Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter.
This is my first fic, and will be multi-chaptered. Rated for later chapters, things will get steamy. (; Don't read those chapters if it's not your thing, I will post warnings. Hope you enjoy!
Chapter 1- Back to Hogwarts
"Harry Potter Once Again Defeats Dark Lord! He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named Vanquished!". read the title of a crumpled and forgotten Daily Prophet, stirred up by Harry Potter and his best mate Ron Weasley's frantic search for left socks and ink bottles to complete the packing of their school trunks.
"Hey look, our front page debut", said Ron with a half-hearted chuckle, gesturing to the paper and the moving photograph of Harry, Ron and Hermione underneath the title. Grime-covered and battle worn as multiple flash bulbs went off around them, the three "heroes of the wizarding world" (as the papers often called the trio) stared grimly and determinedly into the camera among the wreckage and ruin that had once been the Hogwarts courtyard.
Harry shook his head , fishing under his bed for any clothes he had forgotten, "Just the first of many", he replied, referring to the copious amount of photographs that had been taken over the course of the summer what with the countless interviews, press conferences and various other events the trio were forced to endure.
"That's the price of fame, mate", Ron said with a grin. Harry merely smiled, preferring to stay out of the spotlight he had been under since that fateful night almost 17 years prior. It had been a trying summer. Along with all the unwanted attention, there were funerals to attend, rogue death eaters still at large wreaking minor havoc, and the reforming of the ministry of magic after Thicknesse's reign of terror. Harry had been surprised when the wizarding world had refused to accept a minister without his personal blessing. He was thrilled to support Kingsley Shacklebolt for the position.
There was also the issue of how the three friends would enter the workplace. It was unclear how, without any N.E.W.T.s, they would be able to start the careers they desired. However the answer to that question arrived via owl post in the beginning of July.
"It's weird going back, they've never had an eighth year", Ron said, changing the subject. All graduated seventh year students had been sent an official Hogwarts letter informing them that due to the previous highly unorthodox year, all seventh year students had the option of coming back for an eighth year of study and the chance to retake their N.E.W.T.s. Only 14 students would be accepted, so if interested all aspiring eighth year students were forced to write an acceptance essay on why they believed they deserved the extra opportunity. Hermione had been a great help to ensure all three were accepted, although they doubted that Hogwarts would honestly bar the saviors of Britain.
"Well considering what Neville and Ginny told us about last year… It's not that surprising", responded Harry grimly.
"Strange they're only allowing some of us back though."
"Yeah it-", Harry began, but was cut off by Hermione who bustled in looking rather harried.
"Not that strange when you think about it", she said distractedly, looking around amongst the current state of disarray Ron's bedroom was in, "I know I left it in here…Aha!" she exclaimed, picking up an amethyst book wedged halfway under Ron's dresser. "Anyway, they obviously can't put us in our old dormitories so they'll have had to make other arrangements. I expect it's also to lessen the load on the professors. With only 14 of us they'll only have to do one extra lesson. That's why only the core classes are being offered. Shame, I would've loved to continue ancient runes…Maybe I could join the seventh year class…"
Harry and Ron ignored Hermione's ancient runes dilemma and looked at one another apprehensively.
"I hadn't thought about that, us not being in Gryffindor tower", Ron said frowning.
"Me neither, what do you think they'll do with us?"Harry replied.
As always Hermione had an answer, "They have hundreds of empty rooms; they'll probably just find an unused wing to put us in." She surmised.
"True…I guess we'll find out tomorrow won't we? As well as who else got in", Harry said.
"Yes we will, now if you're finished packing you really ought to get to bed. It's nearly midnight." Hermione said authoritatively. Ron rolled his eyes behind her. "I will be at least, tomorrow is a big day and I'm going to have a lot of responsibilities." Hermione had been happily surprised with a second letter that came with her acceptance letter: she had been made head girl. The letter had explained that, since last year's students hadn't even had a head boy and girl, this year there would be two each, two from the seventh year and two from the eighth year. Neither Harry nor Ron had been made head boy ("Didn't want to play favorites", Ron had guessed) and all three wondered who had received that honor. "Goodnight Harry" Hermione said with a smile. "Goodnight Ron", she said as she leaned in for a kiss. Even after the whole summer spent at the burrow together, Harry was still getting used to the idea of his two best friends as a couple. They still argued like crazy, just maybe in a bit more affectionate manner.
"Goodnight", both replied as she exited the room.
"Well I am all packed; guess we better had get off to sleep to then huh?" Harry said, yawning.
"Yeah I guess-Oi! Pig! Get off that!" Ron bellowed, swatting at his tiny owl. Pigwidgeon had been doing his best to scratch off the face of one of Ron's posters of the Chudley Cannons. The chaser in question had been trying to defend himself to no avail by swinging his teammates bat at the owl. "Barmy little git", Ron muttered while shutting the owl in his cage.
Harry chuckled as he climbed into his bed and removed his glasses.
"Night Ron."
"Night mate."
Pigwidgeon, feeling left out, hooted his goodnights until Ron with an angry, "PIG", silenced him with a swish of his wand.
Harry laughed and rolled over, quickly falling asleep.
The next morning had featured the usual hustle and bustle to get to Kings Cross Station and catch the Hogwarts Express. The entire group going, Mr. and Mrs. Weasley, Ginny, Harry, Ron and Hermione, apparated directly to the station, Ginny doing side-along with her mum. Getting on to the populated train was made more difficult due to the fact that most students felt the need to cheer, clap, or other wise congratulate the trio, most notably Harry. One small first-year girl with light hair even snapped a photo before squealing and running off, reminding Harry with a pang of Colin Creevey. One compartment, however, had a very different reaction to the group peering in.
"Potter", Draco Malfoy sneered as the group paused at his compartment. "I guess it's no surprise that the savoir and his posse got in." Malfoys usual gang had been reduced to only two other Slytherins. It appeared that Blaise Zabini and a girl Harry recognized as Daphne Greengrass had also been accepted.
"How much did Mummy have to pay to get your death eater ass in, Malfoy? Cause we all know Daddy's in no place to be paying anyone. " Harry replied coolly. Draco's eyes flashed and he moved as if to withdraw his wand.
"Enough." Hermione said pushing Harry along and shooting Malfoy a dirty look. "And you'd do better not to start fights in front of the head girl, Malfoy." Ron flipped off the Slytherins as he went by, a gesture Zabini and Malfoy were happy to return. Daphne Greengrass, who barely looked up from the book she was reading during the altercation, resumed reading after rolling her eyes.
The group finally found a compartment containing Luna Lovegood and Neville Longbottom, who they were pleased to see had also been chosen to continue.
"Can't believe what?" Neville asked, only hearing the tail end of Harry and Ron's heated exchange.
"Malfoy's been accepted", Ginny answered quickly, giving Luna a small smile and wave.
"What! How?" Neville exclaimed, shocked.
"How horrible", Luna said dreamily, "But the malweevils will probably get him before too long, they feed off negative energy you know."
"Er…right." Harry said, "But seriously McGonagall must have accepted some sort of payment, no other death eaters made the cut."
"I doubt that Harry," Hermione cut in, "I'm sure there's a perfectly good reason she chose him, probably something he wrote in his essay made her think he's turned over a new leaf."
"Yeah right", Ron snorted. "This is Malfoy we're talking about Hermione."
"I agree with Hermione", Ginny added, "McGonagall wouldn't let him in without a good motive. Forget Malfoy though." She said, moving over to sit on Harry's lap, "I'm just glad you're going to get to spend my last year with me Harry, last year was torture."
"Literally", Neville murmured as Ginny brought down her lips to brush over Harry's, reaching around and burying her hands in the hair at the nape of his neck.
"Oi! I'm right here you know!" Ron yelled angrily. Harry merely smiled into the kiss. Some things never change.
When the time came to change into their robes, Neville put his on grinning from ear to ear. Attached to the front was a pin bearing the "HB" logo identifying him as head boy.
"Neville!" Hermione squealed, as Harry and Ron thumped him on the back, "Why didn't you say anything?!"
"Wanted it to be a surprise", Neville replied beaming "You should've seen the look on my gran's face when it came with my letter, she didn't even think I'd be one of the 14 students".
"That's great Neville", Harry said with a smile, "After everything you did last year, I can't think of anyone more deserving."
"Well I mean…You're the one who killed Vol-vol…Voldemort." Neville said quietly.
"Yeah I did, but I wouldn't have been able to if not for you Neville. You rounded up the DA and killed his snake. You truly earned it." Harry had never seen Neville look happier in his entire life.
When the train arrived at Hogsmeade Station Harry and his friends exited the platform. Harry smiled upon seeing Hagrids massive form over the heads of all the students and his familiar call of "Firs' Years! All firs' years over here!"
The group went to the threstle-drawn carriages, and Harry morbidly wondered whether all of his friends could now see them. Judging by the looks on their faces, he guessed yes. No one mentioning this however, Ron, Ginny, Hermione and Harry entered one of the carriages, Neville and Luna splitting off to find one of their own. Before long the familiar sight of the castle loomed in front of their eyes.
Harry felt a warming in his heart and he couldn't help but smile. He was home.
After the sorting and a truly delicious meal, ("The thing I missed most about Hogwarts", Ron had said patting his stomach contentedly) Professor McGonagall stood up from the center seat at the staff table and raised her hands for the students to quiet down.
"First off I would like to welcome students new and old to another year at Hogwarts. I'd like to remind you all about our house points system. Do well and you will be awarded points for your house, any rule breaking however, will cost your house points. The house at the end of the year with the most points is awarded the house cup. Anyone wishing to sign up for their houses quidditch team may do so with their heads of house. Now I'd like to move on to our new members of staff. As I am now headmistress, I will no longer be teaching the post of transfigurations. I'd like to introduce Professor Monroe." A pretty blond witch with clear blue eyes, no older than thirty, stood up and gave a small wave and smile revealing white teeth. The students clapped appreciatively and even gave a few whistles. "All right settle down", Professor McGonigal continued, "Next is the position of Defense Against the Dark Arts as well as our new head of Gryffindor house, Professor Link." A tall, thin man with long pulled back dark haired stood up and gave a brief nod. Harry noticed a thin scar going from above his right eye nearly down to his chin. The students once again clapped, though a little less enthusiastically than they had for Professor Monroe.
"As you all may know, Hogwarts was severely damaged in the events leading to the death of Lord Voldemort last year." At this sentence all murmurings and whispers ended and the hall went silent. "Our professors as well as help from all throughout the magical world worked tirelessly this past summer to restore it to its former glory. That goal has been achieved. I'd also like to mention that looking around you may see some friends who were seventh years last year. Hogwarts was able to accommodate a select group of students to continue their magical education and retake their N.E.W.T.s. Among these is Mr. Harry Potter. Harry if you could stand..." Feeling dread well up inside him Harry stood, "Mr. Weasley, Ms. Granger if you could also." Harry felt a little better when his friends stood with him; he was tired of always getting all the credit. "These three talented young adults were able to eliminate the biggest threat the world has ever known, if you will join me in celebrating their accomplishments." She smiled and began to clap and the hall rang out with cheers and applause. Out of the corner of his eye Harry thought he saw Malfoy clapping but when he glanced over he was met by a scowl and certainly no applause.
"Thank you, thank you" McGonagall said once the hall quieted down and the trio had taken their seats. Now all of you, off to bed! Classes begin in the morning. First years follow your prefects. Oh and eighth years, please remain in your seats. Thank you." After all the benches had been pushed back and students exited the hall Harry looked around to see who else had been selected. From Gryffindor he and his two best friends of course, along with Neville, from Slytherin the three he saw on the train, from Hufflepuff Ernie Macmillin and Susan Bones with one other girl he didn't know and four Ravenclaws, two boys and two girls he didn't know.
"All of you gather round", said professor McGonagall as she stepped down from the high table. "Now what we are doing this year is highly unusual and only because of the circumstances of last year. You all were selected because based on your past seven years as well as your essays you were deemed most worthy to receive the best education Hogwarts can offer. As we all know, last year was not at all close to a satisfactory education. Moving on, we must discuss your rooms. There is an unused wing on the fourth floor (at this Hermione gave Harry and Ron a little nudge, pleased with herself) and we have converted it into seven two bed suites. The three girl dormitories will be on the left while the four boy dormitories will be on the right." Harry and Ron grinned at each other; it would be just like how they had spent the summer. However their happiness quickly faded with her next words. "Since you are all from different houses, the best way to determine roommates is by random selection. I have here two hats", and with a wave of her wand they appeared, "with all of your names in them. Let's start with the ladies shall we?" She reached her hands into the female hat and pulled out two slips. "Hannah Abbot and Terry Boot." Hannah smiled at one of the ravenclaw girls who smiled back. "Next the gentlemen. Brenden Moon and Darius Nichols." The two ravenclaw boys high-fived and looked pleased. Harry could only hope he would be so lucky to at least room with Neville if not Ron. "Ladies, Hermione Granger and Daphne Greengrass", Hermione went pale and gave a weak smile to Daphne, who nodded, not unkindly. "Ernie Macmillan and Blaise Zabini." At this both parties, as well as Malfoy scowled. Clearly he had wanted to room with Zabini. Susan Bones and Lisa Turpin were followed by Ron Weasley and Neville Longbottom which only left…
"Harry Potter and Draco Malfoy."
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-fantomes