บท 10: The-Potions-Master.
I read it, look.
Where?
The tall one with glasses?
Did you see his face?
Did you see the scar?
The murmurs followed Harry from the moment he left his dormitory the next day to resume his daily exercise routine throughout the week. The kids who lined up outside the common rooms and corridors stood on tiptoe to catch a glimpse, or walked back and forth in the corridors to catch a second glance at him.
Harry wished they wouldn't, because he was slightly sweaty from his morning training, and he had found the perfect place for it. Being situated on the edge of the castles, Harry had found a sort of grand sports field, the perfect place for him to run, exercise, and keep his Kenjutsu skills sharp.
All of this had been happening for about a week since the start of classes, with her daily routine being the subject of speculation by everyone.
At the time he was there, he thought it was good because there was no one to disturb him, however, as it went on, older students started to appear who were going to practice Quidditch, and students who were studying in the stands.
There Harry could see that it was time to return to his dormitory and finally get dressed for the first potions class he would have of the year, ending the first week off in order for the students to prepare and finish their tasks imposed from the previous year.
Finding himself currently, Potter immediately hurried his pace to his dormitory, took a quick shower, got dressed as instructed, and then went out in search of the class in which he would have lessons.
He remembered that he had managed to feed all the creatures in his suitcase, some of them scared him, however, they were very receptive so that at the very least they did not show hostility towards him.
[ ... ]
There were one hundred and forty-two staircases at Hogwarts, wide and imposing, narrow and precarious, some that led to a different place on Fridays, others with a step in the middle that disappeared and you had to remember to jump over it.
Also, there were doors that wouldn't open unless you asked them to, or tickled them in the right place, and doors that weren't really doors at all, but solid walls pretending to be doors. It was also very hard to remember where things were, because everything seemed to change places so often, really messing up the mental map Harry was trying to create.
The people in the portraits went out to visit each other, and Harry was sure the coats of arms moved.
The ghosts were no help either. It was always a horrible shock when one of them burst through a door you were trying to open. Nearly Headless Nick was always happy to point Gryffindors in the right direction, but Peeves the poltergeist would represent two closed doors and a false staircase if you met him when you were late or just walking. He would dump wastepaper baskets on people's heads, pull rugs out from under their feet, pelt them with bits of chalk, or sneak up behind them, unseen, and grab them by the nose and screech, "I'VE GOT HER BY THE PUSSY!"
It was a novelty for Harry, who for the second time had had contact with the poltergeist, had aimed to face Harry who again handed him something that he dropped.
Making Peeves stare at him without reacting, only to disappear from his side and go and annoy other students.
However, none of this was a problem for Harry, there was only something that showed some contempt for him, that being the caretaker, Argus Filch.
Harry had managed to earn his ill will in the first few days, when Filch found him trying to force his way through a door that, unfortunately, was the entrance to the forbidden corridor on the third floor. He did not want to believe that he was lost, because he was sure that someone was trying to break it down on purpose and threatened to lock him in the dungeons, an act that had been repeated four more times on different days, only for the caretaker to notice Harry's presence, when he was saved by Professor Snape, who was passing by.
Right away, Potter could tell that this professor didn't like himself either, or perhaps he didn't like his physical appearance, which certainly seemed to affect the professor, making him angry.
However, in the midst of this, curiosity was greater to discover why an eleven-year-old boy had the complete and mature appearance of a true adult.
At this point, as Snape was heading to the dungeons, where he would teach his first lesson to the first years, he immediately warned Harry to follow him so as not to be late for his lesson.
- Professor Snape... can you answer a question for me? - Harry asked as he walked beside the man, and to his surprise, Harry didn't show any hint of apprehension as his voice suggested, or fear of talking to him, but rather seemed to be faking the way he was talking to suit the environment and company.
- Classes have barely started and you already want to be in front of the class, Potter. - Snape said as he made Harry smile, because he knew well how to act around someone who will always be there to needle him or try to make him uncomfortable, thus seeing that he doesn't need to pretend to be a fragile little lamb.
- Aren't you the head of the Slytherin house? The house that creates genius students, who always aim to be at the top? - Harry said as he straightened his posture, with the man looking at him strangely. - I know I'm a beginner in all this magic and wizarding world, but if I want to learn about everything, I shouldn't hold back from asking. - Harry finished with Snape looking away after a short grunt.
- Tell me, what are you unsure about? - The potions teacher said seriously, with a slight tone of coldness.
- I was reading a few days ago about potions... and there was one in particular, about "Curing Boils", it says it is mandatory knowledge for any teenage wizard. - Harry began under the older man's gaze. - I tried to read and reread everything about it, and in theory I understood how to do it... Could you tell me when and where I can test this, in practice? - Harry asked, with minimal surprise from the professor who could not imagine the son of "that guy", wanting to learn potions.
- Are you telling me that you understood the theory of a potion in a few days, just by reading it in a book, without any practice? - Snape asked, not believing Harry's words. - Then tell me everything you understood about her, and depending on your answer I will see what I can do. - Finally, the man in black robes said.
Seeing that they both ended up entering the dungeons which consisted of a place made of stones, in a very medieval and dark style. Harry promptly began:
Potion to Cure Boils: This potion, as its name suggests, is used to cure boils, but it can also be used as a cure for acne and oiliness. The potion can be ingested or applied to the part of the body affected by the boil. You should be careful with this potion, as one of the most common mistakes is to add the porcupine bristles while the potion is on the fire. If this happens, the solution may explode, causing boils on the skin.
Causes : Boil! It is a skin disease caused by the inflammation of the hair follicles, which results in a build-up of pus and dead tissue, one of the most common examples being blackheads on the skin and pimples.
Ingredients:
- 1 liter of water;
- 3 Cooked Slugs;
- 5 Porcupine Bristles;
- 6 Dried Nettle Leaves;
- 2 Snake Fangs.
Preparation: Place the water in the cauldron and heat it. While it is heating, cook the slugs in a separate container with hot water. When the water in the cauldron is hot, add the dried nettle leaves. After cooking the slugs, let them cool and then add the snake fangs and slugs to the solution in the cauldron. Mix the solution slowly and let it cook for a few more minutes until it acquires a homogeneous and viscous form. Remove the cauldron from the heat and only then add the porcupine bristles in order to obtain a silver color, mixing it twenty times clockwise and five times counterclockwise. Let the potion cool and then it can be used.
Harry, who dictated everything, surprised the professor even more, because in books the theories are basic, and not detailed explanations of preparation methods and things like that. Especially not in any book that he knew, and with such a detailed explanation, it seemed more like Potter himself wanted to write his own potions book with original recipes.
- And this is what I learned in theory..., in my opinion, everything is correct, but I don't want to make hasty decisions before carrying out the practical process. After all, the main error in the potion is in the clockwise and counterclockwise stirring, which can cause serious errors if they are carried out irregularly - Harry finally said, already inside the potions room.
The professor had been quiet until then as he walked to his desk and arranged his bag of materials. He soon looked at Harry, where he saw in his eyes a great desire to obtain knowledge. Something often seen in Slytherins, but without the tone of arrogance and superiority always present in them.
- Very well, Potter! I will admit that your search for knowledge is something commendable... if you continue like this in my class, you will be given free access to my potions classroom for at least two hours a day, and since you are a divergent... you can always look for me in the private Slytherin common room. - Snape said, making Harry smile. - But do not think that everything will be given to you on a silver platter... I do not accept any mess in my classes, anything that gets dirty will have to be cleaned up, and when you are in my presence, you will have to answer a short random questionnaire about which potion you are studying. - Finally, the professor said, gesturing for Potter to sit down.
In which he soon found a free place between Hermione and Ron, who, like the other students, were surprised by the friendly conversation between these two.
Where Snape had a terrible history of cutting any student off on the spot, making him have to look for his own answers in books.
"What do we have today?" Harry asked Ron as he placed his books under the table.
- The morning period will be only potions with the Slytherin people. - Ron replied. - But that doesn't matter, what's all this talk with Snape. - Ron continued as if he had betrayed Gryffindor.
- Well, I never thought I should stop asking questions to a teacher, just because they are head of different houses. - Harry said as if it were obvious under the redhead's silence and Hermione's laughter that made the boy not like it at all. - Besides, if something goes wrong it's my problem, because I know very well what I'm doing.
[ ... ]
Snape, who was immediately ready to start taking attendance in the classroom, when he got to Harry Potter's name, stopped for a second as if he wanted to say something, but then continued normally with Harry taking attendance.
He demonstrated an unparalleled seriousness and superiority in front of the various children in the room who avoided looking him in the eye. Only to have Harry staring at him carefully with a quill in his hands in which they waited to start writing down topics from the class.
- You are here to learn the subtle science and exact art of potion-making... - Snape began. He spoke barely above a whisper, but they did not miss a word. The man had a special gift for holding the attention of all the students without a whisper when he spoke. - Since we do not make foolish gestures with wands here until you are ready, many of you may think that this is not magic. I do not expect you to truly understand the beauty of a cauldron simmering over a slow fire, with the smoke shimmering, the delicate power of liquids that flow through human veins and bewitch the mind, confound the senses...
"I can teach you how to bottle fame, how to cook glory, even how to zombify if you're not the bunch of airheads you usually send me to teach." More silence followed this little speech. Harry and Ron tried not to miss a word. Hermione Granger was sitting on the edge of her desk and looked desperate to start proving that she wasn't an airhead.
Only when the professor noticed Harry's attention on him did he say in test:
- Potter! - Snape said suddenly, scaring some students.
- What would I get if I added powdered asphodel root to a wormwood infusion? - Snape asked where he knew Harry was a beginner, and he certainly didn't know that.
The room fell into a slightly awkward silence for a few seconds, as Harry felt his right arm tingle. It was right where he had asked Ollivander to magically bind his second wand, the wand of destiny coated in the tears of death itself.
- "They produce a sleeping potion so strong that it is known as the Draught of Living Death." - A deep voice echoed through Harry's mind, who, looking to the sides and front, noticed Hermione with her arm raised, so he immediately answered without knowing if it was the right thing to do.
- Hm... They produce a sleeping potion so strong that it is known as the Draught of Living Death, if I'm not mistaken that's what it is. - Harry answered as he saw Hermione lower her hand while staring at him in amazement that he knew the answer. As did the whole class, and the teacher who didn't expect him to actually answer.
- And if I asked you, where would you go to get a bezoar ? - Again Snape asked a question, with Hermione throwing her hand up, under Snape's ignorance.
- "A bezoar is a stone taken from a goat's stomach and can save you from most poisons." - Again a voice said, Harry doubting that it was someone in the room.
- The bezoar is a stone taken from the stomach of a goat and can save you from most poisons. - Harry answered seriously to the professor who had leaned on his desk in an intimidating way and looked him in the eyes. - But I would advise you to first consult an emergency doctor or run to some supplier of such a product, money is nothing if you are already dead after losing money eviscerating a goat.
- What is the difference, Potter, between lycoctone aconite and aconite lapel? - Snape asked loudly with extreme suspicion for such an answer from Potter, and upon hearing this Hermione raised her left hand towards the ceiling of the dungeon in an attempt for her to answer.
Harry felt bad for the girl, he could understand his teacher's test there, and anyway, ignoring it like that was not a very mature attitude for someone teaching a subject.
- "They are plants of the same botanical genus." - Finally the voice appeared as it disappeared vaguely in a feeling that it was moving further and further away.
- They are plants of the same botanical genus. And I believe that in No-Maj society there is also a plant called aconite, but it is one of the most poisonous plants in the Earth's flora, and if I'm not mistaken... in mythological fictions, such a plant serves as an incredible nerf for werewolves. - Harry answered quickly, to the surprise of the class who didn't know that, and Draco turned around, completely interested in the No-Mag stories of werewolves. - Now, why don't you ask questions to other students who also want to participate in the class, instead of continuing this little psychological test... Well, know that if you want to challenge me in a test like that, you will need your wand to beat me. - Harry said, trying to show that he would not remain silent to any injustice there, under the smug laughter of Snape who did not believe that this little creature that came out of James Potter's sack would challenge him on equal terms, but without any arrogance and still with reason in his arguments, not giving the potions master a chance to take points from such a student who answered everything correctly and even included interesting facts to study.
He could hate Potter's appearance, which looked a lot like someone he didn't like from his past, but his style of speaking, his expressions, his way of acting... All of this reflected a personality similar to an old friend of Snape's.
- Very well... Ten points to Gryffindor for answering questions on an advanced subject in your opinion..., but as it is a divergent, ten points will be awarded to each house. - Snape said reluctantly, as he had really lost in this failed attempt to see Potter despair. - Now tell me! Why aren't you taking notes? I may clearly not have an empty-headed student, but I highly doubt that everyone here knows the answers I was given - Finally the potions master asked seriously, to the surprise of everyone who soon picked up their quills and started taking notes of Snape's questions, and whispered to themselves about which parts of Harry's answer they had missed.
Things didn't get any better for the Gryffindor students as the Potions class continued. Snape separated them into pairs and ordered them to mix a simple potion to cure boils. He had an incredible taste for psychologically attacking the Gryffindor students, but as always, Harry was there, getting into conflict with him and always responding to everything without fail, or even sharpening his gaze at the teacher who never stopped staring at him and seemed to feel like he was being watched by a predator, that is when he childishly attacked a student, and everything stopped when Snape seemed to behave.
Harry didn't know that this potion would be included in the first class of this subject, and Snape liked Potter's surprised look, because he could see that the boy studied a potion for his own interest, and not to suck up to him.
He walked imposingly in his long black cloak, watching them weigh dried nettles and crush snake fangs, criticizing almost everyone except Draco and Harry, who formed a pair and for the first time managed to talk normally in favor of the potion working.
Because until recently, he had only seen the boy demonstrate an enormous ego, along with a childish rivalry with Ron, in which the boy tried not to make a mistake in the potion alongside Hermione who had been criticizing him at all times.
So, Harry quickly dictates:
- Let's do it like this, Malfoy. - Harry said after he and the boy prepared all the correct quantities of the potion. - I'll take care of the first stage, while you help me with the ingredients, and in the second stage we switch positions and you take care of the mixing. - Harry informed with the consent of the boy who soon went to the side of the bench under Snape's attention right behind.
Harry and Malfoy, who had already put the water to boil in the cauldron exactly ten minutes ago, began to cook the three slugs in a separate container with hot water...
As a few short minutes passed, with the water heating up even more, Potter added six leaves of dried nettles passed by Malfoy.
At the same time that Malfoy was providing his assistance, he aimed to write everything down on his parchment.
Harry, who had already seen the slugs cooked, turned off the heat and poured the hot water down the drain on the counter, where he had let it cool over the minutes while he wrote down his part of the article.
Just in response to the slugs cooling down, add the 2 snake fangs and the slugs to the solution in the main cauldron.
Where at that moment he had called Malfoy to come in his place while he took care of the assistance this time.
Just like Snape, many students aimed to face the main duo in the first class of the school year. Both worked very well together, where silence was predominant. Because it helped with focus, and having focus each one helped the other without having to ask, because they already knew what was done and what would follow.
Malfoy mixed the solution slowly, letting it cook for a few minutes until it acquired a homogeneous and viscous form.
Many students made mistakes in this, as they stirred the solution too quickly or added ingredients at the wrong time, which caused another reaction.
Examples of this were Neville, who had managed to melt Seamus's cauldron into a twisted blob with their potion leaking onto the stone floor, where they had made holes in the boys' shoes.
Something that Harry had quickly acted on to protect himself and his companion, where he had taken two iron stools and placed them on the floor, thus allowing the two to stand above them without being affected.
The whole class was perched on the stools while Neville, who had been drenched in potion when the cauldron melted, had his arms and legs covered in red boils that made him groan in pain.
- Stupid boy! - Snape snapped, wiping away the spilled potion with a wave of his wand. - I suppose they added the porcupine bristles before taking the cauldron off the heat? - Neville whimpered as boils began to break out on his nose and feet. - Take him to the hospital wing, - Snape ordered Seamus. Then he turned angrily to Harry, who was working across from Neville.
- You, Potter! Why didn't you tell him not to add the bristles while the fire was on? - Snape asked, trying to test Harry again. - You thought you'd look better if he got it wrong, didn't you? - Snape continued where he had looked strangely at Harry who had finished writing something down and had paid little attention to him.
For Malfoy was also focused on what he was doing, where he had asked Potter to remove the cauldron from the fire, and only then, while Harry took it to a specific place in the room, the little blond-haired boy had finished everything while adding the 5 porcupine bristles, thus slowly obtaining a perfect silver color that they had longed for when Malfoy had slowly mixed the potion twenty times clockwise and five times counterclockwise.
- Harry, who was now wiping some of the sweat from his forehead, soon looked at the rest of the room and the professor who were staring at him along with Malfoy, who didn't understand anything about their silence.
- Sorry, Snape, did I say something? - Harry asked doubtfully, because he had really acted automatically, having the function of writing down topics and preparations, performing functions in the creation of the potion, and preventing anything from affecting him and his companion along the way.
- No! Alright... and it's Professor Snape to you Potter..., but the time is right to test the potion! - Snape said seriously as he took a large vial, and through magic poured the contents of the cauldron inside.
In the eyes of many, it was just another potion. However, Snape, being a master in this field, could see the perfect solution made there. The temperature was ideal, the ingredients were in the exact measure... Even the color and texture matched a potion created at his level, but which he had not admitted out loud.
At that, still staring at her, Snape soon said:
- One point less for Gryffindor, for making such a simple and obvious mistake... - He said the same under general protest of injustice in the injured Neville. - However, fifteen more points for Gryffindor and Slytherin, both for the perfect solution I have in hand, and for the great work and perfect synchronization done by newly met first-year students from opposite houses.
- Anyway, I will just mention once again that the points obtained by Mr. Potter are currently calculated in the other houses due to him being a divergent, that is... do not be surprised if the house scores rise or fall at the same time, in the end it is all Mr. Potter's fault. - Snape said to the rest of the room.
- Here Potter! Take it to the Infirmary on the Lower Floor - West of the castle. And ask the person in charge to use this solution on the newly arrived student, Longbottom. - Finally, the professor said, since the boy's recent wounds could be treated with this potion, this was the perfect opportunity to test Potter's courage in using something he had made on a friend or not.
- Alright! - Harry said as he picked up his books and handed over Malfoy's parchment. In which the blond could see that Harry had corrected some of his handwriting mistakes and even inserted important notes used in the potion that Malfoy had forgotten to mention . - See you later, bitches. - Finally, he said, winking at Snape, taking the bottle of Boil Cure Potion, where he immediately left the potions room, not stopping laughing at the audible snort of contempt that his professor let out.
[ ... ]
It was almost lunchtime and only now Harry realized that a good amount of time had passed in the process of making the potion, where for him who was so focused, it seemed like minutes had passed. So, currently Harry was walking towards the castle's infirmary, he passed through a corridor full of students who entered the common room, others who studied on the benches there.
Only then did Harry find the infirmary before the main staircase, which he entered under the attention of some students lying on stretchers, and a Neville right at the end of the wing where he was placed under the help of Seamus and the care of a beautiful blonde woman with blue eyes, who wore a standard nurse's outfit.
- Excuse me. - Harry said, getting the attention of Seamus and the nurse, who soon stared at the medium-sized bottle in his hand.
- Severus asked me to bring this Cure Boils potion. - Harry said directly to the woman who looked at him as if she had something to say under the prominent scar on her forehead. However, she immediately dismissed Seamus, who had said goodbye to Neville, claiming that everything would be fine.
- Right time for the professor to prepare a potion. - The woman said, looking at the texture and color of the potion. - We are running low on supplies because of what happened at Gringotts, and I was already getting worried about this boy. - She finished as she placed a basin under Neville's feet, and used a kind of sponge to spread the solution over the wounds.
- Actually... it was made by me! My first potion. - Harry said under the immediate gaze of the nurse.
- Did you make it? You're great at potions, Mr. Potter - The nurse said to Harry's laughter. - Just like your mother.
- It was a two-person effort. Draco and I managed to raise her together, so don't take any credit away from the brat. - Harry added, making the woman surprised by what she heard, and even amused by Potter's way of speaking.
- So it's really true? - She said, as Potter looked doubtful. - It is true that Harry Potter is enrolled in the first year, having the appearance of a teenager on the verge of adulthood. - She continued not as a doubt, but as her own answer to his questions.
- Just Harry is already fine... Without excessive formalities, since I'm the student here and you're a superior employee. - Harry said pretending to bow, as if he had to treat her with respect, under her laughter who soon finished what she had to do.
- And he's still very sarcastic like his father! Nice to meet you, Mr. Potter... I'm Madam Pomfrey. - The blonde woman said with a happy smile. - You don't need to worry about your friend, he'll be fine until the end of the afternoon, and at night he can return to the dormitories. - The head of the infirmary finished while putting away the rest of the solution, making Harry approach Neville.
- It's almost lunch time, I'll bring you some of what's there as compensation for not noticing that you got hurt in front of me. - Harry said this, because he had noticed that he had made a mistake in the solution in front of him, but his focus had made him stay focused only on what he had to do.
- Don't bring anything too sweet... Potions and sugary foods don't work very well in harmony. - Madam Pomfrey said as she listened to what Harry said.
At that, Potter finally left the medical wing, while he now saw the corridors emptier, but still with a few students there.
[ ... ]
During lunch, the table was once again filled with a wide variety of foods.
Harry, who had already thought about Neville, promptly prepared a healthy lunch with rice, beans, salad, potatoes and chicken, with a medium glass of fresh orange juice.
He had left everything ready on his side of the table, so that everyone could hear the screeching of owls that were visiting through the open windows of the castle.
Each of them went around the tables, where they brought letters and packages that fell into the lap of each of the wizards, the most skilled ones took their belongings before they even reached the tables.
Harry, who had thought he would receive nothing, soon saw his snowy owl named Hedwig's, in which he had brought a letter along with a small note.
The bird, in response to Harry's affection, had aimed to rest affectionately on his shoulder, while nipping his ear lightly, along with eating some pieces of bacon that he had set aside, all this while many owls flew out through the window to sleep in the owlery with the other owls at school.
Seeing the smallest of the notes, Harry quickly unfolded it as he saw some very scribbled handwriting:
"Dear Harry
I know you have Friday afternoons off, so would you mind coming and having a cup of tea with me around three o'clock? I'd like to hear how your first week of school went.
Send me an answer through Hedwig's... from your friend, Hagrid."
Seeing that there wouldn't be any problem for today, since it was the first week of classes, they would only have one per day.
Harry borrowed Hermione's quill and wrote:
"Yes! I would like to, see you later."
Now seeing the letter lying on the table, he could see Ron's red face at the seal he saw on the letter. So he immediately opened it and began to read:
"Dear Harrysson James Potter! I am the general manager of the Potter accounts at Gringotts Bank.
In light of recent developments that have become news in British wizarding society, I would like to reassure you that nothing bad has happened to your bank accounts...
Everything is proceeding normally as discussed, and I apologize for any scares or mistrust towards our security system due to the unfortunate surprise invasion of what we can only theorize to be some dark wizard seeking attention.
In any case, I hope you have a good school year, and don't forget to contact me with any information or questions you may have.
I cordially bid you farewell.
Yours sincerely: Not. - Manager of the Potter Vaults."
The letter he had been reading so far had soon made him understand that such a statement was something that involved not only him, but all of Gringotts' clients who must have been worried about their inheritances after the break-in of one of the bank's vaults.
Of course, he was worried about the fact that the bank had been broken into shortly after he had left it a few days ago, but he had no doubts about them, as they were the ones who showed themselves to be on his side when he claimed to have never met his guardian.
With that in mind, Harry had quickly sent Hedwig's to deliver his reply to Hagrid and even one to his accounts manager, in which he informed him that he had no suspicions whatsoever towards the bank and that they wished him good luck in capturing the intruder who had brought so much misfortune to the Goblin race and the bank.
- I didn't know you had such contact with the important people at Gringotts. - Ron said, still strangely blushing or completely red as a pepper in Harry's perception, while the red-haired twins stared at Harry from a short distance.
- It's just an apology for the recent incident at the bank... nothing too special. - Harry said this time as he looked at Director Dumbledore who was eating with the other employees, where he had noticed his curiosity about what was happening between him and Gringotts. Noticing in the man's gaze that something must be wrong, but it didn't seem like the information in the letter that worried him, but rather the fact that Harry was capable of receiving such a letter. Something strange that he was already putting forward for investigation.
- He says "nothing too special", Gred. - George said.
- You must be filthy rich, and you're pretending to be humble, Forge. - Fred continued with a smug look at Harry.
- You must think we're muggles, wait... - Fred and George responded in chorus, in a pun that made the others laugh.
Where immediately Potter stood up with a serious look, under the attention of the people around him:
- Hm... maybe, yes, maybe not. - Harry answered enigmatically with a smile appearing on the corner of his lips that made the twins understand well. - Anyway, see you later. - Harry said as he took the lunch tray made for Neville, which he promptly walked out of the hall.
[ ... ]
It was already one in the afternoon, and at this very moment Harry saw Neville enjoying the lunch he had received. Even though it was a simple meal compared to the varieties in the common room, the taste was still delicious and he was grateful to Harry for that.
Madam Pomfrey had left the infirmary to have a quick lunch before returning to duty, leaving Harry to chat animatedly with the little boy Neville.
Harry didn't know why, but he felt a connection with the shy, chubby boy, making him want to know more about him, whether it was about his family, or knowledge of the magical world. Because he saw in that little boy, an exact image of what he was like before he had his accelerated development.
As everyone treated him badly and called him useless, Harry actually saw that this Neville Longbottom could actually be one of the greatest wizards in the future and a great ally.
- So, you mean you don't know how you became so big and strong? - Neville asked as he sat on the bed.
- Strong, not so much, I feel like an ant compared to this vast new wizarding world..., but yes, I don't know how it happened. I was always despised by my uncles, and forced to find my own support, I believe that because I was in need something inside me changed, from what they say a lot of accidental magic happens at that age. - Harry said to everyone while holding his katana. - Who knows, maybe something strange and accidental was what happened to me.
- This little beauty here has protected me from a lot of trouble, because let's face it, who would want to pick a fight with someone who walks around with an extremely sharp sword... Although I would never use its edge lightly. - Harry continued as he stared at it.
- But what about you, Neville? What is your family like? - Harry asked, immediately seeing the boy's expression fall, and he stopped eating for a short period. - Oh... I'm sorry, that was rude of me! It's difficult for me to talk about my parents too, since I haven't met any of them. - Harry continued in a way to soften the conversation.
- It's okay..., it's just... It's really hard for me to talk about them too. - Neville commented with a downcast look, seeming to find the plate on his lap completely fascinating.
- First of all! - Harry said, catching Neville's attention as he pulled his chin up. - Never lower your head when talking to someone, it shows weakness, and there are a lot of bad people out there who can take advantage of that. - With Neville's face steady to look Harry in the eyes, he seemed satisfied and smiled as he released him.
- There's no need to explain anything to anyone, but know that if you want to talk... you can trust me that I will never tell anyone. - This time Potter quoted under Neville's analytical gaze, where a strong cough from one of the patients in the infirmary made Harry's attention be obtained.
- She looks bad... she started coughing like this since Madam Pomfrey left for lunch. - Neville explained, making Harry go closer to the girl, where he could see that she had long dark hair and appeared to be in the fourth year.
Calmly touching the back of his hand under the teenager's forehead, it was noticeable that her temperature had risen to an imminent fever.
Seeing that there was no one around, Harry rummaged in a basin and filled it with water, which luckily was very cold. He took out six small towels under the full attention of Neville who did not know what he was doing.
Only then did Harry feel the girl holding his arm tightly, making her calm down, after saying that she would resolve this.
With the towels in hand, Harry sank them into the cold water of the basin, where when he turned his attention to the girl, he could see that she was wearing pajamas from the infirmary. An act that Harry immediately took advantage of to roll up the sleeves of her arms and legs, while slightly lifting her shirt, exposing part of her belly.
Neville didn't want to get involved, but he had seen it done at his house when someone had a fever, and he didn't know that Harry also used this technique to improve the symptoms.
For at the same moment that he saw everything, Harry folded each towel slightly soaked, but not excessively, in which they were placed under her legs, arms, belly, and finally under her forehead.
In a clear attempt to lower her temperature as the minutes passed.
And apparently it worked, since in the next half hour, Harry had tried to change the towels under the girl's body three times. Showing now that she was not so hot, and her breathing had normalized as she fell asleep.
- That should do it for now... - Harry said to himself as he took the basin back to a tank in that place after changing the towels one last time.
- Do you understand medical care? - Neville asked, wanting to know more about Harry.
- Let's just say I've hurt myself a lot in the past, and I had to self-medicate, I think using my own body as a guinea pig helped me discover some tricks. - Harry said in a joking tone. - And I had a job taking care of derived species at a zoo, I learned a lot from them and that many treatments work on both animals and humans.
- And they didn't hurt you? - Neville continued to ask.
- Not once, everyone has always shown affection to me... it is according to your actions that they will trust and protect you. - Harry replied as he heard the infirmary door open, with Madame Pomfrey passing through it. - Anyway! I still have some things to take care of... I'll see you later, Neville... get well soon, young man. - Harry finished with a friendly slap on his colleague's shoulder, followed by heading for the exit door, with him responding to Madam Pomfrey with a forced bow, which made the medi-witch laugh at his antics.
[ ... ]
After going to his dormitory, where he had chosen to take the time to feed each rare species of animal in his Muggle-made suitcase, Harry had abandoned his cloak and suit that he had been wearing as his standard school uniform.
He was currently quickly descending the stairs with his baby phoenix in a pocket of his shirt. He was wearing black jeans and white All-Stars that he had bought in Diagon Alley due to muggle clothing.
His shirt consisted of a wine red long sleeve that was folded up to the shoulder.
As he would have the rest of the afternoon free from classes because it was the first week of school, he chose to take this little animal to Hagrid, who would certainly captivate him even more, and could answer any questions about the best foods and how he should treat it outdoors.
The corridors were already partially empty, with only the first year children spread across the permitted areas of the castle, a way for them to familiarize themselves so as not to get lost in the castle.
Then, passing in front of the common room, Harry would promptly leave the castle in order to visit his first friend in the wizarding world, only at that moment he was approached by a little red-haired boy who prevented him from continuing.
- Harry... can I go with you to Rubeus' house? - Ron said with Harry's consent as he left the castle.
[ ... ]
It was fourteen o'clock on a large central clock at Hogwarts, at this moment Harry and Ron found themselves in front of a small wooden house on the edge of the forbidden forest. They had to go down a large hill to get there.
When Harry knocked on the door, they heard a frantic rush. Only then did the familiar voice appear.
- Back, Fang, back. - Hagrid's bearded face appeared in the crack as the door opened. - Hold on. Stand back, Fang. - He ushered them in, struggling to hold on tightly to the collar of a huge boarhound. There was only one room in the house. Hams and pheasants hung from the ceiling, a copper kettle was boiling on the stove, and in the corner was a massive bed covered with a patchwork quilt. - Make yourselves comfortable. - Hagrid said, releasing Fang, who immediately jumped on Ron and began licking his ear. Like Hagrid, it seemed obvious that Fang was not as fierce as he had expected.
"This is Ron," Harry said to Hagrid, who had gone to pour boiling water into a large pot of coffee and arrange biscuits on a plate.
- Another Weasley, huh? - Hagrid exclaimed , seeing Ron's freckles. - I spent half my life driving your brothers out of the forbidden forest.
The cornmeal cookies served to the boys nearly broke their teeth, but Harry liked them a lot, as he had never eaten many home-cooked things, and these actually tasted great when dipped in coffee.
They both told Hagrid about their first lesson that week. Fang rested his head on Harry's lap, who responded by giving the animal a long, fondling stroke.
Harry had been pleased to hear Hagrid call Filch an old guitar.
- ... As for that cat, Mrs. Norris, sometimes I feel like introducing Fang to her. Do you know that every time I go to school she follows me everywhere? I can't get rid of her. And I know that Filch is the one who tells her to do it.
Harry told Hagrid about Snape's class, and how he had acted towards the wizard... Something that had surprised Hagrid, as he had never thought of Harry acting like that, and look how it had worked out very well:
- But he seemed like he really hated me. - Harry said thinking about it.
- Nonsense! Why would I hate him? - Rubeus said, dismissing such an assumption.
"I don't know for sure, but it seems that something about my appearance bothers him," Harry continued, and he couldn't help but think that Hagrid avoided looking at him when he said this. Clearly the gamekeeper knew something, but it seemed to be personal matters.
"How's your brother, Charlie?" Hagrid asked Ron. "I liked him a lot. He was very good with animals."
Harry wondered if Hagrid had changed the subject on purpose. While Ron was telling him all about Charlie's work with dragons,
Harry picked up a piece of paper that was lying on the table under the tea cozy. It was a news clipping from the Daily Prophet.
"THE GRINGOTTS AFFAIR
Investigations continue into the break-in at Gringotts, which is believed to be the work of unknown Dark witches and wizards.
The Gringotts goblins insisted today that nothing had been stolen.
The open safe had actually been emptied earlier that day.
But we won't say what was inside, so that no one gets involved, if they have any sense, a spokesman said this afternoon."
Harry remembered Ron telling him on the train that someone had tried to rob Gringotts, along with the letter from Not himself, hours ago.
- Rubeus. - Harry began. - That break-in at Gringotts happened after we left Diagon Alley. Maybe it was happening while we were there.
There was no doubt about it, this time Hagrid had resolutely avoided looking Harry in the eye.
He mumbled something and offered him another biscuit. Harry reread the news:
"The open safe had actually been emptied earlier that day."
Hagrid had emptied vault seven hundred and thirteen, if you could call it emptying someone, and taken that lumpy little package. Was that what the thieves were looking for?
However, even having such questions, Harry understood that it was a serious matter for the gamekeeper, and he would avoid thinking about it, everything, as he had many obligations to fulfill to learn new materials and themes of the wizarding world, and not to meddle in the personal and professional life of someone who clearly did not want to insist on the subject.
Then, to lighten the mood, Harry smiled at Hagrid, making him look strange, only for Potter to put his hand in his shirt pocket, and from there he took out a small baby phoenix that was dozing off peacefully.
- Oh... So I brought her! - Hagrid said, his eyes shining with wonder, and Ron's amazement.
- I thought you could give me some tips on how to take care of her, since there is no one better than you in these matters. - Harry continued, under the gamekeeper's proud smile.
- Harry! What's this? Is it a real phoenix? - Ron was exasperated as he watched the little bird wake up and give a small yawn that released a bit of fire.
- Yes, amazing, isn't it? - Harry said, placing her under the table, which, due to the smell of food, immediately jumped towards the biscuits, while pecking at them and eating crumbs.
- Amazing!? They're very rare... If the Ministry finds out, they'll definitely try to confiscate them. - Ron said as he played with her, who tried to peck his finger aggressively, but made her look very cute. He barely noticed Potter's sharp gaze and how the air around him seemed to darken or become heavy.
- I know... your brothers told me the same thing. So I ask you not to tell anyone about this. - Harry explained. - It'll be our secret, okay? - Finally, he said with Hagrid and Ron nodding in agreement.
At this, they all continued their conversations, with Harry moving on to bake some slightly more acceptable biscuits, which had become Hagrid's favorites.
Ron had tried to play with the baby phoenix, and with that everyone's afternoon had become friendly, with their friendship growing little by little, with the bond of trust as its main source.
[ ... ]
When Harry and Ron returned to the castle for dinner, they came with two trays full of cookies in each of their hands.
This was all due to Harry having cooked too much, where he had filled Hagrid's pots, making them aim to bring him the leftovers, which were still a lot.
Once again the common room was full of students eating. However, Harry did not feel hungry, which is why he had planned to walk to the dormitory, where he had seen many students from the fourth year upwards there.
- Hey extras, you can help yourselves... I think I cooked too much. - Harry said jokingly as he left the trays on a table there, making several older students go to the table.
[ ... ]
Harry had once again fed the beasts and animals from his Muggle suitcase, each animal there required a maximum of three meals a day, and he had formed a routine to follow day after day.
Then, after a hot shower, Harry had only worn dark, loose-fitting trousers and a white T-shirt, picked up all the books he had bought in Diagon Alley, and with that he had returned to the Gryffindor hall, where they had some older students who were eating their prepared biscuits and trying to dry them without a hint of shame.
However, under total ignorance of Potter, who had placed all the books next to a sofa, where he lay down and began reading the first book, in reference to Transfiguration.
Many older students were now situated under this tower, due to the fact that before the start of the school year, they had renovated it, making the junction of all years into one large tower with separate dormitories.
Making them have more contact with older and more experienced people.
Harry didn't know if he was doing well in this initiation into the magical world, but the looks of many students in his house certainly aimed to show that he was already someone very popular and well-known.
He just had trouble knowing whether this would be good or bad.
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And with that we end the ninth chapter of Changed Prophecy, I hope you are enjoying it, and don't forget to comment.
A warning: This story has my idea of going from the Philosopher's Stone to the Deathly Hallows, so please help by leaving comments, it is really demotivating when you create something, and no one comments.
Anyway, I await everyone in the comments below, see you later guys XD
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Madam Pomfrey:
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สถานะพลังงานรายสัปดาห์
-- การจัดอันดับด้วยพลัง 
-- หินพลัง