Before Class

The basement was hung with plenty of braziers, but they did little to dispel the chill in the air. Harry Potter hunched his shoulders and couldn't help glancing at the animal specimens preserved in special potions.

"Gross."

He muttered under his breath, then opened his blank notebook and carefully wrote a "1" on the page.

This was his first Potions class.

"Phew, good thing we weren't late today. I heard from Fred and the others that Professor Snape is much harder to deal with than Professor McGonagall."

The wait before class was always dreadfully boring. Harry's best friend, Ron Weasley, had mysteriously shared a few things about their Potions professor.

Brooding, cold, sharp-tongued, harsh.

According to every first-year who'd taken Potions, Severus Snape was a Vampire Bat in human skin!

"No way!"

Harry could hardly believe it.

"I'm telling the truth. One hundred percent."

Ron thumped his chest with conviction, his face full of certainty.

"I think he might not like me."

For some reason, Harry remembered the chilly look he'd received at the Opening Feast, and a trace of unease stirred in his heart.

"Ha, that doesn't matter. He doesn't like any students outside Slytherin."

Ron laughed easily at that, accidentally revealing the yellowed collar of his shirt beneath his uniform.

"Grindelwald's here!"

As the two chatted in hushed voices, a commotion suddenly broke out in the classroom for no apparent reason.

Harry and Ron turned around in confusion at the same time, just in time to see a handsome boy enter the classroom, leading a group of first-year Slytherins in robes trimmed with green.

"Tch, it's Klein Grindelwald. I swear by Merlin, I'm going to throw up if I hear that name again."

Ron was the first to look away. He secretly made an exaggerated gagging motion.

Charms, Astronomy, Transfiguration—

Almost every professor adored Klein Grindelwald. Even the sternest Professor McGonagall smiled whenever his name came up.

"I-I think he's pretty nice."

Harry hesitated for a second, unusually refusing to agree with his friend. The help he'd received at Platform Nine and Three-Quarters when he first arrived at school had left a deep impression on him.

"Come on, Harry. Don't tell me you've been bewitched by that guy, just like Neville?"

Ron scratched at his messy red hair and stared at Harry as if he'd never met him before.

In the Gryffindor Common Room, their classmate Neville Longbottom talked about Klein Grindelwald every day, telling anyone who would listen about how Klein had helped him find his toad on the train. Ron had teased Neville about it plenty of times.

"No."

Harry wanted to explain, but couldn't think of what to say. He could only lower his head in silence.

Klein had no idea how he'd become the leader of Slytherin's first-years. By the time he realized it, nearly twenty boys and girls who idolized him had gathered around him. Even Crabbe and Goyle, who'd disliked him intensely at first, had become his loyal admirers.

"Klein, you'll have to be careful in class today."

Draco Malfoy walked on Klein's left, a trace of worry on his fair, oval face. No matter how well Klein did in his other classes, Professor Severus Snape was the one in charge of everything in Potions.

"Draco, you're worrying over nothing."

Unlike Draco, Pansy Parkinson, walking on Klein's right, seemed full of confidence. She thought that even their picky Head of House was sure to like Klein.

After all, he was so talented.

"That's because you don't know what Professor Snape is like."

Draco's tone darkened as he turned to their other friend.

"What do you think, Daphne?"

"Me?"

The blonde girl, caught off guard by the question, gave a small shake of her head.

"I don't know."

"You don't know?"

Draco's voice rose unconsciously, but before he could say anything sharp, Klein cut him off with a smile.

"Hey, guys, let's drop it."

Then he turned to the troubled-looking Daphne Greengrass and, as if by magic, pulled a beautifully wrapped honey chocolate from his robe pocket.

"Daphne, you don't look too well. Here, this should help you feel better."

"N-no, thank you."

Daphne waved her hands repeatedly, her face flushing red.

"Give it a try. It's one of Headmaster Dumbledore's personal favorites."

With a playful wink, Klein pressed the chocolate into her palm before she could refuse, then turned to his fellow Slytherins.

"You go find seats. Draco, save me a spot."

With that, he headed straight for the Gryffindors without looking back.

"No way. Klein actually knows people in Gryffindor?"

Goyle couldn't help exclaiming, his round little eyes wide with surprise. As far as he was concerned, Slytherins were the best, and Klein was practically "lowering himself"!

"Shut up!"

Draco snapped at him irritably, his expression sour.

He thought he ought to remind Klein about this properly when he had the chance.

"Long time no see, Neville."

Klein had no idea what the Slytherins were thinking. Even if he had, he wouldn't have cared.

When they'd first arrived at school, the clumsy but kind-hearted, chubby Neville had kept him company along the way. Klein hadn't forgotten that friendship.

"Oh, Klein, you actually— I mean, hi."

Neville's round face turned red as he hurriedly stood up from his seat.

He was clumsy, but he wasn't stupid. He could hear his classmates making fun of him, and everyone thought he and that "Klein" were nothing alike. He thought so too.

Even so, he still made a habit of telling people how wonderful Klein was. Klein had made him feel respected in a way he never had before.

"It's nothing. I just came over to say hello. It's been a while since the start of term. How have you been?"

Klein ignored the many startled looks. His smile was as warm and friendly as ever.

"Terrible. I can't tell the difference between Daystar and Orbitstar, and I was awful in Charms, too. I lost Trevor again. Sorry, I shouldn't be telling you all this."

As if he'd found a family member, Neville began pouring out all his troubles. But after only a few sentences, he realized he'd gone too far and quickly stopped.

"It's fine. I'm happy to hear about what's going on with you. Um, actually, I might start a Mutual Aid Society in a little while. Could I invite you when I do?"

Klein waved a hand, telling Neville not to worry about it.

"Really? That'd be wonderful!"

Klein's sincere words brought a genuine, excited smile to Neville's face, and his dark eyes instantly brightened.

"I'll write to you when the time comes."

Seeing Neville smile made Klein feel happy, too.

After chatting for a few more minutes, he waved goodbye to Neville and returned to the seat Draco had saved for him.

A few minutes later, the basement's wooden door was thrown open with a bang. A long-haired wizard with a gloomy expression strode into the classroom.

Potions class had begun.