Chapter Two: To Hogwarts We Go!
The shrill voice of Aunt Petunia was enough to wake anyone up, but Harry was especially easy to wake up this morning. It was the last day of summer, but for an unusual boy like Harry, getting away from the Dursley's was a welcome prospect. He checked off the last day, and it was now the day the term would start. He smiled when he read that marked on the first of September he would return to Hogwarts, Harry's school.
Harry dressed quickly, and threw his supplies into a trunk. He surveyed the room through his green eyes, the only thing Harry had inherited from his mother. He made sure he had packed his wand, all the books he would need, and most importantly this year, his invisibility cloak. When Harry had began thinking of returning to Hogwarts, the thoughts came filling into him. Of Cedric's death, of seeing Voldemort rise to power again, it made Harry sick. He took a final glance into the mirror, and tried to straighten his messy hair. It was impossible, impossible as raising a dragon. Harry chuckled to himself, thinking of Hagrid for the first time in awhile.
The good thoughts didn't last for long, as he was already piled into the car, waiting to be driven to Kings Cross, where he would get on the Hogwarts Express. Harry tried to process his thoughts, before he entered the wizarding world again. He didn't know what the state of it was, and he was dying to know. He closed his eyes, and leaned his head back, trying to tell the story to himself, again.
It all began when Harry was just one-year-old, and when Voldemort had decided to try and kill Harry's parents. His parents were hiding in Godric's Hollow, away from Voldemort, for they knew he was looking for them. Voldemort was a dark wizard and he was as dark as they come. He was so strong, and so powerful, that many do not speak his name still to this day. The only problem was, his parents thought that they were hidden, but their friend Wormtail had ratted them out to Voldemort.
When Voldemort found out where his parents were, he marched towards Godric's Hollow. When he arrived, James Potter, Harry's father, put up a good fight but eventually fell to his death. Voldemort then turned towards Harry, and went to kill him, but Harry's mother, Lily, wouldn't let him. Voldemort in turn, killed her, though she needn't die. With Harry the only one left, and a poor defenseless baby, Voldemort went to kill Harry, but couldn't and Voldemort was said to have died right then.
Only, he didn't die and just last year, at the end of the Tournament, he was able to get enough power to rise again. He was strong enough now, but he was also weaker. Everything Voldemort had tried to gain immortality, but now he had to settle to be mortal for a while.
Harry opened his eyes reluctantly, and realized they had stopped. Sweat was pouring from his forehead, and he was breathing heavily, just like it always had whenever he thought of Voldemort. He closed his eyes once more, let out a deep breath and grabbed his things, emerging from the car.
As he looked all around, Uncle Vernon pulled the car away hastily. He couldn't see any sign of five flaming red heads, with hundreds of freckles to cover their face. He didn't know if the Weasley family would have arrived yet. Harry had forgot to check the time, and was left clueless standing in between platforms nine and ten.
It was lucky Harry didn't enter the platform for the Hogwarts Express, because Ron came running through. He looked excited as ever, and Harry could tell that something great had happened. He was glad to see something happen to Ron for once and not him. "Harry! Harry!" He shouted, still not close enough. He arrived, and he began to speak through his pants. "Dad. Great news. Won't believe. Ministry. Galeons."
"Yeah, I'm sure I'll enjoy it." Harry said with a laugh. "I can't believe you ran that fast to see me!"
"Of course it wasn't you silly." Said a voice from behind him. "It was the chocolates that await him on the train."
"Fred!" Harry said through a chuckle, though he could tell Ron was upset the attention was being taken from Harry. Remember last year, Harry quickly turned to Ron. "So, what were you trying to tell me?"
Ron gave a nod to the left, and Harry saw why he was so quiet. At that exact moment, Draco Malfoy walked by, with extreme malice in his voice as he whispered something to his father. He was so busy, that he didn't even bother to say anything to Harry or Ron. Ron let out a surprised look, and simply gleamed.
"Has no reason to mock either of us." Ron said with an excited squeal.
Just then, Hermione walked in behind Mrs. Weasley. If Harry hadn't seen her with Mrs. Weasley he would've hardly recognized her! Her change over the summer was so drastic, that she didn't look the same. Her normally bushy hair was now permanently straight. Embarrassed he even noticed, Harry noticed that fifteen had been the time she really started to blossom. Their Hermione was changing to a woman right before their eyes. Ron had summed it up the previous year when he called Hermione a girl! And boy was she one.
In little time, they were on the train again and the five of them were in Harry's usual seats. They crammed together, talking about their summers. Harry sat back and listened because he felt that being abused by the Dursley's was not a very nice story. Perhaps the best story came from the Weasley's, as Ron told the story so excellently.
"Money!" He said excitedly. "We have money."
"Don't be so foolish." George added, looking a bit angry. "We've always had money. It's just now we have more. You see, Harry, our dad had gained so much influence with the help of Dumbledore, Fudge couldn't help but promote him."
"That's great." Harry said smiling, and he was truly happy.
"It is." Hermione added, looking up from her textbook.
"Department of Mysteries!" Fred said, amazed. "I don't think it's quite a mystery what they are dealing with."
Harry smiled, and he didn't know if the time was right. He decided that he couldn't hold back any longer, the desire to ask, to want, to know. It was a passion that constantly burned in the young boy.
"I have to ask about that." He said, sounding as though he was thinking aloud. "What has happened since we left school?"
"Not much, it's being well hidden." Ron answered, his voice shaky. "You- Know-Who is gaining power. We can tell from our dad, right now he is killing muggles, gaining his power. Biding his time again."
"Not many know. Know that he is there, and could strike at any time." Hermione said, joining into the conversation. "I've been getting the Daily Prophet, and there has been no mention. No mention of Diggory, or anything. They are doing a good job at covering it up, but when it's finally exposed, it'll be only when Voldemort decides so."
The Weasley boys flinched, and Harry looked at Hermione with a surprised look. Not many people said Voldemort's name, the only person Harry could remember actively saying it was Dumbledore, and of course himself. "It's been all muggles so far." George said, he was thinking about things deeply himself.
"Hard time they had covering it up?" Ron asked, looking at Hermione.
"The deaths have been random, in different parts all over. The muggles are blaming it on different murders, and they aren't even going to further investigate." Hermione said, and she put down her book. "I mean they realized what they've gotten themselves into before. I've read it in some book, I know you haven't read." She added.
Harry sat quiet and numb. He didn't know what else he could ask, he could tell Voldemort was still active, and was still on his quest for power. Or is power what he really wanted? In fact, all he wanted was to be immortal. So why doesn't someone just give him what he wants. If the decision was up to Harry, he would give him it. As Harry though that, Dumbledore's words rang in his head. He deicded he would chose what was right, not easy, like Dumbledore had suggested.
"What about Karkaroff? Snape?" Harry asked, knowing they had both once been Death Eaters, or followers of Voldemort.
"Dead, and no one knows where Snape is." Ron answered, smiling at what he had just said.
Harry looked grim, but seeing the positive he then added, "Potions could be very interesting this year."
The conversation that had been going on in their compartment suddenly ended as the door opened and Draco entered. Harry reached for his wand, but Draco raised his hands. Harry looked, and noticed he was alone.
"Potter, a word?" Malfoy asked, his voice showing his nervousness.
"I'm fine here." Harry challenged. "What do you want?"
"I just wanted to let you know that you are right." Draco said, and then he walked away.
"Right with what?" Harry called after him, curious.
"With how you chose your friends." Draco said, looking suddenly upset. "Perhaps, it was I who should follow my own advice."
Harry was stunned, so stunned that he didn't even realize that train had stopped. Harry thought of one more person he needed to ask. He smiled, thinking of the kind face and then asked-
"How is Dumbledore taking all of this?" Harry asked. His smile turned to a nervous look as everyone's face became serious.
"Oh-Harry, you don't know?" Hermione said her face filled with concern.
"He's been sacked!" they all seemed to say at once, in unison.
~ To those actually reading, please review. I always like to see what people have to say and take your comments (positive or negative and help me write in the future. So, please give me an honest review. Thank a lot! ~
The shrill voice of Aunt Petunia was enough to wake anyone up, but Harry was especially easy to wake up this morning. It was the last day of summer, but for an unusual boy like Harry, getting away from the Dursley's was a welcome prospect. He checked off the last day, and it was now the day the term would start. He smiled when he read that marked on the first of September he would return to Hogwarts, Harry's school.
Harry dressed quickly, and threw his supplies into a trunk. He surveyed the room through his green eyes, the only thing Harry had inherited from his mother. He made sure he had packed his wand, all the books he would need, and most importantly this year, his invisibility cloak. When Harry had began thinking of returning to Hogwarts, the thoughts came filling into him. Of Cedric's death, of seeing Voldemort rise to power again, it made Harry sick. He took a final glance into the mirror, and tried to straighten his messy hair. It was impossible, impossible as raising a dragon. Harry chuckled to himself, thinking of Hagrid for the first time in awhile.
The good thoughts didn't last for long, as he was already piled into the car, waiting to be driven to Kings Cross, where he would get on the Hogwarts Express. Harry tried to process his thoughts, before he entered the wizarding world again. He didn't know what the state of it was, and he was dying to know. He closed his eyes, and leaned his head back, trying to tell the story to himself, again.
It all began when Harry was just one-year-old, and when Voldemort had decided to try and kill Harry's parents. His parents were hiding in Godric's Hollow, away from Voldemort, for they knew he was looking for them. Voldemort was a dark wizard and he was as dark as they come. He was so strong, and so powerful, that many do not speak his name still to this day. The only problem was, his parents thought that they were hidden, but their friend Wormtail had ratted them out to Voldemort.
When Voldemort found out where his parents were, he marched towards Godric's Hollow. When he arrived, James Potter, Harry's father, put up a good fight but eventually fell to his death. Voldemort then turned towards Harry, and went to kill him, but Harry's mother, Lily, wouldn't let him. Voldemort in turn, killed her, though she needn't die. With Harry the only one left, and a poor defenseless baby, Voldemort went to kill Harry, but couldn't and Voldemort was said to have died right then.
Only, he didn't die and just last year, at the end of the Tournament, he was able to get enough power to rise again. He was strong enough now, but he was also weaker. Everything Voldemort had tried to gain immortality, but now he had to settle to be mortal for a while.
Harry opened his eyes reluctantly, and realized they had stopped. Sweat was pouring from his forehead, and he was breathing heavily, just like it always had whenever he thought of Voldemort. He closed his eyes once more, let out a deep breath and grabbed his things, emerging from the car.
As he looked all around, Uncle Vernon pulled the car away hastily. He couldn't see any sign of five flaming red heads, with hundreds of freckles to cover their face. He didn't know if the Weasley family would have arrived yet. Harry had forgot to check the time, and was left clueless standing in between platforms nine and ten.
It was lucky Harry didn't enter the platform for the Hogwarts Express, because Ron came running through. He looked excited as ever, and Harry could tell that something great had happened. He was glad to see something happen to Ron for once and not him. "Harry! Harry!" He shouted, still not close enough. He arrived, and he began to speak through his pants. "Dad. Great news. Won't believe. Ministry. Galeons."
"Yeah, I'm sure I'll enjoy it." Harry said with a laugh. "I can't believe you ran that fast to see me!"
"Of course it wasn't you silly." Said a voice from behind him. "It was the chocolates that await him on the train."
"Fred!" Harry said through a chuckle, though he could tell Ron was upset the attention was being taken from Harry. Remember last year, Harry quickly turned to Ron. "So, what were you trying to tell me?"
Ron gave a nod to the left, and Harry saw why he was so quiet. At that exact moment, Draco Malfoy walked by, with extreme malice in his voice as he whispered something to his father. He was so busy, that he didn't even bother to say anything to Harry or Ron. Ron let out a surprised look, and simply gleamed.
"Has no reason to mock either of us." Ron said with an excited squeal.
Just then, Hermione walked in behind Mrs. Weasley. If Harry hadn't seen her with Mrs. Weasley he would've hardly recognized her! Her change over the summer was so drastic, that she didn't look the same. Her normally bushy hair was now permanently straight. Embarrassed he even noticed, Harry noticed that fifteen had been the time she really started to blossom. Their Hermione was changing to a woman right before their eyes. Ron had summed it up the previous year when he called Hermione a girl! And boy was she one.
In little time, they were on the train again and the five of them were in Harry's usual seats. They crammed together, talking about their summers. Harry sat back and listened because he felt that being abused by the Dursley's was not a very nice story. Perhaps the best story came from the Weasley's, as Ron told the story so excellently.
"Money!" He said excitedly. "We have money."
"Don't be so foolish." George added, looking a bit angry. "We've always had money. It's just now we have more. You see, Harry, our dad had gained so much influence with the help of Dumbledore, Fudge couldn't help but promote him."
"That's great." Harry said smiling, and he was truly happy.
"It is." Hermione added, looking up from her textbook.
"Department of Mysteries!" Fred said, amazed. "I don't think it's quite a mystery what they are dealing with."
Harry smiled, and he didn't know if the time was right. He decided that he couldn't hold back any longer, the desire to ask, to want, to know. It was a passion that constantly burned in the young boy.
"I have to ask about that." He said, sounding as though he was thinking aloud. "What has happened since we left school?"
"Not much, it's being well hidden." Ron answered, his voice shaky. "You- Know-Who is gaining power. We can tell from our dad, right now he is killing muggles, gaining his power. Biding his time again."
"Not many know. Know that he is there, and could strike at any time." Hermione said, joining into the conversation. "I've been getting the Daily Prophet, and there has been no mention. No mention of Diggory, or anything. They are doing a good job at covering it up, but when it's finally exposed, it'll be only when Voldemort decides so."
The Weasley boys flinched, and Harry looked at Hermione with a surprised look. Not many people said Voldemort's name, the only person Harry could remember actively saying it was Dumbledore, and of course himself. "It's been all muggles so far." George said, he was thinking about things deeply himself.
"Hard time they had covering it up?" Ron asked, looking at Hermione.
"The deaths have been random, in different parts all over. The muggles are blaming it on different murders, and they aren't even going to further investigate." Hermione said, and she put down her book. "I mean they realized what they've gotten themselves into before. I've read it in some book, I know you haven't read." She added.
Harry sat quiet and numb. He didn't know what else he could ask, he could tell Voldemort was still active, and was still on his quest for power. Or is power what he really wanted? In fact, all he wanted was to be immortal. So why doesn't someone just give him what he wants. If the decision was up to Harry, he would give him it. As Harry though that, Dumbledore's words rang in his head. He deicded he would chose what was right, not easy, like Dumbledore had suggested.
"What about Karkaroff? Snape?" Harry asked, knowing they had both once been Death Eaters, or followers of Voldemort.
"Dead, and no one knows where Snape is." Ron answered, smiling at what he had just said.
Harry looked grim, but seeing the positive he then added, "Potions could be very interesting this year."
The conversation that had been going on in their compartment suddenly ended as the door opened and Draco entered. Harry reached for his wand, but Draco raised his hands. Harry looked, and noticed he was alone.
"Potter, a word?" Malfoy asked, his voice showing his nervousness.
"I'm fine here." Harry challenged. "What do you want?"
"I just wanted to let you know that you are right." Draco said, and then he walked away.
"Right with what?" Harry called after him, curious.
"With how you chose your friends." Draco said, looking suddenly upset. "Perhaps, it was I who should follow my own advice."
Harry was stunned, so stunned that he didn't even realize that train had stopped. Harry thought of one more person he needed to ask. He smiled, thinking of the kind face and then asked-
"How is Dumbledore taking all of this?" Harry asked. His smile turned to a nervous look as everyone's face became serious.
"Oh-Harry, you don't know?" Hermione said her face filled with concern.
"He's been sacked!" they all seemed to say at once, in unison.
~ To those actually reading, please review. I always like to see what people have to say and take your comments (positive or negative and help me write in the future. So, please give me an honest review. Thank a lot! ~