Chapter 4: Another Train Ride

Once again, it was time for the parents of Hogwarts students to take their kids to King's Cross Station so they could take the Hogwarts express. Vernon Dursley was driving his family there. Sitting next to him was his wife Petunia Dursley nee Evans and on the back seats were their (adopted) son Harry James Dursley Potter and Harry's Godfather Sirius Orion Black. "Do I really have to wear this stupid belt?" Sirius asked in frustration. "Knight Bus passengers don't have to."

"Considering what I remember my sister telling about those buses, their passengers should." Petunia acidly commented as she usually does whenever she has something bad to say about anything or anybody. Some things never changed.

"Yes, Lily said something like that once." Sirius reluctantly agreed. After they arrived at Platform Nine and Three Quarters, they soon found the Weasleys and the Grangers. It was a pleasant meeting until Draco Malfoy showed up. "Potter. Potter. Potter. Still hanging around with blood traitors and mudbloods?"

Harry was quick to reply. "Malfoy. Malfoy. Malfoy. Still being an uncreative stuck-up?"

"Nice comeback, Prongslet." Sirius happily commented. "You are James' son after all."

"Draco!" Draco's father said with a small but firm voice. "Are you taunting those kids?"

"Father, I just wanted Harry Potter to make the proper connections." Draco replied.

"If you can't do it in a clever way, you shouldn't even bother trying." Lucius scolded his son while Harry, Ron, Fred, George, Percy, Ginny and Hermione entered the train with smiles in their faces. Harry, Ron and Hermione soon joined Neville at a compartment while the others went elsewhere. The four of them chatted for a while until Draco and his two goons (Crabbe and Goyle) broke in. "Potter, you made me look like a fool in front of my father!" Draco said while glaring at Harry.

"You're giving me too much credit, Malfoy." Harry replied. "You did a good job on that by yourself." Malfoy was incensed. "Anyway, if you don't like me making you looking like a fool in front of your father, quit the Slytherin Quidditch Team or convince him not to watch your game against Gryffindor. I've got a Firebolt."

"You'll see, Potter." Malfoy replied. "I'll owl my father and he'll give me one as well." He and his goons then left.

"Harry, do you think the Malfoys will bribe the team with Firebolts?" Hermione asked.

"I doubt." Harry answered. "Sirius said that for seven Firebolts one could buy spots for the whole team."

"Either way, Harry, you shouldn't have let Malfoy know about your Firebolt before it was unavoidable." Ron advised. "He might try to steal it."

"Malfoy can't be that bad." Harry argued. "Anyway, I'd not miss a chance to show him up."

After Malfoy left, Cormac McLaggen showed up. "So, Potter, is this true? Do you really have a Firebolt?"

"Yes." Harry gladly answered.

"If you think that's what it takes to keep me from regaining my rightful position as the Seeker for the Gryffindor Quidditch Team, you're sorely mistaken." McLaggen threatened.

"Don't worry, McLaggen." Harry reassured him. "I know your arrogance is what destroys most of your chances."

Enraged, McLaggen left the room. After that, Harry and his friends put on their robes. The carriage ride to Hogwarts Castle was uneventful. At the Great Hall, however, there were some pieces of news. First, Headmaster Dumbledore announced the retirement of Care of Magical Creatures Professor Kettleburn, who wanted to enjoy his remaining limbs. A woman named Wilhelmina Grubbly-Plank was announced as the new Care of Magical Creatures Professor. Most (if not all) students applauded her. Second, Headmaster Dumbledore also announced the new Defense Against the Dark Arts Professor: Remus John Lupin. The Slytherins, noticing the shabby way Professor Lupin was dressed, were reluctant with their applause. The Weasley Twins, on the other hand, were feeling like Christmas had arrived earlier that year. "We got a Marauder! We got a Marauder!"

While most students were wondering what the twins meant by that, Professor McGonagall was clearly worried about it. She was still sure most pranks played on Professor Snape last term were taught to the twins by Sirius. Remus Lupin was worried as well. He's sure Sirius gave them a few (read: several) tips last term while substituting for Gilderoy Lockhart. Meanwhile, Professor Snape was glaring at the twins like daring them to pull a Marauder-like prank on them. Hogwarts Head Boy Percy Weasley was sure Professor Lupin would be bad news because of the twins' reactions. After that, the students had the feast. Gryffindor student Ronald Weasley was once again in a battle against Slytherin students Vincent Crabbe and Gregory Goyle for the title of student who makes the best pig impression while eating. Neither of them seemed to care about who won. When Headmaster Dumbledore announced it was time for the students to go to their common rooms, Percy Weasley made a point of going to the new Gryffindor Prefects to remind them of their duty to lead the Gryffindor first years to their dorms and tell them to go to him for any doubts since he used to be a Prefect before becoming Head Boy.

At his dorm, Harry picked up his two-way mirror and called Sirius. "Prongslet, how did people react to Moony becoming a Professor?" Sirius eagerly asked.

"The Slytherin students reluctantly applauded; Professor Snape was showing more anger than I ever saw; Professor McGonagall seemed to be afraid; and Fred and George were celebrating more than anybody else." Harry answered. "He wasn't the new Professor this year. Professor Wilhelmina Grubbly-Plank now teaches Care of Magical Creatures."

"I remember her." Sirius commented. "Care of Magical Creatures was her favorite subject back when she was a student. She'll be a great teacher."

"May I talk to Mum and Dad now?" Harry asked and Sirius then handed them his mirror. "Harry dear, did you have a nice trip?" Petunia sweetly asked.

"Yes, Mum." Harry answered.

"Harry, I hope you don't let Quidditch get in the way of your studies." Vernon sternly said.

"No, Dad."

However, Sirius Black had a different opinion. "Don't listen to them, Prongslet!" Sirius pleaded. "Quidditch is the most important aspect of Hogwarts! Besides girls, of course."

Harry sighed. It'd be a long night.

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