Chapter 9
Unexpected Visitors
"Harry pass the salt", Ron said. It was a sunny morning, and everyone was in the Great Hall eating breakfast. The Great Hall filled with chattering students. Everyone was filled with joy. Why? You may ask. Today, kids didn't have to attend any classes. For some stranger reason, they just didn't have to go. Harry sat at the usual Gryffindor table with Hermione and Ron beside him. "Harry.the salt", Ron said again. Harry passed the salt to him. After a while when everyone finished eating they're breakfast. The plates cleared and Dumbledore stood up. The Great Hall went in total silence. "As you already know, no one has to attend any classes today. For we have some visitors that are coming to Hogwarts. They will be using the whole castle. If you have read the Daily Prophet (Dumbledore turned to Hermione and smiled), you'll know the reason why. But first, does anyone know what the Crystal Ball of Fire is"? Dumbledore said. At that instant, Hermione shot her hand in the air. She was back to her old self again, a "brainy know-it-all". Dumbledore nodded at her and Hermione stood up. "The Crystal Ball of Fire, is a legend. The Crystal can bring the dead back to life. Loads of robbers have tried to get their hands on this Crystal, but they have not succeeded. Scientists everywhere in London have been studying about this. And finally, they found out where the Crystal is hidden.here, at Hogwarts", Hermione explained. She sat back down and Dumbledore smiled and clapped. "Well explained Ms. Granger. So now you know what the Crystal Ball of Fire is, and what it does. Scientists will be coming into Hogwarts, and will be.tearing.no we shouldn't say that. They will be "looking" for the Crystal. So, that is why there will be no classes to attend today. We will be camping outside, and will only come back in the castle once they are done looking for the Crystal. Now, please go back to your dormitories and pack your things up and meet me back here at the Great Hall", Dumbledore instructed. People started walking out of the Great Hall excited. "They're going to tear down Hogwarts"! Ron exclaimed "I bet it's just a specific classroom they're going to tear down"! Hermione reassured Ron. "Let's just hope they tear down the Potion's classroom first", Ron muttered darkly. They went back to their dormitories and packed. Harry had hardly anything to pack just his school supplies and his clothes. Ron only packed his battered books, half used inkbottle, his clothes that are too small for him, a dusty looking quill, and some parchments. They met Hermione in the common rooms. Hermione on the other hand, had packed all 37 of her books in one trunk. Her clothes in another, and her other school supplies in the third.
"Need help"? Ron smiled. "Yeah, that'll help"! Hermione said while handing Ron the trunk with the clothes, and handed the one with her school supplies to Harry. The three walked out of the common room, and started to walk to the Great Hall. "Guys wait! I want to return some books"! Hermione said stopping near the library. "Fine", Harry sighed. They walked into the Library, and Hermione returned all of her books, and signed out 30 more. By the time they got there, everybody was sitting at their usual tables waiting for them. "We're last", Ron groaned. "I hate it when you come in and everybody is watching you as you make your way across the room". The three sat down and waited for Dumbledore's instructions. "I see that everybody has packed all their belongings? Okay good. Please follow Professor McGonagall", Dumbledore explained. Professor McGonagall led them outside. They walked around the lake to another place they have never seen before. With a wave of her wand, thousands and millions of sleeping bags lay on the ground with everyone's nametag on them. Harry, Hermione, and Ron walked around looking for their sleeping bags. Harry found his right beside Ron, and Hermione's beside Lavenders. "Oh well.I'll still come over and we'll talk", Hermione sighed. Beside everyone's sleeping bag were a drawer where they can put their stuff in. When they were finished, Harry and Ron walked over to where Hermione was. She was having troubles fitting all her books, clothes, and school supplies in the three drawers. "Why don't you keep your school stuff in your trunk? We wont be needing those for a while", Ron suggested. "Good idea", Hermione said. She took out all of her school supplies and put it back in one of her trunks, and filled the last drawer, which once held her school stuff, with her clothes. "There! Done"! Hermione said. Dumbledore walked towards everybody, and the quiet chattering died down again. "Well.I hope you guys have finished unpacking. I'm sure you will be very comfortable in the sleeping bags. Tomorrow, I will be answering some unanswered questions. And just to inform you, your breakfast tomorrow will come to you", Dumbledore explained. "Now for dinner"! Professor McGonagall walked up beside Dumbledore and waved her wand. Trays of food appeared on top of everybody's drawers. "If you need anything, please don't hesitate to ask either Professor McGonagall, or me", Dumbledore smiled. "When your done, your trays should disappear and clear off by themselves and desert will appear. That should disappear too after your done. Then a sink should replace your drawers and you can wash up there. When you're done, take out your wand and say "Loranos", and your drawer will be back"! Professor McGonagall and Dumbledore walked away leaving the kids talking, laughing and eating again. There was a plate of an unusual type of fish, a bowl of cream soup, bread with butter on the side, and a plate with carrots, peas, and steak. Harry didn't dare touch the fish. Ron on the other hand, ate everything but abandoned the carrots and peas. "Can't stand carrots and peas really", Ron explained while using his fork to get the carrots and peas on one side of the plate . After when they finished, the old dishes disappeared and a new one appeared. A plate with a delicious looking custard cream and chocolate cake. They finished that with no trouble whatsoever. They finished the desert, and the plates disappeared too. The drawer disappeared with a pop, and was replaced by an odd looking sink. There were different taps with different types of water. "Wicked"! Ron exclaimed. He tried all the taps. "Look there's chocolate water, ice-cream sundae, blossom soap, cream water, Wonka's Wonderful Water, and chicken soup surprise"! Ron said tasting every single type of water. "The chicken soup surprise is the best". "Eww.it tastes awful"! Harry exclaimed wiping his mouth with sleeve. "I know! Just wanted you to taste it before I taste it", Ron laughed. Harry laughed along too, to Ron's surprise. They finished cleaning up. Harry and Ron took their wands out from their cloaks, pointed at their own sink, and said "Loranos", and the sink disappeared and a drawer was back at its original place. "Hey guys"! Hermione said excitedly. "I want to show you something, come on follow me"! Hermione walked off towards the Forbidden Forest; Harry and Ron followed. "Where are we going"? Ron asked as they jumped over a log. "You'll see"! Hermione said removing a twig out of her hair. They continued walking for half an hour and finally entered Hagrid's backyard. There was barking sound as a little round Crup came running towards Hermione. "Guys, meet Dash"! Hermione giggled while hugging Dash. Ron backed up a bit, while Harry walked more closer and started petting the Crup. "Ron, what's wrong"? Hermione asked raising an eyebrow. "You okay"? "No, I'm not okay"! Ron said nervously. "What's wrong"? Harry asked. "I'm more scared of dogs then I am scared of spiders", Ron said quickly, blushing. Hermione and Harry both raised their eyebrows then started to laugh. That scared the Crup, so he wiggled free out of Hermione and ran towards Ron. Ron screamed and started to run but the Crup was too fast. He pounced on top of Ron's back, and Ron tripped. "HARRRRRY! HERMIONNNE"! Ron screamed. "Should we help him"? Harry said still laughing. "Nah, we can leave him here", Hermione giggled. "Hermione tea's ready"! Hagrid's voice boomed from inside. "COMING HAGRID"! Hermione yelled. "Well, bye Ron"! "Yeah, see you buddy"! Harry laughed. The two of them walked inside of Hagrid's cabin leaving Ron with the Crup. "GUYS! GET BACK HERE PLEASE! DID I MENTION I WAS ALLERGIC TO DOGS"? Ron screamed. Half an hour passed, and Harry and Hermione were still inside Hagrid's cabin, checking up on Ron every 10 minutes. Finally someone opened the back door and slammed it shut. It was Ron, he was covered in dirt, and his red hair was now covered with layers of soil. He had paw prints on his robes and pants, and he had a horrified expression on his face. "How's it going Ron"? Hermione asked taking a sip of her tea. "How's it going is all you can say after you LOCKED ME OUTSIDE WITH THAT MANIAC DOG FOR AN HOUR"? Ron screamed at her. Harry would have bet a million dollar that Hermione would snap back at him, but she didn't. Instead she just looked calmly at Ron, and took another sip of her tea. "The dog is actually quite cute, once you get to know him", Hermione explained smiling. Ron's mad face turned into a smile then broke into a laugh. "Very funny guys, you just watch your back, because I swear I'm going to get you back for that"! Ron laughed. They laughed, and Ron joined in and had some tea with Harry, Hermione, and Hagrid. "Well, we better get going", Hermione said. "I wouldn't want Filch finding us here". "Bye Hagrid", the three of them waved goodbye to him and left. They walked back finding everyone asleep. Ron banged his fist on the drawer and surprisingly it turned into a sink. He washed up again and changed into some clean clothes. The sink turned back into a drawer after he was done. They said goodnight to each other, and snuggled up into their sleeping bags. "Some day huh"? Harry asked. But Ron was already asleep. Harry lay there looking up at the dark blue sky. The clouds in the sky are slowly moving away, showing winking stars and the shining moon. Harry slowly closed his eyes and fell asleep. Little did he know that he had a big day ahead tomorrow.
"Harry pass the salt", Ron said. It was a sunny morning, and everyone was in the Great Hall eating breakfast. The Great Hall filled with chattering students. Everyone was filled with joy. Why? You may ask. Today, kids didn't have to attend any classes. For some stranger reason, they just didn't have to go. Harry sat at the usual Gryffindor table with Hermione and Ron beside him. "Harry.the salt", Ron said again. Harry passed the salt to him. After a while when everyone finished eating they're breakfast. The plates cleared and Dumbledore stood up. The Great Hall went in total silence. "As you already know, no one has to attend any classes today. For we have some visitors that are coming to Hogwarts. They will be using the whole castle. If you have read the Daily Prophet (Dumbledore turned to Hermione and smiled), you'll know the reason why. But first, does anyone know what the Crystal Ball of Fire is"? Dumbledore said. At that instant, Hermione shot her hand in the air. She was back to her old self again, a "brainy know-it-all". Dumbledore nodded at her and Hermione stood up. "The Crystal Ball of Fire, is a legend. The Crystal can bring the dead back to life. Loads of robbers have tried to get their hands on this Crystal, but they have not succeeded. Scientists everywhere in London have been studying about this. And finally, they found out where the Crystal is hidden.here, at Hogwarts", Hermione explained. She sat back down and Dumbledore smiled and clapped. "Well explained Ms. Granger. So now you know what the Crystal Ball of Fire is, and what it does. Scientists will be coming into Hogwarts, and will be.tearing.no we shouldn't say that. They will be "looking" for the Crystal. So, that is why there will be no classes to attend today. We will be camping outside, and will only come back in the castle once they are done looking for the Crystal. Now, please go back to your dormitories and pack your things up and meet me back here at the Great Hall", Dumbledore instructed. People started walking out of the Great Hall excited. "They're going to tear down Hogwarts"! Ron exclaimed "I bet it's just a specific classroom they're going to tear down"! Hermione reassured Ron. "Let's just hope they tear down the Potion's classroom first", Ron muttered darkly. They went back to their dormitories and packed. Harry had hardly anything to pack just his school supplies and his clothes. Ron only packed his battered books, half used inkbottle, his clothes that are too small for him, a dusty looking quill, and some parchments. They met Hermione in the common rooms. Hermione on the other hand, had packed all 37 of her books in one trunk. Her clothes in another, and her other school supplies in the third.
"Need help"? Ron smiled. "Yeah, that'll help"! Hermione said while handing Ron the trunk with the clothes, and handed the one with her school supplies to Harry. The three walked out of the common room, and started to walk to the Great Hall. "Guys wait! I want to return some books"! Hermione said stopping near the library. "Fine", Harry sighed. They walked into the Library, and Hermione returned all of her books, and signed out 30 more. By the time they got there, everybody was sitting at their usual tables waiting for them. "We're last", Ron groaned. "I hate it when you come in and everybody is watching you as you make your way across the room". The three sat down and waited for Dumbledore's instructions. "I see that everybody has packed all their belongings? Okay good. Please follow Professor McGonagall", Dumbledore explained. Professor McGonagall led them outside. They walked around the lake to another place they have never seen before. With a wave of her wand, thousands and millions of sleeping bags lay on the ground with everyone's nametag on them. Harry, Hermione, and Ron walked around looking for their sleeping bags. Harry found his right beside Ron, and Hermione's beside Lavenders. "Oh well.I'll still come over and we'll talk", Hermione sighed. Beside everyone's sleeping bag were a drawer where they can put their stuff in. When they were finished, Harry and Ron walked over to where Hermione was. She was having troubles fitting all her books, clothes, and school supplies in the three drawers. "Why don't you keep your school stuff in your trunk? We wont be needing those for a while", Ron suggested. "Good idea", Hermione said. She took out all of her school supplies and put it back in one of her trunks, and filled the last drawer, which once held her school stuff, with her clothes. "There! Done"! Hermione said. Dumbledore walked towards everybody, and the quiet chattering died down again. "Well.I hope you guys have finished unpacking. I'm sure you will be very comfortable in the sleeping bags. Tomorrow, I will be answering some unanswered questions. And just to inform you, your breakfast tomorrow will come to you", Dumbledore explained. "Now for dinner"! Professor McGonagall walked up beside Dumbledore and waved her wand. Trays of food appeared on top of everybody's drawers. "If you need anything, please don't hesitate to ask either Professor McGonagall, or me", Dumbledore smiled. "When your done, your trays should disappear and clear off by themselves and desert will appear. That should disappear too after your done. Then a sink should replace your drawers and you can wash up there. When you're done, take out your wand and say "Loranos", and your drawer will be back"! Professor McGonagall and Dumbledore walked away leaving the kids talking, laughing and eating again. There was a plate of an unusual type of fish, a bowl of cream soup, bread with butter on the side, and a plate with carrots, peas, and steak. Harry didn't dare touch the fish. Ron on the other hand, ate everything but abandoned the carrots and peas. "Can't stand carrots and peas really", Ron explained while using his fork to get the carrots and peas on one side of the plate . After when they finished, the old dishes disappeared and a new one appeared. A plate with a delicious looking custard cream and chocolate cake. They finished that with no trouble whatsoever. They finished the desert, and the plates disappeared too. The drawer disappeared with a pop, and was replaced by an odd looking sink. There were different taps with different types of water. "Wicked"! Ron exclaimed. He tried all the taps. "Look there's chocolate water, ice-cream sundae, blossom soap, cream water, Wonka's Wonderful Water, and chicken soup surprise"! Ron said tasting every single type of water. "The chicken soup surprise is the best". "Eww.it tastes awful"! Harry exclaimed wiping his mouth with sleeve. "I know! Just wanted you to taste it before I taste it", Ron laughed. Harry laughed along too, to Ron's surprise. They finished cleaning up. Harry and Ron took their wands out from their cloaks, pointed at their own sink, and said "Loranos", and the sink disappeared and a drawer was back at its original place. "Hey guys"! Hermione said excitedly. "I want to show you something, come on follow me"! Hermione walked off towards the Forbidden Forest; Harry and Ron followed. "Where are we going"? Ron asked as they jumped over a log. "You'll see"! Hermione said removing a twig out of her hair. They continued walking for half an hour and finally entered Hagrid's backyard. There was barking sound as a little round Crup came running towards Hermione. "Guys, meet Dash"! Hermione giggled while hugging Dash. Ron backed up a bit, while Harry walked more closer and started petting the Crup. "Ron, what's wrong"? Hermione asked raising an eyebrow. "You okay"? "No, I'm not okay"! Ron said nervously. "What's wrong"? Harry asked. "I'm more scared of dogs then I am scared of spiders", Ron said quickly, blushing. Hermione and Harry both raised their eyebrows then started to laugh. That scared the Crup, so he wiggled free out of Hermione and ran towards Ron. Ron screamed and started to run but the Crup was too fast. He pounced on top of Ron's back, and Ron tripped. "HARRRRRY! HERMIONNNE"! Ron screamed. "Should we help him"? Harry said still laughing. "Nah, we can leave him here", Hermione giggled. "Hermione tea's ready"! Hagrid's voice boomed from inside. "COMING HAGRID"! Hermione yelled. "Well, bye Ron"! "Yeah, see you buddy"! Harry laughed. The two of them walked inside of Hagrid's cabin leaving Ron with the Crup. "GUYS! GET BACK HERE PLEASE! DID I MENTION I WAS ALLERGIC TO DOGS"? Ron screamed. Half an hour passed, and Harry and Hermione were still inside Hagrid's cabin, checking up on Ron every 10 minutes. Finally someone opened the back door and slammed it shut. It was Ron, he was covered in dirt, and his red hair was now covered with layers of soil. He had paw prints on his robes and pants, and he had a horrified expression on his face. "How's it going Ron"? Hermione asked taking a sip of her tea. "How's it going is all you can say after you LOCKED ME OUTSIDE WITH THAT MANIAC DOG FOR AN HOUR"? Ron screamed at her. Harry would have bet a million dollar that Hermione would snap back at him, but she didn't. Instead she just looked calmly at Ron, and took another sip of her tea. "The dog is actually quite cute, once you get to know him", Hermione explained smiling. Ron's mad face turned into a smile then broke into a laugh. "Very funny guys, you just watch your back, because I swear I'm going to get you back for that"! Ron laughed. They laughed, and Ron joined in and had some tea with Harry, Hermione, and Hagrid. "Well, we better get going", Hermione said. "I wouldn't want Filch finding us here". "Bye Hagrid", the three of them waved goodbye to him and left. They walked back finding everyone asleep. Ron banged his fist on the drawer and surprisingly it turned into a sink. He washed up again and changed into some clean clothes. The sink turned back into a drawer after he was done. They said goodnight to each other, and snuggled up into their sleeping bags. "Some day huh"? Harry asked. But Ron was already asleep. Harry lay there looking up at the dark blue sky. The clouds in the sky are slowly moving away, showing winking stars and the shining moon. Harry slowly closed his eyes and fell asleep. Little did he know that he had a big day ahead tomorrow.