Merlin's Apprentices

Chapter 13

Peter walked into the Great Hall nervously. He was being sorted first, and hoped he would get sorted into the same house as his new friend. He approached the stool and sat down, the hat being placed on top of his head by the strict teacher.

Not long after, the hat shouted, "Gryffindor!"

Harry stood and cheered with the rest of his house as Peter joined them. He sat beside Harry and watched the first years get sorted. Colin got sorted into Gryffindor as well and sat beside Peter.

After the sorting ceremony, food appeared on platters and Peter served himself some pasta. It wasn't nearly as good as his dad's, but it was good.

"So, Peter, what do you think of Hogwarts so far?" Harry asked.

"It's beautiful," Peter answered honestly. "I can't decide if I like it or not yet, since I haven't been to any classes."

"Fair enough," Harry conceded with a nod. The rest of the meal was finished in a comfortable silence.

After supper, the two followed the crowd up to the common room. Harry held onto Cleo tightly, feeling slightly overwhelmed by all the people. His familiar didn't seem to mind and let him pet her soft fur with a purr.

Once in the dorms, Harry found Ron all bruised. "What happened to you, mate?" He asked in concern as he waved his wand to perform a healing spell he had picked up from Merlin.

"Hermione told me flying that stupid car was a bad idea," the redhead grumbled. "I should have listened. Now, we might be expelled if that git gets his way and Dad's gonna have an inquisition. Mum's probably furious."

Harry paled at the thought of his two best friends being expelled. "Who's trying to get you expelled?" he asked.

"Snape! Who else?"

"Sev?" Harry asked. His shock quickly turned to anger, and he strode out of the room, Peter following.

"Harry, calm down. It will do no good to go yelling at a teacher."

"He knows what they mean to me," Harry hissed.

"At least take a few breaths and calm down before you confront him! Or are you wanting to get expelled too?"

Harry stopped and took his friend's advice.

"Harry? Why aren't you in your dorms?" a voice asked from behind them.

Harry whipped around with a glare. "I trusted you," he hissed.

Severus sighed and gestured for them to follow him. Once they were in his office, he said, "I don't know what you've been told, Harry. I was sent to wait for your friends. I informed them of the possibility of being expelled and that they were seen. I am currently trying to find a way to convince Dumbledore to let them off with detention."

Harry deflated. "I'm sorry, Sev."

Severus just smiled sadly. "It's alright, Harry. I know how important they are to you."

Harry sighed. "Peter, meet our potions professor, Severus Snape. Sev, meet Peter Stark. He's my friend. Absolute genius."

"Really?" Severus looked interested. "How are you at potions?"

Harry snorted. "Sev, do you really think Dumbledore will allow you to have two private students?"

"I'll ask Minerva," Severus said dismissively.

Peter blushed. "I'm fairly good," he said. "I'm a good brewer, but I'm rubbish with the theory part of it."

"You two would work well together, then. I'll speak with Minerva. You two should head off to bed before curfew."