Chapter 3
Harry felt like he was going to collapse. Daeron was pushing him at a grueling rate as the walked through the beginnings of a wilderness,
" Can we please slow down?" He moaned.
" No, if we are to make it there by tonight we cannot," She was about four paces ahead of him, slowed slightly. " Besides, it may not be safe for us to be in the open for so long." She murmured quietly.
The woods began to thicken and darken. Daeron picked up speed.
" Are we going to walk all the way there?" Harry asked, not really complaining.
" No, that would take too long," Daeron replied shortly.
" Did I do something to make you angry with me?" Harry asked. Daeron stopped at turned to him. "You seem to be awfully short with me,"
" No, I'm sorry. I'm just nervous, we still have a long way to go." A sudden pain struck Harry's forehead.
~*~
" It sure is different," Ron mumbled settling down in a compartment. He looked around sadly before realizing this was the same compartment he met Harry and Hermione in. Hermione came in behind him and sat down, very pale.
They sat in silence for most of the trip. Hedwig hooted sadly from her cage with Pigwidgeon. Hedwig had flown in the day after Dumbledore had come to them. Ron looked out the window forcing himself not to cry again. He was a boy, so he refused to let anyone see him cry, not his family, not his enemies or friends. Not even Hermione would he let see any tears fall.
The door behind them slid open,
" Hullo," a voice said hoarsely. Ron looked over at a very sad looking Neville. He raised his eyebrows, Neville had grown over the summer. A lot. Ron caught the look on Hermione's face too. Neville was taller and almost muscular, not the clumsy, short, and chubby kid. "I hear-heard about your loss, I just wanted to say that I'm sorry,"
" Oh Neville," Hermione smiled. "Thank you," Hermione tried to keep her smile, but her lip began to tremble.
" You can sit with us if you want," Ron offered not really caring anymore. Neville smiled and sat down next to Ron. The door slid open again minutes later and to their disgust it was followed by a chuckle.
" I said it didn't I Weasly, Granger! 'You'll be next' and look how he ended up, dead!" Ron and Hermione stood up. Ron, by the look of his face, was going to kill Malfoy. Hermione stood up to restrain him. Crabbe and Goyle snickered stupidly.
" Of course you knew Malfoy, your fathers shot probably killed him," Hermione yelled, tears falling from her cheeks.
" Shut up you filthy Mudblood, I would be more then proud if my father did that." Malfoy spat.
In one swift motion Neville was on his feet and his fist flew through the air. Malfoy staggered backward clutching his eye. Ron and Hermione looked at Neville in shock, not only did he hit Malfoy- he hit him hard. Neville seemed to be trembling with fury.
After a few seconds of stunned silence, Malfoy removed his hand to reveal a big, black eye. Crabbe and Goyle just stood in shock.
" Get… The…Hell…Out…" Neville's voice seemed to quake with fury. Ron and Hermione just stood in awe. Malfoy cast him a furious look, and to their surprise, left.
" Wow." Ron said simply. By the look in his face, that was all he could think of saying. He looked at Neville in what seemed like reverence.
" You know, Neville, you just made my day. Nah, by the look of that shiner- you made my week. Or how ever long that mark lasts on his face," Hermione said smiling again. Ron shut his eyes. "Are you alright, Ron?"
" Shh…" he stayed like that for a few moments. "Okay, that has officially gone into my brain with all the other good Malfoy moments," They chuckled weakly. Ron would have laughed harder, but it wasn't the same with out his best friend.
By the time they reached the platform it began to drizzle lightly. Hermione and Ron turned around just in time to see Hagrid walk over to them and embrace them, sobbing.
" Oh! It's…good to see yer, …I haven't …seen yer since the funeral," Hagrid sobbed each time he paused.
" It's alright Hagrid, it'll be okay," Hermione felt slightly silly comforting a huge half giant sobbing into her shoulder. Hagrid backed off with a nod and began to lead the first years away, with an occasional sniffle in between his words.
They rode up to the castle and finally sat down at the great hall. There was a low murmur as Ron and Hermione sat down at the Gryffindor table.
" Look!" Ron hissed, " It's Lupin!" Ron gestured over to the table.
" I guess he's the new Defence against the Dark Arts teacher," Hermione whispered back.
" Welcome, welcome." Dumbledore's voice boomed over the quiet commotion. The doors to the great hall shut behind and group of first years and and older looking group of kids. "I must announce that we have some new student here this year," He nodded to some farmiliar faces from Durmstrang. "They will be sorted with the first years…" Ron looked at his plate, this was getting to be too much for him. Hermione, Seamus and Neville looked at him sympathetically. Dumbledore spoke for a few moments about rules and about what the sorting hat will do. The sorting passed fairly quickly for Ron, he barely paid attention to any of it.
Now all the students were seated, Gryffindor got only a few students from Durmstrang, and to Ron's pleasure, not including Victor Krum. He had been placed in Ravenclaw.
" Before I continue with this night's feast, I would like to have a moment of silence for our Hogwarts champion-"
There was a loud scrape as the doors to the great hall creaked open. Everyone turned with confusion to the single figure standing in the door way.
Ron's jaw dropped and a tear rolled down his cheek as Harry took two staggering steps forward. His clothes were torn across the shoulders and he had a cut across his forehead. His hair was messier then usual dirt and mud covered patches of his clothing. Everyone at the head table stood up in amazement.
Harry looked around for a moment, Ron and Hermione stood up straight, everyone else's looked shocked and stunned.
Harry's eyes rolled back into his head as he pitched forward onto the ground.
A/N: There you are, Happy Unique Shades of Orange? ;) Please review