I get up at eight. I am still rather tired from last night, which was my last hurrah with Ron and the rest of the boys. However, I know Snape will drag me down by my ear if I don't hurry up. I quickly dress into my robes before I find the note on my nightstand. I snatch it and read it.

You will find that not all is the same at Hogwarts for summer school. It may be daunting at first, but have no fears. You shall find that Houses have no meaning during this period. For all of us are of one House, and that is the House of Hogwarts. So no matter if you are Slytherin or if you are Gryffindor during regular term, during summer you are all brothers and sisters of Hogwarts. You shall also find it peculiar when you attend your first class [Potions] for you will not see your regular term professor. Why must the school only be for students, not staff? Enjoy your time here, and good luck.

I instantly crinkle the note up and throw it in the wastebasket. It sounds and smells as one of the Headmaster's kooky ideas would. I grab my robes that proudly bear the Gryffindor crest. However, the red and gold crest vanishes seconds later. Yep, now I know it is definitely the Headmaster's idea.

I walk out of the dorms and towards the Great Hall. I can only imagine what the other students will say. I start to wonder who else will be with me. I hope that it is not Draco Malfoy, because one of us is bound to kill the other by the end. I know it's not Neville, Ron, or any other Weasley because I watched them leave last night.

As I turn the corner just before heading into the Great Hall, a young blond-haired girl runs into me. We both collide before falling to the floor with a series of "oof." I glance at the young woman and recognize her as being from Ravenclaw, a seventh-year, I believe. I smile pleasantly towards her before holding out a hand to help her up again. However, she doesn't take my hand. Instead, she shoves me backwards and walks off. So much for house unity, I think grimly.

I then walk into the Great Hall. The four long student tables are gone as is the High Table. Instead, there is one table in the middle, which already has twelve seated occupants: Snape, Sinistra, blonde Hufflepuff girl, evil Ravenclaw girl, Marcus Flint of Slytherin, Draco Malfoy (oh, goody!), Romilda Vane, Professors Flitwick, McGonagall, and Vector.

"Lovely, I have to be with Scarhead all summer," drawls Draco, "as if I had anything better to do with my summer than be stuck here with that loser."

"Like I want to be here with you, Malfoy," I growl back. The next few seconds are like a blur. One of us has drawn our wands, but I honestly cannot say whether I did first or Draco. One thing I know I'm pointing my wand at Draco. The next I'm lying flat on my back, as is Draco.

"Perhaps that will teach you two not to fight in front of your professors."

I immediately want to groan at the sound of Professor Sinistra's voice. I don't groan, though, but it is only because I know precisely what Snape will do to me. I silently pick myself up off the ground and nearly laugh as I see Draco doing the same thing. At least, she's being consistent so far. I take a seat next to Romilda, another Gryffindor.

Breakfast is a rather silent affair. None of us really looks comfortable eating together. I for one know I'm uncomfortable with Malfoy and Flint both there. Even if Snape is there, I don't trust those two. I sigh heavily as the silence settles in while more professors file in.

"Should we tell them or should we allow them to suffer longer?"

I instantly glance towards Professor Sinistra. She is talking to Snape with a smirk on her face. I don't catch his reply because Malfoy chucks food at me. I only glare at him wondering why none of the professors is paying attention to us students.

"The reason why you are here is because you failed three or more classes. We at Hogwarts wish to do everything we can to help you succeed so during the next months we are going to ensure you catch up to your peers. There will be no Houses, and you will not have your regular professors."

I want to reply to Professor McGonagall's speech with a loud 'no, duh,' but the glare Snape gives me stops me instantly. It is as if the man is a freaking mind reader some days. I wish he used his powers on Draco every now and then. It'd be nice to see that smirk wiped off his prissy face.

"For example, I am not teaching Transfiguration." Professor McGonagall then inhales suddenly before nodding slightly to herself. "I will be teaching Divination." She then glances towards Professor Flitwick who is on her left. "Professor Flitwick will teach History of Magic, while Professor Binns teaches Arithmancy. Professor Sprout will teach Transfiguration, and Professor Trelawney will teach Care of Magic Creatures. Professor Hagrid will teach Herbology, and Professor Vector will teach Potions." I immediately catch Snape's sudden intake of air. His knuckles are white as he clenches them. "Professor Babbling will teach Muggle Studies, and Professor Burbage will teach Charms. Professor Sinistra is taking our Defense classes while Professor Snape will teach Astronomy."

I can't help but laugh. Snape immediately rewards me with a stern glare. I must admit that it is definitely going to be an interesting couple of months. Vaguely, I wonder if Snape even remembers Astronomy. He does always insult it after all. Maybe it is going to be good for him. I then glance towards Professor Vector, a light-brown haired witch who looks a bit pale right now.

Maybe this idea of different professors isn't so good after all. Brewing is rather dangerous and complex, and she could kill us. I then glance at Snape, who is glaring. However, the glare isn't direct at me per say. It's more so through me. I turn around and sigh. Of course, there stands Headmaster Albus Dumbledore in his periwinkle robes.

"I'm sure all will be well, Severus," the Headmaster calmly says.

"And if they destroy the castle, be crushed, or burned alive, then what, Albus?"

"Then you may tell me 'I told you so," he says with a twinkle in his blue eyes. "Ah, Harry, good, good, I am rather glad you are here this year. It is no matter, though. So are we all ready?"

"Stop speaking to the boy as if he is a baby, Albus," Professor McGonagall chides.

"Yes, well, I shall do as you say, Minerva." The Headmaster then glances towards Professor Sinistra. "And you, my dear, what do you think of your assignment?"

"I only wonder if the curse will apply to me."

"I doubt it will do anything."

"If it does, Albus, may I say 'I told you so'?" Snape drawls. "You're gambling with our lives choosing Vector as being in charge of Potions, especially with Potter in there." He then glances at me. "But then again, maybe we should all die just now so we never have to hear another lemon drop question."

"I see. Well, if you'll excuse me, I have a rather important Ministry meeting. Good luck, all." He then leaves, which makes me worry. It's never a good sign when the Headmaster's gone.