Chapter 5
Professor Mcgonagal strode over to their table.
"Uh oh" Ron whispered to Harry.
"Hermione, may I see you for a moment?" She said. Hermione got up and followed her.
Ron breathed a sigh of relief; "It would not have been good to already be in trouble on the first day."
" Yeah, like in our second year?" Harry pointed out. Ron just shrugged. Then Harry pointed to over where Ginny and Anna were sitting, deep in conversation. "Boy, it looks like they've known each other for ever, doesn't it?" Ron just stared at them. He almost looked disgusted. Just then Hermione came striding up to them. A huge grin on her face and a shiny badge pinned to her robe.
"Hermione!" Harry exclaimed, "You've been made a prefect!" He gave her a pat on the back.
"I new she'd be a prefect since the moment I met her." Ron said "Congratulations." He smiled.
"Thanks guys." She sat down, positively beaming. And went back to the feast.
They continued to talk. About Quidditch, classes, Sirius, and eventually Voldemort.
"You wouldn't lie to us Harry, now would you?" Hermione asked him for the fourth time, "Your scar hasn't hurt yet?"
"For the last time guys, it hasn't hurt since the summer began! I wouldn't lie!" Harry said, now almost outraged. He slammed his fork onto his plate.
"Just checking." Said Ron.
***
At last the feast ended and Hermione began to lead the Gryffindors up to the tower. Harry and Ron marched past the familiar looking paintings and staircases. They looked around, absorbing it. And as they could see the first years were too. They looked around in amazement pointing and chattering about every painting and candle. When they arrived at the portrait of the fat lady Hermione turned around to face the Gryffindors. "This is the entrance to the Gryffindor common room, and the path you just walked is the quickest path. The new password is "Kelpie". And as she said the password the fat lady swung forward revealing a gap in the wall. They all climbed in and scattered about, looking around. Harry noticed Ginny giving Anna a quick tour. Then Hermione came over and joined them again.
"Well," Ron began "Here we are, our fifth year."
~***~ Later that night Hermione was up late in the common room reading by the fire. She had already said good night to Harry and Ron and the only other person in the room was Anna. She was over in a corner, looking out a window with a different book open in her lap. Hermione jerked her head away and went back to her book. Another ten minutes passed until Hermione yawned and decided to go to bed. Right before she was about to step onto the staircase that would take her to the 5th year girl's dormitory a voice sounded.
"Err.excuse me." It said. Hermione looked over her shoulder and saw Anna coming toward her. "You wouldn't happen to know where.where my.um.dormitory is. Would you?"
Hermione had to think about that for a moment. "Your in the fifth year right?"
"Yes." She replied.
"I think I do. Follow me" They went up the spiral staircase until they reached a door. There was a sign on the door that read, ' Fifth year Girls' and under it was a list of names: ' Brown, Lavender.Granger, Hermione.Patil, Parvati.' At the end of that list was a newly inscribed name '.Roptter, Anna" "Yup, your in this dormitory with me, Lavender, and Parvati. If you need help with anything else feel free to ask me!" Hermione said to Anna. "Thank you." Anna said. Hermione just then decided that she didn't want to go to bed quite yet. She wanted to know about Anna. And maybe even make a new friend. "Professor Mcgonagal said you were from Ireland right?" Hermione asked in a kind tone. "Right." Anna replied.
"You don't have an Irish accent, or a British one." Hermione pointed out. "Yes, I've moved around a lot. I was born in Britain but my parents were killed when I was little so I was sent to an orphanage." "I'm sorry." Hermione interrupted. "It's all right. Anyway, The British orphanage didn't want me after a few years so they sent me to America. That's where they discoved I was a witch after I broke flower pot on a bully's head." She said that with a slight chuckle, so Hermione chuckled too. "So then they sent me to a wizarding school in Salem. After a few years there I was transferred to Ireland and I spent a few more years there and here I am back in England." "Oh, that must be awful getting transferred like that. Don't you have any living relatives?" Hermione said sympathetically. "No. But I'm used to it by now. I do hope I stay here though. This is the nicest school I've been in yet." Anna said with a dreamy look on her face. "Well, I hope you do to." Hermione said with a friendly smile. "Thanks." Anna said.
~***~
The next morning at breakfast as Professor Mcgonagal was passing out the new schedules Hermione filled Harry and Ron in with Anna's story.
"Looks like you aren't the only one who's got it rough, huh Harry?" Ron said.
"Yeah, I can't help feeling bad for her." Harry said back. He looked to his left; Anna was sitting by herself at the end of the table. Professor Mcgonagal had just handed her a schedule and was now making her way over to them.
"Here you are Mr. Potter, Weasly, and Miss. Granger." She said handling them their schedules.
Ron groaned, "I knew it, potions with the Slytherins again."
"Sorry Mr. Weasly, but that's the way things work." Mcgonagal shrugged.
"I don't think that'll ever change Ron." Harry said.
"Best to get going now guys, don't want to be late. We've got to get out to the greenhouses. Herbology's first." Harry grabbed one last bite of toast and a sip of pumpkin juice and dashed off with Hermione and Ron. They went out through the main door and turned left towards the greenhouses.
"I wonder what we'll do this year." Hermione said.
"I bet it has something to do with plants!" Ron said back.
Harry rolled his eyes "Don't start guys."
When they reached the greenhouse they joined their fellow Gryffindors and the Hufflepuffs. After the usual five minutes of waiting for Professor Sprout to get there they filed into Greenhouse two. Everyone seemed a bit disappointed that they were going into such a low-level greenhouse.
"Welcome back everybody!" Professor sprout said enthusiastically. "Yes, yes, I know you're all wondering what we're doing in greenhouse two but I promise it'll get better!" She paused, looking around. As she did so the door opened.
"I'm sorry I'm late." Anna said, "I had some trouble finding the greenhouses."
"Quite all right. Professor Mcgonagall warned me you might be late." She answered back and motioned her in. "Anyway, today we're going to be pruning Scuppernongs. They're these plants over here," She motioned to a cluster of long vines that covered the whole wall. On them were growing a fruit the size of a kiwi but instead of a brown-green they were a shiny golden-green. "Now this type of fruit she said is actually a kind of grape. We're eventually going to learn how to juice them, as the juice is very tasty and the kitchen would love to have some, and it can also be used in some kinds of medicine. So anyway, get to work and cut of all the dead vines!"
After a very long time Harry's arms were beginning to grow tired. And he was also getting sick of hearing Hermione rave on about how she was hoping Professor Sprout would let them taste some of the juice. Ron was getting so bored he was cutting vines at a rate of one per ten minutes. But not a moment to soon was the class finally over. They all practically jumped for joy as they went out the door into the sunshine.
Harry looked at his schedule, "We've got History of Magic next."
After History of Magic Ron was complaining, "God, I thought Herbology was boring."
"Too true." Harry muttered. He looked at his schedule again. "Hermione, Ron and I've got Divination next. We'll meet you by Hagrid's hut for Care of Magical creatures next."
"All right, see you." She said
"Bye." Harry and Ron said back.
***
Soon they found themselves in Professor Trelawny's hot, muggy tower. They took they're seats at the big puffy chairs in the corner where they usually sat and waited for her to glide out of the shadows like she usually did. Within five minutes she did so and as soon as she did she started giving out her annual predictions, which included someone breaking their leg, someone getting horribly sick, and of course a series of misfortunate events for Harry.
"Oh, and someone will be late today." She added.
"Mcgonagall must have told her about Anna." Ron whispered to Harry. Then sure enough the trapdoor opened and out popped Anna.
"Err.Sorry, I had trouble finding the room." She said.
Trelawny looked as though she expected applause, "It's okay, just have a seat. You must be new."
"Yeah, I'm a transfer from Ireland. Anna Roptter." She said as she took a seat at the only empty table.
"Al right then. Today we're going to review the crystal ball!" She said. Everyone but Lavender and Pavarti groaned.
***
After Divination Harry and Ron met Hermione outside her Arithmancy class. She was beaming.
"This year we're doing much more advanced stuff!" She was saying.
They made their way out the large oak doors onto the castle grounds towards Hagrid's hut. To their surprise Anna was already there and she was deeply in conversation with Charlie Weasly. But as they approached they stopped their conversation rather abruptly. Soon after Harry, Ron, and Hermione came about so did the rest of the Gryffindors and then three minutes later came the gang of Slytherins led of course by Draco Malfoy. "Oh great, a Weasly as a professor, that's just what Hogwarts needs." He was saying. Charlie just stared him in the eye.
"Welcome back class." Hagrid said. "Our firs' subject this year is goin' ter be these little guys right here," He held up a cage full of whirling sapphire blue things "They're Billywings!" he said excitedly "Aren't they great? Have a good look at 'em!" Charlie then took the cage from Hagrid and put his hand inside. He grabbed a Billywing and holding it tightly with two fingers took it out. The Gryffindors stepped closer for a better look. The top of it was round and the bottom of it thinned out to form a thin stinger. It was a brilliant sapphire blue, with teeny eyes on the round part of its body, and on the top were wings that spun so it rotated as it flew. "Let's see what you make of the side effects of the sting." Charlie said as he released it. The Gryffindors gasped as he released it and parted down the middle as the blue blur sped strait toward Malfoy.
Malfoy looked almost amused as it buzzed around him and he tried to swat it with his wand. But apparently this provoked the Billywing and it stung him. "Ow." Malfoy said very dully. "Oh, please, is that the only side effect? I little pinch? I can take it!" He asked Charlie and Hagrid. But soon he started to hover. "What-what's going on?" He asked. Harry was please to see a little hint of distress on his face.
"A pinch isn't the only side effect Mr. Malfoy." Said Charlie. He took out his wand, "Stupefy!" He shouted at the Billywing and it wafted toward the ground. "Accio Billywing!" He said and it zoomed into his outstretched hand and then put it back into the cage.
Malfoy was still hovering. However now he seemed to be overcome with the giggles. "Hehehehe! This is kinda cool!" He said looking at his feet and waving them in the air.
"Yep, those are the two side-effects, Levitating and giddiness. It'll wear off in about five minute 'er so." Said Hagrid.
"Weeeeeeeeeeeeee!!!" Continued Malfoy now spinning in circles. "This is great fun! Yippee!"
The Gryffindors were now doubling over with laughter while the rest of the Slytherins looked horrorstruck. Just then apparently five minutes was up because Malfoy then fell on his backside. The Gryffindors were now howling with laughter.
"I don't see what's so funny." He said as he got up and wiped the dust of his back.
"We do!" Ron said back.
"All right class is over guys. See ya tomorrow." Hagrid said.
Harry, Ron, and Hermione didn't leave right away.
"Hey Hagrid!" Ron said, "You got an assistant! All right!"
"Yup, he sure did." Charlie came over and ruffled his little brother's hair.
"This is great!" Said Harry "Did you by any chance set that Billy wing on Malfoy?"
"No, but I'd like to know why it went straight for him." Charlie said with a puzzled look on his face.
"All the better fro us Gryffindors!" Added Hermione.
"Got that right 'Ermione." Said Hagrid, "Now yeh best be runnin' along don't want ter be late 'fer yer next class.
"Bye!" The three of them called over their shoulder.
Professor Mcgonagal strode over to their table.
"Uh oh" Ron whispered to Harry.
"Hermione, may I see you for a moment?" She said. Hermione got up and followed her.
Ron breathed a sigh of relief; "It would not have been good to already be in trouble on the first day."
" Yeah, like in our second year?" Harry pointed out. Ron just shrugged. Then Harry pointed to over where Ginny and Anna were sitting, deep in conversation. "Boy, it looks like they've known each other for ever, doesn't it?" Ron just stared at them. He almost looked disgusted. Just then Hermione came striding up to them. A huge grin on her face and a shiny badge pinned to her robe.
"Hermione!" Harry exclaimed, "You've been made a prefect!" He gave her a pat on the back.
"I new she'd be a prefect since the moment I met her." Ron said "Congratulations." He smiled.
"Thanks guys." She sat down, positively beaming. And went back to the feast.
They continued to talk. About Quidditch, classes, Sirius, and eventually Voldemort.
"You wouldn't lie to us Harry, now would you?" Hermione asked him for the fourth time, "Your scar hasn't hurt yet?"
"For the last time guys, it hasn't hurt since the summer began! I wouldn't lie!" Harry said, now almost outraged. He slammed his fork onto his plate.
"Just checking." Said Ron.
***
At last the feast ended and Hermione began to lead the Gryffindors up to the tower. Harry and Ron marched past the familiar looking paintings and staircases. They looked around, absorbing it. And as they could see the first years were too. They looked around in amazement pointing and chattering about every painting and candle. When they arrived at the portrait of the fat lady Hermione turned around to face the Gryffindors. "This is the entrance to the Gryffindor common room, and the path you just walked is the quickest path. The new password is "Kelpie". And as she said the password the fat lady swung forward revealing a gap in the wall. They all climbed in and scattered about, looking around. Harry noticed Ginny giving Anna a quick tour. Then Hermione came over and joined them again.
"Well," Ron began "Here we are, our fifth year."
~***~ Later that night Hermione was up late in the common room reading by the fire. She had already said good night to Harry and Ron and the only other person in the room was Anna. She was over in a corner, looking out a window with a different book open in her lap. Hermione jerked her head away and went back to her book. Another ten minutes passed until Hermione yawned and decided to go to bed. Right before she was about to step onto the staircase that would take her to the 5th year girl's dormitory a voice sounded.
"Err.excuse me." It said. Hermione looked over her shoulder and saw Anna coming toward her. "You wouldn't happen to know where.where my.um.dormitory is. Would you?"
Hermione had to think about that for a moment. "Your in the fifth year right?"
"Yes." She replied.
"I think I do. Follow me" They went up the spiral staircase until they reached a door. There was a sign on the door that read, ' Fifth year Girls' and under it was a list of names: ' Brown, Lavender.Granger, Hermione.Patil, Parvati.' At the end of that list was a newly inscribed name '.Roptter, Anna" "Yup, your in this dormitory with me, Lavender, and Parvati. If you need help with anything else feel free to ask me!" Hermione said to Anna. "Thank you." Anna said. Hermione just then decided that she didn't want to go to bed quite yet. She wanted to know about Anna. And maybe even make a new friend. "Professor Mcgonagal said you were from Ireland right?" Hermione asked in a kind tone. "Right." Anna replied.
"You don't have an Irish accent, or a British one." Hermione pointed out. "Yes, I've moved around a lot. I was born in Britain but my parents were killed when I was little so I was sent to an orphanage." "I'm sorry." Hermione interrupted. "It's all right. Anyway, The British orphanage didn't want me after a few years so they sent me to America. That's where they discoved I was a witch after I broke flower pot on a bully's head." She said that with a slight chuckle, so Hermione chuckled too. "So then they sent me to a wizarding school in Salem. After a few years there I was transferred to Ireland and I spent a few more years there and here I am back in England." "Oh, that must be awful getting transferred like that. Don't you have any living relatives?" Hermione said sympathetically. "No. But I'm used to it by now. I do hope I stay here though. This is the nicest school I've been in yet." Anna said with a dreamy look on her face. "Well, I hope you do to." Hermione said with a friendly smile. "Thanks." Anna said.
~***~
The next morning at breakfast as Professor Mcgonagal was passing out the new schedules Hermione filled Harry and Ron in with Anna's story.
"Looks like you aren't the only one who's got it rough, huh Harry?" Ron said.
"Yeah, I can't help feeling bad for her." Harry said back. He looked to his left; Anna was sitting by herself at the end of the table. Professor Mcgonagal had just handed her a schedule and was now making her way over to them.
"Here you are Mr. Potter, Weasly, and Miss. Granger." She said handling them their schedules.
Ron groaned, "I knew it, potions with the Slytherins again."
"Sorry Mr. Weasly, but that's the way things work." Mcgonagal shrugged.
"I don't think that'll ever change Ron." Harry said.
"Best to get going now guys, don't want to be late. We've got to get out to the greenhouses. Herbology's first." Harry grabbed one last bite of toast and a sip of pumpkin juice and dashed off with Hermione and Ron. They went out through the main door and turned left towards the greenhouses.
"I wonder what we'll do this year." Hermione said.
"I bet it has something to do with plants!" Ron said back.
Harry rolled his eyes "Don't start guys."
When they reached the greenhouse they joined their fellow Gryffindors and the Hufflepuffs. After the usual five minutes of waiting for Professor Sprout to get there they filed into Greenhouse two. Everyone seemed a bit disappointed that they were going into such a low-level greenhouse.
"Welcome back everybody!" Professor sprout said enthusiastically. "Yes, yes, I know you're all wondering what we're doing in greenhouse two but I promise it'll get better!" She paused, looking around. As she did so the door opened.
"I'm sorry I'm late." Anna said, "I had some trouble finding the greenhouses."
"Quite all right. Professor Mcgonagall warned me you might be late." She answered back and motioned her in. "Anyway, today we're going to be pruning Scuppernongs. They're these plants over here," She motioned to a cluster of long vines that covered the whole wall. On them were growing a fruit the size of a kiwi but instead of a brown-green they were a shiny golden-green. "Now this type of fruit she said is actually a kind of grape. We're eventually going to learn how to juice them, as the juice is very tasty and the kitchen would love to have some, and it can also be used in some kinds of medicine. So anyway, get to work and cut of all the dead vines!"
After a very long time Harry's arms were beginning to grow tired. And he was also getting sick of hearing Hermione rave on about how she was hoping Professor Sprout would let them taste some of the juice. Ron was getting so bored he was cutting vines at a rate of one per ten minutes. But not a moment to soon was the class finally over. They all practically jumped for joy as they went out the door into the sunshine.
Harry looked at his schedule, "We've got History of Magic next."
After History of Magic Ron was complaining, "God, I thought Herbology was boring."
"Too true." Harry muttered. He looked at his schedule again. "Hermione, Ron and I've got Divination next. We'll meet you by Hagrid's hut for Care of Magical creatures next."
"All right, see you." She said
"Bye." Harry and Ron said back.
***
Soon they found themselves in Professor Trelawny's hot, muggy tower. They took they're seats at the big puffy chairs in the corner where they usually sat and waited for her to glide out of the shadows like she usually did. Within five minutes she did so and as soon as she did she started giving out her annual predictions, which included someone breaking their leg, someone getting horribly sick, and of course a series of misfortunate events for Harry.
"Oh, and someone will be late today." She added.
"Mcgonagall must have told her about Anna." Ron whispered to Harry. Then sure enough the trapdoor opened and out popped Anna.
"Err.Sorry, I had trouble finding the room." She said.
Trelawny looked as though she expected applause, "It's okay, just have a seat. You must be new."
"Yeah, I'm a transfer from Ireland. Anna Roptter." She said as she took a seat at the only empty table.
"Al right then. Today we're going to review the crystal ball!" She said. Everyone but Lavender and Pavarti groaned.
***
After Divination Harry and Ron met Hermione outside her Arithmancy class. She was beaming.
"This year we're doing much more advanced stuff!" She was saying.
They made their way out the large oak doors onto the castle grounds towards Hagrid's hut. To their surprise Anna was already there and she was deeply in conversation with Charlie Weasly. But as they approached they stopped their conversation rather abruptly. Soon after Harry, Ron, and Hermione came about so did the rest of the Gryffindors and then three minutes later came the gang of Slytherins led of course by Draco Malfoy. "Oh great, a Weasly as a professor, that's just what Hogwarts needs." He was saying. Charlie just stared him in the eye.
"Welcome back class." Hagrid said. "Our firs' subject this year is goin' ter be these little guys right here," He held up a cage full of whirling sapphire blue things "They're Billywings!" he said excitedly "Aren't they great? Have a good look at 'em!" Charlie then took the cage from Hagrid and put his hand inside. He grabbed a Billywing and holding it tightly with two fingers took it out. The Gryffindors stepped closer for a better look. The top of it was round and the bottom of it thinned out to form a thin stinger. It was a brilliant sapphire blue, with teeny eyes on the round part of its body, and on the top were wings that spun so it rotated as it flew. "Let's see what you make of the side effects of the sting." Charlie said as he released it. The Gryffindors gasped as he released it and parted down the middle as the blue blur sped strait toward Malfoy.
Malfoy looked almost amused as it buzzed around him and he tried to swat it with his wand. But apparently this provoked the Billywing and it stung him. "Ow." Malfoy said very dully. "Oh, please, is that the only side effect? I little pinch? I can take it!" He asked Charlie and Hagrid. But soon he started to hover. "What-what's going on?" He asked. Harry was please to see a little hint of distress on his face.
"A pinch isn't the only side effect Mr. Malfoy." Said Charlie. He took out his wand, "Stupefy!" He shouted at the Billywing and it wafted toward the ground. "Accio Billywing!" He said and it zoomed into his outstretched hand and then put it back into the cage.
Malfoy was still hovering. However now he seemed to be overcome with the giggles. "Hehehehe! This is kinda cool!" He said looking at his feet and waving them in the air.
"Yep, those are the two side-effects, Levitating and giddiness. It'll wear off in about five minute 'er so." Said Hagrid.
"Weeeeeeeeeeeeee!!!" Continued Malfoy now spinning in circles. "This is great fun! Yippee!"
The Gryffindors were now doubling over with laughter while the rest of the Slytherins looked horrorstruck. Just then apparently five minutes was up because Malfoy then fell on his backside. The Gryffindors were now howling with laughter.
"I don't see what's so funny." He said as he got up and wiped the dust of his back.
"We do!" Ron said back.
"All right class is over guys. See ya tomorrow." Hagrid said.
Harry, Ron, and Hermione didn't leave right away.
"Hey Hagrid!" Ron said, "You got an assistant! All right!"
"Yup, he sure did." Charlie came over and ruffled his little brother's hair.
"This is great!" Said Harry "Did you by any chance set that Billy wing on Malfoy?"
"No, but I'd like to know why it went straight for him." Charlie said with a puzzled look on his face.
"All the better fro us Gryffindors!" Added Hermione.
"Got that right 'Ermione." Said Hagrid, "Now yeh best be runnin' along don't want ter be late 'fer yer next class.
"Bye!" The three of them called over their shoulder.