Tom the barkeep looked up from wiping down the bar. Magic was nice, but most of the time Tom enjoyed doing things the hard way. It kept him simple. Sane. When he looked up at the group that entered the room the air chilled instantly. Men and women in robes of such a deep red they could be mistaken as black strode through the door. Their faces showing, not even afraid of being identified.
"Are you the keeper of this place?"
The kindness in the voice was only betrayed by the hatred in his eyes. Tom nodded.
"Then be a dear…. And die."
The wand came up from nowhere and the burst of blue flew from it, Tom and the bar lighting on fire.
Harry woke from his dream with a jolt, that knocked him to the floor. He had dreamt of strange creatures he had read about but had yet seen. He shook the cloudiness from his head and looked around the room. Strange as it was he had gotten used to the couch in the Quarters. Things had changed a bit in the last three weeks. Harry and Hermione settled into a routine the first week, until Harry had convinced McGonagall to allow them to have a small kitchen in their Quarters, nothing like a homecooked meal every now and then. Since, both Harry and Hermione would cook breakfasts. A bonding of sorts.
Harry looked at the clock he owl ordered. Little past 5 in the morning. He stood and stretched, today was the flight lessons. He doubted it would be a problem for him to start breakfast early, Hermione would smell it and get up, she always did.
He looked about, Ron slept over last night. He had almost forgotten, strange enough when the boy slept in their room he didn't snore. Harry laughed lightly and put the pan on the stove, pulling pancake mix from the cupboard and bacon from the ice box.
As soon as the bacon hit the pan, Hermione stretched as she walked into the kitchen. "You are up awful early Harry. Bad dream?"
"No, good dream, but it still woke me."
"What was it about if you don't mind me asking?"
"Just some of the creatures of this world that I haven't met yet, guess I am just excited to learn what I can of every faucet of magic."
"Understandable, even if you have been in this world a year longer than I have, you also come from a place that hid magic from you. I, myself, want to build a large knowledge base. Perhaps a public library or something."
Harry nodded and pulled the meats from the stove as Hermione pulled the pancakes off. As soon as they hit the table Ronald sat straight up in the other room.
"Breakfast?"
The two at the table laughed and invited him over to eat.
"How did I miss you two cooking this?"
"Harry woke early today, so we have been working for some time on it."
Ronald nodded as he sat down.
The three ate in relative silence until Hedwig flew in through the open window. Harry reached over and took the paper from her leg before handing her a piece of bacon. He unfolded the paper and read the headline.
"Hermione, Ron." Both looked at him mid-bite. "Tom is dead."
"The barman?" Ron spoke first.
"Yes, it says here that he and the bar went up in flames. Apparently, it was magical flames from some dark curse."
"Death Eaters."
"You think Voldemort's followers are behind this? Why? They have no leader so no reason to go around causing trouble. Besides, why now? Why Tom?"
"They never do anything that makes sense. Even in the war mum and dad tell us they had no targets other than murder of people who wouldn't follow them."
The table lapsed to silence as the three thought of what this might mean. Surely, by now the whole school was aware of it. The massive amount of magic the Ministry used to keep Diagon hidden after the Bar fell. It did not bode well for anyone. The world had not recovered from the last War, the class size of the two years prior and Harry's own years were evidence of that.
Harry looked at the paper, which finally, after a month, had stopped having him on the front page. Stories were… plausible at best through-out most of the paper, though there were the odd ones that Harry could see being true.
The three finished eating and the plates disappeared. Harry had discovered small creatures called House-elves which cleaned the castle and prepared the food. While Hermione didn't agree with the concept, she gave credit to them as the only way for a House-Elf to live is by bonding to a magical being. Normally they choose witches or wizards do to their inherent lack of full use of their magic.
They collected their things, scattered around the Common Room as they were. The group headed to the courtyard were the flight lessons were to be held. Hermione threw out a blanket and they all settled down, starting homework. It took them less than an hour to finish all their essays, they had, of course, studied everything after they got their book lists from Hogwarts.
It wasn't ten minutes after they started talking of random things that Neville came into the courtyard. He had been a rather faithful follower of the group for weeks now. He seemed to be interested in learning more magic and befriending Harry.
"Harry, Hermione, Ron. How are all of you this morning?"
"Well, thank you. And yourself?"
"Good. Harry, I have a favor to ask you."
"Anything for a friend Neville."
"My Grams is coming today, after lessons. She is coming for a meeting with myself and Dumbledore. She thinks that I may not be capable of completing even first year here. I… I was wondering if you could talk her into allowing you to make me a Wand… If you are still willing that is."
Harry laughed and clapped Neville on the shoulder. "Of course, Nev. It has been a while since I had a challenge. Besides, I was thinking of asking if I could write your grandmother anyway. I will go with you after class to see her."
Neville nodded his thanks and stood as the rest of the class showed up, including Madam Hooch.
"Alright. Everyone choose a broom, stand next to it. Let us begin. Hold your right hand over the broom and say 'Up!'"
Everyone did as instructed, Harry, Malfoy, Ron, and Daphne got the broom on the first try.
"Good, well done. Those of you still trying, be firm. It is a command not a request." The rest of the brooms slowly came up. "Good, all of you. Now who can tell me the origins of broom flight?"
Harry rose his hand. "Ma'am, the broom was originally a concept given to witches and wizards alike in muggle stories. It was nearly a hundred years later that we discovered the correct combinations to make it a reality. Since, popularity of brooms has grown into a standard transport of our time."
"Well done Mr. Potter. I take it you are studying Broom Lore?"
Harry nodded.
"Well, on my command, you are all going to mount your brooms, kick off, hover, then return to the ground. Remember everything is… Ms. Davis, return to the ground immediately."
"I can't, it's like its…" she faded out as she flew off at a high burst of speed.
Harry and Neville both mounted their brooms and zoomed off after her. Ahead of them Tracey's broom stopped, throwing the girl from it before it burst straight up and exploded. Harry dove after the girl, Neville following behind closely. Ten meters above the ground, Harry caught hold of Tracey's arm, seconds later Neville had hold of the other, the two boys slowed, stopped, then hovered themselves downward to set her safely on the ground.
The boys landed beside her, no sooner had they dismounted their brooms than Tracey jumped both of them with a hug around their necks, tears of fear falling down her face. "Thank you, thank you both."
"Mr. Potter, Mr. Longbottom, come with me." The boys looked at Madam Hooch and nodded, gently prying themselves from Tracey and following their instructor through the castle and to the Headmaster's office.
"Professor Dumbledore, these two boys took off flying when specifically instructed not to. They have limited experience and put themselves into a disastrous position that could get them and fellow students hurt or worse. I recommend commendations or an award for service to the school. They did after all, save their fellow student from an obviously cursed broom."
The boys looked at each other with eyebrows raised.
"Agreed Madam Hooch, both boys will receive 250 house points and a commendation." He waved his hand and metals appeared on the chest of both boys. "Madam Hooch, if you would excuse us, I believe I have further business with these two."
They boys sat in silence the entire time. Madam Hooch left.