...GOoHS...
Chapter 7
Welcome Back
Lucas fiddled with the zipper on his jacket as he waited for his mother and Harry to arrive. On the chair beside him sat Ron, who was lazily tossing around a beaten old quaffle but his eyes did not seem too focused on the task. Hermione sat on the opposite end of Lucas on the couch, biting her nails and pretending not to check her watch every few minutes.
They were all situated in front of the Weasleys' hearth, waiting for the tell-tale signs of someone flooing in. Lily had owled Lucas earlier in the morning to tell them that Harry was clear to go home and that they would be coming to get him from the Burrow at noon.
"Tell me again what the healers said, Lucas?" Hermione asked as she checked her wristwatch once again.
Lucas shrugged, not even turning to address her. "Mum was the one who talked to them, mostly. I only heard bits and pieces."
"Does it matter? What you told us… it sounds too good to be true."
Lucas frowned. "You've said it yourself, what does it matter? Harry's arriving in a bit anyway. He'll tell you all about it."
Hermione fixed a glare at him. "Yes, but to hear that he's… better… that he has all this renewed energy? Are you sure? I mean, you saw him last night. What did he look like?"
Lucas flung his arms up in annoyance at her questions. "Aaarggh! Merlin! I don't know! He was asleep! How the hell am I supposed to know?"
The fireplace suddenly erupted with green flames and Harry stumbled forward, covered in soot from head to toe, into the Weasleys' living room. He caught himself before he could crash headfirst into one of Mrs. Weasleys side tables, arms flapping wildly as he did. He stumbled back a few steps and immediately whipped his head around to look for his brother and his friends.
Lucas, Ron, and Hermione could barely believe their eyes. They had heard from Lucas but to actually see Harry's energetic entrance… The three of them looked at each other and then at Harry. The dark-haired boy grinned at them widely.
The healers definitely hadn't lied.
Another burst of green flames erupted from the fireplace and Lily stepped out gracefully from the grate. Her eyes immediately found Lucas and she made her way to him, arms extended. Lucas stood up to meet her hug.
"I've missed you, my darling boy." Lily murmured into his ear as she squeezed him tighter in her arms.
Lucas turned scarlet in his embarrassment. "Mum."
Lily laughed lightly as she released him. She saw Ron and Hermione get up to greet her as well and she smiled at them warmly. She then gently pulled Harry towards them. Harry, still grinning, waved enthusiastically at them. Harry's friends and Lucas looked concerned at his weird behavior. Lily noticed their looks and laughed.
"Sorry, I forgot to tell you," she giggled. "The healers gave him a dose of pepperup before we left."
The teenagers in front of her looked relieved when they heard that. They didn't think they could handle adjusting to an overly bright and enthusiastic Harry.
"You can catch up while I help Lucas pack his things and," Lily's craned her head around. "Ronald, where are your parents? I want to give them my thanks."
Ron also craned his head to look for Mrs. Weasley. "Er… I think mum was out in the garden getting rid of Fred and George's prank stuff. Oh, but dad's still stuck at work."
Lily nodded. "Oh yes, right. Even James hasn't been relieved from his post yet. The way I hear it, the Ministry can't spare anyone at all…" her speech trailed off, eyes wandering at the unusually quiet and deserted living room. "Where's everyone else?"
Ron looked around, not understanding her at first, and then his face brightened when he did. "Oh… in their rooms, I think. 'Cept Bill, Charlie and Percy though. Bill and Percy also got called in to work after what happened at the World Cup. Charlie left for Romania just yesterday. Says he's needed there."
Lily nodded, eyes going up the winding staircase that led to the upper levels of the Burrow. "Right, yes… thank you, Ronald."
She beckoned Lucas to come over to her and she had him walk in front of her upstairs. "We'll be packing Lucas' things upstairs. Excuse us."
With that, she followed Lucas upstairs and Ron, Hermione, and Harry's stares followed after her. As their footsteps faded away, Harry turned back to his friends. His grin once again plastered on his face. Ron chuckled nervously at his best friend's change in demeanour.
"Alright, Ron? Hermione?" Harry greeted brightly.
"Y-Yeah… you alright, mate? Like… really alright?" Ron asked nervously.
Harry nodded. "I've never felt better, Ron! I feel like I could de-gnome your entire garden right now, even!"
Hermione chuckled and steered Harry towards one of the armchairs. "That's just the pepperup talking, Harry."
They managed to settle Harry on the chair and they sat nearby, Ron settling on the floor in front of him with his hand still holding the quaffle he was playing with earlier. Both Ron and Hermione looked at him expectantly. Harry looked confused at their stares.
"What?"
Hermione looked at Ron silently communicating with him, and then at Harry. "How have you been? Lucas didn't say much to us."
"Yeah, but you can't really blame him 'Mione. He looked pretty shaken after Harry passed out." Ron piped up. He started tossing the quaffle again. Harry's eyes brightened and he held his hands out, wordlessly asking Ron to pass it to him. Ron obliged and flung it gently. Harry caught it easily and he tossed it up and down for a while before passing it back to Ron. They continued their silent game as they conversed.
"Do you remember anything that night, Harry?" Hermione asked hesitantly.
Harry chucked the quaffle at Ron. "Not much… and anything that I do remember, I told the Aurors. I remember hearing Lucas telling me that we had to run after the mark appeared but nothing after that."
Hermione's eyebrows shot up. "You mean, you didn't hear it?"
"Hear what?" Harry asked her, wondering if he missed a detail. Ron threw the quaffle back at him and he caught it without much effort.
"A man, that night. Lucas, Ron, and I heard someone shout something before the Dark Mark appeared. You didn't hear it?"
Harry looked at the quaffle in his hands thoughtfully. "I remember that part. I already told the Aurors. I saw a man walking around before he cast the spell that produced the mark."
Ron and Hermione looked alarmed at this new fact.
"Man? They didn't find anyone near us, Harry. The Aurors searched thoroughly." Hermione said.
"Yeah, mate. Lucas and I would have seen him if he was really that close to our location." Ron said right after.
Harry shook his head and tossed the quaffle to Ron. "You and Lucas were looking the other way. You couldn't have seen him."
"Blimey, how is it that the only one who wears glasses in our group was the one who saw the perpetrator." Ron said, shaking his head in disbelief. "I almost got my head blown off by Crouch. He kept insisting it was us who cast the spell."
Harry's eyes widened. "Crouch was there?"
Ron nodded. "Oh yeah, along with about twenty Aurors. Blasted several spells at us before they asked questions."
Before Harry could speak, they heard loud muttering come from the kitchen. Harry's head swung around. Mrs. Weasley appeared in the kitchen, angrily tossing her gardening gloves on the stool near the back door. Her hair and clothes had several splotches of color and soot on it, no doubt from the twins' inventions. Harry, still under the effects of the pepperup potion, waved his hand wildly to get her attention.
"Hello, Mrs. Weasley!"
Mrs. Weasley paused and looked up in surprise. Her face split into a wide smile at the sight of Harry grinning and waving at her. She bounded to the living room, arms already out to hug Harry.
"Harry! Dear boy! You had us so worried!" she said as she crushed him in a tight hug.
"Yeah, I'm sorry about that, Mrs. Weasley." Harry told her as he waited for her to release him.
Mrs. Weasley pulled away, eyes shining, and looked him up and down and nodded approvingly. "Glad to see you back on your feet, Harry."
"Did someone say Harry?"
They heard one of the twins say before their faces peeked out from the landing of the stairs. Ginny was on her toes behind them, trying to see over their shoulders.
"Hey!" Harry said, waving again.
"Harry!" the twins yelled, running at him. Ginny walked more slowly behind them but she was equally as happy. Fred and George gave Harry enthusiastic pats while Ginny mouthed 'hi' to him.
Lily and Lucas joined them moments later. Lucas had his and Harry's backpacks that they took to the World Cup, on his shoulders. Lily gently extracted Harry from the twins and turned to address Mrs. Weasley.
"Molly, thank you so much for letting Lucas stay these past few days. James and I are so grateful."
Mrs. Weasley waved her hands at her. "Oh hush, Lily. You know your boys are always welcome here. I love them like they're my own."
Lily smiled gratefully at her again, squeezing Molly's arm. She then turned to her sons and beckoned them to follow her to the fireplace. "I'm sorry to cut the reunions short, Molly, children, but Lucas and Harry have yet to pack their things for Hogwarts. Term's only two days away. I'm so glad I took your advice, Molly, to shop for their requirements while they're at the Cup, otherwise, we'd be scrambling to get it all done."
"Oh, I know. Last minute shopping is a nightmare. Oh, and don't worry about leaving them in suspense," she wiped her hands on her apron, rolling her eyes at Ron's groan. "It's not like they won't see each other all the time at Hogwarts." Molly laughed, herding her children away so Lily and her sons could floo away.
"Indeed," Lily laughed, grabbing a fistful of floo powder and stepping into the fireplace.
September 1st, 1994, The Great Hall
Harry grimaced slightly at the Weasley twins' shouting beside him. Lucas simply ignored them and continued to eat away at the pie on his plate, even when Seamus (who was beside him) was shouting just as loud as the twins.
"THAT'S RUBBISH!"
"YOU CAN'T DO THAT!"
Poor Mr. Crouch and Mr. Bagman tried to placate the students in front of them. When nothing seemed to work, Dumbledore stepped up and silenced everyone immediately with the Sonorus Charm's help.
Still grumbling, the students settled down. Fred and George muttered bitterly about the 'unfairness' of it all. Harry chuckled. Truth be told, he had no interest in the TriWizard Tournament. It sounded like something he'd enjoy spectating though. Harry was more devastated to hear that Quidditch was cancelled this year. He was finally feeling much better and had been excited to play. He had also looked forward to seeing Ron and Ginny participate in the tryouts because they had been practicing all summer.
He caught Ginny's eye and she too, seemed to share Harry's thoughts.
"Sorry about Quidditch," he said to her.
"Yeah…" she replied glumly. "It's too bad Ron and I have to wait another year."
"I'll help you guys practice more, if that makes you feel better. Then next year, you'll blow them away with your skill."
Ginny turned scarlet. "T-Thanks, Harry. Isn't playing Chaser hard on you though?"
Harry shook his head. "It's fine. I think I'm a decent enough Chaser. I managed to score a few goals, didn't I?"
Lucas snorted from across him. "You're a shit Chaser, Harry."
Ginny immediately came to Harry's defense. "No, he's perfectly fine as a Chaser."
Harry laughed. "Thanks, Ginny, but Lucas is probably right. He's the star chaser here. You'll probably learn more from him than me."
Lucas nodded. "Of course she'll learn more from me. You may be the genius first-year Seeker," – Harry blushed at the stupid nickname he thought had died down—"but I'm the team's top scorer. I don't know why they didn't let me join with you during our first year."
"Because mum was already going mental." Harry replied easily.
"Oh… right."
"So, Ginny," Harry turned his attention back to the youngest Weasley. "what do you say? Practice whenever we're free? Ron and Lucas definitely won't say no to flying."
"I'm in," Lucas said, shoveling more pie to his plate.
"Me too," said Ron. He was mostly listening to the rules of the TriWizard Tournament but he'd grown bored quickly. He listened to their quidditch talk instead.
Ginny nodded. "Alright, let's practice then."
"Sounds good to me."
Their plans finalized, they all turned their attention back to Dumbledore.
"—I expect everyone to be on their best behavior when we welcome Durmstrang and Beauxbatons this October. You will receive further instructions from your Head of House when the time comes. And with that, our announcements have been concluded."
That signaled the end of the feast. The prefects and first years stood up first, lining up outside the Great Hall so they can be escorted to the dormitories. Some of the older students started getting up after them.
The Potters, Weasleys, and Hermione stayed for a while, waiting for the crowd around the Great Hall's double doors to thin out. They didn't quite fancy shoving their way up to the dorm at the moment.
"They can't stop us from joining." George said, still angry at the age restriction rules.
Hermione gave him a pointed look. "And exactly how are you going to do that?"
"We'll do whatever it takes! Bloody hell, I'd even beg in front of McGonagall if I had to." Fred said but then pulled a face at the last part. "On second thought, no begging McGonagall but you get the point!"
"Really? So, you'll outsmart Dumbledore?" Hermione challenged.
"Of course!" Fred and George replied in unison.
Harry snickered at their confidence. Ron shook his head at his brothers' overconfidence. He nudged Harry and asked, "What about you, mate? Thoughts on the tournament?"
Harry immediately shook his head no. "Merlin no, mum would murder me before it could even start."
Ron laughed. "Forget about that for a moment, and think about it. Eternal glory doesn't sound too bad, does it?"
Harry shook his head again, smiling at his friend's delusions of grandeur. "Better you than me, mate. I've got enough problems as it is."
Ron shrugged. "I guess… the Potter family's got no shortage of glory, eh?"
Harry laughed. "Oh we got loads, no doubt about that. Glory machine's sitting right there." Harry pointed to Lucas, who had only been listening half-heartedly to their banter while Seamus chatted his hear off.
"Oi!" Lucas exclaimed at their teasing but he did burst out laughing soon after.
A/N: We're at Hogwarts finally! Bit of a delay on this one. We lost our internet yesterday and we only just got it back. I have no recollection of the welcome feast in the book so this may not be accurate. I do remember bits from the movie so that's mostly been my base for it.