Before the Storm:Chapter Seven

Chapter Seven

The day of the new term arrived. As usual the Burrow was a hive of activity on that day. All of the Weasley's forgot to pack most of their items and they had to repeatedly return to the Burrow to retrieve to missing possession.

Hermione and Ron lugged their trunks onto the train, "Hey where's Harry?" asked Ron looking everywhere for Harry.

"I don't know he was right beside me when we walked into the barrier" replied a worried Hermione. "You don't think he's been kidnapped do you?"

They were on the verge of panicking when they saw a familiar figure emerge from a crowd and stride towards them.

"Harry!" cried Hermione with relief. "We were so worried, where have you been?"

"Speaking to someone" was all Harry would reply as he climbed aboard the train.

"Hey! Hold on! What about your trunk?" exclaimed Ron.

"I got someone to put it aboard" Harry replied.

"Hey, you three! You're wanted in the prefect's carriage. Get your badges on, you don't need to wear robes!" she called cheerfully as she went over to the other carriages.

"Right, Alicia" called out Harry. He looked at his best friends, "You heard the woman, get moving!" he ordered.

"I've got my eye on you, Potter. One wrong move and I'm gonna come down you like a ton of bricks" called out Alicia, who moved away laughing.

They clambered into the Prefect's carriage and found a private compartment. The train started and soon they were on their way towards Hogwarts.

Harry sighed and looked out of the window at the passing countryside. Should he tell them? They didn't need to be burdened by such problems but they WERE his friends. He decided to keep quiet about it until he actually needed to tell them. By now Ron and Hermione were already in an argument about some trivial matter.

Finally Harry snapped. "That's enough!" he snapped, uncharacteristically, at them. "For God's sake we're not even at school yet! Can't you two stop arguing?" he demanded.

Hermione and Ron looked at each other curiously, in the five years they had known Harry; he was the only one of the trio, least likely to snap at either of them.

"What's up with you?" asked a puzzled Ron

"If you don't know, then don't ask me" replied Harry shortly.

"Who met you?" ventured Ron again, not noticing Hermione's scowl.

"Just someone I know. I can't tell you. Just don't ask me what happened. You'll know when the time is right" was Harry's reply.

By now Hermione was truly alarmed. What was going on? Who had Harry spoken to? And why was Harry in such a state?

Suddenly Alicia stuck her head into their carriage. "You three! All the prefects are to meet in compartment number 5. Don't worry there's enough room" called Alicia cheerfully as she went about speaking to the other prefects.

"Well, I guess this is where THIS comes in" said Harry taking a vial out of his pocket.

"Wha-"Ron started to ask.

Harry ignored him, and drank the potion. Once he had finished drinking it he shuddered. "Yuck!" he grimaced, placing the potion in his pocket.

"What WAS that?" asked Hermione not being able to resist the question.

"It's a special potion, brewed by the person who I met" answered Harry calmly, taking his Prefect's badge from his trunk.

"What does it DO" persisted an impatient Ron.

"It's a precaution" answered Harry sombrely. "It helps me see through Invisibility Cloaks, and Polyjuice potion users"

Grinning at the expressions on both his best friend's faces he removed his glasses. "It also helps me" he added going out into passage, "to see properly without my glasses" he called over his shoulder leaving his flustered friends to scramble after him.

As he was heading towards compartment number five he met Alicia Spinnet, who spluttered in disbelief when she saw him.

"Wha…where's your glasses?" she blurted out.

"Don't need them anymore" replied Harry chuckling at her expression.

There was a minor uproar in the prefect's carriage as a totally different and better looking Harry walked in. Luckily Harry was spared any embarrassing questions as the Head Boy and Ravenclaw Quidditch Captain, Roger Davies walked in.

"All right settle down" he called out. "First I'd like to thank all of you who came along. Second I'd like to congratulate the new prefects on their appointments. Finally I would like to say that I hope you will be role models for your house as well as the rest of the school. I hope no prefect will lose any points out of his misdeeds".

"Wouldn't bet on that. Not with Snape, anyway" murmured Ron to Harry. Harry nodded in agreement.

"I believe that's all I have to say. The date of the first prefects meeting will be announced when we get to Hogwarts. Thank You".

"Pretty short speech" observed Harry to Ron. "Wouldn't bet on not losing any points either. Not after what I have in mind".

"What do you mean?"

"I'll tell you later. It's too dangerous to talk about it in here".

Ron's eyes widened in alarm and Harry hastened to explain.

"I thought I had better follow in my father's and the other Marauders footsteps" replied a grinning Harry.

Ron's look of alarm changed into one of delight. "You aren't" he whispered disbelievingly.

"Mmmm Hmm" replied Harry grinning maniacally. "I've got some great ideas that will put the twins to shame".

"What are you two whispering about" inquired Hermione loudly. She flushed a little as Harry's green eyes bored into her.

"Nothing important Hermione, right Ron?" he said innocently.

"Mmmm? Yeah, nothing important" replied Ron dragging his eyes away from a pretty sixth year Ravenclaw.

Hermione looked unconvinced, and was about to interrogate them further when they heard a familiar drawling voice.

"Well, I can't imagine what this school is coming to, imagine letting a Mudblood be a prefect!"

A hush overcame the others in the carriage. 'Malfoy that's enough!" spluttered an enraged Roger Davies.

"Its okay, Davies" replied Harry coolly holding back Ron who was trying to jump on Malfoy.

"Hello, Malfoy" he greeted him. "You know your appointment was a bit of a surprise for me too. I wonder how much your father had to spend in order to wangle you a prefect's badge" he finished calmly.

Malfoy's face tinged a shade of pink. "You've got a smart mouth Potter. As if you've even got a father to spend money on you"

Hermione stiffened at this. How would the normally cool Harry react to? He had swallowed many insults about himself over the years but he had never failed to snap when his parents were insulted. She could see Ron was thinking of the same thing as well.

"True Malfoy, I don't have a father, but I DO know that he would've wanted me to be a prefect on my own qualities and talents, NOT by buying my way into Quidditch teams and prefectships. Speaking of Quidditch teams I hear the captaincy for your team is open this year. Going to outfit the entire team with better brooms this time Malfoy?" replied Harry coolly. He tried hard not to betray his anger and contempt for Malfoy.

Malfoy's face colour was working overtime today. His face which to start with turned from pale to pink to an ugly shade of crimson.

"You're really brave aren't you? I would've thought you'd show some respect, especially since the Dark Lord has risen again" he drawled out maliciously.

There was a sudden sharp intake of breath, all eyes riveted between Malfoy and Harry. Davies suddenly found his voice. "Malfoy! That's quite enough! If you say any more I'll be forced to take points away from Slytherin!".

Harry, strangely, didn't seem too much upset. "Empty threat Malfoy. I've gotten over THAT particular issue ages ago. Tell your Death Eater father that" he added for the first time a touch of anger entering into the tone of his voice.

Malfoy face contorted in anger and he made a slight movement with his hand as if he was about to go for his wand, but another Slytherin prefect caught his arm. Harry looked back at Malfoy, perfectly calm and not even attempting to go for his wand.

"You wouldn't duel ME Malfoy, not after you were too cowardly to show up for our duel when we were in the first year" taunted Harry, perfectly calm. Malfoy would be a fool to try and curse an unarmed person in front of all these prefects.

"Oi! You two break it up! You're supposed to be prefects for God's sake!" screamed Alicia Spinnet butting into their argument.

She rounded on Harry, "Harry Potter! You should know better! And you," he said rounding on Malfoy, "How dare you say those things?!? If school had started I would've given you a detention! Now GO! Go find yourself another compartment!"

Malfoy slunk off glaring at Harry, who after a pause silently left the compartment accompanied by Ron, Hermione and assorted murmurings from the others.

As they walked back to their compartment Hermione studied Harry. He HAD changed. Not during the summer, not even during his stay at the Weasleys but during the last few hours, when he had that conversation.

When they were back in the compartment Hermione rounded on him. "What's up Harry?" she demanded. "You've changed a lot, I mean a LOT. I mean last year you would've hexed the pants off Malfoy had he made that comment about your parents. What's happening?"

Harry sighed. "I guess we all have to grow up sometime. I just think I suddenly grew up during the summer and after I faced Voldemort."

"That's not true" scoffed Hermione. "You weren't like this during the summer, I KNOW Harry, I was there remember?"

Harry shrugged and didn't bother to reply. Ron pressed home his advantage.

"Harry, this has got to do with that person you met at Platform and Nine and Three Quarters doesn't it?" Harry looked back calmly not bothering to answer.

Hermione took up the attack.

"What did that person tell you when you met him at Platform Nine and Three Quarters?"

"How do you know it concerns the person I met at Platform Nine and Three Quarters?" asked Harry smiling mysteriously.

"Who ELSE did you meet before then?" retorted Hermione.

"Look" said Harry interrupting her before she could get to the bottom of the truth, "during the years we've been friends have I kept anything, I mean ANYTHING from both of you?" asked Harry feeling guilty as he remembered Neville's parents.

They shook their heads in agreement.

"I mean, I've shared everything with you two. My secrets, my former crushes in fact everything. Please don't think I'm accusing you Hermione, but YOU'VE kept an awful lot from Ron and me. There was the time turner in our third year, and the fact that you wouldn't tell us about Krum during the last year".

They had to agree on that point, and Hermione shifted guiltily. Harry had never kept anything from them, while she had.

"But that was my personal life, me and Viktor. And I wasn't supposed to tell you about the Time Turner was I?"

"Precisely. Well I'm not shutting you out or anything but THIS is personal. VERY personal. There will come a time when you'll know, but till then I can't tell you. I'm sorry".

Ron started to ask another question angrily but desisted when he saw Hermione's warning look.

"Harry's right. He IS entitled to have his own personal secrets. We respect your desire for secrecy, Harry. If you DO decide to tell us you know we'll always be there for you, don't you?".

Hermione looked at him pleadingly and Ron nodded vigorously.

Harry looked at her in the eye, wondering how the bossy big teethed girl they had known had grown up into a completely different person.

"I know. This is something I've got to sort out by myself".

Harry looked thoughtful for a moment then continued speaking.

"As we're on the matter on secrets I DO have a secret to tell you, but it doesn't concern us" he added hastily.

"Check the door, Ron. See if there's anyone outside".

Ron went towards the door and peered out. No one was to be seen. "Coast's clear" he announced.

"Right. You remember the time when I fell into Dumbeldore's Pensive?" Ron and Hermione nodded in acknowledgement.

"Well, I didn't tell you the real reason why Crouch was sentenced to Azkaban. Have neither of you wondered why Neville lives with his grandparents?"

They looked surprised at his sudden change of topic, before both of them shook their heads.

"Well, Crouch Junior was sentenced to Azkaban. Because he and some other Death Eaters tried to force

Neville's parents to reveal Voldemort's whereabouts in an attempt to restore him to power."

There was a horrified silence. Even Ron forgot to wince at the sound of Voldemort's name. "So they're….dead?" asked Ron tentatively.

"No" replied Harry shortly.

Confusion mirrored on his best friend's faces. "They're in St. Mungo's. Both of them are insane. Neville visits them during the holidays, and they don't recognize him" finished Harry flatly.

"God Almighty" breathed Ron. "Insane- I can't believe it".

"I know, my parents are dead, but I figure they're better off that way. At least they didn't have to suffer" said Harry shakily.

The train ground to halt outside the station. In the distance they could see the silhouette of the Hogwarts castle.

"God Almighty! We're here! Get your robes on!" cried Harry frantically pulling on his robes.

They frantically pulled on their robes, Ron put his legs into the sleeves of his robes and they had to spend valuable time pulling his legs out.

They stumbled outside at the last moment as the rain pulled away as soon as they had got off.

Once outside they saw Hagrid, gamekeeper and Care for Magical Creatures master, escorting the first years towards the boats. (According to tradition the first years always entered the castle by rowing across the lake, while the second years and above used the carriages).

"Hi Hagrid" the trio called out waving their hands. Hagrid caught sight of them and bellowed out,

"All righ' there, you three?"

They waved back in acknowledgement and got into the carriages. The carriages trundles forward pulling them towards the castle. Once the carriages pulled outside the castle they disembarked and went inside.

"Food!" exclaimed Ron running towards the Gryffindor table and sitting down, the sight empty plates not daunting his hunger a bit.

His best friends chuckled to themselves and sat down next to Ron and waited for the Sorting to begin.

"So" said Ron leaning towards Harry and speaking in an undertone, "What are you planning to pull this year?"

Making sure no one, especially Hermione, was listening he outlined his plans. "I want to give Fred and George a good run for their money, since this is their last year. When I managed to slip away from Hermione in Daigon Alley, I bought enough Dungbombs and Fireworks to blow up the Great Hall,".

"Wow" breathed Ron, trying hard to find something to say, "But we've got to make sure that we only pull pranks on the Slytherins, right?".

"Yeah, and Snape" added Harry.

"AND Snape" remedied Ron with a grin. "We'll just have to keep our eyes open".

"AND avoid getting caught" added Harry, grinning madly. "This is gonna be a GREAT year!"

"What are you two whispering about?" asked Hermione focusing on them.

"Oh, nothing important" replied Harry nonchalantly. "Just idle chit chat"

Hermione's eyes narrowed at this she looked like she was going to say something but she was interrupted by McGonagall and the first years coming in for the sorting.

In the middle of the hall was a three legged stool and upon it was a faded and dusty hat, called the Sorting hat. It chose the house for the wearer of the hat according to that person's characteristics.

McGonagall explained how the Sorting worked and she unrolled a list of the first years.

"Atkinson, Amos" called out McGonagall.

A visibly trembling pale faced boy with straw coloured hair walked forward and put on the hat. After a few moments the hat opened its brim in a semblance of a mouth and cried out, "HUFFLEPUFF!"

The Hufflepuff table clapped loudly as Atkinson joined them.

"Were we that bad?" asked Harry as a trembling girl put on the hat.

"I certainly wasn't" replied Hermione pompously as the hat cried out "RAVENCLAW!"

"I was" moaned Ron rubbing his stomach. "Come on, I'm hungry!"

"Ron, the sorting is much more important than your appetite" snapped Hermione.

Harry found himself mentally tuning out their conversation, as customary, when they argued.

Harry absorbed himself in his thoughts on Quidditch as he tried to ignore the fact that many girls, including some seventh years were gazing at him. Even Ginny, who had managed to do a pretty good job of concealing her emotions about him over the years, was squeaking and blushing every time he even glanced in her direction.

He returned to earth with a sharp jolt when he heard "Chang, Brian" being called out. He looked at the Ravenclaw table and saw Cho Chang looking tense. Probably her brother he thought.

"GRYFFINDOR!"

The Gryffindors applauded and cheered. Harry saw Cho look very disappointed. Harry felt sorry for her. First she lost her boyfriend and now her brother was separated from her.

There were no more Gryffindors until, "Spinnet Will"

He leaned forward and looked at Alicia quizzically raising his eyebrow. She mouthed back, "My brother".

Harry nodded and sat back.

"GRYFFINDOR" shouted the hat.

The table burst into cheers as Will Spinnet came over and seeing an empty seat near Harry sat down next to him.

"Well done, Will" cried Alicia from down the table. Will waved back at her.

"Yeah, congratulations and welcome to Gryffindor" said Harry shaking the young boy's hand. "I'm Harry, and this is Ron and the grumpy looking one is called Hermione" he said.

Hermione eyed him beadily, "I heard that Harry James Potter!" she snapped. "I'll ha-"

"Sorry, Hermione. I'm sorry" insisted Harry. "Just joking" he grinned at a glowering Hermione.

"You're Harry Potter?" inquired a breathless Will Spinnet, looking at him with awe. All the first years who were chattering to each other stopped doing so, and stared at Harry with wide eyes.

"Um, yes" acknowledged Harry reluctantly.

"Hey, mate, he looks like a prospective member for the Harry Potter fan club. Perhaps we should introduce him to Colin" whispered a grinning Ron.

'Shut up!" snarled Harry in an undertone kicking Ron in the shin.

Soon the sorting was over and after "Zechariah, Isaac" was sorted into Slytherin the headmaster, Professor Dumbeldore stood up and began speaking cheerily.

"Welcome back to Hogwarts!" he cried cheerily before becoming solemn. "As you may have heard, Lord Voldemort had returned", there were several gasps of horror from the crowd.

"But rest assured during these times and the terrible times to follow Hogwarts will be and continue to be the safest place in England. However from now on Quidditch practices and Hogsmeade visits will be overseen by a member of the staff". There was a roar of protest, which Dumbeldore ignored. "But I don't see why we should let this ruin our splendid feast. I have two more words to say, Tuck In" and he sat down.

"Hear, hear" said Ron loudly as began piling heaps of food, which had magically, appeared, onto his plate.

Harry and Hermione rolled their eyes at their best friend's extraordinary appetite, and they too began eating.

As Harry ate he surveyed the people who, over the years, he had come to know very well. There was Seamus and Dean talking exuberantly with Parvati and Lavender. Fred and George were unleashing the force of Weasleys Wizarding Wheezes on Katie Bell and Angelina Johnson, who were Chasers on the Quidditch team, while the Head Girl and Chaser Alicia Spinnet laughed at their antics. Then there was Ginny, who was trying to speak and eat at the same time, thereby causing her to choke on her food and turn scarlet when she saw Harry eyeing her amusedly.

Harry sighed and shook his head sadly. They were SO happy; they didn't have a care in the world. Would they be as happy when the Leaving Feast arrived? Would they be this happy, or even alive, in a few years time? A great many had perished during Voldemort's years of terror. Would they survive, or would they fall along the way?

Hermione seemed to notice his depressed mood and she put a hand on his arm in a supportive manner.

"You're not happy" she said gently. It was not a question.

Harry smiled at her, throughout the years they had been friends they could read each others minds like telepathy. She understood him and he understood her.

"No, I guess I'm not" he replied.

"That's funny; most people say they're fine when they're asked that. May I ask why?"

"I guess so," and lowering his voice he spoke. "Well everyone seems happy, and I was wondering whether they would be this happy or alive in a few months or years time? A great many suffered during the last war and I was thinking whether they would survive or perish on they way? That's all".

"I see" was all a flabbergasted Hermione could say. During the years she had known Harry she had the measure of him and Ron. Harry was always the quietest, the coolest and the most matured of them, but somehow, during the holidays Harry had matured a LOT, so much that he seemed wiser beyond his years.

"We'll all survive, Harry. With Dumbeldore, Sirius, Professor Lupin and even you on our side we'll have no problem in defeating you-know-who and all of us will turn out fine" said Hermione in what she hoped what was a reassuring voice.

Harry grinned at her, "Your confidence in me is flattering" he said.

Hermione grinned back at him and finished her meal.

Dumbeldore had gotten up again. "I am sure all of you had an enjoyable feast. I am not a pessimist but I fear there will be few such feasts in the near future. However don't pay attention to a barmy old codger like me. I would like to promise you that later in the school year we will be having a huge treat".

He paused and surveyed the Great Hall before continuing, "An European School, which shall remain nameless to add to the fun, had challenged this year's Quidditch Cup winners".

The entire hall exploded with excited mutters. "Since I believe that international as well as local magical ties are important, especially in view of the upcoming war I have agreed to this match. So I hope you will offer our visitors every courtesy. Now it's late. Let's sing the school song!" he cried.

Harry nearly laughed out aloud when he saw Snape's and McGonagall's faces. Snape looked like he had been force fed poison, while a muscle in McGonagall's face was throbbing.

The music started and everyone began to sing in their own tunes. When the song was over Dumbeldore clapped his hands and cried out, "Now, off to bed!".

Alicia Spinnet strode towards them. "Hey, Harry! Hey four eyes!" she called cheerfully.

"What?" he asked shortly.

"Will you and Hermione take the first years upstairs?"

"Okay, Alicia" agreed Hermione leading the first years upstairs. Harry was about to follow her when someone caught him by the arm. Harry spun around and saw it was Cho.

"Oh, Hello Cho" he said nervously.

"Hi Harry" she said equally nervously. "Look, I don't know many Gryffindors, and I certainly don't know many Gryffindor guys who are prefects and you're the only Gryffindor I really know well, so I wanted to ask a favour from you".

"And?" prompted Harry.

"I was wondering whether you could keep an eye on Brian? Oh, I know he's capable of looking after himself but if he runs into those Slytherin bullies…." her voice trailed off.

"I'll keep an eye on him" promised Harry.

"Thanks" smiled Cho walking away. "Oh, and Harry?"

"Yeah?"

"Don't be so sure of winning the Quidditch Cup this year!"

"Ha! We're miles better than you are!"

"No you're not" she said and walked away without giving him the chance to reply. Harry looked for Hermione and saw her already leading the Gryffindors up the stairs.

"Hey wait up! Hermione" called out Harry and joined her in front.

They escorted the first years upstairs and down a passage until they were face to face with a portrait of a very fat lady in a pink dress.

"This is the Fat Lady, she's the portrait guarding Gryffindor tower" explained Hermione sounding very much like a tour guide.

Harry grinned to himself. I bet that Hermione loves every minute of this! He thought. Taking up the role himself, he spoke.

"You give the password before you're allowed entrance into the common room. So don't forget it!" he warned them.

"The password is 'Sugar Quill'" announced Hermione. "The password gets changed once a month, and you'll get ample notice when we do so". The portrait swung open and they stepped inside. The first years burst into excited mutters when they saw the common room.

"This is your common room, and you'll spend most of your spare time here" informed Hermione.

"The boy's dormitories are up here" indicated Harry showing them the staircase. "Somewhere up there" he

indicated another staircase, "is the girl's dormitories, I wouldn't know where, I haven't got much opportunity as of late to visit them" he finished, grinning at them.

"Well you'd better do something about it then!" called Ron from the back as the nervousness of the first years vanished as they laughed.

"Shut it, Weasley" retorted a grinning Harry.

"Will you two cut it out?" hissed an irritated Hermione. "For heavens sake you're supposed to be prefects!"

"Huh? Okay, will all first year boys follow me?" called out Harry and with Ron, he led them upstairs to the boy's dormitories.

"This is your dormitory. You'll sleep here" explained Ron, while a grinning Harry added "We won't ask you to keep it tidy, especially as Ron messes up our dormitory enough".

"I DO not!" protested Ron indignantly.

"Yes you do" insisted Harry and quickly spoke again before Ron could argue.

"Choose your own beds, and just don't break as much as rules as we did in our first year and we'll get on fine!" said a grinning Harry.

"If you need any help don't hesitate to ask us" added Ron.

"Finally, we promise you, like us you'll have a great time at Hogwarts! Don't let anyone or anything spoil it for you. If you have any problems don't hesitate to ask us for advice, got that? And don't let anyone push you around you're Gryffindors, don't be afraid to stand up for yourselves and your friends. Got that? " demanded Harry.

There was a murmur of assents from the, now happy looking, first years.

"Right then. It's time you got some sleep" announced Ron.

"Goodnight" said Harry softly as they were about to leave, when they saw Hermione and Alicia Spinnet standing there looking at them, absolutely glowing at them.

"Just wanted to see how you were doing?" said Hermione.

"And you thought we weren't capable of doing a simple job like this?" howled Ron as the first years guffawed at this.

Hermione and Alicia rolled their eyes and didn't say anything. Just as they were about to leave when Harry remembered something.

"Oy! You lot awake!"

There was a chorus of Yes's. "Right, did you notice those seventh year red headed twins?"

"Yeah" replied Will Spinnet for all of his room mates.

"Well take my advice and don't eat anything they give you okay?" advised Harry trying to keep a straight face.

Confusion mirrored on their faces. "Why?" asked Brian Chang.

"Just take my advice, Goodnight" said Harry grinning broadly at them before shutting the door.

Ron bellowed with laughter when the snapped shut behind them. "You know Fred and George will be really mad at you!".

Harry grinned back at him. He opened his mouth to reply when Hermione interrupted. "That was an impressive speech"

"What was?" asked a puzzled Harry.

"You know, about being Gryffindors and standing up for themselves" clarified Alicia.

"Oh! I…got sort of….carried away" replied an embarrassed Harry.

"Still, it was a pretty impressive speech" repeated Hermione.

"Well I'm going to turn in. You three look capable enough, you'll be fine" said Alicia heading downstairs. "Goodnight!" she called. "Goodnight!" they answered back.

"We'll do the same" said Ron. "I'm pooped. Just lead me to my bed, Harry". He slumped against Harry, who staggered against the wall.

"See you in the morning" gasped Harry trying to support Ron. "Oof, you're heavy!" he exclaimed.

Hermione left them, laughing softly at their antics.

Harry staggered with Ron still slumped against his body. "Oy! You're pretending! Get off me!"

"Of course I was" said Ron. "Come on!" he trotted towards the fifth years dormitories.

They entered their dormitory. Seamus and Neville were already asleep. Dean was settling down to do the same.

"Hey guys!" he called. "First years?" he asked.

They nodded at him. "Well I sure hope you like babysitting!" he said and laughing manically he drew his curtains.

"Do you think we ought to give him a detention?" asked Ron.

"You wouldn't dare!" came the muffled voice of Dean.

"Oh Yeah? And what if we did?"

Dean put his fist outside his curtains and bunched it up in a threatening gesture.

"Well that answers my question" said Ron grimacing.

Harry was busy pulling his trunk towards Ron he pushed aside a huge pile of books.

"What are those?" asked Ron curiously.

"Just some books" explained Harry vaguely. Ron was going to ask him another question when he was distracted by an awesome sight.

"Behold!" cried Harry. Ron's mouth opened in amazement and it hung open.

"Blimey!" he said weakly. For inside Harry's trunk was an arsenal firepower. Filibuster Fireworks and Dungbomb packages were heaped inside the trunk.

"Here, take half" said Harry scooping a handful of Fireworks and Dungbombs and thrusting them into Ron's hands. "I need to make more room in my trunk" he explained. "And tomorrow, we find a secret place to stash them".

"Right" acknowledged Ron stuffing the packages into his trunk.

"'Night, Ron" called Harry as he climbed into bed. All he got for an answer was a snore. Grinning to himself he settled down. He finally felt as if he had returned home.