At feast's end Harry headed to the dungeons with the other Slytherins. He waited in the common room and sat through Snape's speech the first part about the rules was the same.
"I have office hours. If you need my help or advice, use them. In this dorm there are six - sorry seven - older students whose job it is to act as my eyes and ears and to enforce the rules. Elena Danforth and Sean MacKinnon are the seventh year prefects, Lyle Howith and Calliope Mulciber are the sixth year prefects, William Vessey and Danielle Reynolds are the fifth year prefects. Look to them as your example. They are joined by Marcus Flint, Marcus was the seventh year prefect last year and he is here this year to further his education in charms specifically in reference to brooms and broom design. As he is taking only a few classes he will be available for tutoring, more so than most of your elders. He will also be continuing to captain our cup winning Quidditch team, in addition to his advanced studies with Professors Flitwick and Hooch. I expect you to respect him the way you would the prefects. If you need help with your classes they will help you find an appropriate tutor. First through fifth years, the prefects have your class schedules. Collect them then head to bed. Rest is a requirement for learning, as is eating, do both or suffer my wrath. Sixth and seventh years, see me. Good night."
Harry went to the hall where his year group's rooms were. He scowled when he found his name on the same door as Malfoy's. He sighed, and opened the door.
"Malfoy."
"Potter. Same rules?"
"Sure, why not? Are you still having nightmares?"
"Not so much anymore, my godfather found me some muggle books. We didn't tell my father, but they helped. I didn't bring as much with me this year hopefully that will help me not to drive you so barmy.."
"Yeah, alright. It's good the books helped." Harry swiftly set about settling in and forty five minutes later he was climbing into bed. Harry silenced his bed curtains and after setting his alarm clock he went to bed.
Draco was left wondering how Harry knew anything about the books he had read this summer.
The next morning Harry rose, and as he dressed Draco sat up and scratched his scalp. "Potter, why is it you rise so infernally early? Classes aren't for three hours yet."
"I work out with my friends."
"Why? I mean we're magical, a little potion a spell or two and we're perfect. No real work required. I mean it's one thing if it's quidditch, but you act as if you're a muggle."
"I like knowing my strength and endurance are real, not the result of a potion. I like knowing my strength, it saves me from biting off more than I can chew. Finally I like how it makes me feel, it's a natural high, kinda like flying. See you at breakfast, Malfoy."
In the common room, he met a yawning Daphne. She had apparently taken his advice about getting some clothes more suited to exercise. Harry was very uncomfortable to realize his hormones had apparently woken up because Daphne in her workout gear looked extremely hot. He felt some relief when Aaron stumbled out of the door leading to the halls with the boys dorms and joined them.
"No Tracey?" Harry grew even more disturbed when his voice cracked for the first time.
Daphne snickered then answered, "She wants to get settled in first. She said she would start joining us next week."
"Fine."
"No Blaise?"
"He's joining us next week. Let's go."
Harry lead the way to the classroom they used. He smiled when he saw the rest of the cadre waiting.
Hermione noticed Harry wasn't wearing the brown belt he had worn the previous year, but instead his gi was tied with a black belt. "Did you get your black belt, Harry?"
"Yeah."
"Black belt, brown belt what does it matter?" Ernie said.
Neville decided to enlighten them all. "A black belt denotes a certain mastery in martial arts. I've earned three belts so far thanks to what Harry has taught me. But he's been working without a teacher most the time. That he got his black belt is really impressive."
"Neville is right," Hermione echoed. "Congratulations on your achievement. But black belt or not, I'll still get higher grades than you."
Harry grinned. It was good to know there were some constants in his life. Hermione's competitiveness when it came to grades was one of them. "You'll try." He challenged. "Let's start warming up."