A New Danger.
Chapter 1: Life as it Was
Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter, the characters or anything to do with them Please don't sue me I have no money. Also, any resemblance to existing stories is unintended
Summery: it's summer time & Harry has gone to live with his godfather Sirius Black whose name has been cleared, Voldemort has been destroyed but has the danger (or he) really gone? Plus some new secrets about some of the teachers are going to be revealed & an old marauder makes an appearance & Mr. Malfoy some how escaped prosecution, but where is he now? Also, like I say in all my HP summeries. I' am not J.K. Rowling & I never will be, I merely gathered what talent I had & wrote these stories.
'I will be going back to Hogwarts in about a month.' Harry throught to himself as he watched Poseidon graze in his covered paddock through the open kitchen wintow. To his surprise he felt a slight pang of foreboding, his life with Sirius had only just begun & he was sad to be leaving it so soon. "Something wrong, Harry?" He was jerked back to reality by Sirius's voice. "Huh? Oh. yeah I'm fine." He lied, Sirius knew it immediately & frowned. "No your not Harry, I can see it in your face, did you not do all of your homework?" Harry shook his head. "No, well. er." Sirius raised his eyebrows expectantly, his head rested on his hands. "I kind of don't want to go back to Hogwarts, I don't want to leave here." He said in truth, Sirius smiled. "Don't worry Harry, I'm not going anywhere. You can always come back during the holidays. You can even bring Ron & Hermione if you like." Sirius suddenly smiled. "Speaking of, how about you send an owl to both of them inviting them over here? You haven't seen each other for a while & you three could go to together to Kings Cross." Harry grinned. "That would be great!" He looked around & gave a soft whistle, Hedwig came fluttering down from his room. "Got a message for you to take girl, to Ron Weasley." He said, getting out two pieces of parchment. "Ron, how would you like to come over here for the rest of the summer? I'm sending a letter to Hermione also, so we could spend some time together before school starts. Give me your answer. -Harry "For the other you can use Baux (prounced bo)." Sirius said as his tawny owl flew from the rafters, Harry tied the letters to the owls, & with that they flew through the open window. Harry watched them until they were out of sight, they had just gotten back to eating when a flash of scarlet & gold entered the room. "Fawkes!" Harry cried as the phoenix landed in the middle of the table, a letter was in his beak. Sirius & Harry just looked at each other as Fawkes placed the letter on the table right in front of Sirius & uttered a soft note. Sirius picked up the note slowly, opened it & read outloud:
"Dear, Harry & Sirius. I' am sending you this letter so you will know that as a precaution I have put a spell on your property to keep any dark wizard or witch from finding you. Hope you both are well. Albus Dumbledore. Harry & Sirius just stared at the letter, then at each other. "What do you think this means?" Harry asked, Sirius shrugged. "It means that Dumbledore's still got suspicions that there's still danger out there even with Voldemort gone." Harry stared at him for a mimute before speaking. "Do you think that some of his followers will try & avenge his death?" Harry asked. "It's a possibility Harry, I want you to be extra careful when you exercise Poseidon, you never know what's waiting around a bend. Understand?" Harry nodded Sirus got out a new piece of parchment & wrote back: Dumbledore: Got your letter, thank you for for the spell, & for warning us about possible danger &. Hope all is alright at Hogwarts. -Sirius
"Harry!" Hermione & Ron cried as they came through the chimney, followed by Fred & George. "How are ya Harry?" George said, shaking his hand as Fred clapped him on the back. "I'm doing fine." Said Harry, wincing. "How are all of you?" George grinned. "Fine, Fred & I know how to apperate now, but ikle Ronnikins here isn't allowed to yet so we have to bother with floo powder." He said, seizing Ron by the neck & giving him a noogie. "Hey! George get off!" Ron cried angrily, pushing him away. Just then Sirius came in. "Ah, Ron & Hermione so nice to see you." He said, they smiled wearily. "You all look tired, travel by floo powder is very stressful do come in & sit down I'll make some tea." He said, motioning them to the living room. "So Harry ." Hermione started. "YES Hermione, I've been studying!" Harry finished fo her. She gave him a satisfied smile just as Sirius came back with the tea. "So, tell me, you parents doing well?" he asked, looking at the Weasleys. "Their doing great, reckon mum misses having Harry over though." Ron said. "And how is the joke business going?" Sirius asked, looking to Fred & George. "Oh very well, our tongue toffees are so popular that we can't keep up with the shipments & our new line of fake shampoo is going over pretty well also." "Yeah, it looks & smells like shampoo but it's really a die that turns the user's hair weird colors, so far we have green, orange, yellow & pink." Harry smiled at the thought of Malfoy waking up with pink hair. The twins suddenly smiled. "Oh, Harry we never repaid you for all the money you gave us did we Fred?" Said George. "No I can't say that we have." Said Fred, getting the same grin. Then, at the same time they pulled out their wands & a concoction of things appeared on the coffee table: Tongue toffees, fake wands & dragon stool, frog hoppers, & their newest invention 5 bottles of fake shampoo. "There, that should make us even." Said George. "Yeah, all your money went to buy & make that stuff." Fred added, Harry grinned. "Wonder how Snape would look with pink hair?" Ron laughed. "Or Filch!" Ron added, they all roared with laughter. Suddenly Harry brightned. "Hey Fred & George I have something to show you common out here." He said, motioning them to the back yard. They all stared in awe at Poseidon for a while. "He's-he's.wow." Croaked Fred, Harry grinned. "Each of you can have a turn riding behind me. "Okay, then Ron can be first." George said, giving him a push forward. After they'd all ridden it was time for lunch. "So what does everyone want?" Sirius asked, holding up his wand. "I'll have turkey sandwitches." Harry said. "Hmmm, beef stew sounds good." Fred & George said. "I'd like a nice salad." Hermione said at last, Sirius conjered up a whole turkey for himself & they began to eat.
"Wonder if Moody's ever going to come back?" Ron said as they approched the barrier to platform 9 ¾. Harry shrugged. "Dunno, I hope so, he's the best defense against the dark arts teacher we've had, even if it wasn't really him." Hermione thought a minute. "What about Lupin? Remember how You-Know- Who was disguised as him, I wonder where the real Lupin is?" She said, Harry & Ron shook their heads as they stopped in front of the metal barrier. Harry & Ron had learned to be very careful in case it was ever blocked again they wouldn't make such a scene. They both walked through it together & were now face to face with the scarlet steam engine known as the Hogwarts Express. They loaded their trunks on & went to sit down, Hermione was up with the other prefects. In no time at all they were steaming past Muggle towns, Harry watched as the scenery got more mountainous as they traveled further north. Harry bought every sweet he could fit in his arms from the trolley lady (she had forbode him from buying the lot). "You didn't pick up Bertie Botts Every-flavor beans?" Ron asked, surveying the sweets that were scattered apon their seats. "No way Ron, I found the vomit flavored one Dumbledore told me about, didn't leave the bathroom for days." He said, rubbing his stomach, Ron chuckled.
In no time at all they had arrived The Hogwarts train station where the carriages awaited them. When they entered the great hall Harry was surprised to fid that, instead of the normal white candles, there were pale blue ones lighting their way. Although the hall was still as bright as ever, the blue light made look a little like the forbidden forest. All the teachers waved at him as he sat down, Professor McGonagall shot him a smile as she strode by with the new wave of first years at her heels. "Whoa look at em' all!" Ron said, Harry nodded, there had to be at least nine hundred if not more. "Hope they have room at the tables for them." Ron said. Harry nodded & turned to watch, his wild hair shifting to reveal his scar, unfortunately the first year students started took notice at once. They all started pointing & gibbering excitedly. "Wow look!" "It's Harry Potter!" "Where?" "Over there!" "He's the one with the firebolt!" One boy said, pointing & goggling. "Silence, all of you!" Professor McGonagall said, coming to stand in front of them after having a word with Dumbledore. "Mr. Potter isn't some piece of jewlery that one admires behind glass, now pay attention as I call your names!" She said in her sharpest voice. After what seemed like forever, Professor McGonagall rolled up the parchment & took the hat away. She had to magically make their table longer to accommodate the new first year Gryffindors. With no further delay, the feast began. A boy with dark brown hair, hazel eyes & dark skin that had seated himself across from Harry turned to him. "Hi, I'm Sam Grant." He said, holding out his hand. "Are you by any chance, David Grant's brother?" Harry asked, the boy nodded. "He came in to Professor McGonagall's classroom when we're helping her grade papers." Harry explained, Sam looked rather nervous. "Professor McGonagall scares me, it seems that she's not the teacher to cross." Harry nodded enthusiastically, his mouth now full of the food that had just appeared on the plates. "She's the last teacher here you want to cross. She's strict & clever, plus she's an animagus. Her animal form's a grey tabby cat with markings around the eyes just like her spectacles." Harry said. "Thanks for telling me." "She's really not as bad as she looks, as long as you stay on her good side you should be okay." Harry said. "That's easy for you to say, YOUR Harry Potter!" He exclaimed, Harry couldn't help grinning.
"Hey why don't we go & see Madam Scuie, we don't have a class right now & we havent seen her in ages." Ron suggested at breakfast he next morning, Harry nodded. "I'll go up first tell her you're here & bring brooms down to you." Ron & Hermione nodded as they aproched the huge tree. Harry mounted his firebolt & kicked off the ground, he landed on the platform-like deck & knocked on the door but no one answered. He tried the knob & found it open. Thinking he probably shouldn't do this, he pushed the door open. "Madam Scuie?" he called, no answer he desided to try his luck & walk in. "Madam S.arrrgh!!" A large steely silver bird with bright yellow markings on its head had swooped down right over his head & had settled itself upon the edge of her desktop, Harry stepped tentativly forward. "Wow, you're a silver falcon. But I've never seen one with yellow?" Suddenly the magnificent bird spread its wings as if to take off, there was a popping sound, Madam Scuie appeared exactly where the falcon had been perched, her short legs dangling over the edge of her desk. "M-Madam Scuie you're.you're." "An animagus? Yes, I' am registered but the only people who know are Dumbledore, Professor McGonagall, Madam Hooch, & now you. It came in handy when we wanted to see the training sessons of our opponents in quiddich." She said with a smile. "Oh, Madam Scuie, Ron & Hermione are down at the bottom. They need brooms to fly up here." She smiled & tossed him two. A moment later he re-appeared with Ron & Hermione. "Wow, we didn't know you were an animagus, that's cool." Ron said. "Madam Scuie I have a question for you, how do you become an animagus & can you choose what animal you'll be?" She thought for a minute before answering. "Hmm, that's a tough one. No I don't think you can choose what animal you'll be, that's kinda predetermined. For example; if you father was a dog when he transformed that doesn't nessessarly mean you'll be a dog, you might be a bird or a lizzard or something." "Could you teach me to be an animagus Madam Scuie?" Harry asked, to his disapiontment she shook her head. "I may be able to turn into an animal Harry but I'm no expert, for that you'll need to see Professor McGonagall."
Harry walked into transfiguration, alone & early. Professor McGonagall was already there working at her desk. She looked up when he entered. "Why are you here so early?" Harry was too nervous to look her in the face, he spoke instead, to his shoes. "I have his been to see Madam Scuie & she says that you taught her to be an animagus." Professor McGonagall put down her quill. "Yes, that's true, why?" She asked, coming around to stand in front of him, he was now taller than her by a good two inches, but that didn't make her any less intimidating. "Well. I was wondering. if you'd teach me to become one too." He said quickly, she considered him for a moment before answering. "I see no problem in teaching you, but you have to be here every day after you last class & be willing to give up an hours worth of time!" She said, Harry nodded. "Sure Professor, no problem."
"You mean she actually said yes!" Hermione cried at lunch. "Yeah but I have to give up an hour of my time every afternoon." He pointed out. "Wonder if you'll be a stag just like your dad?" Ron said Harry shrugged. "We'll have to see, I just hope I can juggle that & afternoon quiddich practices." He said as they got up to leave. "Harry, Harry!" He turned to see Madam Scuie jogging toward him. "I need you at the quiddich field, tryouts." He nodded. "Tell Professor Alouse I'm coming." Ron & Hermione nodded & started toward class. Harry followed Madam Scuie out ot the quiddich field where five gryffindor students stood. "Good day to all of you, I'm Madam Scuie, the flying instructor & quiddich referee. As you know not everyone can make it & you must be willing to sacrfice you nights & some of your weekends to practice! Along with me is the Gryffindor quiddich captian Harry Potter." Their eyes went wide. "H-Harry Potter?!" "HE'S the captain!" Harry stepped forward. "Yes, I' am. Now I'm not looking for world class talent but quiddich isn't something that you aquire a knack over night. Some are born with talent & some aren't." "Now one by one mount your brooms & show us some flying!" Madam Scuie cried, a girl stepped forward. "My name is Amanda Shnit, I'm a fourth year." She stated. Madam Scuie gave her a broom & she was off. "Wow she's very good." Harry commented as she zigged & zagged all over the field. Suddenly, a raven flew right in her path. She tried to avoid it but couldn't, they collided. Professor McGonagall was grading homework in her office when she happened to look out her window. "What in the world." she sputtered, hurring around her desk to get a better look. Amanda slipped sidways off her broom, managing just in time to catch herself with her hand. 'I'll use the summoning charm. oh no I can't, I left the firebolt locked up in my trunk!' Without thinking he grabbed one of the school brooms, kicked off the ground & zoomed toward her as fast as the old shooting star would take him. just as he was about to reach her she fell, he shot under her & caught her on the back of the broom. But there was another problem, the old broom wasn't strong enough to handle their combined weight. He stopped & spotted the other broom drifting slowly toward the Forrbidden Forest, but the one he was riding was vibrating so badly that he didn't dare reach for his wand. "What does he think he's doing!" Professor McGonagall said to herself, she didn't even notice that Professor Dumbledore had joined her. "What's going on?" He asked calmly. "H- Harry just saved that girl." she whispered. In an instant Harry knew what he had to do, he turned to Amanda. "Are you okay? Not hurt or anything?" She shook her head, her face was ashen & she looked as though she was about to be sick. "I-I'm okay." She said in a small voice. "Okay then, I'm going to drop, we'll crash of I try & land it with the two of us. Be ready to pull up as hard as you can when I slide off, okay?" She nodded. Harry took a deep breath & looked down, they were at least 40 feet up, he squeezed his eyes shut & pushed himself sideways off the broom. "OH my goodness!" Professor McGonagall shrieked as she ran out of her office, Dumbledore right behind her. In the blur of color that was racing past his field of vision he saw her right the broom. The next thing he heard was a loud thump, two sickening cracks. He felt a searing pain in his head & knew no more.
Harry's ears began picking up on a weird sort of sound. The sounds turned out to be voices & at first he thought he was going crazy, but then he realized the voices belonged to someone else. "Albus, do you think he'll be alright?" He Heard a woman's voice say, undoubtly belonging to Professor McGonagall. Her voice sounding far & distant. He tried to open his eyes but couldn't seem to. "Its all my fault, of it weren't for this damned arm, I could've helped him. I shouldn't be the flying teacher." Said another voice, sounding angry. "Oh Rophilla don't be foolish, Madam Hooch couldn't have stopped what happened. Now I have a class to get to, Albus you will notify me if he wakes?" "Yes, Minerva I will." There was a pause before he heard the sound of steps echoing down the hallway. Harry concentrated very hard & slowly opened his eyes, the faces Professor Dumbledore & Madam Scuie flickered fuzzily into view. "What the.?" He stammered, trying to sit up. "No Harry, you have to lie still, that was quite a fall you had." Dumbledore said, Harry alowed himself to be gently pushed back on to his pillow. He gropped around the nightstand for his glasses, finding them, he put them on. Dumbledore & Madam Scuie's faces became clearer now. "Oh, Harry you scared the daylights out of us! Why in the name of quiddich did you do that!" Madam Scuie said, her face stricken with worry. "Now, Now Rophilla don't be too hard on him, Harry saved someone's life at great risk to his own." He said, beaming down at him. Just then Madam Pomfery bustled over. "I must insist that Harry get some rest." Dumbledore nodded. "I fully agree Poppy, common Rophilla." Madam Scuie gave Harry's shoulder a squeeze before leaving with Dumbledore. Madam Pomfrey turned to Harry. "Do you think you could stay away from here for one year?" She said, looking reprovingly at him. Harry put on an expression of mock shock. "Why, I thought you liked my company Madam Pomfrey?" She gave him another look. "I would much rather you visit me healthy then ill, Harry." And with that she bustled off to her office. Harry settled back on to his pillow & drifted off to sleep.
"Harry!" Hermione cried as she & Ron entered his room the next day. She hurried to his bedside & threw her arms around him. "Oh, Harry we all were so worried!" Harry patted her back awkwardly. "Yeah," Ron said. "When Dumbledore & Professor McGonagall magicked you in here we thought you were." He trailed off. Harry grinned as Hermione let go of him. "Well, I'm not dead, just a broken wrist, ankle & a very sore head." He said. "Is that girl okay?" He asked, Ron shook his head & grinned. "You can say that again! She talks about you all the time now, I think that Ginny & Moaning Myrtle have competion now." He said, Hermione scowled. "She should've done a better job of controling that broom!" She cried, they all looked at her. "Hermione it wasn't her fault, a raven flew right into her face." Harry said. "You could've died! But does she come up here & thank you? Nooo! She parades around the school gushing on how brave you are, how handsome you are its revolting!!" She finished, her fists clenched & shaking with anger. Just then there was a knock on the door, Madam Pomfrey answered it. "Yes I suppose you may come in." Came Madam Pomfrey's voice, sounding a little annoyed. "Harry, you have another visiter, it seems you are quite a popular patient today." She said as Amanda Shnit walked tentatively into the room. "Amanda, how you you doing?" He asked, smiling at her. She looked as though she was uncomfortable at seeing him laying in bed, Harry realized this. "Oh don't worry I'm in here all the time, just ask Madam Pomfrey." Madam Pomfrey looked up at this comment & shook her head disaprovingly before disappearing into her office again, Harry grinned. "See? Oh, by the way these are my two friends R." "Hermione Granger." Hermione intrupted sharply, thrusting out her hand. "Hi." Amanda said, taking it. "And I'm Ron Weasley." Ron said also holding out his hand. "So. coming to thank Harry?" Hermione asked gruffly. "Er. yeah, I've had lots of test so I havent had the time to come up here." "Havent had the time?" Hermione repeated. "Harry saved you life, almost killing himself in the process & you couldn't find the time?" She said, her voice rising. "I'm sorry but I can't skip class to be up here with him, I'm not special like you three." She said in a calm voice, still smiling. "Rest assured if I could get off from class to visit Harry I definatly would!" She said, turning to Harry & giving him a wink. Harry felt himself go a little red for Amanda was very pretty, jaw length curly blonde hair, light skin & deep green eyes. Hermione bristled & took a step foward but just then Madam Pomfrey came out of her office & ushered all of them out. "See you soon Harry." Amanda said. "Bye Harry." Ron called from the hall as she closed the door.
later than night Harry awoke with a start, for a moment he wondered what had woken him so suddenly, he heard voices again & realized that must have been what had woken him up. "Get Poppy, quick!" Came Dumbledore's voice, which was unusually sharp. "What in the world happened!" Madam Pomfrey hissed as she returned with Professor McGonagall. "She's been poisoned, by who or what we don't know. We think she was trying to bring these to Harry." Came Professor McGonagall's voice, she held up a basket of cookies in the dark. Harry eased himself off his pillow & looked. His heart seemed to stop beating, it was Amanda Shnit. She was laying limply on the bed her eyes wide open, she was taking short labered ragged breaths that sounded little like a dementor. "Who. who did this?" Madam Pomfrey asked, her voice shaking a little. "There's no way of telling, Poppy. But whoever or whatever it is, I'm sure it has something to do with Voldemort." Both Madam Pomfrey & Professor McGonagall gasped.
End Chapter 1
Chapter 1: Life as it Was
Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter, the characters or anything to do with them Please don't sue me I have no money. Also, any resemblance to existing stories is unintended
Summery: it's summer time & Harry has gone to live with his godfather Sirius Black whose name has been cleared, Voldemort has been destroyed but has the danger (or he) really gone? Plus some new secrets about some of the teachers are going to be revealed & an old marauder makes an appearance & Mr. Malfoy some how escaped prosecution, but where is he now? Also, like I say in all my HP summeries. I' am not J.K. Rowling & I never will be, I merely gathered what talent I had & wrote these stories.
'I will be going back to Hogwarts in about a month.' Harry throught to himself as he watched Poseidon graze in his covered paddock through the open kitchen wintow. To his surprise he felt a slight pang of foreboding, his life with Sirius had only just begun & he was sad to be leaving it so soon. "Something wrong, Harry?" He was jerked back to reality by Sirius's voice. "Huh? Oh. yeah I'm fine." He lied, Sirius knew it immediately & frowned. "No your not Harry, I can see it in your face, did you not do all of your homework?" Harry shook his head. "No, well. er." Sirius raised his eyebrows expectantly, his head rested on his hands. "I kind of don't want to go back to Hogwarts, I don't want to leave here." He said in truth, Sirius smiled. "Don't worry Harry, I'm not going anywhere. You can always come back during the holidays. You can even bring Ron & Hermione if you like." Sirius suddenly smiled. "Speaking of, how about you send an owl to both of them inviting them over here? You haven't seen each other for a while & you three could go to together to Kings Cross." Harry grinned. "That would be great!" He looked around & gave a soft whistle, Hedwig came fluttering down from his room. "Got a message for you to take girl, to Ron Weasley." He said, getting out two pieces of parchment. "Ron, how would you like to come over here for the rest of the summer? I'm sending a letter to Hermione also, so we could spend some time together before school starts. Give me your answer. -Harry "For the other you can use Baux (prounced bo)." Sirius said as his tawny owl flew from the rafters, Harry tied the letters to the owls, & with that they flew through the open window. Harry watched them until they were out of sight, they had just gotten back to eating when a flash of scarlet & gold entered the room. "Fawkes!" Harry cried as the phoenix landed in the middle of the table, a letter was in his beak. Sirius & Harry just looked at each other as Fawkes placed the letter on the table right in front of Sirius & uttered a soft note. Sirius picked up the note slowly, opened it & read outloud:
"Dear, Harry & Sirius. I' am sending you this letter so you will know that as a precaution I have put a spell on your property to keep any dark wizard or witch from finding you. Hope you both are well. Albus Dumbledore. Harry & Sirius just stared at the letter, then at each other. "What do you think this means?" Harry asked, Sirius shrugged. "It means that Dumbledore's still got suspicions that there's still danger out there even with Voldemort gone." Harry stared at him for a mimute before speaking. "Do you think that some of his followers will try & avenge his death?" Harry asked. "It's a possibility Harry, I want you to be extra careful when you exercise Poseidon, you never know what's waiting around a bend. Understand?" Harry nodded Sirus got out a new piece of parchment & wrote back: Dumbledore: Got your letter, thank you for for the spell, & for warning us about possible danger &. Hope all is alright at Hogwarts. -Sirius
"Harry!" Hermione & Ron cried as they came through the chimney, followed by Fred & George. "How are ya Harry?" George said, shaking his hand as Fred clapped him on the back. "I'm doing fine." Said Harry, wincing. "How are all of you?" George grinned. "Fine, Fred & I know how to apperate now, but ikle Ronnikins here isn't allowed to yet so we have to bother with floo powder." He said, seizing Ron by the neck & giving him a noogie. "Hey! George get off!" Ron cried angrily, pushing him away. Just then Sirius came in. "Ah, Ron & Hermione so nice to see you." He said, they smiled wearily. "You all look tired, travel by floo powder is very stressful do come in & sit down I'll make some tea." He said, motioning them to the living room. "So Harry ." Hermione started. "YES Hermione, I've been studying!" Harry finished fo her. She gave him a satisfied smile just as Sirius came back with the tea. "So, tell me, you parents doing well?" he asked, looking at the Weasleys. "Their doing great, reckon mum misses having Harry over though." Ron said. "And how is the joke business going?" Sirius asked, looking to Fred & George. "Oh very well, our tongue toffees are so popular that we can't keep up with the shipments & our new line of fake shampoo is going over pretty well also." "Yeah, it looks & smells like shampoo but it's really a die that turns the user's hair weird colors, so far we have green, orange, yellow & pink." Harry smiled at the thought of Malfoy waking up with pink hair. The twins suddenly smiled. "Oh, Harry we never repaid you for all the money you gave us did we Fred?" Said George. "No I can't say that we have." Said Fred, getting the same grin. Then, at the same time they pulled out their wands & a concoction of things appeared on the coffee table: Tongue toffees, fake wands & dragon stool, frog hoppers, & their newest invention 5 bottles of fake shampoo. "There, that should make us even." Said George. "Yeah, all your money went to buy & make that stuff." Fred added, Harry grinned. "Wonder how Snape would look with pink hair?" Ron laughed. "Or Filch!" Ron added, they all roared with laughter. Suddenly Harry brightned. "Hey Fred & George I have something to show you common out here." He said, motioning them to the back yard. They all stared in awe at Poseidon for a while. "He's-he's.wow." Croaked Fred, Harry grinned. "Each of you can have a turn riding behind me. "Okay, then Ron can be first." George said, giving him a push forward. After they'd all ridden it was time for lunch. "So what does everyone want?" Sirius asked, holding up his wand. "I'll have turkey sandwitches." Harry said. "Hmmm, beef stew sounds good." Fred & George said. "I'd like a nice salad." Hermione said at last, Sirius conjered up a whole turkey for himself & they began to eat.
"Wonder if Moody's ever going to come back?" Ron said as they approched the barrier to platform 9 ¾. Harry shrugged. "Dunno, I hope so, he's the best defense against the dark arts teacher we've had, even if it wasn't really him." Hermione thought a minute. "What about Lupin? Remember how You-Know- Who was disguised as him, I wonder where the real Lupin is?" She said, Harry & Ron shook their heads as they stopped in front of the metal barrier. Harry & Ron had learned to be very careful in case it was ever blocked again they wouldn't make such a scene. They both walked through it together & were now face to face with the scarlet steam engine known as the Hogwarts Express. They loaded their trunks on & went to sit down, Hermione was up with the other prefects. In no time at all they were steaming past Muggle towns, Harry watched as the scenery got more mountainous as they traveled further north. Harry bought every sweet he could fit in his arms from the trolley lady (she had forbode him from buying the lot). "You didn't pick up Bertie Botts Every-flavor beans?" Ron asked, surveying the sweets that were scattered apon their seats. "No way Ron, I found the vomit flavored one Dumbledore told me about, didn't leave the bathroom for days." He said, rubbing his stomach, Ron chuckled.
In no time at all they had arrived The Hogwarts train station where the carriages awaited them. When they entered the great hall Harry was surprised to fid that, instead of the normal white candles, there were pale blue ones lighting their way. Although the hall was still as bright as ever, the blue light made look a little like the forbidden forest. All the teachers waved at him as he sat down, Professor McGonagall shot him a smile as she strode by with the new wave of first years at her heels. "Whoa look at em' all!" Ron said, Harry nodded, there had to be at least nine hundred if not more. "Hope they have room at the tables for them." Ron said. Harry nodded & turned to watch, his wild hair shifting to reveal his scar, unfortunately the first year students started took notice at once. They all started pointing & gibbering excitedly. "Wow look!" "It's Harry Potter!" "Where?" "Over there!" "He's the one with the firebolt!" One boy said, pointing & goggling. "Silence, all of you!" Professor McGonagall said, coming to stand in front of them after having a word with Dumbledore. "Mr. Potter isn't some piece of jewlery that one admires behind glass, now pay attention as I call your names!" She said in her sharpest voice. After what seemed like forever, Professor McGonagall rolled up the parchment & took the hat away. She had to magically make their table longer to accommodate the new first year Gryffindors. With no further delay, the feast began. A boy with dark brown hair, hazel eyes & dark skin that had seated himself across from Harry turned to him. "Hi, I'm Sam Grant." He said, holding out his hand. "Are you by any chance, David Grant's brother?" Harry asked, the boy nodded. "He came in to Professor McGonagall's classroom when we're helping her grade papers." Harry explained, Sam looked rather nervous. "Professor McGonagall scares me, it seems that she's not the teacher to cross." Harry nodded enthusiastically, his mouth now full of the food that had just appeared on the plates. "She's the last teacher here you want to cross. She's strict & clever, plus she's an animagus. Her animal form's a grey tabby cat with markings around the eyes just like her spectacles." Harry said. "Thanks for telling me." "She's really not as bad as she looks, as long as you stay on her good side you should be okay." Harry said. "That's easy for you to say, YOUR Harry Potter!" He exclaimed, Harry couldn't help grinning.
"Hey why don't we go & see Madam Scuie, we don't have a class right now & we havent seen her in ages." Ron suggested at breakfast he next morning, Harry nodded. "I'll go up first tell her you're here & bring brooms down to you." Ron & Hermione nodded as they aproched the huge tree. Harry mounted his firebolt & kicked off the ground, he landed on the platform-like deck & knocked on the door but no one answered. He tried the knob & found it open. Thinking he probably shouldn't do this, he pushed the door open. "Madam Scuie?" he called, no answer he desided to try his luck & walk in. "Madam S.arrrgh!!" A large steely silver bird with bright yellow markings on its head had swooped down right over his head & had settled itself upon the edge of her desktop, Harry stepped tentativly forward. "Wow, you're a silver falcon. But I've never seen one with yellow?" Suddenly the magnificent bird spread its wings as if to take off, there was a popping sound, Madam Scuie appeared exactly where the falcon had been perched, her short legs dangling over the edge of her desk. "M-Madam Scuie you're.you're." "An animagus? Yes, I' am registered but the only people who know are Dumbledore, Professor McGonagall, Madam Hooch, & now you. It came in handy when we wanted to see the training sessons of our opponents in quiddich." She said with a smile. "Oh, Madam Scuie, Ron & Hermione are down at the bottom. They need brooms to fly up here." She smiled & tossed him two. A moment later he re-appeared with Ron & Hermione. "Wow, we didn't know you were an animagus, that's cool." Ron said. "Madam Scuie I have a question for you, how do you become an animagus & can you choose what animal you'll be?" She thought for a minute before answering. "Hmm, that's a tough one. No I don't think you can choose what animal you'll be, that's kinda predetermined. For example; if you father was a dog when he transformed that doesn't nessessarly mean you'll be a dog, you might be a bird or a lizzard or something." "Could you teach me to be an animagus Madam Scuie?" Harry asked, to his disapiontment she shook her head. "I may be able to turn into an animal Harry but I'm no expert, for that you'll need to see Professor McGonagall."
Harry walked into transfiguration, alone & early. Professor McGonagall was already there working at her desk. She looked up when he entered. "Why are you here so early?" Harry was too nervous to look her in the face, he spoke instead, to his shoes. "I have his been to see Madam Scuie & she says that you taught her to be an animagus." Professor McGonagall put down her quill. "Yes, that's true, why?" She asked, coming around to stand in front of him, he was now taller than her by a good two inches, but that didn't make her any less intimidating. "Well. I was wondering. if you'd teach me to become one too." He said quickly, she considered him for a moment before answering. "I see no problem in teaching you, but you have to be here every day after you last class & be willing to give up an hours worth of time!" She said, Harry nodded. "Sure Professor, no problem."
"You mean she actually said yes!" Hermione cried at lunch. "Yeah but I have to give up an hour of my time every afternoon." He pointed out. "Wonder if you'll be a stag just like your dad?" Ron said Harry shrugged. "We'll have to see, I just hope I can juggle that & afternoon quiddich practices." He said as they got up to leave. "Harry, Harry!" He turned to see Madam Scuie jogging toward him. "I need you at the quiddich field, tryouts." He nodded. "Tell Professor Alouse I'm coming." Ron & Hermione nodded & started toward class. Harry followed Madam Scuie out ot the quiddich field where five gryffindor students stood. "Good day to all of you, I'm Madam Scuie, the flying instructor & quiddich referee. As you know not everyone can make it & you must be willing to sacrfice you nights & some of your weekends to practice! Along with me is the Gryffindor quiddich captian Harry Potter." Their eyes went wide. "H-Harry Potter?!" "HE'S the captain!" Harry stepped forward. "Yes, I' am. Now I'm not looking for world class talent but quiddich isn't something that you aquire a knack over night. Some are born with talent & some aren't." "Now one by one mount your brooms & show us some flying!" Madam Scuie cried, a girl stepped forward. "My name is Amanda Shnit, I'm a fourth year." She stated. Madam Scuie gave her a broom & she was off. "Wow she's very good." Harry commented as she zigged & zagged all over the field. Suddenly, a raven flew right in her path. She tried to avoid it but couldn't, they collided. Professor McGonagall was grading homework in her office when she happened to look out her window. "What in the world." she sputtered, hurring around her desk to get a better look. Amanda slipped sidways off her broom, managing just in time to catch herself with her hand. 'I'll use the summoning charm. oh no I can't, I left the firebolt locked up in my trunk!' Without thinking he grabbed one of the school brooms, kicked off the ground & zoomed toward her as fast as the old shooting star would take him. just as he was about to reach her she fell, he shot under her & caught her on the back of the broom. But there was another problem, the old broom wasn't strong enough to handle their combined weight. He stopped & spotted the other broom drifting slowly toward the Forrbidden Forest, but the one he was riding was vibrating so badly that he didn't dare reach for his wand. "What does he think he's doing!" Professor McGonagall said to herself, she didn't even notice that Professor Dumbledore had joined her. "What's going on?" He asked calmly. "H- Harry just saved that girl." she whispered. In an instant Harry knew what he had to do, he turned to Amanda. "Are you okay? Not hurt or anything?" She shook her head, her face was ashen & she looked as though she was about to be sick. "I-I'm okay." She said in a small voice. "Okay then, I'm going to drop, we'll crash of I try & land it with the two of us. Be ready to pull up as hard as you can when I slide off, okay?" She nodded. Harry took a deep breath & looked down, they were at least 40 feet up, he squeezed his eyes shut & pushed himself sideways off the broom. "OH my goodness!" Professor McGonagall shrieked as she ran out of her office, Dumbledore right behind her. In the blur of color that was racing past his field of vision he saw her right the broom. The next thing he heard was a loud thump, two sickening cracks. He felt a searing pain in his head & knew no more.
Harry's ears began picking up on a weird sort of sound. The sounds turned out to be voices & at first he thought he was going crazy, but then he realized the voices belonged to someone else. "Albus, do you think he'll be alright?" He Heard a woman's voice say, undoubtly belonging to Professor McGonagall. Her voice sounding far & distant. He tried to open his eyes but couldn't seem to. "Its all my fault, of it weren't for this damned arm, I could've helped him. I shouldn't be the flying teacher." Said another voice, sounding angry. "Oh Rophilla don't be foolish, Madam Hooch couldn't have stopped what happened. Now I have a class to get to, Albus you will notify me if he wakes?" "Yes, Minerva I will." There was a pause before he heard the sound of steps echoing down the hallway. Harry concentrated very hard & slowly opened his eyes, the faces Professor Dumbledore & Madam Scuie flickered fuzzily into view. "What the.?" He stammered, trying to sit up. "No Harry, you have to lie still, that was quite a fall you had." Dumbledore said, Harry alowed himself to be gently pushed back on to his pillow. He gropped around the nightstand for his glasses, finding them, he put them on. Dumbledore & Madam Scuie's faces became clearer now. "Oh, Harry you scared the daylights out of us! Why in the name of quiddich did you do that!" Madam Scuie said, her face stricken with worry. "Now, Now Rophilla don't be too hard on him, Harry saved someone's life at great risk to his own." He said, beaming down at him. Just then Madam Pomfery bustled over. "I must insist that Harry get some rest." Dumbledore nodded. "I fully agree Poppy, common Rophilla." Madam Scuie gave Harry's shoulder a squeeze before leaving with Dumbledore. Madam Pomfrey turned to Harry. "Do you think you could stay away from here for one year?" She said, looking reprovingly at him. Harry put on an expression of mock shock. "Why, I thought you liked my company Madam Pomfrey?" She gave him another look. "I would much rather you visit me healthy then ill, Harry." And with that she bustled off to her office. Harry settled back on to his pillow & drifted off to sleep.
"Harry!" Hermione cried as she & Ron entered his room the next day. She hurried to his bedside & threw her arms around him. "Oh, Harry we all were so worried!" Harry patted her back awkwardly. "Yeah," Ron said. "When Dumbledore & Professor McGonagall magicked you in here we thought you were." He trailed off. Harry grinned as Hermione let go of him. "Well, I'm not dead, just a broken wrist, ankle & a very sore head." He said. "Is that girl okay?" He asked, Ron shook his head & grinned. "You can say that again! She talks about you all the time now, I think that Ginny & Moaning Myrtle have competion now." He said, Hermione scowled. "She should've done a better job of controling that broom!" She cried, they all looked at her. "Hermione it wasn't her fault, a raven flew right into her face." Harry said. "You could've died! But does she come up here & thank you? Nooo! She parades around the school gushing on how brave you are, how handsome you are its revolting!!" She finished, her fists clenched & shaking with anger. Just then there was a knock on the door, Madam Pomfrey answered it. "Yes I suppose you may come in." Came Madam Pomfrey's voice, sounding a little annoyed. "Harry, you have another visiter, it seems you are quite a popular patient today." She said as Amanda Shnit walked tentatively into the room. "Amanda, how you you doing?" He asked, smiling at her. She looked as though she was uncomfortable at seeing him laying in bed, Harry realized this. "Oh don't worry I'm in here all the time, just ask Madam Pomfrey." Madam Pomfrey looked up at this comment & shook her head disaprovingly before disappearing into her office again, Harry grinned. "See? Oh, by the way these are my two friends R." "Hermione Granger." Hermione intrupted sharply, thrusting out her hand. "Hi." Amanda said, taking it. "And I'm Ron Weasley." Ron said also holding out his hand. "So. coming to thank Harry?" Hermione asked gruffly. "Er. yeah, I've had lots of test so I havent had the time to come up here." "Havent had the time?" Hermione repeated. "Harry saved you life, almost killing himself in the process & you couldn't find the time?" She said, her voice rising. "I'm sorry but I can't skip class to be up here with him, I'm not special like you three." She said in a calm voice, still smiling. "Rest assured if I could get off from class to visit Harry I definatly would!" She said, turning to Harry & giving him a wink. Harry felt himself go a little red for Amanda was very pretty, jaw length curly blonde hair, light skin & deep green eyes. Hermione bristled & took a step foward but just then Madam Pomfrey came out of her office & ushered all of them out. "See you soon Harry." Amanda said. "Bye Harry." Ron called from the hall as she closed the door.
later than night Harry awoke with a start, for a moment he wondered what had woken him so suddenly, he heard voices again & realized that must have been what had woken him up. "Get Poppy, quick!" Came Dumbledore's voice, which was unusually sharp. "What in the world happened!" Madam Pomfrey hissed as she returned with Professor McGonagall. "She's been poisoned, by who or what we don't know. We think she was trying to bring these to Harry." Came Professor McGonagall's voice, she held up a basket of cookies in the dark. Harry eased himself off his pillow & looked. His heart seemed to stop beating, it was Amanda Shnit. She was laying limply on the bed her eyes wide open, she was taking short labered ragged breaths that sounded little like a dementor. "Who. who did this?" Madam Pomfrey asked, her voice shaking a little. "There's no way of telling, Poppy. But whoever or whatever it is, I'm sure it has something to do with Voldemort." Both Madam Pomfrey & Professor McGonagall gasped.
End Chapter 1
