Disclaimer: I do not own any of the characters mentioned in this fanfiction. Harry Potter and all characters from the Harry Potter Series are property of J.K. Rowling.

New Beginnings

Chapter Seven:  Back to the Everyday

            Harry dragged himself out of bed on Monday, not looking forward to his classes that would start that morning. It wasn't until five minutes later that he realized that he was putting on his regular clothing and quickly went back and changed in to the standard Hogwarts uniform of black slacks, a gray sweater, and a red and gold tie. As his fingers fiddled with his tie, his roommates in the surrounding four-poster beds stirred; Neville sat up groggily rubbing his eyes, Dean yawned hugely and swung his legs over the side of the bed, while Seamus' hands could be seen pushing against the bed curtains trying to find its opening.

            Ron continued to doze as the sleepy boys stumbled noisily about the room. Harry straightened his tie and walked toward Ron's bed, "Ron! Wake up!" Harry said wrenching apart his curtains. "C'mon, first day of class!" Ron remained motionless. Harry sighed and reached for his wand on his bedside table. He had long ago been given the task of waking up Ron and it was especially hard when he was so used to sleeping late.

            Harry pointed his wand at Ron, his roommates taking no notice of his actions, and muttered, "Fluvius!" Immediately a jet of cold water erupted from the tip of Harry's long wand and splattered over Ron's back and head.

            "AH!" Ron shouted sputtering out water and gagging. He promptly fell out of bed, attempting to orient himself. Harry pocketed his wand quickly, hoping that Ron would be too sleepy to remember what had woken him up and why exactly he was wet.

            Fifteen minutes later, Harry and Ron were descending the grand marble stair case to the great Hall for breakfast. Hermione was already seated munching on buttered toast and reading Advanced Transfiguration. Ron sat down next to her and Harry across from Ron. Harry helped himself to toast and eggs while Ron looked at Hermione as though he was pondering something.

            "Hermione," Ron said, "what's your first class?"

            Hermione inserted a finger into her book to mark her page, "I have... Oh wait! No, I said I wouldn't tell you."

            "Oh c'mon Hermione we are going to know sooner or later. I can't believe you're not going to tell us what your career is!"

            Hermione smiled, "You'll know soon enough, won't you?" She closed her book and walked off through the Great Hall's doors. Ron craned his neck to see which direction she had moved to and then sighed and helped himself to some sausage, eggs, ham, and rolls.

            Harry was slightly nervous about his first class, N.E.W.T.s Transfiguration. He already knew that Ron had dropped this class and there was no guarantee that Hermione would have it also, though he had a feeling that she would since it was one of her favorite classes. He opened the door to Professor McGonagall's classroom door with growing apprehension of who his classmates may be. He saw Dean Thomas sitting next to Lavender Brown while to their left Ernie Macmillan settled himself next to Susan Bones. Harry also recognized Anthony Goldstein, a Ravenclaw prefect, next to a girl he didn't know. Everyone smiled at Harry as he entered, except for a burly looking Slytherin who glared at him. Not wanting to sit himself next to the Slytherin, Harry moved to the very back of the class room alone. He looked around anxiously. Hermione did not seem to be here and she certainly wouldn't be late to her first class.

            Professor McGonagall strode into the classroom setting down a large pile of papers in files, her eyes gazing around sharply at her assembled class.

            Harry bent down to reach into his bag to remove Fred's old copy of Advanced Transfiguration that he had lent to him. It looked quite new as though it had never been opened...

            Harry suddenly heard the slamming of a door followed by scurrying feet. He pulled his head up and saw Hermione running toward Professor McGonagall, looking out of breath with her cheeks pink and her hair falling out of her bun.

            "I'm sorry Professor!" Hermione said, her voice ringing out over the quiet classroom. "I got caught up in the library reading the most interesting theory on Cross-Species..."

            Harry rolled his eyes as the rest of the class sighed.

            "That's quite alright, dear," said Professor McGonagall giving Hermione one of her rare smiles. "Now go ahead and sit down and try not to be late next time."

            Hermione smiled apologetically and walked back to Harry's table. Harry gave her a surly look as she sat down. He and everyone else in the classroom knew all too well that if they had shown up late for class they would have had points taken from their house. 

            "So you got Transfiguration, huh?" Harry mumbled as he and Hermione turned to Chapter Two: Understanding Advanced Methods of Animal Transfiguration.

            Hermione nodded silently as Professor McGonagall wrote the directions on the blackboard in elegant white lettering with her wand. Then, barely moving her lips, she whispered. "I wasn't reading a theory. I fell asleep."

            Harry's eyes widened with genuine surprise. Hermione giggled, barely audible, at the look on his face. "Don't tell Ron! He'd have a full week's worth of jokes for that."

            Harry laughed out loud but very silently...

            "Potter! Do you think you could keep your conversations outside of my classroom?" Harry's head snapped forward to face Professor McGonagall, suddenly marveling at the fact that Hermione had somehow mastered the skill of staying out of trouble with teachers, for he was sure he had not laughed louder than her. "Do not make me separate you two," Professor McGonagall said turning back to the blackboard. Harry and Hermione shut up quickly after that.

            They spent the rest of the lesson writing down complicated methods of animal transfiguration, occasionally catching each other's eye and turning away, smirking.

            Harry and Hermione walked out of the Transfiguration an hour later, joining the crowd of students hurrying down the hallways. They had received very little homework, surprisingly. Only to finish reading Chapter Two: Understanding Advanced Methods of Animal Transfiguration.

            "So," Harry said as he and Hermione walked side by side through a crowd of Hufflepuff fourth years, "You have Transfiguration...What do you have after lunch?"

            Hermione merely smiled and followed Harry as they turned left into a more deserted corridor.

            "I can't believe we got so little homework for the first day! Is that normal?" she said, clearly avoiding Harry's question.

            "I dunno," Harry replied as he saw a figure with vibrant red hair streak down the hall towards them. It was Ron and as he stopped in front of them, Harry realized that he wasn't in the best of moods.

            "Eugh, History of Magic was horrible," Ron said as he readjusted his book bag. "Without you there, Hermione, I don't know how I am going to pass!"

            Hermione gave him a disgusted look. "You could take notes, Ron. I'm not always going to be there to let you cheat!"

             Ron sneered and turned to Harry, who had been rubbing his temple in annoyance at their seemingly endless bickering. "C'mon lets go have lunch. I'm starving!"

            "Oh, there's a surprise," Hermione said under her breath as she and Harry followed Ron down a deserted staircase to their right.

            They entered the Great Hall, which was alive with noise, and headed for the Gryffindor Table. They found empty spaces next to a large group of chattering fourth-year girls. The only topic they seemed to be discussing was the Yule Ball.

            Hermione rolled her eyes as she sat herself between Harry and Ron, "Honestly. Its only September 2nd and already they can't shut up about that stupid Ball."

            "I didn't like the last one. I don't think I'll go this year..." Harry said, reaching for a roll in an ornate silver dish shaped like a phoenix.

            "But you have to!" Hermione cried, her eyes wide.

            "Why? This way I won't have to worry about getting a date or anything."

            "Well... You've already picked out your dress robes! It'd be a shame if you never used them!" she said desperately.

            "Yeah, but getting a date..."

            Hermione cut him off. "Believe me Harry, there is not a girl in this entire school who wouldn't love to go to the Ball with you!"

            Harry snaked his head around to look at Ron, who raised his eyebrows at him, smirking slightly. Harry sighed. "You see? You just said it." Harry mumbled to Hermione. "They'd only love going with me because I'm Harry Potter."

            Harry looked at Hermione's stricken face, "Oh, Ha..."

            Harry cut her off. "I shouldn't get involved with anyone this year, anyway..." He said in an after thought, remembering the prophecy. It would be unfair of him to put a girl through this, knowing his life was already decided.

            "Why on earth not?" Hermione said indignantly.

            Harry looked down at his bread roll and began tearing it apart with his fingers. He had forgotten that he hadn't told Ron or Hermione about the prophecy. He knew he couldn't bear to see the stricken look on Hermione's face or the terrified expression Ron would wear.

            "If this is about Cho, Harry," Hermione said, giving an ugly look towards the Ravenclaw Table. "I think you're well rid of her. She wasn't really your type."

            Harry looked up from his torn roll. She thought the reason was Cho. Harry seized the excuse. "Yeah she wasn't really, was she? Maybe I'll go," He said giving a small smile to Hermione.

            Hermione looked relieved and turned, finally, to get some food from the table. Ron, however, was looking down at his plate of sandwiches, one hand on his goblet of pumpkin juice. He was clearly thinking.

            Harry, Ron, and Hermione all left the table ten minutes before their next class. Harry and Ron had Charms and Hermione had still refused to tell them her next class.

            Three minutes later, after ascending three staircases and walking down five corridors, Harry pulled open the door to Professor Flitwick's classroom. He walked inside with Ron following. To his surprise he saw Hermione enter too and begin walking to the back of the class after Ron. Harry's heart leapt. He now had two classes with one of his best friends.

            This class was quite a bit larger than his Transfiguration class, due to the fact that Charms was usually a class most students did very well in, unlike Transfiguration. He walked to the back of the class and settled himself between Hermione and Ron who seemed to have sat purposely apart. The class was full of chattering 6th years from all four houses. Harry saw that Dean Thomas, Seamus Finnigan, and Neville Longbottom, his fellow dorm mates, all had this class too.

            Five minutes later tiny Professor Flitwick was climbing his towering pile of books to get to his chair to call role.  They were soon learning some of the most complicated charms Harry, Ron, and Hermione had ever seen and it was suddenly very clear why Professor Flitwick was so good at dueling. The entire class watched him in awe as he twirled his wand with ease and precision, causing bursts of multi-colored light to emit from it. 

Some of the wand movements were so complicated that only Hermione was able to master it, but all three of them were quite pleased with themselves when they were the only ones capable of performing a Disillusionment Charm on their first try. All three of them left with colored dots in their eyes that reminded Harry of Picture Day at his old school in the Muggle world. Surprisingly, they once again received very little homework which was only to practice the Confundus Charm before the next lesson.

            As they exited Professor Flitwick's classroom, Hermione removed her wand and began moving it in three small circles then jabbing it upwards, all the while muttering "Cunfundus!"

            "Hermione, you know we're not supposed to do magic in the halls!" Ron scolded.

            Hermione gave him a disbelieving look, shaking her head and smiling. "Like you ever cared before!"

            "Well, I could report you!" Ron said trying to look serious but failing spectacularly.

            Hermione laughed and pointed her wand a vine growing into the castle from an open window. "Confundus!"  The vine began to quiver and sway in different directions. It looked to Harry as though it was unsure of which way to grow. But what was bothering Harry more was the feeling of being left out. Ron and Hermione were prefects and as such had duty and privileges Harry did not.

            Harry moved away from Ron and Hermione and their laughter and looked down the quiet corridor. He suddenly realized with a jolt that this was the corridor he had dreamt about at Grimmuald Place. He wheeled around, hoping he wouldn't see Ron and Hermione doing what he had dreamt.

            Harry sighed as he saw Ron moving towards him and Hermione setting the vine to rights. Harry didn't know why, but the thought of Ron and Hermione holding hands, as they had in his dream, made him feel uneasy. Harry shook his head and turned left onto a tall staircase where he could hear the footsteps of many students above. Harry winced as he climbed upwards, thinking grimly of his first class tomorrow: Potions.

            The next morning, Harry found himself looking down the cold corridor, lined with dungeons, to Professor Snape's classroom. Ron had Herbology that morning and Hermione had once again left breakfast early without telling him her next class. If there was one class where Harry did not want to be alone in it was Potions. Professor Snape hated Harry with a passion, which Harry full-heartedly returned. Harry had been looking forward all last year to being rid of this class until Professor McGonagall told him it was required to become an Auror.

            He sighed deeply before pushing open the heavy wooden door, resolving to himself that he would not let Snape get to him this year. He had already proved to him that he was good enough for this class.

            Professor Snape had not yet arrived from breakfast, Harry saw mild disbelief. He was even more surprised that this class only contained five people, not including him. It seemed many people had been lucky enough to escape this class. He recognized Susan Bones from Hufflepuff sitting in a table in the back, but also four of his least favorite people at Hogwarts: Pansy Parkinson, Vincent Crabbe, Gregory Goyle, and Draco Malfoy. All four of them sneered at Harry, which Harry returned as he moved towards the back. His eyes then fell upon someone with bushy hair sitting at a table in the very back whom he had not seen before.

            Harry smiled with relief at the familiar sight. Harry went and sat down next to her.

            "Hermione! So you have Potions too!" Harry said, barely containing his delight.

            Hermione opened her mouth to speak but closed it quickly as the dungeon door swung open. Professor Snape strode in looking just as menacing, and just as evil as the previous year. He still wore his long black ominous looking robes that matched is oily black hair that fell around his face and prominent nose. 

            He glared around at his classroom, his look softening a bit as they fell on the Slytherins.

            "As surprising as it is that some of you are in this class," he drawled, looking directly at Harry, causing Draco Malfoy to snicker. "All of you are here to learn nothing like you have previously. You will be brewing potions that only the best potion masters attempt. They will require absolute precision and care. They must be perfect in every way," He said, his cold voice, "in order for you to pass."

            Hermione sniffed.

            "Silence!" he said rounding on Harry and Hermione. "Ah," he said, his voice changing into a malevolent whisper, "Potter and Granger. I see we've lost the third member of the dream team. Pity we couldn't loose all of you." The Slytherins could barely contain their laughter. "Now I can't have you two lovebirds talking back here all through my class..."

            "Bones!" he shouted making Susan jump. "Take Granger's place and Granger go sit next to Goyle. Move!"

            Hermione gathered her things, giving Harry a gloomy look, and moved towards the front of the class. Susan plopped her things next Harry and sat down. She smiled at him and Harry smiled back, thinking he was pretty lucky to sit next to Susan. She was a very nice girl and a former member of the DA. She also had an uncle, aunt, and cousins killed by Voldemort's Deatheaters.

            They spent the rest of the class taking notes on the Draught of Ecstasy and how it mustn't be taken in large doses or the drinker may die of sheer happiness, Harry all the while thinking that it wouldn't be so bad to die of happiness just about now. It was one of the most complicated potions Harry had ever seen described, and he seriously doubted whether he would be able to do it, let alone with Snape breathing down his neck.

            When the bell rang, Harry was the first one out of the classroom practically sprinting up the staircase to the Great Hall, not waiting for Hermione. He stopped only when he heard Hermione's indignant voice coming from the stairs.

            "Fine, don't wait for me!" she said out of breath closing her book bag.

            "Sorry, but you...."

            "I know. I know." She said giving him a sympathetic look and walking into the Great Hall. "Hasn't changed much, has he?" Harry laughed and followed her inside.

            Harry was just reaching for an orange from a giant fruit bowl when Ron sat down beside him.

            "I never want to prune another Biting Hibiscus again!" he said vehemently. "Hey, what are we going to do for our free period? Hagrid or study hall?

            "I think we should go to Hagrid's class. I already signed us up for it anyway and we don't have much homework," Hermione said, pulling out her class schedule. Ron craned his neck to see it, but Hermione pulled it towards her giving him a stern look. Harry laughed and told him what he knew so far about Hermione's classes.

            Twenty minutes later Harry, Ron, and Hermione were walking across the green lawns over to Hagrid's hut. There was already a small crowd of 6th years there and Harry's heart soared as he saw not a single Slytherin was among them. He recognized, once again, Hannah Abbot, Ernie Macmillan, and Susan Bones from Hufflepuff. He also saw Anthony Goldstein and Padma Patil from Ravenclaw. The only other Gryffindor he saw beside himself, Ron, and Hermione was Neville.

            "Hagrid!" Harry said smiling and walking towards him. Hagrid turned from attaching a leash to Fang and pulled Harry into a rib-shattering hug.

            "Harry, good teh see yeh, mate, good teh see yeh!" he beamed finally releasing Harry who gasped for breath.

             "What have you got here, Hagrid?" Hermione said smiling, but stepping away as Hagrid moved toward her, obviously attempting to hug her too.

            "Oh, yeh'll see in a bit!" Hagrid said delightedly, turning to face the class.

            "'Right, well I'd like to welcome back all of yeh and I'd like to tell yeh that I got some of the best creatures you've ever seen in all your years here!"

            The class looked around uncertainly. None of them new exactly what he meant by the "best" creatures they've ever seen.

            "We have to go a bit into the fores'. Not to worry though..." he said smiling around at the now horrified class. "C'mon follow me!"

            Everyone hesitated. The prospect of going into the Forbidden Forest was not appealing at all. Harry was the first to step forward and follow Hagrid trailed by Hermione, then Ron and the rest of the class. They walked around Hagrid's cabin and garden full of small pumpkins and long strings of green beans until they were submerged inside the forest.

            Just as it had done every time Harry had ever entered it, the light was suddenly and abruptly cut off by the high cover of the surrounding trees. Harry followed Hagrid's looming form for about five minutes until Hagrid waved to him to stop. They had come to a wide clearing where there was not a leaf on the ground and pacing around in the middle of it was an amazing creature Harry had only seen in books. It was a brilliantly white horse, but it was not a unicorn. Instead of a golden horn, it had golden wings, which Harry could tell would cover an area of ten feet when spread apart. It was pawing the ground nervously with its silver hooves, tossing its white mane, and flapping its wings agitatedly. Harry wondered why it didn't fly away if it was so threatened.

            Hagrid's low voice interrupted his thoughts. "This 'ere is a Pegasus."

            Hermione, Susan Bones, Hannah Abbot, and Padma Patil all gasped with delight while the boys looked on in awe.

            Hagrid slowly moved toward the creature, signaling them to follow. The girls rushed forward, but the boys hesitated. Harry wondered if they were at all like unicorns meaning they didn't like boys very much.

            Slowly they all grouped around the white horse that seemed to calm slightly as Hagrid stroked its neck.

            "Hagrid, where did you get him?" Hermione asked in a whisper as she stroked the Pegasus's feathery wings.

            "Got him from a bloke I know. I can't keep it of course, but I got 'em for a few weeks," Hagrid explained. "Now go ahead all of yeh. He won't bite. Pegasuses like people; it's when they aren't aroun' people that they get nervous."

            Harry put his hand on the creature's back and was surprised at the pleasantly cool feel, like spring water. Hagrid continued, "Now Pegasuses get on very well with people, as they have for thousands of years since the time of the Greeks. They are protectors, so teh speak. They also have loads of magical powers!"

            Hagrid continued ranting so fast that Harry barely understood what he was saying, but Harry was far too interested in examining the Pegasus's long white mane to care much. Harry thought from far away it was just normal hair, but now that he was closer the hairs looked clear and inside each follicle were the colors of thousands of rainbows. Harry looked around and saw Hermione stroking the animal's face as it gazed peacefully at her.

            Harry went to join her and began stroking its neck until he was startled by the Pegasus's entrancing eyes. They were a brilliant blue, but somehow clouded, as though they were reflecting the sky. Harry suddenly realized that this animal seemed to be the very essence the sky: full of rainbows, clouds, and golden suns.

            As Harry walked back through the Forbidden Forest, he couldn't help thinking that that had to be their best Care for Magical Creatures lesson ever.

            "No homework, Hagrid?" Ron said from Harry's left as they finally emerged from the darkness of the trees into the blinding afternoon sun.

            "No not really, just read that chapter on Pegasuses." Hagrid said smiling.

            Ron smiled, but Hermione looked up at him wearing a frown. "Hagrid, we seem to be getting way too little homework for the first week. Do you know why?"

            "Well thas simple, Hermione. This is yeh 6th year. The easiest year after your first probably. You won't be getting much homework."

            Harry's and Ron's jaws dropped, as did Hermione's, but not out of shock.

            "Why on Earth not, Hagrid? We have N.E.W.T.s next year after all!" she cried indignantly as Harry and Ron positively beamed with delight.

            "Thas right, next year, Hermione," Hagrid said as they walked behind his cottage and onto the wide lawn leading to the school. "You've got plenty of time. Not teh worry. This is year is made to relax you after you went through your O.W.L.s.  

            Hermione still looked quite scandalized as the rest of the class moved toward the castle, but Harry stayed near Hagrid.

            "Will you relax this year too Hagrid, or do you have things to take care of in the forest?" Harry said hoping Hagrid would understand what he was talking about.

            "Oh. Oh." Hagrid muttered looking around furtively. "Yeah, Grawpy's still there. Don't worry though Harry," Hagrid added quickly seeing Harry's worried face. "He's doin' loads better, he is, now on with you three." He said waving his hands toward the castle.

            Harry, Ron, and Hermione exchanged worried looks but said goodbye to Hagrid and headed toward the castle.

            At dinner Harry was very surprised when Professor McGonagall asked to speak to him halfway through desert. She pulled him aside into the entrance hall, Harry, all the while wondering what on Earth he had done this time.

            "Potter, I have something very important to tell you," she said as Harry braced himself for her accusations, but as he looked into her face he was quite startled to see a smile gracing her thin lips. "I have decided to make you the new Gryffindor Quidditch captain."

            Harry stood dumbfounded, his jaw hanging open, before he registered what his Head of House had said.

            "Wha..." Harry stuttered.

            "That's right Potter. You're the new Quidditch captain. You were the obvious choice as you have been on the team five years and understand the game completely. You won't let me down will you, Potter? You know how important this is," she said, giving him a stern look.

            "I guess this means I'm back on the team then," Harry said stupidly, still having trouble comprehending this shocking announcement.

            Professor McGonagall's smile widened. "Yes, Potter, you're back on. Now go finish your dinner and remember you have two Beaters and two Chasers to replace."

            Professor McGonagall pushed him towards the Great Hall as Harry seemed to have lost all sense of direction. Harry stumbled back inside, almost sitting down at the Hufflepuff table until he realized where he was.

            "Well what did she want?" Ron asked eagerly, spooning mashed potatoes onto his plate as Harry collapsed beside him.

            "She...she..." Harry said barely louder than a whisper. Ron and Hermione looked up from their dinners, obviously thinking something horrible. Ginny and Neville leaned forward to listen also. "She made me Quidditch Captain..."

            "What!" Ginny cried shrilly, dropping her fork with a clatter.

            "Wow, Harry!" Neville said in awe.

            "That's wonderful Harry! I knew they would pick you! You were the obvious choice," Hermione said beaming and giving Harry a quick hug.

            "I guess you're back on the team then," Ron said, giving Harry and indifferent look.

            Harry laughed, not noticing the lack of excitement from his best friend. "That's exactly what I asked her!"

            "Hey Harry! When are you going to have tryouts?" Ginny said excitably. "I can't wait tryout for Chaser! I really need to get practicing..."

            The rest of the meal was spent discussing Quidditch as Harry's fellow House members came over to wring his hand and congratulate him. By the end of the meal, everyone had heard that Harry was the new Gryffindor Quidditch Captain, judging by the sour look on Draco Malfoy's face.

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Sorry it took so long for the next chapter. I've had quite a busy week and I hope this chapter meets with your approval. Thank you all for the reviews and I'll try and update real soon! Thank you again. ~Michelle AD