Riptides (Fred Weasley Fan Fiction)

Chapter 12

The first week at Hogwarts was rather busy. Lyssie started her lessons right away and she spent most of her time in the classrooms or walking from one room to another. She enjoyed the lessons a lot, even though they were completely different to what she knew.

They very rarely had lessons with Slytherins only. Usually, some other house would join them to study in a huge group. She had it all written down in the schedule she got when they first arrived. They had Transfiguration with Ravenclaws, History of Magic with Ravenclaws and Potions with Gryffindors. Very rarely there were less than forty people in the classroom. Runes were the only exception, because it appeared that not so many people wanted to attend this class.

Lyssie found most of the lessons interesting, to say the least. Surely, her dad was able to teach her a lot, but he couldn't answer all of her questions. He was right that there is a lot of fantastic teachers at Hogwarts. Fred was telling her a lot about Snape and how awful he was, but, to her surprise, Lyssie really enjoyed having classes with him. She loved Potions from the start, and she really appreciated how demanding Snape was.

"I see a new face," he said during their first lesson together. "Let's put Miss Black's abilities to the test. What ingredients do you need to brew a Draught of Living Death, Miss?"

Lyssie recited all the ingredients with no problem whatsoever. She knew that you had to start with some standard potion water, to which you add Infusion of Wormwood, prepared in advance. Then, you need to add a portion of Powdered Root of Asphodel and stir it twice clockwise. Next, you add Sopophorous bean's juice and sloth brain, and stir it again, seven times this time, anti-clockwise. She didn't hesitate a single time when she was listing the items. Snape looked impressed, as Lyssie gave him a big smile.

"Very good," he said not showing any emotions. "You've just earned your first ten points for Slytherin, Black."

Lyssie enjoyed Transfiguration as well. Professor McGonagall was able to share her knowledge so well and most of the students understood her instruction right away. She was quite demanding as well, but way more sympathetic than Snape.

History of Magic, however, soon became a nightmare. Professor Cuthbert Binns, who run this class, was a ghost, which Lyssie found rather amusing at first. It soon turned out that it was very difficult to keep your eyes open during his lessons. Binns spoke in a monotone voice, due to which, even the most interesting stories of battles or amazing discoveries became a bedtime story.

Lyssie had a chance to meet some of her peers as well. To her surprise, most of them were incredibly nice to her. First off, there was Draco Malfoy, the first Hogwarts student she ever met. Lyssie enjoyed his company, even though she felt that he was hiding something from her. He didn't show his emotions very easily, which made him seem secretive. Through Draco, Lyssie met some of his friends: Theodor Nott, Blaise Zabini and (unfortunately) Pansy Parkinson. The boys were a good laugh, but Pansy, on the other hand, seemed not to like her too much. Lyssie thought that the events on the train were at fault, but she still tried to speak to Pansy and sort things out. They shared a dormitory, after all.

"Pansy, can we talk for a minute?" Lyssie said one day.

"I'm going to class," Pansy answered dryly. "Maybe later."

"We start in fifteen minutes. I'm sure you'll make it in time."

Pansy frowned and sat down on her bed. Lyssie took the place on hers and started explaining everything.

"I don't want you to be my enemy," he said as she finished explaining what really happened on the train. "Us girls should stick together."

"So, Draco and you are not together?" she tried to make sure for the thousandth time that day.