Not long after the lunch trolley went through, the freckled-faced third year returned, this time with a friend—a black girl with short hair—and both were already wearing their school robes, making it obvious for Bryt to see they were both Hufflepuffs. The freckle-faced girl also had her pigmy puff sitting on top of her head again. The freckled-faced girl still looked nervous, as if she were expecting an attack, and her friend only looked very slightly braver. Both were staying very close together, not even entering the compartment, just standing in the open doorway.
"Does Professor Slughorn want something else?" Bryt asked when neither girl had spoken. Ron was giving them weird looks, Hermione looked concerned, and Bryt wondered if Luna had even realized the door had opened.
"Oh, n-no," the freckled-faced girl said, her voice just as quiet as it had been before.
"Nell wanted to ask you something," the short-haired girl blurted quickly, as if she wanted to get it out before she lost her nerve. Her friend flushed brightly.
"Nell, is it?" Bryt grinned, leaning forward, "It's nice to meet you."
The girl nodded slowly.
"Yeah, Nell," she said quietly—Bryt wondered if it was just her natural voice, "Eleanor Branstone...You're Bryt Watkins, right? Drew's sister? I'm in his year."
"Yeah, Drew's one of my brothers," Bryt said, frowning, "Is something wrong? He okay?"
Nell blushed more.
"He's fine," the short-haired girl said, looking nervous herself, "We were wondering if...well..."
"It was Laura's idea, I didn't want to do this," Nell muttered.
"You were the one who kept asking about him," Laura shot back.
"But I didn't mean to go bothering his sister!"
"Girls!" Bryt said and both jumped and looked at her, Bryt sighed and spoke more gently, "Can you two settle down and just ask what you came for?"
Nell just went red and stared at the floor. Laura tugged at the end of her sleeves, looking anywhere but at the people in the carriage.
"Nell wants to know if you know what compartment Drew's in," Laura finally said in a rush, her gaze currently on the ceiling.
It took all of Bryt's effort not to start laughing, and she failed at hiding her grin. She wasn't sure what to think about her brothers and dating, but she had to admit, Nell was a cute girl and seemed just as shy—if not, shier—than Drew was.
"I don't know, sorry," Bryt said, "He went to go stay with his friends after we got on the train."
"Oh," both girls said, Nell looking disappointed.
"Sorry to bother you," Nell continued, "We'll just go."
Before anyone could reply, both girls had hurried out of the compartment.
"Now that was just pathetic."
Bryt turned and glared at Ron, hitting him over the head.
"I thought it was adorable," Hermione said with a grin, "Drew has an admirer."
"They both seemed quite nice," Luna said, not looking up from her magazine, "But I think the Wrackspurts have gotten to both of them."
Ron and Hermione both looked confused, but knew better to ask. Bryt leaned back in her seat, looking out the window again. It had been obvious that Mike was gathering many female admirers already—with the girls at Weasleys' Wizard Wheezes, then Emma here on the train—and Bryt wasn't sure what to think about that. She still knew she was going to have to talk to Mike and make sure he didn't get himself into trouble. But Drew was confusing in a completely different way. At Fred and George's shop, Bryt had just thought Nell was a girl from school Drew knew from school, but now it seemed she had a crush on Drew. And if Drew's reaction to seeing Nell at the shop was anything to go buy, the feeling might be mutual. Bryt had no idea what she thought about it. On one hand, with first impressions, she liked Nell. She approved of her and thought she and Drew would be a nice couple. On the other, Drew was her younger brother. The boy who sat on the steps in the Grand Staircase on his first day of school, nervously playing with his glasses and worried Bryt would be angry he was in Hufflepuff. He and Mike were both the boys she taught to ride bicycles. The ones she shared candy with on Halloween, helping them with homework. The idea that they were thirteen now, would be dating...It was strange. No matter how much Bryt thought about it, she wasn't sure she would completely get used to it.
Bryt frowned, telling herself she would have to get used to it fast. She doubted Drew would brave up to anything—after all, he hid just because a girl waved at him—but Bryt would be very surprised if Mike didn't have a girlfriend by the end of the month, and had half of the girls in his year as admirers.
"Bryt?"
Bryt jumped, turning to see Ron and Hermione staring at her, and that Neville had come back without her realizing. Also without realizing, Bryt had slipped off her lucky bracelet and had been playing with it between her hands, something she always did when nervous or lost in thought.
"Sorry," Bryt said, grinning as she pulled her bracelet back on, "Just thinking. Where's Harry?"
"He said he had to do something," Neville said, starting to get his robes out of his trunk—Bryt blinked in surprise to see that it was already dark out. They'd be at Hogwarts soon, "He'll meet us on the platform."
Bryt nodded as she and the others got their robes out and pulled them on as well. Hermione struggled to get Crookshanks back into his carrier while Bryt and Ron checked on the owls.
By the time they reached the carriages, Harry still hadn't shown up. Bryt, Ron, and Hermione all lingered, watching anxiously for Harry to arrive. By the time that the last carriage was about to leave, Hermione suggested that Harry might have already be at the castle. Bryt could only hope she was right as they got in the carriage.
Bryt had heard from Emily that there was going to be tight security at Hogwarts this year, but she didn't really think about just how tight that security would be until they reached the castle doors. A line had been formed leading out of the castle, and when Bryt, Ron, and Hermione finally got to the door, they knew why. Filch was there, using some item he called a Dark object detector and checking everyone.
Bryt became increasingly annoyed when Filch insisted on going through her bag, then became embarrassed when he pulled out Bryt's journal and opened it.
"Hey, that's private!" Bryt snapped, snatching the book from Filch and hugging it close to her, trying to ignore the warm feeling rushing to her face.
"Rules are rules," Filch said, holding out his hand, "No exceptions."
"Well, I can assure y'there's no Dark magic in this," Bryt snapped, hugging the book tighter. The last thing she wanted was for Filch going through something so personal and private for her.
"Is there a problem?"
Bryt looked up to see McGonagall, the Transfiguration teacher, assistant headmistress, and Gryffindor Head of House, had stepped out of the side room where she had been waiting for first years to arrive by the boats across the lake.
"A student won't hand over her items for inspection," Filch replied and Bryt felt her face going even warmer.
"It's my journal, I don' want him going through that," Bryt said, fighting to keep the irritation out of her voice.
McGonagall gave Bryt a long, hard stare and Bryt fidgeted, feeling very sure that she was about to be told to hand over the book. Instead, McGonagall turned to Filch.
"If your Secrecy Sensor didn't detect anything, Argus," McGonagall finally said, "I do not believe an ordinary journal is any danger to this school." McGonagall turned to Bryt, "Miss Watkins, Miss Granger, Mr. Weasley, you may head on into the Great Hall."
All three nodded and hurried to the room, Bryt still clutching her journal close to her chest until they had sat down at the Gryffindor table, where Bryt returned the book to her bag.
"You keep a journal?" Ron asked, smirking at Bryt and looking as if he just discovered Christmas had come early. Bryt's only response was a glare that caused the smile to disappear from Ron's face instantly and he stared down at the table instead.
Bryt had a feeling his silence wouldn't last, however. Bryt kept her journal a secret from Harry and Ron a secret for the past five years specifically to keep them from teasing—or worse, trying to get ahold of her journal to read it. She fully expected to get backlash from this within the next few days, but tonight, she didn't want to deal with it.
"I still don't see Harry," Bryt said, taking the subject away from her as she looked up and down the Gryffindor table—noting that Mike had gotten himself in with a group of girls again, Natalie and Emma included, though there was also another boy in their group as well.
"You don't think he got into trouble, do you?" Hermione asked, looking worried.
"I hope not," Bryt replied, "I bet he'll show up soon."
Though Harry didn't show all through the Sorting of first years, nor through most of dinner. As Bryt ate, she kept looking towards the door, each time feeling more and more nervous when Harry hadn't arrived. Hagrid arrived late at one point, but Bryt didn't think much on it, still watching for Harry.
When Harry finally did show up, Bryt was both relieved and confused. Relieved to see he was fine, confused by the fact that he wasn't wearing his school robes. What had happened? Bryt's confusion turned to worry when Harry sat down next to Hermione and Bryt noticed his face was covered in blood.
"What happened to you?" Bryt asked, staring horrified as Ron just stared with his mouth hanging open.
"You're covered in blood!" Hermione breathed, pulling out her wand, "Tergeo!"
Harry reached up, touching his face that was now free of blood.
"Thanks," Harry said, "How's my nose looking?"
"What?" Bryt asked, wondering why that, of all things, was what Harry was worried about, "Harry, what happened?"
"I'll tell you later," Harry said, glancing nearby to Ginny, Neville, Dean, and Seamus, who all seemed to be trying to listen in.
Bryt wanted to ask more, but she could tell from the look on Harry's face that this was something better left to private. Bryt sighed, just as the feat disappeared and dessert came up in its place.
"You missed the Sorting, anyway," Hermione said, going for the change of subject as Bryt and Ron both started in on some chocolate gateau.
"Hat say anything interesting?" Harry asked.
"More the same, really...advising us all to unite in the face of our enemies, you know."
"Dumbledore mention Voldemort at all?"
"He probably will during his start of term speech," Bryt said, feeling a lot hungrier than she usually did during dessert—probably because she didn't eat much with her worry for Harry.
"Snape said Hagrid was late for the feast—"
"You've seen Snape?" Ron cut in, staring at Harry, "How come?"
"Bumped into him."
Bryt stared at Harry, having a feeling there was more to it. She just hoped it had nothing to do with Harry arriving covered in blood. Though even Harry would know better than to fight a teacher. Something like that would have him expelled for sure. Especially with Snape.
"Hagrid was only a few minutes late," Hermione said, "Look, he's waving at you, Harry."
Bryt looked up with Harry to see Hagrid was waving their way. Bryt waved back herself, unable to keep herself from thinking about what creatures he'd bring for NEWT level classes. Truthfully, even with the dangers of Hagrid's classes, she enjoyed them. She couldn't wait to see what was coming next.
"By the way," Bryt turned to Harry again, "What did Professor Slughorn want?"
"To know what really happened at the Ministry," Harry answered.
"Him and everyone else here," Hermione said, "People were interrogating us about it on the train, weren't they, Ron?"
"I don't remember that," Bryt said, confused.
"You were too busy staring off out the window," Ron said, "You still haven't said what had you so preoccupied."
"It's nothing," Bryt said with a grin, "Well, not anything that big of a deal. Just thinking about—"
Bryt didn't get to finish because the Great Hall suddenly grew quiet. Bryt looked up to see Dumbledore had gotten to his feet, greeting everyone with his arms opened wide. Bryt gasped and clamped her hands over her mouth, staring at Dumbledore's right hand. Even from where Bryt was sitting, she could see the skeletal, black look of the headmaster's hand, resembling how a thestral's skin looked.
"What happened to his hand?" Hermione asked, sounding horrified. Whispers echoed throughout the room, though that wasn't surprising. Bryt doubted anyone would have missed that hand's appearance.
"Nothing to worry about," Dumbledore said with a smile, "Now...to our new students, welcome, to our old students, welcome back! Another year full of magical education awaits you..."
"His hand was like that when I saw him over the summer," Harry leaned forward, whispering, "I thought he'd have cured it by now, though...Or Madam Pomfrey would've done."
"It looks as if it's died," Hermione whispered, looking sick, "But there are some injuries you can't cure...old curses...and there are potions without antidotes..."
"I've never heard of a potion that does that, though," Bryt said, nodding to the headmaster.
"...and Mr. Filch, our caretaker," Dumbledore went on, "Has asked me to say that there is a blanket ban on any joke items bought at the shop called Weasleys' Wizard Wheezes."
"Like anyone'll pay attention to that," Bryt said.
"Those wishing to play for their House Quidditch teams should give their names to their Heads of House as usual. We are also looking for new Quidditch commentators, who should do likewise."
Bryt notice Mike straighten up at that, looking at Dumbledore with interest. Mike always loved getting a story and sharing it with everyone possible, giving everyone the facts when it counted—and stretching the truth with non-serious matters—the thought of commentating the Quidditch matches must seem like a dream to him. Bryt found herself thinking back to Mike's first year when Hermione told Bryt she should be glad Mike wasn't a reporter. Though Bryt now couldn't help but think with Mike's outgoing nature and knack for getting information from nearly anyone, the boy probably would make a damn good one.
"We are pleased to welcome a new member of staff this year. Professor Slughorn," Dumbledore went on, motioning to a large, bald, walrus-looking man who stood up at his name, "Is a former colleague of mine who has agreed to resume his old post of Potions master."
Bryt choked and spun around to Harry as shocked whispers went through the hall.
"Potions?" Bryt, Hermione, and Ron all asked at once.
"But you said—" Hermione went on.
"Professor Snape, meanwhile," Dumbledore said loudly, silencing the crowd, "Will be taking over the position of Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher."
"What?" Bryt asked, dumbfounded, turning to Harry, "You said Professor Slughorn was the new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher!"
"I thought he was!" Harry said, looking as dumbfounded as Bryt felt. He scrunched up his face, obviously thinking something over, then grinned, "Well, there's one good thing. Snape'll be gone by the end of the year."
"Oh yeah!" Bryt said, brightening up herself, "We've never had a Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher last the entire year."
"He might just go back to teaching Potions at the end of the year," Ron pointed out and Bryt frowned, then brightened up again. Even so, Slughorn was the Potions teacher now. Even though Bryt was great at Care of Magical Creatures, she was far better at Potions. It was a natural talent for her, but also a subject she never got to showcase that talent because of Snape's hatred of anyone who wasn't Slytherin. If Harry was right about Slughorn, Bryt might finally have her chance to shine in a subject she loved and was so passionate about.
"Now," Dumbledore said, getting everyone's attention again, "As everyone in this Hall knows, Lord Voldemort and his followers are once more at large and gaining in strength."
The silence in the Great Hall now was almost deafening. Everyone was tense, staring at Dumbledore.
"I cannot emphasize strongly enough how dangerous the present situation is, and how much care each of us at Hogwarts must take to ensure that we remain safe. The castle's magical fortifications have been strengthened over the summer, we are protected in new and more powerful ways, but we must still guard scrupulously against carelessness on the part of any student or member of staff. I urge you, therefore, to abide by any security restrictions that your teachers might impose upon you, however irksome you might find them—in particular, the rule that you are not to be out of bed after hours. I implore you, should you notice anything strange or suspicious within or outside the castle, report it to a member of staff immediately. I trust you to conduct yourselves, always, with the utmost regard for your own and others' safety."
Bryt instinctively glanced towards Mike with his little group and then towards Drew sitting between his friends, Owen and Kevin. Then Bryt reached and took Ron's hand in hers, squeezing it lightly as she looked back at Dumbledore. She thought about her promise to her parents that she would look after her brothers, and she planned to do just that. She was going to make sure nothing happened to them.
"But now, your beds await," Dumbledore said, "As warm and comfortable as you could possible wish, and I know that your top priority is to be well-rested for your lessons tomorrow. Let us therefore say good night. Pip pip!"
Hermione hurried off to help first years, but Ron hung back with Bryt and Harry. The three were standing, waiting for the crowd to get far enough ahead and Bryt knew the second anyone was out of earshot, she was going to ask Harry about why he was late to the train. She didn't want to spend all night wondering what trouble he had gotten himself into this time.
