A/N: Here's the first chapter! Oh, by the way : I introduce MADE UP MAGIC. As in, some of the magic in this story isn't canon, or doesn't seem possible. I am aware of this. But I also have an explanation for each one (I'm not telling you what it is though. Not yet.)
There will also be slight references to Jade Empire (Bioware), Knights of the Old Republic I and II (Bioware) and Prince of Egypt (Dreamworks). Just a little heads up.
Disclaimer: Harry Potter is owned by JK Rowling, the song "Astronaut" is by Simple Plan, all I own is the (ADDED) plot.
Astronaut
...***...
Chapter 1
"Cause tonight I'm feeling like an astronaut,
Sending SOS from this tiny box,
And I,
Lost all signal when I lifted up,
Now I'm stuck out here and the world forgot..."
-Astronaut, Simple Plan
He was still out there. He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named. He was quiet. After the Battle of Hogwarts, he left without a trace. Some say he was gone. But Harry Potter knew better.
No one spoke of it. The Golden Trio, Harry and his best friends, Hermione Granger and Ron Weasley walked into their compartment, laughing at a joke Ron made. Ginny Weasley followed suit, sitting over beside Harry. Harry put his arm around her, and Hermione and Ron sat on the other side.
After everything that happened, Hermione and Ron both agreed they should just be friends. Hermione still had a thing for him, and she knew it, but she felt it best if they let it go.
Professor Dumbledore made changes the previous year, and found all the previous Seventh Years, because of the circumstances, were unable to finish their NEWTs. Therefore, he allowed them to come back and redo their previous year. It required a lot, including making all the common rooms larger. The Eighth Years were also to share class with the Seventh Years, which made the classes much bigger. That would also mean that the Seventh and Eighth Years wouldn't always be having their classes with their house, as well as another house. In fact, they decided to mix it all together, meaning Harry, Ron, Hermione and Ginny wouldn't all be sharing the same classes.
"So," started Ron, "Any thoughts on what you guys will be doing after this year?"
"I'm thinking about being an Auror," stated Harry. "They offered me a spot already, so after school I'll probably go and do the training." He sounded a little grim, and they all knew why. "You?"
"Maybe the same. I dunno. They offered me a spot too, but...err...I mean, first I need to get into Potions, then—"
He was cut off when they heard a noise come from outside their compartment. It sounded more like someone bumped into someone else, and as they listened, they knew their suspicions were correct.
"I'm going to check it out," stated Harry, standing and going over to open the door. Just as he did, he saw a bunch of Slytherins – all Eighth Years – advancing on a girl, seemingly about the same age, but smaller. Much smaller.
"Leave me alone!" she screamed, backing up a little. As they came closer in view, Harry was able to pick out exactly who the Slytherins were. There was Theodore Nott, Gregory Goyle, as well as Pansy Parkinson, all ganging up on the one girl. Parkinson was laughing her ass off as she watched Nott and Goyle.
"Hey look! Didn't think they'd allow anymore new Mudbloods in Hogwarts!" Nott.
"Ah ha!" Goyle.
Harry decided now would be a good time to jump in. "Hello Nott, Goyle. Parkinson." They all glared for a minute. It took Harry a while to notice something. "You're missing someone."
"Malfoy? We don't hang around him anymore, Potter." stated Nott, spitting out the word "Potter" as he said it. Harry ignored that. He simply sounded calm.
"Well, why not?"
"Bad influence. Things got...complicated." Harry regarded them oddly for a moment. Isn't Malfoy the leader of this lot? He quickly shook it off and got down to what he came out for.
"Why don't you leave her alone. Clearly she doesn't want you three around."
"How 'bout you mind your own—" he was cut off when someone roughly pushed past everyone down the hall, glancing every so often into the compartments, and finally opening one up and going inside. Harry was startled for a moment, but he knew exactly who the blond was. Draco Malfoy.
Goyle raised his eyebrows and gestured to Parkinson which way Malfoy went. Nott smirked in his direction, then turned over to Harry. "Well, mate, good seeing you," he spoke with heavy sarcasm. "Have fun with your new friend." They all began walking down the hall and going into the compartment that Malfoy seated in.
Harry turned to the girl, seeing the Ravenclaw crest on her robes. "Thanks," she said. She seemed to be breathing hard. She squinted, then for an instant, it looked like something dawned on her. "You're Harry Potter!" Raising her hand, she stated, "Brenna Foster. I'm a year younger than you. Seventh Year. Nice to meet you!"
Harry took Brenna's outstretched hand and shook it as he looked her over. She was already in her robes, as well she had black hair and silver eyes. Harry swore he saw a tinge of purple in them, but it went away so fast he barely got the chance to see if it were always there.
"Can I sit with you and your friends? I don't want to run into...them again." She shuddered.
Harry nodded. "Of course."
They went into the compartment and were greeted by many questions. Harry jumped back to his seat beside Ginny. Brenna jumped over right next to Ron and smiled largely.
Ron looked at her and gave her a wide-eyed expression. "Harry, who is she?"
"Brenna Foster, nice to meet you," she said, stretching her hand out to Ron. Ron took it.
"Ron Weasley."
Hermione frowned slightly, but didn't say anything.
"Goyle, Nott and Parkinson were...well, you know what I mean. I let her stay here before they came back."
"Back from where?" demanded Ron.
"I...don't really know exactly..."
"They went to go...'speak'...with Malfoy." Brenna greatly emphasized 'speak'.
"Right," replied Ron. "He really needs a talking to anyway." Brenna smirked slightly. Harry didn't press on it too much though, and the group continued to talk of absolute rubbish.
...***...! #$%^&*()_+...***...
The Hogwarts Express came to a halt, and the students began to leave the train. The group saw Hagrid leading the First Years down to the boats, while the others were brought to the carriages. About everyone could see the Thestrals by now, so it wasn't much of a mystery as to what was pulling the carriages.
Hermione walked off the train and was just about to follow the other four when she heard what sounded like bickering from somewhere behind her. But it wasn't...only one side was talking.
"Can't believe I hung out with you!"
"Can't believe I actually liked you!"
"Get lost, Malfoy! You too, Zabini!" There were harsh laughs afterwards, all being ignored. Hermione tried desperately to look through the crowd and see what was going on, and after a while of searching, she finally saw it.
Malfoy, as well as Zabini, seemed to be speed walking away from Parkinson, Goyle and Nott, rubbing his left arm. Zabini kept looking back behind him.
"You just going to run away? Ha! Good luck with that! We'll find you, mates! We will!" That was Nott. What was going on?
"You coming?" demanded Ron, looking back at her. He didn't seem to have noticed the bullying going on behind them.
Hermione was debating whether or not she wanted to ask if Zabini was okay. Or even Malfoy. It was that darn kind and "equality for everyone" side to her that made her think these preposterous thoughts. Sensing a bad answer from both boys who spent years considering her as "Mudblood Granger", she thought against it.
She nodded. "Yes, coming."
...***...! #$%^&*()_+...***...
All the students settled in the Great Hall after Sorting, and awaited the announcements from Professor Dumbledore. They went by pretty quickly, Hermione noticed. Ron got Head Boy, and he was quite happy about that. Head Girl was that girl they met on the train, Brenna Foster. Hermione couldn't believe she wasn't picked. But she was happy for Ron, and didn't want something like that to change her mood.
He had more to speak about. He raised his hands to make sure he still had everyone's attention. "Because of recent events, I have allowed all of our students who were – or would have been – in their Seventh Year to come and finish their schooling. As well, Professor Slughorn and I have spoken, and he thinks it best if he retired." There was murmuring going on at each of the tables, mostly asking who was going to teach Potions. "Therefore, I have allowed Professor Snape to retake his post as Potions Master." The talking became louder, now asking why she had allowed him to come back. Not even the Golden Trio could exactly piece together why Professor Dumbledore had allowed him to continue being a teacher at Hogwarts.
"I would like to remind students that the Forbidden Forest is strictly prohibited. As well, Third to Sixth Years may go to Hogsmeade during their trip. Seventh and Eighth Years may go whenever they wish." There were a few cheers from many of the Seventh and Eighth Years, but they were quickly hushed. "That is a privilege, which may easily be taken from you, if you are unable to finish your studies," he said sternly.
"Oi," whispered Seamus. "And I was hopin'–"
"One more announcement, I would like to welcome, Professor Phoebus Morrigan. Your new Defence Against the Dark Arts teacher." A man with neatly combed, dirty blond hair and jet-black robes, stood up from the staff table, a condescending smirk played on his lips. He looked to be in his thirties, but Hermione couldn't deny that he was extremely handsome. Not hot. Handsome. She looked around to see many of the girls in the room look dreamily at him, particularly Lavender Brown and Pansy Parkinson. She frowned. It was like Gilderoy Lockhart had come back to Hogwarts with a different name and apparel.
Dumbledore flicked waved his hand and the tables were filled with food.
"Head Boy, Ron? Why didn't you tell us?" asked Harry, demanding.
"I wanted it to be a surprise..."
"So that's why McGonagall wanted to speak to you guys on the train!" spoke Hermione, smiling widely. "Congratulations, Ronald."
"Yeah, thanks. I hope I'm as good as Bill was. I mean..."
Hermione, unconsciously, took a peek over at the Slytherin table. Malfoy was poking at his food, uncomfortably. Zabini shook him, taking him out of his daze. They began talking, Malfoy didn't seem to have much of an expression on him, while Zabini seemed to be trying to cheer him up. She tried reading his expression, but failed.
"...what do you think, Hermione?" Ron's unexpected question brought her back to reality. She nodded her head, pretending to have heard what he said.
"Sounds good," she said, even though she had no idea what they were talking about. Ron seemed to have bought it, as he nodded and looked back at Harry and Ginny, laughing. Hermione frowned, but simply went with it.
A/N: The 2nd Chapter is called "Savin' Me" (by Nickelback) and the song quote is :
"And say it for me,
Say it to me,
And I'll leave this life behind me,
Say it if it's worth savin' me..."
