In the Dungeons was where Harry met his first obstacle since this morning. Professor Snape, the Potions Professor and the head of house of Slytherin. He wasn't sure how this would go, however, as he swore he saw this man immediately give him a sour look. He didn't think this man would be so easy. He took a seat with Hermione. Once class started, he walked in like he was a king, his cape flapping. Quite odd. Then, he began speaking of how there would be very little, if at all, wand waving in this class. He spoke about Potions like a artist would speak about their paintings. He called some students dunderheads, probably to motivate the class, but was no less rude. Then it got personal.
"Potter! What would I get if I added powdered root of asphodel to an infusion of wormwood?" How odd to ask this; however, they were maybe too excited so, they know the answer. Hermione pouted because Harry was asked the question. "Draught of the Living Death, sir." Harry answered. You could see the confusion in his eyes; however, he asked another question. "Where would you look if I tell you to find me a Bezoar?" Harry knew something was up. No way would anyone be randomly asking these questions to only one student. He wondered if he had a bone to pick with one, or both, of his parents and he's laying the hatred on him. "A Bezoar is a stone, taken from the stomach of a goat, and it will save you from most poisons," he responded. He hoped that was it but he gave another question. Harry knew this Professor was gonna work him to the bone over all the other students. How rude. "What is the difference between Monkshood and Wolfsbane?" Harry resisted the urge to sigh. He nonchalantly said, "They are the same thing and also goes by Aconite." [1]
Harry saw the irritation in the man's eyes. He gave points, unwillingly. Next, he brought up the potion they were doing that class. Already? Even McGonagall is making us read the spell and study it before casting; how can he expect us to learn and brew the potion? Harry and Hermione didn't like this, but perhaps they shouldn't speak up about it, every teacher has a different style. Then, they spent the whole class brewing a cure for boils. It was boring and when they finished, Neville Longbottom and his partner had melted their cauldron and it spilled the potion on them, giving them boils. Oh dear. As he walked by their potion, he begrudgingly said "Perfect."
When class was over, Hermione said "He's out to get you, Harry." Harry nodded. "I know, but I do not know why." Harry just wanted to go to Flying and be done with today besides reading of course. As they went through to flying class...he saw Neville with his weird ball and a boy from Slytherin with the same ball. Harry and Hermione shrugged it off and class began.
The teacher began to talk about broom care for a small bit until she started bringing out brooms. "You're going to learn how to hover today." Harry and Hermione didn't mind, although Hermione was a little put off. Only thing a broom was ever used for was sweeping, or when she was five and she used her house's broom as a horse. She did decide to give it a chance. Instantly, Harry and Hermione's brooms went in their hands along with Draco Malfoy and few others. It hit Ron Weasley in the face and knocked him down. They went on their brooms and the teacher said "On the count of three..." She began counting and before she said three a Slytherin named Matilda Brewit and a Gryffindor named Neville Longbottom went out of control and hurt themselves. The teacher said no brooms in the air until she got back, but of course Ron Weasley had to pick up Matilda's special bracelet, to which helps with her reoccurring sickness. Then Seamus took Neville's ball object. Slytherin's started yelling at Ron to give them the bracelet, and Gryffindor's yelled at Seamus, because he said he was going to keep it.[2] They went up in the air and Hermione and Harry's own anger was surfacing. Hermione was angry at Seamus and Harry was angry at both. Without thinking, they said "give it here.." Hermione said "Finnigan" while Harry said "Weasley." The two looked at each other and they both said "Then catch."
Hermione and Harry didn't hesitate to zoom in low and fast enough to both not be seen and to catch the objects. The teacher had returned and McGonagall had returned with her. "Weasley, Finnigan, my office." The two looked pale. "And Potter, Granger, ten points to your Houses for taking initiative to get the objects back. I'll take them for now and give them their objects back when I see them in the hall." Hermione and Harry smirked at each other.
Later at dinner, while the two were talking and having laughs, a certain professor was watching. "The two are practically inseparable!" Binns was commenting. "Mr. Potter is also very fast reader." Commented McGonagall. Severus Snape just grumbled. He could not let his grudge against James Potter go. Yet, the moment he looks in the boy's eyes, he sees nothing but Lily. Even his behavior is representative of Lily. [3]
At the Slytherin table, Matilda was thanking the flying instructor for giving her her bracelet. It would've been costly to replace it. She told the girl to thank Harry.
Draco watches the exchanges between Hermione and Harry. He grumbled and wanted to slap himself. Why did he like looking at the mudblood? Her hair was bushy and had weird teeth. He didn't understand what his body was telling him at all, and maybe even his soul was telling him. Blaise was a different story. Blaise knew exactly what was going on. How was Blaise to confront this? He didn't know. He just knew that he was a vampire and he had found his mate. His soulmate is male. That is a little odd! Or at least to to him, maybe even muggles but he didn't know. First off, how can he tell his best mates? "Oh by the way, I'm destined to be gay or at very least attracted to males because my soulmate is a male." Blaise was honestly lost. If he couldn't tell his best mates, then how in the world would he be able to talk to Harry? Besides, for all he knew, Harry might not be a creature and doesn't feel the pull. Harry also spends a lot of time with the mudblood girl. What if he likes her? A painting above the hall rolled her eyes. What a special painting she is. The kid should go for it! [4]
She left Godric's picture, and then apologizes. He says it was no problem and tried to stay quiet. She returned to her frame in the hall.
When the meal was done, Harry and Hermione were on their way to their room when they came across a few trophies. Among them said: "Lyra Dumbledore, awarded for outstanding house diversity, 1939 May 23" [5]
Above was a girl. Her eyes were a brilliant blue, which actually reminded the two children of Headmaster Dumbledore's eyes but her hair was a brilliant blonde. The way her hair was parted look fascinating. Hermione wished her hair could do the same. The girl waved. She was in a older version of the Hogwarts uniform and a Gryffindor. "Off to bed, little hybrids?" She said, a bit whimsical. The two children nodded. The only painting that's ever spoken to them was their dorm painting. "Be wary of an old lion's roar." She said before going back to whatever it was that she was doing. The two felt odd. 'An old lion's roar'? What could it mean? [6]
The girl in the painting sighed. "You may only know how far a lion will go when its cubs are slaughtered, but what happened when they abandoned home before is true madness." The girl in the frame sat on the love seat in the picture and closed her eyes. The past can't be read clearly, can it? [7]
"You act like the war effects only you." The girl was in casual clothing. She was in her second year. "You don't live in two wars." The muggleborn replied. "All I hear now is a barking dog, instead of growling lion. Your complaints are fruitless, you do nothing to help yourself; your grades are terrible and you complain about living in war? Do you care to help those stuck fighting this war, for us? Do you support those muggles fighting their war? Do you think complaining helps those soldiers? All you can do is fight, or, prepare yourself to take a dying soldier's place, and if you don't plan to, then what right do you have to complain, to screech your troubles?" [8]
Lyra Dumbledore, twelve years old. She was just starting her second year. She was clever, but just as reckless. She was as brave as she was kind; however, she was just as opinionated and outspoken. She didn't hide, or that's what she's made the school believe. Rumors started spreading last year during finals. Some say she's not really Dumbledore's child, but the very Dark Lord they fight. Professor Dumbledore and Lyra don't admit or deny it. Lyra says to them "Gossiping lips will get snipped." Her father was her head of house but she didn't like the house at all. She was very nice to the other houses but strict with the house, and even those in the house admit her actions had merit. The house was the one to start the rumors. They alienated her so why wouldn't the girl find comfort with others? With Eagles, Snakes, and Badgers? [9]
The muggleborn ran, probably going to give a tantrum. She huffed and walked to her favorite spot. "And may I ask why you always slither by, Tom?" The girl turned to a boy with dark brown eyes and dark hair. His skin was really pale but so was most of the Slytherin and Ravenclaw students's skin. "Why are you always away from your den?" He responded. She rolled her eyes and gave a soft laugh. "Did you hear what the Headmaster is trying to do?" He asked. "Yes, werewolf students. If he wins it'll be a proper step forward." Tom could never understand what the girl saw in Creatures. He never asked if she was one, or related to one, because he didn't know if that was appropriate. "Why do you think so?" She gave a whimsical look out at the lake. "Most students and those beyond listen to what is printed. Savages, dangerous, infectious, etc. but at the end of the day, who did we truly turning away? Victims. By turning them away, we are also proving how unfair our society is, not just along the lines of racism but also along who we side with. They are trying to allow Light creatures like nekos and winged ones in but they fight against dark creatures such as Veela, Werewolves, Vampires, and even grey ones like the Forest Ladies and Lords, imps, and kitsunes. It's unfair when they too have magic, minds of their own. Imagine the new potions and spells we could achieve if they understand spell theory, understand potion theory, understand our magical traits and how they align within their creature. Imagine what kinds of allies we would have? If purebloods believe that it's just as pure to breed with a creature as it is with another pureblood, then why do we push them away?" That's why he liked being around her, even if she's the Transfiguration teacher's daughter. She didn't let her father's opinion, or anyone else's, stop her. However, he didn't understand what this pull he had with her was. Perhaps they would leave later, but right now he was going to enjoy Lyra Dumbledore's presence. [10]
The past can only be lived and thought about in the ways of what one could have done.
Edited;
Editors Notes
1 ~ The classic asshole moment of the series.
2 ~ I do enjoy how you show how protective the houses are for one of their own. It's nice to have a change of pace.
3 ~ I'm glad we get to hear the opinions of a few teachers. Again, this makes it feel enjoyable. In a way, it feels organic.
4 ~ Sexual Tension.
5 ~ So your OC, Lyra. I'm interested in how you are using her. So far, she's more so like a child in a palace. The ones who always get into trouble but know all the secrets. Or at least that's how you've presented the audience with her.
6 ~ Oh, is Lyra being used in the archetype of Wise Elder? If so, I like that concept. People disregard the paintings overall and wouldn't think about their usefulness. All anyone has ever cared about was the lady that Guards the Gryffindor Common Room.
7 ~ What a sad tone. Reminds me of a mourning princess locked away, almost.
8 ~ Kid, she ain't taking your sob story.
9 ~ I love what I am hearing. I can hear that pure Gryffindor with your words. At the same time I hear a little bit of Slytherin and Ravenclaw as well. If you keep it up, she might just be the best character you've written about, Bella.
10 ~ I'm stunned. Where do I start? She's definitely close Tom Riddle. I am amazed at her beliefs and morals you've so far presented. I'm excited for when you allow me and the audience to hear about her magic prowess.