CHAPTER SEVEN

Lyra didn't really know what to think of her first week of classes in Hogwarts. Charm had been a strange experience, Professor Flitwick, whom she was quite sure was at least a half-goblin, had fallen of his improvised platform made of books on a chair when he had reached her name. At this, Draco and her had exchanged a look of astonishment. The rest of the class was less interesting, the Professor explicated his subject, what they would do during the year and let them ask some questions. At the end of the first class, he told them that for now they would only work on theory.

History of magic, which the Slytherins shared with the Hufflepuffs, could be described with two words: utterly boring. The prime example of that declaration was the number of students which had fallen asleep in only fifteen minutes. Lyra considered herself quite good at hiding her feelings, but even her had trouble hiding her boredom, thankfully the Professor was a ghost who seemed to never noticed his students.

Transfiguration was just like Charm, but on the second class of the week they practiced turning a match into a needle, that was the first bit of magic that they did in classes, they all managed to do the spell after a few try. Professor McGonagall was a strict teacher but seemed fair, never unjustly taking point away and awarded them when necessary.

Defense Against the Dark Arts, a class that Lyra had truly been waiting for, was a disappointment. Professor Quirrell's stutter ruined everything. Maybe what he was saying could be interesting, but the way he talked disturbed the student's concentration. But peculiar things happened every time his back faced her. Her scar burned and itched her. But that was not the only thing, she sensed something but couldn't place it, when he faced her again, it all stopped. Yes, the class was a disappointment but the Professor was quite peculiar.

Herbology, as interesting that as it could be, did not attract the young girl that much, after all it reminding her too much of the time she spend working on the garden in the Dursley's household.

The true high light of the week was when they had Potions with the Gryffindor. Severus' speech spiked her interest even more. She did have some lessons lead by Severus with Draco during the years she spent in the Malfoy's house, but she found out that it was different than the ones in Hogwarts, Severus reacted differently and well there was the Gryffindors...no need to say more in her opinion. Yes, Potions was without a doubt her favorite subject. Especially when Severus put that ginger headed boy in his place. She had seen him looking at her all week like he wanted to say something but seemed to restrain himself during the DADA class they had together. His patience finally broke on Friday, while the House of Snakes and Lions waited to enter the Potions' class. He said something about her not being in her rightful House, that she should go ask the old fool to be resorted and that he would happily guide her there, she stopped listened to him when he began talking about how they would be the best of friends and about how evil her House was. Lyra thought she heard him talk about her parents, but he had completely lost her attention by now. He had been stopped in his speech when Severus opened the door and ushered them inside. By the look he had on and his questioning there were no doubts that he had heard it all.

FLASHBACK

"Weasley! Tell me what will I get if I add Powdered Root of Asphodel to an infusion of Wormwood?" asked Severus with a blank stare.

Lyra watched with curiosity the boy fidget in his chair, he sure was nervous to have the teacher's attention on him.

"I... I don't know" he stuttered in response.

"You will call me Sire, Weasley. Let's try again, where would you look if I tell you to find me a Bezoar?" continued Severus with a slight sneer.

"I don't know, Sire" repeated the boy quietly with a reddening face.

Severus huffed in annoyance and his sneer grew. Lyra allowed a slight smirk to appear on her face, a more discreet reaction than her housemates who were gleefully giggling and whispering to each other.

"One last chance Weasley. What is the difference between Monkshood and Wolfbane?

-I don't know, Sire" the ginger said again more forcefully with a face and ears as bright as his hair.

"It seems like you thought you could come in this class without even opening your book. I expect more from my students. Ten points from Gyffindor."

Lyra enjoyed the way the boy managed to get even more red in anger and clenched his hands, she barely contained her bubbling laughter. Serves him well for insulting her House and looking down on her.

"Now, who could answer this questions?" he asked while purposefully avoiding looking at the Gryffindor girl who had been agitating her hand in the air since his first question.

His stare stopped on Lyra and raised one eyebrow at her.

"If we add Powdered Root of Asphodel to an infusion of Wormwood we make a sleeping potion so powerful it is known as the Draught of Living Death. A Bezoar is a stone, taken from the stomach of a goat and it will save you from most poisons. And finally, Monkshood and Wolfbane are the same plant which also goes by the name of Aconite" dutifully answered Lyra.

"Ten points to Slytherin for answering correctly."

Lyra looked back to the ginger haired boy to see him glowering at her, she chuckled at this. When she locked eyes with Severus, she noticed she wasn't the only one who find all this entertaining if the little amusement she could see in his eyes were anything to go by.

END FLASHBACK

Yes, she was sure she would be quite entertained in this class.

The true downside of this first week were the people. People staring at her. People pointing her out. People talking about her. People following her. People, people, people. Lyra never was a really social person. She knew how useful it could be and knew how to use it. But if she could help it, she would shy away from everyone and just stay with the persons she was comfortable with, which could be counted with the fingers of one hand. She only socialized when she needed to when she was with the Malfoys, and at that time she was just Edonna Black, a lady of the House of Black. But now she was Lyra Potter, the Girl Who Lived. Seeing them all, she wondered why people were asking why she didn't like other people.

Sighing, Lyra stopped her wandering thoughts and looked back at the letter she had received during lunch. She had wondering when he would decide to officially step in her life, it seemed it was for today.

"Miss Potter,

I hope this letter finds you well and that you enjoyed your first week in Hogwarts.

I would like to officially introduce myself to you and have the pleasure of acquainting myself with you. I know for a fact that you have no classes this afternoon. I will wait for you in my office today at 3:00. We could enjoy some tea and biscuits for the occasion.

Best regards,

Albus Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledore

Headmaster of Hogwarts

PS: I find myself quite fond of licorice."

After quietly casting a tempus, Lyra got up from her sit in the library and put her things back in her school bag before taking her leave of her housemates and making her way out of the library and to the Headmaster's office. She had previously asked an upper year how to go there and he had quickly drew her a map.

In front of the gargoyle that blocked the path to the Headmaster's office, Lyra shrugged in a why-not-way and said:

"Licorice." and saw the gargoyle move to let her pass.

At the top of the stairs, she saw an imposing door and knocked.

"Enter" said an elderly voice.

The young heiress took a deep breath and put her hand on the door handle.

May the game begin.