It was an interesting stroll to breakfast. Numerous staircases that led up also descended before turning right and left. Fortunately, Bernard had a firm grasp on their location because Thomas's head whirled with each step. Paintings were talking and moving along the walls. One even snickered when the staircases tried to move under Thomas's feet.

Pipa was quick to reprimand him, but it is challenging to yell at a moving target. Traveling to this castle looked like a necessary group activity. Thomas did not know if he would reach his destination alone. If it wasn't paintings, it was the other students heading to breakfast, if Thomas wasn't getting bumped into.

They were even doubling back to stare at Thomas. The fact that Thomas's pointed ears were concealed by his hair infuriated a number of the present voices. Once more, Thomas was appreciative that his hair was long enough to cover it. Thomas was not too bothered by the other whispers in the hallways or the onlookers' questions. On a larger scale, it was comparable to an orphanage. He hoped that soon they would stop paying attention to him. Bernard and Pipa were a different story.

Bernard's back was stiff and ramrod straight. Many were turned away. By the cold look in his honey-colored eyes. At first, Pipa behaved in a bubbly manner that was typical of Pipa. She quickly became deflated and began fidgeting with her hair when her greetings to their fellow Gryffindors went unanswered. They got to the dining room, where they got placed into their houses last time. There was complete silence when the doors opened. It appeared that word had gotten out. Thomas sighed while reflecting. When Lars flagged Thomas down from the Slytherin table, he was grateful.

“If you guys want to.” Thomas made the decision to give them an exit. Thomas thought Bernard and Pipa would be tried before the day started. “You can go sit with Gryffindor.” Thomas pointed to the tables as he received a barrage of irate looks. “Make amends?”

“They would have hated me one way or another.” Bernard shrugged his shoulders. Pipa's tail swayed as she shook her head.

"I'd rather stick with you guys.” Pipa said. “At least I know where I stand with you.” Pipa turned to face the Gryffindor tables and glared. “Rather than judge someone on gossip!” For the Gryffindors to hear, Pipa spoke louder.

“Are we allowed to sit here?” As he accompanied them to the Slytherin tables, Bernard said.

“Given what I heard,” Lars said when they went to his table. “They would understand.”  He smiled one-sidedly at Thomas. “You managed to stir things up over there.”

“Sorry.” Thomas hoped this had nothing to do with the vision he was trying to avoid, because if it did, he would mess things up.

“If I was going to suck someone dry, it wouldn't be a Potter.” A large, chubby child with glasses laughed, trumpeting. “Might catch there stuck up.”

“I can't bite people yet.” Thomas said as he sat next to Lars.

“You can bite me when you're older. I have a feeling you're going to turn into a cutie.” Winking at him was a chubby girl with large blue eyes.

“Thanks?” Thomas said in a question.

“Welcome.” She blew him a kiss with her fingertips.

“Thomas.” Lars indicated the pair standing across from them. “These are the Tinder twins. Ethan, and Victoria Tinder.”

"I am Ethan," he said, pushing a tray of red berries towards Thomas while leaning on the table. “Lars pulled these aside for you.”

“I'm Ethan!” His glasses emphasized his blue eyes. Thomas paused as they finished their story and looked at the girl, who laughed with a ho-ho sound.

“But of course, dear brother.” Victoria chuckled once more behind her hand as she spoke.

“They are a playful pair.” Lars said. “I bunk next to Ethan.” Lars poured Thomas some juice. Thomas thanked Lars and drank deeply, feeling revitalized.

“Nice to meet you,” Thomas said.

“Some of us are better than others.” Victoria chomped on the largest breakfast bun Thomas had ever seen as her eyes twinkled.

“I'm Bernard Malfoy.” Bernard sat stiffly in his seat next to Victoria. “I hope that won't be a problem.”

"A cutie like you, I would never have a problem." His arm was drawn in and hugged by Victoria. “I'll even share my bun with you.” she said, extending her bun to him. Ethan was bragging about a white mouse when Pipa struck up a conversation with him. Allowing Thomas and Lars to have a private conversation.

“What happened?” Lars inquired after observing the others' busyness. Thomas relayed the teacher's message and described what had happened. Despite his stormy eyes appearing clear, Lars sighed and shook his head.

“I'm sorry.” Thomas finished off with an apology. In an effort to avoid trouble, Lars moved houses, but ended up causing it. Lars was someone he was working harder to be more like, so he felt bad for disappointing him.

“Things happened, but not as I saw them.” Lars murmured to himself before turning to look at Thomas. “Which is good.” Lars put a hand on his shoulder and rubbed him hard. “Everything is okay.”

“What about Professor Barlow's house?” Thomas asked, still not sure what all that had meant.

“His house?” Lars laughed and lowered his hand. “He was trying to say that things can change. An old house can smell good or bad, depending on the windows.” Thomas felt a light go off in his head.

“Like a drunk bar patron!” Thomas struck his palm with his fist. A drunk person may smell good or bad. Everything depended on your position and whether the bar door was open.

“Yes.” Lars spoke, his dry drawl and accent becoming more pronounced. “Like that.”

“You've worked at a bar?” With a white mouse now perched on her head, Pipa inquired. Both are listening intently in his direction.

"Are you not a minor?" Bernard made a groan. Victoria was resisting the hint, so he pushed her away.

“That's amazing, darling!” Victoria spoke while grinning and having Bernard's hand on her face. “You have to whip me up a little something.”

“Victoria!” Ethan said in a tone that Victoria ignored.

“I never serve someone underage.” When Thomas got the chance to serve drinks, he was serious. Thomas embraced the position with great zeal. Combining different elements to produce a new product that someone else can enjoy It was a precious thing to Thomas, but alcohol came with responsibilities. He took a lot of pride in how he handled it.

"If you bring the ingredients to me, I can make you a hair potion." Thomas offered after observing her crying eyes.

“Hair potions!” Victoria smiled and let Bernard pull while she let go. He was left to fall directly off the bench of the table.

“You can make potions already?” Bernard questioned him as he stood up from the ground. After picking himself up, he sighed and turned to face Victoria. Before getting himself some breakfast.

“Thomas is a natural.” Thomas was given a shoulder hug by Lars. He was given a berry to eat. Thomas accepted it with a grateful nod. Popping it in his mouth to munch. “He made some for my mother over the holidays.”

“I did burn a hole in the floor.” The burning wood could still be smelled by Thomas. Even now, the waste of wood makes him shiver.

“Once!” Lars grinned as he handed him another berry. “You're going to be a Hogwarts potion star.” Although Thomas shook his head, he could not help but like the concept. It can not be bad to be that good at something, can it? “I see a smile, Thomas.” Lars gave him a bear hug and spoke softly in his ear. “Don't worry about Potter. I'll deal with him.”

“Okay.” Thomas said, “Nothing too bad.” Pulling back, Lars offered him a brilliant smile. One that promised many things, none of them good.

“What do you think I would do?” Lars kept on smiling, and Thomas worried about the level of the skyrocket.

“I don't know.” Thomas shook his head. “Keep it nice.” Thomas picked up a pastry he'd seen Lars eat at home and passed it to him. “Or I'll tell Aunt Merry.”

“Ohhh~” Victoria cooed at them. She squealed as hands cradled her face. “I see what's going on here.”

“I don't,” Ethan muttered.

“Never you mind.” Victoria glanced at her brother. “I support you, Thomas.” Victoria gave him a smile. “You can come and talk to me anytime about anything.” Victoria stressed the anything part.

“Thank you.” Thomas was moved, and the warmth in his chest let him know that she really meant what she said. “It's nice to know there are nice people here in Hogwarts.” Although he was a little concerned about the Gryffindor thing, things were not going too badly.

“I have Potter's number too.” Victoria started laughing in that foo-fuuing way. She was a nice girl, but Thomas thought that was a little odd.

“Thomas, please avoid this girl.” Looking somewhat pale, Bernard said. “She's not what she seems.” Thomas cocked his head to the side and peered at Lars. Lars' lips began to quiver.

“She's fine, Thomas.” After wiping his face with his hand, Lars spoke.

“Hush you.” Victoria's elbow slammed Bernard in the side. “Thanks Lars.” Victoria gave Lars a genuinely sweet smile. Who nodded his head.

“I'll take a hair potion, but I don't know how to get the ingredients.” Changing the subject, Pipa said.

“I could ask Aunt Merry?” Lars nodded as he turned to face Thomas.

“Great!” Pipa grinned. “I'll give you some money.”

“Me too.” Ethan asked, his hefty face turning red and hiding behind his glasses. “It could help with my frizz.” His blonde, short hair was flying in all directions.

“Me three!” Victoria called out while raising her hand.

“Mother will not accept your money, but she would love it if you all wrote her letters instead.” Lars stated this as he began eating his breakfast. As he had done for Lars, Thomas seized the chance to get Lars a drink. Victoria cooed the whole time. Thomas gave her a quick glance, but eventually decided that she was a little odd and stopped questioning her behavior.

“It's a lunch date.” Bernard spoke while casting a sidelong glance at Veronica.

“What's our first class?” Pipa questioned while allowing the white mouse to move up and down her arms. Although Thomas was disappointed to learn that the potion class was not the first, it was at least the third. Right before lunch. Thomas couldn't wait! Together, they entered the classroom. By that point, Gryffindor had abandoned him and, consequently, his other friends. A wide berth. Marshall, a professor, was a frighteningly strong woman who taught charms. Thomas found it strange that she was wearing not one hat but two. No one dared speak up either, but neither went with the dusty pink robe she was wearing.

In class, Thomas couldn't sit together with Lars, but with Bernard to sit with, he wasn't alone. Professor Marshall, despite her rather scary height, was a kind teacher. Who talked things out thoroughly until everyone got it. By the end of class, everyone had gotten the hang of moving their wands in the correct manner. There was no homework, but there were no spells. Leaving everyone feeling good about the class.

Herbology was next. Thomas was pleased to take the opportunity to visit the classrooms outside. The greenhouses at Hogwarts were incredible. The greenhouses were located behind the castle. To Thomas, who spent much of his time basking outside. It was enjoyable to take in the cool autumn breeze while avoiding the Rows.

Professor Frost immediately revealed that she was descended from a frost giant. Explaining her enormous height and pale skin. She had a ponytail mohawk and a plain black and yellow robe, and Pipa said she was aces. Thomas nodded, assuming it was positive, despite not knowing exactly what it might mean. Considering that Pipa was the source. Bernard appeared ecstatic to be there. The first unrestrained and joyful smile he had ever seen lit up his face. The only person who seemed to enjoy the class was him.

Professor Frost went on and on about each specific point. She paused to answer questions, but the discussion of what they would be learning that year dragged on. The only person who consistently raised his hand was Bernard. Thomas had tallied every gap in the greenhouse windows by the end of the lesson. Thomas could determine whether the last one was dirt or a crack out of thirty-two, possibly thirty-three. They were required to choose a plant to grow all year as homework.

Thomas was a little concerned about that, but Bernard reassured him that he had the ideal plant for someone who enjoyed making potions. After a fifteen-minute break, Thomas decided to raise a mandrake with the group. Bernard claimed to have experience raising them and that they were useful for making potions. Settling everyone's opinion on the matter. Thomas wanted to get to the next class. It was a potion, and Thomas was certain that it would become one of his favorites.