All a Dream

Chapter 12

The next week passed by quickly for Harry. He had tonnes of reading to do if he wanted to do well this year. He often had to help look after his youngest brother, which meant that concentrating on reading was made difficult.
It also became apparent that Drew and Stew were trouble-makers, sometimes being substitutes for the twins at Harry's dream-Hogwarts (the portable swamp had been their idea).
Another fact that became apparent at the Potter household was that Mae kept to herself a lot, and that this trait had only begun this year. The members of the family each had their own hypothesis, the most realistic one being James', that she was keeping up with work so that she could properly perform her prefect duties this year.
Harry got a letter three days before the first day of Hogwarts. It read:

Dear Mr. Harry Potter,

It has come to my attention that you have gained consciousness, and wish to attend Hogwarts. There are several details that need to be cleared up beforehand; first and foremost, which house you will be in, secondly, which year you will join.
You and your parents must attend a meeting with me the 31
st of August, 1:00 p.m. to sort these matters out. Meet me in my office, please.

Sincerely,

Professor Minerva McGonagall, Headmistress

"So, Dumbledore is dead?" said Harry after reading the letter to his parents.

"Yes, dear," replied his father. "He was very old; it wasn't much of a shock."

"But...well..." Harry stuttered, "He was murdered, wasn't he?"

"No, Harry, he just..."

"Kicked the bucket," interrupted Erin enthusiastically.

"Erin!" said Lily sternly. "Show more respect, Dumbledore was a great man!"

"But Mum, Stew said it first," Erin whined.

"And you should know better than to listen to everything your brother says," answered James.

Harry was bent double, trying to hide his laughter at Erin's exact tone. He could have sworn he'd heard several similar conversations at the Burrow, and Erin looked and sounded so much like Ginny.

At the very thought of Ginny, Harry's mind froze. He hadn't really gotten to speak to her properly about their relationship as Harry had known it, and he was too unsure about how to phrase it. It wasn't as though he could just walk up to her and say "Well, Ginny, you probably didn't know this, but you used to be my girlfriend", although that was probably the best approach. Harry's only unembarassing choice was to hope that she already knew, and then let her bring up the subject.

"Harry? Harry, are you okay?" Erin was waving her hand in front of her brother's face.

Harry crashed back into conscious thought. "Oh, yeah, Erin, I'm fine."

"Sorry," she said. "It's just, your eyes kind of glazed over. Mum was asking you what you wanted for dinner, too."

"Food would be awesome, thanks."
"Really specific, Harry."

.:. :.: .:.

On August the 31st, Harry and his parents were getting ready to go to their meeting with Professor McGonagall. The fireplace in the basement had the jar of Floo Powder next to it.

"Mae remember, Drew and Stew are at the Burrow until 3:00, Nigel and Erin should stay off the tele and computer till we get back," said Lily authoritatively. "We shouldn't be longer than an hour."

"Yes, mum. See you guys soon."

Harry took a pinch of Floo Powder from the jar and watched the flames begin to roar and turn green. He stepped into the fire and said "Hogwarts" before being whisked through the network of fireplaces. With a quick 'whoosh' sound, he found himself deposited on the rug of what was now McGonagall's office. It was a bit different from the time Harry thought he knew it. The spindly silver instruments on the table were gone, and had been replaced by a few books, the Sorting Hat, and a stack of papers. All the portraits of the former headmasters and headmistresses were still there, and the portrait of Dilys was whispering in the ears of the other portraits.
Two more 'whoosh' sounds signalled the arrival of Lily and James.

"Ah, good afternoon, Lily, James. It's good to see you back Harry," said Professor McGonagall from behind a neat desk. "Come, sit down." She waved her wand, and three chairs glided from the wall, coming to a stop just in front of her desk. Harry took the middle chair, James on his right, Lily on his left.

"Now, about which house you shall be in. You were in Gryffindor in your dream, correct Mr. Potter?"

"Yes," replied Harry.
Professor McGonagall nodded her head. "This may still apply to you, Mr. Potter, but several things seem to have changed for you since you woke up. You did not realize you had siblings, I believe. This may also have changed some of your characteristics." Harry began chewing the inside of his cheek. He couldn't imagine not being in Gryffindor. It had been his home for the past six years, excluding the camping trip. "Okay."

"So, Harry, here's the Sorting Hat," said McGonagall, waving her wand at it so that it zoomed into her hand. "Try it on." Harry took the old, tatty hat, turned it around in his hands examining it. Finally, being unable to hold off the moment any longer, he placed the hat on his head, and in contrast to the first year's heads, it seemed to fit him perfectly. Still, though, the Sorting Hat managed to whisper in his ear. "Oh, so you're Harry Potter are you? Some very brave acts you appear to have done, no doubt about that. Not a bad mind, though you don't seem to have cared much about homework in the past. Trouble with rules, but good at Quidditch. You're a Gryffindor, through and through." Harry sighed in relief, his parents beaming, and Professor McGonagall was even smiling a bit.

"Now that that's out of the way, we have to determine which year you'll be in. As I understand it, you skipped out of school your seventh year, yes?" Harry confirmed this. "Right, then it would only be logical that you begin your seventh year tomorrow. However, I should see the extent of your magic before I place you in your classes. If you would please show me a first level spell..." and on it went until Harry had performed various spells from all the year levels of increasing complexity. Harry thought it was like his OWL practical exam in charms and transfiguration. Finally, McGonagall said he was eligible for seventh year. Harry was in Potions, Transfiguration, Charms, DADA, and Herbology. These were all the classes required for him to become an Auror.

A/N: This last week, I was shopping with my mom at the closest mall to us. Driving home, I saw the exact same shape of car as Ron's when it's transfigured. That made me scream with laughter, because I didn't even know that shape of car existed when I'd made up Lemonhead. Mom asked me what was wrong, I told her, and now she's finally read what amount of this fic I've finished, none of the others. sniffle.
I also forgot to say that one of my favourite types of candy is called "Lemonheads." For those who don't have access to those candies, I shall describe them. They are little balls of sour sugar that taste slightly citrus-y. They're yellow. Eat them. Unless you don't like candy or are allergic to it or something.