Disclaimer: Any character not seen in HP's books, are mine.
A/N okay all you guys and gals. I'll try to remember to spell check this time. I want at least 7 reviews to add chapter 5 after this. So tell your buddies about me, and review. Try not to comment on spelling or grammar. If it's there, I don't want to have to change it. Tell me what to do to make the plot better. Should I pair up C/H. And D/H. What about Ron? R/R.
Chapter Four: The Welcoming Banquet.
Harry entered the great hall, with Ron, Hermione and Liza. Harry was still thinking about Cho and how she had unburdened herself to him. Ron was playing around with the thought of actually going out with Liza. Liza, on the other hand, was trying to pretend no one was staring at her, and praying that she'd be put in Gryffindor. And of course, Hermione was dreaming about Malfoy.
"Hey, mud-blood. You're still alive? I guess the Dark Lord didn't do his job this summer." Draco's voice seemed to drip with an extra venom.
"I guess he is still mad about his father," Hermione thought. Then she felt Ron's elbow dig into hers.
"Not terribly ugly, huh? Well, he sure is ugly inside of him." Hermione glared at him but didn't answer. Liza laughed again, albeit nervously.
"Welcome to another year," said Dumbledore's merry voice. "The first year's will be sorted and then I have a couple of announcements." The Sorting hat began it's traditional, yet new song, and all the first years were called up one by one to the hat. When all of them were called up, the headmaster stood up once again.
"This year we have the privilege of having Liza Beauton join us in her fifth year. She is previously from the South American wizard and witch school called, 'Flemser Magical School for the Young'. She moved here because her parents, aurors were needed. With much kindness they picked up, and just came, to help their fellow wizards. So without further ado, I call up Liza Beauton."
"Did you notice Malfoy's ears prick up when Dumbledore mentioned South America?" Hermione hissed.
"You and Malfoy. You're obsessed." Harry muttered back. Liza walked through the dining room, aware of all the eyes on her. The boys goggling, and the girls looking curious, probably thinking, 'Another girl to fight to get my crush'. She picked up the hat and put it on her head.
"Not too hard. Brave, and strong-hearted. Yes that will be GRYFFINDOR." (That's what all you readers wanted, so that's what I'll give you.)
The Gryffindor table roared with cheers. Ron pulled out a chair for Liza, his face BEAMING.
"Wow Liza, boy are you lucky," said a drawling voice. "You get to be in Crackpot Dumbledore's pretty boy house, and before you even get here, you're friends, with Potty and the Weasel. Mud-blood, someone delivered this to me. Where do you pick up the nerve to sent a letter to a pure-blood like me? You are reaching far above your low standards these days. What's the matter, trying to get on the good side of your betters??" To Harry it seemed like Draco's voice was extra cruel today. Then he glared at Hermione, and noticed Ron's face red with fury. Fred and George looked incredulous. How dare she send a letter to a Slytherin. Especially one like Malfoy. But Dumbledore's standing up stopped everyone from saying anything.
"Sorry Mud-blood. Not now. Maybe another day." Malfoy slunk off.
"Hermione Granger. How dare you collaborate with someone like Malfoy? I'll kill you for this," Ron hissed. Liza put her hand on his arm and whispered soothingly to him. Dumbledore held up a hand for silence.
"Okay all of you. Two more announcements. Firstly, welcome back Professor Lupin." He paused as all tables except for Slytherin screamed their heads off. " Some of you may have heard of the new miraculous potion brewed, that has permanently restored him to his human form. Secondly, this year we will be starting something new. In two weeks from now, as a way of having the year started off with a bang of some fun, we will be doing something quite . . . er . . . different. Half of this school will be picking out a partner from a lot. When you tap the box with your wand it will spell out in smoky letters who you will be working with. As we ever so unfortunately have an uneven amount of students, one person will have to work alone. No Mr. Weasleys, you will not be able to work with three. Each person will have to work with the other regardless of their age, house, and er. . . gender. It will be sort of a treasure hunt, you'll have to look in the Library, around the school and wherever else you may think of. Yes, Miss Granger, I see you look happy about the Library part. Where was I? Oh yes. The restricted section is to be open that day, no you may not go into the forbidden forest. You'll get further instructions later. Now let's sing the school song and off to bed. Oh!! One more thing. This year we have a few Quidditch spots opened." Dumbledore announced the Hufflepuff team captain, one of the chasers. "The Gryffindor captain voted unanimously by the staff was Harry Potter . . .Yes Harry unanimously. Every single one of us!" Harry wore a look of disbelief as the Great Hall broke out in cheers. Lupin beamed at him. Harry saw Cho cheering loudly. His heart swelled with gladness. He noticed, the Slytherins were booing, but Malfoy was trying to catch his eye. He looked excited for him, and then catching himself he sneered. But Harry noticed. Ron slapped him on the back, and Liza and Hermione gave him hugs.
"That mean Snape voted for you, Harry," Hermione confided. "I always knew though he pretended to hate you he really didn't."
"I'll find out from Dumbledore." Harry muttered back, as Dumbledore opened his mouth to continue.
"Let us sing the School song!!" He lifted his wand and the words twisted out:
Hogwarts, Hogwarts hoggy warty hogwarts,
Teach us something please,
Whether we be young . . . (whatever)
The students squeezed their way out when they finished. Hermione, wearing her Prefect Badge told him the password as she pushed through to get ahead to tell the Gryffindor's the password.
Harry suddenly found himself next to Cho.
"Harry, I was calling you!" She pulled him into an empty classroom. "Firstly, congratulations. I'm so happy you made it to the top. I can't believe Snape voted for you." She shook her head, and continued. " I also wanted to tell you thank you for telling me today. I'm glad I can look at you without feeling guilty now. I know I said it before, but I really, really , appreciate it." She looked at him, and suddenly gave him a tight hug. "You're really a special boy Harry. I never realized it, just thought you were famous and probably just a stuck up boy. But now I see otherwise."
Harry looked at her shocked. She just smiled ate him, and continued. "You look tired. Go to sleep, and I'll speak to you." She walked out , with him following behind as if in a dream. Cho called him special. It wasn't amazing, but, at least it was a start.