Chapter 4 – Returning to Hogwarts

There was one more thing that happened the night before we left for Hogwarts. Ginny and I had woken up to a loud voice coming from across the hall. It must have been around three or so in the morning when we heard it. We crept out our door and down the dark hall to see where it was coming from.

It didn't take us long. It was coming from Harry and Ron's room. We listened at the door and heard Ron's voice on the other side waking Harry.

"Harry!" we heard him hiss.

"What?" came Harry's sleepy reply.

"Are you ok mate?"

"Yeah, I just had another nightmare that's all," Harry murmured.

"What about?"

"Nothing," Harry said and we heard the bed squeak, "Goodnight Ron."

"'Night," Ron said and we heard the other bed move.

I remember Ginny's expression of concern and I know my face was full of it. After listening for a few moments to see if we could hear anything else, we went back to bed. We got into our beds and turned off the lights. We both laid in our beds for a while, too awake from the events of a few minutes ago to go back to sleep.

"Hermione?" Ginny softly called out.

"Yes?"

"Do you think Harry dreamt about You-Know-Who again?"

I shrugged and looked up at the ceiling, "Probably, but I don't know," I replied quietly, "I just hope the nightmares stop for him soon."

I heard her move in her bed and mumble, "Me too. Goodnight."

"Goodnight Gin," I said and closed my eyes, not because I was sleepy, but to keep the tears from coming.

I'm pretty sure Ginny went right back to sleep after we talked, but it took me a little while longer.

Well the morning came for us to leave and like the previous six years, it was hectic. Mrs. Weasley shouting locations of items and instructions, and us yelling out questions and running around. The only calm in that storm was Mr. Weasley, who sat at the kitchen table reading The Daily Prophet and wisely staying out of the way.

I chuckle now at that memory, especially me running around mumbling to myself as to whether or not I packed all my books. Well to put your minds at ease I did and everyone else was fine as well. The trip to King's Cross Station was uneventful and getting to Platform 9 ¾ was easy as well. And after getting hugs and other forms of send-offs the Hogwarts Express pulled out from the station and we were on our way.

We found an empty compartment near the back of the train and settled in. Ron and I would soon have to leave as now that I was Head Girl and Ron was still a Prefect we needed to patrol the train. As Ron and I went to leave, the compartment door opened and Luna, Neville Longbottom and Seamus Finnegan entered and sat down.

What happened after that is somewhat of a blur. I remember the train was pretty deserted. Most of the Slytherin students had left school to join their parents as part of Voldemort's army and we were told that most of the remaining students were being escorted by their parents to the school directly. That should show you how powerful a force like Voldemort was.

The one memory of the trip burned into my memory happened as Ron and I patrolled the train. Both of us had noticed that many students kept coming in and out Harry's compartment. I told Ron that Harry must have been getting bugged about Voldemort. He agreed and went into the compartment to try and offer some help while I headed to the loo. Just as I flung opened the door to return to the compartment (I wasn't really paying any attention to what I was doing) I heard a loud clunk and someone cursing on the other side.

I quickly looked around the door and saw Harry standing holding his nose and looking at me with a somewhat angry expression.

"Thanks 'Mione," he muttered through his hand.

"I'm sorry Harry," I said and closed the door and reached for his hand, "Here let me take a look at it."

He quickly held up his hand keeping me away from him, "No thank you, you've done more than enough."

I huffed, put my hand on my hips and looked at him with annoyance, "Well I'm trying to say I'm sorry and see if I can help you."

"Apology accepted and I'm ok," he let go of his nose, "I don't think you broke it."

I don't know why but for some reason his facial expression just struck me as funny and I started chuckling at him. He looked at me rather annoyed before he slowly broke into a smile.

"I'm sorry," I said and without warning to him or me I kissed his nose quickly, "There, now it will feel better."

His face lost all the humor and he looked at me in shock at what I had done. Then it hit me too what I did. We both stood there for a few moments before he spoke.

"Ummmm, I should… ummm," he said and slid past me and opened the boy's loo door, "Thanks 'Mione."

After he had closed the door I put hand to my forehead and muttered, "Idiot," over and over under my breath.

"Hey you ok?"

I jumped and turned to see Ginny standing behind me. I hadn't heard her come up behind me.

"Oh sorry!" I said putting a hand on my chest, "You scared me."

"I can see that," she grinned at me, "and after what I just saw it's no small wonder you wouldn't be paying any attention to anything else."

I closed my eyes, slumped against the wall and groaned, "You saw that?"

"Yes," she chuckled and took my arm and led me back to the compartment, "I thought it was cute."

My hands went up to cover my face, "I feel so embarrassed."

Ginny lightly slapped my hands away, "Stop that. Look 'Mione, he'd be a fool not to see that you like him."

"But I…," I started.

"No 'but's'," she interrupted forcefully, "Look, you seem really up in the air about this. Do you like him?"

"Of course!" I exclaimed.

"No," she shook her head, "Do you like him," she said emphasizing the work 'like'.

"I'm… I'm not sure," I whispered looking away from her for a moment.

"Well that's hardly encouraging," she muttered then said louder, "Well I'm willing to help you, but you first have to decide that."

We entered the compartment, which had effectively ended our conversation. Damn, that girl could be annoying. She was right, but it was annoying.

We arrived at the school a short time later and sat down in The Great Hall at the Gryffindor table. As per the tradition Hagrid walked in with the new first year students and escorted them up to the front where an old, dusty hat sat on a wooden stool.

We all waited patiently as The Sorting Hat would sing or say a poem that reflects the upcoming year. It usually spent the time from the last sorting until now to come up with a new saying or song. We didn't have long to wait. Now let me see if I can remember what it said. I'll do my best, but please excuse me, as it's been a couple of years…

Hear me now as I've heard tell

Of a battle between the emissary for good and agent of evil

With world in balance and freedom at stake

Where malevolence is seen Hope will follow

Important now the bonds of friendship

For one who stands alone, no rest shall come

For the one who falls, no thoughts shall be kept

For both the end soon be here

So let the Sorting begin!

We all sat in silence when the hat was finished. I looked at Harry and what I saw almost… well… scared me. He had a slight smirk on his face and he seemed less than concerned with what the Sorting Hat had said. This was not what everyone else was doing. The hall was full of chattering, but Harry was silent and just stared at the hat.

Once the Sorting was finished, Headmistress McGonagall stood to make her usual pre-feast announcements.

"Greetings to you all and welcome to another year at Hogwarts. I have a few quick announcements before we begin our feast," she paused, "First, the third floor corridor and the Forbidden Forrest are off limits to all students. Secondly, Mr. Filch has asked to inform you that all items from Weasley's Wizard Wheezes are banned. The complete list of such items are available for everyone's review on his office door."

The door near the teacher's table opened and there were quite a few gasps as we saw Alastor Moody hobble in and sit down next to Hagrid.

"Ah yes, excellent timing," McGonagall said and nodded once in greeting to Moody, "And I am pleased to introduce Professor Moody as our new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher. Welcome Alastor."

There was a round of clapping and a small pocket of loud cheering from our table. Professor Moody smiled and nodded in acceptance.

McGonagall looked around the hall before finishing, "Finally, all trips to Hogsmeade this year have been cancelled," this announcement elicited groans and a few loud complaints from the students. I admit that I was a little disappointed myself.

"Quiet please!" McGonagall's voice sounded cutting through the chatter of the students, "Thank you. Now I know this will disappointing to some of you, but you're safer here in the castle. Should any of you have any suggestions for activities during the year can see their house prefects who will in turn bring those suggestions to me."

She clapped her hand together and smiled, "Now, I think it's time to fill our stomachs before we fill our minds."

The food magically appeared on the tables and we ate. Not much of that night is ingrained in my memory. I remember the food was good and that a first year accidentally set her robes on fire (long story… don't ask). As Head Girl I was responsible for making sure the hallways were patrolled as well as other duties. Needless to say the first night was spent getting all the first years to their houses without them falling down the moving staircases or getting overly spooked by the ghosts. And of course Peeves was no help.

This was also the year for our NEWT exams. If the pressure and workload for the OWLS was intense then we were not expected to live with the NEWTS. I admit the workload for me was difficult. I enjoyed it (big surprise to everyone I'm sure), but it was tough. I heard from many seventh years that it was like being in Hell.

As for my two friends, Ron was always complaining and cursing the amount of work while Harry was relatively quiet. As he was captain of the quidditch team as well, he had even less time to study or rest. Of course myself and handful of others knew that with the added extra pressure of facing off against Voldemort in his future, his nerves were always at the breaking point.

I suppose he had his pressure valve always available to let off some steam without us around or seeing him. I know he loved to fly his broom or play quidditch. So it wasn't surprising to see him stay after practice and just try and catch the snitch on his own or just simply try out new maneuvers.

Needless to say, after a couple of weeks, we all needed to vent or relieve some sort of pressure. That statement actually leads perfectly to two particular events I want to tell you about regarding Harry and I.