Disclaimer: I lay no claim to any characters save Lucy, Janice, David, Celia & Molly. All other characters belong to JK Rowling.
Authors Note: As I said at the end of Chapter Seventeen this Chapter will be more relaxed. Hope you enjoy.
As an additional, please note that although I forgot to include it in Dumbledore's speech, there are Dementors guarding the grounds.
Chapter Eighteen: First Day Back
Harry woke up, blinked, reached over to his bedside cabinet and picked up his glasses. Slipping them on he looked at the time on his watch, it said six thirty am.
After lying back against his pillows for a moment and feeling no urge to return to sleep, he decided to get up, grabbing his clothes, shower things and a towel he slipped on his comfortable slippers and walked over to the bathroom.
One hot shower and a change of clothes later and he was feeling refreshed and ready to face the day.
Knowing that classes didn't start until nine am and that none of the other New Marauders would be up before eight, he decided to go and do some exercises as he had begun doing when he was training with Remus.
He grabbed his wand and water bottle and headed down to the common room.
Just as he was about to go out through the portrait hole a voice said "and just where are you sneaking off to at this time of the morning?".
He groaned at the sound of Hermione's voice.
He had been told by Ron in a private conversation last night that Hermione and the others had been tasked with keeping him within the castle walls except for Quidditch and Care of Magical Creatures and that if he went to see Hagrid then Neville, Ron, Hermione and Draco had to go too.
Harry had been angry at this. He didn't like being treated as a baby especially given what he'd been through the past two years.
He turned around and found his best friend lying on the sofa, feet resting on the arm, a book propped open on her stomach.
"I'm just going for some exercise in the grounds Hermione" he said calmly.
He turned to go but she spoke again "in that case, seeing as no one else is up, I'm coming with you" he sucked a breath in feeling irritated.
Hermione hadn't been training as he had, she would slow him down and most likely talk endlessly.
He loved his friend to bits but he really needed some time alone this morning before everyone else was up and about.
"No you aren't" he said sharply and before Hermione could properly react he sprang for the portrait hole, stepped outside and headed down the staircases to the main staircase.
He had just reached the large front doors of the castle when another voice said "I don't think so mister, not without me".
He sighed and closed his eyes for a moment, recognising the voice of his girlfriend Ginny Weasley.
By the time he'd opened them again she was standing right in front of him.
Harry blinked in surprise as he saw that she was wearing the same clothing as him, a grey tracksuit.
"What..." he began to say only for her to put a finger to his lips.
"I'm the best at running amongst my siblings Harry and you know I won't pester you, just think of it as being me exercising next to you".
Harry laughed at this and said "ok, if you want to come that's fine, Hermione was trying to come too but well...".
"She's too talkative and you want some peace" Ginny finished for him and the two shared a laugh.
They headed out into the early morning and Harry savoured the breeze which felt pleasantly cool on his skin. As they ran through the grounds Harry noted that there were many Dementors, more than he'd believed there could be, on the edge of the grounds, floating about sinister and menacing in the early morning guarding the entrances and other hidden entry points.
"I don't trust them" Ginny said quietly as they began to jog down to Hagrids cabin.
Harry snorted "only the Ministry would be stupid enough to trust dark creatures to guard a school full of children".
They stopped "I heard your Dad was against it" Ginny said as they moved over to a wooden bench nearby.
As they sat down Harry replied "as was your Dad, good thing there are two brains at the Ministry eh?".
Ginny laughed and the two of them suddenly fell into companionable silence.
Harry stared off towards the Forbidden Forest, thinking.
"Knut for them?" Ginny said.
"What?" Harry replied as he turned his mind away from his thoughts.
"Whatever you were thinking about" she said with a slight smile.
Harry sighed, "I don't want to burden you with it Gin Gin".
Ginny grabbed his hand and looked into his eyes. She looked very serious "you have never been and never will be a burden to me Harry" she told him.
Harry smiled a bit at this before his face fell again "I was just thinking about the reason that Mundungus guy is after me" he said.
Ginny's face fell too. Harry continued "you know, if I wasn't the "Boy Who Lived" he wouldn't be after me, if I hadn't defeated Voldemort".
"Harry the guy that's after you is disturbed, who knows what his mind is like, you say he wouldn't be after you but you don't know that".
Harry thought on this "the worst part is that I'm not even afraid for myself, I'm afraid for you" he took her hand and rubbed it "and for Draco and Ron and Neville and Hermione and even for the the Twins and Percy".
"You don't need to worry about us" she said. Harry could tell she was trying to reassure him but it didn't help "I do though, as long as he is after me, you and everyone else I care about is in danger".
Ginny had some words of wisdom "how do you know he's even anywhere near Hogwarts?" she said.
Harry thought about this "hmm, maybe you're right" his face broke into a smile "maybe I'm worrying about nothing" he hugged her tightly for a long moment.
When he let go, he said "thanks Gin Gin, love you" and kissed her on the cheek.
The two of them stood up and walked back to the castle at a leisurely pace.
As they reached the main doors of the castle, Harry glanced down at his watch and saw it was already seven fifty am.
He and Ginny headed up to Gryffindor Tower for a shower each and to change into their school clothes.
As they entered the common room through the portrait hole Harry saw Hermione sat on one of the sofas near the fireplace reading.
Feeling a bit guilty about earlier he whispered to Ginny "I'll see you in the Great Hall".
Ginny smiled, kissed him on the cheek and headed up to her dorm room after saying "morning Hermione".
Hermione greeted her back and then her eyes fixed on Harry. She looked annoyed.
Harry grimaced and approached her.
Sitting himself down next to her he realised he'd have to be the first to speak and so he said "I'm sorry about earlier".
Hermione set her book down "you really upset me Harry, I was only looking out for you".
Harry sighed "I know you were Mione, I love you like a sister but...and don't take this the wrong way, you talk too much a lot of the time".
Hermione looked offended so Harry scrambled to clarify "it's not a bad thing to talk but earlier this morning I really wasn't in the mood for it, I simply wanted to train and clear my head".
Hermione nodded at this explanation "I understand, next time I'll ask if I can come along and I promise I'll be more quiet if we train".
Harry grinned "friends still?" he extended his hand.
Hermione laughed and slapped him on the arm "of course we are you prat".
Ten minutes later Harry and the rest of the New Marauders were heading to the Great Hall for breakfast.
Draco was giving him a knowing smile. He'd been wearing it ever since Harry had told him he'd been alone with Ginny earlier.
Ron was yawning loudly and still looked half asleep.
In actual fact he had only got up when Harry arrived in their dormitory for another show and to change into his school uniform.
Harry'd had to wake him up and it hadn't been an easy task at all. His friend being the deep sleeper he was was snoring loudly.
Harry had shaken him, shouted and even pushed him out of his bed but his friend slept so deeply that he still hadn't woken up.
Harry remembered the spell he'd learned last year and aimed his wand at Ron "Aquamenti" he called out. A great jet of water shot from the tip of his wand splashing across Ron's face and upper body.
His friend awoke with a start as if he'd just been zapped. He banged his head on the bedside cabinet and had stared around himself in confusion.
Harry couldn't help himself, he'd burst out laughing alongside Neville who had been getting dressed.
Ron had been annoyed and said "oh very funny Harry" stomping off to the bathroom.
Hermione meanwhile was busy questioning Neville and Ron's decision to take Divination "why would you take Divination?" she said disdainfully "according to Professor McGonagall it's one of most imprecise and pointless branches of magic there is".
At this Ron and Neville both shrugged and replied "it's easy".
The others were exasperated by this and Harry glanced over at Ginny who was holding his hand. She rolled her eyes at their words causing Harry to shake his head while grinning.
As they entered the Great Hall they met Luna, who, not surprisingly because of her eccentric ways, had struggled to make friends in Ravenclaw.
The rest of the New Marauders greeted her warmly and they all entered the Great Hall laughing and joking as they sat down at the Gryffindor table.
Harry had only been sat for a moment before Oliver Wood the Captain of the Gryffindor Quidditch team approached him.
They shook hands "Harry great to see you" Wood said. They hadn't seen each other since the end of the last school year as Wood had been unable to attend Harry's birthday party.
"Hi Oliver, good summer?" he asked the older boy causing Wood to smile.
"It was interesting thanks Harry, we went on a tour of Wales and climbed up Mount Snowden".
"Glad to hear it" Harry replied.
"Listen, Harry, just thought I'd give you the heads up that, having talked with Professor McGonagall, I've scheduled Quidditch trials for this Saturday as per usual and I want you to help me make the choice of who gets on the team".
Harry was gobsmacked at this. Last year he'd gone through the trial process for the Seeker position despite his friends, brother and Wood all telling him he was the best.
"Oliver, that would be good but...".
"No Harry" Wood said firmly "you aren't going through the trial process anyone, you don't need to, you are the very best that we have".
Harry could see his Captain wouldn't be swayed from this stance and so replied "alright then, what time do the trials start?".
"I was thinking nine am, gives everyone a chance to be up and ready and us a chance to assembled everything" Woods face turned grim for a moment "I hope we don't have any further accidents like last year".
Harry nodded, his face serious. He recalled the incident in which one of the hopefuls trying out for a place on their team had been seriously hurt in a fall and the trials had to be stopped for the day "I'm sure it'll be alright Oliver, it was just a freak accident".
Wood nodded and then said "I can't wait to see what you can do on your broom this year, that Nimbus 2001 is incredible".
Harry looked from left to right, ahead of him and then behind. When he was convinced that no one else was listening he said, quieter than usual but with a wide grin, "actually my parents, aunts and uncles all clubbed together to buy me a Firebolt".
Woods eyes widened in surprise and then delight, "a Firebolt!" he said a bit louder before dropping his voice "that's amazing Harry! with a Firebolt you'll be unstoppable, we'll be unstoppable. The other teams won't know what's hit them".
Harry grinned at this. Wood then strode of happily and Harry sat down to breakfast "what did Oliver want?" Neville asked him.
"He wanted Harry's help to preside over the Gryffindor Quidditch trials" Draco said as he put some toast with marmalade onto his plate.
Harry glared at his brother feeling that sometimes he really didn't want this mental link "that was my news Draco" he said irritably.
Draco grinned "sorry brother mine" his brother then turned his attention to his toast.
"He said I didn't have to try out again" Harry told them all.
Ron said something to this that Harry couldn't work out as his friends mouth was full of food.
"Ron don't speak with your mouthful!" Hermione chided their friend, causing everyone to laugh.
Ron swallowed his food and said "sorry Mione. He's right though Harry, you proved yourself last year and in First Year. If anyone deserves to be on the team it's you".
Harry nodded at these words though he still felt he was being unfair to someone else who might have wanted to try out for the Seeker position.
As this feeling hit him, he glanced over at Ginny. She smiled at for a moment before returning to eating a crumpet.
Harry knew that ever since Ginny had been little, she'd wanted nothing else than to be a Seeker.
Harry hoped she could at least get on the reserve team. She deserved to.
As Harry was engrossed in his thoughts, he didn't hear the footsteps until the person was nearly standing next to him "are you alright Mr Potter? you look as if in a daydream?" Professor McGonagall said making Harry jump slightly as he had not expected her to be there "I'm fine thanks Professor" he said sheepishly "I was just deep in thought".
At these words Professor McGonagall smiled approvingly and nodded over at Ron who was busy stuffing pancake into his mouth "would that some others thought so deeply" she quipped in amusement.
Harry smiled and laughed a bit.
The Professor began to hand round timetables.
Harry already knew what his subjects were for the year as he'd made a long and agonising choice shortly before his birthday.
He'd had balance wanting to spend time with his best friend Ron and wanting to take subjects where he'd learn more, especially more practical magic.
It was with this in mind that he'd chosen as his electives, Care of Magical Creatures and Ancient Runes.
Ron and Neville had been very disappointed when he told them he wasn't taking Divination.
He'd said as he had a feeling Hermione would, that it was a very imprecise branch of Magic and not one meant for serious study.
Harry opened up his lesson plan and found that Monday was much the same as before with just two differences, the first being that he be taking Care of Magical Creatures first that morning in place of Charms which was usually first. The second difference was his Ancient Runes elective being a double lesson from two until four pm.
As Harry glanced through the rest of his lesson plan it all seemed very straightforward. He thanked the Professor for the lesson plan and went back to eating his breakfast.
By chance he glanced over at Hermione's lesson plan and frowned in puzzlement.
Her lesson plan showed, though it was impossible, that she was taking five electives. Five!.
Harry knew that the maximum number of electives was three as some electives overlapped with other electives.
And yet despite this, Hermione had Divination pencilled in for that afternoon and below it in the same time period...Ancient Runes.
Harry felt he should say something about this and so said cautiously "um...Hermione?" Hermione smiled as she looked at him "yes Harry?" she said brightly.
"You have too many electives on your timetable, you can't take Divination and Ancient Runes at the same time" he said.
"I'm not going to be, don't be silly Harry" she said coldly.
Harry wasn't sure what else to say. He was about to return to his meal when Draco spoke "Hermione, the maximum number of subjects you can take is ten but with these electives you have thirteen subjects and some at the same time".
"No they aren't!" she denied hotly.
"They are Mione" Ron said peering over her shoulder at the timetable and then added incredulously "why are you taking Divination? you told me that it was the most pointless subject taught here".
"I'd still like to learn more about it before dismissing it Ronald" she said.
Then Neville pointed out in confusion "and why take Muggle Studies? you're Muggle-born Hermione, you don't need to take it".
Hermione sniffed irritably "I thought it would be fascinating to learn about Muggles from a Wizards perspective" she said sulkily.
For the rest of breakfast she ignored them and when they tried to talk to her on the way through the castle and down the grounds to Hagrids cabin, she refused to speak.
She only started talking to them again when they met Hagrid.
It seemed they were the first students so Harry took the time with the others to speak to their large friend "hi Hagrid, looking forward to your first lesson?".
Hagrid smiled nervously "to tell yer the truth Harry I'm feeling a bit worried. I think it'll be a good lesson but I've never taught anyone before so I'm not very authoritative".
"You'll do great Hagrid. Won't he guys?" Hermione said.
Everyone voiced their agreement.
Soon Harry and his friends were joined by Dean, Seamus and the Gryffindor Third Years including Parvati Patil and Lavender Brown.
Harry got on fine with Parvati who was pretty intelligent but not so much with Lavender who seemed to be constantly daydreaming and did very little learning.
The next voice he heard after the other Gryffindors was a very unwelcome one "I can't believe we have to meet out here, near this...this...hovel" Nott said disdainfully before turning his attention to Harry "well if it isn't the Boy Who Lived" Nott said sarcastically.
Harry turned around and found that Nott was standing right next to him smirking in his usual smug way.
Next to Nott were his cronies Crabbe and Goyle as well as Pansy Parkinson a simpering, sneering girl who seemed to be a perfect match for Nott.
"Go away Nott, the lessons about to start" Harry said simply as he turned back to face Hagrid.
"Right now everyone, I've got a great lesson for ya today, so if you'd all follow me..." he said as he began to head to the edge of the Forbidden Forest.
There was much chattering and muttering between students as they got to the edge of the Forest.
They went a short way in, up to a low stone wall.
There was a pen containing many beautiful looking creatures. They all had pristine white feathers, beaks and yellow eyes which gazed around imperiously at the students, some of whom took a step back.
"Oh they're beautiful!" Parvati and Lavender both enthused.
Harry couldn't help but agree with this sentiment.
"Big dumb brutes" Harry heard Nott mutter to one of his cronies. He heard them laughing. Turning around Harry said "shut up Nott, they're far more intelligent then you".
"Ooh, Potty Potters got a thing for Hippogriffs!" Nott joke and then laughed as did his friends.
Harry barely restrained himself.
He knew that punching Nott or attacking him with spells would be a bad idea as he'd already been told off for it both last year and the year previous.
Sometimes however, he couldn't help it. Nott was so arrogant, so ignorant of life, such a snob that Harry just wanted to hex him.
'Breathe Harry' a voice came into his head. It was Ginny's voice 'let it go, the idiot isn't worth it' Harry turned away from Nott and smirked at this. Ginny was right as always.
"Now has everyone got their books?" Hagrid asked.
Everyone nodded "in that case I'd like yeh to open them up to page five" he told the class.
Most of them just stood there looking confused. Nott spoke up loudly "and just how do you suggest we open them...Professor".
Harry narrowed his eyes. Nott had said this last word sarcastically to show he clearly didn't believe in Hagrid as a teacher.
"Hasn't anyone figured it out yet?" Hagrid asked the class in disappointment.
Harry watched as everyone else shook their heads.
Harry however was not surprised to see that Hermione had put her hand up "I've managed it Professor" she said earnestly.
Harry smiled as Hagrid blushed at Hermiones use of his new title.
"Very good Hermione. Since the rest of yeh don' know, yeh just have teh stroke the spine of the book" he said.
To demonstrate this, the newly made Professor, reached into his pocket and picked out a snapping and snarling book.
He ran his hand along it's spine, causing it to shiver and fall open, ready for learning.
"Right, now all of yeh try it" he instructed.
The entire class had a go.
Hermione did it successfully on her first go as did Draco.
Harry, Ron and Neville took more time with Neville being almost savaged by the vicious book.
He was annoyed to see that fathead Nott had managed it one go as well.
"Now, if yeh've all managed it, turn to page five and read the section on Hippogriffs while I get these one's here ready for yeh all" he told them.
After they had read the correct page, Hagrid said "now who would like to try greeting a Hippogriff first?" Harry stepped forward somewhat nervously and found that only he and Draco had actually done so.
There was a tense moment when Harry approached the creature that Hagrid had named Buckbeak.
For a moment Harry thought the creature would turn hostile as it screeched.
After backing away for a moment Harry approached again.
This time he bowed before the proud creature.
There was a moment of silence with the creature staring at him as if to size him up. Then however it was all plain sailing. He walked up to the creature and patted him before Hagrid convinced him to go for a ride.
He shrieked and yelled with joy as the creature flew all around the grounds, skimming the surface of the black lake and zooming over the towers before landing back on the edge of the Forbidden Forest.
Everyone cheered and clapped except for Nott and his friends.
As Harry was talking to Hagrid who was congratulating him, he saw from the corner of his eye, Nott approaching the creature.
Harry broke off his conversation and began running. "You aren't dangerous at all are you" Nott said with a snort of derision "just a big dumb ugly brute aren't you?".
Harry had just reached Nott when Buckbeak reared up.
Without thinking, knowing what would happen to Buckbeak if Nott was attacked, Harry threw Nott aside and took the full force of Buckbeaks talons on his arms.
He cried out in pain but didn't fall to the ground. He merely backed away as Hagrid came rushing over to calm the animal.
It turned out however that there was no need to as Buckbeak was full of remorse for attacking Harry and actually came over to check on him.
"It's alright Buckbeak, I know you didn't mean to" Harry assured the creature as he patted him on the arm.
"Hagrid, Harry should go to the hospital wing" Hermione said seriously.
"Of course he should, I'll take him, class dis..." before Hagrid could finish talking Harry said "no Hagrid, it's your first lesson, you keep teaching, I can get up there myself".
Before Hagrid could respond, Draco cut in "no Harry, I'm going with you".
Harry decided not to argue given his brothers talent for such a thing and nodded instead.
They headed off telling their friends they'd see them in Defence Against The Dark Arts and with Harry assuring Hagrid "it's alright Hagrid, I'll speak to Professor Dumbledore and to my parents so they all know it wasn't your or Buckbeaks fault".
As they were moving up the sloping lawns with Harry's good arm draped over his brothers shoulder, Draco asked the question that Harry knew had been coming "what the hell were you thinking?".
Harry gritted his teeth at the pain in his arm before speaking "it wasn't to save Nott believe me, I just knew that if Buckbeak attacked that idiot then Hagrids job would be on the line and Buckbeak would be in danger".
Sadly, neither of them considered for a moment that Buckbeak was in danger anyway as back on the edge of the Forbidden Forest, a hateful Theodore Nott was plotting to have Hagrid removed or at the least have the Hippogriff destroyed.
Madam Pomfrey had tutted and remonstrated and fussed around him like an old mother hen but had declared Harry to fit enough to attend his next lesson once she had cleaned the wound and healed the scratches up.
"You must be careful they don't open again Mr Potter" she said seriously and Harry promised to be careful.
They met Ron, Neville and Hermione outside of the DADA classroom and they were all happy to hear that Harry was doing good.
Ron also had some news for them "Nott's been given a detention!" he said gleefully.
Harry and Draco grinned "what for?" Harry asked.
"Hagrid said it was for his disrespect in not paying attention in class, insulting a proud animal and endangering a student" Hermione supplied for them.
"He has to help Hagrid with some creatures he's planning to show us next lesson, he has to feed them and everything" Neville said.
It was thus, that Harry entered the Defence Against The Dark Arts classroom feeling elated in spite of the slight twinge in his arm.
For the first time ever in DADA Harry and his friends chose seats on the front row as they eagerly awaited the entrance of Harry's Uncle Remus.
Harry noticed most of the students had come in just after them and more arrived after a few minutes.
The classroom door opened and in strode Remus confidently, in his crumpled suit, a black cloak flowing behind him.
After setting his books on the teachers desk and removing the cloak which he draped over the back of his chair, Remus looked round at all the eager faced students and said with a warm smile "good morning class".
They all replied politely and he began to take the register.
When he was done he said as he saw their books out and quills at the ready "please put your books away class, we have a practical lesson today, please follow me".
The students duly put away their books and followed him out of the classroom.
Some of them were excited, others more apprehensive. But all were interested to find out what they would be doing.
Remus led them down several corridors until they reached the staffroom.
He opened the door and held it open for the students gesturing them inside.
Harry entered, giving him a quizzical look to which his Uncle merely grinned.
Once they were in Remus closed the door.
Before he could say anything else a voice spoke "hello Remus, good first day so far?" it was Severus Snape another man who was like an Uncle to Harry.
"Oh hello Severus, yes it's been enjoyable. I was just about to teach the class about Boggarts".
At these words Severus smiled "ah yes, I remember when I had tackle one as a student" his face fell then and Harry had the feeling he was remembering something not very nice "well Remus, I'll leave you to it, have fun everyone" he said as he got up from his armchair and exited the room.
Harry stared after him with pity.
His Uncle Severus had never really talked much about his childhood but Harry got the impression that it hadn't been a happy one even here at Hogwarts.
"Right everybody, now in here..." the wardrobe began to rattle and many students looked nervous.
"in here is what is know as a Boggart. Can anyone tell me what a Boggart looks like?".
Several hands shot up in the air including Harry's, Hermiones hand however was the quickest and so Remus said "yes, Hermione".
Hermione smiled "please Sir, no one actually knows what form a Boggart takes when it's alone as when you face it it morphs into the thing we fear most".
"Very good Hermione take five points for Gryffindor" Hermione smiled and the other Gryffindors congratulated her.
Remus continued "as Hermione here has said, a Boggarts true form is mysterious, unknown and probably unknowable, as they morph into the thing we fear most they can change into anything and everything. Is anyone able to tell me how you defeat one?".
Again, several hands shot into the air though less than last time. For once, Harry was quicker than Hermione who put her hand down in disappointment as Remus pointed to Harry "yes Harry".
"You have to point your wand at it and say Ridiculous. But the incantation alone isn't enough, you have to think up something that makes what you fear less scary and then you say the incantation".
"Well done Harry, take another five points for Gryffindor" Remus took out his wand and tapped it "well, lets all have a go at saying Ridiculous, get out your wands and on the count of three..." everyone got out their wands "one, two, three...".
The entire class chanted "Ridiculous".
Remus had them do again, louder and more enthusiastic.
He then made them do it several more times until they completely believed it.
"Right, now that we know what spell to use, it's time to tackle a Boggart, I'll open this wardrobe and you step up one at a time to change it's form and confuse it" he instructed "Neville you first".
"Now Neville, what do you fear most?" he asked the boy.
Neville answered "my Gran".
Remus laughed "yes Lady Longbottom is a formidable woman isn't she" Neville grinned a bit.
"Right Neville I want you to picture you Gran as she normally is, then point your wand, visualise making her ridiculous and say the word, ok?".
Neville nodded confidently and prepared himself.
Neville succeeded first time and was followed by Parvati Patil, her sister Padma followed and so it went on with Ron's turning into a large spider which he changed to wear clown shoes and lose his legs.
It finally came down to Harry but just as he was about to face it, just as the Boggart changed form, Remus stepped in front of him, shouted "Ridiculous!" and the Boggart changed into the moon.
Harry knew why this was even though most of the others didn't.
Remus then changed the moon into a balloon that had been popped and sent it back into the wardrobe which he promptly locked.
When everyone else was filing out of the staff room back to the DADA classroom for their school things, Harry hung back wanting to ask Remus something.
He approached his Uncles desk while his brother and friends waited by the door "Professor..." he started.
"No need to call me Professor when we're alone Harry" his Uncle said.
"Alright, Remus, why did you stop me facing the Boggart?".
His Uncle looked at him in evident surprise "I would have thought it obvious why I did so Harry".
Harry shook his head.
"I thought the creature would turn into Lord Voldemort" Remus explained "and I couldn't risk having him moving about the staff room now could I?".
Harry was silent for a moment and then admitted "I did think of Voldemort at first but then I remembered the Dementor on the train" Harry shuddered at the memory of his first encounter with such a creature "yes I see. That's very impressive Harry" Harry didn't see what was so impressive and frowned.
Before he could say anything in reply however, Remus continued "it suggests that what you fear is fear itself, this is indeed a very wise thing".
Harry wasn't sure what to say so he called out to his friends "head off to lunch I'll see you in a bit".
Harry saw his brother give him a concerned look before heading off with the others.
Remus made them some tea and the pair of them went up to his office and settled down to drink it.
"I presume you believed I didn't think you capable of facing a Boggart" Remus said shrewedly.
Harry shrugged "it did cross my mind" he confessed.
Remus took a sip of tea then set it back on the saucer "well I can assure you Harry that this is very much not the case, had I not been convinced you'd conjure up an image of Voldemort, I'd have let you face it with no hesitation".
Harry smiled at this and the two of them then spent and enjoyable half an hour talking about Quidditch and his first Care of Magical Creatures lesson.
Harry met up with his friends and brother in the Great Hall. His girlfriend, Ron's sister Ginny, was there sitting next to them.
He took a seat next to her and kissed her on the cheek "hey guys" he said to everyone.
"Hey love" Ginny said.
"What did Remus say Harry, about the Boggart?" Hermione asked.
Harry smiled a little "he stepped in because he thought I'd conjure up Voldemort in the staff room".
"You weren't going to...were you?" Neville asked a bit nervously.
Harry laughed and shook his head "no Nev, I was actually thinking about the Dementor on the train".
Everyone shivered involuntarily.
Even the name of the creatures seemed to spook people out.
After lunch was finished, Harry and Hermione said goodbye to Ron, Neville, Draco and Ginny.
Ron and Neville were off to their first Divination class, Draco to Arithmancy, Ginny to Defence Against The Dark Arts which Harry assured her would be a good lesson with his Uncle teaching and Harry and Hermione went to their first Ancient Runes class.
For Harry the class was very hard going but enjoyable. A sight more enjoyable than Divination or Arithmancy would have been for him for certain.
And besides the subject matter the Ancient Runes teacher Bathsheda Babbling who was a portly, elderly woman was very kind and helpful. She reminded Harry of the Grandmother he'd never had.
She even offered tuition to anyone having difficulties with the subject.
Harry was thankful that Hermione had convinced him in a letter over the summer to do some reading of his text books otherwise he'd have really struggled.
As Harry and the others entered the dormitory that night they found something that shouldn't be there.
Hermione's cat Crookshanks was chasing something round the room.
It took Harry awhile to realise that it was a ferret.
He knew that Ron had found one near Hagrids cabin after the lesson was over and as Ferrets were allowed as pets he had the thing checked over by Madam Pomfrey who gave it a clean bill of health.
"Oi! leave Minky alone!" Ron shouted at the orange cat and began to chase him.
Eventually, Ron managed to grab the ferret called Minky from the floor and clutched him close to his chest, stroking his fur.
As Harry picked up Crookshanks and was taking him, hissing and spitting, passed Ron and Minky, he noticed that the ferret had a bald patch on top of his head.
Harry didn't find this particularly odd, simply putting it down to a fight or some other incident.
As he settled down for sleep that night, Harry felt that overall it had been a good first day back.
Authors Note: Another Chapter done everybody. Anyone who has seen what Mundungus Fletchers Animagus form is in this story, will know what Crookshanks' reaction to the ferret means.
Hope you all enjoyed the Chapter. In the next Chapter tension grows between Hermione and Ron, the Quidditch Season starts and there is trouble for Buckbeak and Hagrid.