Ch 3
Harry woke on the day to Hogwarts very late, puffy eyes and yawning every few seconds. Uncle Vernon stormed into the room looking agitated, 'If you think I'm going to wait forever for you boy, you've got another thing coming. If you're not ready by 10.00 the trip is off!' at that he stormed out. Harry knew not to take this threat seriously because one word of Sirius would have him take him in an instant. He reached Kings cross at 10.50, which meant that he had to run all the way to the barrier, which connected platform 9 to 10. He simply had to walk through it but the troublesome part, which might cause some trouble, was that you had to do it without the muggles looking. This took a lot of time due to the congestion at the station. Apparently there had been a fire. He waited until a boy aged about 5 had stopped looking at his strange baggage and Hedwig before slipping through the barrier and ending up facing the train, which was about to leave. He ran towards it but heard a chime and looked up to see a huge clock strike 11.00. The train puffed away leaving Harry stranded
Just as he was about to turn round and leave he saw another train rumble into the station, this looked similar to the Hogwarts express but was plated with a golden phoenix on the top of the train. Harry watched as witches and wizards got on the train including a very short wizard he recognised as Professor Flitwick. This must be train to Hogwarts he thought so quietly he snuck onto the train. It wasn't that packed in most carriages only 5 or 6 people, but as he walked further he approached one with the same phoenix on the train front and the door was golden he crept inside and hid behind a seat. He heard many voices including strangely enough Hagrid. He took a peep up and saw them seated around a table. Dumbledore was in the middle; he cleared his throat, which triggered silence around the room. The meeting was in progress.
'Friends' he spoke. ' We face troubled times at the moment, as you know Lord Voldemort is getting stronger' as he said that there was murmurings partly because half of them were scared stiff of hearing Voldemort's name and partly because they were so awed that he mentioned his name so freely. The murmurings soon dyed down. 'This is why I want us, being the group that totally oppose him and renounce him in every way. Now I want to evoke a special magic that involves all our secrecies. Some of the members of this are currently not present such as Hogwarts students but there will be made to do it as well sometime in the year. But now I want to read out your names and then I will cast the secrecy spell, which can only be broke if someone reveals the information within this group to the dark lord or any of his followers. So....' Dumbledore paused and looked around before closing his eyes and reciting. 'Dumbledore, Hagrid, Mr and Mrs Finnegan, Ms Longbottom, Lupin, Figg, Fletcher, Snape, Mr and Mrs Weasly, Charlie Weasly, Bill Weasly, Percy Weasly, Fred and George Weasly, Flitwick, Moody, Mr and Mrs Thomas, Mcgonagall. May all these names bind.' He put his hands into the air and saw beads of light fly into each of people including Dumbledore. When he had finished they all opened their eyes, Harry felt the train jerk and saw the castle in view. He heard the teacher say their goodbyes to the others who were staying put. Harry waited until before they had all got off before following. He checked the tower clock because his one was not working, he was one early which was amazing considering the fact that the student train left before this one. He decided to wait it out in the grounds before going to the castle. The time was unaccounted for but when he guessed it to be an hour he headed toward the light of the castle his mind buzzing about what he had heard in the train. He had guessed slightly too long and had to run to get inside before the hall door closed. He ran the length of the hall and sat next to Hermione. Ron who was next to her, looked open mouthed at him but Harry merely signalled to him to talk later because Dumbledore had got up form his seat and was looking around. The noise quietened down and they all looked up at him, the Hufflepuffs were looking especially sad because they were remembering what had happened to Cedric. 'Welcome students to another year. I'm glad to see you all well and fed.' This sparked a few snorts and giggles but it soon dyed down.
'As you know our community is under tight security and I want you all to return to your families safe so that's why I don't want anyone out on the grounds after hours. This is for your own safety.' At this he looked at Harry, Ron and Hermione. The sorting took place straight after placing new students into Griffindor, Slytherin, Hufflepuff and Ravenclaw. When this was done Dumbledore stood up again and announced the words they had been waiting for,' Tuck in!'
At that there was a cheer and golden plates filled the tables and dishes of every kind imaginable appeared. The house elves had out done themselves. But Hermione and Ron turned to face him and Harry explained all about why he wasn't on the train and the man in Diagon Alley. When he had finished they just stared at him. But finally Hermione spoke. 'You know what this means Harry?'
'Yeah, Voldemorts getting stronger' at this Ron dropped his glass and spilled his pumpkin juice over several people, which cause raised eyebrows, and a few angry looks. He ignored them but stressed the point not to use Voldemort's name around him.
'Harry you've got to be careful what with Voldemort getting stronger and the ministry separated.
'I know but I don't ask for trouble, trouble usually finds me'
'So this bond thing on the train' said Ron 'How come none of my family said anything to me if I'm involved in it.
'Possibly they didn't think you were ready and were already going to be told later' Hermione said this quickly because she saw Ron starting to protest.
The rest of the feast carried on normal; Harry and Ron stuffed themselves while Hermione looked on tuting.
As the feast drew to a close, the food vanished form the tables and the golden plates went sparkly clean. Dumbledore stood up again. 'Now that we are all fed and watered'
Someone burped and the hall erupted into laughter, which was soon compressed by Mcgonagall's icy stare. Although Dumbledore was laughing as heartily as the students.
'Well now that we've got that of our stomach's' he looked at the boy who blushed furiously.
'Now we can turn our attention to some notices. As you know the last two years have been taken up by the fake and real Alastor Moody. But now he has decided to leave which left us in an awkward position but I'm pleased to say that there is two new additions to our staff. First of is that Professor Snape will be taking part in some activities outside school so I'm pleased to announce as a part time teacher for this year in potions will be none other than Mrs. Arabella Figg'. At this there was a whooping of applause because everyone including Harry, Ron and Hermione was glad to hear Snape wouldn't be here most of the year. But Harry had heard of that name before. And as the lady stepped up to take a bow he saw her to be Mrs. Fig form down the road, the one who was obsessed with cats. Snape was looking mutinous at her. Harry was wondering were he was going on his 'activities'. Did it have something to do with Voldemort?
'And also our new defence against the dark arts teacher will be miss Fleur Delacour'. Ron started tapping Harry furiously on the shoulder whispering excitedly, 'its her! Its her!' Other students were also excited partly because of her part-Veela charm and the other part because they were so happy to have a new defence of the dark arts teacher not as so pathetic as Lockhart, foolish as Quirrel, Evil as the fake moody and hopefully more permanent than the real moody.
After Dumbledore had made his speech they all headed up to bed. Harry entered the dormitory tired, but his mind was buzzing. Why was Mrs Figg here? Is she a witch? He pondered this for a while while the others slept. With Voldemort on the loose, the ministry in disarray and with the new teachers, Harry felt this would be as an eventful and dangerous year as the last.
Harry woke on the day to Hogwarts very late, puffy eyes and yawning every few seconds. Uncle Vernon stormed into the room looking agitated, 'If you think I'm going to wait forever for you boy, you've got another thing coming. If you're not ready by 10.00 the trip is off!' at that he stormed out. Harry knew not to take this threat seriously because one word of Sirius would have him take him in an instant. He reached Kings cross at 10.50, which meant that he had to run all the way to the barrier, which connected platform 9 to 10. He simply had to walk through it but the troublesome part, which might cause some trouble, was that you had to do it without the muggles looking. This took a lot of time due to the congestion at the station. Apparently there had been a fire. He waited until a boy aged about 5 had stopped looking at his strange baggage and Hedwig before slipping through the barrier and ending up facing the train, which was about to leave. He ran towards it but heard a chime and looked up to see a huge clock strike 11.00. The train puffed away leaving Harry stranded
Just as he was about to turn round and leave he saw another train rumble into the station, this looked similar to the Hogwarts express but was plated with a golden phoenix on the top of the train. Harry watched as witches and wizards got on the train including a very short wizard he recognised as Professor Flitwick. This must be train to Hogwarts he thought so quietly he snuck onto the train. It wasn't that packed in most carriages only 5 or 6 people, but as he walked further he approached one with the same phoenix on the train front and the door was golden he crept inside and hid behind a seat. He heard many voices including strangely enough Hagrid. He took a peep up and saw them seated around a table. Dumbledore was in the middle; he cleared his throat, which triggered silence around the room. The meeting was in progress.
'Friends' he spoke. ' We face troubled times at the moment, as you know Lord Voldemort is getting stronger' as he said that there was murmurings partly because half of them were scared stiff of hearing Voldemort's name and partly because they were so awed that he mentioned his name so freely. The murmurings soon dyed down. 'This is why I want us, being the group that totally oppose him and renounce him in every way. Now I want to evoke a special magic that involves all our secrecies. Some of the members of this are currently not present such as Hogwarts students but there will be made to do it as well sometime in the year. But now I want to read out your names and then I will cast the secrecy spell, which can only be broke if someone reveals the information within this group to the dark lord or any of his followers. So....' Dumbledore paused and looked around before closing his eyes and reciting. 'Dumbledore, Hagrid, Mr and Mrs Finnegan, Ms Longbottom, Lupin, Figg, Fletcher, Snape, Mr and Mrs Weasly, Charlie Weasly, Bill Weasly, Percy Weasly, Fred and George Weasly, Flitwick, Moody, Mr and Mrs Thomas, Mcgonagall. May all these names bind.' He put his hands into the air and saw beads of light fly into each of people including Dumbledore. When he had finished they all opened their eyes, Harry felt the train jerk and saw the castle in view. He heard the teacher say their goodbyes to the others who were staying put. Harry waited until before they had all got off before following. He checked the tower clock because his one was not working, he was one early which was amazing considering the fact that the student train left before this one. He decided to wait it out in the grounds before going to the castle. The time was unaccounted for but when he guessed it to be an hour he headed toward the light of the castle his mind buzzing about what he had heard in the train. He had guessed slightly too long and had to run to get inside before the hall door closed. He ran the length of the hall and sat next to Hermione. Ron who was next to her, looked open mouthed at him but Harry merely signalled to him to talk later because Dumbledore had got up form his seat and was looking around. The noise quietened down and they all looked up at him, the Hufflepuffs were looking especially sad because they were remembering what had happened to Cedric. 'Welcome students to another year. I'm glad to see you all well and fed.' This sparked a few snorts and giggles but it soon dyed down.
'As you know our community is under tight security and I want you all to return to your families safe so that's why I don't want anyone out on the grounds after hours. This is for your own safety.' At this he looked at Harry, Ron and Hermione. The sorting took place straight after placing new students into Griffindor, Slytherin, Hufflepuff and Ravenclaw. When this was done Dumbledore stood up again and announced the words they had been waiting for,' Tuck in!'
At that there was a cheer and golden plates filled the tables and dishes of every kind imaginable appeared. The house elves had out done themselves. But Hermione and Ron turned to face him and Harry explained all about why he wasn't on the train and the man in Diagon Alley. When he had finished they just stared at him. But finally Hermione spoke. 'You know what this means Harry?'
'Yeah, Voldemorts getting stronger' at this Ron dropped his glass and spilled his pumpkin juice over several people, which cause raised eyebrows, and a few angry looks. He ignored them but stressed the point not to use Voldemort's name around him.
'Harry you've got to be careful what with Voldemort getting stronger and the ministry separated.
'I know but I don't ask for trouble, trouble usually finds me'
'So this bond thing on the train' said Ron 'How come none of my family said anything to me if I'm involved in it.
'Possibly they didn't think you were ready and were already going to be told later' Hermione said this quickly because she saw Ron starting to protest.
The rest of the feast carried on normal; Harry and Ron stuffed themselves while Hermione looked on tuting.
As the feast drew to a close, the food vanished form the tables and the golden plates went sparkly clean. Dumbledore stood up again. 'Now that we are all fed and watered'
Someone burped and the hall erupted into laughter, which was soon compressed by Mcgonagall's icy stare. Although Dumbledore was laughing as heartily as the students.
'Well now that we've got that of our stomach's' he looked at the boy who blushed furiously.
'Now we can turn our attention to some notices. As you know the last two years have been taken up by the fake and real Alastor Moody. But now he has decided to leave which left us in an awkward position but I'm pleased to say that there is two new additions to our staff. First of is that Professor Snape will be taking part in some activities outside school so I'm pleased to announce as a part time teacher for this year in potions will be none other than Mrs. Arabella Figg'. At this there was a whooping of applause because everyone including Harry, Ron and Hermione was glad to hear Snape wouldn't be here most of the year. But Harry had heard of that name before. And as the lady stepped up to take a bow he saw her to be Mrs. Fig form down the road, the one who was obsessed with cats. Snape was looking mutinous at her. Harry was wondering were he was going on his 'activities'. Did it have something to do with Voldemort?
'And also our new defence against the dark arts teacher will be miss Fleur Delacour'. Ron started tapping Harry furiously on the shoulder whispering excitedly, 'its her! Its her!' Other students were also excited partly because of her part-Veela charm and the other part because they were so happy to have a new defence of the dark arts teacher not as so pathetic as Lockhart, foolish as Quirrel, Evil as the fake moody and hopefully more permanent than the real moody.
After Dumbledore had made his speech they all headed up to bed. Harry entered the dormitory tired, but his mind was buzzing. Why was Mrs Figg here? Is she a witch? He pondered this for a while while the others slept. With Voldemort on the loose, the ministry in disarray and with the new teachers, Harry felt this would be as an eventful and dangerous year as the last.