Harry's True Dilemma



Ch. 4 Hogwarts at last!!!



A/n: Hey guys, what's up. I would've written yesterday, but unfortunately I had to go Christmas shopping. It's so hard to find the perfect gift, maybe I'll write in some of my experiences I had just yesterday when the story makes it to Christmas, hopefully soon. Your probably like, blah, blah, blah. get on with it! Well, I agree with you.



Disclaimer: If only.. ^.^











After Harry and Ron finished tickling Hermione, (who was in tears), Harry felt the train slow. 'Finally' he thought, and smiled. He followed his friends into the corridor, and joined them in the line now forming by the door. The train stopped jerkily in front of the station, and everyone piled off. Harry waved at Hagrid, who was ushering the first years to the boats, and Hagrid winked back. The three of them climbed into the hay-smelling carriage, and began a bumpy ride to the castle itself. They rode in silence, Harry was thinking about his life here. The carriage stopped suddenly, nearly knocking Hermione onto Harry. They laughed and practically flew out of it and into the entrance hall. Harry looked around, noticing the Great Hall filling up with students, and the marble staircase that led up to Gryffindor tower. Then his eyes fell upon Professor McGonagall. She looked very formidable, and she started toward Harry. He swallowed, and nearly forgot that he had written to her just earlier.

"Harry, if you wouldn't mind, I need to speak with you in my office." She spoke softly, making the three of them shiver involuntarily. "You too, Hermione." Her gaze moved to Hermione. She smiled, and nearly skipped up the stairs. Harry looked back at Ron who was staring at him, and mouthed "save us a seat." Then turning round headed off with McGonagall. They walked quickly, passing many moving portraits, until they reached her door. Only there was more than just Hermione waiting for them. Several other Hogwarts fifth years were waiting too, all of them baring a prefects badge. Harry smiled at them. There were some from each house. They stood looking obediently at the Deputy Headmistress. All but one, Malfoy, he looked bored. His face lit up, however, when he saw Harry. He sneered evilly as Harry passed him.

"I'll ask you all to wait one moment out here, while Harry and I exchange a few words." She opened her door, and Harry entered, glancing at Hermione, who smiled encouragingly at him, and Malfoy, who looked very interested.

"Have a seat will you." She said, as she shut the door. He did as he was told and sat in one of the chairs opposite her own. She settled herself against the large oak desk and looked solemnly at Harry.

"Harry, I first want to give you my apologies. I knew you should've been escorted to the station, as well as picked up. When your owl arrived here, I nearly faint- I went to Dumbledore immediately." She paused and looked out the window. Night had settled, and she turned her attention back to Harry. "The Headmaster wishes he could speak to you in person now, but it's important that he be there at the ceremony, you know." Harry nodded, he felt he lost the ability to speak. She continued on,

"I'm so sorry about that, thankfully you made it here. I'm glad you had enough sense to send your owl ahead, we of course sent some wizards to the station, but to no avail. Your threatener has disappeared." She looked somewhat ashamed and angry.

"Hermione made me send Hedwig ahead. She thought it best." Harry choked out.

"So she did." McGonagall smiled slightly. She stood up suddenly, "Well Harry, if you don't mind waiting in the corridor for a moment, I just have to hand out some papers to our new prefects, then we'll make our way down to the feast." They walked to the door and Harry exited once more, and feeling somewhat relieved that he was out of her office, stood next to Hermione. McGonagall asked the prefects to enter, and almost as soon as she shut the door, she opened it again. Malfoy was the first to exit, holding a light blue envelope in his hand and smirking slimily, as he walked past. Hermione exited last, flashing Harry a million dollar smile, which made his stomach feel weird. Not as if he were sick, just something he rarely felt. He grinned and asked;

"So, how was the first meeting with McGonagall?" She smiled even larger, and held out the blue letter.

"Great!" She cheered. "Oh, I can hardly wait to eat! All of the sudden I'm famished."

"That doesn't surprise me." Sneered Malfoy. He was standing behind them.

"Shut up, Malfoy, you worm." Harry growled.

"What is it Potter," He continued as they all started walking towards the Great Hall for the feast, "don't like it when I make fun of your mudblood girlfriend's fat ass?"

"Shut the hell up Malfoy, Hermione always looks beautiful, unlike your girlfriend. Pansy." Harry spat back.

"I certainly hope you two aren't fighting." McGonagall cut in. Hermione was smiling despite what Malfoy said, and walked with Harry who slowed down so he could stay as far away from Malfoy possible. Harry was thinking about how much he hated Malfoy, when he turned suddenly to Hermione, stopping their walk, and making them fall even more behind.

"If that asshole ever calls you something you don't like, or I wouldn't like, which is just about anything he says to you, you tell me. I'll fix him." Harry said this in an undertone, cracking his knuckles in an ominous way.

"Harry, please, that jerk's words won't affect me because I don't care what he thinks. Let's just try to enjoy the feast." She said, her smile fading a bit.

"You don't deserve it, that's what pisses me off. I mean, no one deserves to be made fun of by Malfoy, but mostly you." Harry replied, still fuming.

"Thanks." She said, her smile returning, bright as before. They continued their walk; finally making it to the Great Hall. It's wonderful smell wafted from the open doors. As Harry and Hermione entered, slightly behind the rest.





Whispers followed the two to their seats, Harry felt like someone had turned a spotlight on them, he didn't look up till he reached Ron. He was sitting in the middle of the bench so Harry and Hermione sat down on either side of him. He was eating a piece of chicken, and said to Harry somewhat suspiciously,

"I was beginning to think you two were lost." He raised his eyebrows.

"No, we just had some problems with Malfoy. He was harassing Hermione again, probably jealous that he will never be the smartest kid in school, so-" Harry was cut off when Ron turned to Hermione and began,

"Hermione, I swear, if that scum says anything that upsets you, he's as good as gone. If he tries to hurt-" But he too was cut off, this time by Hermione.

"Seriously guys, he doesn't affect me. Thank you Ron, Harry gave me basically the same talk outside the hall. Now, if you please, lets forget the weasel, rather ferret, and continue with the food." Then she stuffed a rather large piece of baked potato in her mouth and smiled. The boys were laughing at the mention of Malfoy being a ferret, and joined Hermione in the absolutely delicious dinner. Later that night, after the main course and dessert, Harry asked what was in the letter Hermione got from McGonagall.

"Well, it's mostly a list of the rules I must follow and enforce, as well as some perks." She smiled rather happily at that last part.

"What kinds of perks?" Ron asked. Harry thought instantly of the grand bathroom he enjoyed last year, while trying to solve the golden egg part of the tournament. The thought of the egg lead Harry to think about Cedric. He frowned and looked out at the Ravenclaw table. There was Cho, she looked as though she was having fun, but Harry could see something else in her eyes. Probably something only people who've lost loved ones before can see in others. An ache, so terrible, it showed bright in her otherwise happy eyes. He couldn't look at her. 'I brought that sadness into her life.' he thought miserably.



He looked up to the staff table, for the first time that night, only to see a more tired and old looking Dumbledore. His eyes were alight as he talked with McGonagall. Harry looked over to Snape, who for some reason, looked less evil and intimidating. Perhaps it was because he was working with Dumbledore against Voldemort, Harry had no idea. He let his eyes roam down the other side of the table, and there was his half giant friend and teacher, Hagrid. He looked very sober, which was somewhat unusual for Hagrid, especially when Harry was used to seeing him a little red in the face by the end of the opening feast. He was talking with a teacher Harry did not recognize. 'That must be the new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher.' He thought quietly. He noticed this man was very tall. Harry would've thought he was Frankenstein's monster, from the manner in which he kept his hair, and his unusual shaped head.

"He's a bit creepy, eh?" Ron asked noticing where his friend was looking.

"Yeah, he reminds me of this monster I saw on a movie Dudley made me watch one summer." Harry replied.

"Movie?" Ron questioned.

"It's a type of muggle entertainment, like a story put to into pictures," Hermione explained, "and yes he does look a bit like the monster in Frankenstein." She agreed with Harry. They gave each other a look that only people who've seen that movie could do.

"Riiiight, well, I'm very tired." Said Ron breaking the moment. He stretched, and Harry laughed, and marveled inwardly at how his friend could draw anyone's attention away from one thing and on to him. Then Dumbledore rose from his seat, to say a few last words before sending his students to bed. He began,

"It's so wonderful that you all made it here for another year of extenuating test, abominable amounts of homework, and more fun than you could shake a stick at." Many students mumbled at that comment, and Harry agreed with the rest that schoolwork was by far the worst. "Anyways, First years should recognize that the Forbidden Forrest is off limits to everyone and there is no magic in between classes. Also, no one is to leave Hogwarts ground unless escorted with an adult, and teachers should take note as well. It is for all our safety during times like these, that we abide by the rules at hand, If your not clear about them, please ask our new Head Boy or Girl as well as any prefect." It seemed Dumbledore's eyes lingered on Harry as he said this. Harry glanced at Hermione, who was bursting with an often hidden pride. "Now, I know we're all tired, so let us retire for the night, and wake fresh for another horrendous beginning to what hopes to be an outstanding year." The students stood up as a collective body, bursting with a fresh new wave of talk, and headed off their separate ways to each house.

"It really sucks you missed the sorting," Ron started, after Hermione called for all the first years to follow her, "we only got six new kids." He gestured to the trembling crowd behind them. Harry glanced back as well, only to hear one of them whisper,

"That's Harry Potter-" Harry sighed. 'Please no more Creevys.' Hermione gave the new password. "Orange rind." And they entered the common room.

"This is the common room," Hermione began, "It's where you can spend all your free time, the dormitories are upstairs, girls is the first door on the right, and boy's the same only on the left." She pointed to the separate staircases on opposite sides of the room. "If you happen to have any questions, please don't be afraid to ask." She smiled warmly at all of them, and said goodnight. They climbed up the stairs, and into their dorms. Harry looked at his best friends and grinned.

"It's good to be home." He sighed. Then, he said goodnight to each of them, and headed upstairs to bed, listening to the fire crackling in the fireplace. It really was good to be home at last.







A/n: for some reason this felt like it took forever to write! Anyways, I have to get thinking about how Harry's first day'll go, so many ideas. Thank you for informing me on my outrageous spelling errors. I've only read and re-read the books a trillion times, you think I'd know them by heart! I'll try to hurry with the next chapter till then, keep reading and reviewing! Thanks a bunch!!