Tangled Fates

Chapter 3: First lessons

Harry, however, couldn't help but feel a twinge of embarrassment. If she had read all the books before school even started, what did that say about him? He had barely made it through A History of Magic without dozing off.

After lunch, the first-years filed into the dungeons for Potions with Professor Snape. The classroom was dimly lit, filled with the scent of strong herbs and bubbling cauldrons.

Snape swept into the room like a shadow, his black robes billowing as he addressed the students in a low, silky voice. His gaze lingered on Harry, his lip curling slightly as he spoke.

"You are here to learn the subtle science and exact art of potion-making," he began, his voice barely above a whisper. "I don't expect many of you to truly understand the beauty of the softly simmering cauldron... the delicate power of liquids that creep through human veins, bewitching the mind, ensnaring the senses."

Harry sat up straighter, intrigued, but the moment was short-lived.

"Mr. Potter," Snape suddenly said, making Harry's stomach drop. "Tell me, what would I get if I added powdered root of asphodel to an infusion of wormwood?"

Harry froze. He had no idea.

Hermione's hand shot up beside him, but Snape ignored her.

Harry hesitated. "I—I don't know, sir."

Snape smirked. "Tut, tut—fame clearly isn't everything."

Hermione's hand shot up, but Snape ignored her.

"Let's try again. Where would you find a bezoar?"

"Um... I don't know."

"Clearly. And what is the difference between monkshood and wolfsbane?"

Harry's face burned.

Hermione's hand waved frantically.

"For Merlin's sake, put your hand down," Snape snapped. "Potter, perhaps you should open a book before assuming you can waltz through this school on your name alone."

By the end of the class, Harry felt completely out of his depth. Hogwarts wasn't just a magical adventure—it was a real school with real lessons, and Snape had made it clear he wouldn't be treated any differently just because of his past.

That night, as the first-years settled into the Gryffindor common room, Harry found himself staring at the flickering fire, lost in thought. The Potions class had been a wake-up call. He might be famous, but that wouldn't help him in academics. He remembered the way Snape was smirking and purposefully testing him with difficult questions, and how Malfoy and his group of hyenas were snickering through the interactions. 

The fire's crackling sounds filled the room along with Hermione's little whispers as she studied and her feather scratching against the foot long parchment roll. Harry looked towards her. She was like him in a way. Born and raised in a world foreign to Magic. But Hermione, unlike Harry, had taken the sudden flip of world as an opportunity and worked hard just to get a good start. Harry looked at his bag at the side of sofa. It laid untouched there since dinner. He realized that if he didn't do anything and just go through school years like a breeze, he will become a laughing stock in Potions, will fall behind in Transfiguration too...

Harry then gets up and drags his bag towards Hermione's side of table. He sits besides her and peaks into her work. She had already filled the whole parchment with neat notes and diagrams for Potions class. Not only today's notes but from chapter ahead. He smiled proudly. She stopped writing and looks at him in a questioning manner.

Now caught, Harry stares at the well fabricated magical rug and blurts,  "H-Hermione um, I wanted to ask you  s-something." 
With her interest piqued, she asks "For what Harry?"
"I...C-can you help me um, s-study?" Now embarrassment was at its maximum for Harry. Not only he asked for something so stupidly obvious but that to a Girl! Well those were thoughts of Ron who was slouching on sofa chair across them and snickering about this little interaction.
Harry also slowly realized how stupid his request was and he was about to say "Never mind" but before her could, Hermione smiled widely. Like when you hand a toddler his favorite candy. Her smile was contagious and filled with pride. "OfCourse Harry!! We can start with a timetable first so that we can properly allot time to teach each subject and how much do you know about the basics?? Oh yeah which Parchment are you using? I use-" her train was halted by a chuckle from Harry. 

"Calm down Hermione! I am not running away." he took out his books and they both look at Ron.  "Ohnonono! don't join me with you two! I am not going to touch that accursed lecturer's notes again!"  But with a bit of persuasion, he joined them reluctantly.