Harry took Luna's hand, "Thank you, Holly, Luna, and I are happy too."
Viktor came over and shook Harry's hand while Holly hugged Luna. "Congratulations, Harry, I am happy for you as vell. As your sister said, you two make a luffly couple."
"Thank you, Viktor."
"You are velcome."
"So, what do you guys want to do now?" Harry asked.
"Well, since your letters have already arrived from Hogwarts. Why don't you do your shopping? Then you can take Viktor into Muggle London and show him around," Hermione suggested.
"That's a great idea, Mione," Holly said.
"I'll go get our letter," Harry said as he ran upstairs to get their letters.
In the meantime, Holly had one of the house-elves take Viktor's luggage up to the room next to hers. It was decided that Hermione and Luna would stay with Holly and Harry, and they would all go to the station together. When Harry came back down, he gave Holly her letter.
Uniform:
The quantity given is the suggested minimum requirements.
1. Three sets of plain work robes (black)
2. One plain pointed hat (black) for day wear 3. One winter cloak (black with silver fastenings)
4. Three white shirts for boys or blouses for girls 5. Two grey sweaters, vests, or cardigans 6. Two charmable ties in house colours 7. One charmable winter scarf in house colours 8. Two pairs of trousers or shorts for boys, or skirts for girls 9. Three pairs of white knee socks or black wool stockings for girls, or grey knee socks or black ankle socks for boys.
10. One set of dress robes (any colour, conservative style)
Please note that all pupil's clothes should carry name tags.
Required Textbooks Home Life and Social Habits of British Muggles by Wilhelm Wigworthy The Monster Book of Monsters Creature Comforts: A Guide to Magical Creature Environments by Winnie Rider The Standard Book of Spells Grade 5 by Miranda Goshawk The Complete Constellation Dictionary 3rd Edition Futhark Magic: A Study of Ancient Runes Spellman's Syllabary Curses and Counter-Curses by Vindictus Viridian Modern Magical History The Dream Oracle Achievements in Charming Poisonous Plants and the Art of Medicine by O. Ollesteria Numbers and the Meaning of Life: Advanced Arithmancy by Perseus Pythagoras Nancy Nova Brings you the Planets One Thousand Magical Herbs and Fungi by Phyllida Spore
Other Equipment:
1 wand 2 cauldrons (pewter, standard size 2, copper standard size 4)
1 set crystal vials 1 telescope One hardened brass or silver scales One advanced potions ingredients kit 1 set of protective gloves Quills Inks Parchment Blank Journal Muggle Pencil or Pen if taking Muggle Studies One abacus Lunarscope Crystal Ball Rune Set Wand Holster
Students may also bring two familiars or pets, with one of them being an owl. Approved familiars are:
Toad Cat Rat Pygmy Puff Owl
Others may be approved on a case by case basis. You will need to get permission from the school RPG admin (Zoe) before bringing any other pets to school.
Holly read over the list and nodded. She, Hermione, and the others weren't going to bother with the pens and pencils since they weren't going to take Muggle Studies. It was a ridiculous class that was outdated anyway. They all needed to get new clothes since they had all grown over the summer, especially Harry. So they needed to stop by Madam Malkin's. And they needed to stop by the Quidditch shop to buy Holly equipment to try out for the team.
"Okay, you guys, let's go," Hermione said.
Hermione grabbed some floo powder and went to the fireplace and stepped in, "The Leaky Cauldron," She said and threw the powder down. She was engulfed in a green flame and disappeared.
Luna went next, then Viktor, Holly, and finally, Harry. When they arrived, they made their way to the back courtyard, and Harry pulled his wand out and tapped the bricks. The bricks moved aside, and they entered Diagon Alley. When they entered the Alley, Holly realized how antiquated their Wizarding District must look to Viktor compared to Bulgaria; it was almost embarrassing. But Viktor didn't say anything. He didn't want to make Holly uncomfortable.
Their first stop was Gringotts to get some money to do their shopping. Once everyone had gotten money out of their vaults and Hermione had exchanged her pounds to galleons, they went to Madam Malkin's first. It took a while for the ladies to measure and fit Holly, Harry, Hermione, and Luna since the shop was so busy. So once Madam Malkin fitted them for their robes, she told them to come back in an hour to pick up their robes.
Their next stop was the apothecary to restock their supplies for potions class. They decided to save Flourish and Blotts for last, or they would lose Hermione and Holly in the shop for hours. Next, they went to Potage's Cauldron Shop to buy the cauldrons they would need for potions class. Hermione and Holly were required to go to Magical Menagerie to pick up some supplies for Crookshanks and Archimedes, and while they were there, Luna decided to get a Pygmy Puff as a pet.
While the girls did that, Viktor and Harry went to Quality Quidditch Supplies. Viktor decided that he would buy all the equipment that Holly would need when she made the Quidditch team. Viktor was positive that Holly was going to make the team with no problem. The only thing Viktor and Harry were not expecting was for Viktor to get recognized and be bombarded for autographs. It took nearly an hour for Viktor to escape the Quidditch shop and get back to Holly and the others.
Viktor sighed when he finally got out of the Quidditch shop. Harry was waiting for him outside and starting laughing at him the minute he saw him, "At least they only stare at me, Mate," Harry said.
"Shut up, Harry. I vos hoping no one vould recognize me. Let's go find the girls."
"Wait, we need to go to Scribbulus Writing Implements to get some quills, ink, and parchment, then we'll go look for the girls."
Viktor nodded and then went into the shop to get everything Harry and the others would need for the term. Once they had enough, Harry paid, and Viktor and Harry went to Madam Malkin's to look for the girls. Sure enough, the girls were there picking up the clothes they had ordered earlier. Viktor smiled when he saw Holly. He hugged and kissed her on the lips. After Viktor shrank their packages and the girls put them in their purses, they moved on to Flourish and Blotts.
This time the group only spent two hours in the bookstore as Holly, Hermione, and Luna browsed for new books. Viktor followed Holly as she handed him book after book. He smiled at her as he saw how happy she was collecting new books to read. He looked over at Harry, and he was doing the same for Luna. Hermione would leave her books on the counter. Unfortunately for Hermione, Alek had started already started his job at the Bulgarian Ministry; if he hadn't, he would have seen Hermione off to school
The group finally left Flourish and Blotts after the girls got all the books they wanted. Viktor once again shrank down the packages, and they headed back to the Leaky Cauldron. After that, they walked out of the Leaky Cauldron into Muggle London, "Alright, Hermione, you're the tour guide." Holly said to her best friend
Hermione nodded, "Okay, I think the first place we should go get something to eat, then from there, decide what we want to do," Hermione said.
They agreed and headed into the Leaky Cauldron to have lunch. As the group waited for their lunch, Hermione started telling the group about everything they could do in Muggle London. Everyone agreed that wherever Hermione wanted to show them was okay with the others. So, after lunch, Hermione started her tour of London. She took them to all the typical sights. Hermione took them to the British Museum, Tower of London, Big Ben, Buckingham Palace, Tower Bridge, St. Paul's Cathedral, Hyde Park, Palace of Westminster, Westminster Abbey, and finally that evening to the London Eye. Holly, Viktor, Harry, and Luna enjoyed the beautiful sight of London at night. Viktor hugged Holly and kissed her head as they looked over the city.
After that, they took in a show then headed back to the Leaky Cauldron to floo back to Potter Manor. When they arrived, Hermione, Luna, and Harry went upstairs to bed, while Viktor and Holly sat in the living room by the fire in each other's arm, watching the fire and talking.
"I vill miss you, my luff vhen you go to school," Viktor told Holly.
"So will I, Love, but I promise that I will write to you as often as I can."
"And I shall do the same," Viktor said as he kissed Holly's temple.
Holly kissed Viktor's chin; then, they lapsed into a comfortable silence and sat in front of the fire. Eventually, the couple fell asleep in each other's arms by the fireplace. When Remus came down for some cocoa, he smiled at seeing the young couple together; but he decided to wake them and send them to their rooms before Sirius came down and had a fit.
Remus shook Viktor and Holly awake, "Come on, you two, it's time for you to go to bed. It's late, and we don't want Padfoot to catch you like this."
Holly yawned and sat up, "Okay, Moony."
With that, the couple got up and made their way upstairs and went to their rooms, but not before kissing goodnight.
The remainder of the week went by as perfect as it had in Bulgaria. Holly and Viktor spent every waking moment together. The couple would take long walks through the gardens and play with Archimedes. They would also go swimming and play Quidditch with Weasleys and Neville when they showed up to spend the rest of the summer with the Potters. It gave Holly a chance to continue to practice her skills as a chaser, and Harry gave Viktor some competition as a seeker.
The night before everyone was supposed to go back to school, Hermione got an unexpected visitor. They had just sat down for dinner when the fireplace roared to life. Holly and Harry looked at each other, wondering who could be arriving. Holly looked at her boyfriend, who had a smirk on his face, and glanced at Hermione. Instantly, Holly understood what Viktor meant.
"I wonder who could it be, Hermione, why don't you come with me to see who arrived," Holly said to her best friend.
Hermione gave Holly a strange look but stood up. They walked into the living room and saw a tall man with his back to them. When he turned around, Hermione squealed and jumped into Aleksandur's arms and kissed him, "Alek, what are you doing here?"
Aleksandur laughed, "Did you honestly think I vouldn't see you off to school, Malka Zvezda (Little Star.)?"
"I thought you were too busy at the ministry."
"For you, Mione, I vill alvays make time," Aleksandur told Hermione, then kissed again.
Hermione started tearing up and hugged her boyfriend tightly, "Thank you."
"My pleasure."
When they broke apart, Holly stepped forward, "Hello, Alek, I'm glad you made it."
Hermione glared at her best friend, "You knew Alek was coming?"
"No, but Viktor did. It was supposed to be a surprise," Holly explained.
Hermione huffed at her best friend, then took Aleksandur's arm, "Have you eaten? We were about to have dinner."
"No, I haven't."
"Then come on, let's have dinner."
They walked into the dining room, and everyone greeted Aleksandur with enthusiasm, "It's good to see you again, mate. Maybe now Hermione will stop moping," George said.
"I was not moping!"
"Yes, you were, Mione," Fred said, then yelped when Ginny pinched him, causing everyone to laugh.
Remus stood up and shook Alek's hand, "I'm glad you didn't have any problems getting here, Alek."
"You knew, Moony?!"
"Of course, I did, Hermione. Surprise," Remus said with a smile.
Hermione let go of Aleksandur and hugged Remus, "Thank you, Moony."
Remus kissed Hermione's head, "You're welcome, Love."
After that, they all sat down and had a lovely dinner. Once dinner was over, Hermione and Aleksandur went to the library so that they could catch up and he could tell her how things were going at the Bulgarian Ministry. They spent the entire night talking and cuddling. After that, Hermione and Aleksandur spent the whole weekend together.
When September first rolled around, there was a mad scramble in the manor with everyone packing their trunks and putting their familiars in their carriers. Once they were ready, Mad-Eye Moody and a few other members of the Order came over to escort the children to Kings Cross Station. Now that Voldemort was back, Moody wanted a protection detail on the Potter twins at all times, but Remus and Sirius told him that they were safe inside the wards of the manor. So they compromised and had them followed without their knowledge whenever they left the property.
Now that everyone was ready, a member of the Order would apparate the teens to platform 9 3/4, though Remus and Sirius were taking Harry and Luna. Moody went first to make sure it was clear; then the others went after him. Viktor and Alek took Holly and Hermione to the platform; they didn't trust anyone else to take their girlfriends.
When everyone arrived, Moody and Tonks searched the train. They found a compartment for all teens to sit together. Once they left the trunks in the compartment, Moody and Tonks got off the train to inform them. Ginny, Neville, and the twins said goodbye to Remus and Sirius, then followed Tonks onto the train so that she could show them to their seats. Next, Harry hugged his parents, "You be careful, pup," Sirius said, "And take care of your sister."
"I will, Padfoot," Harry said. He then hugged Remus.
"Have a good term, cub, be good and try not to get into any trouble this year," Remus said and kissed Harry on the cheek.
"I'll try not to, Moony, but you know the kind of luck that Holly and I have."
"I know, so you two need to be extra careful this year, especially with everything that's going on."
"Okay, Moony."
"I love you, cub."
"I love you too, Moony."
With one final hug to his parents, Harry and Luna boarded the train. While Harry was saying his goodbyes, Holly was holding onto Viktor, waiting for her turn. As soon as Harry let go of Sirius, she stepped forward to hug her father. Sirius smiled at Holly and hugged her fiercely, "Bye Siri. I promise I'll write as often as I can."
"You better, Bambi. I know that this year is going to be harder because of your OWL examins, but please try to have a little fun."
"I'll try, Siri."
"That's a good girl. You be careful and watch over your brother."
"Don't worry, we'll look after each other," Holly said, then kissed Sirius's cheek.
She then moved towards Moony, "Goodbye, baby. Study hard and be careful."
"I will, Moony. You don't have to worry about us."
"I'm your father, of course, I'm going to worry about you."
"I love you, Dad," Holly said, tearing up.
"I love you too, baby."
After Holly let go of Remus, she moved back to Viktor while Hermione said goodbye to Sirius and Remus. Holly wrapped her arms around Viktor's waist and leaned her head against his chest; Viktor kissed the top of Holly's head, "I'm going to miss you so much, Viktor," Holly said and sniffled.
"And I shall miss you also, Luff. But I vill write to you as often as I can, and I vill see you during your holiday."
Holly looked up at Viktor, "You're going to spend Christmas with me?"
"Off course. There is no other place I vould rather be," Viktor said with a smile.
Holly beamed up at him, and Viktor leaned down and kissed her. They stayed there, holding each other until the whistle blew, and Holly had to get on the train. Viktor kissed Holly one last time, "I luff you, Holly."
"I love you too, Viktor."
They reluctantly let go of each other, and Holly started walking towards the train with Hermione, who had also reluctantly let go of Aleksandur. He, too, had promised to come to see her during her Christmas Holiday and that he would write her as often as he could. The girls looked at their boyfriends one last time then boarded the train. Viktor and Aleksandur looked at each other and sighed. They waited until the train was out of sight, then they apparated back to Bulgaria. Viktor had to meet up with his team, and Aleksandur had to work the following day.
On the train, Holly and Hermione found the others and sat down with them, not bothering to say anything. Archimedes and Crookshanks jumped onto their mistress's laps to comfort them. After a while, Harry and the others started talking about Quidditch to get Holly to start talking while Ginny and Luna engaged Hermione in a conversation.
Soon the girls started talking and laughing with the others. They began to speculate how the year would go with their OWLS exams and who could be their Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher. Before they knew it, the train had arrived at Hogwarts. The group disembarked and headed for the carriages. When they got there, Holly and Harry gasped.
"What is that," The twins ask in unison.
"What is what," Hermione asked.
"That thing that's pulling the carriage," Harry said.
"Nothing's pulling the carriage, Harry. It's pulling itself, like always."
Holly and Harry look at each other. Are they going mad?
Luna took Harry's hand, "You're not going mad; I can see them too."
Hermione, Ginny, and Neville looked at each other, "What do you guys see?"
Luna looked at Hermione, "They're called Thestrals. You can only see them if you've seen someone die," She explained.
Hermione gasped; she suddenly realized why the twins could see them because they had witnessed Cedric's murder last year, "Are, are they dangerous," Ginny asked, coming to the same conclusion as Hermione.
"No, they're gentle creatures; we don't have anything to worry about."
"Good. Well, I guess we should be going then," Neville said, then helped Luna, Holly, and Harry into the carriage. Once they sat down, the carriage took off towards the castle.
They arrived just in time for the sorting ceremony. Holly and the others took their seats and listened to the sorting. Once the sorting was done, the feast began. As soon as everyone had finished their desserts, Dumbledore stood up to make a few announcements, "Well, now that we are all digesting another magnificent feast, I beg a few moments of your attention for the usual start-of-term notices," said Dumbledore. "First-years ought to know that the Forest in the grounds is out-of-bounds to students-and a few of our older students ought to know by now, too."
"Mr. Filch, the caretaker, has asked me, for what he tells me is the four-hundred-and-sixty-second time, to remind you all that magic is not permitted in corridors between classes, nor are several other things, all of which can be checked on the extensive list now fastened to Mr. Filch's office door."
"We have had two changes in staffing this year. We are very pleased to welcome back Professor Grubbly-Plank, who will be taking Care of Magical Creatures lessons; we are also delighted to introduce Professor Umbridge, our new Defence Against the Dark Arts teacher."
There was a round of polite but fairly unenthusiastic applause, during which Harry, Holly, and Hermione exchanged slightly panicked looks; Dumbledore had not said for how long Grubbly-Plank would be teaching.
Dumbledore continued, "Tryouts for the house Quidditch teams will take place on the-"
He broke off, looking enquiringly at Professor Umbridge. As she was not much taller standing than sitting, there was a moment when nobody understood why Dumbledore had stopped talking, but then Professor Umbridge cleared her throat, 'Hem, hem,' and it became clear that she had got to her feet and was intending to make a speech.
Dumbledore only looked taken aback for a moment, then he sat down smartly and looked alertly at Professor Umbridge as though he desired nothing better than to listen to her talk. Other members of staff were not as adept at hiding their surprise. Professor Sprout's eyebrows had disappeared into her flyaway hair, and Professor McGonagall's mouth was as thin as Harry had ever seen it. No new teacher had ever interrupted Dumbledore before. Many of the students were smirking; this woman obviously did not know how things were done at Hogwarts.
"Thank you, Headmaster," Professor Umbridge simpered, "for those kind words of welcome."
Her voice was high-pitched, breathy and little-girlish and, again, Harry felt a powerful rush of dislike that he could not explain to himself; all he knew was that he loathed everything about her, from her stupid voice to her fluffy pink cardigan. She gave another little throat-clearing cough ('hem, hem') and continued.
"Well, it is lovely to be back at Hogwarts, I must say!" She smiled, revealing very pointed teeth. "And to see such happy little faces looking up at me!"
"I am very much looking forward to getting to know you all, and I'm sure we'll be very good friends!"
"The Ministry of Magic has always considered the education of young witches and wizards to be of vital importance. The rare gifts with which you were born may come to nothing if not nurtured and honed by careful instruction. The ancient skills unique to the wizarding community must be passed down the generations lest we lose them forever. The treasure trove of magical knowledge amassed by our ancestors must be guarded, replenished, and polished by those who have been called to the noble profession of teaching."
"Every headmaster and headmistress of Hogwarts has brought something new to the weighty task of governing this historic school, and that is as it should be, for, without progress, there will be stagnation and decay. There again, progress for progress's sake must be discouraged, for our tried and tested traditions often require no tinkering. A balance, then, between old and new, between permanence and change, between tradition and innovation . . ."
". . . because some changes will be for the better, while others will come, in the fullness of time, to be recognized as errors of judgment. Meanwhile, some old habits will be retained, and rightly so, whereas others, outmoded and outworn, must be abandoned. Let us move forward, then, into a new era of openness, effectiveness, and accountability, intent on preserving what ought to be preserved, perfecting what needs to be perfected, and pruning wherever we find practices that ought to be prohibited."
She sat down. Dumbledore clapped. The staff followed his lead, though Harry and Holly noticed that several of them brought their hands together only once or twice before stopping. A few students joined in, but most had been taken unawares by the end of the speech, not having listened to more than a few words of it, and before they could start applauding properly, Dumbledore had stood up again.
"Thank you very much, Professor Umbridge, that was most illuminating," he said, bowing to her. "Now, as I was saying, Quidditch tryouts will be held . . . "
Holly and Harry ignored the rest of what Dumbledore was saying, Holly suddenly realized what Professor Umbridge was trying to say. The Ministry was interfering at Hogwarts. She looked at Hermione who had come to the same conclusion. This was going to be another challenging year.