Chapter 2: A game of Footsies
The rest of the journey in the carriage
passed in a thick and heavy silence. It hung all around them like a
veil and didn't lift until at last they got off the carriage and
walked to the grand front doors of Hogwarts. The entranceway was open
to the night, and inside hundreds of students were laughing and
talking loudly about what they'd done on the holidays. A pack of
girls off to one side squealed when they saw Ginny and she
immediately ran over to them. Five girls all jumped over to Ginny and
hugged her at once, which was quite the sight.
Luna then walked
off in her usual trance like state and Neville became distracted by
the sound of his plant whimpering, leaving Harry, Ron and Hermione to
sit down.
There was no time for a private conversation though
because as soon as they had sat themselves down teachers began
ushering students to their seats. And no sooner had that task been
completed when McGonagall strode into the great hall leading a row of
nervous looking first years and carrying the sorting hat and its
stool.
As the first years lined up in front of the staff table,
Harry wondered if he had ever been that small or for that matter,
looked that nervous. However, he did sympathize with the children; he
was fast learning what it was like to have people talk about you
behind your back.
As the sorting hat was placed on its stool and
McGonagall took out her clipboard, a silence so complete fell over
the great hall that you could have heard a house elf sneeze. Then
without warning the sorting hat began to speak in a strong loud
voice.
'Back in times
when the hat was young
And the sins of old had yet be done
There
were friends of four who lived as one,
None had magic performed
before
To the standards of Slytherin, Ravenclaw
And least not
Hufflepuff and Gryffindor
So these four who thought so long and
deep
Endowed the world with a gift to keep
"We'll teach
what we know!" But the task was steep
For despite being united
by a common goal
There friendship would waver like flame on coal
Deep seated rivalry did
take its toll,
For even in this a group most tight
There will
always be those who might
Bring another agenda alive
I advise
you my friends
The houses four must fear the news of the knights
five.'
As the hat fell silent a mountain of applause replaced its voice.
"Certainly out performed itself this time hasn't it." Ron said as he clapped along with everyone else. Harry nodded to him; it was true that the sorting hat usually stuck to defining the qualities desired by the four houses and telling about its role as the decider. But this year, it seemed it was giving a warning.
"It sounded like it was trying to tell us something?" Hermione said, voicing Harry's thoughts.
"Oh the hat has said this kind of thing before." Nearly Headless Nick said, leaning through Ron who shuddered. Despite being corporeal, being passed through by a ghost still left and odd, cold feeling in one's stomach.
"What do you mean?" Hermione asked as she and Harry leaned in closer.
"Oh the hat sees it as its duty to inform the school and the students of any problems it foresees." Nick said casually.
"How does it foresee problems?" Harry asked.
"Well it may have the power to see the future, I'm not sure. Of course it does live in Dumbledore's office, so it may pick things up from in there." Nick replied thoughtfully.
"So it could be…" Ron never got to finish though as McGonagall called out Zellest, Rose and the sorting was complete. One final round of applause erupted as McGonagall picked up the hat and stool and carried both away. The applause ceased as Dumbledore stood up.
"To our new friends, welcome, to our old hats, welcome back. There is a time for speeches and now is not it, dig in." There was some laughter followed by light applause as everyone turned to the food now present before them. Dumbledore too threw his beard over his shoulder as he sat down and began to enjoy his meal. Harry found a small amount of joy in the fact that the headmaster was back in his rightful place.
"Sowit coobee tewinus was gonna hapwin." Ron said through a mouthful of lamb chop. Hermione and Nearly Headless Nick looked at him clearly repulsed.
"What?" Harry asked, more used to his friend's behaviour. Ron swallowed hard and took in a deep breath before going on.
"So it could be telling us what's gonna happen?" Ron asked.
"Maybe." Nick replied mysteriously before floating off towards the Ravenclaw table.
"I can't see Snape." Hermione said suddenly. Harry looked at her funny before following her gaze up to the staff table. Sure enough Snape was nowhere to be seen.
"What the…" Harry mumbled. It was most unusual for a staff member to miss the opening feast.
"Trelawney, Flitwick, Hagrid, I can't see any of them!' She said, her voice rising. Suddenly something in Harry's mind clicked and he glanced over at the four young men who sat to one end of the table.
"The new teachers." Harry said despondently.
"But why?" Hermione cried as she too stared at the staff table despondently.
"Maybe Trelawney being gone isn't such a bad thing, but Flitwick and Snape really knew their stuff."
"What about Hagrid?" Ron asked.
"Hagrid will be back!" Harry and Hermione said firmly.
All three spent the next few minutes in a contemplative silence. Harry felt that even at Hogwarts it seemed as if his world was destined to be ripped out from under him. As if it wasn't bad enough to have his Godfather ripped from his life so suddenly now the school he loved was being turned on its head with changes. He jumped though when he felt the edge of someone's shoe rub against his shin. He looked up from his extra large helping of steak and kidney pie and locked eyes with Hermione. She just smiled innocently and the rubbing on his shin came again. Harry tried to look like he was eating as he engaged in a battle of feet under the Gryffindor table. Hermione kept pinning his foot down and he'd weasel out before pinning her down. Harry just had her down when Dumbledore rose again and the game ended, leaving Harry wondering why it had ever started.
"Friends, I hope you have enjoyed your first meal back at Hogwarts." Dumbledore said with a smile. There was much cheering and the sound of butter beer glasses being knocked together.
"But if you please, I need to talk to you about a more serious topic." Everyone listened attentively, eager to hear what Dumbledore had to say.
"This year our world is almost guaranteed to fall onto hard times. However I give you my solemn word that as long as you are within these walls you shall be safe. I know I speak for all of the staff when I promise you that we would lay down our own lives before allowing any harm to come to our students. So please, be mindful of the dangers approaching but do not let them master you." The old headmaster said, his voice strong but not as confident as it had once been.
"Also, as I'm sure you've all noticed by now, there are more new faces among us than just our first year students. Sitting to my right are four young men whom I have employed to teach at Hogwarts this year." Dumbledore paused then and allowed the news to sink in. People were looking at each other with very confused faces, and someone gave a stifled cry. Dumbledore seemed unfazed though. Harry found it slightly odd that the headmaster seemed so calm about their being four new teachers among his staff but at the same time it was reassuring. After all, if Dumbledore wasn't worried then the odds of all their teachers being alive and well were improving.
"Let me start by saying that the teachers not here tonight have by no means left the school permanently. For various reasons each of them is unavailable to teach for some of the year, the details of which were given in the strictest confidence. And also let me assure you that their replacements are just as skilled and capable as they were in their disciplines." Dumbledore said as his hand swept across to his right.
"If I may introduce you to firstly, Professor Bell who will be assisting us by taking over care of magical creatures classes and Professor Snape's duties in Slytherin house." The man closest to Dumbledore stood and bowed politely. He wore a pair of black pressed pants and a white v-neck shirt with a red trench coat over the top. It seemed to reflect the light though, almost as if it were made of scales. He looked to be about thirty years old. As he sat down Dumbledore continued.
"Next, may I introduce Professor Philips who will be taking over Professor Flitwick's charms classes and of course overseeing the well-being of the Ravenclaws among us." The man who stood up was slightly shorter than the first and had brown skin. He looked to be slightly older than Professor Bell, possibly in his forties. He wore glasses and a long black set of robes that all but covered what looked to be a sports tracksuit underneath. Harry shook his head, wondering how someone could have so little fashion sense. Professor Philips also bowed politely before sitting down again.
"Thirdly, Professor Noble, who will be taking you for potions this year." A man who was by far the tallest one yet stood. He had a large frame but did not seem overweight and wore a pair of navy blue pants and a red parker. He did not bow but instead cocked his head to the side and smiled before sitting down.
"And finally, Professor Dolan. All going well he will be taking over from Professor Trelawney and Firenze in divination." A very tall and slim man stood and stared out at everyone. He too wore blue jeans and a parker, but his was a motley grey. He didn't bow either; in fact he didn't do anything besides sit back down and stare off into space.
"Please make them feel welcome." Dumbledore concluded, raising his hands. The school applauded politely before Dumbledore held up his hands again for silence.
"And one more thing on the subject of new teachers, I am sure you are aware that as of last year we were at a loss to find a Defence Against the Dark Arts teacher. I am happy to say we have filled the position but sadly the teacher could not be with us tonight. I am confident though that they will introduce themselves as you take your classes. Now, on other matters…" Harry stopped listening at that point and chose instead to dwell on the fact that his life was indeed being up heaved. Didn't he have enough to deal with? Didn't the rest of the world understand that Harry Potter needed a little stability in his life? He just wanted to be able to grieve for his Godfather without having to worry about Voldemort or anything else. Why was that so hard? Why was he engaged in yet another foot war with Hermione? He glanced over at his long time friend as she looked attentively at Dumbledore. It occurred to him that she was the ideal prefect, setting such a good example. He snorted lightly though when she kicked him hard under the table after he pinned her foot a little too eagerly and obviously hurt her. But then everyone began to clap and Harry clapped along with them.
It wasn't until he, Ron and Hermione were on their way to the common room that Harry could finally voice what he was feeling.
"Don't you think this is all a bit weird?" He asked spontaneously. Ron and Hermione stopped and looked at him.
"I'll say, some weird power finally heard our prayers and got rid of not only Snape but Trelawney as well." Ron said gleefully. Harry shuddered at how simple his friend seemed sometimes.
"I believe he is
referring to a more serious topic, Ronald?" Hermione
interjected.
Harry nodded.
"Don't tell me you consider four new teachers normal! What if it's got something to do with the Order? What if people are hurt or worse?" Harry exclaimed.
"No, of course not." Ron said, casting around a quick glance. No one seemed to be paying much heed to them though.
"But maybe you should just keep your voice down a bit?"
"Keep my voice down!" Harry said, the anger rising in him.
"Ron's right Harry, this is hardly the place." Hermione added as she took hold of Harry's hand that had balled into a fist and half pulled him along with her. Harry resigned himself to being led towards the common room.
"How old do you reckon those new teachers were?" Ron asked out of the blue.
"Not sure, I tend to believe you can't tell someone's age by their looks." Hermione replied, turning her nose up ever so slightly. Harry decided then that she had quite a cute nose.
"Oh come on Hermione, those two guys on the end hardly looked older than us!" Ron protested. Hermione didn't even break stride though.
"They wouldn't let them teach if they weren't old enough." She said curtly.
"Well how old do you have to be to be a teacher?" Ron challenged.
"Well, you have to have done a three year course…" Hermione said thoughtfully.
"Well, still…" Ron said in a huff.
"Will you two give it a rest?" Harry moaned as they reached the common room. At that point Harry realized he didn't know the new password yet.
"Mimblus Mimbletonia." Ron said. Harry was suddenly reminded of Neville's plant and how stupid it was. His mind came to a grinding halt though as they entered the common room. Instantly he felt a hundred glances go his way and more than a few sneers. It made him feel sick to his stomach. But he'd been expecting this and should have been ready to cope with it. He had been preparing himself ever since he had realised what had happened. He had after all been vindicated as the harbinger of doom, the one who had predicted the return of the famous Dark Lord. And to make matters worse he had been vilified for his role at the ministry incident, though taking the blame for the losses suffered was fine with him. Not to mention the articles that the daily prophet had been running all summer.
"Actually, I might just go to bed." Harry mumbled as he slunk off towards the boys staircase.
"But I thought…" Ron began.
"Yeah, me too." Hermione said as she stomped down hard on Ron's foot. He yelped slightly before catching on.
"Oh, right then." He said as he followed Harry up the long staircase to their dorm. Harry cringed when they entered and Seamus and Dean were already inside. He had been hoping to avoid any contact with people, at least until tomorrow morning. He tried to remain invisible as he changed for bed but he knew they were both looking at him.
"I won't hold it against you if you don't wanna associate with me anymore. People close to me to generally end up in danger." Harry said as he got into bed.
"Harry… it eren't that we deren't wanna be yer friends, it's jerst that…" Seamus said softly.
"Forget it." Harry mumbled into his pillow. He rolled over and stared out the window beyond Neville's bed, silently hoping tomorrow would be better.
Things weren't any better though as Ron and Harry made their way down for breakfast. Again Harry was the topic of hundreds of sideways glances as he made his way across the great hall.
"Hey Harry." A familiar voice called. He turned around and clasped eyes on Ginny who had made her way from the other end of the table.
"Uh, hey Ginny." He managed. Why was she looking at him like that?
"How are you doing?" She asked cautiously.
"Not all bad I guess." Harry replied, trying to think of what else to say.
"I see. Well at least now that you're back to school things can get better right?" She said. Harry nodded dumbly, completely unsure as to how to reply to such a question.
"I suppose." He mumbled.
"Sometimes your positive outlook blinds me Harry." Ginny said sarcastically. It wasn't meant to be hurtful though and Harry knew it, she was trying in her own way to cheer him up and he was thankful for it deep down. Just on the surface he wished she would either walk away or tell him she knew a spell to make things better. She did neither however and instead walked back to her seat with her friends. Harry couldn't help but notice that she looked more appealing from behind than he remembered as her hips swayed when she walked.
He blinked once, twice to clear the thoughts and then continued on to the Gryffindor table where he sat down in between Hermione and Ron.
"Have a nice little chat did you?" Ron asked with a sneer. Harry just nodded dumbly and stared at his empty plate.
"We get our new timetables today." Hermione said as she folded away her Daily Prophet and began to butter toast, which she promptly placed on Harry's plate.
"Now you can eat it or hide your face in it but I won't have you sulking all day." She said in a strict voice. Harry sighed and bit into his food. He wasn't sulking; he was just upset that no one would let him be miserable when he wanted to be. 'And what was so good about new timetables anyway.' He wondered as he felt something rub against his leg.
Once again I will attempt to outline some of the changes made to this chapter.
Firstly, Dumbledore's speech has changed. He is now more in line with what I think he should sound like given the current situation and he gives a more plausible explanation for the appearance of four new faces at the staff table.
Less critical to the plot but still a change, the sorting hat song has been extended. I noticed that my pattern (which I'm sure is horrendous to read) did not hold true for one rhyming set so I updated that and tweaked some of the words.
Other than that and a few cosmetic 'improvements' this chapter is mostly the same. Expect to hear about more radical changes in chapters to come.
