It was too much of a dreary and rainy day to be the first of September. The
weather-man had said that the sun would show up at some part of the day, but as
it stood now, there was any likely chance of that happening.
"Oh well." Harry thought, looking up at the grey sky as he drove towards the
train station in back of his Uncle Vernon's car. "At least I'll be spending
most of the day on the train, and not outside." He looked up towards the front
of the car, at his Uncle Vernon. Even though his Aunt Petunia and Cousin Dudley
had thought it best not to come along with them on the trip to the train
station to drop Harry off for the train back to Hogwarts, leaving tons of room
in his Uncle's car, he was not permitted the privilege of sitting in the front
of the car with his Uncle.
Uncle Vernon looked back at Harry through the mirror, with not a look of
disgust as usual, but with a look that he gave to people he considered a worthy
of his time. "Well I guess you're lucky that you don't have to spend the out
in this miserable weather." Uncle Vernon spoke with a grunt.
"Yeah I guess I am." Harry replied, looking at his uncle.
Things between him and the Dursleys had changed a lot since he came home at the
beginning of the summer. Unfortunately, Harry did not get the chance to go
spend some of his summer at the Weasley house, which left him with a lot of
time to think about the past events of his fourth year at Hogwarts. He had
received hardly any letters from his friends Ron Weasley and Hermione Granger
the entire summer, and he was a bit worried.
But since he had to spend his entire summer with the Dursley's, he had tried to
make his presence worthy of the Dursleys' time and consideration. He noticed
that by the middle of the summer, his Uncle Vernon was treating him more like
an individual, and his Aunt Petunia more like a cockroach.
Harry's looks had changed a lot since the end of June; he was not the tall and
scrawny fourteen year old that his Uncle had picked up at the train station. He
had gained more height than any fifteen year old at Hogwarts (or any school at
this point) had ever gained, for now he stood a good six foot four inches high.
Towering well over his uncle's head. His body had somehow developed muscles.
Not just a few but a whole bunch. His body now looked like that of one of the
pro soccer players that he saw playing on TV. in the Super Bowl. His face had
changed as well, from the innocent little boy, to the handsome model of girls'
dreams. His hair had stayed the same, but it seemed to suit him more now. His
voice was deep, no longer always changing from normal to high pitched.
Harry wondered why his Uncle seemed to like him more. Maybe it was because he
was strong enough to be able to help his Uncle fix up an old and heavy car
through out the summer. Maybe his Aunt despised him even more, because they had
to buy Harry a new wardrobe because of his sudden growth spurt, as well as feed
him more. But the unusual thing about it was that his Uncle Vernon had been the
one to take him to London to buy his new clothes, and never took him to a
second hand shop, but to stores like Gap, and Roots, and spent well over a
thousand pounds on clothes for him.
When his Aunt asked why his Uncle had done so, his Uncle responded by telling
Aunt Petunia: "I think it's about time the boy had some decent clothes. And
besides, we went to the second hand shops, but we couldn't get anything to fit
the boy. Isn't that right Harry?"
Harry had even agreed with his Uncle's lie, the lie that his Uncle Vernon had
told his Aunt Petunia to cover up for spoiling him Harry, not Dudley. From that
point on, his Aunt Petunia not only appeared to hate Harry more, but showed it
on a daily basis.
"Don't tell your Aunt that I said this, boy, but I have to say that over this
summer you have developed into quite a handsome young man. You look just like
that father of yours." Uncle Vernon had said, and it was clear he had spent
most of the trip debating whether he should tell Harry, and that when he has
said it, it hadn't been easy.
"Umm... thank you sir." Harry answered trying hard not to show his pleasure.
"I'm not lying y'know. It's true." Uncle Vernon spoke, not looking at Harry.
"That's it!" Harry thought. "That's why Aunt Petunia hates me even more now. I
look like my father." Harry's mind relaxed, now he knew why things had been
like they were with him and his Aunt. But he still didn't know why his Uncle
was treating him like he was. Maybe he'd never know.
At last his Uncle's car pulled into the Kings Cross train station parking lot.
Harry hopped out of the car and jogged to get a luggage trolley. It was ten
forty five. He had fifteen minutes till the train left for Hogwarts. That was
plenty of time to go find Ron and Hermione. To his surprise, Uncle Vernon had
got out of the car to help Harry load his trunk and luggage onto the trolley.
He had even gently taken Hedwig and her cage out of the back seat and placed
her lightly on top of Harry's trunk.
"There you go Harry. You're all set." Uncle Vernon said. "See you in June." He
continued.
"Yeah thanks Uncle Vernon. See you." Harry said, as he turned and started
towards the platforms.
"Harry, wait." Uncle Vernon spoke loudly over the noise of the train station.
"Yes, Uncle Vernon?" Harry asked turning towards his Uncle with a confused
look.
"C'mere for a minute." Uncle Vernon said, waving Harry back towards him.
"Yes, Uncle Vernon." Harry said, walking back to his Uncle's car.
"I have something for you." Uncle Vernon said, reaching into the front seat of
the car for a somewhat large box that was wrapped in gold paper. "Here, uh,
happy belated birthday, and Happy early Christmas." Uncle Vernon said handing
Harry the package, which was slightly heavy.
"Thanks." Was all Harry could muster. Never had his Uncle or Aunt handed him a
present. Never for his birthday, or even on Christmas.
"I couldn't give it to you on your birthday, your Aunt would have flipped. I
ask that you don't tell her about that one either. There're some sweets, some
surprises, and a bit of money. I didn't know whether you could use that
wherever it is that you go shopping, so I didn't give you all that much." Uncle
Vernon spoke gruffly.
"This is perfect." Harry said laying the package on the trolley. "Thank you."
Harry said extending his hand towards his Uncle.
"You're welcome, have a good year." Uncle Vernon said shaking Harry's hand
firmly.
Harry turned and walked quickly towards the platforms once again. His face
beaming with pleasure. Maybe this year will be a great one. Harry finally
reached barrier between platform nine and ten. He gave a quick look around to
make sure that no muggles were watching, and took off on a run towards the
barrier. The sounds of the muggles walking quickly around doing business faded
out, as Hogwarts students excitedly boarded the Hogwarts express. Harry could
see many teary eyed mothers saying goodbye to their children who were leaving
for their first year at Hogwarts.
Harry looked around the entire platform for Ron and Hermione, but couldn't see
them. A flash of red caught his eye, he looked over towards the entrance to the
train. There he saw Mrs. Weasley and Ginny. Harry walked over to where they
stood.
"Hello Mrs. Weasley, Ginny." Harry greeted happily.
"Harry? Harry, you've certainly changed since June. How are you doing dear?"
Mrs. Weasley replied, giving Harry a huge hug.
"I'm good, and you?" Harry asked, looking at Ginny with a smile. Ginny blushed
a bright red.
"I'm fine dear." Mrs. Weasley answered cheerfully.
"That's good. Is Ron on the train?" Harry asked with a smile.
"Yes he is, which is where Ginny is going in a minute before she misses the
train." Mrs. Weasley said, giving Ginny a stern look.
"Thanks. See you later Ginny!" Harry said as he turned, and boarded the train.
Harry walked towards the back of the train where he, Ron, and Hermione always
sat, getting a lot of "Hello's" from blushing girls, and laughing guys. Harry
slid the door to the last compartment, where Ron was sitting.
"Hey Ron." Harry greeted cheerfully.
"Oy Harry? Geez, you've changed a lot." Ron exclaimed.
"What do you mean?" Harry asked.
"You look like you spent the entire summer doing hardcore exercise, and nothing
else." Ron replied, looking at Harry in awe.
"No exercise at all. I just grew." Harry said with a laugh, as he took at seat
across from Ron.
"I wish I'd grow like that. Even your voice has changed. Geez, both you and
Hermione grew this summer." Ron jealously.
"Don't worry, you will soon enough. What about Hermione?" Harry asked, looking
at Ron with a confused look.
"She's done some growing this summer too. Put it this way, she's super hot
now." Ron said with a boyish smile.
"You're probably just exaggerating." Harry said with disbelief.
"Exaggerating about what?" Hermione asked as she walked into the compartment.
"Ummmmm nothing." Ron said. Blushing as he looked at Hermione.
It took all of Harry's will power to not stare at Hermione. She had indeed
changed as well since June. She now stood at five feet eight inches. Her hair
had been dyed from its natural light brown, to a beautiful auburn color, and
was no longer poofy, but styled to light curls. She had developed all the
curves that guys worshipped on a woman. To put as simply as can be put, she
looked like a make up model, not too skinny, but just perfect.
"Harry? Omigawd Harry! You've grown." Hermione said giving Harry a hug.
Harry could smell her perfume and shampoo, it made him smile, and made his
stomach feel like butterflies were going nuts in there.
"You have, too." Harry replied with a smile, sitting back down in his seat.
"Yeah, well. How was your summer?" Hermione asked sitting down next to Harry.
She smiled, she could still smell his soap and shampoo. Her stomach did flips
every time she looked at him. "Am I falling in love with Harry?" Hermione
thought curiously.
"Weird. My Aunt hates me even more now, 'cause I look exactly like my father,
and my Uncle is starting to like me." Harry said with a smirk, looking at
Hermione and Ron.
"What do you mean Harry?" Hermione asked, absolutely confused.
"Well my Uncle Vernon took me, when my Aunt Petunia finally gave in to the fact
that I needed new clothes cause Dudley's don't fit me anymore, to get me some
new clothes. And he never took me to the dingy second hand shops, but to places
like Gap, and Roots, and spent like a thousand pounds on me." Harry exclaimed.
"Wow." Hermione said, a look of surprise on her face.
"Yeah, and when my Aunt Petunia asked about it, Uncle Vernon lied to her about
none of the second hand shops having clothes that would fit me. And before I
left to get on the train, Uncle Vernon gave me something." Harry continued,
showing them the package.
"Are you going to unwrap it?" Hermione asked.
"Yeah are you?" Ron asked curiously.
"Umm alright." Harry answered. He carefully began to open the gold wrapped
package. Underneath of the paper, was a wooden box, with Japanese lettering
carved in it. The box was smooth, and had been varnished to make it shine.
Harry opened the box gently. Inside there was a box of Pot of Gold chocolates,
some bakery Christmas sugar cookies, twenty pounds, an art book, case of art
pencils, two books, and a gold watch that was hooked onto a gold chain.
"Oh wow Harry." was all that Hermione could say.
"They have never given me such nice gifts before." Harry said in awe, closing
the box when he noticed that the snack trolley had come down to their
compartment.
"What can I get you kids?" the plump witch asked with a smile.
"We'll take to whole lot please." Harry said with a smile, as he gave the witch
the money for the sweets.
"Thank you dear, enjoy." the witch said as she closed the compartment door.
Harry could hear the trolley's wheels squeaking all the way up the hallway.
"How was your summer Ron?" Hermione asked, finally noticing that Ron was still
there, as she opened up a chocolate frog.
"Boring. I got stuck helping Mum with the house chores, and to top it all off I
almost died listening to Percy go on about work." Ron grumbled, as he popped a
Bertie Bott's Every Flavour Jellybeans in his mouth.
"That sounds interesting." Hermione joked.
"You can't be serious. I'd rather spend the summer with Snape doing potions."
Ron exclaimed, putting more Jellybeans in his mouth.
"I'm sure Percy's not that bad." Hermione laughed.
"No he's worse. Anyway, how about you? How was your summer?" Ron asked Hermione
with a smile, as he brushed his red hair out of his eyes with his hand.
"My summer was pretty normal actually. My parents had a friend of theirs come
and stay at our house for the summer. I had to pretend to be normal though, but
she taught me how to give an excellent massage." Hermione said with a grin.
"That's great." Ron replied, as he stuffed his mouth full of pumpkin pastries.
"Oh, Ron. Can't you eat without stuffing your big mouth all the time?" Hermione
asked sternly.
"Nope. Hey but I'm starved, I can't wait till we get to eat tonight. I'm going
to eat seconds of everything!" Ron mumbled excitedly with a mouthful of
pastries. Hermione and Harry laughed, as they looked at each other.
"Hey, where's Crookshanks?" Harry asked, suddenly noticing that Hermione's cat
wasn't with her.
"I think he's eyeing up Crabbe's rat that his dad bought him." Hermione
answered truthfully with a smile.
"I'll give that cat the best fish that can be bought if he eats the rat." Ron
stated with a laugh.
"I wouldn't start planning a reward for Crookshanks just yet if I were you."
Hermione stated with an innocent look.
"What do you mean by that?" Ron asked, clearly confused by what Hermione said.
"I don't think even an old stray cat would put that rat in its mouth, much less
its stomach.
It looks so greasy and disease-filled." Hermione said with a disgusted look on
her face.
"Then it looks just like him." Ron said with a laugh as he popped the last of
the Bertie Bott's Beans into his mouth. Harry and Hermione laughed at Ron's
remark, for his comparison of Crabbe and his new pet rat was truthfully
honest.
Soon enough, the train was nearing Hogwarts, and the excitement of the next
school year was in the air as all the students at some point changed into their
school robes. As they stepped off the train into the Hogsmeade station, they
heard a loud and familiar voice.
"Firs' years this way! Firs' years over here. Oy' Harry, Hermione, is that
you?" Hagrid yelled over the noise of the laughing students.
"Hey Hagrid, yeah it's us." Harry replied loudly, as the three of them walked
over to where Hagrid stood.
"Ye both changed quite the bit there huh? Hello Ron, didn't see you there at
first over Harry there." Hagrid greeted cheerfully.
"Hey Hagrid." Ron said standing next to Harry.
"Well the three of ye better get a move on, unless you want to be stuck with
the firs' years here." Hagrid mentioned, giving a nod towards the large group
of nervous first years.
"Yeah you're right Hagrid, see you up at the feast." Hermione said as she,
Harry, and Ron walked quickly towards what look like an empty horseless
carriage.
They climbed into the large white carriage, only to discover that three nervous
second years sitting somewhat cramped on the seat on the right side of the
carriage. They were talking about what their plans for the second year were,
but quickly shut up as Harry, Hermione, and Ron climbed in and sat down. The
three of them were very cramped on the one seat, and Hermione was almost
sitting on Harry's lap.
The two Ravenclaw girls were staring in amazement at Harry, and hung their
heads with embarrassment when he smiled at them. Hermione noticed this, and she
had to try hard not to laugh at the two girls' embarrassment. What she didn't
notice though, was the small Ravenclaw boy was staring at her as though he had
just been shoot with one of Cupid's arrows. Ron however, had noticed both of
these incidents, and was starting to feel jealous that they were both seemingly
getting a lot more attention than they had ever gotten before.
Finally the large herd of carriages pulled up in front of the main entrance to
Hogwarts. All the students began to pile into the school, and finally everyone
was seated in the great hall. Harry, Hermione, and Ron all sat anxiously with
the other students as they watched Professor McGonagall bring in the familiar
stool in which the sorting hat sat. She sat the stool and hat in the middle of
the great hall, and walked back out the great halls doors. Professor McGonagall
returned with a large group of nervous looking first year students.
Professor McGonagall started to unravel a seemingly long roll of parchment
which contained all the new first years' names.
"Bradley Joanne." Professor McGonagall said loudly, her voice echoing
throughout the entire hall. The short black haired girl walked slowly up to the
stool. She sat down nervously, and almost seemed to wince as Professor
McGonagall place the tattered old hat on Joanne Bradley's head.
The sorting hat took a few minutes to decide, but finally yelled: "Gryffindor!"
The Gryffindor table clapped loudly as Joanne quickly walked over to the table
and sat down.
In the end Gryffindor ended up with twenty new students, while Slytherin and
Hufflepuff had almost thirty, and Ravenclaw with twenty two.
"Seems to be a lot of Slytherins this year." Ron muttered to Harry and
Hermione, who both agreed solemnly.
"Hey Harry did you hear?" George Weasley asked excitedly, leaning almost all
the way across the table.
"What?" Harry asked dumbfounded.
"Professor McGonagall is going to announce tonight in the common room who the
new team captain will be." George said, looking at the three of them with a
shine in his eyes.
"Announcing? What do you mean?" Hermione asked, confused by what George meant
by announcing.
"The teachers talk among themselves over who would be the best option to be put
on as a team captain. The Dumbledore and the head of the house, decide who will
be the new captain. Personally I hope I get to be the one." George explained,
puffing out his chest.
"Stop dreaming George." Ron laughed.
"Just you wait Ron, I show you." George said, clearly his pride had been
broken.
"Yeah, and I'll become head boy." Ron replied sarcastically. Hermione snorted
with laughter at the thought of it.
"What's so funny?" Ron asked angrily.
"The thought of you, head boy." Hermione laughed, fighting back tears.
Ron huffed and turned around to talk to Seamus, who was sitting next to him
talking about soccer with a group of other Gryffindors.
"That boy." Hermione said with a sigh.
"So Hermione, tell me about you summer. Did you get any summer loves?" Harry
asked suddenly, not meaning to. His face went red.
"Me? Ummm hehe no not really. You?" Hermione asked with an embarrassed look.
"No, none." Harry replied. The two of them looked at each other, neither
knowing what the other felt for each other.
The feast continued on for a little while longer, before Dumbledore had them
all go off to their common rooms. Ron still was slightly mad at Hermione for
her laughing at him, but intended not to talk to her. As they all arrived at
the portrait of the fat lady, a Gryffindor prefect pushed his way to the front
of the crowd. Harry and Hermione didn't know his name, but could tell almost
instantly, that he was very conceited.
"Make way everyone, I'm a school prefect you know. Only I know the password of
course since I am a prefect." he yelled over the noise of the Gryffindors.
"He sounds like another Percy." Harry commented, referring to one of Ron's
older brothers who had graduated in their third year.
"I'll say." Hermione agreed, nodding her head.
"Password." The fat lady asked.
"Hippogriff." the prefect answered importantly.
The portrait swung open to reveal the familiar large hole in the wall which
lead to the Gryffindor common room. Harry, Hermione, and Neville Longbottom
were the last to climb into the hole. Once they were inside, most of the
students had already gone up to the dormitories, Harry and Hermione, as well as
several other Gryffindors, had not. They decided to take advantage of the empty
common room, and sat down on the comfy overstuffed armchairs scattered about
the common room.
"I can't wait till the first Hogsmeade visit." Hermione declared.
"Why's that?" Harry asked, looking at Hermione with a grin.
"Because this year I am going to try to not be such a know it all." Hermione
started.
"And what's that got to do with the first Hogsmeade visit?" Harry asked with a
bit of shock at the fact that Hermione had finally admitted to being a know it
all.
"Because I'm going to spend every Hogsmeade visit relaxing, not worrying about
school for once." Hermione stated in a loud voice.
"That's great Hermione, I'll help you too!" Harry exclaimed wit joy.
"We'll help each other!" Hermione shouted happily.
"Glad your so excited about it." Harry laughed, looking at Hermione, who was
looking a bit sheepish.
"Sorry. I'm feeling a bit hyper for once." Hermione admitted, looking around
the common room quickly to see if anyone was staring at her.
"No problem, I'm glad your acting like a total lunatic now." Harry joked.
"Hey!" Hermione yelled, playfully pushing Harry.
Harry and Hermione sat and joked back and forth with one another. Finally the
rest of the Gryffindors started to come back down to the common room. Soon
enough, the common room was abuzz with excited laughter and chat. Around nine,
Professor McGonagall had shown up in the common room, with a large smile on her
face, which was rare for her.
"Can I have everyone's attention please?" she said loudly, clasping her hands
together tightly.
The noise in the common room ended abruptly, and everyone had diverted their
attention to Professor McGonagall.
"I am pleased to announce the new Gryffindor captain." she started, smiling
even more at the known suspense in the room. "Your new captain for the next
three years, more if they fail, is...HARRY POTTER!" Professor McGonagall
exclaimed. She had said something else afterwards, but she no longer could be
heard over the cheers and clapping that had filled the room like a tidal wave.
Harry was in total shock. "Him, Harry Potter, was the new quidditch captain. It
was all he had ever dreamed of." Hermione wrapped her arms around Harry, giving
him a huge hug.
"Congratulations Harry." she exclaimed, kissing Harry on the cheek.
"Ummm, thanks I think." Harry replied with shock. His face had turned red
completely.
"Oy Harry! You are really lucky!" Ron shouted over the noise in the room, as he
shoved his way through the crowd surrounding Harry.
"I sure am." Harry answered, smiling widely.
"It wasn't luck that got him captain, but talent and fairness." Alicia Johnson
commented.
"Umm I guess so." Harry said modestly.
"Well your really talented Harry." Ron said as he turned and left after
Hermione tried to talk to him.
Fred and George had started a huge celebration party, complete with piles of
food and drinks from the school kitchen. The party had lasted well into two in
the morning, and only ended when Professor McGonagall showed up.
"For goodness sakes everyone, it's two in the morning and it's only the first
night!" she yelled angrily. " Now get to bed before you all get detention."
--- That night, Harry could hardly sleep due to the excitement that was built
up inside of him. But when he finally did, his dreams weren't that of
Quidditch, but strangely enough of Hermione. That morning Harry tried to
remember all of what had happened in his dream. All he could remember though,
was Hermione and himself standing on the balcony in his dormitory. The two of
them held each other in a close embrace, and had been kissing. The last thing
that had been said in the dream, was Hermione telling Harry that no where was
safe for them anymore. That had been it before Harry had awoke. Hermione. It
seemed she was all he could think of since yesterday on the train. He could
still feel her soft warm lips on his cheek after she had kissed him. He almost
had kissed her back, not on the cheek, but on the lips.
----At breakfast Ron had finally decided to talk to Hermione again, which took
a lot of Hermione's will power not to laugh at him again. Harry had piled his
plate up with toast and fried eggs, and had just begun to eat when the post
owls swooped down into the great hall.
Ron had been sent a package full of underwear that he had forgot, as well as
some homemade fudge. Ron grumped about how embarrassing it was to get underwear
in the post, and Harry had to stop Hermione from snickering before she busted
into laughter, over the fact that Ron had a pair of maroon underwear with
little hearts. It took Harry a while to notice that he had mail, and only did
when his snowy white owl Hedwig started pecking him.
Harry looked down at what he had. He noticed a letter with messy scrawled
writing on it, and recognized it as a letter from Hagrid. He opened it up, and
read:
"Congratulations Harry on being made captain. I can't wait till your first
match Saturday. You'll have to come for tea when your free. See you later,"
Hagrid.
Harry laid Hagrid's letter aside, and opened up one he didn't recognize. It was
from Sirius, his Godfather, Harry read it with excitement.
"Dear Harry,
Congratulations on being made captain. Your Father and Mother would have been
proud. Your Father was captain for the team as well. Buckbeak and I are doing
fine, hope to see you again soon."
Sirius.
Harry was grinning all over at the thought of the letter. He was surprised
though at how quickly Sirius had found out. The last letter had the school
emblem on it, which made Harry curious as to why he had recieved mail from the
school. He opened it and read:
"Dear Mr. Potter,
I wish to say congratulations again to your being made team captain. Last night
I was not able to tell you news about Quidditch, as the noise in the common
room was deafening. As you may have heard, the first Quidditch match is
Saturday between Gryffindor and Slytherin. You must hold tryouts for the new
position of keeper, and be prepared for Saturday. I look forward to find out
whom your choice is."
Sincerely,
Professor McGonagall.
A wave of panic came over Harry. He had less than a week to find a new keeper,
train them, and the team practices had to be arranged. Harry showed his letter
to Ron, who quickly read it and asked: "How are you going to manage to pull all
that off?"
"I don't know, but I have no other choice." Harry replied, trying to see the
good in the situation.
"What are you two talking about?" Hermione asked, looking at Harry's and Ron's
frowning faces.
Harry showed Hermione the letter. "This letter I got Professor McGonagall this
morning." Harry said, handing the letter to Hermione to read.
Hermione read it, and a look of thrill or joy, Harry couldn't tell which, came
on her face.
"Oh Harry this sounds like fun!" Hermione exclaimed with excitement.
"What?! Is your head not screwed on right this year or what? Can't you see how
much Harry has to do?" Ron asked bewildered.
"Yes, but it sounds fun. Harry could make a little poster or whatever,
announcing that Gryffindor is looking for a new keeper." Hermione smiled,
looking at Ron with a look that said "I thought you would know that."
"That's a great idea Hermione." Harry stated, blushing a bit as he watched the
smile become even bigger on Hermione's face.
"It is?" Ron asked, thinking Harry had lost his mind as well.
"Of course it is, that's why I told you." Hermione boasted excitedly.
"But how am I going to find time for team practice?" Harry asked. Hermione's
smile didn't show any sign of leaving her face, which surprised Harry and Ron
greatly.
"She must have thought of a plan." Harry thought. "That or she's still on a
sugar high from last night."
"You can hold team practice at the same time you hold tryouts. That way, the
one trying out will get a good idea of what it's like playing on the team."
Hermione explained
"That actually sounds like it would work." Harry said slowly, thinking it over
in his head.
"It will, just have all the people that sign up meet you and the team on the
Quidditch pitch on like Thursday night. You might even be able to tomorrow or
Wednesday night, because it won't take long to fill up the list." Hermione
answered, explaining everything carefully.
"Hermione you're brilliant!" Harry yelled joyfully hugging Hermione.
"I know." Hermione replied with a grin.
"Only she could have thought of that that quickly." Ron laughed, grinning at
Harry who was still hugging Hermione.
"What would I do without you Hermione?" Harry asked, a bit embarrassed that he
had hugged her for so long.
"You'd definitely not be in your fifth year." Hermione replied jokingly. She
was blushing a fair bit, and was trying to hide it. "I've never actually been
in love before." Hermione thought to herself, "But I think... no. I HAVE a crush
on Harry. I've always had, especially since this year, when I can't stop
thinking about him." Hermione thought again, beaming all over inside with
happiness.
"That's for sure." Harry agreed with a grin. "Do you two want to come and help
me make up the announcements?" Harry asked looking at Ron who he knew would
want to come up and hid the package of underwear.
"I'll come." Ron said, quickly gulping down the rest of his drink, as he
stuffed the package in the pocket of his robes.
"Same here." Hermione replied, standing up with Harry.
"Alright then let's go." Harry said cheerfully, as the three of them walked
from the great hall. They would have an hour before classes, which hopefully
would be enough time.
---- The common room was just about empty, except for a few students who had
slept in, and were frantically gathering their things to go down to the great
hall.
Ron ran up to their room to put the underwear away, and Harry and Hermione
cleared a table off and began working. They had found some sheets of paper, but
couldn't find anything to color them with.
"Hey, Seamus has an art kit here that he left on the table, I'm sure that he
won't mind us using it." Harry said, picking up the art kit which had
everything from crayons to paint.
They began working on the announcements, and soon Ron had joined them.
"I had to bury the underwear, cause all she sent me were the ones I tried to
leave behind." Ron stated, blushing as he remember that Hermione had saw them.
Harry kicked Hermione's leg to try to stop her from snickering as she
remembered the maroon and hearted underwear she had saw.
Within half an hour, they had produced enough announcements to put in every
area of the common room, dormitories, and bathrooms. They had mentioned on the
notices, that parties would depend on how fast the sign up sheet filled up.
Harry hung the sign up sheet by the tables, where everyone would be able to see
it.
"There all set." Harry said with a smile.
"And with time to spare." Ron said, looking at his watch.
"We have Defense Against the Dark Arts next. Maybe we should head up early to
see who the new teacher is." Ron continued, bringing up the fact that no one
had noticed that their new defense against the dark arts teacher had not been
at the beginning of the year ceremony last night.
"Yeah we should. I wonder who we'll have?" Hermione asked.
"I hope Professor Lupin will come back." Harry said wishfully. He could
remember how much he loved Professor Lupin as his teacher, everyone did, except
the Slytherins anyway. Professor Lupin had left when the whole school had found
out that he was a werewolf. He had been a good werewolf as long as he took his
potion that allowed him to keep his own mind when he transformed.
"Yeah, same with both of us." Hermione said.
The three of them gathered their school bags up and left the common room. They
headed towards the closest stair way that would take them to the third floor.
It didn't surprise or shock Harry anymore when the people in the paintings
moved around inside their frames, or visited each other in other paintings.
Most of the time, the paintings would talk to you as you were walking along,
some even liked to scare first years by standing still, then start moving all
of a sudden.
---When they got to the third floor, they weren't surprised to see a crowd of
students gathered around the class room door. Even those who didn't have
defense against the dark arts next were standing there trying to see who their
teacher was going to be. Harry, Ron, and Hermione tried to squeeze into the
crowd, but were unsuccessful. Just then, the door swung open, and in the
doorway stood a black cloaked figure, whose face was hidden by the hood.
Hermione and Harry, who were stuck bunched together, almost lifted by the
crowd, fell to the floor with shock.
"Holy frigg!" Hermione shouted.
"He looks like the grim reaper minus the scythe." She continued her eyes wide
with surprise.
A hushed silence came over the crowd. Everyone was staring at the figure with
wonder.
"Sorry if I startled you all. I just came out to tell everyone, that you will
have to leave, for I have a class in ten minutes and they will need to be able
to get into the classroom. Unless you are suppose to be here for class next,
then leave, NOW." The teacher said. His voice was deep and menacing, and it
didn't help that you could see his face.
The crowd quickly left and a small group of Ravenclaws walked quietly into the
classroom. Harry and Hermione were still sprawled on the floor. The teacher
noticed this and walked over to where they lay. He helped Harry up, then
gracefully leaned over and lifted Hermione up to her feet.
"Are the two of you alright?" the teacher asked with little concern.
"Oh sure just peachy. We just got the snot scared out of us by a particularly
deathly looking professor that's all." Hermione said accidentally, but when she
realized all of what she had said out loud, she covered her mouth up too late.
"There was no need for sarcasm when asked a simple question Miss...?"
"Granger. Hermione Granger. Let's keep it at that." Hermione answered
defiantly.
"More back talk. Well Miss. Granger, you just lost forty points from
Gryffindor." The teacher spoke harshly.
Harry, Hermione, and Ron gasped in shock at the unfair deduction of points.
"And I'll call you what ever I please Miss. Granger." The teacher mocked as he
turned and walked back into the classroom.
Harry had to grab Hermione to stop her from going after the Professor.
"That perverted good for nothing damn lazy..." Hermione cursed.
"Hermione!" Ron shouted.
"Shut up or you'll lose us more house points."
Never had Hermione lost Gryffindor house points in a class besides potions.
Never had she ever been sarcastic to a teacher like she just was, not even to
Snape.
"Hermione, why did you just say all that stuff?" Harry asked with confusion.
"That friggin damn perverted son of a bi..." Hermione started.
"Hermione shut up or he'll hear you." Ron warned.
"Anyway, that so called Professor grabbed my ass!" Hermione explained, anger
flashing through her eyes.
"What!? When?" Harry asked in disbelief.
"When he lifted me up off the floor!" Hermione exclaimed.
"The scuzbag! No wonder you acted the way you did to him." Ron said angrily.
"Are you till going to class?" Harry asked, nodding in the direction of the
classroom.
"Unfortunately I got to go to the first class in order to be in the class."
Hermione sighed.
"Your going to report him aren't you though?" Ron asked her with concern.
"It's his word against mine." Hermione said quietly.
"He'll get away with it."
"Let's just forget the entire incident happened how 'bout." Harry said in a
sympathetic voice.
"Yeah let's." Hermione agreed.
It was time for class to begin, and the rest of the class had started walking
into the classroom. Harry and Ron walked on each side of Hermione, keeping a
close watch on her. They sat in the middle of the classroom, and Harry and Ron
continued to keep guard on Hermione. The professor walked to the front of his
desk, his hood still covering his face.
"Welcome class. I am Professor Levington." He spoke, his voice still the same
as it was in the hallway. He lowered his hood, to reveal a youthful but worn
face. He looked like he fresh out of school, but had just fought many wars.
He eyed Hermione with a look of ridicule, causing Harry and Ron to move even
closer to her.
"This year you will not be babied like you were for the past four years. In
here, you will have to learn to fight for your life, and if you survive this
class, and leave it at the end of the year the same way you entered today,
you'll pass." Professor Levington spoke, an evil glint in his eyes.
Everyone was looking at each other, wondering what he really meant by what he
said.
"Tell me Mr. Potter, what would you do if you encountered a loose manticore in
an alley?" the Professor asked, his eyes daring Harry to answer him.
"Uh, run?" Harry answered honestly.
"Run? You call yourself a fifth year? You fight you foolish boy, fight! Ten
points from Gryffindor for a wrong and stupid answer!" Professor Levington
yelled. The class gasped at the unfair deduction.
"Make this a lesson to you all. Answer any question wrong in my class, and lose
house points." He spoke sternly. The class sat in sock, their eyes focused on
Professor Levington. They all sat in silence for the rest class, as Professor
Levington had them copy notes on the manticore. By the end of class, no one
could wait to get out of the room.
"He's worse than Snape!" Ron declared, rubbing his sore writing hand.
"Snape's a kitten compared to him." Harry said, flexing his hand to try to
relieve the stiffness in it.
"Our luck he'll be here next year too." Hermione added, thinking of the torture
it would be.
"If he is, I'm dropping out." Ron said.
"He's a big jerk." he continued, looking at Hermione with anger.
"I mean who's going to need to know how the nerves in a manticore work in their
fifth year?"
"No one, he's gonna work us to total exhaustion by Halloween." Harry replied
with a grim look.
They arrived at the Charms classroom to find it almost full. Everyone looked up
at them as they entered the room. Professor Flitwick came out from behind his
desk.
"Why are the three of you late?" he asked.
"Late? But we just got out of our defense against the dark arts class."
Hermione stated confused.
"Yes, Professor Levington must have kept you all late by mistake. Have a seat."
Professor Flitwick said, waving his hand in the direction of an empty table.
----The rest of the day had passed by uneventful, even in potions Gryffindor
didn't lose house points. At supper that night, Professor Levington was no were
to be seen same has was at breakfast and dinner.
"Maybe that's why he's so agitated. He never ate at all today." Harry
suggested.
"No I think he's like that." Hermione replied, grinning for the first time
since that morning.
"Hey!" Harry said. He had just remembered the sign up sheet that they had just
put up that morning.
"What?" Hermione and Ron asked curiously.
"I just remembered the sign up sheet. I'm going to check it." Harry said,
quickly getting up from the table.
"We'll come with you Harry." Ron said as he and Hermione stood up as well.
They walked at almost a run to the Gryffindor tower. There were a few second
years looking at the sign up sheet. They seemed to be silently debating whether
or not they should write their names down. Harry walked over to the sheet. It
was full completely, and some had even added spaces to write their names.
"Look at that!" Harry exclaimed joyfully. "Hardly any space left."
"That's quite a lot of people. You should start tonight. No team has started
practice yet, and I saw Professor McGonagall book you up till Wednesday."
Hermione replied, looking at Harry with a smile.
"Your right. I'll announce practice right away." Harry said. He headed towards
the great hall once more. Hermione and Ron followed. Harry busted into the
great hall, and jogged over to the Gryffindor table.
"Team Quidditch field for practice now. We have to be ready be Saturday.
Everyone who signed up to tryout for keeper get your things and meet the team
on the pitch." Harry said loudly.
"Meet you two on the field?" Harry asked, looking at Hermione and Ron with a
bit of suggestion that he would need their help.
"Definitely." They both said with a nod.'
"Right. See you in a bit." Harry said as he ran back off to his dormitory to
change into his Quidditch robes.