Chapter 2

All the way across the Atlantic Ocean, the three friends Harry Potter, Hermione Granger, and Ron Weasley were back to school shopping in Diagon Alley.

"Let's see, eleven galleons, ten sickles, and five nuts. Is that enough for a new cauldron?" Ron asked.

Hermione looked over his shoulder and replied, "I don't think so. We can make a stop at Gringotts in a few minutes. Harry!"

Harry ran up to his friends with three cups of ice cream and handed them out. The three were soon walking side by side down the walkway, catching up with each other.

"I can't believe McGonagall's making us finish our last year," Ron groused.

"Yeah, after we saved the wizard world even. It's so unfair," Harry agreed.

Hermione frowned disapprovingly. "Come on, boys. It'll be good for our education."

"Isn't that what they all say," Ron murmured to Harry, and the both started snickering.

"Boys," Hermione said, rolling her eyes.

The group kept chatting and when they got into a heated debate of who got the sofa couch in the Leaky Cauldron, they didn't see Hagrid until they literally walked right into him.

"Hagrid!" the friends cried, and they threw themselves into his arms.

"Aye. It's been quite the year, eh? Glad it's fin'lly over. But doesn't mean the excitement's over," Hagrid said, ruffling Harry's hair.

"What do you mean, Hagrid? What's happening?" Hermione asked.

"Oh, there are going to be a few new students this year," Hagrid replied.

Harry interrupted, "Well, yeah, the first years."

"No," Hagrid said with a smile. "The new kids are in yer year. They knew they was magical, but didn't want to come to Hogwarts, but now they do. They've taken a crash course and have somehow learned what you know. They'll be joining you kids."

"Wow! Imagine learning what we've learned in the past, and times the learning speed by eight! That's amazing! They must be really smart!" Hermione exclaimed.

"Jealous of them, Hermy? Sounds like you are," Harry teased.

"I am not!" Hermione said defensively. "It's refreshing to have comrades with higher intellect that you two."

"Ouch. That hurt, mate," Ron said, playing along.

"Anyway, McGonagall has trusted you to show them around and make them feel welcome. Make sure you do," Hagrid chided them.

"Don't worry," Hermione reassured him, "They'll be fine. How many are there?"

"Let's see," Hagrid said, checking a note in his pocket. "Um, four girls, four boys. You satisfied?"

"Yeah. Well, see you soon, Hagrid!" They all waved as the giant man walked away.

The three finished their shopping and sat in the Leaky Cauldron, sipping drinks. Through the open window beside them soared an owl. It circled the room twice, scanning it for the receiver. The owl then landed in front of Harry, dropping the letter on his lap. Harry opened and read it. It was just more information about the exchange students, which he told to Ron and Hermione. The kids talked and laughed, having fun. Although, it didn't seem right to Harry.

For his whole life, nothing had been normal. He grew up without parents and with his horrible aunt and uncle. Then he found out he was a wizard and was in a constant life or death battle with the evil wizard Voldemort. Now that he had been defeated, everything was too quiet, believe it or not. Harry thought adventure soon would be the best thing in the world, when it might just turn out to be the most terrible.

And adventure was coming whether it was good or bad.