"I'm sorry Headmaster," Professor Babbling apologized. as she entered Dumbledore's office. "I tried to arrive as fast as I could." She said before she noticed Harry.
"Oh, hello Professor." Harry greeted her.
"Hello H...Mr Potter," Professor Babbling replied, she had almost used his first name but was able to stop in time, she knew the other teachers would be disapproving at best if she didn't act completely professional. "hello Jet." She added to Jet who hissed in response.
"He says hello." Harry translated. Because Harry had been looking at Professor Babbling he didn't see the calculative look that had briefly appeared on Professor Dumbledore's face, Harry might have missed it but Jet hadn't.
"Mr Potter," Dumbledore spoke. "please sit down." He said as he gestured to the empty seat in front of his desk.
"Uh...okay, thank you sir." Harry nodded and sat down.
"There is no need to worry Mr Potter," Dumbledore smiled benignly. "I do apologies for this but I simply have called you up here to discuss your friend." Dumbledore said as he gestured to Jet.
"His name is Jet." Harry informed him, making sure to keep his voice polite.
"Jet? A rather interesting name, may I ask why you had chosen that for his name?" Dumbledore asked, sounding very interested.
"Well...it's because he is black, you know...like 'jet black'?" Harry replied.
"Ah yes," Dumbledore hummed. "forgive me Harry, I should have started with introductions first. You of course know Professor McGonagall and Professor Flitwick," Dumbledore gestured to each teacher, both nodding at Harry. "They are the heads of Gryffindor and Ravenclaw house, Professor Sprout is of course the head of Hufflepuff house and here we have Professor Snape, head of your house, Slytherin." Dumbledore said as he gestured to the man who seemed to have a near permanent scowl on his face. "Now, I..."
Whatever Professor Dumbledore was about to say was interrupted by a trilling sound. A second later a bird flew in and landed on the previously unoccupied perch, thought it was no ordinary bird. The bird itself was about the size of a swan, its eyes were black but its claws and long beak were gold. It had crimson feathers all over his body and a golden tail as long as a peacock's.
"The bird is magical." Jet hissed into Harry's ear.
"Ah, Mr Potter, allow me to introduce Fawkes." Dumbledore said as he gestured to the bird.
"Fawkes?" Harry echoed. "Is...do you...did you name him after Guy Fawkes?" Harry asked, looking between the Headmaster and the bird.
"Why yes, I did." Dumbledore smiled, seeing happy to just have someone who knew who Guy Fawkes was.
"Can I ask why, Professor?" Harry raised an eyebrow.
"Fawkes is a phoenix," Dumbledore stated calmly, Harry's eyebrows shot up so high and fast that they looked like they were going to shoot off of his head. "every now and then he will burst into flames, then he will be reborn from the ashes he would leave. Fawkes, is in fact my familiar." Dumbledore smiled, Harry glanced at Fawkes who looked him in the eye before looking at Jet.
"Do not even think about harming my master!" Jet hissed in a warning tone. Fawkes cocked his head to the side, he looked at the pair for a few seconds before letting out a soft trill, as if to say to say 'do not worry, I won't harm either of you.'
"I dare say our familiar's are getting along." Dumbledore commented, giving Harry a questioning look.
"Jet's just protective." Harry replied as he shifted Jet into his lap and began petting him.
"Most familiar's are." Dumbledore nodded.
"Dumbledore," Snape said in an impatient voice. "can we get on with this? I do have other things to do today."
"Very well," Dumbledore sighed before turning to Harry. "now Harry these teachers are here with me today as they are the head of houses, Professor Babbling has come along as she was the one who introduced you to the world and the one who confirmed that 'Jet' was your familiar. It is rare to have a familiar, most who do often have simpler animals, not that I have any room to talk. Firstly, I am just going to perform a spell to confirm that Jet is your familiar."
"But Professor Babbling already did that." Harry reminded him.
"I am aware of that, this is not to say that I do not trust Professor Babbling or her magical abilities," Dumbledore said, speaking to both Harry and Professor Babbling who nodded in response. "now just stay still Harry." Dumbledore said as he pulled out his wand, he waved it over Harry and Jet, the two briefly glowed a blue color, which seemed to have satisfied Dumbledore. "Hmm, you two are indeed bonded."
"Mr Potter," Professor McGonagall spoke. "we do not wish to separate you and your familiar, however you understand that we have concerns about how safe it will be for us to allow you to keep a snake at school."
"I understand that Professor," Harry nodded. "and I have a few counter arguments to that."
"Oh, I'm sure we'd be glad to hear what you have to say." Snape drawled. Harry was tempted to ask what the man's problem was but decided now was probably not the best time.
"First of all, I'd like to say that if any of you try to take Jet away from me then we both will leave this school." Harry spoke in a calm voice. The teachers all looked surprised at that, apart from Dumbledore and Snape. The teacher's couldn't believe that Harry Potter would leave Hogwarts and the chance to learn magic, Dumbledore wasn't too surprised. Not many wizards and witches had familiars, but he did and he understood where Harry was coming from. If Fawkes wasn't immortal and capable of looking after himself then Dumbledore would spend all of his energy trying to keep him safe. Snape, on the other hand, had a different take on Harry's words.
"Typical Potter," Snape sneered. "just like your father, you've barely spent any time at the school and you're already making demands."
"Ultimatum actually." Harry calmly corrected him. Harry didn't miss the fact that Snape apparently knew about Harry's father, but decided that it was probably best to not ask him about it. Harry could tell that the sour potions master did not like Harry's father, and anything he did say would likely be biased in some way.
"Professor Snape," Professor McGonagall spoke before Snape could say anything. "will you please show some professionalism?" She all but growled.
"Severus," Dumbledore spoke before Snape could respond. "Mr Potter's reaction is a reasonable one, witches and wizards are incredibly attached to their familiars."
"Thank you," Harry said to Dumbledore and Professor McGonagall before he continued speaking. "my second thing that I wanted to say was that people here exaggerate how dangerous Jet is. He won't attack anyone unless they attack him or me. Also Professor McGonagall, you may recall my conversation with Mr Weasley. Cats are allowed in Hogwarts despite being creatures that can kill for fun, my snake on the other hand will only kill for self defense and food. Speaking of food, he can hunt rats and mice, and if he can't do that then I'm sure the house elves will be willing to provide him with something to eat."
"Ah, you know of house elves?" Dumbledore asked, raising an eyebrow.
"One of the older Slytherin's told me about them, sir." Harry nodded.
"Mr Potter," Professor Sprout spoke. "how long have you been able to speak to snakes?"
"For as long as I can remember, Professor Sprout." Harry replied.
"Do you speak with any other snakes?" She asked.
"Once during a trip to a zoo, and I've also spoken to any snakes near where I live." Harry answered.
"What do you talk about with them? If you don't mind my asking."
"Pretty much just anything I want," Harry said with a small shrug. "apart from Jet they don't really initiate conversation."
"How fascinating," Professor Flitwick commented. "have you ever tried speaking to any other animals?" He asked.
"Yes, I've tried dogs and cats along with spiders, insects, mice and rats. They couldn't understand me and I couldn't understand them, all I know is I can understand snakes." Harry said before turning to Dumbledore. "So Professor, I take it that I can keep Jet?" Harry asked just as Jet climbed up his arm and perched himself on Harry's shoulders.
"I dare say that you can," Dumbledore nodded. "before you go Mr Potter, I'd like to ask you one last question. It's about your scar."
"My scar sir?" Harry asked, his hand rose slightly, almost about to rise up to touch the scar but he was able to stop himself from doing so.
"Nothing to worry about, I simply want to ask if it causes you any pain?" Dumbledore asked, leaning forward slightly.
"Not really sir." Harry replied, wondering why Dumbledore looked so interested in his scar.
"May I ask how your scar got so big?" Dumbledore said, still looking very interested.
"I don't know sir," Harry answered honestly. "it just ended up like that one day."
"Hmm," Dumbledore leaned back slightly. "well if it causes you any pain then please visit the hospital wing."
"I will sir," Harry nodded. "is there anything else?" Harry asked.
"No, you may leave." Dumbledore replied.
"I have to go back to my office, I can escort Mr Potter back, unless you need me for anything else sir?." Professor Babbling said in a questioning tone to Dumbledore as Harrys stood up.
"No, you may go Professor." Dumbledore smiled.
"I'll take my leave then Professor Dumbledore," Professor Babbling nodded before walking out of the office with Harry following.
"Well, he is certainly a polite young man." Professor Sprout smiled.
"Indeed he is," Professor Flitwick agreed. "he takes after his mother. He is a natural in charms."
"The boy's an arrogant little brat." Snape harshly disagreed.
"Severus, you barely spoke to him." Professor McGonagall scowled at him.
"I've seen enough, unlike you I am not blinded by his fame." Snape said, glaring at her.
"No, merely blinded by who his father is." Professor McGonagall glared back.
"That is enough," Dumbledore said before anyone could say anything. "we have better things to do than fight amongst ourselves. Mr Potter will be allowed to keep his familiar, I don't believe that there will be any problems but I ask that you all keep an eye out in case anything should happen."
"So Harry," Professor Babbling said as she walked Harry back to the Slytherin common room. "you don't mind if I call you Harry, do you?"
"Not really," Harry shook his head. "I guess I can't call you by your first name."
"Well, you can if it's just us, though I'd prefer it if you call me 'Beth' instead of 'Bathsheda'." Bathsheda shrugged. "I mean if there are other people around then I'll call you Mr Potter and you can call me Professor Babbling."
"Beth?" Harry repeated.
"It's what I went by when I was at school, simpler than Bathsheda. Anyway, I wanted to ask, what do you think about your experience at Hogwarts so far?" She asked.
"I like it for the most part," Harry answered. "there have been a few things I didn't like."
"Like what?" Bathsheda frowned.
"Like this one redheaded idiot who thinks that snakes and everything associated with them is evil." Harry rolled his eyes, Jet hissed and Harry nodded in agreement.
"What did he say?" Bathsheda asked.
"Are you still a teacher?" Harry asked her.
"Uh...yeah."
"In that case I probably shouldn't tell you."
Harry entered the potions classroom, it would be his first time in Professor Snape's classroom. Harry knew that the Professor didn't like him, likely because of something to do with Harry's father, but according to the other Slytherin's Snape hated Gryffindor's, Harry felt like the best thing for him would be if Snape's hatred of Gryffindor outweighed his hatred of all thing Harry Potter. Harry had taken a desk along with Blaise and the two began getting all of their ingredients out and setting up their equipment. Jet was also attending the class but remained hidden under Harry's robes.
When the bell rang the class door was shoved open just as Professor Snape entered the room and walked to the front.
"There will be no foolish wand waving in this class, nor will there be any silly incantations or other such nonsense that you children appear to enjoy." Professor Snape said as he stopped at the front and turned around to look at everyone, he sneered at the Gryffindor's before continuing to speak. "I don't expect many of you to truly grasp the beautiful and magical process of potions making, I can teach you to bewitch the mind, ensnare the senses, bottle glory and even put a stopper on death."
The class all payed attention, Snape had many faults but the inability to keep the interest of a room was not one of them. Harry, though he didn't act like it, was actually rather amused by Snape's speech. Not because he found the speech funny but simply because Angela had already told him the speech, nearly word for word, apparently Snape used the same speech every year. Snape began doing the roll call, he almost sneered on reflex when he came on to Harry's name.
"Pop quiz time. Weasley," Snape said suddenly, his black eyes locked onto Ron. "What would I get if I added powdered root of asphodel to an infusion of wormwood?" The other Gryffindor's looked confused, apart from Hermione Granger who had raised her hand. Ron's ears turned red as he looked down and mumbled something. "Speak up boy!" Snape ordered.
"I don't know, sir." Ron said in a quiet voice.
"You don't know?" Professor Snape asked, a hint of amusement in his voice. "how disappointing, five points from Gryffindor. Let's try again, where would you look if I asked you to find me a bezoar?" Hermione began waving her hand to try and catch Professor Snape's attention, it was clear she hadn't realized yet that he was ignoring her. "You don't know?" Professor Snape asked when Ron didn't respond, Draco and his friends sniggered, Snape either didn't notice or didn't care. "One last question Weasley, try to not totally embarrass yourself, what is the difference between Monkshood and Wolfsbane?" Snape asked.
"Hermione knows, why don't you ask her?" Ron growled while gesturing to Hermione who had actually stood up and was wildly waving her hand as if trying to guide a plane down.
"Sit down you foolish girl!" Snape snapped at Hermione, Hermione quickly dropped her hand an dropped into her seat, her cheeks was now bright red. "Mr Weasley," Snape said as he turned his attention back to Ron. "that is twenty points you have lost for Gryffindor and a detention for your disrespect, along with a further five points for not being prepared enough to read a book. I would have thought that your parents or perhaps even those embarrassments you call brothers would have taught you something, but perhaps they simply realized it was better to not waste their breath on you. Potter!" Snape said suddenly as he turned to Harry. "Perhaps you can answer the questions." He said, it was not a suggestion.
The other Slytherin's were mildly surprised that Snape would suddenly put one of his own Slytherin's on the spot, after all it was known that he favored all Slytherin's. Though they didn't act too surprised, all he was really doing was asking a few questions that members of Slytherin house would be expected to know. Thankfully though Harry knew the answers due to reading ahead as advised by the other Slytherin's, also because Snape's speech was not the only thing that he liked to repeat year after year.
"Well sir, the first answer is a powerful sleeping potion." Harry answered. "The second would be either your potions cabinet, an apothecary or the stomach of a goat. And the answer to your final question, if I remember right, is that there is no difference, they are the same plant." Snape's face twisted into an odd shape, looking like he was both pleased and displeased that Harry was able to answer correctly.
"Five points to Slytherin." Snape said before he began the class and began lecturing them on the potion they were going to make.
After a short while Snape had the class start making a potion to cure boils, a short while into the class an accident happened and the chubby Gryffindor boy who had tried to rush away from Jet in transfiguration class - apparently his name was Neville Longbottom, poor lad - ended up covered in his unfinished potion when his cauldron erupted. Snape had immediately been on scene and ordered an Irish Gryffindor boy to take Neville to the hospital wing when he started having boils grow on his face, that was right before he blamed Weasley for it.
At the end of the class Harry gladly left and was happy to gain some distance between himself and Snape, that man had issues.