Chapter 2 A feast
Harry walked in to the Great Hall, the fear was still there. It was the fear of missing friends, people he knew. Since the 5th year, the group of students became smaller, the stronger lord Voldemort got, the more people suffered personal losses. Cedric had been the first, after that, the list grew. The first Gryffindor that died had been Collin Creevey. He died because one of his pictures had shown a group of Death Eaters without their masks. He had never been aware what the picture had shown, but they killed him anyway. But there were also a lot who lost family, Hermione's parents died almost two years ago after an attack of Death Eaters. Hermione had been at Hogwarts and she had been so devastated by the lost of her parents that she buried her self in books. She had not spoken to anyone in weeks, it had taken some very good persuasion from Ron and Harry that she still had something to live for to get her out of her depression. She seldom spoke about her parents now, but she had given her lost a place in her life. She had found a loving family in the Weasleys, who had taken her in like a daughter.
Harry sat down beside Hermione and to his relief he saw every one of his classmates. Dean Tomas and Seamus Finnegan were talking to each other, Neville looked around with expectation. Harry looked up at the teacher's table, there were the same teachers as last year, except for Remus who gave a little nod to Harry. Hermione looked also up and let out her breath in surprise.
"Harry, you didn't tell us that Professor Lupin would be teaching again."
"He made me promise not to tell anybody, it had to be a surprise."
"Look at Snape" Ron said softly "I think he is going to kill Remus." Snape had indeed a very murders stare.
A few minutes later Hagrid came in and not much later, the doors to the Great Hall opened, Professor McGonagall walked in with a group of first years. To Harry surprise the group was even smaller than it had been last year. The amount of students kept on decreasing. There were probably less Muggleborn wizards and witches accepted this year. Dumbledore want to keep those children save, or at least saver than when they would attend Hogwarts. McGonagall placed the Sorting Hat at a stool.
"First years, I will call your name, than you place the Sorting Hat on your head and will be sorted in to your houses." McGonagall said to the first years. After the Sorting Gryffindor had eight new students, Hufflepuff had also eight, Ravenclaw had six and Slytherin only four and all of them were girls.
"Look at Snape, I think he's going to explode." Ron whispered to Harry. Snape was looking even more murders than minutes ago.
"I think that a lot of Slytherin parents kept their children home," Hermione said with a thoughtful gaze. Dumbledore stood up and asked for silence.
"I welcome you all to a new year at Hogwarts, I have a few notices. As usually the Forbidden Forest is out of bound for students. No magic is allowed in the corridors and between classes. All products of Weasleys' Wizards Wheezes are forbidden out side the common rooms." Dumbledore said with a smile while he looked towards Harry.
"Damn, I wanted to see Malfoy as a Yellow Canary" Ron whispered to Harry. Harry smiled back
"That can be arranged. I'll come up with an idea." Harry, Ron and Hermione had taken over roll of Marauders last year from the Weasley twins. Fred and George had their own joke shop in Diagon Alley, Harry had a 1/3 share in the shop. He had a constant supply of jokes, trying out the twin's new inventions, to the despair of most of the teachers and the complete Slytherin house.
"Further nobody is allowed outside the school after sunset," Dumbledore went on "And those who find them selves outside without permission will face expulsion." Again Dumbledore looked towards the three friends.
"It is like we are the only ones who ever leave the castle at night," Ron said sounding insulted."
"Actually you are." Hermione replied. The three began to laugh, McGonagall send them a stern glare.
"I'm also happy to welcome back Remus Lupin as the Defence Against the Dark Arts teacher. A small applause sounded especially from the Gryffindor table the other tables were rather reluctant most of the older students knew about the Remus being a werewolf.
"Some of you may remember Professor Lupin I can assure you everything is save and your parents are informed." Dumbledore said when the applause died. "So the last thing I have to say is to ask you to keep your eyes open for anything unusual if you see anything out of the ordinary report to a Professor or the Headgirl and boy." He gestured to Harry and Hermione.
"After these words of a old man, we can finally eat," Dumbledore ended his speech. The plates filled magically with the most delicious food. Harry sighed while cutting his steak,
"This I missed most, the food." Hermione looked up.
"You missed the food?"
"Yeah, have you ever tasted Sirius his cooking or for that matter Remus's? Sirius can't even fry an egg without destroying the kitchen and Remus has a taste for strange uneatable things, like snails." They all burst out in laughter. Harry felt relaxed and was enjoying the dinner with friends. After dinner they walked to wards the Gryffindor common room, when they heard Hermione's name.
"Hermione, Professor Dumbledore wants to speak with you tomorrow morning 8 o'clock in his office the password is Canary Crème." McGonagall turned around before anyone could say a thing.
"I wonder what that is all about," Hermione said while looking at McGonagall's back.
"I wonder why Dumbledore's password is Canary Crème," Ron added. "You don't think he likes them, picture Dumbledore as a giant canary" he continued. Harry pictured it and sniggered
"That would be a funny sight."
It took Harry some time to fall asleep thinking about the coming year, his last year at Hogwarts. What would he do next year, he was torn between Auror and something in the Ministry of Magical Games and Sports. Perhaps he could even play Quidditch professional. He fell asleep dreaming about him playing for England and winning the world cup.
***
The next morning they sat at breakfast, while Ginny gave them their schedule
"O good," Ron said sarcastic "We start with Double Potions and than Care of Magical Creatures. Just what I need whole day of Slytherin." Hermione had her face hidden behind a book and looked up at her watch.
"Oh no, it is already five to eight, I've to run see you in Potions." She said while grabbing all her books and stuffing them in her bag. Hermione came to gargoyle in front of Dumbledore's office
"Canary Crème," she panted out of breath, the gargoyle jump aside and Hermione got up the stair, she knocked on the door.
"Enter."
Hermione opened the door and looked inside Dumbledore's office, she had been here before, the last time when they heard that Sirius innocence had been proven. In front of Dumbledore's desk were two chairs, one of them was occupied Hermione saw.
"Welcome Hermione, I asked you to come because I need your help," Dumbledore started while gesturing Hermione to the free chair.
"May I introduce Anna Xavier, she will take her exams this year at Hogwarts." Hermione saw a nice looking young woman sitting in the chair, she gave Hermione a strong but pleasant handshake.
"Hermione," she said with a strong friendly voice "how nice to meet you." Hermione liked her immediately.
"I want you to show Anna around the school, she has the same subjects as you have. So she can tag along with you at first."
"She has been sorted in to Gryffindor Professor?"
"No, Anna will be an external student, she lives in Hogsmeade. She will only follow classes here and take the exams at the end of the year."
"If you wait a few minutes outside, I will have an other word with Anna and than you can go to your classes." Hermione walked outside and closed the door, about 10 minutes later the door opened again. Anna came out still looking a little bit nervous but she was smiling.
"Ok, off you go," Dumbledore said to them "What is you first class?" he asked.
"Potions, so we better hurry before Professor Snape gets angry." Hermione answered.
"Ah, I have a note for him explaining why you are late. We cannot have him taking points from Gryffindor in the first class." Dumbledore winked at them and closed his door.
"So why are you not intern?" Hermione asked before she could restrain her self.
"My guardian thought it would not be wise to be in constant influence of Dumbledore and friends. I have a nice house in Hogsmeade, but I would have rather stayed here." Anna spoke with a little bitterness in her voice.
"Who is your Guardian? " Hermione asked "It sounds you don't particular like him."
"It is a stuck up, cold man, perhaps you know him, Lucius Malfoy?"
"Lucius Malfoy is your guardian? I don't think he's going to be happy with me escorting you. I'm kinda Muggleborn, I'm best friends with Harry Potter and the girlfriend of a Weasley." Hermione said with a smile
Anna smiled back, "This is going to be fun, I like it."
"We have to hurry, before Snape curses us to bits for being late," and they ran to the dungeons.
***
Ron and Harry sat down at the back row, Hermione was not there yet.
"I wonder what Dumbledore wanted, it have to be important or else Hermione would not want to miss her first class of the year." Ron hissed to Harry
At moment Snape entered the dungeon, Harry looked at him, he looked even more like a vampire than ever. Snape stood in front of the class picked out the seating arrangements and began calling names.
"Hermione Granger," he said. "Miss Granger is not present? So, our perfect Headgirl, Miss Now It All is late. How funny, this will cost points." Snape smirked to Ron and Harry. 10 minutes and nine insults at the Gryffindor later Snape started his lesson.
"This year you will take your N.E.W.T's, I will give the information on the different potions N.E.W.T's you can take." At that moment Hermione entered the dungeon. Harry looked up at her and his heart skipped a beat. A nice girl walked besides Hermione in the room. She was wearing a very dark bleu dress it had a high neck line was fitted at the waist but after that it became very wide it ended right at the ground when she walked he could see beautiful black dragon hide shoes. Even though the dress covered everything Harry could see that the woman was very strong but feminine build. She had raven black hair tight in a braid that went to her waist. Her face had a pale ivory colour, with full red lips. However, that was not what draw the attention, it were her eyes, her eyes seem to be radiating power. He felt he could drown in them. If it had not been for those eye's she would have looked like a vampire.
"So, you decided to join us Miss Granger. And how nice of you to bring a friend."
"Professor Dumbledore asked me to give you this note," Hermione said with a friendly smile. Snape opened the letter, his face fell immediately.
"Ok Miss Granger sit down and Miss Xavier can sit next to you," Snape spat. Draco Malfoy put his hand up.
"I think miss Xavier can better sit next to me, Professor, we know each other." He said with his normal smirk.
"Sorry Mr. Malfoy, Professor Dumbledore requested that Miss Xavier would sit next to Miss granger. When you are settled I can go on with the class." Snape talked about the rest of the year and after an other long hour the class was finally dismissed.
"Hi, I'm Ron, Ron Weasley," Ron said while shaking her hand. "And this is Harry Potter."
"My name is Anna Xavier" Anna replied, "It is an honour to meet you. I've heard a lot about you both."
"Anna, I don't think father would appreciate it that you're talking to a Mudblood and a weasel." Said a cold sneering voice. They all turned around.
"Get lost Malfoy, find somebody else to bother." Hermione said softly.
"Sorry Granger, but Anna will be my responsibility." Draco spat back at her.
"Draco, Dumbledore said that Hermione should show me around, I don't want any trouble on the first day." Anna said soothing.
"Malfoy, if you don't leave now, I will take five points from Slytherin for disobeying a Headboy," Harry said threatening. Draco and his bodyguards left scowling at the group.
"I'll send father an owl, than I can show you around" Malfoy yelled at Anna before they turned the corner.
"What did Malfoy mean when he said that he knows you," Harry asked when they where walking to the library.
"Unfortunately, Lucius Malfoy is my guardian and I've spent the last few years at the Malfoy Manor."
"Why is Malfoy your guardian?" Harry asked shyly. "I didn't know he was such a big-hearted man. Taking in lonely Girls."
"Harry, that is not nice." Hermione whispered to him while elbowing him in his ribs.
"Don't worry Hermione, I don't care as I told you they are stuck up people with way more money than is good for them. My mum died eighth years ago and my father raised me from that moment, I went to a Muggle school, but at the same time my father taught me al there is to know on magic. I think he didn't want me to leave. My father died a few years ago. The ministry needed a place for me and Lucius volunteered. I think he didn't want me to go to Hogwarts but unlucky for him this was the only place I could take my exams. So, that is why I'm here and I'm glad to be here." Anna stared at nothing for a moment while her thoughts went away.
She was preparing for her fifteenth-birthday party. In two weeks she would be fifteen and she had a big party planned, all her friends would be there. The gift from her parents would be perfect, a beautiful golden ring. She was working in the attic to get some boxes with decoration. At that moment, she heard the doorbell.
" Dad, can you get that?" She was getting down when she heard a scream.
" Dad are you all right?" she said while running downstairs. She entered the living room and her hart stopped, in front of her stood two masked and hooded man in black robes. Her parents lay on the ground, dead. She fell on her knees beside her mother
"What did you do to them, you killed them." She could not stop crying.
" I will take care of you, they could never raise you properly. Come with me and I can make you more powerful than you can ever imagine. You will be my princes." It was a cold voice that made her shiver. Then he pointed at her with something that looked remarkable like a piece of wood.
"STUPIFIED"
And everything went black.
"Are you all right?" Harry asked with concern in his voice.
"Yeah, don't worry. I was just lost in my thought. At moments like this I really miss them but I will get over it." she said with a weak smile. For some strange reason Harry's mind went to his parents.
"Did Lord Voldemort also kill her father?" He just could not help feeling sorry for her.
