I remember from the books already. Just by being around friends.

"Well as my sister always said, girls are always right, and if they're ever wrong then they're extra right, if you wanna keep your teeth." I say wistfully. My sister was the kind of girl who'd fight the world on principle because it was wrong and she was right. And she'd started out so shy as well…

"You have a sister?" Hannah asks, curiously.

I falter a bit, damn, why had I said that. It's from my old life. I wince, "Ah…not…Not anymore." I say softly.

"Oh." Hannah says, biting her lip, she opens her mouth, then seems to be lost for words and just stops. Both Neville and Susan hesitate, seemingly not knowing what to even say to something like that.

I sigh, shaking my head. I really bring the mood down so easily with my big fat mouth. "Don't worry about it, it's happened, nothing I can do about it." I hope she's still okay…. That however I died, she's gotten closure…

I take another sip of tea, nothing fixes you up like a cuppa. "Wait, why is there so many firsties here?" I say peering around us, this whole part of the table is filled with short people.

"You missed most of the sorting." Susan says, before giving me a weird look, "How did you not notice last night? We were all standing there waiting, for you?" She frowns at me, crossing her arms.

"Hey that was… Completely my fault." I sigh. Scratching my head.

"They didn't do anything, did they?" Neville asks, having finished his porridge.

I think back on Ophelia's wand pressed into my cheek, "Not really." I gulp.

"Well, I hope they gave you a talking to, for whatever you did." Hannah says, looking like she's dying to ask.

I go back to my breakfast, definitely not compounding my mistakes by spreading the word of my actions. The upper years probably all know about it by now. We fall into companionable silence as we eat. Shortly after we finish, Professor Sprout comes along with our timetables. As it's the first day they're apparently going slightly easy on us. We don't have a class until ten, double Potions unfortunately. Then we have two afternoon classes in Defense against the dark arts and Herbology. Our two first classes were with the Ravenclaws and our last one was with the Gryffindors.

"Not too bad of a first day." I idly note. With Gryffindor and Slytherin sharing a lot of classes it seems we'll avoid the drama of Potter's, Weasley's and Malfoy's.

"We'll have class with Harry Potter, today!" Hannah says, eyes sparkling.

"The guy looks half terrified to even be here, I don't think he'll appreciate a fangirl." I say, hoping to spare Hannah some headaches, as Harry hardly notices other students at all on a personal level. Certainly not girls.

"He does look kind of small and nervous." Susan says, craning her neck to look over at the Gryffindor table. "Not at all like I thought he'd be like."

"He probably hasn't had it easy." Neville says, looking down at the table. Probably realizing his and Harry's situation isn't too different. If only he knew. Neville at least was raised in a pureblood home, a manor, even if I had serious questions about how his guardian raised him considering the nervous wreck I met on the train.

"I'm not going to bug him, guy has enough on his plate." I say, and reluctantly Hannah and Susan seem to agree. Neville isn't the kind of guy to bug anyone to begin with. Honestly if Harry hadn't been so standoffish about his fame, he would have probably drowned in Hufflepuffs. The dudes loyalty is through the roof. Even to the point of deciding because he met Stan Shunpike once, he couldn't possibly be a bad person and mouth off to the Minister of Magic about it.

Personally I didn't see why anyone would bother imperiusing the bus conductor. But plenty of ways where a lowly bus conductor might join something like the Death Eaters to have power over others.

"Alright we should go grab our potions stuff, and I can quiz you all on the first chapter if you want, I've memorized it." I say, standing up, my fellow Puffs doing the same, until a prefect stops us.

"We're all going together. Once everyone is finished." Derek says, pointedly looking at me, which fair. I've gone away from the group two out of two times now. I look over the other firsties. The only one still eating is Zacharias Smith. He notices me looking over. And starts slowing down, a challenging look in his face. I could apologize. Be the bigger man. Get us all moving.

…

Instead I point at Zacharias, "Is that kid even a Hufflepuff? I've never met him before."

Neville gives me a long suffering look as Susan and Hannah both sigh. Zacharias slowing his eating down to a crawl, glaring at me.

"You're going to be one of those kids aren't you?" Derek the pretty prefect says, rubbing his eyes.

"He is." Neville/Hannah/Susan all reply at the same time. Giving each other looks.

"That's just mean." I say pouting slightly. Before looking over at Zacharias again."Hey, does anyone know that kid? And what is he doing at our table?"

"Greenwood. If you talk again before I drop you off at potions it will be detention and 10 points from Hufflepuff." Derek says sternly. His warm eyes not so warm right now.

Before I can even think to protest, two sets of hands slap over my mouth. Susan and Hannah both having no faith in me. Hurtful, but true. I totally would have made a smart ass comment. Detention and house points do not scare me. The house cup is already a lost cause anyway.

On principle I lick the hand closest to my mouth

"You're disgusting." Susan says, but does not remove her hand. "We're not losing house points on our first day!"

So left with no choice, I spend my time silently watching Zacharias Smith eat. Happy in the knowledge that while he's pissing me off, I already thought he was a dick. Now he's pissing everyone off. So… Mission accomplished?

Sadly there is no potion quiz due to our illegal confinement, leaving us only the time to grab our stuff for the day, before being escorted over to the potions classroom. Derek refuses to let me talk the entire way.

Padma and Su are already waiting outside the classroom with a bunch of the other Ravenclaws standing around looking nervous. Obviously some upper years have tattled about Snape's charming personality.

I wave at them, because Susan is still stubbornly covering my mouth. Which is really impressive because she didn't even twitch when I claimed to need to use the bathroom,

Definitely can tell she's related to a battle axe like Amelia Bones. She just forced Neville to switch with her for the bathroom. And I can now cross off one item on the bucket list; peeing with another dude holding his hand over my mouth.

"What did he do?" Padma sighs, "We haven't even had one class yet."

"He opened his mouth." Neville says sarcastically. And I want to go over and fist bump him, that's my little Gryffindor-Hufflepuff. Helping a guy pee, and sarcasm. It's like he's a totally different guy from the books just by having people pay attention to him and be his friends.

"Right, you're here, I'll leave now, behave in Professor Snape's class…" Derek makes sure to look straight at me, like I would ever mess around in Snape's class, that's just begging for seven years of misery. "Amelia will come pick you up and take you to lunch and your first afternoon class afterwards."

When I point at Susan's hand over my mouth, Derek rolls his eyes but gives Susan a nod. The redhead grimacing as she removes her hand, rubbing it against her robe, giving me a dirty look. What can I say, one last lick for the road?

"Thank you for taking your time in your OWL year to show us around, it really helps us out." Bowing my head slightly with a smile. My words make a smattering of thank you's ring out from my fellow Puffs.

Derek scoffs, cheeks a little pink, "It's nothing, we Puffs take care of our own." He says, but quickly leaves looking a little embarrassed to be praised.

"You… Are so contrary!" Susan exclaims, hands up in the air.

Who? Me? I point at myself with a confused smile.

"Ugghh!" Susan just says out loud. Turning to her best friend with a pleading look.

Hannah giggles, patting Susan on her arm. "She means that you just were so nice to Derek, after being a little… you-know-what."

I shrug, "I'm here to have fun and study. Just because I have a little fun doesn't mean I can't show respect for someone helping us out, or be polite when I need to be." I run a hand through my hair idly as I explain, "House points doesn't matter to me, who cares really that someone gets to have some banners for half an hour after sucking up for a year."

"I've never met anyone that thinks like you." Padma says bluntly, Su nodding with her with a weird look on her face.

"You'll get detentions." Su says quietly. Ah, she's worried for me. Cute.

"So?" I say with a raised eyebrow. Everyone gives me shocked looks. Oh the worries and problems of eleven year olds. "An hour or two of lines, or cleaning? Not really the end of the world, and I'm not going to miss out on having fun for a minor inconvenience."

Neville looks like he's just realized what he's gotten into, joining me in Hufflepuff. "We're going to get into trouble a lot, aren't we?" He sounds so resigned, it's cute.

"I prefer to see it as we're going to experience a lot more than a regular student." I say cheerfully.

"If you disrupt class, I'll hex you." Padma says, sounding fully serious. Susan nods along. Hannah, Neville and Su are much sweeter people, so they don't.

"I intend to be the best student Hogwarts has ever seen, so I can't be messing around in class." I say seriously, studying magic is not a thing I'll mess with.

There's some loud scoffs from the peanut gallery of other Ravenclaws who have nothing better to do then listen in. We all ignore them. My friends look pleased and shocked at my seriousness. Considering we're about to have Potions, I make my move to limit any problems with Snape.

"Padma, can you partner with Neville? I'll take Su, and Hannah and Susan can do their best friend forever thing." I say quickly.

Susan and Hannah both roll their eyes with perfect synchronization again, my point exactly, I think smugly.

"I don't mind," Padma says slowly, giving Neville a quick scrutinizing look, "But why?"

"If we have a raven and a puff sitting together from the start, we might be able to pull off partnering all over the place later, but I have a feeling if we're all sitting by house, there won't be any chance to switch after," I explain, before giving Neville an apologetic look, "Also you're strong in potions, while Neville is a bit jumpy, and Snape has a reputation. So you'll learn more, getting to help and teach Neville. And Neville will benefit from a calm pretty girl next to him." A compliment never hurts when trying to manipulate someone after all.

"Alright. I don't see why not." Padma says after a moment of thought. She gives Neville a small smile, "I'm sure Professor Snape isn't that bad." She assures him. Neville gives her a weak smile back.

Inwardly I do cartwheels. It might be slightly selfish of me to manipulate my friends like this. But I honestly have no idea if Neville is a disaster because of Snape only, or just clumsy and nervous in general. I do not want my potions grade to suffer from being partners with Neville, which is what would happen if I didn't get Padma or Su to do it. There's also the likelihood of Neville blowing a potion up in my face. So no thank you. Padma, your possible sacrifice is appreciated. Of course, Padma being a smart and collected young girl might just be able to make sure Neville does alright. So it might actually work out. Potions is a really hard subject, so I kind of don't hold much hope for Neville really.

I smile at Su, "Partners then, I look forward to working with you." I give her the fist bump, and she hesitantly reaches out with her small fist and just barely touches mine. So cute.

The door suddenly opens. Some of the other Hufflepuffs squeak in fright, which is just embarrassing. Thank Merlin there aren't any Slytherins in sight.

We all troop in, Padma grabbing Neville's sleeve to pull him with her. I am surprised to see Snape sitting at his desk. Maybe dramatic entrances are only for the chosen one then. As I had hoped, Snape doesn't seem to care who sits with who, with no Slytherins or Gryffindors around.

The potions classroom is dark and damp, the walls have a green shimmering tint that glints from the limited above lighting. Shadows cast all over the corners of the room. The only well lit areas being right above each workbench and desk, and above the blackboard behind Snape's ornate Slytherin themed desk.

Shelves line the walls to either side of Snape's desk, there's also a small curved nook behind him to his left with more shelving as well as two large wooden cupboards, the wood almost black, two brass knobs for handles, with reliefs of snakes on them. The cupboards no doubt for those ingredients that need to be spared from light. All the shelves have green tinted glass mason jars on them with ingredients, plants, or more gruesome looking parts. Yet for all this the smell of the room is almost sterile, no doubt there are a mass of charms and wards laid around this room.

I manage to grab a spot at the front with Su, eager to get started. Potions was quintessential magic, you look at any fantasy or magic story, dungeons or dragons or MMORPGs. Potions and draughts and alchemical concoctions were all over the place. It's much more than just putting a recipe together. I had seen fanfiction which likened it to cooking of all things. That couldn't be further from the truth, although if all Snape does is put a recipe on the board I can understand the support for that theory. And it would also explain why everyone sucks at potions in the books. Except Hermione, who's meticulousness in ingredient preparation probably makes up for her rigid mind.

Potions, while not regularly needing a wand, was utilizing magic constantly. Just in a different manner. Potions at the highest levels requires deep knowledge of Arithmancy and Astronomy to go with Herbology and Potions, due to the effects potions could absorb from the literal stars, and how insane was that? All ingredients used in potions could have different effects based on such minor things as how you cut them, crushed them, squeezed them. If you mangled one ingredient it would affect the entire potion, and possibly ruin it. Unless you were someone like Snape who could immediately counter the bad ingredient with its perfect counteragent. Some potions needed to spend time in sunlight, some needed absolute darkness. Some were sensitive to sound!

You needed to stir the potions differently depending on what you wanted out of it, needed different kinds of cauldrons for different potions at higher levels of brewing, some ingredients did not have their full effect unless picked under a full moon, or harvested in the proper celestial alignment. Some ingredients could only be harvested by a witch! Others were so sensitive to magic only a squib could harvest them. And if you wanted to be truly good at potions, you needed to know every intimate detail about these ingredients.

Some potions literally would not brew properly unless the witch or wizard brewing it were in a calm state for the brewing process. Others could only be brewed if you were enraged! There were potions that needed music played during brewing, others needed total utter silence. Honestly I wanted to see Snape brewing while an orchestra played in the background. I'd pay to see that.

It was utterly fascinating and difficult and exactly the kind of magical subject I found exciting. I could honestly understand why people like Neville and Ron could not make heads or tails of the subject. It requires a lot of memorization, meticulous ingredient preparation and brewing discipline as well as a flexible mind, it was not at all just following a recipe. Honestly Hermione being able to brew Polyjuice in second year makes sense now, as her personality and OCD about doing things the proper way fits well with some types of potions. Most of them. Hermione probably was not mentally flexible enough to become a master the caliber of Snape. I just couldn't see Hermione keeping herself in a simmering rage while brewing because it was part of the process.

I almost vibrate with excitement as Snape slowly stands up and walks in front of his desk. Is he going to do the speech?

Professor Snape looks menacing standing in front of us, every first year sitting silently, barely daring to breathe. Slowly he drawls, "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…"

He starts pacing slowly in front of his desk, dark eyes piercing us one by one, "For those… Very 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…"

He stops pacing, glaring at us, "Potions is a deadly art, I will not have any foolishness in my class, ever, or I will have you expelled." He sneers darkly, "I will not tell you again, be prepared, be attentive, never deviate from my instructions." He looks us over, before snapping impatiently, "Well, why aren't you writing this down?"

We all scramble for our quills and parchment as Professor Snape spends the entire lesson going over every minutia of Potions safety. First in a lecture that takes half the class, making us write down every single safety precaution around potion-making - There is a lot - Then by making us practice slicing ingredients, teaching us how to use the mortar and pestle properly. Then teaching us how to properly clean all the equipment we just used, including our cutting boards. To ensure there would remain no residue whatsoever that could cause volatility in our potions the next time we use our equipment. Of course all followed by explicit threats of what would happen to any dunderhead dumb enough to show up to his class with dirty equipment.

As the class finishes up, Snape orders us to have at least 10 inches on proper potions safety procedures ready to hand in for our next lesson. And that not a single potion would be brewed until we all could manage this basic step to an acceptable level.

I leave Potions feeling slightly mind-blown. Again I wonder. Am I in an alternate universe? Or simply, is the world more real than in a book, where most everything ends up cut out to make room for the drama and adventure. Professor Snape was certainly still an asshole, as I could attest from my shopping trip, and the snarling, sneering cold man in that classroom would surely be making students cry at some point. Yet his lesson was not - It's on the board so get to it, while hovering over us. We wouldn't even be making potions for weeks yet!

I was suddenly worried about the plot. If the adults were suddenly going to be competent, the Harry Potter books would all be very different. I did not like the idea of the predictability of the next few years disappearing. Maybe this all happened in the books too? We just don't see the boring details as it's focused on Harry and Snape hating each other. Competence dumbed down as to give the protagonist more reason to intervene?

I make small talk with my friends as the female Hufflepuff prefect escorts us back to the Great Hall for lunch, our late morning start to classes already leaving us at past noon. A study group meeting or an excuse for us all to hang out to be honest, is set for the first weekend. For now, in the library. Until we can find somewhere better. I idly wonder if I can find one of the many hidden rooms by then and use it as our study room. I eventually will need to utilize the room of requirement, so I won't be sharing that with my friends, a secret isn't a secret anymore once two people know.

I enjoy a small lunch, just chatting with my friends, having easily convinced Padma and Su to sit with us. None of the other Hufflepuffs even blink at the ravens amongst us. Susan rolls her eyes when I smugly tell her that only she's a scaredy cat about going to other tables.

Soon enough we're once again picked up by Amelia, and escorted, this time to the Defense against the Dark Arts classroom.

We all troop in, Quirrel with that ridiculous turban, sitting lazily at his desk. As soon as we're all seated, he gets up. I mentally prepare myself for a year of a very annoying class. I'm somewhat thrown however by the look of the room.

There is the desk area, with a blackboard, Quirrell's desk and us students. Yet there's a large area behind the desks, a shielded dueling platform. I can see the shimmer of the shield easily from the door, it must be a pretty powerful shield. I wonder if it runs on Hogwarts power? Further back from the dueling platform are rows of target dummies, stacked up, ready for use. Several cupboards, lined up against the back wall, are shaking, like they hold something that wants to get out. They look new, probably brought in by Quirrell.

All around the room on the walls are paintings of different dangerous beasts, I eye the werewolf one with a grimace. If that is how one looks coming at you, no wonder wizards are terrified of them. Yet also on the paintings are what must be an Inferi, one of the living dead, raised by dark magic. And what the fuck… One painting has a muggle military unit with automatic weapons… is he… Comparing muggles to Inferi and Werewolves?

"Welcome students to Defence against the Dark Arts." Professor Quirrell says calmly, with a half lidded gaze, watching us all. Radiating a lazy confidence.

Where the fuck is his stutter!?

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