Disclaimer: Harry Potter, characters, names and other related indicia are all trademarks of J.K. Rowling and Warner Brothers. © 2000

Harry Potter and the Robbery Return

Chapter 4 - And a New Year

As the weeks of summer passed, the Weasleys, Harry, and Hermione were beginning to see more and more of Mr. Weasley and Percy. Work at the Ministry had lightened up and there were no reported robberies in the paper. They had celebrated Harry's birthday one month ago on July 31. He was turning 15. Hermione had gotten him some wizard cologne that smelled like "dragon breeze". Harry joked and asked her if he smelled bad. One of his favorite gifts was one that Ron had gotten him. It was a new wizard's chess game. Hagrid, of course, sent him his usually birthday cake along with an old wizard's watch. The rest of the Weasley's bought him a book called Dealing With Dragons by none other than Gilderoy Lockhart. Last, the Dursley's took the courtesy of sending him a cotton ball. He had a great birthday, undoubtedly the best ever. The cake was scrumptious and he was very much enjoying the prominent treatment they were giving him. Now, today was September 1st, start of first term at Hogwarts. Judging by the excitement in their faces, everyone couldn't wait to go. They had taken the Ford Anglia (the second) to King's Cross Station, this year only going back to get Fred's new cloaks. He had thrown them in the closet after shopping in Diagon Alley. As usual, they were still late, but they had enough time to spare. When they arrived at the barrier between platforms nine and ten, it was ten to eleven, just enough time. They hurriedly-and casually-made their way to the platform where they said their good-byes and boarded the train, only finding it to be packed with students. "It's full." Ron sighed unhappily as they stepped into the sea of students. Fred and George took their seats next to Lee Jordan, and Ginny took hers next to Neville Longbottom. The last open seat was in the compartment where an extremely annoying fourth year sat-Colin Creevy. "Hey Harry!" he shouted, waving his arms to get his attention. "You can sit here!" Harry, Ron, and Hermione exchanged desperate glances and sat together across from Colin in the compartment. "So how does it feel to be a fifth year!?" "Um.great.thanks." Harry replied bluntly. "Oh, you've met Hermione and Ron, haven't you?" "Not formally, but I've heard about them! Hey guys! Colin Creevy! Harry and I are good pals! Right Harry?" Raising his eyebrows, Harry gave a shaky smile. "Sure is nice being friends with someone famous! Eh?" Colin gaped. Hermione and Ron sighed with annoyance and glanced at Harry who was staring out the window. They quickly changed the subject. "You're brother is Dennis right?" "Yeah! He's sitting up front with his friends!" "Oh?" The rest of the train ride was pretty much helpless Ron, Harry, and Hermione listening to Colin babble on and on about absolutely nothing to their liking. All they got to say was an "er" and an "uh" here and there. "Dennis and I got to me a famous-" Ron interrupted him, "Awe would look at that! We're there! We'll have to catch up on this later." And with that, the three of them scuttled of the train leaving Colin there with his mouth half open and his finger waving in the air.

The usual gray-blue night sky was displayed in the Great Hall, the standard candles floating brightly all over. Everyone was seated except the new students, who were to become first years, and Professor McGonagall. Professor Dumbledore sat at the head of the table at the front of the Great Hall talking to the other teachers sitting next to him. The wave of black hats flowed happily through the hall. Goblets and plates sparkled gold with the light of the candles above. Swing! The doors to the Great Hall split apart and anxious, new students filed silently behind Professor McGonagall, other students eyeing them as to make them nervous as they passed. As the Sorting Ceremony dragged on, everyone's stomach started to grumble like roaring freight trains from hunger. Just when they were about to burst with hunger, the golden plates before them filled up with many kinds of delicious foods and goblets with juice. "Hey, Harry." Ron started, his mouth overflowing with chicken. "No Tri-Wizard Tournament to save you from exams this year!" "Ha, ha," Harry laughed sarcastically. "Very funny." "Honestly, they wouldn't be so tricky if you studied for them." Hermione scoffed, popping a bite of baked potatoes into her mouth. "What's study?" Ron chortled. "Naw, just kidding. You badger us every year about it! We know." Hermione jokingly shook her head. When the feast was almost over, Dumbledore rose from his chair as he dabbed his mouth with his napkin. "Ah, students, are we all filled? Well, with many requests-" Dumbledore paused, his bright eyes glowing. "and with the success of last year-" The whole hall seemed to hold their breath. "We have decided to start a tradition and have another ball! How 'bout that?" he exclaimed, clapping his hands. Some students sighed with disappointment-thinking they were going to have another tournament. Other's cheered. Last year had been great for everyone, especially Harry. The Tri- Wizard Tournament had taken place and Harry competed in it. Along with the tournament came the Yule Ball. Harry and Ron had taken the Patil twins and ended up going home with no date at all. Hermione, however, had a lovely time with a world famous, Bulgarian Quidditch player, Viktor Krum. "The Yule Ball will be on Christmas Eve, as it was last year. I hope you will all attend-date or no date. Now, for further announcements: Quidditch will continue as before-good luck to you all! Exams are to be taken, as usual, at the end of second term. And finally, as most of you already know, the Dark Forest is out of bounds. "One more thing. I am sure you are all aware of happenings in the Wizard world? There have been many robberies and due to that fact, next week we will be doing some work to better secure Hogwarts for the safety of all of you and your belongings. Alright then, off to bed!" Harry, Ron, and Hermione shuffled off to the Gryffindor tower, their stomachs lagging behind. The common room was full of mostly chatty sixth and seventh years. The three of them forced themselves up the stairs leading to the dormitories. As Harry and Ron entered their dormitory, they found Seamus, Dean, and Neville asleep in their robes, drooling on their pillows. Ron fell onto his four-poster and asked, "Great feast huh?" Before Harry could answer, he was asleep in his own bed, and Ron was too.