Chapter Three
The Mystery of the Prefect
Three days before the trip to King's Cross, three owls flew into the kitchen while the group was eating breakfast. Harry, Hermione and Ron's envelopes were thick. This was expected though, being fifth years. Fred and George's were even thicker. Harry opened his and first read the book checklist:
The Standard Book of Spells Grade 5 by Miranda Goshawk
Crystal Balls: Gateways to the Future by Korgan Frosht
Magical Animals: A Simple Guide by Rubeus Hagrid
Wild Plants of Europe by Herigon Fleggy
The Complete History of The Ministry of Magic by Bathilda Bagshot
Magical Theory Level 2 by Adalbert Waffling
Potions of the 20th Century by Newt Spatter
Dark Influence: The Perfect Guide to Defending Against Dark Arts by Harold Toadshank
Mr. Potter, Please also include:
Quidditch: The Guide 2001 by Hasan Moustafa
Perfect Prefects by Canbre Alberdust
'Wow! Hagrid wrote a book!' Ron said.
'But why do I need a guide to Quidditch? And a guide to being a prefect?' Harry wondered, though he had a good idea why.
He pulled out another piece of parchment, which was a letter from Professor McGonagall.
Dear Mr. Potter,
As your record has determined, including services, grades and experience at Hogwarts over the past four years, you have been selected to be one of the newest honorary prefects for the Gryffindor House at Hogwarts this following year. This information is classified from this point until the Start-of-Term feast. You and three others (Hermione Granger, Ronald Weasley included) will work as a team to lead your house to victory this year. Your rules, requirements and instructions are included in the letter.
I am counting on you to succeed.
Yours sincerely,
Professor M. McGonagall
Deputy Headmistress
P.S. I send condolences on behalf of the Hogwarts faculty and myself over the loss of your relatives.
'Prefects!' cried Mrs. Weasley,' Oh, Harry, Hermione! RON!'
She hugged them so hard that they thought that they'd explode. Mr. Weasley, the twins and Ginny congratulated them as well.
George grinned. 'See mum, we don't have to set an example for Ginny. They did it for us!'
'I'll never live this down…' Ron muttered.
As the kids tried on their new badges, Mrs. Weasley glared softheartedly at George, then promised Ron brand new robes, a broom and offered to buy Hermione and Harry a few of their books.
Harry said, 'Thank you, but really…'
'Oh, nonsense Harry, I don't mind at all.'
'Besides, dad just got a huge bonus,' Fred whispered with a grin.
He glanced to Hermione, who shrugged.
So they spent the day in Diagon Alley. They picked up all the books needed, Ron got a new set of robes, a new red dress robe with silver cuffs (despite slight argument, Ron got to pick it), on behalf of the twins, and the best of all, a Nimbus Two Thousand and One. He was positively gushing with excitement.
Mrs. Weasley bought half of the new books Harry and Hermione needed, while they paid for the rest of them.
After that, to their surprise, Fred and George bought everyone raspberry and chocolate ice cream cones. They sat at Florean Fortescue's Ice Cream Parlor, under the sun, among the heavy crowd of Diagon Alley, talking merrily about the new school year.
After ice cream, they walked to Gringotts, the tall pearl-colored building that dominated Diagon Alley. They made their way to the front desk, where a goblin, a different one than that which served Harry in his first year, looked up.
'Ah, hoping to make a withdrawal, I hope,' he cackled.
As before, Griphook escorted them down to Harry's vault. He filled his pouch with Galleons, Sickles and Knuts. They also visited Hermione's, where she deposited a few Galleons and finally to the Weasley's.
Fred and George, both with about three hundred and fifty Galleons each (used from the thousand Harry gave them on their way home last year), depositing some to leave enough for their trips to Hogsmeade.
They headed home by way of Floo powder again. Ginny took her new supplies directly to her room, as did Hermione. Harry and Ron, arms filled with robes, quills and books, had a long haul up the stairs.
Before dinner, Harry and Ron tested Ron's Nimbus by doing timed laps around the Quidditch pitch. Fred and George eventually came out and chased them around, throwing tomatoes at them. Ginny and Hermione giggled at this.
The rest of the week was spent reading and reviewing for the next year (Hermione continually nagged them into it) and practicing Quidditch (Harry was pretty positive that Dumbledore would be forced to hold the season this year). When they had free chances, they'd visit the town of Ottery St. Catchpole, which lay just down the hill from the Burrow.
Their last day came too quickly. After a long day of reading, broom flying and running from the twins as they pelted their brother and friend with rotten tomatoes, they went for a feast of a final dinner, had the usual hot cocoa, then left for bed.
***
That night, Harry sent a letter to Sirius. He informed him of the recent events and his role as prefect. The letter from Hogwarts had said that the information was classified, but whom would or could his godfather tell?
He also told him about his and his friends' new fortunes (excited about Ron's broom) and asked Sirius to say hello to Lupin. He attached the letter to Hedwig's foot, told her to come to Hogwarts afterwards and let her fly.
***
King's Cross was unusually quiet. The Weasley's new car (a new Volvo, paid for by the Ministry of Magic) had been expanded like their old Ford Anglia had been. The trunks fit in without a problem, as did the many people.
The barrier had a small line up today. A bunch of first years, accompanied by their parents (Muggle and Magical) looked confused, while other years just ran through.
One boy eyed the column nervously, while a witch wept with joy as her daughter ran through the barrier. Harry saw a few of them fidgeting nervously and tried to guess which house each of them would be sorted into.
As the line thinned, they got arranged for their own runs. The twins, Hermione and Ron, then Harry and Ginny lined up behind Lavender Brown and Parvati Patil. They waved to Mr. and Mrs. Weasley (who engulfed all of them in a massive hug) and dashed towards the column.
On the train, Seamus Finnigan and Dean Thomas were showing off their new pets (Seamus had a calico cat, Dean a bat). Neville Longbottom, a round-faced boy who had a habit of losing things, seemed calm for once. It looked as if he had packed everything this time and looked confident (Harry was told that Neville had taken up Quidditch this summer). Others like Colin and Dennis Creevy were showing off their new cameras; Ernie Macmillan was speaking to Hannah Abbot (it had seemed that they had formed a bit of a relationship) while the Patil twins were trying to cover their sunburns from their trip to Hawaii.
The group found themselves near the back of the train, in a compartment that was comfortable and warm. Fred and George had gone to Lee Jordan, Dean and Seamus', leaving Harry, Ron, Hermione and Ginny to chat away.
***
'Harry, who do you think this other new prefect will be?'
Harry shrugged at Ron's question and said, 'I guess that they haven't decided yet. Must be rough, considering there are so many good students.'
Harry heard heavy footsteps from outside the compartment and, not to their surprises however, Draco Malfoy, flanked by his cronies Crabbe and Goyle, stepped in. Malfoy wore a malevolent grin, so sinister that it made Harry feel nauseous.
'Ah, Potty and his comrades. Still coming to Hogwarts I see?' he drawled indignantly.
'The Great White Ferret lives I see,' Hermione sneered. This caused her friends to howl with laughter at this memory.
'Last time we saw you,' Ron said, reminiscing, 'you three had been hexed more times than I can count.'
Draco scowled and replied, 'I'm sorry, but I'm in too far a good mood to be angered by a Weasley, or a Mud-Blood such as Granger,' Ron was out of his seat, but restrained by Harry at these words. 'And being a prefect does call for model behavior.'
'You're a prefect?' Harry breathed.
Draco sneered with the same arrogant grin and said, 'Why yes. What's the matter Potter? Afraid that I may destroy your reputation as a Gryffindor?'
'No,' he shot back, 'I'm wondering if perhaps us prefects will be forced to cooperate under any condition necessary. It would be a shame if you had to be friendly with a Muggle-born such as Hermione.'
The pale boy was taken aback as Harry sat back, satisfied.
'We'll see about that Potter!' Draco fumed. 'C'mon,' he muttered to Crabbe and Goyle. They retreated from the laughter of Harry and his friends.
***
When they reached Hogsmeade station, the lot of them left the train as a group. They heard the familiar booming voice instantly.
'Firs' years, over 'ere! C'mon firs' years.'
'Hagrid!' Harry cried, waving.
The half-giant turned and grinned jovially at his pint-sized friends.
'All right Harry?'
'I'm fantastic! I saw that you wrote a book!'
Hagrid beamed and nodded vigorously. ''Or the past few years. Finally got it published in the summer. While Olympe an' I was explorin'.'
They parted and the older students made their ways to the carriages. The ride didn't take very long. They arrived at the castle in due time. The windows and main entrance were filled with golden light. The grass around the castle's walls was in good order.
Professor McGonagall was waiting in the Main Hall. She stopped Harry, Ron and Hermione.
'Please come with me,' she said. The three of them could tell that she was trying very hard to cover a smile.
She led them up and into her office, where they sat down.
'I want it totally understood that we did not pick you. The Ministry did. As well, we will not support favoritism. If a Gryffindor breaks the rules, they will be punished. No exceptions.'
She continued to pace in a manner that reminded them of Snape. She said, 'Another thing to keep in mind. You will be working with a fourth person that you have never met. You will respect them, as they will you.'
She stood by the door and opened it.
'And lastly,' she broke into a rare, broad smile, 'I am extremely proud of all of you.'
They were then escorted to the Great Hall, where the teachers sat for the feast and Sorting Ceremony. Professor McGonagall left them to bring the first-years in.
Professors Flitwick, Sprout, Vector and Binns greeted them with cheerful smiles and handshakes. They exchanged a few words about the summer, then were then told to sit at their house table.
As he sat down, Harry saw Professor Snape was speaking with a beautiful witch (no doubt the new Defence Against Dark Arts Teacher), while Madam Pomfrey was checking the door for any injuries, while taking an attendance.
After a few minutes, Hagrid sat down beside Professor Flitwick. McGonagall led the first years to the front of the Hall, where the sorting hat was set up.
'Now, before the sorting begins, Headmaster Dumbledore would like to say a few words.'
Professor Dumbledore stood, beaming before the crowded room. He said in a strong voice, 'Welcome to Hogwarts. I do indeed have a few words to say…'
He paused.
'I have said them.' And he sat down with a smile as the tables murmured, laughed or groan.
Professor McGonagall stood at in front of the group of first years. Harry could see the brim of the Sorting Hat split into a mouth. It made the noise of one clearing his throat and sang,
A millennia has passed since I was sewn,
And this castle newly built.
My closest friends lived among it,
Our love which could never wilt.
Noble Gryffindor, brave he was,
Wise Ravenclaw, serene and calm,
Gentle Hufflepuff, her love was immense,
Reckless Slytherin, and the ambition he fed upon.
That millennia ago, long time passed
Since their vision was formed,
Of educating the young wizards.
For then Hogwarts was born.
There were four houses
One for each of my friends
Their names immortalized
By the virtues of these houses to no ends.
The Ravenclaw, wise and calm,
Knew life's wisdom and lessons;
The Hufflepuff, kind persons
Knew life's value and blessings;
The Slytherin, sneaky and wicked,
Young devils whose minds he'd entice;
But the Gryffindor, as he did in life,
Protected the poor and weak alike.
As land does upon occasion,
My friends did part their ways.
Keeping to their chosen ones
And not deciding on others for days.
Alas, good Godric gave me his knowledge,
And he passed me along to the other three.
Who gave me their virtues to handle,
And thus it is I who shall sort thee.
Wear me upon your head as Gryffindor once did,
And I'll sort through your thoughts, behind your face
I will see your virtues, you shall not be failed
When I speak to you and put you in your place!
The Sorting Hat sat still as the room roared with applause. Once the room was silent once more, McGonagall pulled out the list of names of the first years.
'When I call your name, you shall come forth and sit on the stool. I will place the Sorting Hat on your head and you will be sorted into your houses. ... Angador, Silian.'
As the Sorting hat placed Silian in Hufflepuff, Harry glanced around the staff table. Since Mad-Eye Moody had turned out to be a dud, the Defence Against the Dark Arts position was empty. The young lady sitting next to Snape, with red hair and green eyes, smiled at Harry as she saw him staring. Harry felt the urge to do something wildly stupid, but the feeling subsided as the woman took a sip of her drink.
Something made Harry uneasy. As the Sorting Hat was deciding on what to do with Blaire Moddlebottom, Snape seemed to be smiling.
Then, Harry saw him.
He caught the eye of a boy who looked his age. A slight bit taller than Harry, the boy had a muscular build, blond hair pulled back in a ponytail, a slight beard that was a bit shinier than his hair, shocking gold eyes, a hoop earring and an attractive face, which held a long scar over his right eye. Harry could see determination and loyalty in the boy's eyes.
McGonagall continued on, pulling Harry out of his reverie. She went through the list, all the way down to the bottom: Zibieck, Duran, who was placed in Slytherin house.
But there was still one person left. That blond boy.
McGonagall called, 'Lionheart, Raine.'
Harry, whom was looking at Snape at the time, noticed the teacher freeze at the sound of the name. He went pale (if any paler was possible) and snapped his attention to where the new student was being sorted.
The boy stepped forward. He sat upon the stool.
'But isn't he our age?' Ron whispered.
Hermione shushed him.
***
Raine felt anxiety flow through him as he sat upon the stool. It wasn't as if he had never been on a stool for sorting like this before, but now he had to be resorted, a daunting task.
Professor McGonagall placed the hat upon his head. There was a pause before a tiny voice whispered into Raine's ear.
'Ah, a Canadian student… from Capilano School of Magic… ah, tell me, was the sorting hat there smart?'
Raine murmured, 'Yes.'
'Smarter than me?'
Raine was silent.
'Ah… I can see much pain and despair in your heart… fifth year now… you were in the Knight House… a certain rivalry against the Emperor House… we have a house exactly like that… and you may like it there… however, you may also enjoy another house…'
Raine knew about the houses here already, mostly by the Sorting Hat's song, and also by stories of other students (such as Harry Potter, a Gryffindor, or Voldemort, a Slytherin).
'Would you like to live among the Ravenclaw? Or would you like to mingle with the Gryffindor? You have talent for both.'
Better than Slytherin, Raine thought.
'Ah, so you despise the Slytherin already, eh? Then it has got to be… GRYFFINDOR!'
The hall exploded in a frenzy of cheers and applause. Raine gave the hat to McGonagall and walked to the Gryffindor table.
As he walked by, his golden eyes met the emeralds of a spectacled boy with dark hair. He nodded his head and the boy smiled.
But Raine frowned, for he saw the scar. His eyes widened.
It was Harry Potter.
***
Harry was going to offer a place for the newcomer, but all the seats were taken. Raine was forced to sit in the middle of the table as Professor Dumbledore stood to speak.
'I would like to remind all students that the Forbidden Forest is strictly off-limits, and that the village of Hogsmeade is only accessible to student in their third years and above. Anyone found in either location without expressed permission will be punished.'
Harry noticed that the usually upbeat headmaster had gotten straight to the point this time, which was odd.
'And also, the custodian of Hogwarts, Mr. Filch, would like to remind everyone that this year, he will not tolerate any deformation of school-grounds. That includes mud, slime, blood or,' he glanced to the Gryffindor table, where George and Fred sat, 'Dung bombs or fireworks.' There was a friendly twinkle in his eyes.
'I would also like to announce the reinstatement of the Inter-House Quidditch tournament. Try outs will be this weekend, and the season shall begin in October.' This brought an outrageous applause to Dumbledore's ears. He smiled and added, 'Yes, yes, I am just as excited as all of you.'
Dumbledore's smile widened as he continued.
"Seeing as how last year's Yule Ball was an undoubted success, I am happy to announce that Hogwarts shall host a second one this year."
Once more, Harry cheered. However, he couldn't help but think back to last years, when Ron and Hermione had been involved in an explosive row. But they had mended things it seemed. It would be all right this year, Harry imagined.
'Now, before we begin our feast, I want to announce the new positions filled.
'I would like to introduce Professor Arwek...'
'Our new Dark Arts Teacher.' Harry whispered to Ron and Hermione.
'… your new Potions teacher.'
The color drained from the trio's face. Everyone started to whisper.
'That means…'
'No…'
'He can't…'
Dumbledore started speaking again, 'Your new Defence Against the Dark Forces teacher will now be Professor Snape.'
The Slytherin table cheered madly, while the other three tables groaned.
It took a few minutes to clear the hall of the talking that resulted from the announcement.
'I would like to call forward a few students as well.'
He took a list from Flitwick, who was to his left.
'Padma Patil, Pansy Parkinson, Cho Chang, Hermione Granger, Ronald Weasley…'
He called up three Ravenclaws, three Hufflepuffs and Hermione and Ron. Then…
'Harry Potter, Link Jade, Terry Boot, Draco Malfoy…'
Soon, there were fifteen people up. Four from every house, except Gryffindor.
'Raine Lionheart.'
Raine's head snapped up in surprise and came up.
After the applause, Dumbledore spoke again.
'The Ministry of Magic has decided to conduct an experiment. Since we are the largest, oldest and most well known school of Magic, they have decided that a situation will be more likely to occur here than anywhere else. So they have decided unanimously to hold it here. We were given the names of four Prefects from each house this year. These are their selections.'
The hall was once again full of cheers. Even the spirits were excited.
Harry, Hermione and Ron were still fuming about Draco's selection. However, they were curious about the new boy, Raine.
The new prefects were told to sit down again, and the feast began.
Quicksilver Fallen- Well thank ye kindly. I figured that this was mediocre work compared to most others. And yes, Malfoy shall be included big time. He has a crucial part in the entire series.
Cassandra Brooke- I know what you mean. Besides, the format is closer to my liking this way. I got lazy and didn't want to have twenty or so files kicking around on my already crappy hard drive.
Ciara- Thanks. You'll have new parts quickly. Every Monday and Thursday, or earlier, if the reviews start flowing in.