Ch. 1
Flooing Away
It was mid August, the days were getting cooler, summer was almost over, and as usual, Harry was having the worst time. However, not all was bad. The Dursleys' would let him go over to the Burrow occasionally, but he figured the only reason they let him go was to get of their way. Harry was happy though; he was not sure how long he could last eating a bit of grapefruit everyday and the morsel food Mrs. Weasley and Hermione would send him. While placing his wizard books and quills into his trunk, Harry got a knock on his door. It was Dudley.
"What 'cha doing," he asked whiling sneaking a cookie in his mouth. Harry could just taste the sugar cookie in his mouth, but shook his head and answered,
"Packing, later I'm going to Ron's house and then in two weeks off to Hog- my school. I'm just waiting for something to arrive in the post."
Dudley raised an old letter addressed to:
Mr. H. Potter
4 Privet Drive
Little Whiney
Surrey
"Oh, do you mean this letter?"
Harry hesitated but briefly said,
"Give it here, Dudley."
Dudley stuck out his tongue, answering,
"NO!"
He ripped open the envelope and read:
"Dear Mr. Potter,
After a great deal of talking, we have decided to expel you. You are too dangerous to have around these children. Besides, we do not like you! Good day."
Dudley stuffed the letter back into the envelope. Harry stared, saying,
"Very mature, what are you, 7 years old? Now give me the letter!"
Dudley snapped back,
"What for, you know what it says." Harry walked towards him.
"Don't come near me," he said raising his fist. Smoke came out of Harry's nose. He grabbed his wand and went into a duelling position. Dudley quivered sarcastically and laughed,
"Don't hurt me please! What are you going to do? Haven't you got in enough trouble?"
Harry remembered that the previous years he has gotten in trouble for accidentally using magic, but smiled,
"It's okay. I'll just contact my godfather. He's old enough to handle magic."
Dudley dropped his jaw,
"You're not seriously going to do that, are you?"
Harry laughed and chased Dudley out of his room and down the hallway. Dudley screamed,
"Mum! Dad! Help!"
He hadn't noticed that he dropped the letter so Harry stopped, picked it up, and hurried back to his room.
Right beneath his floor, Harry could hear Dudley explaining his version of what happened. He rushed over to his windowsill, opened the window, and let Hedwig out of his cage.
"Fly to Ron's house. That's where I'll be."
Hedwig flew outside and up into the clouds. Harry was glad that in case whatever should happened, Hedwig would be out and free. For a split second, there was silence. Then he heard the entire family stampeding up the stairs. Harry flicked his wand and the rest of his things jumped in his trunk, and he stuffed his letter in his pocket so Uncle Vernon couldn't take it away. Uncle Vernon had almost knocked down the door as he was entering yelling,
"What's going on up here? What were you doing to our precious Dudley?"
Harry looked around at Aunt Petunia, who was very thin and had much of a horse-like face, then at Uncle Vernon, who was very large and had beady little eyes, and then finally at Dudley, who looked just like Uncle Vernon.
"Well, you see, Dudley came-."
Uncle Vernon shouted back,
"Don't even think of making this his fault! He told us the truth!"
Harry jumped in,
"Well he's a fat liar!"
Uncle Vernon was speechless and so was Harry. He thought he would never have the courage to say that, but at least his anger went out from words and not magic.
Harry rushed over to his dresser, grabbed the Floo Powder (Mrs. Weasley had given him for his 15th birthday), and ran downstairs to the Living room. Mr. Weasley had the fireplace connected to the Floo Network so Harry could leave in case of an emergency. The Dursleys' followed him, but suddenly stopped when they saw him duck into the fireplace. Harry blew the Floo Powder and yelled,
"The Burrow!"
Uncle Vernon went to grab him, but he became blinded by the green light. After the light had vanished, Harry had vanished too. The three exchanged puzzled looks but then went on about their day.
"Dudley, go get that bloody pigeon of his."
Harry kept his eyes shut until he had stopped spinning and the green light had vanished. The first thing Harry saw when he stepped out from The Weasleys' fireplace was Ginny staring at him. Harry stared back whiling brushing the soot off him until Ron walked in the room saying,
"Ginny, what did you blow- Harry! Is it 5 already?"
Harry smiled and said,
"No, it was an emergency. Sorry I did not bring the trunk with me. I'll go back tomorrow and pick it up. But, I did let Hedwig out, so she should be arriving soon."
"Yeah, okay." Ron shook his head, "That's no problem, that family is an emergency. So what did they do now?"
"Hi Harry," Ginny squeaked.
"Hi Ginny. Okay, I was just about packed when-."
Ginny squeaked again,
"I'm good."
Harry and Ron both turned and looked at her. Ron had the expression on his face for her to leave, but she didn't.
"Ugh," he groaned, rolling his eyes, and grabbed Harry's arm and walked up the stairs to his room. Ginny watched them run up the stairs, then plopped down on the couch and sighed.
"Ginny, she is so annoying!"
Harry smirked while they, shortly, were stopped by Fred and George saying,
"Hey, thanks again for that money. We invented three new joke candies. Care to try some?"
Harry and Ron shook their heads and they continued walking to Ron's room.
"Yeah." Ron said, "They took your advice and bought me two new dress robes. Come see! Strange, I would've thought that they would spend it on candy or something like that."
Ron opened his door, rushed over to his wardrobe, and pulled out a green robe and a blue robe.
"What brings out my eyes more," Ron asked jokingly. "Blue or green?" Harry responded, laughing,
"Oh definitely the blue!" Ron's laughter shook the entire house. Then he threw them in his trunk.
"Okay, continue with your story now," Ron said. Harry couldn't stop laughing,
"Well I was finishing packing and Dudley walked in-."
Knock, Knock, Knock
"Bloody hell. Go away," Ron yelled.
"Excuse me," they heard a familiar voice said.
"Hermione," they both asked. Ron got up and answered the door and Hermione walked in with her trunk.
"Sorry, my parents had a family emergency."
"Well I guess everyone is having emergencies these days," Ron assumed, turning to Harry.
"Anyways, very sorry I didn't see you two this summer either. We've been busy. But you got my letters right?"
They both nodded. Crookshanks walked in and saw Pigwidgeon. Pigwidgeon was Ron's owl that Harry's godfather, Sirius, gave him at the end of his third year. Ron called him Pig. Pig saw Crookshanks and started flapping and screeching wildly in his cage.
"Will you get that stupid cat out of here," Ron yelled. Hermione rolled her eyes, scooted Crookshanks out the door, and closed it. Ron walked over and yelled,
"Shut up Pig!"
Ron picked up the Daily Profit newspaper and hit his cage, then threw it on his bed and Hermione noticed on the front page the front headline said,
Granger's Galaxy in Jeopardy
Hermione ran over to the bed and sat on the paper. Ron looked at her lost in thought. Just then Hedwig flew in over to Pig's water dish.
"Hi Hedwig. I'm glad you made it. Are you all right?"
Hedwig was lapping the water quickly but finished and flew upon Harry's arm and nibbled his ear in response. Harry smirked and said,
"Oh my letter! I completely forgot about it."
He pulled it out and read:
Dear Mr. Potter, Another year has arrived and enclosed is a list of what you will need for your classes. We have a new Defence Against the Dark Arts teacher; whose name is Professor Fleur Delacour. In addition, we have two new students in from America. Their names are Shelbi Klein and Fern Tropet. If you would like to help them out around Diagon Alley, Platform 9 ¾, and the Hogwarts Grounds, please write back on a separate sheet of parchment. School starts September 1st. See you at Hogwarts.
~Minerva McGonagall Deputy Headmistress
"I've got one of those too," Hermione said. "I'm going to take Fern. Her name makes her sounds so sweet."
"You know," Ron smirked, "She's not 6."
Hermione and Harry responded to Professor McGonagall's request saying they would love to and had Pigwidgeon send the letter. Then, Harry wrote to Sirius saying that he would be staying at Ron's the rest of summer, and had Hedwig send off that letter. Just then, Mrs. Weasley walked in,
"Oh, Hermione dear, I wasn't expecting you. That's all right. There is always enough food. Come along."
At dinner, Mr. and Mrs. Weasley and Percy were discussing about what was new at the Ministry of Magic, and Ginny was staring at Harry (barely making the food into her mouth). Harry, Hermione, and Ron were pondering about the new students, and Fred and George were discussing their profits they have from their new prank candies (but talking quietly so Mrs. Weasley couldn't hear.)
"So Harry, what do you think the new students will be like," Hermione asked.
"Well," Harry answered, "I think they'll be cool. Plus, we'll get to know them quickly because they are in most of our classes."
"What," Ginny choked.
"Fred, Ginny's got competition with the new girls."
Harry scratched his fork across his plate, staring at George.
"Harry, are you okay," Hermione asked.
"Yeah, I'm fine."
"Oh, George. Look, Harry's blushing."
"Fred, please," Mrs. Weasley shouted, "Not at the table! Now, go on Arthur."
"Well," Mr. Weasley began, "Rumours are going around that Robert Granger, er, Hermione, isn't he related to you?"
Hermione looked at Harry and Ron and said,
"Yeah, my mum and dad went to visit him."
"Well, anyways, he was attacked by two ladies named Kellie Binsh and Jennifer Ropett. They were trying to steal the galaxy hidden within this crystal," and pulled out a shiny, white crystal.
"He told me to give it to you. He thinks you are the only person that it is safe with. Funny, really, don't know why. He also said that you'll know what to do with it when the time came."
The three were very confused. They got up from their seats and ran upstairs. Mrs. Weasley surprisingly asked,
"Don't you want any dessert?"
Ron shouted from the stairs,
"Yeah, have Ginny bring it up!" He also added, whispering,
"She's good for something."
Mrs. Weasley had a displeased look on her face, but Ginny squeaked,
"I don't mind."
When the three reached Ron's room, Hedwig and Pig were both sitting in his room.
"Wow," Ron said, "Never seen them fly so fast before. Must be the water."
"Oh yes," Hermione rolled her eyes and jokingly said. "The water is magical."
Harry opened up the one from Sirius first:
Thanks for letting me know where you are. Hope those Dursleys' were treating' you well. Talk to you soon.
Sirius
Hermione then opened up the second letter and pulled out a piece of parchment with two pictures. She read:
Dear Mr. Potter and Miss Granger, Thank you so much for contributing your time. Enclosed is a list of what they will need for school and a picture of each child. You can meet them on Sept. 1st in front of the Leaky Caldron. See you soon!
~Minerva McGonagall Deputy Headmistress
Ginny walked in with four pieces of chocolate cake.
"Mmm, my favourite," Ron said leaning over Hermione and glancing at the cake and then at the pictures.
"Wow, is that Shelbi?"
Shelbi had medium length light blonde hair, blue eyes, and fare skin.
"Yeah," Harry answered. "And this is Fern."
Fern had short dark, ginger hair, dark green eyes and a light tan. For a while, Harry and Ron were speechless, but then Ron asked,
"Why do you suppose your relative thought that the crystal would only be safe with you, Hermione?"
"I'm not sure," she answered. "Maybe, because we're at Hogwarts and we're safe from fiends, because Professor Dumbledore just put that invisible barrier around the Hogwarts grounds."
"He did?"
"Yes, he did."
Mrs. Weasley walked in and flicked her wand. In popped two beds for Hermione and Harry.
"Good night kids," she said. "Ginny time for bed."
While everyone fell asleep, Harry stayed up thinking about Shelbi and Fern.
The next morning, Harry and Mr. Weasley used the Floo Powder back to The Dursleys' home. Dudley was the only one home and all he did was pester Harry about how much trouble he is going to be in when he gets home. Harry just ignored him. Mr. Weasley and Harry carried his trunk down the stairs and Harry carried Hedwig's cage in the other hand. Just before they left, Mr. Weasley said,
"Bye Didley."
"Dudley," Dudley corrected him.
"No, I'm Arthur."
They stepped in the fireplace and left. When they got back to the Burrow, all the children put their trunks in Mr. Weasley's new car (which he got in the department, Misuse of Muggle Merchandise). The kids used the Floo Powder to get to Diagon Alley, and Mr. and Mrs. Weasley took the car. When they got to Diagon Alley, Fred and George went off and bought their things, Ginny went along. Harry, Hermione, Ron went to the front outside of the Leaky Caldron. They saw two girls standing with their backs toward them.
"Um, Shelbi, Fern?"
The two girls turned around and sure enough, it was they. Shelbi was wearing a light blue dress with a Gryffindor cape, and sitting next to was her cat, Annabelle. Fern was wearing a navy blue dress with a Gryffindor cape, and her cat, Gypsy.
"Oh look Crookshanks," Hermione pointed. "You've got someone other cats to play with."
"Hi, I'm Shelbi and this is Fern."
"Well, I'm- I'm-."
Shelbi finished his sentence,
"Ah, yes, you must be Harry, your Hermione, and your, um, Ronald."
"Ron," Ron corrected.
Fern finally spoke,
"Don't we have things to buy?"
"Yes," Hermione answered. "Let me show you the proper way to get into Diagon Alley."
"It's the only way," Ron whispered.
The two girls giggled. Fern followed Hermione through the Leaky Caldron and Harry, Ron, and Shelbi followed. Hermione tapped on the bricks and the entrance opened. Shelbi was just exiting the pub when she looked back and saw all the people staring at her. She glared at them and left.
Diagon Alley was filled with tons of witches and wizards. It seemed like everywhere you turned, someone was in the way. As they walked into Flourish and Blotts and there were many people buying books, quills, ink, and parchment. They also saw Draco Malfoy there with his mother.
"Ah, we're going over there to get our books," Shelbi said. "Come on Fern."
Draco noticed Harry and walked over him,
"Hello, Potter. Here with the Weasels' again I see. Well do not expect them to buy any books for you; they have enough trouble going on in their lives. Pity, Ginny won't learn anything with books that have torn pages."
He glanced over Harry's shoulder a noticed Shelbi.
"Ah, who are you," he said walking over to her. She turned and said,
"I'm Shelbi. Who are you and what house are you in?"
Draco laughed and said,
"I'm Draco Malfoy, and I'm in Slytherin."
She was smiling until she noticed Harry walking over and then she screamed,
"Ugh, a Slytherin! Get away from me!"
Draco did not move. Ron shoved his books into Harry and walked over to Draco. Before he could do anything, Draco's mother walked up behind him,
"Oh pleasure. Dracey, do you have to buy your books here? I know a 'special' store just for people like us," glancing over at Ron. "Not for people like them. Come on!"
Harry stood staring at her. She turned and gave him a nasty smile and rolled her eyes. Ron shouted as Draco was leaving the store,
"See you soon Dracey!"
Draco turned and stared angrily back. Mrs. Weasley walked up and asked,
"Everyone have their things? Good, let's go!"
At King's Cross Station, the Weasley children walked through the gate onto Platform 9 ¾. Mrs. Weasley gave Ron, Hermione, and Harry a kiss on the head and said,
"Now you three stay out of trouble okay?"
They nodded their heads.
"Good, now I'll help these girls through the portal. Go on."
After they walked through, they stopped and waited for Shelbi and Fern. Just then, they came through and Fern cheered,
"Wow, we made it through!"
"Why is that so amazing," Ron asked.
"Oh, ah, we never had to do this sort of thing in America."
On the train, Ron, Hermione, and Harry were sitting on one side of the train compartment, and Ginny, Shelbi, and Fern were sitting on the other side.
"So who are you taking to the ball this year, Harry?" Ron asked.
"Well," he answered. "I was thinking, since we have new students we could all just go as friends, and then dance with whomever we want."
Hermione leaned over and whispered,
"Good answer."
Later, they went on to talking about Robert Granger.
"Hermione, I thought you didn't know the person your parents went to visit." Ron asked.
"Yeah, well I didn't think it was really important, until I found about this," and took out crystal.
Fern said,
"Oh that's so beautiful! May I see it?"
"Sorry, but I can't let anyone touch it. Some people were trying to steal it."
"Well, do you think that we're actually going to steal it?"
"No offence, but I really don't know you. Maybe after I get to know you a bit more you can see it."
"Okay.but who would try to steal it?"
"Two girls named Kellie Binsh and Jennifer Tropet."
"I see."
"You know," Ron began. "For being American, you two sure have a British accent."
The looked at each other and Shelbi responded,
"We were born here, but moved to America when we were very young. However, we caught the accents quickly."
"Oh, okay."
Hermione looked around the cabin and then placed the crystal back in her pocket. The cabin was quiet for the rest of the trip to Hogwarts.
When the train stopped, they heard a familiar voice,
"First years, this way please."
It was Hagrid! They got off the train and Harry, Ron, Ginny, and Hermione waved to him as they walked to the horseless-buggies. The buggies brought the students up to Hogwarts. Shelbi and Fern were oddly so excited. Harry heard Fern whisper to Shelbi,
"Can you believe we're actually here?"
All of sudden, an alarm was going off.
"What is that," Harry asked. "Turn it off!"
"What," Ron asked.
"TURN- IT-OFF!"
"Sure enough? Sure enough of what?"
The buggy stopped and Professor Dumbledore apparated.
"Professor Dumbledore, turn it off," Harry yelled again.
Professor Dumbledore clapped his hands twice and the alarm stopped.
"Sorry about that. I guess this barrier isn't working out as I hoped. No matter, I'll have it fixed."
The buggy continued and Professor Dumbledore disapparated.
Harry looked at Ron and shook his head, while Shelbi and Fern were quiet until they reached Hogwarts.
When they reached the Great Hall, Harry, and Hermione showed Shelbi and Fern where the Gryffindors and other houses sat. As they were doing so, they saw some fellow students including Neville Longbottom, Malfoy's dim- witted friends, Crabbe and Goyle, and they also met Seamus. After a couple of minutes, they sat at their tables and watched as the newcomers followed Professor McGonagall, proceeding toward Professor Dumbledore. He gave his usual speech and then the sorting ceremony began. Some new Gryffindors were Justin Crankshed, Cynthia Lite, and Stephanie Dee. When the sorting ceremony had finished, Professor Dumbledore announced,
"Let the feast, begin."
All kinds of food then appeared. Shelbi and Fern were astonished. Everyone started eating chicken, turkey, French fries, fruit, and corn on the cob. Nearly Headless Nick popped in and welcomed the Gryffindor first years.
"Who is that?" Shelbi asked.
"Nearly Headless Nick, but he's likes to be called Sir Nicholas." Harry answered.
"Hello Harry. Hello Ron. Hello Hermione. Hello- my, my who are these two lovely ladies," Nearly Headless Nick asked.
The girls blushed and Shelbi answered,
"Well, I'm Shelbi and this is Fern."
"They're new, so we're helping them out," Ron added.
"Oh, well hope you have a great time here!" Nearly Headless Nick proclaimed. "Kids, you're not going to believe this, but I finally got to join the headless hunt."
"They were probably sick of him nagging" Ron sniggered. "OW!"
Hermione had kicked him under the table,
"Well we're happy for you! Oh, I forgot to mention that my letter also told me that I'm a prefect.
"How can someone forget about that," Ron muttered.
After dinner, Harry and Ron showed Shelbi and Jennifer how to get to the Gryffindor Tower. Hermione led the first years around the school and explained how to get to certain classes and to watch out for the staircases because they like to change. When they arrived to the entrance of the Gryffindor Common Room, the Fat Lady asked,
"Password?"
Hermione replied,
"Gistros Humaine"
The painting moved aside and they walked in. Harry and Ron were sitting playing Wizards Chess. Hermione explained,
"The girls dormitories are upstairs and to the right, boys the same on your left. Now, everyone upstairs, you have a big day tomorrow." All the first years piled up the staircase as Hermione said,
"Hey, what are you guys doing up? Where are Shelbi and Fern?"
"They went to sleep. So how'd you do," Harry asked.
"In other words, did I mess up?"
"Pretty much," Ron laughed.
Hermione answered,
"Well, if you have to know, I did a perfect job. But, I've never seen 1st years ask so many questions before."
"That's a prefect for you," Ron jokingly rolled his eyes.
The next day, Harry and Hermione showed Jennifer and Shelbi the way to Divinations class.
"Well, I'll meet you guys in the Great Hall later," Hermione waved.
"Where are you going," Shelbi asked.
"Oh, to my class. I dropped out of this class two years ago."
When they walked in, they saw Ginny motioning them to sit by her. Shelbi quickly said while walking,
"Oh, but can we sit here? I like to be back away from the teacher."
"Sure," Harry said and class began.
After class ended, they went to the Great Hall for breakfast.
"What is this," Shelbi asked.
"It's egg omelette, bacon, and toast," Ron answered.
"I can't eat this!"
"Why not?"
"I-I am allergic to eggs. Silly, I know."
"Well, that's okay, here," Harry said and took out his wand. He swished it and said, "Brakefeast Esquamento!"
There appeared fruit, milk, and pancakes.
"Man," Ron began. "I wish I was allergic to eggs!"
"Harry, you know we aren't suppose to do magic between classes in the corridors," Hermione shouted at him in a whisper.
"Well you want her to get sick?"
"No."
"Harry Potter," Professor McGonagall shouted.
Harry walked up and she asked,
"What is the meaning of this? You know you are not supposed to do magic now, especially in front of a teacher," Harry was thinking there was an echo in the Great Hall. "Ten points will be taken from Gryffindor for your mindless manner."
"But she-"
"Sit down Mr. Potter!"
Harry dropped his jaw and sat down.
"What happened," Ron asked.
"Shelbi Klein," Professor McGonagall shouted again. Shelbi then walked up and McGonagall asked.
"What is the meaning of you having Mr. Potter use magic?"
"Well I was allergic to eggs."
"Why didn't your parents put that down on your application?"
"I have no parents. I stayed at my old school."
"Oh, sorry."
"That's okay. Sorry for any trouble I caused."
"That's quite alright. I won't take off any points."
"Thank you."
"But," Professor McGonagall added. "You should let us know before hand okay? Next time remember that."
"Okay."
Shelbi walked back to her seat.
"So what happened with you now," Ron asked.
"Never-mind, but there won't be any points taken off Gryffindor."
"Good! Hey, would you girls like to meet our friend Hagrid?"
"Who's Hagrid? A classmate," Fern asked.
"Not quite," Harry grinned.
They walked out towards Hagrid's Hut and knocked on the door. He opened the door and said,
"Oh hello!"
"Whoa," Fern gasped.
"Yeah I get that er lot," Hagrid laughed. "So a' these the girls I saw with yer, Harry, when yeh got off the train?"
"Yeah, this is Fern and this is Shelbi," Harry responded. "They are from America."
"Oh, all the way from there eh. Well you two have er good time here while yeh can! Oh, did Harry tell yeh tha' he is the seeke' fo' Gryffindo'?"
"Really? No he didn't," Shelbi, said, "I was also a seeker for my house, the Norcross. Fern here was a chaser. You must be a great seeker!" Harry blushed and Hermione huffed,
"Come on, we have Charms next."
Shelbi grabbed Harry's hand and walked with him. Fern saw and grabbed Ron's hand, smiled, and walked with him.
"You know," said Ron, "I when play for fun, I'm a Chaser."
Flooing Away
It was mid August, the days were getting cooler, summer was almost over, and as usual, Harry was having the worst time. However, not all was bad. The Dursleys' would let him go over to the Burrow occasionally, but he figured the only reason they let him go was to get of their way. Harry was happy though; he was not sure how long he could last eating a bit of grapefruit everyday and the morsel food Mrs. Weasley and Hermione would send him. While placing his wizard books and quills into his trunk, Harry got a knock on his door. It was Dudley.
"What 'cha doing," he asked whiling sneaking a cookie in his mouth. Harry could just taste the sugar cookie in his mouth, but shook his head and answered,
"Packing, later I'm going to Ron's house and then in two weeks off to Hog- my school. I'm just waiting for something to arrive in the post."
Dudley raised an old letter addressed to:
Mr. H. Potter
4 Privet Drive
Little Whiney
Surrey
"Oh, do you mean this letter?"
Harry hesitated but briefly said,
"Give it here, Dudley."
Dudley stuck out his tongue, answering,
"NO!"
He ripped open the envelope and read:
"Dear Mr. Potter,
After a great deal of talking, we have decided to expel you. You are too dangerous to have around these children. Besides, we do not like you! Good day."
Dudley stuffed the letter back into the envelope. Harry stared, saying,
"Very mature, what are you, 7 years old? Now give me the letter!"
Dudley snapped back,
"What for, you know what it says." Harry walked towards him.
"Don't come near me," he said raising his fist. Smoke came out of Harry's nose. He grabbed his wand and went into a duelling position. Dudley quivered sarcastically and laughed,
"Don't hurt me please! What are you going to do? Haven't you got in enough trouble?"
Harry remembered that the previous years he has gotten in trouble for accidentally using magic, but smiled,
"It's okay. I'll just contact my godfather. He's old enough to handle magic."
Dudley dropped his jaw,
"You're not seriously going to do that, are you?"
Harry laughed and chased Dudley out of his room and down the hallway. Dudley screamed,
"Mum! Dad! Help!"
He hadn't noticed that he dropped the letter so Harry stopped, picked it up, and hurried back to his room.
Right beneath his floor, Harry could hear Dudley explaining his version of what happened. He rushed over to his windowsill, opened the window, and let Hedwig out of his cage.
"Fly to Ron's house. That's where I'll be."
Hedwig flew outside and up into the clouds. Harry was glad that in case whatever should happened, Hedwig would be out and free. For a split second, there was silence. Then he heard the entire family stampeding up the stairs. Harry flicked his wand and the rest of his things jumped in his trunk, and he stuffed his letter in his pocket so Uncle Vernon couldn't take it away. Uncle Vernon had almost knocked down the door as he was entering yelling,
"What's going on up here? What were you doing to our precious Dudley?"
Harry looked around at Aunt Petunia, who was very thin and had much of a horse-like face, then at Uncle Vernon, who was very large and had beady little eyes, and then finally at Dudley, who looked just like Uncle Vernon.
"Well, you see, Dudley came-."
Uncle Vernon shouted back,
"Don't even think of making this his fault! He told us the truth!"
Harry jumped in,
"Well he's a fat liar!"
Uncle Vernon was speechless and so was Harry. He thought he would never have the courage to say that, but at least his anger went out from words and not magic.
Harry rushed over to his dresser, grabbed the Floo Powder (Mrs. Weasley had given him for his 15th birthday), and ran downstairs to the Living room. Mr. Weasley had the fireplace connected to the Floo Network so Harry could leave in case of an emergency. The Dursleys' followed him, but suddenly stopped when they saw him duck into the fireplace. Harry blew the Floo Powder and yelled,
"The Burrow!"
Uncle Vernon went to grab him, but he became blinded by the green light. After the light had vanished, Harry had vanished too. The three exchanged puzzled looks but then went on about their day.
"Dudley, go get that bloody pigeon of his."
Harry kept his eyes shut until he had stopped spinning and the green light had vanished. The first thing Harry saw when he stepped out from The Weasleys' fireplace was Ginny staring at him. Harry stared back whiling brushing the soot off him until Ron walked in the room saying,
"Ginny, what did you blow- Harry! Is it 5 already?"
Harry smiled and said,
"No, it was an emergency. Sorry I did not bring the trunk with me. I'll go back tomorrow and pick it up. But, I did let Hedwig out, so she should be arriving soon."
"Yeah, okay." Ron shook his head, "That's no problem, that family is an emergency. So what did they do now?"
"Hi Harry," Ginny squeaked.
"Hi Ginny. Okay, I was just about packed when-."
Ginny squeaked again,
"I'm good."
Harry and Ron both turned and looked at her. Ron had the expression on his face for her to leave, but she didn't.
"Ugh," he groaned, rolling his eyes, and grabbed Harry's arm and walked up the stairs to his room. Ginny watched them run up the stairs, then plopped down on the couch and sighed.
"Ginny, she is so annoying!"
Harry smirked while they, shortly, were stopped by Fred and George saying,
"Hey, thanks again for that money. We invented three new joke candies. Care to try some?"
Harry and Ron shook their heads and they continued walking to Ron's room.
"Yeah." Ron said, "They took your advice and bought me two new dress robes. Come see! Strange, I would've thought that they would spend it on candy or something like that."
Ron opened his door, rushed over to his wardrobe, and pulled out a green robe and a blue robe.
"What brings out my eyes more," Ron asked jokingly. "Blue or green?" Harry responded, laughing,
"Oh definitely the blue!" Ron's laughter shook the entire house. Then he threw them in his trunk.
"Okay, continue with your story now," Ron said. Harry couldn't stop laughing,
"Well I was finishing packing and Dudley walked in-."
Knock, Knock, Knock
"Bloody hell. Go away," Ron yelled.
"Excuse me," they heard a familiar voice said.
"Hermione," they both asked. Ron got up and answered the door and Hermione walked in with her trunk.
"Sorry, my parents had a family emergency."
"Well I guess everyone is having emergencies these days," Ron assumed, turning to Harry.
"Anyways, very sorry I didn't see you two this summer either. We've been busy. But you got my letters right?"
They both nodded. Crookshanks walked in and saw Pigwidgeon. Pigwidgeon was Ron's owl that Harry's godfather, Sirius, gave him at the end of his third year. Ron called him Pig. Pig saw Crookshanks and started flapping and screeching wildly in his cage.
"Will you get that stupid cat out of here," Ron yelled. Hermione rolled her eyes, scooted Crookshanks out the door, and closed it. Ron walked over and yelled,
"Shut up Pig!"
Ron picked up the Daily Profit newspaper and hit his cage, then threw it on his bed and Hermione noticed on the front page the front headline said,
Granger's Galaxy in Jeopardy
Hermione ran over to the bed and sat on the paper. Ron looked at her lost in thought. Just then Hedwig flew in over to Pig's water dish.
"Hi Hedwig. I'm glad you made it. Are you all right?"
Hedwig was lapping the water quickly but finished and flew upon Harry's arm and nibbled his ear in response. Harry smirked and said,
"Oh my letter! I completely forgot about it."
He pulled it out and read:
Dear Mr. Potter, Another year has arrived and enclosed is a list of what you will need for your classes. We have a new Defence Against the Dark Arts teacher; whose name is Professor Fleur Delacour. In addition, we have two new students in from America. Their names are Shelbi Klein and Fern Tropet. If you would like to help them out around Diagon Alley, Platform 9 ¾, and the Hogwarts Grounds, please write back on a separate sheet of parchment. School starts September 1st. See you at Hogwarts.
~Minerva McGonagall Deputy Headmistress
"I've got one of those too," Hermione said. "I'm going to take Fern. Her name makes her sounds so sweet."
"You know," Ron smirked, "She's not 6."
Hermione and Harry responded to Professor McGonagall's request saying they would love to and had Pigwidgeon send the letter. Then, Harry wrote to Sirius saying that he would be staying at Ron's the rest of summer, and had Hedwig send off that letter. Just then, Mrs. Weasley walked in,
"Oh, Hermione dear, I wasn't expecting you. That's all right. There is always enough food. Come along."
At dinner, Mr. and Mrs. Weasley and Percy were discussing about what was new at the Ministry of Magic, and Ginny was staring at Harry (barely making the food into her mouth). Harry, Hermione, and Ron were pondering about the new students, and Fred and George were discussing their profits they have from their new prank candies (but talking quietly so Mrs. Weasley couldn't hear.)
"So Harry, what do you think the new students will be like," Hermione asked.
"Well," Harry answered, "I think they'll be cool. Plus, we'll get to know them quickly because they are in most of our classes."
"What," Ginny choked.
"Fred, Ginny's got competition with the new girls."
Harry scratched his fork across his plate, staring at George.
"Harry, are you okay," Hermione asked.
"Yeah, I'm fine."
"Oh, George. Look, Harry's blushing."
"Fred, please," Mrs. Weasley shouted, "Not at the table! Now, go on Arthur."
"Well," Mr. Weasley began, "Rumours are going around that Robert Granger, er, Hermione, isn't he related to you?"
Hermione looked at Harry and Ron and said,
"Yeah, my mum and dad went to visit him."
"Well, anyways, he was attacked by two ladies named Kellie Binsh and Jennifer Ropett. They were trying to steal the galaxy hidden within this crystal," and pulled out a shiny, white crystal.
"He told me to give it to you. He thinks you are the only person that it is safe with. Funny, really, don't know why. He also said that you'll know what to do with it when the time came."
The three were very confused. They got up from their seats and ran upstairs. Mrs. Weasley surprisingly asked,
"Don't you want any dessert?"
Ron shouted from the stairs,
"Yeah, have Ginny bring it up!" He also added, whispering,
"She's good for something."
Mrs. Weasley had a displeased look on her face, but Ginny squeaked,
"I don't mind."
When the three reached Ron's room, Hedwig and Pig were both sitting in his room.
"Wow," Ron said, "Never seen them fly so fast before. Must be the water."
"Oh yes," Hermione rolled her eyes and jokingly said. "The water is magical."
Harry opened up the one from Sirius first:
Thanks for letting me know where you are. Hope those Dursleys' were treating' you well. Talk to you soon.
Sirius
Hermione then opened up the second letter and pulled out a piece of parchment with two pictures. She read:
Dear Mr. Potter and Miss Granger, Thank you so much for contributing your time. Enclosed is a list of what they will need for school and a picture of each child. You can meet them on Sept. 1st in front of the Leaky Caldron. See you soon!
~Minerva McGonagall Deputy Headmistress
Ginny walked in with four pieces of chocolate cake.
"Mmm, my favourite," Ron said leaning over Hermione and glancing at the cake and then at the pictures.
"Wow, is that Shelbi?"
Shelbi had medium length light blonde hair, blue eyes, and fare skin.
"Yeah," Harry answered. "And this is Fern."
Fern had short dark, ginger hair, dark green eyes and a light tan. For a while, Harry and Ron were speechless, but then Ron asked,
"Why do you suppose your relative thought that the crystal would only be safe with you, Hermione?"
"I'm not sure," she answered. "Maybe, because we're at Hogwarts and we're safe from fiends, because Professor Dumbledore just put that invisible barrier around the Hogwarts grounds."
"He did?"
"Yes, he did."
Mrs. Weasley walked in and flicked her wand. In popped two beds for Hermione and Harry.
"Good night kids," she said. "Ginny time for bed."
While everyone fell asleep, Harry stayed up thinking about Shelbi and Fern.
The next morning, Harry and Mr. Weasley used the Floo Powder back to The Dursleys' home. Dudley was the only one home and all he did was pester Harry about how much trouble he is going to be in when he gets home. Harry just ignored him. Mr. Weasley and Harry carried his trunk down the stairs and Harry carried Hedwig's cage in the other hand. Just before they left, Mr. Weasley said,
"Bye Didley."
"Dudley," Dudley corrected him.
"No, I'm Arthur."
They stepped in the fireplace and left. When they got back to the Burrow, all the children put their trunks in Mr. Weasley's new car (which he got in the department, Misuse of Muggle Merchandise). The kids used the Floo Powder to get to Diagon Alley, and Mr. and Mrs. Weasley took the car. When they got to Diagon Alley, Fred and George went off and bought their things, Ginny went along. Harry, Hermione, Ron went to the front outside of the Leaky Caldron. They saw two girls standing with their backs toward them.
"Um, Shelbi, Fern?"
The two girls turned around and sure enough, it was they. Shelbi was wearing a light blue dress with a Gryffindor cape, and sitting next to was her cat, Annabelle. Fern was wearing a navy blue dress with a Gryffindor cape, and her cat, Gypsy.
"Oh look Crookshanks," Hermione pointed. "You've got someone other cats to play with."
"Hi, I'm Shelbi and this is Fern."
"Well, I'm- I'm-."
Shelbi finished his sentence,
"Ah, yes, you must be Harry, your Hermione, and your, um, Ronald."
"Ron," Ron corrected.
Fern finally spoke,
"Don't we have things to buy?"
"Yes," Hermione answered. "Let me show you the proper way to get into Diagon Alley."
"It's the only way," Ron whispered.
The two girls giggled. Fern followed Hermione through the Leaky Caldron and Harry, Ron, and Shelbi followed. Hermione tapped on the bricks and the entrance opened. Shelbi was just exiting the pub when she looked back and saw all the people staring at her. She glared at them and left.
Diagon Alley was filled with tons of witches and wizards. It seemed like everywhere you turned, someone was in the way. As they walked into Flourish and Blotts and there were many people buying books, quills, ink, and parchment. They also saw Draco Malfoy there with his mother.
"Ah, we're going over there to get our books," Shelbi said. "Come on Fern."
Draco noticed Harry and walked over him,
"Hello, Potter. Here with the Weasels' again I see. Well do not expect them to buy any books for you; they have enough trouble going on in their lives. Pity, Ginny won't learn anything with books that have torn pages."
He glanced over Harry's shoulder a noticed Shelbi.
"Ah, who are you," he said walking over to her. She turned and said,
"I'm Shelbi. Who are you and what house are you in?"
Draco laughed and said,
"I'm Draco Malfoy, and I'm in Slytherin."
She was smiling until she noticed Harry walking over and then she screamed,
"Ugh, a Slytherin! Get away from me!"
Draco did not move. Ron shoved his books into Harry and walked over to Draco. Before he could do anything, Draco's mother walked up behind him,
"Oh pleasure. Dracey, do you have to buy your books here? I know a 'special' store just for people like us," glancing over at Ron. "Not for people like them. Come on!"
Harry stood staring at her. She turned and gave him a nasty smile and rolled her eyes. Ron shouted as Draco was leaving the store,
"See you soon Dracey!"
Draco turned and stared angrily back. Mrs. Weasley walked up and asked,
"Everyone have their things? Good, let's go!"
At King's Cross Station, the Weasley children walked through the gate onto Platform 9 ¾. Mrs. Weasley gave Ron, Hermione, and Harry a kiss on the head and said,
"Now you three stay out of trouble okay?"
They nodded their heads.
"Good, now I'll help these girls through the portal. Go on."
After they walked through, they stopped and waited for Shelbi and Fern. Just then, they came through and Fern cheered,
"Wow, we made it through!"
"Why is that so amazing," Ron asked.
"Oh, ah, we never had to do this sort of thing in America."
On the train, Ron, Hermione, and Harry were sitting on one side of the train compartment, and Ginny, Shelbi, and Fern were sitting on the other side.
"So who are you taking to the ball this year, Harry?" Ron asked.
"Well," he answered. "I was thinking, since we have new students we could all just go as friends, and then dance with whomever we want."
Hermione leaned over and whispered,
"Good answer."
Later, they went on to talking about Robert Granger.
"Hermione, I thought you didn't know the person your parents went to visit." Ron asked.
"Yeah, well I didn't think it was really important, until I found about this," and took out crystal.
Fern said,
"Oh that's so beautiful! May I see it?"
"Sorry, but I can't let anyone touch it. Some people were trying to steal it."
"Well, do you think that we're actually going to steal it?"
"No offence, but I really don't know you. Maybe after I get to know you a bit more you can see it."
"Okay.but who would try to steal it?"
"Two girls named Kellie Binsh and Jennifer Tropet."
"I see."
"You know," Ron began. "For being American, you two sure have a British accent."
The looked at each other and Shelbi responded,
"We were born here, but moved to America when we were very young. However, we caught the accents quickly."
"Oh, okay."
Hermione looked around the cabin and then placed the crystal back in her pocket. The cabin was quiet for the rest of the trip to Hogwarts.
When the train stopped, they heard a familiar voice,
"First years, this way please."
It was Hagrid! They got off the train and Harry, Ron, Ginny, and Hermione waved to him as they walked to the horseless-buggies. The buggies brought the students up to Hogwarts. Shelbi and Fern were oddly so excited. Harry heard Fern whisper to Shelbi,
"Can you believe we're actually here?"
All of sudden, an alarm was going off.
"What is that," Harry asked. "Turn it off!"
"What," Ron asked.
"TURN- IT-OFF!"
"Sure enough? Sure enough of what?"
The buggy stopped and Professor Dumbledore apparated.
"Professor Dumbledore, turn it off," Harry yelled again.
Professor Dumbledore clapped his hands twice and the alarm stopped.
"Sorry about that. I guess this barrier isn't working out as I hoped. No matter, I'll have it fixed."
The buggy continued and Professor Dumbledore disapparated.
Harry looked at Ron and shook his head, while Shelbi and Fern were quiet until they reached Hogwarts.
When they reached the Great Hall, Harry, and Hermione showed Shelbi and Fern where the Gryffindors and other houses sat. As they were doing so, they saw some fellow students including Neville Longbottom, Malfoy's dim- witted friends, Crabbe and Goyle, and they also met Seamus. After a couple of minutes, they sat at their tables and watched as the newcomers followed Professor McGonagall, proceeding toward Professor Dumbledore. He gave his usual speech and then the sorting ceremony began. Some new Gryffindors were Justin Crankshed, Cynthia Lite, and Stephanie Dee. When the sorting ceremony had finished, Professor Dumbledore announced,
"Let the feast, begin."
All kinds of food then appeared. Shelbi and Fern were astonished. Everyone started eating chicken, turkey, French fries, fruit, and corn on the cob. Nearly Headless Nick popped in and welcomed the Gryffindor first years.
"Who is that?" Shelbi asked.
"Nearly Headless Nick, but he's likes to be called Sir Nicholas." Harry answered.
"Hello Harry. Hello Ron. Hello Hermione. Hello- my, my who are these two lovely ladies," Nearly Headless Nick asked.
The girls blushed and Shelbi answered,
"Well, I'm Shelbi and this is Fern."
"They're new, so we're helping them out," Ron added.
"Oh, well hope you have a great time here!" Nearly Headless Nick proclaimed. "Kids, you're not going to believe this, but I finally got to join the headless hunt."
"They were probably sick of him nagging" Ron sniggered. "OW!"
Hermione had kicked him under the table,
"Well we're happy for you! Oh, I forgot to mention that my letter also told me that I'm a prefect.
"How can someone forget about that," Ron muttered.
After dinner, Harry and Ron showed Shelbi and Jennifer how to get to the Gryffindor Tower. Hermione led the first years around the school and explained how to get to certain classes and to watch out for the staircases because they like to change. When they arrived to the entrance of the Gryffindor Common Room, the Fat Lady asked,
"Password?"
Hermione replied,
"Gistros Humaine"
The painting moved aside and they walked in. Harry and Ron were sitting playing Wizards Chess. Hermione explained,
"The girls dormitories are upstairs and to the right, boys the same on your left. Now, everyone upstairs, you have a big day tomorrow." All the first years piled up the staircase as Hermione said,
"Hey, what are you guys doing up? Where are Shelbi and Fern?"
"They went to sleep. So how'd you do," Harry asked.
"In other words, did I mess up?"
"Pretty much," Ron laughed.
Hermione answered,
"Well, if you have to know, I did a perfect job. But, I've never seen 1st years ask so many questions before."
"That's a prefect for you," Ron jokingly rolled his eyes.
The next day, Harry and Hermione showed Jennifer and Shelbi the way to Divinations class.
"Well, I'll meet you guys in the Great Hall later," Hermione waved.
"Where are you going," Shelbi asked.
"Oh, to my class. I dropped out of this class two years ago."
When they walked in, they saw Ginny motioning them to sit by her. Shelbi quickly said while walking,
"Oh, but can we sit here? I like to be back away from the teacher."
"Sure," Harry said and class began.
After class ended, they went to the Great Hall for breakfast.
"What is this," Shelbi asked.
"It's egg omelette, bacon, and toast," Ron answered.
"I can't eat this!"
"Why not?"
"I-I am allergic to eggs. Silly, I know."
"Well, that's okay, here," Harry said and took out his wand. He swished it and said, "Brakefeast Esquamento!"
There appeared fruit, milk, and pancakes.
"Man," Ron began. "I wish I was allergic to eggs!"
"Harry, you know we aren't suppose to do magic between classes in the corridors," Hermione shouted at him in a whisper.
"Well you want her to get sick?"
"No."
"Harry Potter," Professor McGonagall shouted.
Harry walked up and she asked,
"What is the meaning of this? You know you are not supposed to do magic now, especially in front of a teacher," Harry was thinking there was an echo in the Great Hall. "Ten points will be taken from Gryffindor for your mindless manner."
"But she-"
"Sit down Mr. Potter!"
Harry dropped his jaw and sat down.
"What happened," Ron asked.
"Shelbi Klein," Professor McGonagall shouted again. Shelbi then walked up and McGonagall asked.
"What is the meaning of you having Mr. Potter use magic?"
"Well I was allergic to eggs."
"Why didn't your parents put that down on your application?"
"I have no parents. I stayed at my old school."
"Oh, sorry."
"That's okay. Sorry for any trouble I caused."
"That's quite alright. I won't take off any points."
"Thank you."
"But," Professor McGonagall added. "You should let us know before hand okay? Next time remember that."
"Okay."
Shelbi walked back to her seat.
"So what happened with you now," Ron asked.
"Never-mind, but there won't be any points taken off Gryffindor."
"Good! Hey, would you girls like to meet our friend Hagrid?"
"Who's Hagrid? A classmate," Fern asked.
"Not quite," Harry grinned.
They walked out towards Hagrid's Hut and knocked on the door. He opened the door and said,
"Oh hello!"
"Whoa," Fern gasped.
"Yeah I get that er lot," Hagrid laughed. "So a' these the girls I saw with yer, Harry, when yeh got off the train?"
"Yeah, this is Fern and this is Shelbi," Harry responded. "They are from America."
"Oh, all the way from there eh. Well you two have er good time here while yeh can! Oh, did Harry tell yeh tha' he is the seeke' fo' Gryffindo'?"
"Really? No he didn't," Shelbi, said, "I was also a seeker for my house, the Norcross. Fern here was a chaser. You must be a great seeker!" Harry blushed and Hermione huffed,
"Come on, we have Charms next."
Shelbi grabbed Harry's hand and walked with him. Fern saw and grabbed Ron's hand, smiled, and walked with him.
"You know," said Ron, "I when play for fun, I'm a Chaser."