Harry Potter and a Bunch of Other People
A/n In the last chapter I mentioned a girl named Etta Bryce. But she belongs to another plot that is hatching in my head. She isn't in this story.
Also, I'm really sorry I haven't been writing much recently. I've been really busy at school; we had a school festival and after that I had to study for high school tests and end term tests. In Japan you have to get into a good high school to get to a good college. Anyhoo, thanks for reviewing.
Chapter 2; Summer Vacation
?Since Vera's watch could not take Harry to the Burrow, they decided to go by floo powder. Harry, having spent his own pleasant afternoon at the Quidditch Broom Supplies, had long forgotten about Vera going into Knockturn Alley.
"Ready?" she asked, holding out a can of floo powder.
"Yeah, I'm ready." said Harry. He took a pinch of the powder and sprinkled it into the fireplace. The flames flew up in a storm of green and Harry stepped inside with the words; "The Burrow." The familiar spinning began and Harry tucked his elbows tightly in. Fireplaces of other magical families blurred vaguely past him. At last, everything began to slow and Harry soon found himself falling into the Burrow.
"Finally!" exclaimed Ron. Harry looked around at the Weasley's kitchen and realized that they must have known he was coming by floo powder, for everyone, from Ginny to Molly and Arthur Weasley, was there. Ron picked him up and said "You'd better move." He was right. No sooner had Harry moved to the side, than Vera's figure came spinning into sight. She dropped off quite gracefully but as soon as she was out of the fireplace she groaned and said;
"Magical transportation is the worst way of traveling. The only thing I can stand is a broomstick."
The kitchen was quite alarmed; Vera looked dreadfully pale, as if this was her first time.
"It is my first time." she said. "I usually apparate or use my watch or a broomstick." she was still quite white, but seemed a bit better. She smiled and introduced herself. "I'm Vera Phoenix, the new Defense against the Dark Arts teacher."
"Very pleased to meet you dear." said Molly. The rest of the Weasley's welcomed her and she was soon made at home.
"You did say you did not like magical transportation didn't you? Does that mean you have tried muggle transportation?" Mr. Weasley asked Vera excitedly.
"Yes, and it's so much more comfortable than magic, if not so quick."
Everyone was quite comfortable. Everyone was very happy to sit and talk with Harry and get to know Vera. Everyone was glad to eat Bertie Bott's Every Flavor Beans while listening to Ron talk of Quidditch, and Ginny talk of Pigwidgeon, and Charlie - who had returned to the Burrow for the summer - talk of dragons. Ron was now talking about Hermione.
"She said she'd be here in time to see you." said Ron with distinct impatience.
"I thought she was going to Bulgaria for the summer." said Mrs. Weasley who had received this information from an article in the Witch Weekly, which was written by Rita Skeeter.
"Only for two weeks." answered Ron quickly.
"Who is Hermione?" asked Vera.
"Our friend." said Harry vaguely.
"What is taking her so long." Ron burst out. Harry was somewhat amused by his friend's impatience.
"Well forgive me if I haven't got my Apparating license yet!" came a voice from the doorway.
"Hermione?" said Harry and for a moment the room was perfectly silent.
Hermione had changed a lot in appearance. The most distinguishing part was, perhaps, her hair, which, instead of the impossible tangle it had been previously, was straight and smooth and had the movement that hair has, only when the person is conscious of it. She was also taller and more developed; and she wore a pink dress that showed off just how much developed she was. Not only this, but Hermione wore makeup. Very little, but enough to make her look . . . gorgeously beautiful.
Just for a moment, everyone was dazzled into silence and surprise - except Vera, who, of course, had no idea of any change and was slightly puzzled.
"Hermione." said Ron. "Hermione" he said again. "You look . . .good." said Ron trying to explain to her the silence and also the fact that didn't seem to be able to take his eyes off of her. Harry noticed Mrs. Weasley tighten her lips in disapproval.
"Thanks." Hermione said timidly. Although she was used to getting attention because of her intellect, attention for her looks was obviously a new thing to her. "So, here I am." she said. At these words something clicked and everyone regained their senses.
Hermione was introduced to Vera and immediately liked her. Hermione told of her stay at Victor Krum's place and everyone agreed that he was a good person. She also told a story of how he would become the flying teacher at Durmstrang for one year instead of continuing in the Bulgarian team, but that he might return to the team after that year. She said that this was due to Certain Circumstances that he had not revealed to her.
The day passed pleasantly and so did the rest of summer vacation. In those weeks the four became good friends. Hermione and Vera were especially close and seemed almost always together. Sometimes Ginny was among them, and Harry noticed that she seemed more grown-up, possibly because of Hermione and Vera's influence. Hermione herself, inspite of her new appearance fussed just as much about homework and studying and books as ever. Ron hadn't changed in either looks or character except to grow a bit taller. And Vera proved herself by being extremely good at quidditch and possessing a Firebolt. Of course, thoughts of Cedric intruded into Harry's mind at least once every day and occasionally they ruined a few minutes or hours according to mood, but eventually the effect lessened and Harry was able to think of Cedric with respect and regret but no blame or guilt.
But he thought of Voldemort more and more. While talking or playing quidditch or just generally being with others, thoughts of Voldemort never occurred to him. But when he was alone, and especially at night, he couldn't help it. All he had seen of Voldemort . . . in his first year when confronting Quirrell, in the Chamber of secrets fighting a memory, what the dementors had revealed, and witnessing Voldemort's resurrection . . . all of these memories haunted him.
Inspite of this, Harry was able to be happy. In living with the Dursleys, he had learned how to ignore - not entirely, but effectively - things like that. Because of this, no one knew.
A/n Boring is the word to describe this chapter. I think I rushed the last chapter a bit, but too little happens in this chapter. Voldemort wasn't supposed to make his entrance till next chapter, but he really couldn't wait. The next chapter should be better.
A/n In the last chapter I mentioned a girl named Etta Bryce. But she belongs to another plot that is hatching in my head. She isn't in this story.
Also, I'm really sorry I haven't been writing much recently. I've been really busy at school; we had a school festival and after that I had to study for high school tests and end term tests. In Japan you have to get into a good high school to get to a good college. Anyhoo, thanks for reviewing.
Chapter 2; Summer Vacation
?Since Vera's watch could not take Harry to the Burrow, they decided to go by floo powder. Harry, having spent his own pleasant afternoon at the Quidditch Broom Supplies, had long forgotten about Vera going into Knockturn Alley.
"Ready?" she asked, holding out a can of floo powder.
"Yeah, I'm ready." said Harry. He took a pinch of the powder and sprinkled it into the fireplace. The flames flew up in a storm of green and Harry stepped inside with the words; "The Burrow." The familiar spinning began and Harry tucked his elbows tightly in. Fireplaces of other magical families blurred vaguely past him. At last, everything began to slow and Harry soon found himself falling into the Burrow.
"Finally!" exclaimed Ron. Harry looked around at the Weasley's kitchen and realized that they must have known he was coming by floo powder, for everyone, from Ginny to Molly and Arthur Weasley, was there. Ron picked him up and said "You'd better move." He was right. No sooner had Harry moved to the side, than Vera's figure came spinning into sight. She dropped off quite gracefully but as soon as she was out of the fireplace she groaned and said;
"Magical transportation is the worst way of traveling. The only thing I can stand is a broomstick."
The kitchen was quite alarmed; Vera looked dreadfully pale, as if this was her first time.
"It is my first time." she said. "I usually apparate or use my watch or a broomstick." she was still quite white, but seemed a bit better. She smiled and introduced herself. "I'm Vera Phoenix, the new Defense against the Dark Arts teacher."
"Very pleased to meet you dear." said Molly. The rest of the Weasley's welcomed her and she was soon made at home.
"You did say you did not like magical transportation didn't you? Does that mean you have tried muggle transportation?" Mr. Weasley asked Vera excitedly.
"Yes, and it's so much more comfortable than magic, if not so quick."
Everyone was quite comfortable. Everyone was very happy to sit and talk with Harry and get to know Vera. Everyone was glad to eat Bertie Bott's Every Flavor Beans while listening to Ron talk of Quidditch, and Ginny talk of Pigwidgeon, and Charlie - who had returned to the Burrow for the summer - talk of dragons. Ron was now talking about Hermione.
"She said she'd be here in time to see you." said Ron with distinct impatience.
"I thought she was going to Bulgaria for the summer." said Mrs. Weasley who had received this information from an article in the Witch Weekly, which was written by Rita Skeeter.
"Only for two weeks." answered Ron quickly.
"Who is Hermione?" asked Vera.
"Our friend." said Harry vaguely.
"What is taking her so long." Ron burst out. Harry was somewhat amused by his friend's impatience.
"Well forgive me if I haven't got my Apparating license yet!" came a voice from the doorway.
"Hermione?" said Harry and for a moment the room was perfectly silent.
Hermione had changed a lot in appearance. The most distinguishing part was, perhaps, her hair, which, instead of the impossible tangle it had been previously, was straight and smooth and had the movement that hair has, only when the person is conscious of it. She was also taller and more developed; and she wore a pink dress that showed off just how much developed she was. Not only this, but Hermione wore makeup. Very little, but enough to make her look . . . gorgeously beautiful.
Just for a moment, everyone was dazzled into silence and surprise - except Vera, who, of course, had no idea of any change and was slightly puzzled.
"Hermione." said Ron. "Hermione" he said again. "You look . . .good." said Ron trying to explain to her the silence and also the fact that didn't seem to be able to take his eyes off of her. Harry noticed Mrs. Weasley tighten her lips in disapproval.
"Thanks." Hermione said timidly. Although she was used to getting attention because of her intellect, attention for her looks was obviously a new thing to her. "So, here I am." she said. At these words something clicked and everyone regained their senses.
Hermione was introduced to Vera and immediately liked her. Hermione told of her stay at Victor Krum's place and everyone agreed that he was a good person. She also told a story of how he would become the flying teacher at Durmstrang for one year instead of continuing in the Bulgarian team, but that he might return to the team after that year. She said that this was due to Certain Circumstances that he had not revealed to her.
The day passed pleasantly and so did the rest of summer vacation. In those weeks the four became good friends. Hermione and Vera were especially close and seemed almost always together. Sometimes Ginny was among them, and Harry noticed that she seemed more grown-up, possibly because of Hermione and Vera's influence. Hermione herself, inspite of her new appearance fussed just as much about homework and studying and books as ever. Ron hadn't changed in either looks or character except to grow a bit taller. And Vera proved herself by being extremely good at quidditch and possessing a Firebolt. Of course, thoughts of Cedric intruded into Harry's mind at least once every day and occasionally they ruined a few minutes or hours according to mood, but eventually the effect lessened and Harry was able to think of Cedric with respect and regret but no blame or guilt.
But he thought of Voldemort more and more. While talking or playing quidditch or just generally being with others, thoughts of Voldemort never occurred to him. But when he was alone, and especially at night, he couldn't help it. All he had seen of Voldemort . . . in his first year when confronting Quirrell, in the Chamber of secrets fighting a memory, what the dementors had revealed, and witnessing Voldemort's resurrection . . . all of these memories haunted him.
Inspite of this, Harry was able to be happy. In living with the Dursleys, he had learned how to ignore - not entirely, but effectively - things like that. Because of this, no one knew.
A/n Boring is the word to describe this chapter. I think I rushed the last chapter a bit, but too little happens in this chapter. Voldemort wasn't supposed to make his entrance till next chapter, but he really couldn't wait. The next chapter should be better.
