Chapter Nine

Back to Hogwarts

The Hogwarts express slowed as it approached Hogsmeade station. It seemed everyone was eager to get off the train after what had happened with the Dementors. Harry just barely caught sight of Hagrid before a group of first years gathered around him eager to get out of the chilly night air.

Harry turned on the spot to follow Ron and Hermione, who were headed towards a bunch of carriages that seemed to be bewitched because there was nothing pulling them. Hermione had reached a carriage and had quickly climbed into it and Ron followed suit. Harry felt a heavy weight on his right side, and it took him a while to realize that it was a sobbing Ginny hanging from his arm.

Harry reached the carriage that Hermione and Ron now occupied. He ushered Ginny into it before him and then climbed in after her. There were three others that had claimed the carriage before them, and it wasn't a pleasant sight.

Malfoy sneered at Harry. "So, Potter, rumor has it you fainted when the dementor showed up. Is it true? Are you afraid of the ickle dementor?"

Ginny found her voice and hissed at Harry to just ignore him, but as Malfoy's laugh was joined by Crabbe and Goyle's stupid guffaws he couldn't help but feel his anger rising. It took all his strength to hold his tongue.

Hermione gave him a panicky glance. Ginny was pressed against his side trying everything she could to calm him down. Harry's mind finally slowed, his mind went towards depressing thoughts. His parents, cutting, living with the Dursley's, suicide, Malfoy taunting him, death. Harry touched his scarred arm. His mind went foggy. All he could think about was ways that he could slip away from Ginny, Ron and Hermione, ways that he could escape their presence so he could let his feelings flow his way, so he could vent his anger and fear.

Harry blinked several times and the fog cleared. He remembered where he was and why he was there, and then realized what had made him refocus. The carriage was at a stand-still before the castle, and Ginny was gently tugging at his arm, persuading him to follow her. He pulled himself together and stepped out of the carriage into pouring rain and raced after Ginny into the entrance hall which was already packed full of drenched students waiting to get into the Great Hall.

"What's wrong, Harry?" Ginny whispered to Harry.

"I just…" Harry didn't know what to tell her. He didn't want to lie to her, but he didn't want her to know the truth. "I'm fine. Don't worry about me"

"You're sure? I mean, I know Malfoy…. But afterwards you just kind of blanked out. I sat there trying to get your attention for a nearly two minutes."

Harry hadn't realized he'd been that zoned out, nor had he known he'd sat there for so long. He looked down into Ginny's eyes and blinked away the rest of the fogginess inside his head.

"Honest, I'm fine, Ginny." Harry reassured her.

He felt bad for her, because she liked, maybe even loved, a complete psycho. It wasn't like she knew it, but man, she was so wrong about him. The problem was that he really liked Ginny, and he didn't want to lose her. She at least tried to understand him and besides, she's the only one who's been around when he really needed help. She's the only one who's made him happy on his most depressing days.

"Oh, look out!" Ginny yelled at a fourth year girl who had only a few seconds to realize that Peeves had taken aim on her and had tossed a water balloon at her head. She narrowly dodged it and it hit a fifth year boy in the back of the head. He gave a yelp of surprised and wheeled around to find the culprit. Ginny however had jumped out of the way as several water filled balloons were chucked in her direction. Peeves laughed maliciously as Ginny hopped around dodging his balloons.

"PEEVES!" It was McGonagall who had turned up, and was now glaring up at him with a death stare.

"What?" Peeves cried mockingly. "I'm doing nothing wrong! They're already wet, aren't they?"

"Get out of here, Peeves, or I'll be seeing Professor Dumbledore to address your behavior." McGonagall threatened.

With that, Peeves tossed the rest of his bombs and flew out of sight, chuckling madly as he went.

McGonagall turned to the students and then ushered them into the Great Hall. Harry and Ginny where following Ron and Hermione.

Just as they were stepping through the large wooden doors, McGonagall stopped them.

'Harry, Hermione. I'd like to have a word with you before the feast begins, please."

Harry looked at Hermione as if she knew the answer, but she merely shrugged as they followed her down a dimly lit corridor towards her office.

"Don't worry you two, you aren't in trouble." She encouraged as they continued to walk along silently behind her.

McGonagall opened a door on the right and ushered Harry and Hermione in before her. She gestured for them to have a seat in front of her desk as she sat in a single chair that sat behind the desk.

Harry sat and leaned forward eager to hear why they were there.

"Harry, I trust that you will understand when I tell you that you may not be on the grounds any later that four everyday this year, and that you may not visit Hogsmeade for your own safety."

Harry just stared at her in disbelief, was she joking? She had to be. What was this all about? What had he done wrong.

"I know you are confused, Potter, but I have direct orders from Dumbledore. Don't ask questions now, I must talk to Miss Granger and then we'll be off to the feast. If you would, please, wait just outside, dear." She gestured towards the door and Harry followed her directions.

He shut the door silently behind him, despite his anger with these special rules for him. He started pacing outside the door, trying to pinpoint what he'd done to deserve this, but before he knew it, Hermione and McGonagall emerged from the office. Hermione smiled brightly at him.

"Shall we go to the feast?" McGonagall led the way back.

Harry didn't speak at all as the walk back through the entrance hall and into the Great Hall to take their seats for the meal.

*****Hey guys, sorry about such a long wait. Over the holiday's it get kind of crazy and I lose my train of thought, so for a while I had no inspiration to wright, but hopefully I can make a pretty regular schedule to upload new chapters. I'm so glad you like it! :] Thank you for your patience!*****