COMMON ROOMS AND POTION CLASSES!

SEPTEMBER 1991

1st Year

• • • •

"Gryffindors, follow me please. Keep up. Thank you," Percy called as he lead the Gryffindor first years through the halls of Hogwarts, to the Gryffindor common room, "This is the most direct path to the dormitories. Oh, and keep an eye on the staircases...they like to change," The redhead warned, making everyone pick up their speed as they walked, "Keep up, please, and follow me. Quickly now, come on. Come on," Percy continued as they began walking up the stairs.

"Harry, look," Annabelle whispered, tugging on the sleeve of her brother's robe, pointing to a moving painting of a woman standing next to a unicorn, waving at them.

"This place is brilliant," The boy whispered back.

Approaching the Gryffindor dorms, they came up to a large painting of a large woman in a pink dress.

"Password?" The woman asked.

"Caput Draconis," Percy said and the woman nodded and the painting opened to reveal a gape in the wall, "Follow me, everyone. Keep up, quickly, come on," Percy went on, leading the group inside.

"Oh, wow," Annabelle whispered, sharing a bewildered look with Hermione.

"Gather 'round here," Percy instructed, the first years complying, "Welcome to the Gryffindor Common Room. Boys' dormitories, upstairs and down to your left. Girls, the same on your right. You'll find that your belongings have already been brought up," He said, before leaving everyone to go and find a dorm.

"Come on," Hermione said, grabbing the youngest Potter's hand, "Let's go find a dorm together," She smiled and the two of them laughed as they ran up the stairs to find a dorm together.

***

"Where are they?" Hermione whispered to Annabelle - who shrugged - slumping more into her chair as they sat in Transfiguration, glancing at the tabby cat sitting on McGonagall's desk, the pair both perking up when they heard footsteps and Harry and Ron ran into the classroom.

"Whew, amazing, can you imagine the look on old McGonagall's face if we were late?" Ron asked, making the girls cringe before the tabby cat jumped off the desk and turned into Professor McGonagall as the two boys watched, amazed, "That was bloody brilliant," Ron said, looking at the woman in awe.

"Thank you for that assessment, Mr. Weasley," McGonagall said, "Maybe if I were to transfigure Mr.Potter and yourself into a pocketwatch, maybe one of you would be on time,"

"We got lost," Harry shrugged, meekly.

"Then perhaps a map?" The Professor countered, "I trust you don't need one to find your seats," She said to the boys, before going to stand by the front desk to start teaching as the boys sat in front of Annabelle and Hermione.

With a sigh, Harry turned back to look at his sister, receiving a sarcastic smile and thumbs up in return.

***

The chattering of students bounced around the room as the first years all sat near steaming cauldrons and Annabelle smiled as she sat between Hermione - who was reciting every first year potion they would learn that year - and Harry - who was rolling his eyes at the brunette. The door then suddenly slammed open and Snape came rushing in.

"There will be no foolish wand waving or silly incantations in this class," He said as he sauntered to the front of the classroom, "As such, I don't expect many of you to enjoy the subtle science and exact art that is potion making. However, for those select few," Snape said, looking at Draco -  who smiled, "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 continued, his eyes resting on Harry, who was writing this down, not paying attention, "Then again, maybe some of you have come to Hogwarts in possession of abilities so formidable that you feel confidant enough to not...pay...attention," The man said, walking closer and closer to Harry's desk.

Annabelle let out a quiet sigh, before she nudged Harry in the ribs, causing him to look up.

"Mr. Potter," Snape drawled out, "Our...new...celebrity. Tell me, what would I get if I added powdered root of asphodel to an infusion of wormwood?" The Professor asked and Hermione's hand shot up and Harry shrugged, "You don't know? Well, let's try again. Where, Mr.Potter, would you look if I asked you to find me a bezoar?" The man questioned and Hermione's hand shot up, again.

"I don't know, Sir," Harry shook his head.

"And what is the difference between Monkshood and Wolfbane?" Snape asked again.

"I don't know, Sir," The eldest Potter repeated.

"Pity," Snape sarcastically said, "Clearly, fame isn't everything, is it, Mr. Potter?" He asked.