Chapter 6
End of Vacation ~ Back at Hogwarts
"Anybody who wants to come with me to London? I'm going to buy your books and stuff today." Mrs. Weasley said after having their breakfast.
No one seemed interested in going to Diagon Alley that morning so Mrs. Weasley decided to go alone. She took the lists from her sons and daughter and included the lists of Harry and Hermione. After collecting the lists, she set off alone, Apparating and disappearing with a small pop.
Harry and Ron decided to play their last Quidditch practice at the paddock that morning. Tomorrow morning, they would be off to King's Cross station to go back to Hogwarts. Ginny and Hermione went with them.
Ginny and Hermione began laying their blanket on the grass under a big tree and sat down. Harry and Ron were already on their brooms, playing. Ginny was reading another Muggle book, Beauty and Fame. Ever since she started reading Muggle books, she searched every corner of their house for a Muggle book. And at last she found one piled together with other books on the mantelpiece at the kitchen.
Hermione, on the contrary, was busy reading the new reference book her parents bought for her from London: Potions of All Sorts: The Perfect Reference for Students.
"Why don't we go to the swings and eat our lunch there. I want to spend the rest of my afternoon there. Then, we can start packing after our dinner." Ginny said, her hands still clutched on Beauty and Fame.
"That's a great idea." Hermione said, closing her book. "Why don't we ask the boys to come!" She said excitedly.
"You can ask them now, here they come." Ginny said, closing her book and placing it on her side.
"Finished your reading?" Ron said to Ginny, sitting immediately beside Hermione.
"Not yet," Ginny replied sluggishly.
"What are you reading, Gin?" Harry asked, also sitting on the blanket.
"She's reading another Muggle book." Ron said tauntingly.
"Shut up." Ginny snapped at her brother. "I'm reading a book about a girl who's got everything—money, beauty and fame—but never gained a true friend. Her friends only stick to her because she's rich and everything." Ginny explained happily to Harry.
Harry only nodded and smiled.
"Why don't we spend the rest of our afternoon at the swings?" Hermione said, changing the topic. "We can eat our lunch there." She continued.
"Okay, we'll go there." Ron said. "Besides, this is the last day of vacation. Might as well get the best out of it."
The four talked a little longer and they started for the Burrow afterwards to pack their lunch.
Mrs. Weasley was already back from Diagon Alley when the four arrived. She was already finished cooking their lunch in the kitchen.
"Mum, can we eat our lunch on the riverbank today?" Ginny asked her mother.
Mrs. Weasley turned around and looked at Ginny. "I hope Ron and Hermione aren't quarreling again." Mrs. Weasley said, looking troubled.
Ginny giggled and said, "No Mum. Ron and Hermione are doing fine. We just want to have a picnic."
Mrs. Weasley sighed in relief and started packing the lunch in a basket.
"I'll be back, Mum. I'll just get my sketchpad upstairs." Ginny said, immediately going to her room upstairs.
Mrs. Weasley merely nodded in assent while she continued the packing.
"There, dear." Mrs. Weasley said when she finally finished packing and saw Ginny by the sink. She handed the basket to Ginny and Ginny quickly went outside to her three friends waiting on the bench.
"Okay, all set." Ginny announced merrily.
The four went to the riverbank and laid their blanket near the weeping willow where the swings were tied.
Harry and Ron hurried to the swings and played there. Ginny and Hermione stayed seated, fixing their lunch. They brought sandwiches, sausages and potato salad and a big pitcher of orange juice. For their dessert, they had raspberry gelatin.
"Lunch is served, guys!" Ginny yelled, waving her hand to the two boys on the swings.
Harry and Ron immediately ran toward Hermione and Ginny. Both were smiling broadly.
The four started eating their lunch. Ron and Hermione were very sweet to each other (no distance in between them) that Harry and Ginny kept on avoiding looking at them. Then there was an instance that Harry and Ginny saw Ron putting a spoonful of potato salad on Hermione's mouth. Harry immediately looked away and so did Ginny consequently their eyes suddenly met.
Harry felt himself redden and his heart beating faster and faster as he got lost in Ginny's chestnut brown eyes.
Ginny too was experiencing the same things—blushing and having a hard time to breathe. Ginny managed to snap back to herself again and she forced to smile to make things appear more relaxed.
Harry smiled back and controlled himself. Calm down. She's just Ginny, Harry thought, trying to breathe regularly again.
The two looked away from each other since that instance, trying very hard to avoid each other's gaze.
Ron didn't seem to notice what had just happened—he was too busy—but Hermione was the opposite. Even though she enjoyed herself with Ron, she saw what had happened—everything that had happened. She just kept silent about it and smiled to herself, feeling happy for her friends.
After finishing their dessert, the two girls returned the plates inside the picnic basket then they went to the swings to play. Harry and Ron, on the other hand, stayed and played wizard chess.
Hermione and Ginny left the swings for a while and collected some flowers on the nearby flowerbed. When they returned to the swings, they started decorating the swings with the flowers they had picked.
"Look at those two," Ron said, looking at Ginny and Hermione. "They're ruining the swings!" He said, looking at the flowers attached on the strings of the swings.
Harry smiled when he looked at the swings. "I think they're decorating it, Ron. Not ruining it." He said with a laugh.
"Yeah, whatever." Ron said, shrugging.
The two girls went back to the two boys and sat down with them.
"You liked the décor?" Hermione asked Ron, smiling.
"Yeah," Ron answered quickly. "It's very lovely," he added.
Hermione and Ginny reached for their books and ran again to the swings. Before leaving, Hermione gave Ron a quick kiss on his cheek.
The two girls perched themselves on the swings and began reading their books again.
Ron and Harry stopped playing wizard chess and decided to just sleep so Harry and Ron rested on the blanket. Harry couldn't really fall asleep that afternoon so he just rested there watching the sky.
Very peaceful, Harry sighed. He always liked to watch the sky; it reminded him of Quidditch. Flying up there, the wind blowing on your skin… He loved that feeling very much. How he wished he could go back to Hogwarts already.
"At last, I'm finished!" Harry heard Ginny exclaim. He couldn't resist her voice; he turned around and looked at the two girls at the swings. Ginny was hopping around the flowerbed joyfully. Hermione was already swinging on her swing, her book settled on her lap.
Harry focused his look at Ginny. Running around, her vermilion red wavy hair that ran past her shoulders danced in a pretty way as it played with the mild wind blowing that afternoon. Her brown eyes that looked very enchanting as it glimmered and her enticing laugh whenever she found something funny or fascinating. Her white skin and freckles blended with the sun's beam precisely as it reached her. Her hand holding her long summer dress as she hopped about the flowerbed—giggling—while the other swayed freely on her side holding her book and a bunch of wild flowers. She slowly stopped hopping and collapsed in the soft meadow full of flowers. Harry instantly felt alarmed when Ginny suddenly fell. But he felt relieved when he heard Ginny giggle and saw her sit up. Harry sighed and looked back at the sky but Ginny's giggle still streamed through his ears.
"Ginny," Harry murmured, closing his eyes to think.
"Mhm?" Harry heard someone reply. Harry quickly opened his eyes and found himself looking straight at Ginny's mystified face.
"What did you say?" Harry said as he immediately sat up and looked away from Ginny.
"You said my name. Want to tell me something?" She asked, sitting beside Harry—waiting.
"Did I say your name?" Harry asked indefinitely, looking at her already.
"I heard you," Ginny replied.
"But I didn't say anything." Harry fibbed. "What are you doing here, anyway?" Harry said, trying to change the topic. He couldn't believe Ginny could walk so fast that one moment she was on the swings and the next she was already beside him.
"I've finished my book already." Ginny said, smiling and showing Harry the book. "I went here to get my sketchpad." She continued, still smiling. She got her sketchpad and left her book and bunch of flowers beside the basket. "What's Ron doing?" She asked, pointing to Ron's still figure.
Harry smiled and said, "He's just sleeping, tired I guess."
Ginny nodded and stood up. "Want to come with me to the swings?" Ginny said in friendly tone.
"Okay," said Harry, also standing up.
"Hi, Hermione!" Harry greeted as they reached the swings.
"Hi." Hermione responded warmly.
Ginny already sat on the vacant swing while Harry stood beside Ginny.
Hermione—noticing that she shouldn't be there—excused herself. "You can sit here, Harry." Hermione said, standing up. "I'll just go and check Ron. I think it's already time to end up his dreams." She said, a smile twisting in her mouth. She immediately left the swings and headed towards the dozing Ron on the blanket.
After Hermione left, Harry sat on the empty swing and started swinging languidly.
Ginny started humming while her pencil made scribbling sounds as she drew.
Harry would sometimes glance at Ginny to see what she was up to. But Ginny didn't look up nor did she ask why Harry was looking at her. She just continued humming and drawing. Harry once caught view of what Ginny was drawing. It was about their picnic that afternoon.
"There, it's done!" Ginny cried out, raising her sketchpad. "Here Harry, take a look." Ginny said, tearing the page that contained her drawing from her sketchpad and handed it to Harry.
Harry stopped swinging and reached out for Ginny's sketch. He was right—it was about their picnic. Harry and Ron were playing chess back on the blanket, Hermione was on the swings decorating it with flowers and Ginny was hopping merrily on the flowerbed like the way she did when Harry was watching her. The colors were perfect and the vast weeping willow that served as their background looked excellent.
"So, what do you think?" Ginny asked eagerly.
"Well, every angle looks perfect…" Harry started, still looking at the picture. Every angle, especially you, Harry's mind wanted to say. No! You can't do this. Remember Ron and your promise to him. Harry scolded his mind. "I like it very much." He said instead.
"Well then—It's yours." Ginny said, happy that Harry liked it.
"Thanks." Harry said, looking at Ginny and then back at Ginny's drawing.
Ginny grinned at Harry and began swinging; her sketchpad resting on the grass.
Harry folded Ginny's drawing and placed it in his pocket.
"Harry! Ginny!" Ron called out. "Let's go. The sun will set soon. Mum might be waiting for us already." Ron said. The blanket was already gone (probably stored in the basket already). Hermione and Ron were waiting for Harry and Ginny—their hands held together.
"Coming," Ginny said to Ron as she stood up and got her sketchpad on the ground. She turned to Harry and smiled. "Let's go?" She said, looking straight at Harry's verdant eyes.
"Y-yeah." Harry stammered, looking straight at Ginny's eyes. He immediately stood up to break their eye contact and looked away from Ginny.
"Let's go then." Ginny declared, walking towards Ron and Hermione.
Harry heaved a sigh of relief and slowly followed Ginny.
Ginny collected her book and flowers from Hermione. "Thanks, Hermione." Ginny said as they walked closer to the Burrow.
Harry and Ron were talking about Quidditch while Ginny and Hermione talked about some Muggle books on their way home. They still got some packing to do after their dinner.
"Harry, are you finished in your packing?" Ron said, his hands full of books and parchments.
"Not yet," Harry answered, "but I finished packing my school things already; all my potion ingredients are in my trunk. I just need to pack my clothes and some other stuff and I'm done." He said, stuffing some of his shirts and underwear in the trunk.
"Mum's going to bring our newly-laundered uniforms by the time she finishes the washing." Ron told Harry.
"I think she's already here." Harry said when they heard the knock on the door. He stood up at once and opened the door.
"I've brought your Hogwarts robes and socks." Mrs. Weasley said, placing the neat pile on top of Harry's bed. "Here's yours, Ron," said Mrs. Weasley as she separated the pile into two. "Have you opened the parcels I left here already?" Mrs. Weasley asked.
"Yes, Mrs. Weasley. We have packed them already." Harry replied, pointing to his trunk.
"Good," said Mrs. Weasley, "by the way, I've got you some money from your vault in Gringotts." She said, handing Harry a small bag of money.
Harry opened it and took a peek. Gold Galleons silver Sickles and bronze Knuts glittered intensely inside the pouch. "Thanks, Mrs. Weasley." Harry beamed.
"Did Hermione and Ginny get their things already?" Ron asked his mother.
"They're packing their things too." Mrs. Weasley replied, smiling. "We'll be going to the station by the Ministry cars this time. Arthur didn't seem to approve on us taking another Muggle taxi to the station. He urged the Ministry to let us borrow two of the Ministry cars. Besides, Harry is with us and with You-Know-Who around—"
"Okay, Mum. We're going to ride on the Ministry car. You don't need to scare Harry about You-Know-Who!" Ron told his mother.
"I'm sorry, dear." Mrs. Weasley apologized to Harry, covering her mouth with her hand.
"That's all right," Harry said to Mrs. Weasley, smiling. At least we don't have to worry about getting scratched by Crookshanks again, Harry thought happily.
After finishing their packing, Mrs. Weasley left their room and Harry and Ron started to sleep. They still needed to wake up early tomorrow for their trip to Hogwarts.
All the people in the Burrow were already awake at daybreak. Mrs. Weasley kept on bugging Fred and George to finish their breakfasts so she could start washing the dishes. Harry (and everyone else) could hear Ginny shouting at Ron to go out of the bathroom ("Ron! You're already there for almost an hour!" She yelled.) Mr. Weasley was already taking the trunks outside to wait for the Ministry cars together with Percy. Hermione was in her room still checking if she had done all her homeworks.
After a couple of hours of going up and down the stairs, looking for the missing pair of George's socks and looking for Ginny's sketchpad, they were ready to go. Two unfashionable dark emerald cars were parked at the front of the house; the drivers were private looking and they wore velvety green robes.
After the trunks had been loaded, Harry, Ron, Hermione and Ginny rode on the back of the first car. Mrs. Weasley sat on the front seat. Percy decided not to come with them but instead go to the Ministry so only Mr. Weasley and the twins rode the second one.
The trip to the train station was quick. Harry, Ron, Hermione and Ginny hadn't even finished eating the sweets Hagrid had given to Harry when the Ministry car stopped in front of the train station.
"Good! We still have thirty minutes left to pass the barrier and find yourselves a compartment," said Mrs. Weasley as she went down the car.
Mr. Weasley and the twins came to them with their trolleys. The drivers began unloading the trunks and after giving Mr. Weasley a salute, they drove off in a flash.
Harry couldn't believe that he was still going to Hogwarts this year—alive. He pushed his own trolley as he walked with Ron and the others into the train station. Now, all they got to do was pass through the solid barrier between the platforms nine and ten to get to platform nine and three-quarters. But they had to do it cautiously so that the Muggles wouldn't notice them vanishing into the wall.
"The four of you go first," Mrs. Weasley said, looking towards Harry, Ron, Hermione and Ginny.
The four nodded and pushed their trolley slowly towards the barrier. They leaned on the barrier and pretended they were having a conversation. Slowly, they felt themselves sliding sideways through the solid wall and they were looking straight at a scarlet steam engine, the Hogwarts Express. At last, they were already on platform nine and three-quarters. The platform was crammed with a big crowd of wizards and witches. Parents were escorting their children onto the doors of Hogwarts Express.
In a moment, Mr. and Mrs. Weasley appeared followed by Fred and George. They started their way to the end of the train and packed their trunks onto the vacant carriage at the train's tail. Harry and Ron left Hedwig and Pigwidgeon on the luggage rack while Hermione placed Crookshanks' basket on the seat. Then, they all went back outside to say good-bye to Mr. and Mrs. Weasley. After a few more reminders given by Mrs. Weasley (especially to the twins), all of them said good-bye to Mr. and Mrs. Weasley and went back to their compartment. Fred and George met their friend, Lee Jordan, on the corridors. The twins followed Lee Jordan to his compartment, probably to do some pranks or tell some stories.
Harry, Ron, Hermione and Ginny (Hermione invited Ginny to stay in their compartment) had the compartment all to themselves. The train began to advance then slowly it started to increase its speed. Ron sat beside Harry and they began to talk again about Quidditch. Ron was asking Harry for some tips so he might get on the team; he was very nervous about the tryouts for the Gryffindor team.
Hermione buried her head on her new book, Standard Book of Spells, Grade 5. She kept silent to herself but once in a while she would glance at Ron, then at Harry and lastly, Ginny, who was sitting beside her. Ginny was playing with Crookshanks on her lap. Crookshanks seemed to be happy with Ginny, he never complained instead he kept purring affectionately whenever Ginny stroke his fur.
Luckily, the trip was going peaceful—so far, no one had come to their compartment yet to ruin things out. Hermione stopped reading her book already and she got Crookshanks from Ginny, placing him on her own lap.
"Do you know who's going to teach Defense Against the Dark Arts this time?" Hermione asked curiously.
Harry and Ron both shook their heads but Ginny looked like she knew something.
"You know?" Hermione said.
"I think I have an idea." Ginny replied. "I met Cindy at the corridors awhile ago and she said that there are rumors that the one who'll be teaching us is a witch. Cindy said she just came back from her trip from Egypt. Her name is Professor Leila S. Langley. They say she is the daughter of one of Dumbledore's old friends. They have never seen her yet but some say she must look stern and weather-beaten because she always traveled on foot." Ginny told them.
"Langley, eh?" Ron said. "I wish she's not worse than Snape." Ron derided.
"Ron, you mustn't say that." Hermione said. "I wish she's a great teacher. I've started reading our book for Defense Against the Dark Arts. It's very interesting." She said, her eyes twinkling.
The four's conversation was interrupted by the soft clanking of the food cart as it stopped in front of their compartment. Their compartment door slid open and the stout witch pushing the food cart came into view. Harry bought some Cauldron Cakes, Pumpkin Pasties and Chocolate Frogs for them to eat during the remaining hours of their trip.
The witch gave Harry's change and she slowly slid the door close and went on to the next compartment.
Harry started distributing the Cauldron Cakes to all of them.
Ginny took the Cauldron Cake Harry handed her and said while blushing slightly, "Thank you."
Harry gave out a smile at her and began to chew his own food.
Ron also handed Hermione a Chocolate Frog and smiled.
Ginny saw Hermione flushing that very instant.
"Well, well, well." A cold voice said as the compartment door slid open again. Draco Malfoy and his two cronies, Crabbe and Goyle, was standing in front of their compartment.
Ron groaned annoyingly upon seeing Malfoy's face. "I thought I wouldn't see anything that could spoil my day. Too bad I've seen three right now, tsk…tsk," Ron said, shaking his head side to side slowly.
Malfoy just glared at Ron and smirked. "I see that you and the Mudblood have finally decided to become a couple." Malfoy said, sneering at Ron then at Hermione. His two allies snickered stupidly behind him.
Ron's fists were clenched and he was ready to punch Malfoy if Harry hadn't stopped him.
"So what if Ron and Hermione are already a couple?" Harry asked very seriously. "You just leave them alone, Malfoy." He said firmly.
"So, it's true—a Weasel and a Mudblood!" Malfoy said, sneering again. "I see, this compartment is for couples; I guess you also got yourself a girlfriend, Potter," said Malfoy, giving a miserable look at Ginny.
Ginny slightly blushed but she gathered her courage, stood up and glared straight at Malfoy. "Shut up, Malfoy!" She snapped, sliding the compartment door hard, hitting Malfoy's nose and making it bleed.
"Way to go, Gin!" cheered Ron to his sister.
Ginny smiled weakly and sat down. I think I mustn't have done that, Ginny thought anxiously. Harry looked at her worriedly, seeing that she was fearful about what would happen next.
The compartment door slid open again revealing a deeply enraged Malfoy. He was reaching for Ginny, saying, "Why, you stupid—"
But Harry was too quick. He punched Malfoy hard on the face knocking him off. Crabbe and Goyle looked shocked at the scene. They couldn't believe that Harry had just punched their ultimate leader, Malfoy. Somehow shaky, they collected the disheveled Malfoy lying on the floor and pulled him away, muttering curses under their breath.
Harry smiled at Ginny and Ginny smiled back. The rest of the trip became more peaceful for the four. They didn't see nor hear Malfoy walking by their compartment anymore and they were very thankful for that.
It was already dark when the train arrived at Hogsmeade station. The students started to make their way to the doors of the train. The four were already wearing their black Hogwarts robes and they followed the crowd going down the train. The air outside was dead cold and it was hard to see. Then, a gigantic outline appeared carrying a lamp over the heads of the students. Harry immediately noticed his giant friend, Hagrid.
"Hagrid!" Harry called out.
Hagrid raised his lamp over Harry's direction. "Harry! Good thing seeing you here!" He greeted, rubbing his chin, which was very hairy. "Firs' years! Firs' years over here!" Hagrid called out. Hagrid was assigned to bring the first years to Hogwarts through a traditional trip to the black lake by small boats. Hagrid bade good-bye to Harry and led the bewildered first year students to the boats.
The four went on with the remaining students onto a craggy mud track, where the horseless carriages were waiting to bring them to the castle. Harry, Ron, Hermione and Ginny had their turn on the stagecoach and right after the door had been closed, the coach began moving all by itself. Ginny and Hermione talked non-stop about the new teacher; Ginny wasn't bothered anymore by the thought of Malfoy. The carriages wheeled continuously and no sooner, they were already passing the grand iron gates, sided by stone pillars peaked with winged boars.
Ginny and Hermione looked out of the window to enjoy the view of the castle as it trailed nearer. The carriage gained speed as it wheeled on the long, askew drive up to the castle. And finally, the coach halted in front of Hogwarts castle. The trip had finally ended.
Harry, Ron, Hermione and Ginny clambered down the carriage and into the stone steps towards the castle. Next, they found themselves in the entrance hall together with the other students.
"Ginny!" A girl with blonde hair called out.
Ginny looked back and squealed, "Claire!" Ginny walked towards her and gave her friend a hug. "I missed you already!" She said.
Claire smiled. "Come, let's look for the others. Maya's been looking for you. You didn't show up in our compartment!" She said, pulling Ginny into the crowd.
"Hermione, I'll go now. Thanks for inviting me to join you. I had so much fun!" Ginny said to Hermione before the tremendous crowd swallowed her.
"Where's Ginny going?" Harry asked Hermione when he heard Ginny left.
"Don't know," said Hermione, shrugging.
Harry, Ron and Hermione followed the rest of the school as it made its way through a pair of double doors and into the Great Hall. The place was very warm; thousands of candles floated in midair over four long tables. The ceiling looked just like the night sky with twinkling stars in it. Passing the long tables (Slytherin, Ravenclaw and Hufflepuff), they sat themselves on the Gryffindor table; the tables were laid with sparkling golden plates and goblets. Harry sat beside Ron while Hermione sat on the chair in front of Ron.
The traditional ceremony began. The first years trudged silently, staring at almost everywhere (especially upward), and stopped in front of the staff table. Professor McGonagall modestly placed a three-legged stool in front of them and placed a shabby-looking hat full of patches. And the Sorting began. The hat sang its song and Professor McGonagall started calling the names written on her list. The student would wear the hat and the hat would say what house he or she would belong.
The Sorting finally finished after calling the last name ("Zilter, Maurice!" "RAVENCLAW!"). The first year students had all been Sorted. Albus Dumbledore stood up and beamed at the crowd.
"Welcome! Welcome to another new year at Hogwarts!" Dumbledore said, his arms outstretched to them. "Before we start our feast, I want to tell you a single announcement, that we have—again—another new teacher for the position of Defense Against the Dark Arts. She, (there was a loud gasp from the crowd) is not here for some reasons that she alone knows. But she will be here tomorrow for your first classes." He continued. "Her name is Professor Leila S. Langley, daughter of a very dear friend of mine." Dumbledore said, looking at the vacant chair on the staff table.
"That's all I have to say, let the feast BEGIN!"
Instantly, the dishes in front of Harry were filled with different food that were never before served in the Dursleys house. He helped himself with everything his hands could afford and he thanked the house elves for another dinner well done. Hermione and Ron kept on smiling at each other and Harry didn't want to interfere so he went to talk to Nearly Headless Nick. The dinner went on and on, the students kept on chattering about their vacations and laughing; it was even matched by the feeble sound made by knives and forks drumming their plates.
After finishing their desserts, the plates and goblets on the tables magically disappeared. Dumbledore made the usual announcements about the Forbidden Forest being forbidden for the first years as well as Hogsmeade village was to students below third year. Before they went off to their beds they sang the school song and dragged themselves sleepily up to their respective houses where their dormitories were located.
Up and up, Harry and the other Gryffindors, yawning and stretching, climbed the marble staircases; the portraits on the walls were all staring at them, some were even waving. Peeves was floating in the middle of the corridor murmuring something—but to their luck, he didn't even pay attention to the students passing, instead he walked away silently still murmuring to himself. Harry only caught two words Peeves was murmuring, "Bloody Baron".
At last, they reached the very end of the corridor. At the wall hung a portrait of a very fat woman wearing a pink chiffon dress.
"Password?" She said, smiling at them.
"Crescent Beam!" Hermione said with aplomb.
The portrait moved aside and revealed a round hole on the wall. Harry and the other Gryffindors clambered drowsily into the hole, finding themselves in the comfortable, round Gryffindor common room.
"How did you know the password?" Ron asked in amazement.
"Passed by a prefect a while ago." Hermione answered apparently.
Harry was too sleepy to care about the password. After saying good night to Ron and Hermione (Ron stayed longer with Hermione to kiss her good night), Harry climbed the spiral stairs to the boys' dormitories. He reached the door with the sign pinned on it: FIFTH YEARS. Harry entered the usual, circular dormitory with five four-poster beds draped with scarlet, velvety curtains. He saw his trunk already placed beside his bed. He gave out a yawn and walked towards his bed. After changing into his pajamas, Harry slept peacefully knowing that he was at last back at Hogwarts— back at home.
A/N: Once again, I only have two things to say. Review and thank you! ^0^