Chapter 4 ******* Emergencies and Bruises
The Hogwarts Express didn't go to bad, at first Ron kept glaring at him with his arms crosses (still the same color as his hair) and some of their old friends visited like Seamus and dean Thomas who traded some chocolate frog cards with them and they talked about Quidditch. After Ron had cooled down , it was more or less like every hogwarts express ride they had.
They played chess and exploding snap. Hermione (as always) was more interested in a book then talking or watching them. After a while Fred and George came and it looked like they had told lee Jordan about "rons new friend" (the pink teddy) . And it seemed Ron had became totally interested with something outside for he seemed to block out their laughs easily. Finally Lee, George and Fred got tired and left to raid some candy from first years.
After that Hermione and Ron broke into one of their usual arguments about how Quidditch is the best magical branch. Harry watched them for what looked like hours until they didn't even know what they were arguing about. Harry was afraid they were going to break into one of their stupid legendary fights but instead they burst out laughing, in which harry joined. And then before they knew it they were standing infront of Hogwarts getting off their horse less carriages.
They walked into the entrance hall feeling hungry and cold but excited. Peeves who had waxed the floor extra good (purposely) watched as the student slipped and fell on each other. Usually Professor Mc.Gonagall would be on to this scurrying Peeves off and bringing in the first years, but she was no where to be seen. The fact of Mc.Gonagall not being there spread amazingly fast between the hundreds of students waiting to enter the great hall.
Most students were mad and confused because Peeves had been determined to break at least one bone in every students body before they got into the great hall and the students didn't know to even enter the great hall without mc.gonagall's permission. Harry curiously wondered where she could be. The only reason she would miss something as important as this was if there was a great problem, thought harry as he stumbled onto a 7th year girls and he slipped and slid all the way against the opposite wall next to an entrance of a classroom he had never seen before (he practically sure that it had just gotten there, some classrooms at hogwarts liked to move around).
Scurrying to get up (which he did not manage) he suddenly heard Professor sprouts voice," well, he wouldn't just leave us like this would he, I mean he's the headmaster and all" Harry suddenly stopped attempting to get up, determined to hear more he ignored the clatter infront of him in which Ron was trying to get to Harry from. Harry listened with all his might and then heard Professor flitwicks familiar voice ," should we continue the sorting, I mean isn't it necessary for a head master to be here at these sort of things?".
Then through all the whispers coming from the room he heard Mc.Gonagell yell angrily," Of coarse he wouldn't leave us all like this!! Do you think he became headmaster for no absolute good reason?!? (at this point Ron who had seen harry concentrating against the wall soon, joined him and understood the conversation just as well as Harry)" He left a note in my posesion" Mc.Gonagall said "explaining me to tell you all he has been called off for some family emergency.
He's told me to carry on with the feast but postpone the sorting until he got back. He says he's already explained to one of his house elves to set up a table for all the first years. Dumbledore also has written here to carry on with the rule sayings and announcements" "I'll do that professor" said an slimy oily voice Harry knew almost too well. He continued ,"Since I am the most experienced with rules and making things strait"
Harry thought he heard some teachers smirk at that, but his thoughts were interrupted by Mc.Gonagall replying ," Very well Severus, *harry winced at the name* You shall do the announcements and I will explain to the school about the sorting being postponed" Then the giant voice of Hagrid was heard asking ," But professor if the firs' years aren' sor'ed today then we can' start the classes until they are sor'ed. can' we?" A smile appeared on both Ron and Harry's face.
Harry listened hopefully as silence arose, but the silence was broken by Mc.Gonagall saying," Your right Hagrid we cant start classes or give out any work until dumbledore comes back.." She was rudely interrupted by Snape who said ," Surely we can give out some assignments to keep them busy. A couple essays wouldent hurt." But Mc.Gonagall exclaimed," no I think about a weeks vacation would do all our hectic lives some good. And Severus please don't go giving out assignments to students you dislike, I don't think I'm up to staying for detentions".
Snape simply grunted in approval. Mc.Gonagall spoke again seeming much more confident about herself, "Ah yes, and someone will have to meet Arabella at Diagon Alley and bring her here, Its so good we got some one on such short notice... Well I must bring the first years in and open the great hall, I'm sure all of you have things to do, carry on" She finished sounded more like dumbledore than like herself. Ron and Harry Both excitedly pushed themselves away from the wall so they wouldn't be suspected for eaves dropping.
Hurrying to tell Hermione the great news both happy with smiles from ear to ear. But what they found quickly wiped the smiles off their faces, Hermione was surrounded by people on the floor all beaten up with a black eye , her hair obviously yanked, scratches on her arms, face and hands, a bleeding lip and half of a sleeve torn off with bruises all over her arms, but suprisingly she had a proud looking smile on her face!
What happened to Hermione? Why was she smiling? What is the family emergency that Dumbledore had to attend to? Find out in the next chapter.
A/N so did you like the chapter? Hope you did, I thought it was pretty interesting and suspenseful, read and review and you will find out lots of info!
