The weekend's end brought activity to the Hogwarts library. Every first year had suddenly realized their homework deadlines loomed, and the normally serene sanctuary buzzed with hurried whispers and the occasional rustle of parchment. At a corner table, Adrian Blackthorn sat with Draco Malfoy, Theodore Nott, and Luciano Varella. Their spot was cluttered with rolls of parchment, open textbooks, and an assortment of potion ingredients for reference.
Today's challenge was a detailed essay on the preparation and magical properties of the Boil-Cure Potion.
"I still don't see why we have to write an eight inch essay and memorize the recipe." Draco grumbled, his voice carrying a sense of annoyance. "It's not like we're going to be curing boils for a living."
Luciano smirked, before saying. "Speak for yourself, Malfoy. I hear there's good money in boil management these days. Ever thought about developing a cream for pimples or boils?"
The table broke into light laughter, as even Draco had a smirk on his face . "Very funny, Varella. Maybe I'll open a clinic next to Weasley's future chicken coop. After all, that's the best that their family can afford."
Luciano considered. " If one were to be realistic though, I see girls agonizing about the boils and pimples on their faces all the time. I am so sure that a good cream would sell well.
Theodore Nott, who had been quietly scribbling notes, finally looked up. "You lot are wasting time, Snape is not going to give any of you an Outstanding for developing a facial cream.
Adrian chuckled, before becoming serious. "Let's all focus. The essay's not going to write itself. The Boil-Cure Potion starts with dried nettles, crushed snake fangs, and..."
Before Adrian could finish, Draco responded"Stewed horned slugs."
" Also don't forget to mix clockwise," Luciano added. "Otherwise, you'll end up with and entirely different potion."
"Clockwise, counterclockwise, why would Snape care?" Draco scoffed. . "Ten points from Slytherin for improper stirring technique."
"Snape probably has a sixth sense for potion mistakes; he can easily identify such mistakes. Or maybe, he just enjoys watching students suffer."
Luciano grinned. "I cannot imagine Snape smiling. I bet all the girls in the school would run away. No wonder he has not married yet.
The group laughed again as conversations helped to lighten the load of the homework.
As the laughter died down, Nott glanced at Adrian. "You know ? Your really good at everything. Potions, Dueling, Charms name it all.
"You're only a first year like all of us. Why are you so much more skilled ?"asked a perplexed Draco.
Adrian hesitated for a moment. "Preparation, I believe that the world is never ever safe. There are going to be many turning points in the coming future."
Luciano raised an eyebrow. "Naaa cmon, you're really too cautious. We are at Hogwarts and with Dumbledore here, nothing can go wrong. "
Adrian's gaze darkened , his voice quiet but firm. "That's where you're wrong. How long are we going to hide behind Dumbledore? The world outside these walls doesn't wait for you to be ready. Just last week, something was stolen from the Lestranges vault and I reckon that it has something to do with Voldemort."
"Shh, how can you say that man's name out loud?" as Voldemort's name bought a sense of fear into Nott and Malfoy.
"You can say his name, Malfoy," Adrian replied. " He is just Voldemort."
Draco and Nott flinched again; however, Luciano seemed unfazed.
Adrian shrugged. "Mate It's a name and names only have power if you let them. Voldemort's gone right now. Why are you guys so afraid of somebody who does not exist? As Adrian said that, he knew that Voldemort was not dead, yet he could not reveal any loopholes regarding any future information he knew."
Luciano broke the tension, his tone becoming thoughtful. "That's why you push yourself so hard? To be ready for whatever comes next?"
Adrian nodded. "Strength is not just about power. It is also about survival;one needs to have the strength to survive.
Draco tilted his head, studying Adrian. "Is this a prophecy? Why do I feel you know something we don't?"
"Let's just say I have good instincts. " I cannot give you any further details.
The conversation lingered in the air as the group left the library and made their way to the Quidditch pitch. This was their first flying class and a cool morning breeze that carried the scent of freshly cut grass furthered their excitement for this class. They soon gathered around Madam Hooch
"Welcome to your first flying lesson," Madam Hooch began. "Today, we'll cover the basics which include mounting your broom and taking off. I don't want to see anyone attempting fancy and risky maneuvers. Understood?"
A chorus of nervous nods and excited nods followed. Flying was the only sort of entertainment in the wizarding world and purebloods who have had the previous experience with flying were especially excited, unlike the muggleborns.
This could be seen on the face of the nervous Hermione Granger. Everybody knew that she had been reading up on quidditch books since the last few days yet, her face showed a sense of unease.
"Right then," Madam Hooch continued. "Step up to your broom and say, 'Up! and remember to say it with authority."
"Up" said the first years as Adrian's broom leaped into his hand on the first try, as did Draco's and Luciano's. Nott's broom hesitated for a moment before responding. Across the pitch, Neville Longbottom and Hermione Granger struggled, their broom refusing to budge.
"Up!" Neville repeated, his voice showcasing his nervousness.
Draco smirked but refrained from making any comments that he might have made under different circumstances. Instead, he leaned toward Adrian and whispered, "If Longbottom's broom were any more stubborn, it'd be a Weasley. I don't understand why the Weasley's are so stubborn and reject pureblood supremacy. They themselves are an ancient pureblood family. Their love for muggles even prevents them from getting a good job at the ministry."
Adrian snorted, trying to suppress a laugh. "Cut Neville some slack and why do you always bring up the Weasleys ?"
I bring them up because they are idiots. They are the biggest dunderheads I have ever seen. Look at that Ron; he only hangs out with Potter for his fame."
Soon, Everybody except Hermione were able to raise their brooms.
"Excellent," Madam Hooch said briskly. "Now, mount your brooms and grip them firmly, but don't choke them. On my whistle, kick off from the ground, hover for a moment, then come back down. Don't go too far and try not to do anything dangerous. Clear?"
The whistle blew, and the students rose into the air.
Adrian felt the rush of wind against his face as he hovered effortlessly, =. Nearby, Draco and Luciano flew with equal ease, their confidence evident. Nott wobbled slightly but managed to stay aloft.
Suddenly, a yelp drew their attention. Neville had risen too quickly and was now wobbling dangerously as he was about fall.
"Careful, Longbottom!" Draco called. Adrian would have never expected the canon Malfoy to say this. He suddenly felt a sense of happiness as he realised that this incident meant that he was truly changing Malfoy's ideology.
Neville's broom soon jerked, sending him tumbling to the ground with a loud thud. He groaned, clutching his wrist.
Madam Hooch hurried over, her face stern. "Broken wrist," she declared. "Come on, Longbottom. Let's get you to the hospital wing."
As she escorted Neville away, the rest of the class descended, murmuring among themselves.
Draco picked up Neville's fallen Remembrall, turning it over in his hand. "What's this?" he asked ina. curious tone.
"A gift from his gran," Adrian said, recognizing the small orb. "It helps him.....?"
Before Adrian finished speaking, an agitated Potter said."Give it back Malfoy. That thing is important to Neville."
Draco nodded before tossing the Remembrall lightly in the air. "Well, he won't need it in the hospital wing, will he?"
Luciano rolled his eyes. "Just put it back, Malfoy."
Draco smirked before saying" Just chill out. I am not going to do anything;this is a good opportunity to test Potter's flying skills. You know? I heard his dad was the seeker of gryffindor and he even won multiple Quidditch cups."
From then on, the events unfolded according to canon. Harry and Malfoy got spotted by Mcgonagall who was really impressed with Potter's flying skills.
Before Madam Hooch could arrive, Malfoy gave the memory ball to Harry and returned it to Neville.
Madam Hooch returned a few minutes later and she had been informed of what had happened when she was away. "Potter and Malfoy! I want both of you to come with me. Everybody else is dismissed."
The class then ended as Adrian and his friends headed back to the dormitory. He needed to take a good rest before tomorrow's Herbology class with the Hufflepuff. Herbology was the class where he thought they lacked the most. "What's the point of raising plants?" muttered a tired Adrian.