DISCLAIMER 1: I don't own Harry Potter and have no direct contact with J.K. Rowling. Details her are based on the Harry Potter Universe but most of them would be adaptations to that. As such, there may not be any accuracy nor precision with what Rowling actually intends for all the characters. In any case, J.K. Rowling is a great author and I wish to do justice to her in this piece.
DISCLAIMER 2: I also don't own CHARMED (R) and some characters may be similar to them, but they are entirely fictional. I don't know the outcome after Season 8, you know.
Chapter 2: First Days
DERRICK’S PERSPECTIVE
I was awakened by the bright morning sun shining through Gryffindor tower. It’s the first day of classes. I got up and threw on a pair of pajama pants.
I went up to Jamie’s bed and shook him awake, “Rise and shine Jamie, it’s morning!”
“Huh?” Jamie mumbled in his state of half-sleep.
“It’s already morning and it’s the first day of classes!” I said.
“Yeah, I know, but classes doesn’t start until about 9 in the morning,” replied Jamie trying to go back to sleep.
“Well you better get your ass off the bed, it’s already quarter past 8!” I said.
“Bloodyhell! Really?” he exclaimed as he shot up right out of bed, “Why didn’t you say that immediately?”
I just chuckled.
“Oh come on Derrick, you know it usually takes me an hour to get ready for school?” he sat up, fixing his things: quills, parchments and books.
We fixed our stuff and got in the showers. Since it was in the middle of the morning, a lot of people were already there. We had to wait in line for a good 10 minutes, but soon got going. After the quick shower, we went back to the rooms and got dressed for the day.
“Where’s Demi?” he asked me.
“He’s in Slytherin remember?” I said. I still can’t get over the fact that the Sorting Hat placed Demi in Slytherin. I mean I only know of few siblings sorted in different Houses so I guess, he really chose to be a Slytherin. Why? I don’t know. I might need to ask him.
“Oh yeah! Anyway let’s get some food in our stomachs. I’m late for Herbology.” Jamie said.
“Yeah. I guess, I’m going to Care of Magical Creatures.” I replied.
-oOo-
“Good Morning everyone!” said a lanky woman. If there was a blond snow white, I guess that would be her. She had blond hair and very fair skin. Pink lips and strawberry ear-rings accentuate her pretty face. But I know she’s more than that. Anyone who’s been around the world and saw the different beauty it beholds is more than that.
“My name is Luna Lovegood,” she said, “I’m going to be replacing Professor Rubeus Hagrid for the year while he visits Madame Maxime in France.”
Everyone was silent. She spoke with such charisma that everyone was listening. It’s as if, she placed an anti-ADD charm, if ever there was one.
“Since you are taking a lot of classes that are needed to go into a carreer of being an Auror, Professor McGonagall allowed me to expose you to a lot of different creatures.” She paused for a while, and then continued, “Our line up for this year will be very simple: Dangerous Beasts.”
Everybody was stunned.
“We’re talking about Level 4 to Level 5 Beasts as stipulated in the classification schemes of the Ministry of Magic.” She continued, “As such, we will be studying in detail, Winged Horses, Unicorns, Phoenixes which are quite useful but very rare species. We will also be looking at Trolls, Dragons, Nundu, Occamy and Dementors which are all dangerous. Any questions?”
There were about 20 students in this NEWT-level course and I think, there would be less of them after her speech. Dumb luck, I love these creatures. I was just hesitant because of safety issues.
“Are we going to really glance at live Nundu’s?” I asked, “I’ve read that their breath is poisonous and can wipe out whole villages.”
“All you said is true Mr. Halliwell, 10 points for Gryffindor,” she relied, “There will be some creatures that will allow us to go and frolic with them like unicorns, winged horses, phoenixes, and some dragons without advanced magical artifacts. However there are some creatures which we cannot handle by spells and thus the need to cage it magically.”
She then proceeded to take something off here pouch bag and recovered white crystals, “These are magical crystals used to create a magical cage. The cage is similar to a very powerful shield charm and will not let anything through it, magic or matter. We will use these in our excursions to the wild. Note that before such things happen, I will ask Professor Richards and Professor Wood to perfect your Protego Totalum charms as a matter of extra protection. Furthermore, we will ask NEWT-level Herbology students together with Professor Longbottom, Professor Dickens and Madame Pomfrey to mix us all the antidotes needed if there are any. Any other questions?”
I asked another question, “What if we die in the process?”
She smiled at me before saying, “I would have been dead by your feet before you do.”
-oOo-
JAMIE’S PERSPECTIVE
Herbology was good. We’re learning quite a few things about dangerous plants this fall and then next spring is all about healing plants. I got up to the Transfiguration classroom just before the signal for the next class to begin came. I’m having this class with Derrick. Professor Hetchanova is Professor McGonagall’s niece and she’s a fine woman teaching this class. She’s both an Animagus and a Metamorphmagus, a rare gift if you ask me. There are only a couple of Animagi that I know, and none of them are Metamorphmagi. She usually supports blue-colored locks, dark brown skin and black eyes. She’s as cunning as a cat and swift as a hawk. I think she’s also the only multi-animagi alive. I know it defies all the Animagus Laws but she can turn into two animal forms: a cat and a hawk. As to how she does it, I don’t know.
Dad said Teddy’s mom Nymphadora was a Metamorphmagus but she died in the Battle of Hogwarts 24 years back. Teddy’s also another Metamorphmagus like his mom, and he’s currently working on being an Animagus.
Derrick arrived just before Professor Hetchanova started talking so we didn’t get to greet each other. Instead, he just slipped beside me.
“This is NEWT-level Transfiguration, class” she said, “As such I do not expect all of you to perform these spells as well as another student. The mode of instruction will basically be one-on-one.”
She paused for a bit.
“Last year, we learned about standard spells of for Concealment and Disguise such as changing hair color by wand,” she said, “This year it’s all about transformation of one’s self – WANDLESS.”
She then transformed to a white-haired woman, with very fair and flawless skin. Her robes changed to a shiny silver color which then transformed into something like a fitted spandex suit, and all that isn’t shining is her dull gray eyes. She then spoke up in an eerie voice, similar to a seer but instead of a tone of threat, there was calm, but still scary:
“Now you may think that as a Metamorphmagus, I can do this easily on myself, but as you have noticed there are Wandless and non-verbal spells of change which involves the transformation of clothes. All of this you will try to learn, in this course.”
She reverted back to her usual self and clothes. She asked us to stand up. We did and with a swoop of her hand, she moved all the desks and chairs at the sides of the room.
“Let us begin. Fabrico Colorus!”
-oOo-
SCORPIUS’S PERSPECTIVE
After a year of not having a Potter in any of my classes, I never thought I would I would live to see another class with him. As much as my family owes a lot of gratitude to his Dad, I never could imagine myself scheming with the enemy. But are we really enemies? It’s not as if we go out of our way to torment each other. We’ve actually managed to have a peaceful coexistence for the last 6 years.
Now that Weasley girl’s another story. I know I’ve been quite gifted with magic, but that girl not only has talent, she’s also skillful and smart about using it. I think I like her miles better than a thousand Potters combined. The only problem with that is she’s a Weasley, “Blood traitors” in my father’s eyes. Add the fact that she’s Potter’s cousin. I wouldn’t get a single date if I asked her out. Tough luck? Yeah maybe, but I’ve seen her quite a lot of times, she’s in a lot of my classes too.
“Scorpius!” someone called me. I turned around and saw one of my best friends: Rose Weasley.
“Rose, hey!” I said. Ok, I got you right? We got to know each other back in first year where we competed for top marks in all classes. As usual, she outshines me in everything, but I’m a close second. Thankfully, my dad didn’t whip me for that. I mean, her mom, Hermione Granger also kicks my dad’s ass during their stay in Hogwarts.
I’d usually see her hang out in the library where I also spend a lot of time reading books, just as I do. However, she also has time for Quidditch. She plays with her brother and cousins on weekends. We took the same optional courses so in the end, I built up some courage to ask her to be my study partner. Much to my amazement, she readily agreed saying that with our combined talent, we could do even better. So there, we got to hang out a lot in the library and we usually study together, not snog mind you.
“So where are you off to?” she asked me.
“You know where… the Library of course!” I answered.
“Oh come on, you book worm, the day is beautiful! Let’s eat out with James and the rest!” she invited.
“Umm, we talked about this right?” I answered, “As much as I don’t have anything against your cousin, I just don’t think we’d get along well. Remember the last time I tried to sit with you? He almost did that Bat-Bogey hex to me.”
“I still don’t get it why you don’t get along with him,” she commented, “I mean, we know our parents were quite bitter rivals in school, but It’s not as if we have to be like them right?”
“Yeah I know… I guess I should try again, but not now ok?” I said
“Sure, we’ll work on it this term!” she replied.
She’s probably the sweetest person in the world. She tends to look at things objectively and maturely that I can’t believe at times that she’s Potter’s cousin. Ok enough of that bashing stuff. I told her I’d do better. Sigh. If only I could build enough courage to ask her out to Hogsmeade or something.
“I got an idea! Why don’t we eat at the lake beach? We’ll bring a lot of stuff in case one of your cousin or your brother wants to go with us…” I said.
“That’s a great idea! You’re not a hopeless case after all, Malfoy!” she teased me.
“Who said I was hopeless? I’m just complicated…” I retorted, “But you, dear best friend, is a real slack in the sociability department!”
“What? I dated two guys last year!” she returned, “Well ok, I don’t really call that a date. They just bought me butterbeer and a box of Bertie Botts Every Flavored Beans. And do remember that I wasn’t as cooped up in the Library as I was four years ago.”
We laughed.
“Yeah…” I said. If only Rose… If only.
-oOo-
DERRICK’S PERSPECTIVE
“Demi!” I shouted to my brother. He looked to my direction and saw me. He smiled and walked towards our table. He sat down with me, James, Al, Hugo and Lily. Al and Lily were James’ siblings and Hugo was their cousin.
“Hey Derrick!” he said, “You won’t believe this, I got 10 points for being able to perform the Wingardium Leviosa charm!”
“Good for you Demi!” I congratulated him, “So wait, I’ll introduce you”
I waited a moment and said, “Guys this is Demi Halliwell, my brother.”
I then pointed to James, “This is James Sirius Potter, best friend extraordinaire!”
“Hey Little guy! I’ve heard so much about you!” James said.
“Oh, you must be that guy that seduced my brother to do all the mean stuff that got him into trouble!” Demi replied.
“Hey! That’s not fair!! He perpetrated half of it!” James retorted and we all end up laughing.
“This here,” I said while pointing to a red-hed boy, “is Hugo Weasley, cousin of James.”
“I see, Hi Hugo!” said Demi.
Hugo tried to speak up but choked a little because he had so much in his mouth. We ended up laughing some more.
“This here, is Albus Severus Potter, we cal him Al” I said pointing to Al, a dark-haired boy with the greenest eyes in the group. Everyone knew he got that from his father.
“Last but not the least, is Lily Guinevere Potter”
Lily stood up and did a little curtsy.
She was sporting wavy dark brown hair which matched her dark brown eyes, “Oh, it’s been good to meet you Demi, but I’m afraid I have to go. I’m meeting David Gromer and Nancy Hawkins before Transfigurations, see ya brothers!”
She took her belongings and proceeded to exit the Great Hall.
“So Demi, tell me more about your first day.” I asked.
“Well it was just like the usual first day jitters. I went to Professor Dickens’ Potions class and I forgot the Potion set we bought, I thought I was a goner but one of my housemates, Kyle Smith, gave me some of the ingredients we needed.”
“That’s good.” I replied. Then James interjected, “Did he tell you about, There is little wand-waving here speech?”
Demi replied “Ah yes, is that one that goes…”
Then all of the upper years recited:
“I can teach you to bewitch the mind, ensnare the senses, bottle fame, brew glory and stopper death!”
Then all of us erupted in laughter. Suddenly Hugo spoke up, “But I don’t think that’s an original piece. I told Dad that and he said his Potions Professor used the same introduction.”
Suddenly everyone fell quiet and looked at Al.
“Why are you all lookin’ at me?” he asked.
“Well little brother, let’s just say your namesake was the proponent of that speech.” James said.
“Really?” he asked, “I never asked Dad about that.”
“Oh he doesn’t talk about it much,” said James, “Hugo told me that in his first year. Uncle Ron said that he was ready to piss in his pants because Professor Snape terrorized them that day.”
We laughed a little, but got serious again.
“But I thought he was Dad’s favorite professor after Dumbledore?”
We all looked stunned and then laughed so hard everyone looked at us as if we’d need to be admitted to St. Mungo’s. Mr. Filch had to march down towards us to silence us, that old git, he doesn’t know when to have a good time.
“He was a loving man and the bravest we could ever know Al.” I said becoming a little more serious, “Although the ways he showed it to your Dad, Mum and the rest of the world was different.”
“He had a certain dislike for a specific bunch of Gryffindors and he gave them an awfully hard time while in school,” said James, “However, after everything’s been said and done, no one can argue that he risked his life for one person, and that one person saved everyone from, how should we say this Hugo, ‘mortal peril’?”
“Yep… That’s what Grandma told me,” he said, “we had that weird clock at home, remember that Al?”
Al nodded, listening intently to what Hugo was saying.
“Back in the second rising of You-Know-Who, and it pointed to ‘mortal peril’ all the time back then.”
Then Al asked, “So how did he become brave?”
“That’s a story for another lunch period Al!” said James, “Right now, we have to rush to our afternoon classes.”
Taking in James’s cue, everyone got their book bags and stood up. We walked towards the entrance of the Great Hall, but lagging behind a bit. I know I need to ask Demi the question I’ve been dying to ask.
“Hey Demi, wait up!” I called him, “James, you guys go ahead I need to talk to Demi a bit.”
They all left for their classes and it was just Demi and me in the hallway.
“What is it Derrick?” he asked.
“I still can’t believe what happened at the Sorting ceremony last night.” I started.
“You don’t need to worry Derrick,” He said, “I asked the Sorting Hat to put me in Slytherin.”
“But why?” I asked, “I don’t take it against you but weren’t you happy being with me at the same house.”
“That would be ok too, but where’s the fun in that?” he said.
“Fun?” for the first time, I didn’t laugh at the mention of that word. I’m really getting worried about Demi.
“We’ll I just wanted some space you know.” He ranted, “I want to explore a bit, I mean, I could always count on you to be there for me, but I also want a taste of being on my own for once.”
“Oh…” I said, “But once you’re sorted, you can’t be re-sorted, you know that right?”
“Yeah, don’t worry big brother,” he comforted me and smiled, “I can do this!”
I smiled back at him, half meaning it. I’m still confused little brother… I’m still confused.
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