"Your Grandfather is a ghost?" she asked.
"Not exactly. He's a spirit. He is the full soul not an imprint." Harry said, "His name is Merlin. Right now he's sitting in the seat opposite us. I can see and talk to him but no one else seems able."
"What does he look like?" she asked not doubting him in the least.
"You don't think I'm insane or something?" he asked.
"No. I don't claim to know everything about life or magic so I can't say what's untrue. My friend Luna believes in Crumpled Horn Snorkacks. I've never seen one but that doesn't mean she's imagining it." Ginny shrugged, "I'm sure she is the reason I can believe you without freaking out. I'm kind of used to hearing about the unusual."
"Ok." Harry grinned, "He looks a lot like Professor Dumbledore. He says he's the better looking one though. He also likes the way you think and he wants to meet Luna. I do too."
"I'm sure you'll get a chance. With Parvati and Lavender knowing you're here everyone will know within an hour." Ginny grinned, "They are the worst gossips. But a great source of information if you want to know about anyone."
"I feel better about the hat now." Harry said, "Merlin told me not to worry about it. He checked with Gryffindor and the hat won't spill my secrets. In fact he thinks it will be thrilled about them." Harry looked across to the other seat, "Are you leaving?"
When Harry nodded and sat back Ginny asked, "Did he go somewhere?"
"Yes he left he says this compartment is about to get very crowded and he doesn't want to be sat on."
Ginny started giggling but was trying to hold in the laughter when a knock on the door interrupted them. Harry waved his hand to cancel his spells and open the door.
"What a meeting." Ron said, "Malfoy is really being a piece of trash already. Harry this is my friend Hermione. Hermione Ginny's boyfriend Harry."
"Pleasure." she reached a hand towards him.
He shook her hand and said, "The pleasure is all mine. Ginny was just telling me about how you two became friends."
"Not the troll story." Hermione whined slightly, "That has been told to death."
"I thought it was great." Harry grinned, "Do you have any others?"
"No thankfully that was the worst of them." Hermione grinned, she liked this guy he was easy to talk to, "What classes are you taking?"
"Herbology, Care of Magical Creatures, Ancient Runes, Potions, Defense, Transfiguration, Charms and Arithmancy." He answered, "How about you?"
"Same." she grinned, "At least I can help you get around and you won't get lost."
"No need." Ron said chuckling, "He's been living at the school all summer. He knows the place back and forward."
"How did you get to live in the school?" she asked amazed.
"I just moved here and didn't have a home yet. I had to take my OWL's and things so it was just easier for us to live there." Harry stated, "I didn't want to come back to London today just to turn around and go back but the idea of spending several hours with Ginny changed my mind."
They continued to chat the rest of the way to the school and visitors came and went. Harry decided he like Hermione, Lavender and Parvati. He also found he didn't like Romilda Vane, Draco Malfoy and Pansy Parkinson. He was still undecided about Ernie MacMillian and Dean Thomas. Ron and Ginny both promised he had lots of other people to meet. When the train reached Hogsmeade Ginny led the way to the carriages. Harry walked around to the front of the carriage to pet the thestral that was hooked up.
"You can see them too?" a light airy voice asked.
"Yes I can." Harry turned to see a blond girl standing beside Ginny, "You must be Luna."
"I am." she replied, "You must be Harry."
"I am." he replied with a smile, "I've heard a bit about you. It's nice to finally meet you."
"Likewise." Luna smiled back, "Shall we board the carriage, I don't want to be swamped by nargles. They seem to be swarming tonight."
"I haven't seen any nargles tonight." Harry replied looking around above his head, "But it is the right kind of weather."
Luna climbed into the carriage and Ginny approached Harry, "Are you saying nargles are real?"
"They are but I didn't know you had any here." Harry shrugged, "Nargles infest certain varieties of trees in the northern reaches of Canada. They are like fairies but hairier."
"I don't think those are the same ones she's talking about." Ginny giggled, "She says they infest mistletoe."
"Mistletoe is one of the things I use to keep them away." Harry said, "They can be very annoying. Kind of like flies. Big ugly hairy flies."
They finally joined Luna in the carriage and it took off to school. Merlin joined them for the ride and was surprised when Luna could see and hear him.
"Harry who is the older man with you?" she asked.
"You can she him?" he asked.
"Of course he's there on your right side. Can't you see him Ginny?" Luna wondered.
"No I can't." she responded, "Harry says he looks like Professor Dumbledore."
"He does somewhat." Luna agreed, "I think its jus the beard and the eyes."
"It is marvelous to find another person to talk to." Merlin nodded to the girl.
"I'll talk to you any time you want." Luna said, "If you see my mother would you tell her hello for me and that I am doing just fine in Ravenclaw. It's exactly as she said it was."
"I will be sure to seek her out." Merlin smiled. The ride was short and they were soon climbing out into the balmy fall night. Once they were inside Harry was pulled aside by Minerva McGonagall.
"We'll sort the first years and then you. You'll need to wait in the room with the first years." she pointed to the door to the right of the Great Hall.
"Can Ginny stay and talk until the first years get here?" he asked.
"Until Hagrid knocks on the door." she replied, "Then she has to go through and I'll close the doors behind her."
They stepped to the side and conversed quietly until Hagrids booming knock sounded at the door. Ginny gave him a quick kiss and slipped into the Great Hall and found a seat. Minerva shut the doors and then admitted the first years. She then led them over to Harry and he opened the door for them and follow them in. Minerva made her announcements and told them to smarten themselves up.
"What are you doing in here?" one small kid asked Harry.
"He is new to the school and will be sorted with you lot." Minerva answered, "I'll return in a few moments."
She was back in no time and led the group into the hall. Harry took his position at the back of the group and followed them in. As he cleared the doors the sounds of whispers grew. He looked for Ginny at the Gryffindor table and spotted her with ease. A small smile from her was all they had time for before he passed her on his way to the front of the room. It was at this point he noticed Sirius and Remus at the head table. They only grinned at his puzzled look. He was getting board as McGonagall reached the letter S in the list of names. He was glad when the last little munchkin was sent to Hufflepuff.
"Now we have a transfer student who will be attending as a sixth year. Harry Potter." McGonagall gave him a rare smile as the room broke out in louder whispers.
He walked the few steps to where she stood. He looked at the small stool and then down at the teacher holding the hat. He pushed the small stool out of the way and sat on the floor. She looked at him in confusion for a moment before he answered.
"I wasn't sure it would hold my weight." he said, "I'd hate to destroy a school artifact on my first day."
She chuckled slightly while shaking her head then plunked the hat down onto his head.
"My my what an interesting mind you have here Mr. Potter." the hat whispered in his head, "You are going to be the most difficult sort I've ever done. I see you have a preference for Gryffindor because of a girl. Hmm not usually the reason I put you in a house. A complete aversion to Slytherin, I can understand that reasoning. Merlin are you serious. You have his gifts plus some that are uniquely your own. My word is there anything you can't do? Yes well humans do tend to over rate their own look on life to be sure. You don't like to study enough for Ravenclaw but I'm sure you don't care about that. Down to Gryffindor or Hufflepuff. You are hard working and very loyal but I must say you are far to brash to be a Hufflepuff. Fine then we'll send you to Gryffindor." The last word like in all the other cases was shouted to the hall.
A glance over his shoulder insured Harry that his Godfather and honorary Uncle were pleased with his sorting. He stepped over to the table that was cheering and shook several hands before sitting by Ginny. The rest of the evening passed with many questions.
"Why didn't you tell me he was Harry Potter." Hermione asked Ron as the group walked towards the tower.
"Couldn't." Ron grinned, "They wanted it to be a surprise. Truthfully they wanted him to go by another name to hide him from the Slytherin's but he refused. So instead they've hid him for the last couple of months."
"Where was he, how did they find him?" Hermione was curious as always.
"He was in Canada and he put himself in a place where they would find him." Harry whispered at the ear furthest from Ron. Hermione jumped and turned red. Grinning he said, "Sorry I couldn't help myself."
"Why don't you go by another name?" She asked then turned red and said, "Sorry I couldn't help myself."
Harry laughed as the he passed into the common room. But Hermione noticed he avoided her question. Settling into the dorm was another interesting moment for Harry.
"So now you're Ginny's boyfriend." Dean glared at him.
"I understand I have you to thank for that." Harry said, "But to be fair when I met you at the shop I didn't even know her name. All I knew was that she was related to Fred and George."
Dean stared hard at him for several moments before he finally relaxed, "I guess I screwed up royally. The only thing I can hope for is to see you screw up worse."
"You can hope." Harry agreed with a smile, "But don't hold your breath."
The rest of the boys in the room relaxed. Seamus looked at Dean and got a nod before he introduced himself, "Seamus Finnigan. Nice to meet you."
"Nice to meet you too. That must mean that you are Neville Longbottom." Harry reached out a hand and Neville clasped it, "I been wanting to meet you for some time. My Grandfather told me about you."
"Really?" Neville stuttered, "But I'm nothing special how did he know about me? I mean I'm practically a squib."
"Nonsense." Harry said, "He said you were destined to be a superb wizard just like your Father and Grandfather."
"I have my Father's wand." Neville said, "But I can't do half of what he did with it."
"Because it's not your wand." Harry pointed out, "I've got an idea if you're game. I could get my Godfather to take you to Diagon Alley for your own wand."
"But Gran won't let me buy a wand. She says I don't have enough magic to qualify spending money to get my own wand." he stuttered.
"She's not buying it." Harry said, "Sirius will buy it and you can pay him back when you get a job. You need to learn to use your wand not someone else's. I think you will find magic much easier if you do. I can tell you have a lot of untapped magic so let's tap it."
"You think so?" He asked Harry could see the confidence building up.
"I know so." Harry said with finality, "We'll go talk to him tomorrow after breakfast."
"But I don't think I'll be able to do anything even with another wand." Harry notice how Neville deflated as he said these words.
"That's your Grandmother talking." Harry chided softly, "I'll work with you if you want, you don't have to do it alone."
One trip to Diagon Alley and a few practices later Neville was able to disarm the Death Eater dummy in the Room of Requirement. Harry's coaching of Neville led to him coaching others too. Before long they had a group working together every day in the room of requirement. Ginny, Ron and Hermione were the first to join them after he worked with Neville for a few days. They were studying, doing homework and practicing spells all together. During the second week of term an altercation took place.
"Out of my way Longbottom you stupid squib." Malfoy tried to push past him.
"Find another way through." Neville stared at his biggest tormentor. They were at the door of the Great Hall getting ready for dinner.
Malfoy made sure the teachers weren't paying any attention. Then drew his wand and fired a leg locker curse . To his and many other people's surprise Neville blocked the curse and sent one back that connected. He then turned and walked into the hall with his head held high. Harry slapped him on the back and whispered, "Good job. I knew you could do it."
"Thanks to you." Neville ducked his head.
"No its thanks to you. You did the work I only gave you pointers." Harry grinned.
"The new wand makes it easy." Neville said, "That is thanks to you."
Harry threw his hands up in surrender since he knew that it was his fault Neville had a new wand. That evening Harry and Ginny spent some time with the new DADA professors.
"Why didn't you tell me you were going to teach?" Harry asked.
"You know I expected that question a week ago." Sirius scratched his head, "You're awfully slow to get around to it."
"I've been busy." Harry reminded him, "I didn't want to ask in front of everyone else."
"Fine, I didn't tell you because it was a surprise." Sirius stated.
"You people really like surprises." Harry stated, "I don't get the thrill in it."
"That's because you've been on the receiving end of most of them." Ginny pointed out, "Once you get to the other end it is quite fun."
"Really like showing up in a village not more than an hour before we get there." Remus said, "That was a surprise for us."
"Speaking of that." Ginny turned slightly red, "Were you really wearing a loin cloth?"
"That's all I wear in the summer. It gets too hot for anything else." Harry shrugged it off, "I really don't see why you all make such a big deal about it. Everything is covered. It's like running around in shorts."
"It's considered rather impolite to go shirtless." Remus snickered, "You won't see many people here do it. And as that one lady pointed out, not many could pull it off as well as you can."
Ginny giggled, she couldn't help it. Harry turned to look at her with a curious face. She moved from giggling to chuckling and before long it was all out laughter. Harry turned to Sirius in confusion and asked, "What's so funny?"
"Nothing that I know of." Sirius shrugged.
"I can just see them." Ginny choked out as she gasped for breath, "Harry walking into the village in a loin cloth and mothers covering the eyes of their children. They're saying don't look kids he's not being polite. But he looks good doing it."
Her laughter spread to the rest of the group. Although Harry didn't think it was quite as funny as the rest. After the laughter was under control they began to ask him more questions.
"How has your school experience gone?" Remus asked.
"Fine." Harry shrugged, "I like all the classes so far. Although I do have to say Professor Snape's class is… interesting. He has a unique approach."
"It's usually called intimidation." Ginny said, "But in your case I'd say it's just downright hate filled."
"I truly understand his animosity though." Harry indicated the two adults, "This group really put him through the ringer."
"Don't feel too badly for him." Sirius growled, "He gave as good as he got. We just don't tell you about that part. I really hate to admit how many times I got hoisted up by my ankle and then beat around the head by a group of them."
"They had a particular hatred for you." Remus acknowledged, "You were supposed to be in Slytherin and chose Gryffindor instead. That's treason in their minds."
"Quite right." Sirius nodded, "I've never been prouder of myself than when I talked that hat out of Slytherin. Back to your potions class. What's been happening and do I need to intervene?"
"No you don't." Harry shook his head, "I don't think I need that kind of help. He just tries to belittle me. He actually took points because I sneezed in class. It's just stupid childish things and I can handle it. Besides you know Hermione and Ron are prefects. If I don't do anything to deserve the points removed Hermione will let Ron award them back to me for stupid things."
"Like pointing out his shoe was untied." Ginny chuckled, "That was worth twenty points to Ron. The other years have started doing it too. Hermione always makes sure they didn't deserve the points removal first though."
Remus and Sirius laughed until they nearly fell out of their chairs. Remus calmed enough to say, "That's an excellent way to combat his attitude. Do the other houses do that too?"
"I don't know." Ginny said, "But for now we're ahead on points and I'm not going to be the one to change it. No more Snape, what else can we talk about?"
"How about Canada?" Harry said, "Talking about that always leaves me in a good mood."