A/N: Hiya everyone! I'm going to be extreemley nice and so these are chapters 2 and 1/2 athrough chapter 4! In these chapters, They all have a great time at Hermione's and then they leave for Hoggies. There they get yet another surprise...two infact!
Disclaimer: own nothing except everything you haven't heard about. The songs belong to their singers. Blah Blah Blah. Again plz don't sue me I don't even have a real lawyer. I only own one penny, and that's my lucky penny that I keep in my shoe and is probably real smelly. Anyways, stop listening to me blab and read the story!
Chapter 2(cont.): A week at Hermione's
"What is it?! What is it?!" Ron and Harry screamed excitedly like two little kids getting their favorite toy. Anyone who passed them must have thought they were crazy.
"Ok! Calm down you two or I won't say a single word!"
"Okay, see we're calm." Ron said hurriedly
"Alright, the answer is simple, all we have to do is take the four words at the bottom and reverse them. Then we get: bear, tabby, and older hay."
"That doesn't give us anything!" Ron whined like a 2-year old
"Shutup both of you! Do any of you know what a tabby is?"
"No." Ron and Harry said in unison
"Well, it's a cat, and it has stripes, and it's sometimes very fat. Oh and it's also an orange color."
"I sort get it...So the answer is cat?" Harry asked
"I-" Hermione started, but she was interrupted by a flash of white on the paper, the riddle was gone, and instead there were some more words.:
You have but 1 minute to find this out. Who is the favored in her house? She is old, but also sweet. GTE's a lot of nice treats. But then again she's very old, older than a big fat toad. So read this line and you shall find the answer: Named her after education you see." Then the card went blank and numbers appeared on it counting down from 60.
"Oh no! Think Hermione think!"
"I am thinking! Ok, named after education....What's a good name for a cat that is named after education and is very very old?" Hermione looked around absentmindedly and her eyes came to rest on a group of teenage witches.
"That's it! Her cat's name was Salem! Her cat's name was Salem!" With those words the card gave off yet another flash and there was Aggripa, smiling and winking, and there was also a paragraph at the bottom. Hermione read it:
Aggripa Fig is the well-known witch who first discovered the charm to make pets last as long as yourself. She named the first cat they used this charm on "Salem" after her and her sister's school in America the Salem Witch Institute. Unfourtunatley she died 50 years ago, and Salem now belongs to her sister Arabella Fig.
"Wow! So that's why she has so many cats! They will live until she dies!" Hermione said out loud causing a few heads to turn and look at them, Harry however, looking at his new watch, said "We'd better get back, I think your mother and father have woken up by now, they'll be very worried.
Back at the Granger home they all settled down to eat breakfast without a word about their early venture. And the Granger's didn't suspect anything, but they did wonder why their hair was so mussed up. They replied that they had been playing Quidditch out side. The Grangers looked a little scared when they said this, but a quick interview with the neighbors proved that they hadn't been spotted.
The next few weeks passed quickly, and before they knew it, it was time to go back top Hogwarts. No one was too sad to be going back to Hogwarts except Ron, he didn't want to know what kind of detention he would get from Professor Trewlawny for not doing his Divination Essay. Harry and Hermione however were overjoyed, Harry at being able to blend back into the wizarding world, and Hermione at being able to do more homework. They had their trunks packed well before September 1st, and Pig was getting more excited than ever.
Finally September the 1st came, and they all piled their trunks in the back of the Granger car. Harry looked at the scenery, he had never really paid attention to it. They were speeding along, passing many green hills, and a lake...
"Did I ever tell you about the dream I had? The one before my birthday?" Harry asked, his dream suddenly came into focus and popped into his head.
"No, what dream." Ron asked
"Well, I was running really fast, and then I was flying over mountains and lakes, and hills. Then all of a sudden there was a flash of green light and he as looking onto Voldemorts..."
Ron shuddered at the name, "Don't say that name..."
"Let him get onto the story Ron!"
"Anyway," Harry continued, "I was looking into Voldemort's eyes, and he just stared back, then I woke up feeling really lousy,"
"Weird, maybe you should talk to Professor Dumbledore about it."
"I don't think so Hermione, I mean, most everyone knows that You-Know-Who is back, and I think his dream was cause by that."
"Well don't ask me," Hermione argued, "I'm only a perfect! Geez!"
"Oh, now you're starting to sound like Percy. I suppose you'll go frolicking off with him like you did with Krum won't you Ms. Perfect!"
"You are so STUPID RON! I WOULD NEVER DO SUCH A THING! YOU KNOW PERFECTLY WELL I ONLY PAIRED WITH KRUM BECAUSE I WANTED TO MAKE HAR-"
"You wanted to make hair? You talk nonsense."
"Never mind..." Hermione mumbled. After that none of them talked to each other.
"Well here we are! The London Station! Have fun you three!" Mr. Granger said after helping them to put their trunks onto strollers and rolling them up to platforms nine and ten. Hermione walked absentmindedly into the wall dividing the two platforms. Ron went next, casually as if he knew where he was going, but sort didn't. Harry went last, he walked into the wall like Ron did, casually, but he didn't get the same results. For instead of opening his eyes and finding himself in platforms 9 and 3/4 Harry banged into the wall, and blacked out.
Chapter 3:A new rival, a new friend
"Is he ok?"
"What happened?"
"Sonny, sonny can ya hear me lad?"
Voices were spinning around, he could see his mother and father smiling, was this the end? He thought, but it hurt to think. More voices. When would this stop? He conked out again.
"Excuse me, medical service coming through. Conked out you say?"
Harry woke up. He was in a white hospital room not unlike Madame Pomfreys. Was he at Hogwarts? Had all that been a dream? But his questions were soon answered.
"Harry dear, can you hear me?" That was Mrs. Weasley Harry decided looking into her stern, panic stricken face.
"Oh my, oh my. I knew something like this would happen, spies all over the place, I should have let Dumbledore tell him, silly old me." said Mrs. Fig, everything slowly came back into focus,
"Now, now Abie, we all know he had a right to learn about his connection with You-Know-Who." Dumbledore! He was there too?
Harry finally found a bit of strength to speak up, "Am I at Hogwarts? What happened? Are Ron and Hermione ok?"
"Yes you are at Hogwarts Harry, and please calm down, Madame Pomfrey is quite frustrated at us staying here with you." Dumbledore said quietly, "Your questions will be answered as soon as you get well." With that they got up and left, Mrs. Wesley kissing him on the nose. Harry sighed, not long afterwasrd, Madame Pomfrey came in and gave him some potion. He fell asleep at once.
When he woke up the next morning, he felt somewhat better, he made a quick check to make sure that Madame Pomfrey wasn't around then, changed into his robes (they were on the beside table), and tiptoed silently out of the Infirmary. It didn't take him long to get to Gryffindor Tower. After all, he had come this way many times before. But the scene he found in the common room was anything but what he'd thought it would be.
"Surprise!" Everyone yelled, Harry was shocked
"This is for me?"
"Of course it is! Unless you know of another Harry Potter who got his head banged up and has been asleep for a week!" Seumus said giving him a nook.
"Wow! Thanks guys!" but those words were barley out of his mouth before everyone was crowding around him. Had he been scared when he tried to walk through the wall? No. Did it hurt a lot? Yes. Harry didn't get to ask any questions at all. But he did notice that a new girl was there too, and not a first year, but a new 5th year. Before you could say "Good Night", night had fallen, and Harry walked up to bed with Ron, Dean, Seems, and Neville. Neville was gaping the whole time and Seems and Dean were chattering away like to gossipy witches. Ron however, tried to fill Harry in on what had happened.
"Well," he started, "Hermione and I waited for ages, but you didn't come, I thought that you had possibly been hurt, so I walked back into the station to make sure you were alright. You had passed out and were surrounded by a gang of people. Cornelius Fudge appeared a while later and took you to Hogwarts himself. Since the Hogwarts Express had already left, I came with you. Of course, it took us a lot longer, since Fudge apparated us, and it wasn't very interesting. At the school, Madame Pomfrey wouldn't allow me to stay with you, so I had to go to the Great Hall with everyone else. Hermione was nearly crying when I told her what happened. I think she has a thing for you or somehtin'. Anyway, Dumbledore introduced us to this new girl named Zara Michon, she's from France, and you won't believe what she did! First of all she's REALLY beautiful (if you want to see her picture plz go to my author page, the picture there is a picture of her), and she made all the guys in the room act all weird. I think that these French people have a certain charm on them or something. I mean for god's sake! Even Malfoy was gaping, he was showing off his "muscles" and Crabbe and Goyle were smashing their plates on their heads acting as their usual idiotic selves. But that wasn't the only thing that influenced the whole great hall. When she tried on the Sorting Hat, it immediatly screamed 'Slythern!', but instead of walking to the Slytherin table, she turned and walked to the Gryffindor table! Everyone was shocked, but Dumbledore let her stay, the cheers were great however, Everyone was glad to see that Slytherin had been shunned by an outsider who they thought didn't know nada about Hogwarts. It turns out that she has read 'Hogwarts a History', and she and Hermione spend endless nights debating on whether Godric Gryffindor knew more than Helga Hufflepuff or if the Gray Lady of the Ravenclaw house was indeed grayer than the Baron was bloody. It's gotten quite annoying, especially because she flirts with Malfoy. Pansy Parkinson is so pissed that she tried to burn Zara. I am very glad you came, we are holding tryouts for Gryffindor captain, and everyone wants you to be it."
"Me? Why me?"
"Oh please, everyone knows you're the youngest seeker in about a century! And that you fly extremley well. And now that the 7th years are gone, we need beaters, chasers, and also a keeper. It seems that i'm going to be keeper, and that Ginny's going to be a chaser since everyone excpects us to continue the family's fame in Quidditch. And-" Ron
kept talking and talking, and Harry soon fell asleep to the sound of Ron's murmured words.
The next morning, Harry, Hermione, and Ron all went downstairs to breakfast. Lavender was making goo-goo eyes at Ron, who was thoroughly disgusted, and Draco was trying to catch Zara's eye, who was busily chatting with Parvati about robes.
"Great! we have to start the day with potions! Of all things! And we're with the Slytherins again!" Harry moaned
"Cheer up Harry, Snape is being much nicer since you were almost killed by You-Know-Who last year."
"Well that's a relief, I don't know weather to be happy or no, he'll probably tease me on my defense, and then go on muttering about how he should have gotten the job, and that Dumbledore must have been mad when letting Remus on the staff."
"But Harry, he did get the job." Ron argued
"Huh?"
"Snape is now our Potions teacher and our Defens of the Dark Arts teacher too."
"You mean Snape is now going to teach us Defense of the Dark Arts!?" Harry squealed, "He'll us me as an example of stupidity in times of danger." At this Zara, the new girl, cut him off,
"Well Harry," she She had a French accent, but her English was extremley well, "You have lost your mind in times of danger, like the time in the Library, when you opened the screaming book,"
Harry was shocked, how did she know about that?
"It is alright Harry, but I don't believe I have introduced myself yet. I am Zara Michon (me-shone), daughter of the French minister of magic, I am here too study Hogwarts' teaching cirriculum, and to be taught under one of the greatest wizards ever known, Professor Dumbledore. Now I have heard that you are indeed the famous wizard Harry Potter, and I am honored to be sharing my classes and house with you."
"Why, why thank you. A piece of toast?" Harry asked, not knowing what else to say.
"No thank you Harry, we eat very lightly in France, and I am not accustomed to this heavy food. I hope you understand. Now if you shall excuse me, I think it is time for class." And with that Zara gathered up her books and left, her long hair fell down her back into pigtails, but they weren't childish ones, in fact, they made her look even more elegant.
"Harry? Earth to Harry! Oh geez what is with you, Ron, and these French girls? 'No thank you Harry, we eat very lightly in France'. How prissy can they get? And she thinks she is so awesome just because she comes from France! What a nerve she has. Ron? Oh not you too!" Hermione said trying to shake him from his trance, but to no avail, for every male head in the Great Hall had turned to see her leave. And even Draco, had jumped up and followed her out of the room offering to carry her books. To Hermione's disgust she replied, "Oh why thank you! You are very sweet!" and had kissed him on the cheek. Hermione, like many of the other girls had also got up to leave, but they only wanted to follow Zara, Hermione was getting up and going because she wanted to avoid her and the scene in the Great Hall. But Hermione had to face it, she was indeed very jealous of Zara.
Potions were even more disturbing than breakfast. Zara turned out to be an excellent student, her evening discussions and debates had proven that. But was worse was that she was hanging onto every word Snape said. But this wasn't because she liked him, no not at all. Actually, she did this to all the teachers, except Professor Trewlawny, nobody paid much attention to her. Now that Lavender and Parvati were hanging around her wherever she went, Hermione only had Ginny, Harry, and Ron. But even then she wasn't very happy, Ginny looked up to Zara as her idol now, though she assured Hermione that she would always be like a big sister to her. Yeah Hermione thought, a big sister, not a princess. Ron and Harry were currently busy with an idea they had created, and they weren't telling Hermione ("But Hermi! If you knew you would chop of our heads for sure!"). When they weren't doing that, they were hanging around Zara and her crowd, the guys were still jumping at her every word, even though she was paying more attention to Draco then anyone else. All the Gryffindors were now calling Draco by his first name, actually being his friend, and regarding him as a Gryffindor. Draco had even gone to Professor Dumbledore and asked to be changed to the Gryffindor house. When this didn't work, he decided to do it anyway. Now Draco, some Slytherins, Ravenclaws, and Hufflepuffs all came to live like a family together in the Gryffindor House. Professor McGonnagal couldn't do anything about it. No matter how hard she tried; they always seemed to end back in the Common Room the following night. Most everyone, including the teachers, were fine about this though, it seemed that Zara Michon had formed the peace treaty that was needed for such a long time. The professors were working on joining all the houses together with passages, so that everyone could come and go as they pleased. Hermione was all against this. Harry and Ron however, were now spending afternoons in the common rooms of other houses, and they were all friends. Even Draco hadn't become such a nuisance. When Lavender fell down the stairs taking Zara and Parvati with her, he conjured stretchers for the three, and he got Crabbbe, Goyle, and 4 other strong burly Hufflepuffs to carry them to the infirmary. After a while, even the ghosts were turning nicer, except Peeves, who never took sides with anyone.
One bright early September morning, Hermione woke up to the sound off an owl nipping at her ears.
"What in Godric Gryffindor's name? What kind of bloody cauldron wipes is this!?" Hermione was holding an invitation that said:
Please join all of Hogwarts on a grand masquerade ball hosted by Ms. Zara Michon, and Mr. Draco Malfoy. Everyone is welcome! Please dress in fancy costume, and wear a mask. At 10:00 everyone will remove their masks and see who their partners are! Be prompt and please arrive from 6:30 - 7:30. See you there!
"Why of all the schemes and scams and dirty things one could do!!!"
"What was that Hermione?" Lavendar had just walked in from the shower, noticing the parchment she said, "Oh! I see you have one too! I was just about to ask you if you wanted to be on the design committee? There are jobs for choosing the food, music and- Hermione? Where ya going?"
"Nowhere, just nowhere."
"And where would that be? Never-ever-land?" Parvati came in and giggled
"No."
"Then where? Oh I know, you're jealous of Zara because she took away all your fame among the teachers and Harry and Ron? Really Hermione, that is sooo childish of you. You just haven't gotten to know here very well yet.
"I am not jealous! It's just that she is messing up tradition! It is not correct to go to a different table when assigned a particular one, it is not traditional that Slytherins, Hufflepuffs, Gryffindors, and Ravenclaws should stay in each others common rooms, and it is certainly very unmannerly to host a party when the Headmaster should!!! Do you not understand! I certainly didn't take you to be that stupid! Giggling all over Professor Trewlawny's predictions has certainly gotten to your heads!"
"Well-" Parvati started, "well even if she is unmannerly, incorrect, and untraditional, at least she is much nicer than you are! Sheesh Hermione! I thought you of all people would be happy about this! Another girl our age, and a brave, headstrong one at that! If it wasn't for her the Draco would be still calling you a mudblood! She created peace in all the houses, and no one has grievances any more!" Lavendar half-yelled, Hermione, however, didn't move,
"Well if you feel that way, you might want you go gaze into your damn crystal balls a little more and for see Hogwarts as a crumpled castle with people dancing all around saying-"
"Hermione!" Parvati yelled, "Get over it! And don't you dare insult any of this damn dormitory! I thought you had a little more sense, you might want to go read some books on making friends! Or maybe on how to be a little more polite!"
This was too much, Hermione stormed out of the dorm and into the Common Room, seconds later she was flying through the passageways, and towards the large gargoyle in front of Dumbledore's Study.
"Oh no! Now what could it be? Um, Static pops? Color bombs? Dungbombs? Magical cookie crumbs? Ton-Tongue Toffee!?"
The gargoyle jumped aside, "Hey! It never occurred to me! I didn't know Dumbledore knew about-" she was cut short by the professor,
"Hello Hermione, how are you feeling? A little jumpy about the ball I think?"
"Hi professor, I'm feeling a little out of sorts, and yes I am VERY jumpy about the ball, infact, it's the reason I came to talk to you."
"I'm glad you did, I was about to fetch you." He ushered her inside, "I would like you to meet Rab, he's a son of a friend of mine, he's going to stay with us for a while." He motioned toward a tall blond boy with spiky hair, not unlike Draco's. The boy smiled, his bright blue eyes twinkling. Hermione felt as if her jaw had dropped to the floor. She couldn't find any words to speak.
"Pl-pl-pleased to meet you Rab, my name is Hermione. I think we've met before?"
"Hermione, Hermione, yes the name is familiar, I suppose we have met before. Anyway, Professor Dumbledore has only just informed me that you can help me fit in?"
"Why yes of course, I'll introduce you to my classmates right away, I suppose you're in Gryffindor?"
"Ah! The houses, well Professor Dumbledore has decided I should visit each of them and see which one I like most. Would you mind accompanying me? I'm not very familiar with the castle."
"Yes, of course; could I come talk to you later Professor?"
"Of course. I'll be in my office."
Rab and Hermione walked out of the study.
He spoke first, "So, you say we might've met before? I think so too, it might have been at Hogsmeade, or at the school you went to before Hogwarts."
"Maybe, but I think I would've known if I'd seen you in Hogsmeade, are school trips started in our 3rd year."
"I see."
"What school do you go to?"
"The Nile River School of Wizardry. It's an all boys school."
"You come from Egypt? Wow! Aren't you bothered by the weather?"
"No not at all." He noticed her prefect's badge, "You're a perfect are you?"
"Yes," she said proudly, "I am."
"Well in that case I suppose I can inform you on the reason I am here?"
"Yes, of course you can,"
"Have you heard of the Grand event that is taking place this year?"
"Do you mean the Quidditch game against Egy-Oh! Now I understand why you are here!"
"Yeah, I'm Captain of the Quidditch team in our school, and we're going to play against Hogwarts this January, I'm acting as a representative to announce our school and the plans."
"That is a very important job, how old are you?"
"I'm in my 5th year, I'll turn 15 this November. You?"
"What a coincidence! I'm also in my 5th year!"
"That's wonderful!"
As they entered the Ravenclaw Common Room, their conversation ended abruptly. Hermione was afraid of going in, would there be kids snogging on the couch? Would everywhere be a mess? She opened the door and went inside. It was exactly the opposite of what she thought it would be.
Chapter 4: A Grand Ball
Hermione took a breath and said to the portrait of an elderly knight, "Dragon Scales", the portrait swung on it's hinges and opened revealing a library looking room, it had walls and walls of books, a magical coffee machine, and big comfy red velvet armchairs. Students were talking, reading books, and drinking hot chocolate and coffee. The scene made Hermione almost wish she was in Ravenclaw.
"This house is Ravenclaw Cavern, it is known for it's knowledgeable students, and venerable professors."
Suddenly, without warning, one of the Ravenclaws who'd been reading the Daily Prophet let out a bloodcurdling scream. Everyone turned towards her.
"The-The dementors! They-They've abandoned Azkaban!!!" then she fainted.
Disclaimer: own nothing except everything you haven't heard about. The songs belong to their singers. Blah Blah Blah. Again plz don't sue me I don't even have a real lawyer. I only own one penny, and that's my lucky penny that I keep in my shoe and is probably real smelly. Anyways, stop listening to me blab and read the story!
Chapter 2(cont.): A week at Hermione's
"What is it?! What is it?!" Ron and Harry screamed excitedly like two little kids getting their favorite toy. Anyone who passed them must have thought they were crazy.
"Ok! Calm down you two or I won't say a single word!"
"Okay, see we're calm." Ron said hurriedly
"Alright, the answer is simple, all we have to do is take the four words at the bottom and reverse them. Then we get: bear, tabby, and older hay."
"That doesn't give us anything!" Ron whined like a 2-year old
"Shutup both of you! Do any of you know what a tabby is?"
"No." Ron and Harry said in unison
"Well, it's a cat, and it has stripes, and it's sometimes very fat. Oh and it's also an orange color."
"I sort get it...So the answer is cat?" Harry asked
"I-" Hermione started, but she was interrupted by a flash of white on the paper, the riddle was gone, and instead there were some more words.:
You have but 1 minute to find this out. Who is the favored in her house? She is old, but also sweet. GTE's a lot of nice treats. But then again she's very old, older than a big fat toad. So read this line and you shall find the answer: Named her after education you see." Then the card went blank and numbers appeared on it counting down from 60.
"Oh no! Think Hermione think!"
"I am thinking! Ok, named after education....What's a good name for a cat that is named after education and is very very old?" Hermione looked around absentmindedly and her eyes came to rest on a group of teenage witches.
"That's it! Her cat's name was Salem! Her cat's name was Salem!" With those words the card gave off yet another flash and there was Aggripa, smiling and winking, and there was also a paragraph at the bottom. Hermione read it:
Aggripa Fig is the well-known witch who first discovered the charm to make pets last as long as yourself. She named the first cat they used this charm on "Salem" after her and her sister's school in America the Salem Witch Institute. Unfourtunatley she died 50 years ago, and Salem now belongs to her sister Arabella Fig.
"Wow! So that's why she has so many cats! They will live until she dies!" Hermione said out loud causing a few heads to turn and look at them, Harry however, looking at his new watch, said "We'd better get back, I think your mother and father have woken up by now, they'll be very worried.
Back at the Granger home they all settled down to eat breakfast without a word about their early venture. And the Granger's didn't suspect anything, but they did wonder why their hair was so mussed up. They replied that they had been playing Quidditch out side. The Grangers looked a little scared when they said this, but a quick interview with the neighbors proved that they hadn't been spotted.
The next few weeks passed quickly, and before they knew it, it was time to go back top Hogwarts. No one was too sad to be going back to Hogwarts except Ron, he didn't want to know what kind of detention he would get from Professor Trewlawny for not doing his Divination Essay. Harry and Hermione however were overjoyed, Harry at being able to blend back into the wizarding world, and Hermione at being able to do more homework. They had their trunks packed well before September 1st, and Pig was getting more excited than ever.
Finally September the 1st came, and they all piled their trunks in the back of the Granger car. Harry looked at the scenery, he had never really paid attention to it. They were speeding along, passing many green hills, and a lake...
"Did I ever tell you about the dream I had? The one before my birthday?" Harry asked, his dream suddenly came into focus and popped into his head.
"No, what dream." Ron asked
"Well, I was running really fast, and then I was flying over mountains and lakes, and hills. Then all of a sudden there was a flash of green light and he as looking onto Voldemorts..."
Ron shuddered at the name, "Don't say that name..."
"Let him get onto the story Ron!"
"Anyway," Harry continued, "I was looking into Voldemort's eyes, and he just stared back, then I woke up feeling really lousy,"
"Weird, maybe you should talk to Professor Dumbledore about it."
"I don't think so Hermione, I mean, most everyone knows that You-Know-Who is back, and I think his dream was cause by that."
"Well don't ask me," Hermione argued, "I'm only a perfect! Geez!"
"Oh, now you're starting to sound like Percy. I suppose you'll go frolicking off with him like you did with Krum won't you Ms. Perfect!"
"You are so STUPID RON! I WOULD NEVER DO SUCH A THING! YOU KNOW PERFECTLY WELL I ONLY PAIRED WITH KRUM BECAUSE I WANTED TO MAKE HAR-"
"You wanted to make hair? You talk nonsense."
"Never mind..." Hermione mumbled. After that none of them talked to each other.
"Well here we are! The London Station! Have fun you three!" Mr. Granger said after helping them to put their trunks onto strollers and rolling them up to platforms nine and ten. Hermione walked absentmindedly into the wall dividing the two platforms. Ron went next, casually as if he knew where he was going, but sort didn't. Harry went last, he walked into the wall like Ron did, casually, but he didn't get the same results. For instead of opening his eyes and finding himself in platforms 9 and 3/4 Harry banged into the wall, and blacked out.
Chapter 3:A new rival, a new friend
"Is he ok?"
"What happened?"
"Sonny, sonny can ya hear me lad?"
Voices were spinning around, he could see his mother and father smiling, was this the end? He thought, but it hurt to think. More voices. When would this stop? He conked out again.
"Excuse me, medical service coming through. Conked out you say?"
Harry woke up. He was in a white hospital room not unlike Madame Pomfreys. Was he at Hogwarts? Had all that been a dream? But his questions were soon answered.
"Harry dear, can you hear me?" That was Mrs. Weasley Harry decided looking into her stern, panic stricken face.
"Oh my, oh my. I knew something like this would happen, spies all over the place, I should have let Dumbledore tell him, silly old me." said Mrs. Fig, everything slowly came back into focus,
"Now, now Abie, we all know he had a right to learn about his connection with You-Know-Who." Dumbledore! He was there too?
Harry finally found a bit of strength to speak up, "Am I at Hogwarts? What happened? Are Ron and Hermione ok?"
"Yes you are at Hogwarts Harry, and please calm down, Madame Pomfrey is quite frustrated at us staying here with you." Dumbledore said quietly, "Your questions will be answered as soon as you get well." With that they got up and left, Mrs. Wesley kissing him on the nose. Harry sighed, not long afterwasrd, Madame Pomfrey came in and gave him some potion. He fell asleep at once.
When he woke up the next morning, he felt somewhat better, he made a quick check to make sure that Madame Pomfrey wasn't around then, changed into his robes (they were on the beside table), and tiptoed silently out of the Infirmary. It didn't take him long to get to Gryffindor Tower. After all, he had come this way many times before. But the scene he found in the common room was anything but what he'd thought it would be.
"Surprise!" Everyone yelled, Harry was shocked
"This is for me?"
"Of course it is! Unless you know of another Harry Potter who got his head banged up and has been asleep for a week!" Seumus said giving him a nook.
"Wow! Thanks guys!" but those words were barley out of his mouth before everyone was crowding around him. Had he been scared when he tried to walk through the wall? No. Did it hurt a lot? Yes. Harry didn't get to ask any questions at all. But he did notice that a new girl was there too, and not a first year, but a new 5th year. Before you could say "Good Night", night had fallen, and Harry walked up to bed with Ron, Dean, Seems, and Neville. Neville was gaping the whole time and Seems and Dean were chattering away like to gossipy witches. Ron however, tried to fill Harry in on what had happened.
"Well," he started, "Hermione and I waited for ages, but you didn't come, I thought that you had possibly been hurt, so I walked back into the station to make sure you were alright. You had passed out and were surrounded by a gang of people. Cornelius Fudge appeared a while later and took you to Hogwarts himself. Since the Hogwarts Express had already left, I came with you. Of course, it took us a lot longer, since Fudge apparated us, and it wasn't very interesting. At the school, Madame Pomfrey wouldn't allow me to stay with you, so I had to go to the Great Hall with everyone else. Hermione was nearly crying when I told her what happened. I think she has a thing for you or somehtin'. Anyway, Dumbledore introduced us to this new girl named Zara Michon, she's from France, and you won't believe what she did! First of all she's REALLY beautiful (if you want to see her picture plz go to my author page, the picture there is a picture of her), and she made all the guys in the room act all weird. I think that these French people have a certain charm on them or something. I mean for god's sake! Even Malfoy was gaping, he was showing off his "muscles" and Crabbe and Goyle were smashing their plates on their heads acting as their usual idiotic selves. But that wasn't the only thing that influenced the whole great hall. When she tried on the Sorting Hat, it immediatly screamed 'Slythern!', but instead of walking to the Slytherin table, she turned and walked to the Gryffindor table! Everyone was shocked, but Dumbledore let her stay, the cheers were great however, Everyone was glad to see that Slytherin had been shunned by an outsider who they thought didn't know nada about Hogwarts. It turns out that she has read 'Hogwarts a History', and she and Hermione spend endless nights debating on whether Godric Gryffindor knew more than Helga Hufflepuff or if the Gray Lady of the Ravenclaw house was indeed grayer than the Baron was bloody. It's gotten quite annoying, especially because she flirts with Malfoy. Pansy Parkinson is so pissed that she tried to burn Zara. I am very glad you came, we are holding tryouts for Gryffindor captain, and everyone wants you to be it."
"Me? Why me?"
"Oh please, everyone knows you're the youngest seeker in about a century! And that you fly extremley well. And now that the 7th years are gone, we need beaters, chasers, and also a keeper. It seems that i'm going to be keeper, and that Ginny's going to be a chaser since everyone excpects us to continue the family's fame in Quidditch. And-" Ron
kept talking and talking, and Harry soon fell asleep to the sound of Ron's murmured words.
The next morning, Harry, Hermione, and Ron all went downstairs to breakfast. Lavender was making goo-goo eyes at Ron, who was thoroughly disgusted, and Draco was trying to catch Zara's eye, who was busily chatting with Parvati about robes.
"Great! we have to start the day with potions! Of all things! And we're with the Slytherins again!" Harry moaned
"Cheer up Harry, Snape is being much nicer since you were almost killed by You-Know-Who last year."
"Well that's a relief, I don't know weather to be happy or no, he'll probably tease me on my defense, and then go on muttering about how he should have gotten the job, and that Dumbledore must have been mad when letting Remus on the staff."
"But Harry, he did get the job." Ron argued
"Huh?"
"Snape is now our Potions teacher and our Defens of the Dark Arts teacher too."
"You mean Snape is now going to teach us Defense of the Dark Arts!?" Harry squealed, "He'll us me as an example of stupidity in times of danger." At this Zara, the new girl, cut him off,
"Well Harry," she She had a French accent, but her English was extremley well, "You have lost your mind in times of danger, like the time in the Library, when you opened the screaming book,"
Harry was shocked, how did she know about that?
"It is alright Harry, but I don't believe I have introduced myself yet. I am Zara Michon (me-shone), daughter of the French minister of magic, I am here too study Hogwarts' teaching cirriculum, and to be taught under one of the greatest wizards ever known, Professor Dumbledore. Now I have heard that you are indeed the famous wizard Harry Potter, and I am honored to be sharing my classes and house with you."
"Why, why thank you. A piece of toast?" Harry asked, not knowing what else to say.
"No thank you Harry, we eat very lightly in France, and I am not accustomed to this heavy food. I hope you understand. Now if you shall excuse me, I think it is time for class." And with that Zara gathered up her books and left, her long hair fell down her back into pigtails, but they weren't childish ones, in fact, they made her look even more elegant.
"Harry? Earth to Harry! Oh geez what is with you, Ron, and these French girls? 'No thank you Harry, we eat very lightly in France'. How prissy can they get? And she thinks she is so awesome just because she comes from France! What a nerve she has. Ron? Oh not you too!" Hermione said trying to shake him from his trance, but to no avail, for every male head in the Great Hall had turned to see her leave. And even Draco, had jumped up and followed her out of the room offering to carry her books. To Hermione's disgust she replied, "Oh why thank you! You are very sweet!" and had kissed him on the cheek. Hermione, like many of the other girls had also got up to leave, but they only wanted to follow Zara, Hermione was getting up and going because she wanted to avoid her and the scene in the Great Hall. But Hermione had to face it, she was indeed very jealous of Zara.
Potions were even more disturbing than breakfast. Zara turned out to be an excellent student, her evening discussions and debates had proven that. But was worse was that she was hanging onto every word Snape said. But this wasn't because she liked him, no not at all. Actually, she did this to all the teachers, except Professor Trewlawny, nobody paid much attention to her. Now that Lavender and Parvati were hanging around her wherever she went, Hermione only had Ginny, Harry, and Ron. But even then she wasn't very happy, Ginny looked up to Zara as her idol now, though she assured Hermione that she would always be like a big sister to her. Yeah Hermione thought, a big sister, not a princess. Ron and Harry were currently busy with an idea they had created, and they weren't telling Hermione ("But Hermi! If you knew you would chop of our heads for sure!"). When they weren't doing that, they were hanging around Zara and her crowd, the guys were still jumping at her every word, even though she was paying more attention to Draco then anyone else. All the Gryffindors were now calling Draco by his first name, actually being his friend, and regarding him as a Gryffindor. Draco had even gone to Professor Dumbledore and asked to be changed to the Gryffindor house. When this didn't work, he decided to do it anyway. Now Draco, some Slytherins, Ravenclaws, and Hufflepuffs all came to live like a family together in the Gryffindor House. Professor McGonnagal couldn't do anything about it. No matter how hard she tried; they always seemed to end back in the Common Room the following night. Most everyone, including the teachers, were fine about this though, it seemed that Zara Michon had formed the peace treaty that was needed for such a long time. The professors were working on joining all the houses together with passages, so that everyone could come and go as they pleased. Hermione was all against this. Harry and Ron however, were now spending afternoons in the common rooms of other houses, and they were all friends. Even Draco hadn't become such a nuisance. When Lavender fell down the stairs taking Zara and Parvati with her, he conjured stretchers for the three, and he got Crabbbe, Goyle, and 4 other strong burly Hufflepuffs to carry them to the infirmary. After a while, even the ghosts were turning nicer, except Peeves, who never took sides with anyone.
One bright early September morning, Hermione woke up to the sound off an owl nipping at her ears.
"What in Godric Gryffindor's name? What kind of bloody cauldron wipes is this!?" Hermione was holding an invitation that said:
Please join all of Hogwarts on a grand masquerade ball hosted by Ms. Zara Michon, and Mr. Draco Malfoy. Everyone is welcome! Please dress in fancy costume, and wear a mask. At 10:00 everyone will remove their masks and see who their partners are! Be prompt and please arrive from 6:30 - 7:30. See you there!
"Why of all the schemes and scams and dirty things one could do!!!"
"What was that Hermione?" Lavendar had just walked in from the shower, noticing the parchment she said, "Oh! I see you have one too! I was just about to ask you if you wanted to be on the design committee? There are jobs for choosing the food, music and- Hermione? Where ya going?"
"Nowhere, just nowhere."
"And where would that be? Never-ever-land?" Parvati came in and giggled
"No."
"Then where? Oh I know, you're jealous of Zara because she took away all your fame among the teachers and Harry and Ron? Really Hermione, that is sooo childish of you. You just haven't gotten to know here very well yet.
"I am not jealous! It's just that she is messing up tradition! It is not correct to go to a different table when assigned a particular one, it is not traditional that Slytherins, Hufflepuffs, Gryffindors, and Ravenclaws should stay in each others common rooms, and it is certainly very unmannerly to host a party when the Headmaster should!!! Do you not understand! I certainly didn't take you to be that stupid! Giggling all over Professor Trewlawny's predictions has certainly gotten to your heads!"
"Well-" Parvati started, "well even if she is unmannerly, incorrect, and untraditional, at least she is much nicer than you are! Sheesh Hermione! I thought you of all people would be happy about this! Another girl our age, and a brave, headstrong one at that! If it wasn't for her the Draco would be still calling you a mudblood! She created peace in all the houses, and no one has grievances any more!" Lavendar half-yelled, Hermione, however, didn't move,
"Well if you feel that way, you might want you go gaze into your damn crystal balls a little more and for see Hogwarts as a crumpled castle with people dancing all around saying-"
"Hermione!" Parvati yelled, "Get over it! And don't you dare insult any of this damn dormitory! I thought you had a little more sense, you might want to go read some books on making friends! Or maybe on how to be a little more polite!"
This was too much, Hermione stormed out of the dorm and into the Common Room, seconds later she was flying through the passageways, and towards the large gargoyle in front of Dumbledore's Study.
"Oh no! Now what could it be? Um, Static pops? Color bombs? Dungbombs? Magical cookie crumbs? Ton-Tongue Toffee!?"
The gargoyle jumped aside, "Hey! It never occurred to me! I didn't know Dumbledore knew about-" she was cut short by the professor,
"Hello Hermione, how are you feeling? A little jumpy about the ball I think?"
"Hi professor, I'm feeling a little out of sorts, and yes I am VERY jumpy about the ball, infact, it's the reason I came to talk to you."
"I'm glad you did, I was about to fetch you." He ushered her inside, "I would like you to meet Rab, he's a son of a friend of mine, he's going to stay with us for a while." He motioned toward a tall blond boy with spiky hair, not unlike Draco's. The boy smiled, his bright blue eyes twinkling. Hermione felt as if her jaw had dropped to the floor. She couldn't find any words to speak.
"Pl-pl-pleased to meet you Rab, my name is Hermione. I think we've met before?"
"Hermione, Hermione, yes the name is familiar, I suppose we have met before. Anyway, Professor Dumbledore has only just informed me that you can help me fit in?"
"Why yes of course, I'll introduce you to my classmates right away, I suppose you're in Gryffindor?"
"Ah! The houses, well Professor Dumbledore has decided I should visit each of them and see which one I like most. Would you mind accompanying me? I'm not very familiar with the castle."
"Yes, of course; could I come talk to you later Professor?"
"Of course. I'll be in my office."
Rab and Hermione walked out of the study.
He spoke first, "So, you say we might've met before? I think so too, it might have been at Hogsmeade, or at the school you went to before Hogwarts."
"Maybe, but I think I would've known if I'd seen you in Hogsmeade, are school trips started in our 3rd year."
"I see."
"What school do you go to?"
"The Nile River School of Wizardry. It's an all boys school."
"You come from Egypt? Wow! Aren't you bothered by the weather?"
"No not at all." He noticed her prefect's badge, "You're a perfect are you?"
"Yes," she said proudly, "I am."
"Well in that case I suppose I can inform you on the reason I am here?"
"Yes, of course you can,"
"Have you heard of the Grand event that is taking place this year?"
"Do you mean the Quidditch game against Egy-Oh! Now I understand why you are here!"
"Yeah, I'm Captain of the Quidditch team in our school, and we're going to play against Hogwarts this January, I'm acting as a representative to announce our school and the plans."
"That is a very important job, how old are you?"
"I'm in my 5th year, I'll turn 15 this November. You?"
"What a coincidence! I'm also in my 5th year!"
"That's wonderful!"
As they entered the Ravenclaw Common Room, their conversation ended abruptly. Hermione was afraid of going in, would there be kids snogging on the couch? Would everywhere be a mess? She opened the door and went inside. It was exactly the opposite of what she thought it would be.
Chapter 4: A Grand Ball
Hermione took a breath and said to the portrait of an elderly knight, "Dragon Scales", the portrait swung on it's hinges and opened revealing a library looking room, it had walls and walls of books, a magical coffee machine, and big comfy red velvet armchairs. Students were talking, reading books, and drinking hot chocolate and coffee. The scene made Hermione almost wish she was in Ravenclaw.
"This house is Ravenclaw Cavern, it is known for it's knowledgeable students, and venerable professors."
Suddenly, without warning, one of the Ravenclaws who'd been reading the Daily Prophet let out a bloodcurdling scream. Everyone turned towards her.
"The-The dementors! They-They've abandoned Azkaban!!!" then she fainted.
