Chapter 25: Back where I belong
A/N: You know what – I have nothing. You guys have full right to hunt me down and kill me. I am ashamed that I let myself forget about this fanfic. Onto my reviewers-
MegaHugePotterhead: Sorry I kept you waiting. BTW, love the nickname... suits him, if you know what I'm saying!
divergentcatchingjay: Thanks!
nuke-squid: I'm glad you like it! Keep reading!
Dragons-Twilight1992: Comin' right up!
And a special shout out to M and Universal Creature! Stay Awesome everybody!
BTW, thanks to a guest reviewer for pointing out that law.
"Telescope?"
"Check"
"Potions Kit?"
"Definitely, check"
"Dress Robes?"
"Unfortunately, check"
"Hey!" Sirius peered over the list, "It's not my fault you look like a prat in Dress Robes" he answered smugly. Harry rolled his eyes, "Sirius we've been over this list about four times already! I'm pretty sure we got everything!" he complained
"Doesn't matter. Come on. Let's get on with it!" Sirius brushed a strand of hair out of his eyes and plodded on with the list, "Right, you're Firebolt? Not that you'll be needing it"
Harry nodded vigorously, "Yes – wait, I won't be needing it?" he gasped. Sirius looked scandalized for a moment, "What? Oh never mind that – just a joke, just a joke. What's next? Um, your books?"
Harry squinted at Sirius suspiciously, "You're hiding something" he stated resolutely, leaning backwards. Sirius smirked and leant forward till he was about an inch from Harry's face, "Think you know me that well, do you, Kiddo?" he challenged. Harry crossed his arms and grinned back, "As a matter of fact I believe I do, Mr. Godfather"
Chuckling, Sirius ruffled Harry's hair and shut the trunk lid with a snap, "Well, you got me, Harry. All I can say is, you're in for an exciting year" he said mysteriously. Harry frowned, "If Quidditch is cancelled, I don't think I'll find it to be exciting" he grumbled morosely. Sirius gave him a sidelong glance as he rolled up the list.
I think you will
….
Precisely two hours later, Sirius and Harry ran through the Barrier at Platform 9¾, panting and sweating profusely. Sirius wiped sweat from his brow and downed about half a bottle of water, "I think we made it in time" he managed to rasp out between gasps. Beside him, Harry was desperately clutching a stitch in his side, "Yeah, yeah we did" he answered.
"Harry! And Sirius! Come on, come on, the train will leave without you if you don't hurry!" Harry glanced up to see Mrs. Weasley advancing towards him with arms outstretched. Moments later he had been engulfed in a rib-crushing hug until Mrs. Weasley moved on to Sirius. Harry went to board the train, which seemed ready to leave.
"Harry! Wait!" Sirius yelled to him. Startled, Harry turned around and collided with his godfather, who had rushed up to give him a hug, "You've got your wand haven't you?" he asked fussily. Harry nodded and produced it form his pocket, "I'll send letters every Friday, Sirius, I promise" he assured him somberly. Sirius smiled at him and placed his hands on his shoulders to get a good look at him, "Be safe, Harry" he whispered, "And of course, have fun"
"ALL ABOARD!" the conductor yelled, nearly deafening Harry who gave Sirius a final hug before pulling free and heading towards the train. Sirius shoved his hands in his pockets to prevent them from fidgeting, "Bye pup, love you" he whispered and for a moment it seemed as if Harry hadn't heard, but just as the train started to move, Harry turned back and smiled at him shyly and saying, "Love you too, Sirius" before running off to board the train.
Sirius, Molly and Arthur - whom Sirius hadn't noticed, waved to their respective charges till the train was a mere scarlet blur in the distance. The crowd started thinning out but Sirius stayed where he was, wishing for a moment that he had jumped on the train when he had a chance so that he could look out for Harry – just like he'd done last year.
It wasn't possible of course, Sirius thought morosely. But at least he had provided his godson the things he needed most of all – love, care and of course, a family…
….
Meanwhile, on the Express, Harry had found Ron and Hermione playing Exploding Snap in their usual compartment. They had pulled him in and had simultaneously started prattling on about different things.
"You're finally here mate! Guess what – the Canons won the game! Mighty close match too-"
"Harry! We thought you were never coming! By the way, I've read ahead a bit… fourth year seems dreadfully difficult-"
"-and then the seeker dived when nobody expected it too! The snitch was right under his broom mind you-"
"-I know we're giving our OWLS next year, but you'd imagine they were prepping us! Honestly, we start on advanced spineless transfiguration-"
Harry grinned easily and shoved his trunk into the luggage rack before opening Hedwig's cage and feeding her an Owl treat just as an idea struck him, "Hey, hey RON! Listen up!"
His two friends lapsed into silence and watched as he settled himself comfortably into his seat, "Ron, did Mr. Weasley say anything about this year?" he asked cautiously. Ron stared at him blankly for a few moments, "er, this year? Er, well he told me to do my best and-"
"No, no, no!" said Harry, shaking his head, "I meant, like about anything happening this year" he clarified, his eyes travelling between Ron and Hermione. For a moment no one said a word, but a while later, Hermione slapped her knee.
"Oh! I know what you're talking about" she cried triumphantly, "Mr. Weasley didn't say anything but Percy did! Don't you remember Ron? At the World Cup! He hinted that something big was going to happen at Hogwarts this year!"
Harry clucked his tongue dispiritedly, "That's what Sirius said too. He said I won't be needing my Firebolt!" he exclaimed passionately. Beside him, Ron squawked and almost fell off his seat, "You aren't resigning, are you? We won't stand a chance if you do!" he cried.
Harry absently shook his head and reached for a chocolate frog that he had stuffed earlier in his pocket. The delicious confectionary tried to leap out of his hands, but Hermione quickly froze it with a spell. Nodding a thanks, Harry broke off a piece for her and one for Ron before stuffing the rest in his mouth.
Unfortunately for him, just as he swallowed the last mouthful, the door slid open to reveal a familiar pointed face with glaringly bright blonde hair, "Oh, look what we found! Potty, Mudblood and a Weasel. How entertaining" sneered Draco and his goons laughed behind him, "Playing exploding snap, are we?" he leered, glancing at the singed remains of the deck of cards.
"What do you want this time, Malfoy" growled Harry, feeling for his wand. Ron and Hermione had stiffened and now sat glaring at the blonde, "Yeah, we haven't got much time to waste on you" Ron retaliated imperiously whilst Hermione merely drew her wand.
Draco looked a bit disconcerted at the appearance of Hermione's wand – probably remembering the time she had punched him, but his smug look returned almost instantly, "Of course you wouldn't have time, Weasel" he all but purred, "I don't have time too, But that's because time is money – too bad you don't have either" he fingered his hazel wand and turned to Crabbe and Goyle, "Come on. We have to go" he ordered imperiously before marching out, leaving a fuming Ron.
"How – he– TIME IS MONEY, MY ARSE" he roared and probably would've rushed out the door after Draco if Neville hadn't appeared there looking uncomfortable and sporting purple skin with yellow polka dots.
"Er – hey guys" he mumbled, hopping in. Harry noticed that he had been hexed – by Malfoy, no doubt – and his legs were stuck together rather awkwardly. Hermione groaned sympathetically, "Did you meet Draco, Neville?" she asked kindly, pulling out her wand, evidently ready to fix Neville.
The round faced Gryffindor blushed, "I-um, yeah" he answered lamely, "I knew the incantation, Hermione, but it wouldn't work. See!" He fished out his own wand and pointed it at his legs. Before Hermione could stop him, he had shouted 'Finita Incantetum' and a weak flash of light had bounced against his legs harmlessly.
"Oh Neville" murmured Hermione, brushing her dress, "It's fi-ni-TEH In-can-TA-tum" a bright light shot out of her wand and Neville's legs seemed to unglue, making him gasp in delight, "And-and this skin color?" he asked eagerly. Hermione twisted her mouth in confusion, "I'm not sure if it'll work" she tapped her chin thoughtfully.
Suddenly Ron piped up from beside Harry, "Fred and George will know how to fix this. They've done it hundreds of times!" Hermione gave him a sour look, "Of course they have" he muttered dryly as Neville rushed out of the compartment, tailed by Harry.
….
The rest of the ride was uneventful. The Trolley-lady showed up, and so did Fred and George. By the time they rolled into Hogsmeade station, Harry was fit to burst. He arched his back and heard the satisfying pops of bones sliding back into place, "Let's go then. I can't wait for the Feast" he said, standing up and securing Hedwig's cage. The trio clambered off the train and on to the nearest empty carriage and let out excited whoops as the invisible horses set off towards their beloved castle – their home for the next few months.
On reaching, they were quickly ushered into the hall by a stern Professor McGonagall. The buzz of chatter was nearly deafening as the three slipped into seats at the Gryffindor Table. The din had reached a crescendo when Professor Dumbledore raised his wand for silence.
The hall fell into a hush as a line of nervous looking first years entered the hall. Harry remembered how awful he had felt and tried to grin encouragingly at a few of the newbies but thy seemed to be determined not to meet anybody's eyes. Finally the sorting began.
Harry seemed to zone out after 'Rivers, Jean' was sorted into Hufflepuff. Ron was staring at the plates as if willing food to appear by magic. Hermione being who she was, sat straight backed and clapped after every sorting. They welcomed young Dennis Creevey and a few others in Gryffindor.
Finally it was all over. Food appeared at the tables and Ron nearly threw himself at them whilst Hermione rolled her eyes. Harry grinned and helped himself to a helping of steak and pie, his mouth watering at the delicious aroma.
"So whaff do 'oo think iff happening this year?" Asked Ron, his mouth still grotesquely full. Hermione closed her eyes and seemed to pray for a moment before looking at Ron, "I'm sure Professor Dumbledore will tell us" she answered primly, biting off a piece of treacle tart.
It was as if said person had heard what she had said for in the next moment, the Headmaster's clear, pleasant voice rang through the Hall, "Attention students, we have an important announcement"
All heads swiveled around to face the aged Headmaster. Even Snape seemed to be transfixed by Dumbledore's words. The Headmaster cleared his throat and continued, "We are pleased to announce that Hogwarts will be hosting the Triwizard Tournament"
A second of silence and then the entire Hall delved into pandemonium. Harry and Hermione turned to Ron – the only Wizard-raised among them – for answers, "What's this?" cried Harry, wincing as the person next to him shouted in his ear for the fourth time. Yet Ron sat frozen on his seat.
"Blimey – The Triwizard – this is huge!" he gasped. Hermione opened her mouth – no doubt to deliver some scathing remark when Dumbledore cleared his throat rather loudly.
"ALRIGHT, alright" he smiled serenely, "For those who do not know, the Triwizard Tournament is a prestigious competition held between three schools. A champion shall be selected for each school and they shall have to go through a series of difficult tasks to prove their mettle against the others. Hogwarts shall be the proud host of Beaubaxtons and Durmstrang and I shall expect you to behave with utmost discipline" he paused to stare at the students from behind his half-moon spectacles, "Might I also add that anyone below the age of seventeen shall not be allowed to participate"
His words seemed to enrage most of the student body as they immediately burst into shouts of 'Not fair!' and 'That's ridiculous!' Harry leant back in his seat, feeling pleased. He honestly did not feel like participating, though Ron was groaning and shouting like the others.
Professor Dumbledore raised a hand for silence and the din receded till it was an angry muttering. The headmaster smiled and stroked his beard carefully, "I believe some of the younger students are rightfully enraged – furious, I may say, but do believe that I am doing this for your own safety. The Triwizard Tournament has a bloody history and I do not want any casualties" he paused to peer at the students before breaking into a big smile, "Now that that's over, I wish you a good night's sleep. Off you go now!"