Time Changes Everything
A fan fiction by Pottergirl
Everything belongs to J.K.Rowling, and no copyright infringement is intended.
Okay, yes, I do owe an explanation…why haven't I uploaded in *quite* a while? I am really sorry but I have been very, very busy with Eid which is our (Muslims') annual festival…and with all my cousins coming together, it was a very busy time here. I couldn't squeeze out any time to edit chapter five or write the replied to the reviewers. I also owe an apology to ~*Angel*~ whose 'chapter four' I am supposed to be beta reading…but same reason, I haven't been able to of yet. Anyway, I promise, and truly promise that chapter six of TCE (Time Changes Everything) will be up very soon. Just check back here soon.
Meanwhile, enjoy chapter five. It mainly includes some necessary explanations, and it may get to be boring…but to make up for the all the boring parts I've done something…I've uploaded chapter six too! Now why don't you hurry on with these two new chapters…and btw, chapter seven will be up day after tomorrow!
Bye!
Chapter five: Back to Hogwarts
Harry sat back on the bed in Ron's room. He had an urge to go upstairs to bed straightaway after dinner. He had a reason for that urge. He wanted to inspect the Charmzirius alone, where no one would disturb him. Ron had said he would be out in the backyard with Hermione, and Harry knew what that meant. He was glad they had stopped fighting now. At least, even if they did, they did not do it in front of him. Harry chuckled, thinking of this. Those were major changes in Ron and Hermione.
Harry took the Charmzirius out of his shirt pocket. It gleamed in the light from the lanterns. He felt its smoothness, and his hand stopped on the latch. He lifted it slowly, and the silvery, cold light from the Zirius in the Charmzirius shone out of it. He peered at the verses again.
O ye who be given this powerful Charmzirius!
Beware of its aura
The mystery of peace and safety resideth within
The Zirius that evoked but from Silmaria
Has concealeth a powerful spell…a bond
That be done only by the giver…
And be felt only by ye!
He closed the Charmzirius, and fell into deep thought. It did affect him…he did feel its effect…the warmness, and feeling of contentment. He knew whatever spell had been cast on it was working very well. But the problem was that, however strong the Charmzirius affected him, he knew, in the back of his mind, that there was always a danger looming.
He had been trying to avoid it for the past few days. The feeling had been there when he was at the Dursleys. Alone, in his dark room, he brooded over his thoughts, over the incidents of the academic year past. His thoughts always ended at…Cedric. He felt he was completely responsible for Cedric's death. It had been him, after all who had suggested they take the TriWizard cup together, and it ended up in Cedric's murder. Harry had felt scared…he had nightmares at the Dursley's, not very often though but when he did, he woke up screaming. His scar felt as if it was going to burst, so great was the pain he felt in it. Uncle Vernon would come charging, swearing he would lock him up if he wouldn't stop screaming. For Harry, who awoke, covered in sweat, and shivering in the long summer nights, Uncle Vernon was not much compared to his nightmares. They were horrible, reliving every bit of his last encounter with Voldemort. He felt the pain of the Cruciatus curse, saw his parents again, and heard his mother and father's voices. He saw them, he saw Cedric, Bertha… and many others.
Harry had thought things would change at the Weasleys. And surprisingly, they did. He did not have any of those horrible nightmares anymore. He was more than glad for that. He had been worried what the Weasleys would think and feel if he awoke at odd hours in the night, screaming, shouting. The Dursley's had tried to cover up the noise, and persuade themselves that studying in "that horrible school with all those mad men and women" had caused that behavior. But the Weasleys would know why he behaved that way. They knew what he had to suffer through. Or probably they did not. No one, not Ron or Hermione even, had actually been with him when he had last met Voldemort, and no one knew about his terrible ordeal.
Harry sighed. He was afraid going back to school, and coming face-to-face with his past year might once again give him nightmares. He knew waking up in the boys dormitory, screaming, and awakening everyone else was definitely not normal. And he did not want the sort of attitude from the others that he got at such times… people skirting around him, avoiding him, gossiping…that only made it worse.
Harry was glad that at present, the Weasley household was taking his mind off things. He did not want to worry about anything yet, not even Voldemort, or that the Death Eaters were gaining power. He tightened his grip on the Charmzirius, trying to stop thinking of Voldemort. He knew something was constantly on the mind of Mr. and Mrs. Weasley. That was everything going on outside their home. Harry knew they wanted to keep him away from all of that, at least for as long as they could. Still, he felt a little strange, feeling as if they were hiding from him terrible, terrible news.
Harry got out of bed, restless and worried. He wanted to stop thinking of everything, worried that his nightmares would return to torture him. He wanted a distraction, a real big distraction, not this loneliness to brood over his thoughts…again.
He made to the door but it opened before he could reach it. There, in the doorway stood Mrs. Weasley. She smiled at him.
'Are you feeling well, Harry dear?' she asked warmly. Harry took a moment to reply, a little surprised by her sudden appearance.
'I'm okay,' he said, in a low voice. He knew his voice did not sound convincing because Mrs. Weasley entered the room, and put an arm around him. Harry felt a lump form in his throat. This is not supposed to happen, he thought. He did not want to break down. He had to face everything. But Mrs. Weasley's warm and motherly attitude brought everything back to him.
She probably sensed it.
'Are you sure you're okay?' she asked gently. Harry nodded, not trusting himself to open his mouth. She looked at him, with a warm smile. Harry smiled weakly.
'Harry dear,' Mrs. Weasley whispered to him. 'Remember, we're with you at all times. You're no less dear to me than any of my sons.'
Harry had to speak, he knew it. 'It's alright Mrs. Weasley, really. I…I just… I was just a little tired.'
Mrs. Weasley smiled. 'It's not everyday that you turn fifteen, do you?' Harry could not help grinning. This was family. The Weasley's were family. He startled himself, more than he did her by suddenly hugging her. She patted his head softly. Harry felt much better instantly, in the warmness and comfort of Mrs. Weasley's embrace. He moved back after a moment, and cleared his throat softly. She wiped a tear away quickly.
'If anything's worrying you, you can come to me, okay?' she said. Harry nodded, smiling gratefully. Mrs. Weasley smiled back at him.
'Now, do you want some hot milk?' she asked, changing the topic. Harry hesitated. He did not usually like hot milk. Mrs. Weasley sighed.
'You do seem so much like Ron. He hates hot milk,' she said. Harry chuckled.
'I guess…Hermione always tells us to take some at breakfast at Hogwarts but somehow, it just doesn't appeal to us,' he said. Mrs. Weasley chuckled.
'That's sensible of her, though,' she said, smiling. She bent down to Harry and whispered,
'Haven't been fighting much, have they recently?' Harry grinned. 'I don't think so. It's a record.'
Mrs. Weasley grinned knowingly at him, and left. Harry felt much, much better. He decided to take time out at that moment and write to Sirius. He knew Sirius would be glad to hear from him, wherever he was.
The sun rose over the tiny little village of Ottery Saint Catchpole, giving life to everything.
In The Burrow, Mrs. Weasley awoke, went up to her children's bedrooms to wake them up. It was dawn with the first rays of sun just breaking the darkness of the sky.
'Ron, Harry,' she whispered, while gently patting their shoulders to wake them up. Harry sat up yawning, but Ron just turned over and mumbled something like 'Can't even hear the birds yet'.
'We have to go to London,' said Mrs. Weasley to Ron. He turned over on his back.
'At this time in the morning?' he asked grumpily.
'Ron, if you want to go back to Hogwarts, get up now,' said Mrs. Weasley sternly, and left the room.
Harry looked at the room dismally. His last day or rather morning at The Burrow, and it only seemed like a few short days since he had got there. He looked at Ron, in his bed, lost once again in the world of sleep. Well, they had to get to get up, and finish all the last minute jobs before leaving for Hogwarts once again.
Memories of the past year involuntarily recollected in his mind. He had to go back to Hogwarts, and face whatever this year had in store for him; just when he wanted to run away from it all, never face what he had to face the past year. He now, had to go back, and be painfully reminded on glancing at any part of the castle, what had happened a month before the end of the last term. He was not scared, nor was he being a coward. Only, the dread that had been growing inside him of facing new challenges put forward by Voldemort, a Voldemort who was gaining the heights of power once again, fell with full force on him that morning.
Without thinking, Harry reached for his glasses, and got up to get dressed. He almost tripped on the leg of Ron's bed. The movement caused Ron to stir once again. He got up.
'Whazzamatter Harry? Where are you going?' he asked groggily, squinting at Harry in the early morning light. Harry grinned, in spite of himself.
'Get dressed before your Mum comes round again… King's Cross today, remember?' said Harry. Ron woke up completely at this, and Harry rushed to nab the bathroom before Ron did.
'Shove over Ron,' Ginny muttered, her eyes barely open. Ron looked up from his buttered toast, that he had been examining for any new test of Fred and George's, now that they already had one shipment for Zonko's complete. Ron stifled a yawn, and shifted to the chair beside him. He had forgotten not to sit on Ginny's favorite chair, by the small window in the dining space.
Ron smiled, looking at Harry.
'Believe me, she's not a morning person,' he whispered as Ginny got in to the chair vacated by Ron. She was completely dressed yet looked as if she had just gotten out of bed by her half shut eyes, and groggy voice.
'I heard that,' she said, grabbing the last toast on the table before George got it.
'Look who's speaking,' said Fred to Ron.
'Until you were ten, you had to be dragged out of bed every morning, Ron,' George quipped. Ron was about to make a rather comic comment when Hermione came in, looking the freshest of them all, and wide awake.
'Good morning,' she said cheerfully. Fred and George replied in unison, Ginny nodded, Harry smiled slightly while taking a bite of his toast.
'Don't say it,' said Ron, raising his hand, as Hermione sat down at the table.
'What?' asked Hermione, bewildered.
'I know why you're so happy…wonderful year of studying up ahead,' said Ron, already dreading the academic year ahead, at the end of which, all the fifth years were supposed to give their O.W.L.s.
Hermione's reaction had already been anticipated by everyone.
'Ron,' she said indignantly, forgetting to pour tea into her cup though she had the kettle in her hand.
'This is the most important of all years we spend at Hogwarts! We have to pass the O.W.L.s to go into the next year. You have to revise the whole of this year or you-'
Hermione was interrupted at this moment by a large owl that flew into the dining room with great speed, clutching in its claws, a thick envelope and a small, neatly packed package. It landed in front of Hermione, unfortunately on the kettle in her hands.
With an ear splitting screech, the owl dropped the package and the envelope in Hermione's empty plate and flew off out of the window, making small screeching sounds.
'Poor thing,' said Ginny pitifully. Hermione however had her eyes on the thick, sealed envelope before her, which happened to have the Hogwarts coat of arms on it. The tiny package was of similar material, bearing the same Hogwarts coat of arms.
'That was a Hogwarts owl wasn't it?' asked Ginny interestedly.
'Open it,' Ron urged, having an idea of what was coming, which made him grin widely.
Hermione picked up the envelope and tore it open. Inside was a single parchment. She read it aloud, almost breathlessly.
'Dear Ms. Granger,
We are pleased to inform you that you have been nominated by the school staff as an honorary prefect. Delay in the arrival of this message was the cause of recent happenings out of our control. Together with this letter is your badge which you must have with you when you board the Hogwarts Express.
We are looking forward to having you back at Hogwarts on the first of September. Deputy Headmistress Minerva McGonagall.'
Hermione looked up from the letter, and picked up the package. She opened it to find a silver, gleaming prefect badge inside with the word 'Prefect' inscribed on it. She moved her fingers over its shiny surface. For Hermione, this was a wonderful dream come true, one for which she had worked hard at her grades all her years at Hogwarts.
All the congratulations and cheering finally subsided, and a red Hermione pinned the badge to the front of her blouse.
'Well,' said George, grinning. 'It's definitely better than Percy being Prefect!'
'Yeah,' Ron agreed, glowing with pleasure. If it were anyone, it were Ron and Harry who knew how much Hermione deserved getting that badge.
'You'll let us off for simple things won't you?' Ron asked. Hermione fixed him with a scrutinizing stare.
'Well,' she said, trying very hard to restrain a smile, 'Depends on what you do…next time I catch you both sneaking off in the middle of the night in the Invisibility cloak, I may have to deduct some points from-'
'Nothing can stop that!' said Ron. Mrs. Weasley came into the dining space, with a plate of cookies.
'What's all the commotion about, Ron? Your father's sleeping upstairs after the tough night he had!' she said, her eye brows knitted together. Harry wished asking her why Mr. Weasley had been busy. His worry was that Voldemort could be doing anything. But another thought came to him. What could Voldemort possibly do concerning the Misuse of Muggle Artifacts Department?
'Another Prefect mum, Ms. Granger,' said George, making Hermione's face flush. Mrs. Weasley's face immediately split into a smile. She came up to Hermione, and put her arms around her.
'Congratulations dear, I always knew you could do it,' she said, warmly. Hermione felt there had never been any unpleasantness between Mrs. Weasley and herself at all. There had been some though, the year before, when Mrs. Weasley read an article in a magazine about Hermione "playing with the hearts" of Harry and Viktor Krum. But when Harry had confirmed her personally that that was nothing but a rumor, she softened down with Hermione, and the current development, that is Ron and Hermione "finding each other" had totally cleared any bad notions about Hermione in her mind. She was very warm with the pair.
Hermione's blush subsided as Mrs. Weasley let go of her. Ron gave her the secretive, wide grin he reserved only for her, an apparently private way of congratulations.
As Mrs. Weasley went back to the kitchen, Harry got up to follow her. Fred and George were now making jokes on Hermione's newly acquired designation. Roars of laughter from Ron and Ginny could be heard as the twins bombarded Hermione with remarks similar to those they had given their older brothers who had also become Prefects.
'Mrs. Weasley?' asked Harry, as he caught up on her near the kitchen door. She turned around suddenly, almost dropping the empty mug of tea that stood on the plate she was holding. She smiled.
'Do you want anything, dear?' she asked.
'I wanted to ask, isn't Mr. Weasley coming along?' Harry asked in a lower voice. Her smiled flickered slightly.
'I'm afraid not dear, he's been very exhausted, a long day at the Ministry yesterday unfortunately, but don't worry, I'll be taking you all along fine…' Harry nodded. He was on the point of asking further but he knew he probably wouldn't be told everything by Mrs. Weasley.
'Shall I get my trunk down now?' he asked, instead.
'I'll get Fred and George to do those,' said Mrs. Weasley, and looked towards the dining room, 'Those two are tormenting Hermione now I guess, I'll go and save her in a moment…goodness, those two will never leave any prefect alone!' she said, sighing, and went into the kitchen. Harry felt himself smile. The Weasleys were one big family he really loved.
The Wizarding world materialized before him once again, as he stepped through the barrier between Platform nine and Platform ten. He was back at Platform Nine-three quarters.
Harry sighed, taking in everything, from the train, to the new and old witches and wizards in training, and to the parents bidding farewell. Ron stopped wheeling the trolley, as Mrs. Weasley came up from behind with Hermione, Ginny, and a trolley with Hermione and Ginny's trunks.
George and Fred took up the task of taking the trunks into the train, helped by Harry and Ron.
The train blew its whistle loudly, and Mrs. Weasley issued her last minute commands.
'Owl me as soon as you get there, George… keep out of trouble…stay in the castle, no roaming around, and I want you two to study! And keep an eye on your sister!'
'Honestly! I'm fourteen!' Ginny said, sitting back in her seat as the platform went out of view finally.
'Yes, but you're still our baby sister,' said Fred. Ginny crossed her arms.
'But I can look after myself now,' she said, obstinately. Fred and George looked at each other.
'Guess so,' said George, and opened the compartment door.
'See you later, we've got to find Lee,' he said and left with Fred, closing the compartment door behind him. Hermione took a seat with Ron.
The compartment door slid open again, and Fred appeared.
'Forgot my bag,' he said quickly, and retrieved it from under the nearest seat before any one could even say anything.
'Guess Lee joined their team,' said Ron with a sigh.
The door opened again a few seconds later.
'Now what-' Ron began but then he heard a familiar voice. In fact, it was a very, very familiar voice.
'So I see you dared coming back,' said Draco Malfoy. At his shoulders, suddenly appeared two larger boys, Vincent Crabbe and Gregory Goyle, all three, archenemies of Harry, Ron and Hermione.
Malfoy's statement was apparently directed towards Harry who turned away, rather bored. Ron looked to Harry, waiting for anything that might happen. He gripped his wand tightly.
'I would say that about you,' said Harry, looking out of the window at the passing shrubbery and fields. 'I wouldn't think you'd dare come back after what happened last time we met.'
At this Harry turned to look at Malfoy, who went slightly pale, his smirk wavering a little. He remembered how he had been hexed on the train the last time. Ginny and Hermione looked at the scene, a little nervously. After all, Draco Malfoy was the son of a Death Eater, Lucius Malfoy, and the cold war going on in the compartment did make them quite nervous.
'Hmph!' Malfoy snorted. 'Your time will come up pretty soon…and yours too Weasley.' Malfoy's expression was neutral, nor did he even look over at Ron. His eyes were locked with Harry's.
Hermione looked at Ron, worried. Almost never before had Malfoy given a death threat to Ron. She suddenly remembered something.
'I suggest you leave before I cut off marks from Slytherin,' she said, coolly. Ron flashed Hermione a smile. Malfoy threw her a dirty look, and his eyes flicked over to her prefect's badge.
'I'd be careful if I were you Weasley,' Malfoy said, turning away, not looking at anyone. He left a moment later, his sidekicks at his heels, looking like large shadows.
'Oh Ron! Harry!' said Hermione, unable to stop the anxious outburst after Malfoy left.
'I wonder what's going on this time,' said Ron warily, edging towards Hermione, and putting an arm around her shoulders.
'Ron, he was talking about you too,' said Hermione, looking at Harry quickly. Harry straightened up in his seat, putting his wand back in his pocket. Ginny sat in a corner, looking at the three with anxious eyes.
'Hermione, you know Malfoy, he's a coward, forget what he said, we're safe,' said Harry, reassuringly. Hermione nodded.
'I was just, y'know… he always brings trouble,' she said, frowning, but then she grinned. 'But it seems I can use this new authority very well on him,' as she fingered her prefect's badge, the wicked grin on her face making even Ginny calm down, and imagine how it would look when Malfoy stalked off after losing fifty points altogether for Slytherin.
The whole hall applauded Dumbledore as he finished his speech, the one he gave at the start of every term after the Sorting. He however, did not sit down as the clapping subsided. His expression was serious, and he had got to the point he knew that whole hall was waiting to hear about. It had been in the minds of all the students when they returned to Hogwarts for another year.
'I have to talk to you about another, much more important thing. Apart from the new first years today, I would like to talk to you all about something which I know has been bothering you, and worrying you. Those who were year last year know what I am talking about. Voldemort returned last term, on the night of the Third task of the TriWizard Tournament.'
The whole hall immediately began buzzing, though the discussion was rather less; people were more interested in what Dumbledore had to say rather than talk about their fears. Dumbledore looked around the hall, gravely before continuing.
'As I have maintained always- united we stand, divided we fall. We can battle whatever evil comes by as long as we remain united, and evil Wizards even like Voldemort cannot stand in the way of good.' Nothing in the hall stirred, and Dumbledore gave a small sigh.
'I do not of course expect you to battle anything or anyone, not yet. Our mission is to keep Hogwarts open even in the most difficult of times, so that you can get your education, and your training to become fully qualified Wizards. Hogwarts is safe in all possible means as far as any dark powers are concerned. However, I ask you not to stray out of the castle after sunset, or Hogsmeade. All activities will be arranged before sunset, including Quidditch matches. However safe Hogwarts may be, if you break these rules, you will be harboring your own safety. I do not want any student breaking any of these rules.'
There was an automatic murmur of consent, and Dumbledore smiled slightly.
'An order is being established, the Order of Phoenix to battle this emerging evil. Those who have belief in truth, and who are ready to fight against this evil have joined us. I would like to name a number of people but the time is not very appropriate. You will be told when the time comes. I want everyone present in this hall today to know that good prevails over evil, truth over lies. Thus, if we are united, the Order of Phoenix will achieve its aim.'
Dumbledore cleared his throat, and looked up at the silent, waiting hall full of students, new and old.
'On a happier and much more cheerful note, I would like to make some announcements about Quidditch this year. We will be continuing our Inter-House Quidditch Cup this year. We will be recruiting one or two new players for some teams, as Madam Hooch has just informed me. Hufflepuff and Gryffindor house teams do not have captains at the moment.'
Harry tried to keep his mind focused on what Dumbledore was saying. He was reminded of the murder of Cedric Diggory, the captain of the Hufflepuff Quidditch team.
'Therefore,' Dumbledore continued, 'New captains will be selected after consultation among the existing players, and with the advice of Madam Hooch. Madam Hooch will be selecting the new players with the respective Heads of Houses to fill the positions for those who have left, after tryouts, which will be held in a week's time. Any students from the respective houses, except the first years, are welcome to try out for their house teams. I wish you best of luck, for the tryouts, the matches, and the rest of the year. Let the feast begin!'
Dumbledore sat down, and food appeared at the house tables. People immediately started talking, making the Great Hall look normal, after the rather unusual and eerie silence.
Harry absent-mindedly took some food in his plate. He looked into his plate, not really looking at it. Ron glanced at him.
'You okay?' he asked quietly. Harry broke out of his reverie. He had been pondering over what Dumbledore had said about the Order of Phoenix. He knew Sirius, Remus Lupin, Mr. Weasley and a lot of other people had joined it, and were in the front line in the war against evil.
'I'm alright, nothing,' said Harry, and began on his food. This time Fred spoke to him.
'Hey Harry, trying for captain?' he asked, his mouth quite full of food. Harry looked up quickly.
'Me?'
'Yeah, we'd vote for you,' said George, smiling.
'But, I'm…I mean you are seventh yearers, and I'm a fifth yearer, you have got more experience-' said Harry quickly. The revelation came as quite a shock to him, instead of good news. He was quite nervous, worried that he could become captain of the Gryffindor team. Picturing himself to be Oliver Wood was very difficult with all the game strategies, responsibilities and tension. No, he thought. He was not ready for that.
'Yeah, but, look at it this way; you'd be perfect for captain. You think either of us,' said George, gesturing to himself and Fred, 'can ever do what Oliver did? We'd be totally robbed of all the time we spend on our inventions.'
Ron snorted.
'And I doubt you two will ever be serious. Half the time, you'll be playing around in the air when you should be practicing! Gryffindor will become a push over. Disaster, I tell you!' he said. He quite liked the idea of Harry becoming captain, even if it had been quite a dream of his own. But he knew Harry deserved it, with all the broken bones, and crashes he had suffered out in the field to lead them to victory. Apart from that, he knew it would take his best friend's mind off any thing outside Hogwarts.
'Well, all work and no play…' Fred said, but someone cut him.
'Makes Gryffindor win.'
Fred, George, Ron, Hermione, Ginny, and practically everybody within earshot looked up at the sound of the person they knew to be their Head of house, Deputy Headmistress of Hogwarts, Minerva Mcgonagall.
'I hope your intentions are not disastrous, Mr. Weasley,' she said, and Harry could see a smile tugging at the corner of her mouth. George snickered. Professor McGonagall's eyes flicked over to him for a moment, but she turned to Hermione, and said,
'Ms. Granger, you have to come after the feast to my office. I have to assign you your prefect's duties. And Mr. Potter, Mr. Weasley-'
Ron did not have to ask if he was the Weasley she wanted. Both he, and Harry looked up.
'The Headmaster wants to have a few words with you right after the feast. You are to wait for Ms. Granger; she will also join you,' she said, and walked away.
'Troublesome trio in trouble again?' said Fred.
'Dunno,' said Ron, without much of an expression, wondering why they were being summoned to the Headmasters office. He had never been there before even when things got as serious as crashing his father's Ford Anglia into the Whomping Willow in their second year. He chanced a glance at Harry who seemed to be as surprised about the summons as he himself, even when Harry had gone to the Headmasters office many times before.
'I know the three of you, Harry, Ron and Hermione, are quite surprised as to why I have you called you to my office on the first day of term,' said Dumbledore, as he sat in his large chair, facing Harry, Ron and Hermione, sitting on chairs on the other side of the large desk.
He regarded them for a moment. His expression was serious but not grave. Harry, Ron and Hermione had been pretty helpful to him over the years, even if they did break rules in the process. They had worked together, Harry, using his bravery and dare, Ron, using his presence of mind and tact, and Hermione, her ever present logic and ingenuity. They had helped Sirius Black escape, done what no second-year could ever have done in the case of the Chamber of Secrets back in their second year, and gotten through tough tasks and tests to make sure the Philosopher's Stone did not get into wrong hands in their first year. And as these three people, thought Dumbledore, were directly or indirectly involved with anything to do with Voldemort, and the battle against his rising evil powers, they deserved an explanation. An explanation about what was going on.
'I know the situation outside has been troubling you over the holidays, and ever more as you have returned to Hogwarts for another year. I understand, value and respect your contributions to the good side, the side of truth over the past few years. You have done what few fully qualified wizards could have done, and I cannot give you any praise higher than that. As I said in the Great Hall, I do not wish to involve you in any direct fighting against evil or meetings of the Order. You have yet to receive your education and magical training but I know you have to beware of what is happening outside the walls of Hogwarts.'
Dumbledore sighed, and stood up from his chair, walking slowly around the large desk. Harry, Ron, and Hermione looked up at him, waiting for him to continue. All three knew their involvement was not direct but they had to know how things were proceeding.
'The Order was formed one week after Hogwarts closed for the summer holidays. Sirius, Remus, Arabella, Mundungus Fletcher, Arthur, Hagrid, Madam Maxime from Beauxbatons, Professor Snape and myself are, at present, the chief members. We are doing whatever we can at this moment to persuade members of the Ministry to join the order, and to accept the fact that even Cornelius Fudge has rejected; that Voldemort has returned. And if we do not do something quickly, we could face the same situation that we faced fifteen years ago. There have been a few reports of missing people, but so far, fortunately, there have been no worse situations. We, in the Order, are working undercover, doing whatever we can to anticipate Voldemort's next big step. He could possibly try spying, as last year, and we have to watch out for that inside the wall of Hogwarts. I ask you to obey the rules laid down, strictly. Any strange or mysterious activity is to be reported immediately, and as prefect, Hermione, you have to keep a good look out for any perpetrators.'
Hermione nodded, her face set in determination of doing her duty honestly, and helping in whatever way we can.
'I presume you have some questions?' Dumbledore asked, a faint twinkle reappearing in his eyes, overlapping the somewhat tired look they had.
Harry nodded slightly. 'Professor, can't we help in any other way? The Order, I mean?'
Professor Dumbledore sighed.
'Harry, I understand your eagerness and willingness to help, but for once, I ask you not to get too involved in the Order's meetings and decisions. I know you can argue very well that you are at an equal position as far as encounters with Voldemort are concerned, but it is for your own betterment, and peace of mind, that you let the Order fight the real battle. You time will come, believe me, but it is better for you at present, to be a student of Hogwarts like Ron and Hermione rather than a chief member of the Order. Of course, since the Order is mainly dependent upon good, anything you do for the good side will always benefit the Order of Phoenix.'
Harry knew arguing was no use, and to be honest, he too felt that taking his mind off Voldemort for the present, and getting involved in his school and his friends would be a really good change. He didn't think much would happen inside the school for some time and the thought was rather peaceful, even if Voldemort's powers were growing. He knew he had a direct link with Voldemort, a great enmity, but being normal was what he wanted after the events of last term. And it would probably be even more better suppose he became captain of the Gryffindor Quidditch team, and focused only on that.
Harry nodded his agreement, and Ron and Hermione nodded too.
'If you don't have any more questions, I suggest you return to your towers. The journey to Hogwarts is quite long and tiring, and a good night's sleep is what the three of you need,' said Professor Dumbledore. Harry, Ron and Hermione knew their cue, and stood up.
'Er, Harry?' asked Professor Dumbledore, as they stood up. Harry looked up at the aging Headmaster.
'Do you have a Charmzirius?'
Harry nodded, surprised by the question.
'Yes professor,' he said, and took it out of his robe pocket, where is had been for the whole day. He handed it to the Headmaster.
'Very well. I am glad Ms. Weasley gave that to you. Take care of it. Charmziriui are very rare, and very valuable. Ziriui have several, rare and very important qualities, and if you feel their influence, they are very useful to you,' said Professor Dumbledore, looking at the Zirius emanating a cold, silver light, and then handing it back to Harry.
'I do feel its influence,' said Harry, quite surprised how Dumbledore knew so much about his Charmzirius, where he had got it from, etc.
Dumbledore smiled, his eyes twinkling. 'That is a very good sign.'
'How did you know Ginny gave it to me, Professor?' asked Harry curiously. Dumbledore smiled once again.
'I am aware of a lot of things. Don't worry, back to your tower now. You've got a whole term ahead, and you don't want to be late for Potions on your first day do you?'
Harry, Ron and Hermione looked at him, surprised.
'Oh yes,' said Professor Dumbledore, realizing something, 'I presume you haven't been handed your timetables yet? Well, I remember you have Potions tomorrow morning.'
Ron could not constrain himself from letting out a small groan.
'Professor Snape would appreciate that,' said Professor Dumbledore, his eyes twinkling brightly, smiling.
'So Harry, you want to go for Captain or something?' asked Ron, in a low voice as the three headed back to Gryffindor tower through silent, eerie halls, devoid of students who had gone to their respective towers.
'I don't know, may be, since I don't have much else to do anyway,' said Harry, giving Ron a slight smile. 'It might not be such a bad idea after all.'
'Will you get enough time for studies? We have the O.W.L.s coming up.' That was, of course, Hermione speaking.
'Hermione!' said Ron, annoyed. 'Quidditch captain! Harry has to go for that, the O.W.L.s are far away.'
'They may seem far away to you, but they are not, there are only about nine months left- Twitters.'
Hermione gave the password and the portrait of the Fat Lady swung open.
The Common Room was quiet, no one left in the large room, everyone long gone to bed.
Harry reached the boys' dormitory, and Ron said to him,
'I'll be joining you in a minute.' Harry nodded, suppressing a smile. However much Ron and Hermione differed on the subject of O.W.L.s, both had a really strong and love-filled relationship. And saying good night was part of that.
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So here was chapter five! Nothing much but I think that this was the most difficult chapter that I have written so far i.e. the meeting with Dumbledore and Dumbledore's Start-of-term speech.
BTW, do you think I'm writing very mushy fics, fairly mushy fics or barely any mushy parts in my fics? I don't know, many people don't like too much mush.
Till then, please review!
Mail me for any detailed questions! I love hearing from all of you!
And here are all the reviewers I'd like to thank! You have been reading and reviewing my story, which means a lot to me – really!
In the name of reading: I'm glad you liked that chapter, and yes Gryffindortower and Sugarquill are wonderful, aren't they? I believe they have the best H/G fics on the web! About Harry and Ginny getting together…yes…that's a good question but I can't answer that sorry… I have been trying to restrain myself a lot. It hurts me more than it hurts you, believe me, not to see them together. But, I believe this saying may help you…it's a saying in Urdu, my first language "The fruit of patience is always very sweet." Keep reading!
Myshawolf: Thanks, keep reading as I'll be trying to post quickly.
Corky: Thanks! Keep reading!
J: Well, you are getting your "more, more, more" aren't you? *grins wickedly* Just keep checking back here often!
Kiwi: Thanks for the compliment…only I feel that some people at Gryffindortower.net are far better when writing is concerned…you should check out "Imogen" and "Firebolt909" at the Library in Gryffindortower! Anyway, thanks!
Trueblades: Thanks for the lovely compliments. Frankly, I myself don't like characters to be out of character or dull…we like J.K.Rowling for many reasons, and one of them is how she brings the characters alive like you say…I try to stick to the writing style of Ms. Rowling! And yes, I will, surely keep writing.
Mionee: Thanks, you're a faithful reviewer! Keep reading!
Tinabedina: Well, there are lots of parts to come! Thanks, and keep reading!
Jer: I can hardly stop myself from posting all the chapters quickly! I have quite a few written, at least up till Christmas at Hogwarts but I want to edit them properly before uploading them.
AriaStar: Thanks! Yes, Gryffindortower's wonderful, isn't it? The Queens of H/G are doing a great job and my thirst for quality H/G is quenched there!
Budgiebird: Thanks, keep reading!
LaLa: An enthusiastic review! Thanks!
MoNmon: Hehe, passion, eh? Thanks, and of course, H/G and R/H are the destined couples!
Joe McEwing's girl: Thanks for the compliments! Keep reading!
TheRealDrPepper: I am writing, as fast as I can!
Now, why don't you go ahead and read chapter six? Ooooh, I hate Snape!