Disclaimer: Anything you recognize, I mostly likely (read as: definitely) don't own. All rights go to respective owners.

A/N — These oneshots are written in honor of the upcoming "Jurassic World" sequel and the Jurassic Fever challenge at The Golden Snitch. (If you haven't checked out that forum yet, you definitely should! It's so much fun!)

And let's be honest, putting dinosaurs in the world of Harry Potter is just too good of an opportunity to miss!

Welcome to Jurassic Hogwarts!

"Come on, slowpokes!"

Harry and Ron looked up from their fervent conversation with the Weasley twins, both of whom also clearly heard Hermione's voice. Despite the general chaos and din of the crowding students at Hogsmeade station, Harry found himself smiling; nothing had changed. He was back at Hogwarts, for hopefully a calmer year. Although, with his track record, that wish was probably a long shot. And there was also that thing Charlie had said at the station...

Anyway, after three years of being her friend, he knew it was best not to keep Hermione waiting. Saying quick goodbyes to both Fred and George, Harry and Ron firmly pushed their way through the mob.

"In a rush, Hermione?" he said with a grin, as he made his way to her side.

Harry also smiled at Ginny, who had been chatting with Hermione. The redhead blushed, her cheeks turning a light pink, and returned the grin.

"What were you talking to the twins about?" Hermione asked, ignoring Harry's question.

"What the big secret could be," Ron eagerly supplied, before Harry could even open his mouth to respond. "You know, the one everyone seems to know, but us."

Hermione rolled her eyes. "I thought we had settled that earlier? We'll probably find out when Dumbledore speaks at the opening feast, so we just have to be patient."

Ron opened his mouth — knowing him, it was most likely to argue — but Ginny cut him off.

"But it's so much fun to just guess, Hermione," she said sweetly, attempting to divert the imminent row. "Admit it. You're just as curious!"

"Can we wait to have this conversation, until we are at least on a carriage?" Hermione replied, unwilling to concede any interest in the mystery. "Remember, we're not even supposed to know this much. Someone could overhear."

Harry, who had been quietly watching the byplay, noticed Ron clench his fists. The tips of his friend's ears turned a shade of red, and he sighed. He knew Ron wouldn't let the topic go. He saw the signs of an infamous Hermione/Ron argument brewing — and apparently, so did Ginny.

"Enough talk about mysteries," she smoothly said, interjecting herself into the conversation. "I still can't believe Ireland lost the World Cup! The Irish Chasers were excellent!"

That was the right thing to say, as Ron launched into a passionate — borderline obsessive, Harry thought — speech about Krum, and how the Irish Chasers had nothing on the Bulgarian Seeker. The distraction … uh, conversation lasted the entire twenty-minute wait for a carriage and most of the ride to the castle.

Everything was going smoothly — until a giant roar shattered the peace.

"What in the bloody hell was that!" Ron exclaimed.

So much for a more quiet year, Harry thought despondently.

Hermione slapped Ron's arm. "Language!" she scolded, but he could tell her heart wasn't in it. She was just as pale and shaken as the rest of them.

Another loud roar broke the strained silence.

"It sounded like it was coming from up ahead," Harry stated. He leaned closer to the window, but couldn't see anything except dense forest foliage. "We should see whatever it is soon."

"I don't know if I want to see it at all," Ginny muttered anxiously.

"I don't think we'll have a choice," Hermione responded. While true, it was a rather ominous statement, and thick tension fell over the group.

The four Gryffindors said nothing — thoughts of Quidditch and secrets long forgotten — as the carriage continued to roll down the road. It felt like it took hours for them to break through the tree line, but in reality it was only a minute or two. When they finally did, it allowed Harry to catch his first glimpse of Hogwarts and the surrounding land.

His heart stopped.

Herds of dinosaurs, large and small, roamed the grounds. He checked his glasses, but judging by his friends' ashen faces, he knew what he was seeing was real. A group of dinosaurs, each one at least one hundred feet tall with incredibly long necks, waded in the shallows of the Black Lake. Flying dinosaurs — Harry remembered they were called pterodactyls — soared in the sky.

"Oh my god," Hermione whispered in horrorstruck voice.

"Well," Harry said after a beat, "I guess we know why Charlie is going to be at Hogwarts this year."

Hogwarts, it seemed, had taken a rather dangerous and prehistoric turn.

Prompt (Jurassic Fever — The Golden Snitch): Gallimimus: These dinosaurs were thought to be either omnivores or herbivores, and stuck together in large packs. Write about a group of students simply hanging out as friends. Additional prompts: (word) prehistoric

Dessie / Castelobruxo / South

Points: 15

Word count (not including title and author's notes): 735