Chapter Two
Slightly closer to the school, the four of them started discussing what the new Head and teachers would be like. Harry would be well pleased to get shot of Trelawney, Filch, Slughorn and most likely whatever Defence Against the Dark Arts teacher they'd plucked from the gutter this year (another centaur perhaps?) – but those evening visits to Hagrid's hut had always been pleasant, even in the event that Hagrid had picked up yet another new pet – most likely one that would bite off their fingers given half a chance. And there was always that ache in his chest that, when addressed, whispered Dumbledore.
Even now Harry knew that Dumbledore had died on his own terms and willingly, he still got a sick taste in his mouth when he remembered that rag doll tumbling down from the Divination tower. In a flash of philosophical thought he realized that if this new school had Threstrals there would be not a person in his year that wouldn't be able to see them. Then Harry remembered the pale, lifeless face of Fred and he looked up at Ron who met his eye and immediately darkened, seeing right into Harry's head.
The only shadow over the Burrow that summer had been the absence of the twins: George dealt with his grief by locking himself in his room and going over the staggering amount of money they had made through their joke shop: Weasley's Wizard Wheezes.
'I swear he's got OCD,' Ron related gloomily to his family after being sent up with another tray of food that would come down untouched. 'He keeps muttering '127, 128 – no that's not right let me start again…'' - a depressingly accurate imitation of George's ramblings. The mood wasn't lightened by Mrs Weasley's idea of saying grace: 'We thank you Lord for your gifts we are about to receive – and thank you for letting us keep Fred's body where so many others were not so lucky'. Then she and Ginny and Hermione would burst into tears while the boys looked across the table to each other and prepared themselves for a dinner where to eat anything would seem offensive.
When they got off the train Harry's heart sank: there were the Thestral's ready and waiting to take them to their new abode. He heard his other classmates gasp and Seamus Finnigan exclaim 'So that's what they look like!' and then hastily shut his mouth when he remembered why so many of them could see the strange creatures now.
Harry clambered into a carriage with Neville, Hermione, Ron, Seamus, Parvati and Padma Patil, and Luna Lovegood.
Oh no. Apparently over the summer Neville and Luna had got it together. They weren't as flamboyant about it as Harry's good friends but they did hold hands shyly as if they were just getting used to each other.
'Where's Dean Thomas?' Luna piped up and the twins winced.
Seamus's mouth set in a straight line. 'His parents don't want him coming back to the wizarding world after the state he came back in last year,' he muttered. 'And he felt guilted because they were really panicking so he's staying for a while to 'placate them',' he quoted. 'As if after what we went through last year he couldn't handle a year at uni –'
A heavy silence met his words and Harry remembered like a thumping blow to the head that Justin Finch-Fletchley was in St Mungo's with very little hope of ever coming out, they had found Lavender Brown's arm and a few fingers, and any number of students (including what Harry could only remember as that bloody irritating first-year with a camera; Colin Creevey) were dead.
Had it really been worth it?
For the second time Seamus fell quiet. The couples hugged each other close and the singles tried to smile at each other although the expression felt wrong on their still-scarred faces.
'What do you reckon uni will be like?' Neville queried desperately.
'Living Hell,' was the unanimous answer.
The carriage drew up outside a formidable building of grey brick just as it started to rain, streaking tears along every window and battering the bricks into grim submission. Harry accepted Ron's help with his trunk but let him do most of the work while he gazed up at this overbearing building and wondered if he could just go back to the Burrow.
It got worse. Loitering around outside were three of what Harry knew must be Slytherins, if only by the snakes slithering up the backs of their black leather jackets.
He caught the eye of one.
Big mistake.
'It's the Chosen One!' they jeered. 'Hey Potter, how's your parents?'
Anger swelled in Harry's chest like hot coals multiplying and he raised a fist.
Luna took his hand as if by accident. 'They're only teasing you because they're insecure.' She gave them a hard stare – or as close to it as Luna Lovegood could manage. 'They thought Voldermort could protect them.'
Two of them appeared to back off – but the biggest burliest one merely sneered. 'Guess you got girls protecting you right Potter? Where's your girlfriend, Granger?'
Now it was Ron's turn to clench his fists. 'Who told you she was his girlfriend?'
'It's all over the Daily Prophet ginger, as if you didn't know.'
'We don't read the Daily Prophet,' Neville said firmly. 'As everyone should know by now, they go out of their way to lie.'
'So what would you suggest, fat-ass? The Quibbler?'
The three boys fell about laughing. Luna rolled her eyes, took the other's hands and marched right past them.
When they were inside Ron rounded on Harry. 'Did you tell them you were Hermione's boyfriend?'
'Don't be a prat,' Harry replied coolly, before marching ahead to catch up with Nevile and Luna.