Chapter 4

The next day, Harry woke up feeling refreshed and ready for the day. He wondered what his timetable would be for this year and what they had to study for the OWLs they would be sitting. 15, thought Harry, how did I ever make it this far? He got dressed and found Ron downstairs in the common room

"Hello mate," he said. "I wondered if you were getting up today. So you ready, shall we go to breakfast? Where's Hermione?"

"I'm here, Ron before you get all impatient," she saw Harry. "Oh hello, Harry, didn't see you there, shall we go?"

"Err, yeah. Lets go."

They three friends walked out through the portrait hole. "It's good to be back here, it almost feels normal to be honest. Wonder why those people are here with Dumbledore," said Ron. "I bet it's something secret, to do with You-Know-Who most likely."

"If it concerned you Weasley, then he'd say wouldn't he? Not that he would, you're not important enough," said the voice of someone Harry had been dreading hearing again.

"That's great, Malfoy. But I don't suppose you know any more than I do, do you?" said Ron. "I mean why would Dumbledore tell you, you'd probably go and tell You-Know-Who as fast as you could." Draco went paler than usual, but red at the same time.

"I'm warning you Weasley, one more word-," snarled Draco but Ron continued in a satisfied tone that said he wasn't afraid of the ferret anymore.

"Hey come on, I'm only speaking the truth, I mean your dad licks his arse doesn't he?" said Ron, being stirred on to greater heights by the other Gryffindors.

"Ron, leave it, don't get into trouble," said Hermione, "Please."

"But wasn't Lucius Malfoy in the circle of Death Eaters when Harry faced the Dark Lord last June? Or didn't he tell you, Draco, afraid to hurt your feelings?" but then Ron ran out of luck.

"Ronald Weasley, kindly bring yourself over here and explain now why you think that behaviour is acceptable when you are in school?" said a very stern voice over Ron's shoulder. Ron turned around, his ears pink with embarrassment.

"But Professor, he provoked me. I mean no harm, sir." Ron didn't know what else to say as Dumbledore looked at him over his half-moon spectacles. Harry decided to speak up. He felt brave, not that he felt threatened by the Headmaster.

"Sir, can I say something, please?" asked Harry, Hermione looked on, not being sure what to say. The whole of Gryffindor house were watching the scene unfold. Fred and George were holding back sniggers.

"Yes, Mr Potter?" asked Dumbledore calmly.

"Well, you see Draco has been trying to get Ron for nearly 3 years, it's not fair that he should be punished when Draco, with all respect, deserved it," said Harry. "And I'm sure Ron is sorry, aren't you Ron?"

"Oh yes, I am, Professor," said Ron. Dumbledore nodded and told them to go to breakfast.

"Don't bother these two again, Mr Malfoy. Or you will find yourself in great trouble indeed. More so than you already are…" The Headmaster strolled away. " Come along Gryffindors, breakfast is calling." Draco scowled after them.

They all followed. They sat down to eggs, bacon, sausage, toast, cereal and anything else that you'd like ever for breakfast. Harry was hungry, looking around for the guests that were spoke of. Harry couldn't see any of them. He looked out for Mrs Figg, but he didn't see her anywhere. Hermione was obviously thinking the same thing. "I don't think they are coming to eat with us, you know. Oh god, look at the time, nearly lesson time." But at that moment Professor Dumbledore got up to address them all.

"Now, I want your attention, please." The noise in the hall died, instantly. "That's better. My guests are here, please do not question them, they are not you concern. Your timetables will be handed out shortly. Fifth years please note, you are being tested this year. The OWL's will commence later next spring. Until then I suggest you work extra hard. These are important, especially now as we must be as normal as we can. We need to know you or we will have a future. Some of you would do well to remember, you are lucky. Now off you go once you have eaten, lessons begin at 9.05. Don't be late. Harry Potter can you please see me before you go to your classes. Thank you."

Why does he want to see me, thought Harry. Whatever it was, it must be important. Their first lesson was Potions, so Harry told them to go on, he didn't want them to get in trouble on their first day back. They went, Ron laughing and joking with Hermione.

Harry made his way up to the staff table where Dumbledore was sitting, waiting for him. "Harry," he said, "Come with me, there is someone I'd like to you to meet."

"Ok, Professor. Who is it? Is Sirius here?" asked Harry hopefully. "Please tell me if he is, I've missed him." Harry looked at Dumbledore hopefully.

"Well, I wont lie to you, Harry. He's not here; I was expecting him, along with Remus. I hope they have only been delayed, but they would've been in touch…" Dumbledore trailed off, looking worried. Harry began to feel sick, hoping Sirius was alright.

"Professor?" asked Harry.

"Sorry, my boy, got distracted. Now where were we? Ah, yes. The special guest." Harry looked at him. "Who?" asked Harry. Dumbledore just smiled and told him to follow. They left the Great Hall. Up the corridors to a part of the school that Harry had never been before. He thought he knew the many passages and twists and turns of the school. Obviously not. They came to a larger corridor with torches burning on the walls. They walked on, Harry wondered how much longer. Dumbledore seemed to read his mind.

"Nearly there. Just a few more steps." And sure enough Dumbledore stopped. "Here we are." He knocked on the door. A voice from inside answered softly.

"Come in."

Harry and Dumbledore entered and Harry saw an old but graceful lady sat at a table having toast with a pet owl. "I don't understand," said Harry. "Who are you?"

Dumbledore laughed softly. But Harry was still puzzled. The old lady looked up, her green eyes fixed on Harry.

"Good morning Albus." Harry could see her eyes beginning to brim with tears. However she was smiling through her tears. Harry was astounded; he had to say something.

"What is going on? Can someone tell me?" he asked, mostly exasperated with Dumbledore for what was happening, which was nothing. Why bring Harry down here if this was all that was going to happen.

"Harry, I am surprised at your impatience. Say hello to Elise, Harry. She's your grandmother.

Harry just did not know what to say. 

Meanwhile, in Potions with Professor Snape, things were not going well. Ron and Hermione were arguing as never before, which in turn had got them a detention. Snape was in a foul mood and Gryffindor were losing points by the minute. The Slytherins all seemed quiet. Not really caring what was going o, Draco was not even taunting Neville. The atmosphere was strange and although Snapes mood was awful, he did not seem himself. Perhaps it had something to do with Voldemort.

"Ron how many times, don't do it like that! You're making the Potion all wrong!" snarled Hermione.