Chapter 9: A Return to Hogwarts.
The next morning was absolute mayhem as they rushed to pull everything down the stairs and out toward the waiting ministry cars. It wasn't unusual for this last minute panic to set in but every year Mrs Weasley wished they'd have been more prepared.
"Your fault mum," Ron yelled down the stairs, "had to have a family dinner didn't you!"
"You mind how you speak to me Ronald, or you'll be staying home," Molly yelled up the stairs.
Trunks flew down the stairs one after another, and were caught by Mr Weasley who loaded them into the cars. Tonks paced outside the front door, looking nervous and distracted and not wanting to cause anymore trouble with her clumsiness. Lupin sat quietly at the kitchen table, trying to calm Molly down.
"If they forget anything, you can always send it along," he said as he watched another trunk fly past him and out the door.
"They'd forget their heads if they weren't fastened to their necks," she said a but frantically.
Remus laughed at the comment.
Soon Hermione and Ron collided with each other in the stair case.
"Where is Crookshanks?" Hermione asked tears in her eyes.
"We'll find him," Ron said and passed his mother Pig's cage.
"Quickly you two," She said as they ran back up the stairs.
Harry had managed to pack and stow Hedwig away before the morning mess had arrived. He had woken up very early with a terrible sinking feeling that just wouldn't go away. From the Gryffindore tower they could see the place where Dumbledore's body had been laid to rest. He had been dreading seeing that from the moment he agreed to returned, however something strange had hit him in the middle of the night. The letter from Professor McGonagall had said it was Dumbledore's wish that he returned. How could this be possible, he wanted so badly to talk to Hermione and Ron about it but couldn't as they ran frantically around the Burrow trying to get ready to leave.
He walked slowly out of the house, and looked back at the small, but cozy, dwelling he had so often visited. He smiled to think he may return but feared that he wouldn't ever see it again.
"Well Harry," Mr Weasley said breaking him out of his trance, "ready to go?"
"Yes," Harry answered turning away from the very picturesque scene before him.
"What's bothering you my boy?" Arthur asked as he watched the expression on Harry's face change from happiness to sadness.
"I'm just a little confused," Harry said, "I'm still not sure I am making the right decision about going back."
"Oh you are," Mr Weasley said as he squeezed Harry's shoulder, "you'll have all the help you need and Dumbledore, at Hogwarts."
"But Dumbledore is dead," Harry said looking confused.
"Ah, yes, but that doesn't mean he's gone," Arthur smiled, "in fact I had a lovely chat with him just last week. His new portrait hangs in the lobby of the Ministry of Magic. They had to replace the fountain of Magic Brotherin with something."
"You think they'll be one Hogwarts?" Harry asked his face full of hope.
"Oh yes, I know there is, Dumbledore, himself said so," Arthur laughed.
Suddenly, Harry felt fifty times better about returning to Hogwarts. He would have the help he needed so long as he could talk to Dumbledore. At least now he would be able to start where Dumbledore had left off. He'd know exactly where to look. Everything seemed to be falling into place for Harry.
Ron and Hermione came running out of the house, arguing the whole way, followed by Ginny who carried Crookshanks and looked annoyed. They piled into the two cars, sent by the ministry and off they headed for the station.
It was a busy, Monday morning in the heart of London. More muggles and trains than Harry had ever seen, packed the station.
"We're so late," Molly cried as they all rushed along to the space between platforms nine and ten. It wasn't difficult to gain entrance to platform nine and three quarters with so many people around but on the other side was a totally different story. Security wizards had set up booths all along the platform and were rummaging through school trunks as the students passed through the barrier. It was messy work and the trunks were left in worse shape then how they had arrived but soon everyone made it through and were able to start to find placed on the train. Harry met up with Neville and Luna just as he came through the security check point and watched as Ron and Hermione ran off to the Prefects carriage. Hermione, however didn't wear her prefects badge anymore but head girl was printed on her badge now.
"When did that happen?" Harry asked her as she tried to rush away.
"Please don't be mad," she said looking fearful.
"I'm not made, that's amazing, you deserve it," Harry smiled.
Hermione blushed very red, "thanks," she said looking toward the end of the train, "I found out a week into the summer holidays. But I really must go, I'll talk to you about it later," she smiled and hurried off as the Hogwarts express sounded its whistle.
Harry, Luna and Neville found an empty compartment together and Ginny soon joined them red in the face and looking quite angry.
"What happened?" Harry asked as the train picked up speed.
"The Slytherins," Ginny huffed as she planted herself in a seat across from Harry.
"What did they do now," he asked.
"Oh Crabb and Goyle thought it would be funny to announce to the platform, and my parents, that I was at highest risked with you as my boyfriend," Ginny said as she cracked her knuckles loudly.
"But," Harry began but averted her glare.
Luna and Neville looked away uncomfortably.
"I... I don't want you to get hurt," Harry said as he looked at his shoes.
"You don't have to worry about me Harry," Ginny said sounding forceful yet sympathetic, "I'll do what I want, and if that means fighting by your side, whether you want me to or not, I'll do it because I want to and because I wont let you do it alone and neither will any of your friends."
"Yeah," Neville said and then turned away again.
"Thanks," Harry said as he looked out the window.
"You don't sound convincing," Luna said airily.
"We'll I can't say I am happy that you all want to risk your necks for me, and I don't want to see any of you go the same way my parents went, or Cedric Diggory for that matter, but I can't stop you, can I," Harry sighed.
"Nope," Ginny said blankly.
"So what did you do to Crabb and Goyle?" Luna asked after a long silence.
"I've got a mean right hook, that's all I'll say," Ginny grinned and cracked her knuckles again.
The rest of the train ride was uneventful. Hermione and Ron, joined them, just as the lunch trolley was passing the cabin door. Harry had purchased a pile of sweets for his friends but didn't hold much of an appetite, he simply stared out the window at the passing countryside. He was on his way to his last year at Hogwarts, only months ago he had vowed never to return and only that morning he had been excited at the prospect of going back and talking to Dumbledore, but what Ginny had said made him think and his dread had returned. He would not be able to stop his friends from fighting with him, as he had not been able to save Sirius or Dumbledore. Would he be able to handle the burden on knowing that they cared so much for him to fight at his side? Would he be able to do it alone had he been able to convince them to stay safe? Did he really know that they weren't, already, marked as dead by Lord Voldemort. There were too many uncertainties again in his mind.
"Harry," he heard his name being called from somewhere back in his present but his mind was somewhere else. He continued to stare out the window. The sky was getting dark now. Clouds were rolling in and the wind moved the leaves in the trees. It wouldn't be long before they reached Hogsmeade and be lead up the drive to the castle.
"Harry," he heard again, a little more forcefully this time. He turned away from the window slowly and stared at his friends who looked at him with confused expressions on their faces.
"Are you alright?" Hermione asked, looking worried, "was it You Know Who?"
"No," Harry said still not paying much attention, "just thinking."
"You seem completely lost," Ginny said as she looked at him more forcefully.
"I'm fine," he said, "what did I miss?"
"Well, we were just saying that we will be arriving soon and should put on our robes," Hermione said, "Ron and I have to head back to the Prefects cabin as well, we'll meet you in the great hall before the sorting," she said and waited for Harry to respond.
"Yeah, sure, sounds good," he said half heartedly.
"Alright," Hermione said hesitantly and pulled Ron away with her.
"Are you sure you are alright?" Luna asked as she pulled her trunk open, pushed aside stacks of Quibblers and pulled from it a rather wrinkled robe.
"Yeah fine," Harry said still not moving from his place.
"Well fine," Luna said as she stood up suddenly, "I'll leave you be for a bit," and she left the compartment followed closely by Neville, leaving Harry and Ginny alone.
"Alright, what's the matter?" Ginny asked as she pulled her robe over her head.
"Paranoia I suppose," Harry said not looking at her.
"Well, fine," she said, "but don't think I believe it for a second."
"Its true," Harry said more forcefully, "why can't I be paranoid that all my friends want to do is help me and that means putting themselves in danger. Why can't I be paranoid that whether I like it or not you are all, already marked as dead, just like my parents were."
"Your aloud," Ginny said softly as she moved to sit beside him, "but there is nothing you can do about it, just like there is nothing you can do about your destiny. Like it or not people are here to help you, as people risk their lives and their reputations to help Voldemort. Why should you be more of the under dog than you already are."
"You think I am the under dog?" Harry asked fearfully.
"Aren't we all?" she sighed.
The train began to slow.
"Can you ever forgive me?" Harry asked as he watched the lights of Hogsmeade come into view.
"For what, breaking my heart or just being you?" Ginny asked mockingly.
"Both, I guess," Harry couldn't help but laughed.
"Yeah," Ginny smiled, "but be warned I want vengeance. You'll pay Harry Potter." she cracked her knuckles again.
Harry shook his head and laughed. He pulled his trunk down from the luggage space and quickly pulled his robes over his head.
The train came to a stop, the doors were opened and students began to pile out. Once again the platform was covered with security wizards that led the students one by one toward the carriages that waited to take them up to the school. Hagrid called to the first years over the sound of the shouting security wizards and they made their way to the other end of the platform, where Hagrid stood with a group of other people.
"The Order," Ginny whispered as she pointed to the group gathered around Hagrid, "look all of them, Tonks, Lupin, Moody, everyone."
"They must have flown with the train," Harry whispered noticing the brooms that Hagrid held in one arm.
"Upped security at the castle?" Ginny asked as they climbed into one of the black carriages.
"I wont complain having the Order around," Harry said as he settled himself in beside her.
"Me either," she said.
The castle was ablaze with light as they drew nearer to it. The carriages pulled up one by one, to the doors, and then left again to get more students. The entrance hall was packed, but students moved quickly. The great hall looked different though. The four house table filled the length of the room and the castle ghosts floated around the room. The enchanted ceiling was littered with stars and candles that hung in mid air. The tables were topped, as always, with gold plates and goblets but no food had appeared. This was common for the great hall, but the staff table at the head of the hall was doubled, there were two of them placed on risers and above the furthest table was a giant black curtain. The sight of it gave Harry chills. They walked into the loud, crowded, Great Hall and took places close to the staff table but none of the professors came in. Hermione and Ron joined them as the tables filled, happy students with friends they hadn't seen in two months.. A great space that one end was left open for the new students. The stool had already been placed in front of the two front tables. Soon the members of the Order of the Phoenix took their places at the first table and familiar teacher took their placed at the furthest table. Professor McGonagall strolled in with Professor Sprout and took a place at the head of the staff table.
"Wonder who the deputy head is now," Hermione whispered but her question was soon answered as a burly man, taller than most of the professors but shorter than Hagrid strolled quickly to McGonagall's side. She stood, nodded to him and began to speak.
"Ladies and gentlemen," she shouted and the hall fell silent, "before the sorting commences we have a few things that need to be dealt with. As you can see the school had employed a new security team. They are all members of the Order of the Phoenix and most of which are Aurors hand chosen by Dumbledore to guard the school," she said and motioned to the table before her, "also, before I can assume full duties as Headmistress, a very special ceremony must take place by the previous Headmaster, this will take place after the sorting and Professor Dumbledore will address you all," some very quizzical expressions looked up at the head table. Harry could hear whispers around him about Dumbledore being dead but more seem excited to see what was really in store. "Finally I would like to introduce to you a few of our new staff Members, Professor Maxwell Beck will be taking on the duties of Deputy Headmaster and Defense Against the Dark Arts Professor," The tall burly man, who looked more like a lumberjack than a professor, bowed next to McGonagall, "Nymphadora Tonks, of the Order of the Phoenix will also take on the duties of Transfigurations Professor and Professor Snape will be returning as Potions Master," she said as the grease haired, angry looking man walked into the great hall.
Cries of outrage followed him into as students realized that he really was among them. People cried and pointed out that he was a death eater. Everyone in the room knew of what Snape had done last year. The yells didn't seem to faze him at all, he took up his seat at next to McGonagall, "silence!" she cried, but no one was listening. She simply took her seat as the members of the Order of the Phoenix all stood at once to block the farthest table at the front. The noise died down, but anger and misunderstanding remained on the faces of many. Professor Beck walked quickly away from the staff table and out a side door. The Sorting was about to start.
Harry was shocked, he caught Snape's eyes, he was staring at him now, as he sat done again. Hermione rubbed her hands together nervously. Ron and Ginny only stared at each other and Neville, who had joined them just moments before, quivered with fear.
"Are you alright, Harry," Ginny asked as she pull his sleeve to break his stare away from Snape.
"What the Hell is he doing here?" was all that Harry could say.
