Chapter 2:

"Checkmate, Harry!" Ron said triumphantly, a wide smile spread on his face. Harry looked at his screaming pieces helplessly. He had to sacrifice one piece or the other.

"Use him!" A piece shouted impatiently. Harry could tell that Ron was excited about something. He threw up his hands and sat back on the wooden chair.

"I lose." He said simply. Ron grinned.

"Why are you so happy, Ron?" Harry asked. Ron collected all the chess pieces and placed them one by one back into the chess box. Ron shrugged, still grinning.

"Come on, Ron. It's very obvious." Harry helped him with the packing and in a minute the chess set was all packed.

"Nothing really. I'm just happy because I won the chess game." He replied easily. Harry stood up and looked down at Ron unbelievingly. "Well, ok then. Come on, Ron. We'd better start packing for Hogwarts."

*

"Goodbye, Ron!" Mr. and Mrs. Weasley shouted in unison, standing on platform 9and 3/4.

"Goodbye Harry, goodbye Ginny!" As the Hogwarts express clattered off Ron poked his head back into the carriage. There they saw Hermione walking towards them, smiling. Ron swallowed.

"Hello, Ron, Ginny and Harry!" Hermione greeted, taking a seat next to Ginny, who took little notice of Hermione's presence. Ron shifted in his seat. Cool it. He warned himself. He awkwardly ran one of his hands through his red hair to get Hermione's attention.

"Ron, you have an awful lot of dandruff, you know. You should probably use this muggle stuff they call 'Head & Shoulders' it really works." Hermione told Ron, who nodded his head quickly. Hermione then offered to put an anti-dandruff spell on him, but he said he didn't mind the dandruff. As the lady with the trolley passed she asked if they'd want anything from the trolley.

"I'll have some pumpkin pasties and Every Flavor Beans, thank you." Hermione paid the woman twelve Knuts. Harry had bought Bertie Bott's Every Flavor beans, Chocolate Frogs, Pumpkin Pasties, and some Cauldron Cakes. Pity they didn't have any Liquorice Wands or Drooble's Best Blowing Gums. As usual, Ron had brought along soggy sandwiches. Hermione absentmindedly sat next to Ron and offered some sweets.

"Want one?" She asked. Ron swallowed and felt his fingertips turn cold.

"O-Okay…" His voice cracked. Hermione looked at him innocently.

"Something wrong with your throat?" Hermione asked. Ron rubbed his throat and forced a tiny smile.

"No, of course not- I'm… I'm fine." He cleared his throat. He smiled for one second before reaching for an Every Flavor Bean

.

"Thanks…" He muttered. As soon as he chewed it, his face screwed up. He covered his mouth. Hermione laughed at the hilarious expression on his face and so did Harry and Ginny.

"Diarrhea flavor!" He squeaked out before he swallowed the rest of the sweet. He washed down the flavor with ten cups of water before stating that he needed to use the bathroom. As he moved out of the carriage he bumped into someone.  He mumbled 'sorry' and saw that it was Draco Malfoy, along with his sidekicks, Crabbe and Goyle, on either side of him.

"Watch it, Weasley. I don't want unwashed clothing making contact with mine." Draco smirked, his slicked blonde hair glistening under the sun. Ron's jaws hardened.

"Fuck off, Malfoy." Ron stammered. Malfoy shook his head.

"Don't you start using foul language, red head. You forget what class you're in." He shoved Ron aside and strode past Harry's carriage. Ron, red with rage, ran after him and clung onto his neck, without much clear thinking.

"Get off me, Weasley." Malfoy shouted coldly. At once Harry, Hermione and Ginny rushed out. Hermione's eyebrows furrowed.

"Stop that, Ron! You're going to get someone killed!" She yelled at the wild Ron, who was now trying to choke Malfoy. Reluctantly, Ron let go of Malfoy and backed away a few steps. Crabbe and Goyle stood rigidly, baring their teeth. Harry shot an icy look at Malfoy.

"You'd better fuck off, Malfoy." He warned. Malfoy shifted in his black robes, and sneered. Harry got out his wand.

"Who do you think you're talking to, Potter?" Malfoy spat, drawing out his wand as well.

"I'm talking to you, fuckwit. Look at you- having two piles of fat walking beside

you-" Harry looked at Crabbe and Goyle sharply, "-can't defend yourself, can you?" Malfoy's sneer soon dropped.

"Piles of fat, Potter? Too bad all you'll see in the mirror is a pile of bones and a bloody scar." Regaining his sneer, he walked off. Harry sighed angrily and looked at his wand. Ginny was flaming.

"You-….you stink!" Ginny gazed at Harry as she stammered the words out to the back of Malfoy. Hermione watched Malfoy strode back to his carriage before she tore her glance away from him and settled upon Ron.

"Ron, you shouldn't have done that. Someone could have wind up hurt even before they've reached Hogwarts." Hermione frowned with concern. Ron looked ashamed.

"You've got a point-" Ron started.

"Of course I've got a point!" Hermione snapped angrily. Ron swallowed, his throat suddenly dry. Hermione looked elsewhere. Ron nodded before he finally headed off to the bathroom; which was his original destination. Harry cleared his throat, aware of the overwhelming silence. He pointed his finger to the change rooms.

"I-I'll just be changing into my school robes," He told Hermione.

*

At last the train stopped at Hogsmeade station, and all the students aboard the Hogwarts Express scrambled out.

"Firs' years this way!" called the awfully familiar voice. The gigantic outline of Hagrid was visible at the other end of the platform. Harry, Ron, Hermione and Ginny all waved at him but through all the noise and hustle they couldn't talk to him. They made their way to the stagecoaches which were waiting for them to board. Harry was last to climb inside one of the stagecoaches and he was just about to close the door when two other figures emerged.

"Can I please share this stagecoach with yous? All the others were full," a small witch asked. It was Cho Chang. Harry blushed.

"Sure," he replied automatically. Then, glancing around at the others, who were sitting uncomfortably in the stuffed carriage added, "If, that's alright with yous." At this, the others nodded and murmured 'okay', though Ginny was more reluctant. About to close the door again, Harry saw a pale hand gripping onto the door. It was Malfoy. Harry frowned.

"Find your own carriage, Malfoy." Ron spat. Draco ignored Ron and pushed open the door harshly.

"Trust me, Weasel, this is the last carriage I would sit in." He retorted, seating himself down next to Hermione; the only available seat. Hermione recoiled at once. Cho sat next to Ginny, who looked her over with jealousy. For the rest of the trip to Hogwarts, no one talked much- making the silence unbearable and awkward. There was a great scramble to get out, when, at last, the carriage stopped at the many turrets and towers of Hogwarts.

*

The Great Hall was, as usual, a marvelling sight. This year, the ceiling of the Great Hall was a clear, starry sky. Harry breathed a sigh of relief as he felt at home again. Hogwarts was the safest place for him, especially at these times, when Harry was always constantly reminded that Voldemort was still alive, waiting around corners to make him join his dead parents. Harry decided to put all those horrible thoughts aside and enjoy the Feast.

As usual, the nervous first years began to make their way across the hall to get sorted. Harry watched as they settled down, ears straining to hear their name been called. The Sorting Hat was already perched on the three-legged stool and was beginning to sing its song, though this year's song was very different.

"I may be just a ragged hat,

But I am wiser then your average rat,

    For I will find your house,

Even for the average mouse,

I sort the kids,

To houses they stay till their mids.

See what I can do,

Believe me the rumors are true,

I can really sort,

Even in a head of mort,

I will see through to the very core,

All the things you adore.

So put me on your head,

And you will believe what I had said.

To Gryffindor goes the brave,

All housemates they will save,

Keeps the daringness at heart,

For they will never part.

Hufflepuff goes different,

Never are they belligerent,

Not intimidated by labor,

To trust and patience they savor.

Or in Ravenclaw you settle,

As light as a petal,

For you are the wisest,

Not to say also amongst the nicest,

You must be full of brains and wit,

For learning is what keeps you fit.

Or a turning of the tables,

Slytherin you will be labeled,

Those sly, cunning housemates,

Will take anything at stake,

Attain levels no normal heads can reach,

A gift, no one can teach.

So for the last time,

As I finish my new rhyme,

Try me- the Sorting Hat,

And after you are sorted, you can give me a thankful pat."

"Anston, Ruby!" Professor McGonagall called out in a clear voice from a yellowish parchment. A brown haired girl with large, round eyes walked up to the stool, shaking slightly as she did so. The Sorting Hat was put on and there was a moment pause before the hat shouted

"Ravenclaw!" The Ravenclaw table exploded with cheers and welcomed its new member.

Harry looked around the staff table, searching for new faces. He was relieved to see that the DADA teacher they had last year- Professor Onduri wasn't their DADA teacher this year. Many suspected him of being an Auror, but because he was drunk so often they began to have their doubts. This year, the DADA teacher didn't seem to be seated amongst the staff members. 

"Welcome back to another year of Hogwarts!" Dumbledore greeted.

"I would like to say a few words before you get started on your delicious feast tonight." Dumbledore cleared his throat and continued, the candlelight shimmering on his beard.

"First of all, the Forbidden Forest is out of bounds, as usual. If any student is caught wondering about, they will be dealt with by one of our many staff members. I hope that I have made it clear to you that it is not the safest thing to do, and certainly not the wisest. This year, will be a fairly eventful year, and I must tell you all to take extra care." His eyes flashed behind his spectacles.  

"On a happier note, we have a new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher. As you all know, Professor Onduri retired last year. This year, the DADA teacher will remain a surprise." Dumbledore smiled. Everyone started guessing and whispering. But it was not a big issue, as most of the teachers were pretty boring.

"Well, that's about it!" Dumbledore exclaimed.

"Let the feast begin!"

*

Ron shoved another forkful of roast beef into his mouth. He turned to Harry, who was sitting next to him.

"Mmm- can you pass me the gravy?" Ron asked, bits of food spraying onto the table. Harry nodded and passed the gravy to Ron.

"Fanks." Once everyone had stuffed as much food as possible, the remaining food faded and the dishes returned to their sparkling clean appearance- as though never touched. Harry, Ron and Hermione joined the streaming Gryffindors' out of the Great Hall. They walked sleepily up staircases and through corridors, hoping to see the portrait of the Fat Lady soon. Along the way, Harry saw a group of Ravenclaw first years gazing amazedly at the moving portraits and ghosts.

"Alright, this way now," he heard a soft voice said. It turned out to be Cho Chang- the new 'Head Girl', leading the first years to their dormitories. Should he?

"You guys go on. I have to do something first," Harry said to Ron and Hermione. They shrugged tiredly and went on their way.

Harry walked up to Cho, his legs now numb and unstable, palms sweaty.

 "Congratulations, Cho!" Harry stuttered. Cho looked at him and smiled.

"Oh. Thanks! Think I'll do a good job?" she asked. Harry felt his insides go wonky, and quickly replied,

"I have no doubt." Cho grinned at him.

"See you around, then. I've got these first years to direct," she said. Harry nodded and stepped aside. For some reason, he wanted to poop.

"Yeah... well I've gotta catch up to Ron and Hermione. Bye, Cho."

"Bye, Harry!" With that, and a hiccup from Harry, Cho set off around the corner.

*

Ron glanced at Hermione's back once more before they separated into their different dormitories. The four-poster beds lay neat and folded before them. They all pulled on their pyjamas, and slumped into the four-poster beds with the deep red velvet curtains.

"Night." Ron called sleepily through his curtains. Harry was about to say it back, but he was cut off by Ron's snoring.

Next Morning, Ron, Ginny, Harry and Hermione all headed to the Great Hall for breakfast. Ron nervously glanced at Hermione, still conscious about the tiny outburst she had on the train. Ginny quickly switched sides, now alongside Harry. He sighed, clenching and unclenching his teeth. Two minutes after all four sat down, Neville Longbottom dropped into an empty seat beside Hermione.

"Good Morning, Hermione." He greeted, fumbling with his spoon. Hermione flashed him a smile.

"Good Morning, Neville. How's your grandmother?" She asked, concerned. Neville shook his head sadly.

"Nah, she's gone mad. Forgot all the spells she knew, she did." Nodding, Hermione patted him on the back, causing him to blush.

"I'm sure she'll be fine, Neville. Don't you worry." Hermione smiled with sympathy. The flutter of owls' wings made all the students look up, beaming as their owls dropped them their packages. Not realizing, a heavy package smashed onto Ron's head and bounced into his pumpkin soup.

"Of all places it could have landed…" He muttered, helping the small package out of the soup. Ripping it open, he saw it was some sweets from Fred and George. Grinning, he unwrapped a sweet and popped it into his mouth.

"Great thing my brothers still remember me," he beamed at the sweets and offered some to Harry, Ginny and Hermione.

"I wouldn't touch those. You never know Fred and George." Hermione murmured, eyeing the sweets suspiciously. Ron shook his head.

"Oh come on, Hermione. What could these teeny weeny sugary delights do?" Sure enough, the sweets looked perfectly innocent. He read the wrapper and grinned.

"What do you know, Fred and George made them!" He announced happily. Ginny leaned across Harry, reaching for a sweet. Carefully, she made her arm brush against Harry's. Harry swallowed and yanked backwards. Taking one lolly and carefully leaning back, she unwrapped it.

"These lollies are wicked!" Ron exclaimed, reaching for another. Harry took Ron's wrapper and twisted it around his fingers, reading it as he did so.

"I must've proved that it isn't poisonous by now. Honestly, Hermione. Here ta- YOOOWW!!!!!!!!" Students from all the tables turned their heads. Ron frantically waved his hands like fans on either side of his face. Hermione grinned triumphantly at the wheezing Ron.

"I told you not to trust your brothers." She said, giving a small shrug. Ginny immediately dropped her lolly.

"Hot!!!!!!!" Ron exclaimed, reaching for his wand. Harry wrenched Ron's wand out for him.

"Watericia!" Ron shouted. Nothing happened. Ron looked frantically at Hermione, who was looking at him calmly.

"Ron, are you sure that's a proper spell; because I have never heard of such. I'm sure I ran across something like that when I was reading a book off the shelf in Flourish and Blotts… I'm sure it was Watricia- from memory-"

"I don't care Hermione! Just do something!" Ron puffed out. His face was even redder than his flaming hair.

"Watricia!" Hermione called out. Water poured out of the end of her wand and into Ron's mouth.

*

"Very well, boy." He hissed.

"I will complete my duty, Master- at whatever cost."

"You better."

"I will, Master-"

"Enough. The sooner you complete it, the better- and more reward you will reap."

"Yes, Master."

"Don't just stand there, fool! Go!" The shadowed figure nodded once, and then shuffled away. His eyes glistened.

"Albus Dumbledore. The Greatest Wizard of all time…"

*

Professor McGonagall's bulgy eyes threatened to pop out of her square spectacles any moment now. "Finnigan, where is your homework?" She questioned in a very low and dangerous pitch. Harry saw his throat work.

"I couldn't. I-er - was extremely busy last night, you see. So, I could only do a few questions. I'm-"

"Quite enough lies for now, Finnigan. Five points will be taken from Gryffindor and a week's detention. Now, where were we up to, class?"

Seamus nodded grimly and sat back down next to Parvati. Neville shook his head as he continued to scribble down notes. Taking a look at Hermione's work, he clumsily knocked over the ink bottle, sending patches of ink over Hermione's notes.

"Woooooooops…" Neville whispered guiltily.

Devastated but not wanting to hurt Neville's feelings, Hermione only uttered a tiny-

"Oh that's- that's alright." Hermione bit her lower lip to stop the flow of angry words from spurting out. Professor McGonagall strode past their desk, and her lips pursed into a thin line.

"Longbottom?" She said it more like an accusation then actually asking. Neville gulped, and looked up at the Headmistress. Licking his lips which were dry, he gulped again.

"I'm so sorry." He mumbled.

"You're saying it to the wrong person, Mr. Longbottom."

"Huh?" He looked at Hermione. "Ooh. I-I'm so sorry, Hermione." Professor McGonagall nodded briefly.

"Clearosimo." Professor McGonagall said. Appearing right before Hermione's eyes the dark patches of ink began to fade. Hermione smiled- relieved.

"Now, class. I expect you all to turn this piece of clothing into an animal of your choice." The lesson continued with Ron throwing occasional suspicious glances at Neville and Hermione's desk.

As all the students scrambled out of Professor McGonagall's Transfiguration class Ron caught up with Hermione.

"Hey." He greeted casually. Hermione looked at him, surprised.

"Oh hey, Ron. I didn't know it was you. What animal did you end up with? I ended up with a dog." Ron bobbed his head up and down.

"I-er…ended up with half a pig…" He said uneasily. Hermione laughed as they continued to walk towards DADA.

"Half a pig? Really?" He caught her eye, and he looked away.

"Yeah, really. Pretty disgusting to b-"

"Hey Hermione! Hey Ron!" Neville and Harry greeted them, running to catch up. Ron clenched his jaw. Damn! They just had to come right now. Ron turned and smiled bitterly.

"Hey, Harry. Hey, Neville." He said through teeth that were still clenched. Nevertheless, all of them were looking forward to their first DADA lesson with their mysterious teacher that Dumbledore had refused to tell.

Author's Note: We know there's not much action going on… But there will be soon! We promise! Probably wondering why it's a 'we'. Well, of course it's cause there are two people making this story! J. The first one wants to remain 'unknown', and me..? Well, I'm just me! 'Unknown' doesn't want our identities to be revealed, unfortunately.

Apart from that, I hope you guys will keep on posting reviews and just enjoy the story! J