Disclaimer:- I don't own any of the characters except for the ones that I
have invented myself.
Chapter 1 - New Arrivals
Dear Harry,
Mum says that you can come and spend the rest of the summer at the Burrow. I've asked
Hermione as well ad she's coming in three days time. Write back as soon as possible and
We'll come and get you at midday I three days time.
From Ron
As soon as Harry had read the letter he grabbed a piece of Parchment and scribbled a reply.
Dear Ron,
I definitely want to stay at yours for the rest of the summer. The
Dursleys won't care, they'll be glad to be rid of me three weeks
earlier
From Harry.
"Here you go," Harry said to Hedwig, stroking her gently. She took off gracefully through the window and disappeared into the distance.
Harry got up and went down stairs to tell the Dursleys that he would be leaving in three days. A broad grin spread across his face.
He walked into the kitchen and stood over Uncle Vernon who was reading the morning paper. Slowly, he lowered the paper and looked up.
"What do you want, boy?" Uncle Vernon asked.
"I don't want anything," replied Harry. "I've come to tell you that I'm going to Ron's, in three days time."
"Good," said his uncle returning to his newspaper.
***
Harry was all packed and ready and waiting to go at the foot of the stairs. He heard the living room clock strike twelve. On the twelfth strike Harry heard the screeching of brakes and the skidding of tyres on gravel. The Dursleys came running out of the kitchen and ran towards the door, which swung open nearly knocking Uncle Vernon over. Standing in the doorway was a short bald man whom Harry had never seen in his life.
"Vernon Dursley, I presume," said the balding man. "Can't tell you how pleased I am to make your acquaintance." He continued shaking Vernon's hand.
Harry stood there in shock. He had never seen this man in his in life. He was about to go to the door and demand to know who he was, when he saw Ron's familiar face appear and took a sigh of relief.
"Excuse me, Mr. Jackson," said Ron. "Hello Mr. Dursley," he said walking into the hall. "Harry!"
"Ron!" Harry yelled walking towards him, but he stopped in his tracks and stood staring at Ron.
"What?" said Ron.
"Ron. What did you do to your hair?" Harry inquired, for Ron had acquired a certain spikiness to the front of his hair.
"Ha! Like it, do you? I think it's kind of cool." Ron replied affectionately touching his hair.
"Hmmm. Whatever you say," said Harry.
"Harry, meet Mr Jackson. He's from the Ministry of Magic, and he's staying at the Burrow until the end of the holiday," Ron said.
Harry exchanged greetings with Mr Jackson. Whilst all this was going on, the Dursleys stood in the hall, somewhat forgotten, until Harry was just about to leave, after Mr Jackson had helped him load his school trunk into the abnormally large Land-Rover that had skidded to a half on Privet Drive earlier.
"Well then," said Harry to his uncle, "I guess I'll see you next summer then," he said, backing out of the door. "Bye!"
Harry jumped into the extremely large Land-Rover and Mr Jackson started the engine.
"How long will it take us to get to the Burrow from here?" Harry asked.
"Oh, not long," replied Mr Jackson. "This is like the car version of the Knight Bus," he said enthusiastically revving the engine and slamming on the accelerator which propelled them forward at an incredible speed. Within ten minutes, they had ground to a half outside the Burrow.
"Go on in, boys," said Mr Jackson. "I'll bring in your things, Harry." Harry entered the warm kitchen of the Burrow and the whole family rose from the table to greet him.
"Make yourself at home Harry dear. We're just about to have our lunch," said Mrs Weasley.
"Hi Harry," said Fred and George.
"Good day to you Harry!" said Mr Weasley.
Suddenly there was a thundering sound, like a stampede of elephants, and Ginny and Hermione came charging down the stairs.
"Harry!" Hermione screamed, running up to him and flinging her arms around him.
"Hermione!" said Harry, who had almost been knocked off his feet.
"Harry, it's so good to see you!" Hermione yelled.
"Don't say hello to me or anything," said Ron. "I mean, you're only staying at my house for the next three weeks."
"Oh Ron!" said Hermione, throwing her arms around him too.
Just then, Mr Jackson came in dragging Harry's trunk, which he plonked by the fireplace. Harry and Ron picked it up and carried it and carried it upstairs with Hermione close by.
"Ah, it's good to be back here again," said Harry, as they entered Ron's room, which seemed to have been re-decorated from what Harry could see of the walls that weren't covered in Chudley Cannon posters.
"Well, we've got three weeks to kill," said Ron. "Where do you want to start?"
"Diagon Alley," said Hermione
"What for?" asked Ron. "We haven't even got our school letters yet!"
"Yes we have," replied Hermione. "They arrived when you two were out," she said, handing them their letters.
Harry looked down at his list.
Intermediate Transfiguration
The Standard Book of Spells - Grade 5
Advanced Charms
A Guide To The Dark Arts
"What?" said Harry, out loud "Aren't we supposed to learn how to defend ourselves against the Dark Arts, not study them?"
"What are you talking about, Harry?" said Hermione
"Here, look," said Harry, pointing at the list. "A Guide to the Dark Arts!"
"Harry! A Guide to the Dark Arts is a defence book, it tells you all about the Dark Arts so that you can learn how to defend yourself against them!" said Hermione smugly.
"Oh, right then," said Harry, glancing at Ron who was grinning
"Oh yeah," said Hermione. "We need dress robes again."
The grin on Ron's face disappeared rather quickly. "What?" he said. "What the hell for?"
"Perhaps they are going to have a Christmas Ball being as the Yule Ball was such a success," said Hermione excitedly. Ron groaned.
Later that day, the trio went into Diagon Alley. They had only one shop left to visit. Madam Malkin's Robes For All Occasions to by dress robes. Harry and Ron went into the shop and picked out the first two robes they found and were ready to leave in less than a minute. Hermione however took over one hour just to decide which robes to try on, and then spent a further hour trying them on. Harry and Ron were dozing off when she finally announced that she had finished.
On the way out of the shop, Harry and Ron were arguing with Hermione about the amount of time she had sent in the shop and Harry accidentally bumped into someone. They apologised to each other and Harry thought no more of the incident until they arrived at Hogwarts three weeks later.
* * *
The sorting had just finished and Dumbledore stood up to make an announcement.
"Welcome to all new students, first years in particular, but also, welcome to our new sixth year student and our new Defence Against the Dark Arts teacher," he said. At this point, people who hadn't really been paying attention, Harry and Ron in particular, looked up. People started whispering about the new Defence Against the Dark Arts teacher, but also about the new sixth year student.
"Isn't it a bit late to start Hogwarts in the sixth year?" asked Ron.
"They've probably come from another wizarding school," said Hermione.
"I wonder how long this Defence Against the Dark Arts teacher's gonna last?" asked Harry.
"May I introduce you to Professor Amore, our new Defence Against the Dark Arts teacher," said Dumbledore. "And Miss Faith Brady, who will be joining Gryffindor sixth year."
A tall figure entered, wearing a long black cloak with blonde hair down to her waist. She strode down the hall and stood in front of Professor Dumbledore. Harry took note of the fact that she hardly seemed old enough t have left school. She was followed by another cloaked figure who stopped at the Gryffindor table close to where Harry, Ron and Hermione were sitting. She pulled down her hood and Harry jumped in surprise; it was the same girl that he had bumped into outside Madam Malkin's! she was very pretty (Harry and Ron were quick to notice this, as were most of the boys in the hall, including Draco Malfoy).
Professor Amore was now taking her seat next to Professor Snape, and Harry noted that they didn't meet each others' eye. They also both had their lips curled as if someone had just put a filthy rotten snitch under their noses. Not many people seemed to have really noticed the new student and she remained standing.
"Sit down, sit down!" said Professor Dumbledore. She looked around for a place to sit, and Harry and Ron made room for her by nearly knocking Seamus off the bench, and beckoned her to come ad join them.
"Thank you," she said. Then she looked at Harry inquisitively and said, "Haven't we met before?"
"Yes, we have," Harry replied, pleased that she had remembered him. "Outside Madam Malkin's."
"Oh, yes, of course," she said. She held out her hand. "Faith Brady, how do you do?"
"Harry Potter," replied Harry, shaking her hand. "Pleased to meet you."
Harry saw her eyes flick up to his scar, but she made no comment, which he was grateful for.
"Why have you only just come to Hogwarts, then?" he asked.
"Oh! Well, my dad works for the Ministry of Magic, and he had to go to Canada. Anyway, a few weeks later, I got my Hogwarts letter, but then I had to go to Canada to live because of my dad's work there, and so I went to a school over there. But when we came back to the U.K., I got another letter telling me that I still had a place at Hogwarts. So I went to see Dumbledore in the holidays and I was sorted into Gryffindor."
"That's really interesting," said Harry. "This is my best friend Ro," he said, introducing Ron, who went very pink. "And this is my other friend Hermione."
"Hello," said Hermione. She didn't pursue a conversation and instead returned to her meal. Harry introduced Faith to everyone else around him and shortly afterwards Dumbledore sent everyone to their dormitories. When they arrived at the Gryffindor common room, Harry and Ron directed Faith to the girls' dormitories, and said goodnight before going to their own.
"What's up with Hermione?" asked Ron. "She wasn't very polite at the table, and then she stormed off afterwards."
"Probably thinks she's got competition," said Seamus.
"Competition for what?" asked Harry.
"You," said Seamus.
"What?" exclaimed Ron.
"Goodnight."
"What the hell is he on about?" asked Harry. "Hermione's got competition? For me? I mean. hang on. no. no, you don't think Hermione. I mean, me?" Harry stuttered.
Comprehension dawned on Ron's face and he laughed. "Looks like Hermione's got a crush on you, Harry."
"What? But she can't, I mean. Great," Harry sighed. "But what's that got to do with Faith?"
"Think about it, Harry," said Ron. "When she walked in, Hermione went out the window. Everyone was talking to Faith."
"But she's the new girl and she's starting Hogwarts in sixth year. People are bound to start talking to her, but the novelty will wear off," Harry exclaimed, trying to convince himself more than Ron.
"Try telling that to Hermione," said Ron. "Girls don't see it like that, and think about it. Hermione must have really thought that she was in with a chance. I mean, at the end of last year, she kissed you, Harry."
Harry groaned, but changed the subject quickly.
"What about the new Defence Against the Dark Arts teacher?" Harry asked.
"What about her?" said Ron, rooting through his trunk to find his pyjamas.
"What do you think about her?" Harry queried.
"Oh! Well, I don't know. She seemed a bit young, didn't she, ad she didn't like Snape. She's pretty though, isn't she? Looks like Hermione's got some more competition, Harry!" said Ron.
"RON!" Harry yelled, chucking a pillow at him. The pair of them started laughing and went to bed.
Chapter 1 - New Arrivals
Dear Harry,
Mum says that you can come and spend the rest of the summer at the Burrow. I've asked
Hermione as well ad she's coming in three days time. Write back as soon as possible and
We'll come and get you at midday I three days time.
From Ron
As soon as Harry had read the letter he grabbed a piece of Parchment and scribbled a reply.
Dear Ron,
I definitely want to stay at yours for the rest of the summer. The
Dursleys won't care, they'll be glad to be rid of me three weeks
earlier
From Harry.
"Here you go," Harry said to Hedwig, stroking her gently. She took off gracefully through the window and disappeared into the distance.
Harry got up and went down stairs to tell the Dursleys that he would be leaving in three days. A broad grin spread across his face.
He walked into the kitchen and stood over Uncle Vernon who was reading the morning paper. Slowly, he lowered the paper and looked up.
"What do you want, boy?" Uncle Vernon asked.
"I don't want anything," replied Harry. "I've come to tell you that I'm going to Ron's, in three days time."
"Good," said his uncle returning to his newspaper.
***
Harry was all packed and ready and waiting to go at the foot of the stairs. He heard the living room clock strike twelve. On the twelfth strike Harry heard the screeching of brakes and the skidding of tyres on gravel. The Dursleys came running out of the kitchen and ran towards the door, which swung open nearly knocking Uncle Vernon over. Standing in the doorway was a short bald man whom Harry had never seen in his life.
"Vernon Dursley, I presume," said the balding man. "Can't tell you how pleased I am to make your acquaintance." He continued shaking Vernon's hand.
Harry stood there in shock. He had never seen this man in his in life. He was about to go to the door and demand to know who he was, when he saw Ron's familiar face appear and took a sigh of relief.
"Excuse me, Mr. Jackson," said Ron. "Hello Mr. Dursley," he said walking into the hall. "Harry!"
"Ron!" Harry yelled walking towards him, but he stopped in his tracks and stood staring at Ron.
"What?" said Ron.
"Ron. What did you do to your hair?" Harry inquired, for Ron had acquired a certain spikiness to the front of his hair.
"Ha! Like it, do you? I think it's kind of cool." Ron replied affectionately touching his hair.
"Hmmm. Whatever you say," said Harry.
"Harry, meet Mr Jackson. He's from the Ministry of Magic, and he's staying at the Burrow until the end of the holiday," Ron said.
Harry exchanged greetings with Mr Jackson. Whilst all this was going on, the Dursleys stood in the hall, somewhat forgotten, until Harry was just about to leave, after Mr Jackson had helped him load his school trunk into the abnormally large Land-Rover that had skidded to a half on Privet Drive earlier.
"Well then," said Harry to his uncle, "I guess I'll see you next summer then," he said, backing out of the door. "Bye!"
Harry jumped into the extremely large Land-Rover and Mr Jackson started the engine.
"How long will it take us to get to the Burrow from here?" Harry asked.
"Oh, not long," replied Mr Jackson. "This is like the car version of the Knight Bus," he said enthusiastically revving the engine and slamming on the accelerator which propelled them forward at an incredible speed. Within ten minutes, they had ground to a half outside the Burrow.
"Go on in, boys," said Mr Jackson. "I'll bring in your things, Harry." Harry entered the warm kitchen of the Burrow and the whole family rose from the table to greet him.
"Make yourself at home Harry dear. We're just about to have our lunch," said Mrs Weasley.
"Hi Harry," said Fred and George.
"Good day to you Harry!" said Mr Weasley.
Suddenly there was a thundering sound, like a stampede of elephants, and Ginny and Hermione came charging down the stairs.
"Harry!" Hermione screamed, running up to him and flinging her arms around him.
"Hermione!" said Harry, who had almost been knocked off his feet.
"Harry, it's so good to see you!" Hermione yelled.
"Don't say hello to me or anything," said Ron. "I mean, you're only staying at my house for the next three weeks."
"Oh Ron!" said Hermione, throwing her arms around him too.
Just then, Mr Jackson came in dragging Harry's trunk, which he plonked by the fireplace. Harry and Ron picked it up and carried it and carried it upstairs with Hermione close by.
"Ah, it's good to be back here again," said Harry, as they entered Ron's room, which seemed to have been re-decorated from what Harry could see of the walls that weren't covered in Chudley Cannon posters.
"Well, we've got three weeks to kill," said Ron. "Where do you want to start?"
"Diagon Alley," said Hermione
"What for?" asked Ron. "We haven't even got our school letters yet!"
"Yes we have," replied Hermione. "They arrived when you two were out," she said, handing them their letters.
Harry looked down at his list.
Intermediate Transfiguration
The Standard Book of Spells - Grade 5
Advanced Charms
A Guide To The Dark Arts
"What?" said Harry, out loud "Aren't we supposed to learn how to defend ourselves against the Dark Arts, not study them?"
"What are you talking about, Harry?" said Hermione
"Here, look," said Harry, pointing at the list. "A Guide to the Dark Arts!"
"Harry! A Guide to the Dark Arts is a defence book, it tells you all about the Dark Arts so that you can learn how to defend yourself against them!" said Hermione smugly.
"Oh, right then," said Harry, glancing at Ron who was grinning
"Oh yeah," said Hermione. "We need dress robes again."
The grin on Ron's face disappeared rather quickly. "What?" he said. "What the hell for?"
"Perhaps they are going to have a Christmas Ball being as the Yule Ball was such a success," said Hermione excitedly. Ron groaned.
Later that day, the trio went into Diagon Alley. They had only one shop left to visit. Madam Malkin's Robes For All Occasions to by dress robes. Harry and Ron went into the shop and picked out the first two robes they found and were ready to leave in less than a minute. Hermione however took over one hour just to decide which robes to try on, and then spent a further hour trying them on. Harry and Ron were dozing off when she finally announced that she had finished.
On the way out of the shop, Harry and Ron were arguing with Hermione about the amount of time she had sent in the shop and Harry accidentally bumped into someone. They apologised to each other and Harry thought no more of the incident until they arrived at Hogwarts three weeks later.
* * *
The sorting had just finished and Dumbledore stood up to make an announcement.
"Welcome to all new students, first years in particular, but also, welcome to our new sixth year student and our new Defence Against the Dark Arts teacher," he said. At this point, people who hadn't really been paying attention, Harry and Ron in particular, looked up. People started whispering about the new Defence Against the Dark Arts teacher, but also about the new sixth year student.
"Isn't it a bit late to start Hogwarts in the sixth year?" asked Ron.
"They've probably come from another wizarding school," said Hermione.
"I wonder how long this Defence Against the Dark Arts teacher's gonna last?" asked Harry.
"May I introduce you to Professor Amore, our new Defence Against the Dark Arts teacher," said Dumbledore. "And Miss Faith Brady, who will be joining Gryffindor sixth year."
A tall figure entered, wearing a long black cloak with blonde hair down to her waist. She strode down the hall and stood in front of Professor Dumbledore. Harry took note of the fact that she hardly seemed old enough t have left school. She was followed by another cloaked figure who stopped at the Gryffindor table close to where Harry, Ron and Hermione were sitting. She pulled down her hood and Harry jumped in surprise; it was the same girl that he had bumped into outside Madam Malkin's! she was very pretty (Harry and Ron were quick to notice this, as were most of the boys in the hall, including Draco Malfoy).
Professor Amore was now taking her seat next to Professor Snape, and Harry noted that they didn't meet each others' eye. They also both had their lips curled as if someone had just put a filthy rotten snitch under their noses. Not many people seemed to have really noticed the new student and she remained standing.
"Sit down, sit down!" said Professor Dumbledore. She looked around for a place to sit, and Harry and Ron made room for her by nearly knocking Seamus off the bench, and beckoned her to come ad join them.
"Thank you," she said. Then she looked at Harry inquisitively and said, "Haven't we met before?"
"Yes, we have," Harry replied, pleased that she had remembered him. "Outside Madam Malkin's."
"Oh, yes, of course," she said. She held out her hand. "Faith Brady, how do you do?"
"Harry Potter," replied Harry, shaking her hand. "Pleased to meet you."
Harry saw her eyes flick up to his scar, but she made no comment, which he was grateful for.
"Why have you only just come to Hogwarts, then?" he asked.
"Oh! Well, my dad works for the Ministry of Magic, and he had to go to Canada. Anyway, a few weeks later, I got my Hogwarts letter, but then I had to go to Canada to live because of my dad's work there, and so I went to a school over there. But when we came back to the U.K., I got another letter telling me that I still had a place at Hogwarts. So I went to see Dumbledore in the holidays and I was sorted into Gryffindor."
"That's really interesting," said Harry. "This is my best friend Ro," he said, introducing Ron, who went very pink. "And this is my other friend Hermione."
"Hello," said Hermione. She didn't pursue a conversation and instead returned to her meal. Harry introduced Faith to everyone else around him and shortly afterwards Dumbledore sent everyone to their dormitories. When they arrived at the Gryffindor common room, Harry and Ron directed Faith to the girls' dormitories, and said goodnight before going to their own.
"What's up with Hermione?" asked Ron. "She wasn't very polite at the table, and then she stormed off afterwards."
"Probably thinks she's got competition," said Seamus.
"Competition for what?" asked Harry.
"You," said Seamus.
"What?" exclaimed Ron.
"Goodnight."
"What the hell is he on about?" asked Harry. "Hermione's got competition? For me? I mean. hang on. no. no, you don't think Hermione. I mean, me?" Harry stuttered.
Comprehension dawned on Ron's face and he laughed. "Looks like Hermione's got a crush on you, Harry."
"What? But she can't, I mean. Great," Harry sighed. "But what's that got to do with Faith?"
"Think about it, Harry," said Ron. "When she walked in, Hermione went out the window. Everyone was talking to Faith."
"But she's the new girl and she's starting Hogwarts in sixth year. People are bound to start talking to her, but the novelty will wear off," Harry exclaimed, trying to convince himself more than Ron.
"Try telling that to Hermione," said Ron. "Girls don't see it like that, and think about it. Hermione must have really thought that she was in with a chance. I mean, at the end of last year, she kissed you, Harry."
Harry groaned, but changed the subject quickly.
"What about the new Defence Against the Dark Arts teacher?" Harry asked.
"What about her?" said Ron, rooting through his trunk to find his pyjamas.
"What do you think about her?" Harry queried.
"Oh! Well, I don't know. She seemed a bit young, didn't she, ad she didn't like Snape. She's pretty though, isn't she? Looks like Hermione's got some more competition, Harry!" said Ron.
"RON!" Harry yelled, chucking a pillow at him. The pair of them started laughing and went to bed.