Drarry Soulmates AU

Breakfast and Mandrakes

Harry, Draco, Ron and Hermione sit at breakfast the next morning when James starts walking along the table handing out timetables, learning everyone's names as he does "Morning kids, hear are your timetables." he tells them. "Thanks dad." Harry smiles. "I'll see you four later, I still need to hand the rest of these out." James says, ruffling Harry's hair before moving on. "We've got Herbology first." Draco tells everyone, looking at their timetable. Harry nods and starts eating, groaning when he sees Lockhart moving their way "Please don't stop here." he mutters. "Ah, Harry my boy. Looking forward to your first lesson with me later?" he asks. Harry goes to respond but is cut off by Lockhart "Why am I asking? Of course you are. Now no need to worry, it won't be too difficult. I'm sure you'll be able to handle it, especially after taking care of He Who Must Not Be Named as a baby. I suppose you're nearly as famous as me because of it, I know it's not quite as good as winning Witch Weekly's Most Charming Smile Award five times in a row as I have, but it's a start Harry, it's a start. I'll see you and your friends in class." he smiles, showing all his white teeth before walking off. Draco, Harry and Ron all look at each other before bursting into hysterics "Why are you laughing? I've read all his books. What he's done is amazing." Hermione tells them. "You can't believe everything you read, especially if it's written by someone with an ego as big as his." Draco tells her.

James, having finished handing out the rest of the timetables, heads over to them "What were you three laughing about?" he asks, sitting next to Harry and stealing a slice of his toast. "Lockhart." Ron responds. James nods "Understandable, what'd he say?" he asks. "Apparently he's more famous than Harry." Ron starts. . "And defeating You Know Who isn't as impressive as winning Witch Weekly's Most Charming Smile." Draco continues. "Five times in a row." Harry finishes. James joins in with the boys laughter as Hermione huffs slightly "I wouldn't get your hopes up. I didn't tell you this but the only reason he got the job was because Dumbledore hired him before being removed. Minnie doesn't believe a word he's written and to be honest neither do Lily or I." James tells them. Harry nods as James stands up "I'll see you before lunch." he tells them before ruffling Harry's hair again and walking off towards the head table. Looking over Harry sees his mum making him wave to her, smiling she waves back 'I'll see you later' she mouths. Nodding Harry turns back to his friends "We better head to Herbology." he tells them, making them nod. They stand up and leave the Great Hall, heading towards the greenhouses for their first lesson of the year.

The four friends arrive at the greenhouses to find Professor Sprout waiting for everyone to arrive "We're in Greenhouse Three today." she tells them, taking a large key out her pocket. There's a slight murmur, everyone knowing that greenhouse had far more interesting and dangerous plants. Once everyone is in they all turn to Professor Sprout who stands behind a bench, holding about twenty different pairs of ear muffs, in the center of the greenhouse "We'll be repotting Mandrakes today. Now, who can tell me the properties of the Mandrake?" Professor Sprout asks. Hermione's hand immediately shoots into the air, no one being surprised "Mandrake, or Mandragora, is a powerful restorative. It is used to return people who have been transfigured or cursed to their original state." she explains. "Excellent. Ten points to Gryffindor. The Mandrake forms an essential part of most antidotes. It is also, however, dangerous. Who can tell me why?" Professor Sprout asks. Hermione's hand shoots up again "The cry of the Mandrake is fatal to anyone who hears it." she responds. "Precisely. Take another ten points. Now, the Mandrakes we have here are still very young." Professor Sprout explains, pointing towards a row of deep trays that have several little plants growing in them "Everyone take a pair of earmuffs." she tells everyone. A scramble ensues as everyone tries to get earmuffs that aren't pink and fluffy "When I tell you to put them on, make sure your ears are completely covered. When it is safe to remove them, I will give you the thumbs-up. Right, earmuffs on." Professor Sprout tells everyone.

All the students put their earmuffs on, blocking out all sound, Professor Sprout puts on her own earmuffs and rolls up her sleeves before grabbing one of the plants. As she pulls the plant out Harry and Draco look at each other in surprise, not expecting to see an extremely ugly baby with leaves instead of hair. They watch as Professor Sprout puts the clearly bawling Mandrake in a large pot, burying it in fresh, dark, damp compost so only the leaves show. Professor Sprout dusts off her hands before giving the students the thumbs up, removing her own earmuffs the same time as them "As our Mandrakes are only seedlings, their cries won't kill yet. However, they will knock you out for several hours, and as I'm sure none of you want to miss your first day back, make sure your earmuffs are securely in place while you work. I will attract your attention when it is time to pack up. Five to a tray, there is a large supply of pots here. Compost in the sacks over there and be careful of the Venemous Tentacula, it's teething." she says, giving said paint a slap as it sneaks over her shoulder. The four friends are joined at their table by a curly haired Hufflepuff "Justin Finch-Fletchley. Know who you are, of course, the famous Harry Potter... And you're Hermione Granger - always top in everything. And you're Draco Malfoy, everyone expected you to be in Slytherin. And Ron Weasley, wasn't it you who broke your wand on the train?" Justin rambles.

Draco and Ron look slightly annoyed at this but don't have a chance to say anything as Justin starts talking again "That Lockhart's something, isn't he? Awfully brave chap. Have you read his books? Id have died of fear if Id been cornered in a telephone booth by a werewolf, but he stayed cool and - zap - just fantastic. My name was down for Eton, you know. I can't tell you how glad I am I came here instead. Of course, Mother was slightly disappointed, but since I made her read Lockhart's books I think she's begun to see how useful it'll be to have a fully trained wizard in the family." he continues. Harry bites his lip as he tries not to argue back about Werewolves, knowing that they have no control when it comes to a full moon. Luckily they don't have a chance to talk anymore as they have to put their earmuffs back on as everyone starts repotting the Mandrakes. By the end of the class everyone was sweaty, aching, and covered in earth "Come on, let's go clean up before Transfiguration." Hermione suggests. Nodding the four of them head off to the closest bathrooms, washing as much dirt off as possible.