Ok I'm back to being broke, but you can sue me for my jar of pennies. I'm sure you'll get enough to buy a big mac or something. But either way please don't sue me. I don't own HP. Rough edit this one. Forgive the mistakes!
The Legacy of the Pendragons
Chapter 11 – Familiar Faces
In a way, Harry felt old. True he was the young age of sixteen, not even the age of "legal" adulthood. Still as he walked through the King's Cross train station and watched the painfully conspicuous first years, he felt like he was old.
Things that they found fascinating and new were old hat to Harry.
No longer did he run through the wall between platforms nine and ten. Like so many he casually strolled up and through the wall as if the wall wasn't even their. He even laughed at a few who were so taken with the Hogwarts Express they were rear ended by fellow nervous first years.
The Hogwarts Express no longer inspired awe in Harry, but more so a metaphor of transition. Using muggle transportation to bring wizards to a place where casual travel by train seemed odd. It was a comforting place and he had managed to grab an empty cabin, waving Ron and Hermione off as they headed towards the Prefects car.
From his window he could see familiar faces, recognizing few other than his own year. The twins and Lee Jordan has taken up temporary shop next to the platform entrance, and seemingly making bank with every first year they stopped. The familiar pretty faces of the Patil twins and Lavender Brown passed his window and waved excited to him. Although they were infamous gossips, save Padma, he found that they weren't all bad when they were at the D.A. meetings. They were actually very good listeners and enthusiastic students.
The rest of the Gryffindor Quidditch team strolled by, casually waving to Harry. He was surprised his first year to find that the main effort of the team was lead by girls and very pretty ones at that. They stopped in the cabin briefly, all giving Harry a hug and motivation words for the new season.
"Last year for us Harry, and we ain't going out with that cup!"
"No problem Cap'n."
Harry closed the door behind Angelina Johnson, their team captain. He knew he could worm his way around Head boy if they ever offered it, but he doubted Ron would take the reins of the team.
Outside he could hear another one of Fred and George's pranks go off and the high pitched laughter of first years follow suit. They seemed to overly energetic this year Harry noted. He could hear them running up and down the train, the screaming punctuated only by and older voice of reason.
Harry seemed to enjoy the simple act of sitting and listening that he barely noticed the door slid open. The familiar dreamy wide eyed look of Luna Lovegood smiled at him and asked if there was room.
"Come on Luna, obviously there's room. Here let me help you with that."
Harry hefted the trunk onto the overhead, which despite his increase in strength was no easy feat. He assumed it was the female aspect attached to it.
Harry caught himself as he was just about to ask Luna about her summer. He watched her as the dreamy look seemed to fade away and her eyes seemed to close down to a normal look.
"Luna?"
"Hmm?" She looked at Harry seemingly oblivious to the transition.
"You alright?"
"Oh I'm fine. How are you? How was your summer?"
"Oh it was good," Harry spoke detached from his own sentences as he tried to figure out what he had just witnessed. "Rode on a Pegas through Ireland."
"Sounds like fun….Hmm mmm…" Luna began to hum a nameless tune as she pulled out the latest edition of the Quibbler, her father's own publication. Harry pulled his attention back to the window as more and more students filed themselves onto the platform. Harry slumped in his cushioned seat feeling very relaxed and secure, like he was in a warm blanket. The train did offer a sense of security, except for a few times in the past. Still her felt it more so than ever. He was really glad to be returning to Hogwarts.
***
Harry watched family member waved the train away, a few running the length of the platform in excitement. The train quickly built up speed and the English countryside sped along, reminding Harry briefly of Lily. He smiled and picked his Defense book and tried to grasp a few more sentences. It was to no avail however since he began to grow more excited about returning byt the minute.
"Luna?"
"Hmm?"
"You going to be here for a while?"
"Oh yes, go ahead."
She resumed humming her nameless tune and Harry smiled as he closed the door. He didn't think he could remain seated or in one place for too long. He felt like how the first years were acting. He wanted to run around, and now being older and wiser, cast spells and anything relating to magic. Focusing his aura was minor magic for a reason and Harry wasn't getting his regular dosage of excitement through it.
Another one of Weasley Wizard Wheezes went off somewhere and a group for first years ran past him, laughing loudly. He wasn't surprised when Ron, in a flash of red came running past.
"These little buggers are killing me Harry!" Ron hurried down the car hoping to catch the latest Fred and George wannabe's. Not even graduated and their reputation spreads to first who until today had not even heard of the twins.
Harry wandered into the open car, which houses plenty of cushy chairs and tables that always seemed to have a clean cup. H smiled when he saw Cho drop lazily into one of the thick chairs and sink as far as she could. He saw across from her unnoticed since her eyes were closed and was too busy catching her breath.
"First years giving you a hard time?"
"You know it." She didn't even bother opening her eyes and tried to fan away a few beads of sweat. Slowly she sat up and looked at Harry with a smile.
"You know you really need a prefect badge. I'm sure a lot of these kids would tremble under the might of the great Harry Potter."
"Right, or follow me around asking for stories or autographs."
"Either way they wouldn't be causing trouble right?"
"For me they would." Harry summoned a pitcher of cold water and poured her a glass. "I would have thought they'd have made you Head Girl by now."
"Who says they haven't?"
Harry nearly dropped the pitcher when she flashed a smile at him first then her Head Girl badge.
"T-that's great, congratulations. Why didn't you tell me?"
"Hmm, figured I'd surprise you. Maybe catch you breaking rules like you always do and punish you for it."
Harry opened his mouth to speak but Cho had cut him off.
"Don't even think about it. I'll leave the whips and chains to Filch."
Harry shuddered at the thought and a speckled rosy cheeked Gryfinddor ran up to Cho. Harry recognized him as the seventh year and Head Boy from his gleaming badge.
"Harry Potter? How ya doin'? Evan O'Neill."
Harry shook his hand vigorously. From what Harry had heard Evan was infamous for being energetic and social. His American accent was thick but like the few Americans at Hogwarts he was very friendly.
"Sorry to interrupt you little date here, but I gotta steal Cho for a bit. Top stuff you know."
"Oh of course."
Cho nodded and grabbed Harry's hand gave it a squeeze.
"I'll see you later ok?"
And the two ran off. He assumed it was another prank, but one of the deluxe models as a stench resembling the swamp in the halls last year wafted down the train. Windows were opened immediately and bubble head charms were cast. Harry surprised himself as he used his aura to block the stench.
He smiled at his natural reaction to use it, which usually meant he was getting better and being a wizard was becoming more casual.
***
Harry walked back into the cabin to find Luna still reading and humming a song and oddly enough Ron and Hermione sound asleep. He wasn't surprised though as he assumed most first years had gone to sleep allowing the prefects some rest. The sun had set a while ago, and was leaving the sky orange and red which usually meant Hogwarts was about an hour away.
"They look beat." Harry observed.
"Oh yeah, they came in, said hi and were out like a light. I don't eny their position though."
"Nor do I."
Harry sat down and threw his robe on. He had stopped changing into the full uniform his second year as the robe covered it anyway. He wrapped it around himself like a blanket and stared out the window, his eyes getting heavy. He had never walked much around the train and this year became the exception. Usually Harry would be able to watch Hogwarts come into view from its tallest battlements to the Whomping Willow. This time he had no qualms about missing it this year.
***
The Great Hall filled up quickly and Harry found him self quite anxious. This would only be his third time to watch the sorting. Flying cars, dementors and such had deemed to deprive him of it previous years. The song it sung his first year was a nice song that made him smile. Last years song however seemed dark and foreboding, warning the students to stick together despite their house.
The Head table was full with the exception of the Defense teacher and an additional one which Harry couldn't figure as all other teachers were present. Hagrid waved his mighty hand and took a swig from his goblet. Professor Dumbledore was looking his usual tranquil self, with Snape to his far right looking as sinister and mean as he always had. Professors Sprout, Flitwick and Hooch rounded off the ones Harry could recognize off hand. He didn't have time to recall names as his head of house Professor McGonagall strode in with the eager looking first years following in her wake.
"When I call of your name, I will place the Sorting Hat on your head, you house will be chosen and you will take you place among them."
The frail transfiguration teacher gently carried the hat from Dumbledore's side and placed it on the chair. It looked, as it always was, limp, worn and tattered until it sprang to life. Everyone waited with baited breath for its song as it seemed to look around the Great Hall
The year of grey has come and gone
And a new era begins at dawn
Be cautious now, for danger walks
Beyond these halls the dark one talks
He speaks to pull you into the fold
And bring the world to days of old
Where terror ruled our streets and homes
Where there was nowhere safe to go
So try you must, learn all you can
To thwart the darkness and it's plan
For dark hearts falter and they fail
For without love they can't prevail
Love of family and your friends
Will give the strength of a hundred men
So unite these houses four
Within these walls and beyond the moor
For Gryffindor the brave of heart
And to Ravenclaw the smart
To Slytherin those of cunning skill
And Hufflepuff the strength of will
Though divide you I must do
Look past your house to see the truth
Inside of you resides a part
Of each house inside your heart
Each of these homes reside in here
That enough should make it clear
That though divided in these walls
We're all of Hogwarts and shall not fall
The silence was deafening. The hat as far as he knew was as cryptic as Dumbledore and not as straightforward as this. It usually spent a stanza on each house, not just one line. The teachers looked worriedly at the hat and the first years didn't seem to know what to think. Harry looked to Ron and Hermione who looked just as confused.
Professor McGonagall shook herself from her daze and began the sorting. Gryffindor had received the first of them, a sign of good luck, though applause for each new addition seemed forced rather than congratulatory. After the students had now taken their place and the hat taken away Dumbledore had stood up and all eyes were on him.
"Another year has come for Hogwarts, though I'm sad to say the coming years will be trying for all of us. Voldemort has returned to the wizarding world," He paused as he watched the hall flinch at the mention of his name. "As such, many precautions are being undertaken to ensure the safety of the school as well as Hogsmeade. We have taken on many wizards to help preserve the safety of both to allow Aurors to be free to do their jobs.
As always, the Forbidden Forest is off limits, is not more so than before as I know some of you have taken to venturing into the forest. Our caretaker Mr. Filch has added more items to the forbidden list, to include all products of Weasley Wizard Wheezes."
Dumbledore flashed a smile to the twins who grinned ear to ear at the unintended advertisement.
"Lastly I would like to introduce this year's Defense Against the Dark Arts teachers."
"Teachers?" Ron asked. The three of them looked anxiously at the double doors for obviously more than one teacher.
The doors pounded open and in walked a well dressed man in fine olive robes and a pretty young lady wearing a burgundy suit, her black robe sitting on one shoulder. It wasn't until they walked closer that the trio recognized them.
"Professor Lupin!?!" Harry almost cried out in disbelief.
"Tonks?" Hermoine caught herself and only whispered her name. She wasn't sure if it was safe to be openly associated with her just yet.
"Yes yes, I'm sure many of you recognize Professor Lupin. There are some rumors as to why he left after one year and I'm sure he himself can clarify. Remus."
Dumbledore shook Remus' hand and sat down.
"Well for those who don't know I am a werewolf."
A few gasped and ahh's echoed through the hall, and Draco's muttering of disapproval was obvious.
"Not full blooded, I was bitten. Thanks to the new Wolf's Bane potion on the weeks of full moons I will be rendered harmless and secured in a locked room until the week is over. During those weeks Professor Tonks here will substitute."
Tonks bowed lightly and smiled.
"I'm Professor Tonks, a pleasure. I am a qualified Auror so my time is limited to one week. I'm only filling in."
And with that Tonks pulled out hand from her pocket and enlarged a broom. She nodded to Dumbledore and was out the window and into the night.
Remus took his place and nodded over to Harry.
"So without further ado!"
Dumbledore clapped and the food all had been desperately awaiting appeared. Harry smiled over as Remus and was glad to have him back. He was perhaps the most competent teacher they had ever had for the subject. And he was Harry's last link to his parents.
Despite the Sorting Hat's somber song the feast was greeted eagerly and smiles returned to students faces, already returned to their oblivious states. Harry didn't mind though, sometimes that was just the way people dealt with dark times.
Harry watched Ron and Hermoine lead the first years to Gryffindor Tower. He waited outside of the great hall, stopping Professor Lupin, the last to leave.
"Oh hello Harry. Can I help you?"
"Is this ok? I mean coming back and telling everyone you're a werewolf?"
Remus placed a hand on Harry's shoulder and they began to walk methodically down the hall.
"I appreciate you concern Harry. But with Fudge gone, and Dumbledore's name restored, who'll deny him? I've been cleared by the council and parents have had their concerns eased. It's ok Harry."
"And the Order? Won't someone suspect?"
"I doubt it. With Voldemort in the open, and most of the Order working as Auror's there's not much the Order can do now. We started the Order because the ministry was too slow in acting. Now with the council, proper steps are being taken to stop him. But we still have purpose. Don't worry about it just yet Harry. I'm sure Dumbledore fill you in."
Remus patted Harry on the shoulder and offered a quick smile before disappearing in the dark corridors. He was reassured but still couldn't help but feel worried. The Defense teacher always held an air of ill fortune, and Harry hoped Remus could end it his second time around.
Holy Crap this chapter was hard to write. I'm still not sure if this is the right thing to do with the story at this point but it's ok. I'll take it and run with it. Sorry about pulling the side story shortly after posting. I though I had posted and earlier version of this chap (which featured Neville) so I threw it on to explain things. Once I found I didn't I pulled it off until a more appropriate time came to post. I'm also a bit sad. I haven't had as many reviews for the last two chapters. Not to sound egotistical though. But reviews keep me going. It's a miracle I got past chapter 5 with out giving up. I'm going home this weekend so I don't think another chap will come out until Christmas week. Sorry! Also how's the song? I don't think it was very good but that right there is the first and only version. I wrote it in one go.
BTW I'm surprised at myself and all my reviewers. I've been spelling Hermione's name wrong. I've been putting the "i" after the "o"…stupid me. But I fixed it!