Chapter Text
The first years filing into the Great Hall were whispering nervously to each other. Giggles mixing softly with hushed voices and rude comments.
After two months at Hogwarts, they had developed a routine, the teachers giving them time to settle into their new school before they prepared to drop this particular bombshell of information on them. Although it might not be that shocking if any of them had done the required readings.
Minerva watched them silently from the front of the hall. Her back straight and head tipped down as she pretended to look over her notes to give the young children the illusion of privacy. It was important for the children to have a chance to settle themselves into longer classes, and this class was scheduled for the entire morning for a reason. Three hours with hyper eleven year olds teaching them about sex education was not fun for anyone involved; but it was necessary.
Most parents, even some purebloods, kept this part of society entirely separate from their magical children. Instead opting to allow for Hogwarts or any other school the child would attend to teach them about designations and second genders. Sex, and anything related to it, often left most adults entirely squeamish when explaining it to their children. It made adults uncomfortable, and too many students had ended up in extremely unsavory situations due to lack of knowledge on biology. This class had been introduced the second Dumbledore became Headmaster, and Minerva would forever thank the gods for it. Even if she really hated teaching it; it was one of those necessary things she had to put up with for the greater good.
Muggleborn children in particular, had the added confusion of muggles simply not having the same gender types as wizards and witches. Muggles didn’t have secondary genders or specific mating rites and rituals. Their children needed further education, lest some poor girl wind up with her throat nearly ripped out after sleeping with her boyfriend. Something that had, sadly, happened in the past. Silently, the transfiguration teacher rearranged the needs for basic readings based on what she knew of her current first years.
Of her own lions, Dean Thomas, Seamus Finnigan, Lavender Brown, and Hermione Granger would likely need the full course. So would Harry Potter and Ronald Weasley — internally her lip curled with anger at the fact. The Weasley’s were one of the pure blood families that taught nothing to their children. Without fail, everyone of the kids had come in knowing the subgenders existed, but that was the extent of their knowledge. Harry Potter, had he been raised by his mother and father, likely would have never even needed this class. But alas.
Seamus Finnigan might know more, but as a half blood raised predominantly in the Muggle world with a Beta mother, Minerva doubted it.
What Minerva, Pamona, Severus, and Filius would be teaching today was only the basics. What the subgenders were, what to expect when they presented. Different symptoms of presentation, that the students would all get reminders of at the end of their fourth year and beginning of their fifth year. Reassurances that they would not be “different” or “freaks”. No matter what they presented as.
They would take a required class with Professor Meadows in their fifth year that went further into magical aspects of things. How magic interacted and exposed itself when bringing one’s sub-gender into account. Meadows herself preferred staying far away from the younger students; the only reason she didn’t run this class. She had even less patience than Severus for foolish questions and interruptions, and the rest of the staff had quickly found that it was easiest on both the students and themselves for the heads of houses to run the introductory class.
For those that showed a magical affinity for Rites and Rituals, they would be required to continue taking Professor Meadow’s class until they graduated. Almost every student that graduated and passed her class, had wound up in a job that required intense magical knowledge skills. Graduating from her class was considered an honor. Much to the dour omegan professor’s dismay.
“Alright! Sit nice and orderly! Three to a bench please!” Pomona, (the last of the Heads of Houses to arrive in the rearranged Great Hall with her tottering group of First Year Hufflepuff’s in toe) clapped her hands as she announced her verdict. Beside Minerva, Severus scowled heavily at his own Slytherins.
Minerva pretended to have only just looked up and noticed everyone as she flicked her wand, transfiguring the Headmasters Dias where he gave speeches to the school into a giant chalkboard. Several students gasped where they were sitting. Minerva resisted the urge to show any humor; encouraging a little interest in Transfiguration was always a good idea for first years. As one of the most difficult subjects, it was also the most commonly dropped once students reached their sixth year. Her classes dropped from around thirty students, to a mere ten or fifteen.
Little Harry Potter, nestled in the third row between Ron Weasley and Hermione Granger, blinked with owlish surprise. His green eyes were wider than the full moon behind his scratched spectacles.
He really was . . . very small. The smallest in his year; all bony hands and knobby knees. He was a full head shorter than Ms Granger, and Granger herself wasn’t exactly tall to begin with.
When Minerva had first seen Lily and James' son at the sorting, she’d been startled into a brief silence after calling his name. The boy looked like he couldn’t be older than eight or nine. He looked exactly like his parents; and yet somehow not like them at all. His eyes were wider than his mothers had been, for all that they were the same striking green. They weren’t the Potter's almond eyes, or the Black’s fox-like eyes. They most likely came from one of his muggleborn relatives.
The young boy's jaw was more pointy than his fathers, and his nose more straight than his mothers own button nose for all that it was similar at the tip. His hair a dark inky black that rather reminded Minerva more of the Black family’s ebony locks rather than the dark brown/black of the Potter family. For all that Harry’s hair was the exact same brand of wild Potter curls. He looked strikingly similar to his paternal grandmother in coloring, and his face structure, to his maternal grandfather. Who Minerva had only met once at Lily and James' wedding.
And yet, there are enough similarities between the two that the resemblance to his parents still left her breathless. When Harry laughs, he has the same dimple that James had in his left cheek. His ears stuck out slightly just like Lily’s had. His fingers — long and slender like Euphemia Potter — drummed the same anxious rhythm as many Potter’s before him. His scowl looked so much like James had when told no that Minerva feels like she’s choking on her grief.
She was a little relieved that he had formed what seemed to be a strong friendship with his two housemates after Halloween. He had seemed slightly isolated at first, although the other teachers reported that Harry was a hard worker and easily kept up. He had only really talked to Ron Weasley.
Another flick of her wand has chalk floating up to scrawl at the top of the large chalkboard in fancy script.
Gender Identity, Presentation, and Analysis
There’s a widespread silence in the room now as the chalk continues scribbling out the points of the lesson. Pureblood students watch with a fake indifference. Muggleborn and several halfblood’s with growing confusion, some with eager anticipation. Likely excited to finally have questions answered.
Minerva clears her throat and begins.
“Today we will be going over basic education on your bodies as young witches and wizards, how they work, and what exactly you are to expect as you grow.” Her tone is one she used to have to practice before her classes, but now has down to an exact science. A mix of ‘no-nonsense’ and ‘No, I am not joking.’ that has even the most skeptical of students snapping to attention.
“For some of you, this will not be anything new, for others, you will likely have never heard of this before. Who in here completed the Assigned Readings?” She demands. All the Ravenclaws and most of the Slytherins raise their hands. While only a few of the Hufflepuffs and the Gryffindor students do. Minerva has to restrain the sigh that tries to tear from her mouth.
Only Hermione Granger, Parvati Patil, and Harry Potter from her lions. Well. She’d rather have three than none at all like last year. It's not too surprising; the very basis of the sorting system means her house is almost completely made up of those who learn better by action rather than reading.
“You will refrain from asking questions until the end of the allotted question time at the hour mark. If you have any questions, write them down on your parchment paper so you don’t forget them. If at the end of the lesson you have any questions at all — feel free to seek out your House Head or a Head Boy or Girl to ask.” There’s a rustling as students scramble to ready their ink and parchment; Minerva allows it with good grace.
This isn’t something that they’ll be used to for several years. By the time fifth year rolls around, most of these students will have become ingrained in the Magical Society to the point that they no longer need reminders or examples. Only a quick refresher in the form of a booklet that will go out to their parents. The booklet includes instructions for emergency potion supplies and on-call healers for muggleborn children’s parents to contact.
“Starting with the basics.” Minerva gestures, and Filius flicks his wand, six different detailed drawings of female and male anatomy begin to crawl their way across the board. “There is a marked difference between muggles and wizardkind when it comes to our reproductive system. This is not bigotry or bias speaking. We are different species, and that means that we have different biology.”
Several scandalized gasps and giggles ring through the air as the anatomy drawings get to more private parts. Each one getting a label drawn over the diagram. Severus quiets them with a ferocious glare.
Female Beta, Male Beta, Female Alpha, Male Alpha, Female Omega, Male Omega, all labeled with clear little numbers.
“Wizardfolk are believed to be descended from fae, a cross of wild magic and humans that resulted in the birth of our kind. As such, we have more animalistic characteristics to ensure the survival of our species. Mainly; the three subgenders. Marked down to things such as our much longer lifespan, and abilities with magic. Unlike muggles, we start puberty between the ages of fourteen to fifteen years old. During this time period, you will experience something called Presentation.”
As she talks the word scrawls itself across the board. Several of her Gryffindor students write it down; evidently finally deciding it’s a good idea to take notes. May wonders never cease.
“This is a time period where both your body and your magic starts to reach its baseline. In preparation of your Majority at the age of seventeen, your body presents earlier. In order for you to be able to physically bear children it decides to do this first so that your magic will not harm anything when it also matures some two years later.” She pauses; giving the students time to scramble to catch up with their notes.
“Presentation differs depending on what your Subgender type is. Consider presentation as the final step your body needs to take towards physical maturity. It enables you to sense magical auras others possess as well as particularly strong spells. For some, this new magic sensitivity will allow you to know what spells have been cast on items around you without ever having even seen or heard of them. Although the type of spells one can sense differ depending on their subgender.”
The word Subgender scrawls across the border and beneath it Alpha, Beta, Omega writes itself in bold letters. Minerva nods her thanks to Filius. The scratching of quills is loud in the sudden silence. The ones that weren’t aware what kind of discussion this would be are shrinking down. No longer playfully nudging at their housemates or friends as embarrassment takes hold.
“The three Subgenders are Alpha, Beta and Omega. Each Subgender has different roles in society. An Alpha is a dominant type, they are usually physically strong and tend to take on protector roles in the family. They also are able to get others pregnant, but cannot become pregnant themselves. Not even if they are female; their magic is more inclined toward the offensive magic and elemental magic based in the earth, or fire.”
There’s a choked, horrified sort of silence as Minerva dives into the logistics of it. Her face impassive and cold as she talks about the subgenders, and what it means for the students.
How Alpha’s when presenting will have fevers, and bouts of unprecedented rage in the weeks leading up to their presentation. How they will go into a presentation rut where both they, and their magic physically strikes out. She explains what knotting is calmly. Ignoring the horrified bright red faces as she gestures at detailed diagrams of the male anatomy for reference. Pulling up sketches of the retractable canines alpha’s have. The instinct to mark, to serve, to provide. Alpha’s development pains in their jaw and their genitalia in the weeks leading up to their presentation.
“You will have a heightened state of aggression and rage. Often a presenting alpha becomes extremely possessive of both his family and his personal belongings to the point of committing acts of violence.” Seeing their horrified faces, Minerva continues.
“Boys usually present as either Beta or Alpha; make sure you deliver your booklet to your guardians so they are aware of what could be awaiting them in the summer of your fourth year.”
She can see the hope in their faces when she moves on to Beta’s. She explains that Beta’s are the most common Subgender. That male and female Beta’s have almost no differences from muggles in terms of sexuality. Their presentation is usually preceded with heightened sensitivity to sounds and smells. They will not have the urge to mark or claim their mates the same way as Alpha’s, but that does not mean they don’t have that instinct at all. Often Beta’s experience mood swings from happy to bitterly sad in the weeks leading up to their presentation. They do not have ruts or heats, but they do have a couple months of very high sensitivity where it becomes very easy to be overwhelmed by simple sights and smells.
Omegas receive the most varied reactions. The rarest Subgender. Generally labeled as Submissive by society. They are only able to get pregnant, and cannot get others pregnant. They have strong instincts to make a home/nest and protect that area and all that are in it. Often, omegas are extremely fertile, and can carry twins or triplets. Which usually are rare in the magical world. In the weeks leading up to their presentation, omegas experience bouts of intense anxiety and worry. Nightmares, and fear driven fits are common in the more powerful omegas. They, like alpha's, will develop small retractable fangs; meant for sharp correctional nips for children or their mate. They experience pains in their abdomen, fevers, and often they become very lethargic before presentation.
Minerva keeps her tone factual as she goes into detail about how they produce slick. About how an omega has a natural desire to be knotted by an alpha when in heat, and how painful their heats can be without a mate to soothe them. She also stresses that girls are usually only beta or omega.
The students are now frantically scribbling out their questions and notes, brows furrowed with worry and other turbulent emotions. That’s ok; Minerva is here to stress how quickly a presentation can go wrong. Their dorm mates and the older students are there to reassure any worries and fears. She knows most of the prefects and Head Boys and Girls are waiting in the common rooms, preparing for the first year's return right now.
It is almost two hours later that she allows questions.
Hermione Granger is, of course, the first to raise her hand. Minerva indulges her with exasperated fondness.
“Ms. Granger?”
“You only provided examples of boys being alphas and girls omegas, but some texts say boys can be omegas and girls alphas — how does that work if Omegas can only get pregnant and Alphas can only impregnate others.”
Minerva nods, not at all surprised by the question; it’s one that’s asked every year. Either by students that are just morbidly curious, or terrified of slipping into those roles. After all, no one wants to be a freak with two entirely separate biologies.
“A male omega and female alpha are the rarest possible subgenders. Only one in every two to three generations presents as such. Often they present late; as their biology has to specifically grow organs for them to fulfill their subgenders. Their symptoms are exactly the same as a female omega or male alpha. A female alpha can get their mate pregnant when in rut but can’t get pregnant herself. A male omega can become pregnant while in heat, but can’t get anyone else pregnant.” She responded firmly, then continued as the young bushy haired girl drew in a breath to ask another question.
“There has not been a female alpha or male omega in nearly twenty years. The last of which was Bellatrix Lestrange, who presented as a female alpha. And before her, the last to present outside of their subgender was nearly two hundred years ago. The chances of anyone in here being one are slim to none. Your future gender studies class will go more into detail about the biology and physiology of a male omega and female alpha only to satisfy academic curiosities. But none of you need to worry about it, and so we will not be answering more in depth questions. Ms. Patil, your question?” She turned from Granger to Padma Patil. The Ravenclaw had sat up straight and smiled as Minerva called on her.
“Is it true that alpha’s can only be with omegas and vice versa?” She asked.
“No. There’s hundreds of extremely successful matings between alphas and betas or betas and omegas. Yes, omega’s rarely get with anyone other than an alpha, but that is more due to ratio as there are far more alpha’s than omega’s. It doesn’t change the fact that it's possible. The Weasley family is currently run by a very successful Beta and Omega pair. Mr Zabini?”
“My mom said that male omegas and female alphas had to be with the opposite Subgender.” Blaise Zabini hummed. Minerva sighed.
Blaise Zabini's maternal grandmother had been one of the only female alphas in the last fifty years in Italy. It was natural for him to know more.
“Due to the way their magic works, it is true that Male Omegas and Female alphas can only successfully form a mating bond and bear children for an alpha/omega pairing.” She resisted the urge to pinch her nose as Granger’s hand snapped back into the air. “I will not be accepting any more questions about a subgender diagnosis that absolutely none of you have to worry about.”
She paused as several hands lowered, then blinked in surprise as Harry Potter quietly raised his hand.
“Yes, Mr. Potter?”
“Um, does it really hurt the partner? When the alpha bites them?” He asked. “Does it scar?”
His voice was quiet, and vaguely worried, and abruptly Minerva remembered that she had seen Harry reading the course work at breakfast that morning and the boy had looked faintly worried as he read it. The gender studies book they’d been assigned had a chapter on some pureblood family attributes. Such as the fact that not a single Potter, Black, or Malfoy child had presented as a beta in over two hundred years. Harry Potter was basically guaranteed to be an alpha.
He sounded upset, his face shadowed and jaw working as if he was imagining actually wanting to bite someone. The idea undoubtedly was a brutal extreme to the unpresented mind.
Minerva herself was a beta, and had never had a mate. She found herself quiet at the question, her mind suddenly obscured with images of the boy's grandfather, Fleamont Potter as a first year student. His face red with worry and eyes watery with tears as he asked a much much younger Minerva the very same question. It was Filius that saved her from the sudden quiet strike of grief.
“Mating Bites are part of a very old and powerful ritual magic. Biting forms a connection between both the reciprocated and the alpha in question. It connects the two on all three levels of magic; mind, soul, and body. Which you will learn about in charms and transfiguration theory in your third year. It creates a sense of connection and belonging. Almost as if both individual parties have become one pairing. Both witch and wizard are much more powerful for it.” The small Alpha stepped forward, waving his hands as he explained. “Where an Alpha would struggle to form defensive magic and an Omega to perform offensive magic, a bound pair would naturally boost the other's affinity when their magic combines into one. Allowing both to perform that which was once beyond them.” He said gently. Harry blinked.
“But that's not what I asked! They bite them, and it leaves a really obvious scar right? Doesn’t that hurt the omega?!” His voice had a thin note of distress rising in it, his face flushed a ferocious shade of red as he continued. “A-And the knotting, wouldn’t that be really painful as well? What’s the benefits of being with an alpha if all they bring is —“
Severus cut him off.
“Potter, stop working yourself up with heroic ideations. It hurts their mate for maybe a few seconds before the bond snaps into place and magic heals the wound. The act is pleasurable for both partners; otherwise we would have no children at all with Alpha fathers. Yourself included, as your parents were a quite infamous bonded pair.” Harry shrunk down, the worry on his face turning to vivid mortification as giggles ripped through the room. Minerva strove to regain the previous somber air.
“You will be going more into depth at different magics bonded pairs can make in your future class in fifth year, for now; we are strictly going over the biology.”
The rest of the class extended in much the same vein. Children asking worried questions, one wanted to know if this was the same as werewolves and was firmly told no. Seamus Finnigan (much to Minerva’s surprise) said that his mother claimed that some alphas and omegas could grow claws as well as fangs.
She quickly cut that train of thought off. There were certain families that had extra traits; but that was not what this lesson was for.
The important thing was, three hours came and went, and none of the students broke down into hysterics or left without looking like they understood. She watched them go with a heavy sigh of relief.
Another year, and then she’d have to be giving the same speech to another batch of first years. But at least this year was done. She thought wearily as the children slowly filed from the Great hall. There was a moment of silence as House Elves cracked into the hall to reset the house tables up.
“Ten galleons on there being six alphas in this year's group.” Pomona’s voice was jovial as she announced her bet, a paper and self inking quill appearing in the woman's hand and Minerva snorted.
“A bold bet; only one out of every six males present alpha.” She observed. Pomona grinned.
“Ah but there are a lot of old lines this year; and we know that there tends to be higher counts of omegas and alphas in the elite. Their magic is more refined after years of selective breeding than fresh wild magic.”
“That’s a load of Hogwash and you know it —” Madame Hooch began, but was cut off swiftly.
“Six galleons on the Patil twins presenting beta and omega.” Filius hummed. Minerva snorted.
“It's practically guaranteed they’ll have a split presentation with them having been sorted into different houses.” She pointed out. Filius raised an eyebrow.
“I have yet to hear your bet, Minerva.” He admonished.
“Twenty galleons on Potter and Nott presenting alpha. Ten for each boy” She announced. Pomona hummed her acknowledgement, writing it down, while Filius scoffed loudly.
“That’s practically a guaranteed presentation!” Minerva graciously ignored him.
“Twenty galleons on Potter not presenting alpha. He doesn’t strike me as having a single alpha bone in his body.” Severus intoned. Minerva scowled at him. She drew in a breath, prepared to argue about the literal generations of history of every last Potter male presenting alpha when Filius interrupted their brewing argument.
“Five galleons on Longbottom presenting alpha.” Both Severus and Minerva turned as one to gape at him.
“Longbottom?!” They both exclaimed in such similar tones of shock that Pamona cackled as she wrote the bet down.
“Mr Longbottom will undoubtedly surprise us all.” Filius said cheerfully.