This chapter is dedicated to Kateri, one of my coolest reviewers. I can't believe I got this one out so fast after that long one, but what can I say. Got nothing to do at work!
Kateri: Leave it to Mione to turn Quidditch into physics. Hehe…and I like the Grangers. Can't you just see their poor Muggle faces?
Saavik: I love writing Quidditch matches, though it can be hard at times. Hoped you liked my not-so-nice Ginny. She's probably going to start dating a Slytherin (not telling who!) at some point.
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With the twins, Ron, and Hermione all at Hogwarts (Ginny had opted to return home and come on the train), Harry didn't have much alone time to sneak away and talk with Snape. That's where the stone came in. Though not face-to-face, he and Snape talked often, sometimes causing Harry to lose focus on what he was doing, and thus cause concern among his friends. After ensuring them he was fine and didn't need to visit the Hospital Wing (telling them he'd probably end up there sooner or later this year, earning him an "Oh Harry!" from Hermione), he continued his game of chess against Fred.
Ron, of course, won the small tournament, but Harry came in second, right in front of Hermione. The twins didn't seem to care that they'd lost to their younger brother and went off to find something to do. Harry smirked and relayed this to Snape, who seemed overly thrilled at the idea and promptly went in search of them.
~You know, I'm not going to do that once school starts. But I don't want Gryffindor to start the year at negative points~
~I'll take what I can get~ Harry laughed, and waved off a concerned look from Hermione. At least once a week, they went flying around the school grounds, and Dumbledore even let them all go to Hogsmeade with McGonagall's accompaniment. Too soon, it was time for school to start. There was no sense in making them all go back to King's Cross only to end up at Hogwarts again, so they were allowed to help decorate for the Opening Feast. Harry still hadn't heard from Sirius, but he tried not to let it get to him.
The five Gryffindors sat at the head of their table chatting away as the students piled in. Many of them were shooting rumors back and forth why the Dream Team and the Weasley twins weren't on the train, but all thoughts ceased as they saw them already sitting down, laughing with one another. Ginny walked in with her friends, chatting away, followed by Draco Malfoy and his cronies. The Slytherin shot Harry a glare, to which Harry smirked. He was not in the mood to be messed with this year; he had enough to deal with. Draco seemed surprised at his enemy's reaction, but brushed it off and sauntered over to the head of the Slytherin table.
~Be careful, you don't want to draw unwanted attention to yourself~
~I just don't feel like taking anything from him right now. But I'll try to be a little more discreet in hating him~
~Now, there's no need for sarcasm~ Harry choked on his pumpkin juice, and Hermione patted him on the back worriedly. The Sorting lasted longer than he remembered, punctuated by Ron's stomach growling. The Headmaster made his announcements, and food appeared on the table. Ron dove in and Harry scooped some mashed potatoes onto his plate next to the turkey leg and corn.
~I better see some green on that plate soon~ Harry sighed and grabbed the tongs, dishing some broccoli next to his potatoes. He whispered for Dobby, who appeared under the table, and whispered some instructions. He popped out and reappeared seconds later with a bowl.
Harry proceeded to pour the melted cheese onto the broccoli, earning a look from Hermione, and probably Snape as well, though he didn't dare turn around to look.
"Honestly Harry! You might as well eat air. Whatever good that broccoli would have done is going to be cancelled out by the mass amounts of cheese clogging your arteries." Ron laughed and grabbed the bowl from Harry, pouring cheese over his mashed potatoes, and subsequently everything else on his plate.
"I'm a growing boy, Herms! I need my energy!" He took a bite of his broccoli and cheese, reveling in the taste.
Seamus Finnegan called from across the table, "You grow too much more Harry you'll be looking Snape in the eye!" This sent most of the table into laughter, earning the Gryffindors wondrous stares.
Harry stood and got the attention of the first years, leading them to the Tower. He, Ron, and the twins had picked out the password for McGonagall, and as he approached the portrait, he explained how to get into the common room.
"Password," the muggle-borns stared in awe at the talking painting, and she merely smiled down at them. Harry smiled back.
"Good evening, Lady. Marauders." The first years looked at him quizzically, and he laughed at Hermione's exasperation. He led them into the common room and directed them to their dorms.
"All of you are to meet me here at 6:45 sharp and I'll take you to breakfast. Timetables will be handed out there by Professor McGonagall, our Head of House. I will take you to your first class from there. Also, look for me when you get out. I have gotten permission to take you around the your classes the first few days. This castle can get confusing if you aren't used to it." He let them go, and they clambered up the stairs to check out the accommodations.
"Well done, Harry!" Hermione hugged him. "You sounded much better than Percy."
"Yeah, I remember what he was like, and I was striving to be less boring."
"I don't remember him taking us to our classes."
"Well, remember our first day of class? Ron and I got lost. So I thought I'd help them out."
"How on earth did you get permission from Snape to leave potions early?" she asked as they ascended the stairs.
"Dumbledore talked him into it," he lied. "You should have seen the look on his face. He was furious!" he laughed with her.
"Good night, Harry," she kissed him on the cheek.
"Night, Herms. See you at breakfast."