"My God, that's probably more money than your whole family has had in your entire life, Weasley," Malfoy continued. Ron's face immediately reddened but he stayed put because of Lucius Malfoy standing there. "Shame it has to go to the identical idiots." This was too much for Ron, he took a step towards Malfoy, but Ginny grabbed the back of his robes and with amazing strength, held him back..
Harry, meanwhile, was staring at Lucius, not taking his emerald eyes off of Lucius's gray ones. "Potter," Lucius snarled, leaning in close to Harry so no one else could hear what he was saying. "Watch your back this year--"
"Is there a problem?" someone interrupted. Everyone turned to see Ms. Figg standing behind Harry, wearing a very forced smile. "Lucius, what are you doing here?"
"None of your business, Figg," Lucius snapped. "Come, Draco," he said, glaring at them all before turning and walking away. Malfoy followed suit.
"What did he say, Harry?" Ms. Figg asked, watching the Malfoys retreating backs.
Harry shrugged. "He told me to watch my back this year, and then you came." Seeing Ginny's horrified look, he added, "Come on, Ginny, I'm always getting death threats."
"I suppose that we need to get going," Ms. Figg proclaimed. "Do you have all of your supplies?" When they all nodded, she said, "Well then, let's go and find Arthur and Molly."
It didn't take long, Mr. and Mrs. Weasley came walking up to them, Mrs. Weasley saying furiously, "Arthur, you know you shouldn't have retaliated--"
"I couldn't help it, Molly, whenever Lucius insults--" Mr. Weasley caught sight of the four of them and hurriedly changed the subject. "Have all of your supplies?" he asked in false cheerfulness. More nods. "Good! It's getting late, though, we should get going..." And their day at Diagon Alley was complete.
***
The scarlet train gleamed as smoke poured out of it, signaling it's departure. Harry, Ron, and Hermione all rushed from their spots of talking to the Weasleys to running towards the train. They threw (the best they could) their trunks in and hastily entered. Through the window, they waved good bye to Mrs. Weasley, who waved back and then Disapparated with a small *pop*.
It seemed like it was only yesterday to Harry when he first arrived at Ms. Figg's house and got away from the Dursleys. The one week he spent there went by fast, with Sirius's antics and Ms. Figg's love for embarrassing him with pictures of the "old days". Diagon Alley, with the exception of meeting with the Malfoys, had been a nice little reunion for Harry to see four of the Weasleys, and just today he saw the rest. Percy was bustling about, immensely proud that he had become Head of the Department of Magical Cooperation. Bill and Charlie, because of last years events, were staying at the Burrow, helping with the side of the Ministry that believed in Voldemort's rebirth. Mr. Weasley was nearly always at work with the he exception of the day at Diagon Alley. The only thing that hadn't changed was Harry's sleeping condition. He still only got about four or five hours a night, and it was coming back to haunt him: The dark shadows under his eyes were as dark as they could go, shining brightly against his skin.
All of these things aside, Harry helped Hermione and Ron push their trunks into an empty compartment at the back of the train while easily carrying his own, thanks to the feather light charm Ms. Figg had re-put on his before he left. He tried to remember it for his friends, but with avail, so he settled for pushing them with all his might.
"Don't you have to sit with the Prefects, Hermione?" Harry said. Hermione blushed.
"I don't have to...anyway, I want to stay with you two." she replied.
They all settled into their seats, with Pig hooting excitedly, trying to fly in his cage and hitting he side. Then he'd pick himself up and try again. "Shut up, Pig!" Ron shouted, swatting the cage with his hand. This only made Pig more excited, and Harry dug in his trunk.
"Here," he said, throwing a few Owl treats at Ron, who easily caught them and gave them to Pig. Thankfully, the sticky treats caused Pig to be quiet, at least for the time being. "That was a nice catch," Harry complimented him. "Reckon you'll try out for Keeper this year? Wood's gone."
"I might," Ron said, deep in thought. "I dunno though..."
"You'd do a great job," Harry encouraged him, and for several minutes they were engaged in a Quidditch conversation. Hermione "humphed" and started to re-read Hogwarts, a History.
Ron noticed this, and grinned wickedly. "Still going on about spew, Hermione?"
Hermione reddened. "It's S-P-E-W, Ron," she said hotly. "And no, this year I've decided to take a break with it, with the O.W.L.S coming up. That's doesn't mean I'm giving up!" she said irritably, seeing Ron and Harry chuckle.
"Right..."
"Harry," Hermione said suddenly, "Why haven't you been getting enough sleep?"
Harry asked, "How do you know I'm not getting enough sleep?"
"The shadows under your eyes."
Harry sharply looked at her and said firmly, "Drop it." To his suprise, she did.
The rest of the train ride was uneventful, unless Fred and George bursting inside their compartment counted. The twins were wearing large grins, and they confessed to have sneaked a Ferret Frog into the large stack of Chocolate Frogs that Malfoy, Crabbe, and Goyle had been eating. "Whoever eats it turns into a nice little white ferret!" George exclaimed triumphantly.
"Hope it's Malfoy," Fred said, wiping an imaginary tear from his eye. "He makes a great ferret."
They shared a good laugh, then exited the compartment rambling on about going to see him. Harry grinned. The money he gave the twins wasn't a waste if they got Malfoy.
***
Harry, Ron, and Hermione all sat down at the Gryffindor house table and awaited the Sorting and, more importantly (at least to Ron), the feast. "Hurry up," Ron moaned. "I'm so hungry I could eat a hippogriff."
Just like last year, Nearly Headless Nick, Gryffindor ghost, reprimanded him. "The Sorting is more important than food. It determines who's going to be the newest generation of Gryffindors!"
Ron chose not to reply, but to look up at the staff table. "Harry!" he exclaimed softly. "Look who's at the staff table!" Harry looked, and felt his eyes widen. Sitting up at the staff table between Professor Flitwick and Professor Snape sat--
"Fleur Delacour?" Hermione said in disbelief. "How did she get to be a teacher?"
"Who cares how Fluer got up there?" Ron muttered, gazing at Fluer in awe. Hermione slapped him none-to-gently on the cheek. "What was that for!" Ron said angrily, giving Hermione an evil look.
Hermione replied just as angrily, "It's Professor Delacour now, Ron! She's a teacher!" This seemed to get through to Ron, for he reddened in embarrassment. Harry couldn't help but note that his red face, red hair, and dark red slap mark on his face made his head look like fire. He mentioned this, laughing, and Ron grinned slightly. Harry was glad, it stopped Ron and Hermione from bickering again.
Ignoring the tiny pit of guilt and remorse that came to him--seeing Fluer sitting up there was a reminder of the Tri Wizard Tornemount--Harry shifted his eyes to the staff table. There was another new teacher sitting there, joking with Professor Sinistra. He had short, dark brown hair and what looked like hazel eyes. He seemed enjoyable enough. "Another new Professor. Wonder what he's going to teach." Harry said.
Before further guesses about the mysterious new staff member could go on, the doors burst open and Professor McGonagall came striding in, a line of first years trailing behind her. In her hands was a three legged stool and an old, battered hat. She set the stool down and sat the hat on it. The hat opened its brim wide and sang,
"A very long, long time ago
Four wizards and witches made a plan
To teach the art of magic
Thus Hogwarts school began
'Twas Gryffindor, brave and noble
Hufflepuff, honest and outspoken
Ravenclaw, witty and fair
And Slytherin--there's a cunning man!
They each had their own House
That distinguished them from the rest
That was one trait they all had in common,
They all thought their House was best!
Soon, they began to get old and weary
And one question had dawned:
How to sort new students
When they were all dead and gone?
But they did find a way,
It turned out to be me!
Now I can tell you all
Where you need to be
Put me atop your head
Don't worry, I don't bite!
I'll assign you to a House,
It'll be fun! All right?"
The whole school broke out into thunderous applause, and the Sorting Hat seemed to take a bow. Professor McGonagall took out a long piece of parchment and said, "When I read your name, come put on the Sorting Hat and once you're Sorted, proceed to the appropriate House. Allyear, John!" A very pale, skinny boy with blonde hair shakily walked up to the Hat and tried it on. After a second's pause, the Hat screamed, "RAVENCLAW!"
The Ravenclaws cheered, and McGonagall read on, "Azi, Rachel!" A little girl with brown pigtails happily bounded over to the Hat and eagerly place it on her head. Almost as soon as it touched her head the Hat called, "HUFFLEPUFF!"
The Sorting proceeded with different eleven year olds trying on the Hat, each with varying degrees of nervousness on their faces. Harry could hardly believe that he was once as small as that. "Jubbs, Cedric!" Harry looked at the green-ish looking boy who sat on the stool, waiting to be Sorted. Did McGonagall just say Cedric? "GRYFFINDOR!" Yes, she did, and now he was a Gryffindor. Great, Harry thought bitterly, another reminder of last year. Just what I need.
Soon, the Sorting was over with "Zerious, Carl" becoming a Slytherin. Professor Dumbledore stood up, and Harry noted that he looked stressed out. However, he greeted everyone with a large small and said kindly, "Dig in."
They didn't need telling twice. Everyone managed second or third helpings of everything on the table, and they chattered idly about different things--the new teachers, their summer holidays, O.W.L.S. Hermione was in a right state over them. "They're one of the most important tests we'll ever have to take!" she said sternly when everyone blew them off.
All to quickly, the last morsels faded off of the golden plates and the last of the pumpkin juice disappeared from the goblets, Dumbledore stood up once again. "I'd like to introduce our new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher, Professor Delacour!" he said brightly. Fluer stood up and smiled briefly at everyone while everyone (partiularly the males) applauded loudly. "We also temporarily have a new gamekeeper and Care of Magical Creatures professor, since Hagrid is off attending some important business. May I introduce Professor Vale!" The Professor Harry had been wondering about stood up, also, and gave everyone a cheery wave before settling back down again.
"Now, I'm very happy to announce that Quidditch practices and matches are back on." He had to stop for a moment because of thunderous cheers. He smiled and continued, "I just ask of you that all training is supervised by Madam Hooch.
"The Forbidden Forest is strictly forbidden, especially in these dark and difficult times. I warn you that you should not go out of the castle after dark and if you simply have to, be escorted by a teacher. The security of this castle will be uplifted by several accounts.
You all look tired, so I think it's time for bed. Off you go!" With those final words, everyone got up and started to make their way out of the Great Hall and started towards their common rooms. Hermione lagged behind, herding several first year Gryffindors out the doors and taking the lead in showing them the way. Just as Harry was starting to follow, he felt a hand on his shoulder.
He turned around and saw Dumbledore smiling at him. "Can I have a word, Harry?" Harry nodded, and they started down the opposite way on the throng, ignoring the curious looks everyone was giving them.
They reached the stone gargoyle and Dumbledore said calmly, "Canary
Creams." The gargoyle sprang aside, and they entered. Then they started
walking to his large office, Harry not having a clue what they were going
to talk about.
