Chapter 9 - Back to Hogwarts

The day to return to Hogwarts came, Lee was up, dressed and out the house by 9:00. She and Neville agreed to get there early to get a carriage. They did, they sat talking about their new defense against the dark arts teacher.

"He sounds vain." Lee said "Looks it too, to be honest."

"Oh, right, you went to Diagonally on the day of his book signing." Neville looked at her.

"Yeah, I had to tell him I didn't want my books signed." Lee told him, Neville laughed.

"I bet that pleased him!" Neville grinned

"Yeah..." Lee began.

"Sorry!" A girl gasped as she was about to enter.

"Ginny Weasley, right?" Lee asked, she nodded

"You can join us if you're looking for somewhere to sit." Lee smiled

"We're discussing Lockhart." Neville told her, as Ginny sat down.

"I can't wait for his lessons!" Ginny smiled, excitedly.

"Seems every girl is.2 Lee said, the train began to move. Lee, Neville and Ginny waved out the window. "I hope this year isn't like last year, that was too much for me to get over."

"you mean helping save the Philospher's stone?" Neville asked

"I didn't help. I was just there for moral support." Lee said

"If I'm not in Gryffindor, I think I would like to be a Hufflepuff." Ginny mutered

"Our common room is lovely." Lee smiled, thinking back to the hidden room behind the barrels. "It's a lot like a hobbit hole."

"Wow, what about the decorations?" Ginny asked

"We have a large portrait of Helga Hufflepuff above the fire place. The windows always show a nice hill side, and there are plants everywhere. Some of them sing and dance." Lees said and smiled "If you become a Hufflepuff, you'll love it!"

"Wow, I would like to see it." Neville smiled

"You can't." Lee told him. "Did you know the Hufflepuff common room is the only common room not seen by any outsiders?"

"Really?" Does it have a protection charm?" Ginny questioned.

"Sort of. I really want to see it happen." Lee giggled.

"Anything from the trolley dears?" The trolley lady stopped by the door. Ginny shook her head, as did Neville.

"£ pumpkin Pastys and 3 bertie botts, please." Lee, she then gave a pumpkin pasty and bertie botts to Ginny and Neville.

"You shouldn't have." Ginny said

"You're a friend. Besides, your mother was nice to make me a christmas gift. It's only right I extend friendship to you." Lee told her. "come to think of it. I thought Harry and Ron would have came here."

"they must have bumped into some other Gryffindors." Neville replied.

When they neared Hogwarts, the three students got changed into their robes. Neville and Lee waved bye to Ginny as she headed towards the Lake. It was tridition for first years to sail across the lake to the feast. Lee and Neville went over to carriages that moved with no help. Whent hey reached Hogwarts, Lee and Neville sat with their houses.

"Good to see you Lee." Rena smiled, Lee nodded happily. Returning to her silent self. She looked over at the Gryffindor table. Harry and Ron wasn't there, Lee frowned, a little worried. The sorting passed, Ginny Weasley found herslef in Gryffindor, Lee was happy for her. But, the boys stilled hadn't shown up as the feast began. Snape left the teachers table, then did McGonagall, the Dumbledore.

"I wonder what's going on..." Lee muttered

"That's a good question, Miss. Smith." A ghost sat next to her.

"Good evening Fat frier." Cedric Diggory smiled "Do you know what's happened?"

"Well, Apparently, Mr. Potter and Mr. Weasley drove a flying car into the womping willow." The Fat Frier said, the Hufflepuff's shuddered. Lee knew little of the womping willow, but she knew it was dangerous and didn't like being hit.

"Are they okay?" Lee asked

"They are fine. No need to worry." The Fat Frier smiled. Lee nodded, but she was confused. Why hadn't they go the train?

After the feast, Rena and Lee headed to the Hufflepuff common room. They tapped the password and entered. The common room was filled with new students and older students buzzing about Harry and Ron's enterance. Rena ran over to some of her other friends, so Lee headed to her dorm and began to sort out her bag ready for tomorrow's lessons. Before hanging it uo by her bed, she found herself smiling. Her second year at Hogwarts was just starting. What would this year bring?