CHAPTER ONE

"Harry! Harry, over here!"

Harry Potter turned to see one of his best friends, Hermione Granger, calling and waving him over. He was currently at Platform 9 3/4, waiting to board the Hogwarts Express to go into his fifth year at Hogwarts School Of Witchcraft And Wizardry. Harry ran over to Hermione and embraced her in a hug. "'Mione, it's been forever!"

"Yes, Harry, all summer. Why didn't you come to the Burrow this year?"

Harry choked, "Uh...busy. The Dursleys were out of town, had the house to myself."

"Must have been a good summer, then?"

Harry nodded.

"Harry! Hermione! Blimey, get your arses over here!" Harry and Hermione turned to see their other best friend, Ronald Weasley, not far away. They grabbed their trolleys and reached him, Harry saying, "Ron, you great prat, you're late!"

Ron sighed, "I know, I'm sorry. Mum wanted everything packed."

He then took a moment to take in seeing Harry again, and became confused. "Y'know, you look different, mate."

"What do you mean, different?"

"You're taller, and your hair is less...messy," Ron explained.

Harry put a hand to his hair, and he noticed that it had flattened itself slightly beforehand.

"I'm finally hitting puberty," he mumbled, making Ron laugh.

"Come on, boys. Stop stalling, we need to board the train!"

Harry and Ron nodded, and grabbing their trolleys, they followed Hermione onto the train. It was a challenge to find themselves a compartment, seeing as they were nearly the last ones aboard the train. After looking for a long time, they finally stumbled upon Ron's younger sister Ginny, who was sitting alone. "I saved you seats."

"Ginny, you're a lifesaver!" Ron cried, making his sister smile proudly.

Hermione sat down beside Ginny, and Ron and Harry both sat across from her. Ginny looked up a moment.

"Harry, are you alright?"

Harry felt confused as Ginny voiced some concern for him, "I'm fine...why?"

"Oh, it's just that you seem much paler, and you've got a bit of a bruise on your temple."

Hermione and Ron both looked at him. "You know, she's right," Ron told him, "You do have a bruise."

"Harry, are you sure you're alright?" Hermione asked.

"I'm fine, why wouldn't I be?"

Hermione shook her head and pulled out a book, instantly getting herself into it.

- - - - - - - - - -

The sorting ceremony went by slowly, as every year, but just as they always had, Harry and Ron paid no attention. "Look at that, there's an empty seat!" Ron pointed out.

"The Defence Against the Dark Arts techer usuaully sits there. I suppose they haven't found one."

"Or maybe..." Ron begin to say something when he heard a voice behind him.

"Harry, Ron! How great it is to see you again!"

The two turned around and met the most welcoming smiling face they'd seen that day. "Professor Lupin!" Harry exclaimed. "What are you doing here?"

"I'm your new Defence Against the Dark Arts teacher."

Harry and Ron's faces held huge smiles that Remus Lupin knew well. He quickly vacated his spot and walked up to the head table, leaving behind a group of surprised Gryffindor students. "Did you see that? He's back!" Harry heard Neville Longbottom say down the table, the clear sound of relief in his voice. Turning to face Ron, Harry said, "I would never have guessed."

"Oi, Harry!"

Harry turned to face Dean Thomas. "You look different," Dean told him.

"So I've heard."

"Are you feeling okay?"

Harry sighed, beginning to become aggrevated. "Yes, I am feeling perfectly fine. What is with everyone? I am not sick, and I am not in any pain. This bruise on my head, I'm sure I just bumped into a wall. It's nothing, see? And I'm not pale! Maybe you have all just tanned!" He instanly jumped up and stomped out of the Great Hall, grabbing everyone's attention.

"I didn't say anything about a bruise," Dean muttered.

"I think we should talk to him. Ron?" Hermione asked.

Ron nodded and the two quickly fled the room, leaving everybody else confused.