A/N: See here for chapter four! The transfer-student, Snape's actually
disappointed in Malfoy. (and some more that's for all you wonderful H/H
shippers out there!).
And to my first three reviewers: Thank you so much, you made my day!
~oOo~
Chap. 4
A Pair of Aces and a constellation of stars
The Great Hall was as usual amazing. The teachers were sitting on the far end of the hall, the students spread out next to the Houses' tables. Harry, Ron and Hermione entered among the first, and got themselves seats at the end of the table which was closest to the professors' table. In the middle of the room stood a small group of nervous first years, waiting for the sorting ceremony to begin.
When everyone had taken their seats, the sorting had performed it's usual song, and then Professor McGonnagall began reading from the list of first years.
"Apple, Mary".
A very small girl with brown pigtails and a lot of freckles sat down on the stool. The hat thought about it for a moment, and then declared her a member of Hufflepuff House.
"Finnegan, Samantha!".
A sandy-blonde, very tall and gangly eleven-year-old sat down on the stool.
"That's my sister", Harry heard Seamus whisper to Dean some way down the table.
"GRYFFINDOR!".
The Gryffindor students let up an applause as their first new member of the year came and sat with them, on a free seat next to her brother.
"French, Julian!".
"RAVENCLAW!"
"Oh be done with it already", Ron moaned. "I'm starving here!".
Hermione smacked him on the shoulder and exchanged a knowing glance with Harry.
"Come on, One", Harry whispered to her jokingly. "Don't be so hard on him, you know how he's always hungry".
"Not fair, Harry", Ron said. "That's not true!"
"Oh, really, Ron", Hermione said. "It is too, and you know it!".
"Yeah, so it is, but that's not going to change anything, now is it?".
The hat had sorted most of the few first years there were to sort this year, it was merely two student's left. One little girl with black hair, and a platinum blonde boy, who didn't at all look like a first year, but a bit like Malfoy.
"Patil, Patricia!".
"RAVENCLAW!".
Harry reckoned that the girl must be Parvati and Padma's little sister, and he was right. Parvati sighed in relief when she found that her sister hadn't come to the same house as she.
"I don't have anything in common with any of my sisters", Harry heard her mumble to Lavender. "They're both very studious, especially Patricia. I mean, she's like some kind of mini-Hermione. And both of them are really into Quidditch, only Merlin knows why!".
"Oh, I don't know", Hermione whispered to Harry. "It sounds like their both a whole lot nicer than Parvati, at least".
The last boy was the only one that remained. Harry caught a glimpse of Malfoy over at the Slytherin table, who looked at the new boy with pure loathing in his eyes.
"We have a fifth year transfer student with us as well. He'll be sorted into a house just like the rest of you!", McGonnagall explained. "Malfoy, Orion!"
The entire Great Hall fell silent when the boy's name was stated, but began murmuring excitedly when the hat gave it's judgement of him:
"GRYFFINDOR!".
Orion Malfoy smiled when he went and took a seat at the Gryffindor table, right next to Harry. His face expressed relief, pride and happiness, something every single student in the whole Great Hall seemed surprised over.
"Hello", Orion said. "My name's Orion Malfoy, nice to meet you".
He shook a startled Harry's hand.
"Um, not that it matters, or anything", Harry answered. "But are you perchance related to Draco Malfoy? The one that sits over there?", he pointed at the Slytherin table. "And I'm Harry Potter, this is Ron Weasley and Hermione Granger".
Orion looked a little uneasy and shifted his position on his chair.
"Unfortunately, I am", he said. "We're cousins, on our fathers' side. We don't really get along. In fact, if we ever get within ten metres of one another, we bite each others' heads off."
Ron grinned.
"Sounds like an extraordinarily fine habit to me! Harry here bites Malfoy's head off on a daily basis, meanwhile I laugh and Hermione threatens to hex him into the next century. She even smacked him once!"
"I think we'll get along just fine, my friends!", Orion laughed. He then turned to Harry. "Harry Potter, eh? Sounds like you've got a lot to live up to."
"You have absolutely no idea. Ron! Food!".
While they had been talking the plates had magically filled themselves with the most well-tasting dishes. They all dropped conversation in benefit of eating.
When they had finished their meal Dumbledore got up and asked for silence. The entire student-body compiled.
"Welcome, my friends to yet another year at Hogwarts. Classes will begin tomorrow, your schedules will be handed out at breakfast. Now, due to great demand and the dark times laying ahead, we have re-instated the Duelling Club. The first meeting will be precisely a week from now, to which all students of third year and above are welcome. Further information will be available on notes in the Common Rooms, and what questions you cannot get answered from reading those will be answered on the first meeting. Now, I'm sure all of you fifth through seventh years have noticed that there is a new class you all will be taking, Magical languages. This class is instated in purpose of encouraging the forging of international bonds, among other things, and will be thought by an entirely new professor, who I'm sure quite many of you are familiar with from last year, when she participated in the Triwizard Tournament; Professor Delacour", he held his hand out to the young part-veela who had got to her feet down the table.
She smiled a little nervously and waved at the students before sitting down again. Ron gagged.
"I have two more teachers I would like to present before letting you all go", Dumbledore continued. "The first one is Professor Weasley, who will be filling in for Hagrid as Care of Magical Creatures Professor this term", Charlie got up and smiled, although most of the Slytherin's glared back at him. "And the other one is yet another in the row of new Defence Against the Dark Arts Professors, Professor Figg", the middle-aged woman Harry had once known as his cat-loving next-door neighbour stood up and looked around the Great Hall. "Now, since you are all tired and eager to get up to your Common Rooms, off to bed with all of you!"
Harry, Ron, Hermione and their new-found friend Orion made their way through the crowd and out into the entrance hall, chatting excitedly about the Duelling Club and the new professors.
"We're all going to the meeting, right?", Orion said. "I'd love to learn some more about duelling, my father refuses to tell me a word about it. They didn't think it that important on Beauxbatons, so we never covered the subject. Have you had much experience with duelling?"
Ron snorted, Hermione looked troubled. Only Harry remained objective to the matter, in spite of being most involved himself.
"Oh yes we have", he explained. "But definitely not thanks to the school. We had one lousy meeting back in second year, when all we learnt was that letting Gilderoy Lockheart up on a stage to lead a duelling session with a vicious Potions Professor answering to the name of Snape for a co-teacher wasn't at all the best of ideas."
"Everything we learned about duelling we've taught ourselves", Hermione filled in. "I'm sure you've heard about what happened at the end of the Triwizard Tournament last year, with Harry duelling Voldemort and everything", she didn't even notice Ron and Orion flinching when she mentioned his name, nor Harry's startled face. "To be quite honest, we've all done that kind of things where at least one of us ended up spending several days in the Hospital Wing at least once a year since we came here. That's where we got all the practice."
"You've been busy!", Orion said admiringly. "I knew by rumour the three of you had done some rather strange stuff, but I never imagined this".
"Well, we've had time to do quite a lot in four years", Ron laughed.
"So, what about the new professors, then?", Orion continued. "The Care of Magical Creatures one is your brother, right Ron?"
"Yup. He was always the right person to teach, it'll be great."
"Aren't you concerned someone will question his morals, teaching his own brother?".
"Nah", Ron waved his hand dissmissively. "Only Malfoy would do such a thing, and him I can handle. You know, I'm not the only one of Charlie's own siblings he will have to teach, either. My sister's in fourth year, and my twin brothers' in seventh."
"Better watch out with them, though, Orion", Harry warned him. "Fred and George are a big pair of pranksters, take a good advice and never eat anything they give you".
"Here we are", Hermione said when they reached the portrait of the Fat Lady, behind which the entrance to the Gryffindor Common Room was hidden. "Sweethearts!"
"Welcome back dear!", the Fat Lady sang and swung aside.
Orion snickered.
"I know, sassy password, huh?", Ron said mockingly. "It's our dear Prefect over here who chose it", he pointed at Hermione.
"Hm", Orion shrugged, but looked interested and amused. "So you get to pick out the passwords? Use 'Amazing Bouncing Ferret' sometime, would you?"
"Oh, Merlin!", Hermione gasped. "I had completely forgotten about that!"
Both Harry and Ron were clutching at their stomachs' and gasping for breath, laughing like madmen.
"I take it as to that you were present on the lovely occasion", Orion said with envy in his voice. "I really wish I had been!"
"Present? I was the reason to why Malfoy ended up as a ferret in the first place!", Harry said. "He tried to curse me, and he got transfigured for doing so."
"Thank you, Harry!", Orion snickered. "For helping out with the oh so noble quest of making my cousin's life as miserable as possible!"
"Well, I try", Harry said modestly.
Harry and Hermione parted from Orion and Ron in the Common Room, and then went to set their passwords and check out their new rooms. Harry found his way to a painting of two little boys, watched over by a lion, next to which there was a small, brass sign saying 'Harry Potter, 5h year Prefect'. Hermione's room was behind the painting right next to his own, with a similar sign to mark the entrance.
"Fifth year Gryffindor Prefect Harry Potter, password: 'Snitch'", he declared, before the painting swung aside, revealing the best room Harry had seen in his whole life.
It was entirely round, obviously placed in a small tower on the outside of the main Gryffindor one and it's colours were completely Gryffindor gold and scarlet. A slim, high window overlooked the grounds and the Quidditch- field, there was a fireplace, several packed, high bookcases and a large oak desk. There was, of course, also a big four-poster bed, complete with scarlet velvet curtains and his trunk at the foot. Next to the fireplace was a deep, red velvet fauteuil, which Harry threw himself into, laughing and sighing in content.
Quite soon he heard a knock on the portrait-door, and Hermione's excited voice calling from outside:
"Harry! Please let me in!".
He did so, and she gaped at the looks of his room for maybe two seconds, before dragging him off into her own. Hermione's room was almost exactly like Harry's, only differently furnished, and she was absolutely ecstatic about it.
"Look at all these books, Harry! I won't have to go to the library half as often with these in my own room. And the grand desk, and."
"Whoa! Hold on, One. I know it's great! Imagine not being a Prefect and missing out on all this."
"I feel so sorry for them all. or not. I can't even think about anything else besides how much I like this room."
Harry sank down into Hermione's fauteuil, looking into the flames sparkling in the fireplace.
"That's just great, Potter. Now where am I going to sit?".
"I see a lot of places. The floor, the bed, the chair at the desk, right here.", he patted the fauteuil. "There's plenty of room for both of us".
Hermione immediately saw his point and compiled, snuggling up close to him in the deep chair. She ran her hands through his hair.
"Who would've thought, Potter, that we'd be sitting here, like this, back when we loathed each other in first year, when I was petrified in second, when we didn't speak in third year?".
"Actually, I think to quite many people it was just a matter of time before we'd be a couple, One. Especially after last year, with everything that went on."
"Maybe you're right", she said and quite obviously dismissed the matter. "Harry", she continued rather unconfidently. "Would it be all right if I kissed you now?".
Harry didn't even bother to answer, but caught her lips with his own in a sweet, gentle kiss. She wrapped her arms around his neck and responded, both of them soaring high with their rushes of feelings. As Hermione eventually broke the kiss, they got up from the chair and made their way over to the portrait-hole that led out into the Common Room, where they kissed each other good-night and Harry went back to his own.
~oOo~
The next morning, that of September 2nd, dawned as a complete opposite of the one the day before. The sky was clear blue, there was absolutely no wind at all. The weather was surprisingly warm for the time of year, and every single student of Hogwarts school of witchcraft and wizardry longed to go outside. None of them went, though. Being the first day of term, they all sat in the Great Hall, going over their new schedules.
"No!", Ron cried out in despair. "Not again!"
"What?", Orion asked. Being a transfer-student, he had no idea what was so upsetting.
"Double Potions with the Slytherins?", Hermione guessed correctly.
"Not just that, but now, immediately, first thing on this otherwise so splendid Monday-morning!", Ron continued.
"Well, well, that's just life", Harry said rather cheerfully. "We're in the same situation in Defence Against the Dark Arts class, too. Can't do anything about it, though, so why bother getting annoyed?".
Ron gaped at him, Orion laughed and Hermione tousled Harry's hair.
"That's the spirit, Potter!", she said. "We might as well live with it. And, not to forget, we have Orion here with us now, too. He'll hopefully be of some assistance".
"Of course I will!", he grinned.
"Which free choice classes do you take, Orion?", Ron asked.
"Care of Magical Creatures and Ancient Runes, why?".
"Damn!", Ron cursed and then saw Orion's confused face. "I was hoping I'd have a friend at Divination, since Harry here dropped it".
"Sorry, I think that's just a heap of humbug".
"Hey, who doesn't? I've never done a homework for real in that class ever!".
"I figured", Orion answered laughing.
"Hey, Potter. We'd better get going, or we'll be late".
Harry got up and pulled Hermione up by the hand.
"Sure thing, One. Ron, Orion, you coming?"
"We don't have class for another half-hour. I'm staying here for a while", Ron answered.
"I haven't even finished my breakfast yet!", Orion said and got back to his eggs and bacon.
"Suit yourselves. Let's get going, Potter".
Neither Harry nor Hermione noticed their two friends' amused faces, nor the amount of heads that turned in the Great Hall when they slung their arms around each other and walked out into the Entrance Hall. They proceeded up to Gryffindor Tower, since they both had left their books there, and were down in the corridor where the Potions dungeon was situated in less than fifteen minutes.
"They were right, One", Harry said. "Ron and Orion, I mean. We could have stayed in the Great Hall some time longer".
The dusky corridor was completely deserted, and the two teenagers dropped their heavy school-bags onto the stone floor.
"Of course we could have", Hermione answered with a broad smile on her lips. "But then we wouldn't have had any time alone together".
"Oh", Harry raised his eyebrows. "And what do you suggest we spend the time doing then, One?".
"Well, we could always reread the Potions Textbook", she said mischievously. "I'll just grab it from my bag".
She started for her bag, but Harry was too fast for her. He lay a hand on her wrists, leaned in and kissed her quickly.
"Or we could do something else than studying", he suggested.
"You're on, Potter", she answered and snaked her arms around his neck.
Harry moved over until his arms were about her waist and he himself stood with his back to the wall. Hermione stood on her tiptoes and touched her mouth lightly to his, then backed her head away again.
"You call that a kiss, One?", Harry asked sceptically.
She merely nodded meanwhile trying hard not to laugh her head off.
"Well, then, I'll just have to teach you how wrong you are".
He spun them both around until Hermione was standing leaned against the wall, let go of her waist and supported himself with his hands to the wall, and once again leaned in and gave her a kiss, this one much more thorough than the first one, though. He smiled against her lips as he felt Hermione's arms tense about his neck, and then he opened his mouth to her.
If Harry hadn't had his hands pressed to the wall for support, we might well have fallen to the floor when their tongues came together. He decided he had been wrong about flying and kissing Hermione earlier. This was by far the better activity of the two, flying couldn't even compete. When Hermione moved her hands to his back, underneath his robes, all sane and composed thoughts went out the window and he took her by the waist and held her as close as he could, moving his kisses down to the sensitive skin on her neck. A low purr came up from Hermione's throat, and Harry hit her lips once more. They both lost their balance and fell to the floor, Hermione landing half on top of Harry, never breaking contact between their lips.
They broke their fierce kiss abruptly when they heard someone clear their throat a few metres down the hall. Harry turned his head towards the sound, and saw Orion standing there, and next to him Ron. A bit further back stood the rest of the fifth year Gryffindors, and some of the Slytherins, there among Malfoy, just came around the corner.
"Fine excuse for snogging your heads off you found there, Hermione", Orion said mockingly.
"We, um. well.", she began, blushing terribly along with Harry, who helped her up meanwhile straightening his disarrayed robes.
"Would you look at that", Malfoy sneered. "Potty and Mudblood, snogging in a corridor. Did you do it out of pity for him, Mudblood? Or did Potty do it out of charity for you?".
Both Harry and Hermione started at Malfoy, furiously brandishing their wands. They were, however, intercepted by Orion, who smiled at his cousin and stepped between him and Harry and Hermione.
"Who are you to talk, cousin? Last I heard you paid Parkinson over there to accompany you to the Yule Ball last year".
Malfoy looked startled, and, for once, seemed to loose his ability to speak.
"I-I did not!", he hissed angrily.
Orion smacked his own face.
"Oh! How clumsy of little old oblivious me!", he shouted. "Of course you didn't - your father, most despised Uncle Lucius did!".
"Why you.", Malfoy started and stepped closer to his cousin.
If Snape hadn't arrived in that moment, marching through the corridor with his robes swelling about him, Malfoy would certainly have lunged at his cousin. In the created situation, however, the Slytherin Malfoy had to shrink away back to his own house-mates and follow the ignorant-of-the- situation Potions Professor into his dungeon.
Harry was mighty surprised at Snape's behaviour, though. Last year, any year previous to this one, he would have found an excuse as fast as possible to strike down on Harry, and the situation presenting itself in the corridor when he had arrived would have been the perfect opportunity for doing so. However, Snape didn't, and Harry, Hermione, Orion and Ron got themselves a desk at the back of the dungeon, pulling their books out of their bags and sitting down, staring intently at the silent Professor in the front.
Snape was currently stacking the students' essays, that had been sent to him by owl earlier during the summer, on his desk, and when he was done with that proceeded to take notice of the class. As usual, after that, he grabbed all the essays in his arms and walked about the dungeon, handing them out and giving comments out loud as he did so.
"What a crap, Finnegan. You couldn't write an essay if your life depended on it! You'll have to do another one to prove your skill. Thomas, almost as crappy as Finnegan's, but you'll pass. Excellent work, Parkinson. Very good research. Brown, you surprise me, I thought you'd fail, but you managed just as unwell as Thomas over there. Patil, what on earth have you written?! This is the worst essay I've ever seen, even worse than Longbottom's, and he failed too", Snape gave a blushing Neville and Parvati back their essays. "You passed, Zabini, but barely. Crabbe, Goyle, would you please stop copying each other's work? You both passed."
Harry was angry, but Ron was boiling mad. Both of them stared evilly at Snape for being so unfair. If any Gryffindor at all had even considered copying work they would have found themselves facing severe loss of points and massive detention.
Now Snape had made his way to the back of the dungeon, where Harry, Hermione, Ron and Orion occupied one desk, and a surprisingly alone Malfoy the other.
"Weasley, this is really crap, but I'll accept it. Malfoy of Gryffindor, quite good, you seem to have some talent", he sneered, and then slowed down a minute. "As for these three last ones, I'm very disappointed in you, Malfoy, to have not just one, but two Gryffindors outrank you. Potter, Granger, full score to both of you", Snape nearly threw their essays at Harry and Hermione, and then marched back to the front of the dungeon.
The rest of class went by mostly as usual, although not quite. Snape still followed Neville around like a hawk, taunting him as much as possible. He still favoured the Sytherins and never missed a possibility to withdraw points from the Gryffindors, but not even Snape could ignore the fact that his two top students nowadays both were Gryffindors. Harry and Hermione answered more questions between the two of them than the rest of the class put together, including Snape's own favourite-student Malfoy. Their arch- enemy's standards were good, but not nearly as good as Harry's or Hermione's, and nearly tied with those of his cousin, Orion's.
~oOo~
The Gryffindors proceeded to Transfiguration with the Hufflepuffs after lunch, where McGonnagall once again awed at Harry's newly-achieved skills, and Ron simply spent the class gaping at Harry, who he couldn't believe was doing what he was.
Harry spent most of the class with Hermione, leaned back lazily in their chairs, watching the other students transfiguring their octopuses into chandeliers. Orion was done quite quickly as well, obviously quite a talent in Transfiguration as well.
Harry looked up from his silent conversation with the two, and saw McGonnagall studying them all with a peculiar look on her face. The strict Transfiguration Professor looked like she was pondering something, then like she decided, and then came up to the three already finished students.
"Can you come with me into the next classroom for a moment?", she asked.
The three friends simply nodded. McGonnagall dismissed the rest of the class and lead them with her there.
"Miss Granger, could you please transform my hat into a nightingale?", she asked.
Harry was surprised. They weren't supposed to learn that advanced Transfiguration until next year. But Hermione managed, and the nightingale who had previously been McGonnagall's hat flew out the open window.
"Mr. Malfoy, could you try to make a cat out of this desk?".
Orion managed, too, and took the silver-grey cat that appeared into his lap.
"Can I keep her, Professor?", he asked.
"Go ahead, Mr. Malfoy, she's yours", McGonnagall smiled at him and then demanded of Harry. "Would you please try to transfigure the lamp over there to a small pony? I know it's ridiculously difficult, but please try your best".
Harry knew he had been given the most difficult task of them all, but focused all his thoughts on the lamp and uttered the spell.
"Transfigratio Livina!".
Before he had followed through with his spell, however, another thought pierced his mind. The picture of a golden baby unicorn appeared before him, and when he sent his magic into the lamp, no ordinary pony stood there in its stead, but a shining, golden, baby unicorn.
McGonnagall and the two others gaped at him. Hermione was the first to speak.
"Harry", she said slowly. "How did you do that?".
"I-I don't know", he answered truthfully. He knew it was very rare for witches and wizards to be able to transfigure things into magical creatures.
McGonnagall still stared at him, but regained her ability to speak.
"Can I talk to you three in private for a moment?", she asked slowly.
Harry and Orion looked at her, neither of them knew what to think, but Hermione answered immediately.
"Of course, Professor", and smiled proudly.
McGonnagall didn't stay in the deserted classroom they were already in, however, but lead them on through the castle, going upwards, upwards, until Harry finally registered where they were going.
"Excuse me, Professor, but why are we going to the Headmaster's office?", he asked curiously.
"You'll find out when we get there, Potter. Just come along for now", she answered absentmindedly.
A few minutes later they arrived at the gargoyle watching the entrance to Dumbledore's office, McGonnagall gave the password, and they proceeded up the stairs.
The office itself looked different from last year, Harry noted. The furnishing was still mainly the same, but the office seemed to have become larger, to accommodate a conference-table clamoured with books, parchments and Dumbledore's pensieve, which was now out in the open. On the walls there were quite many maps and charts of different kinds as well, that hadn't been there before.
'This must be all because of the rise of Voldemort', Harry thought. A chill went through his body when he thought about it. He hadn't reflected about it at all since he'd gone to Hermione's house during the summer.
At the desk sat Dumbledore, looking as bright and cheerful as ever, even though his eyes still held some of that hard, cold rage Harry had seen at the end of last year. He was stroking the back of his pet-phoenix Fawkes, but looked up with a surprised face when McGonnagall entered with the three fifth-years tagging along behind her.
"Albus", she began. "I would like to confer with you about these three students. They all need to be present to hear it, as well."
"Well, Minerva, let's hear it, then", he answered curiously. "This seems to be of great importance."
"It is. Mr. Potter, Miss Granger, Mr. Malfoy, would you please sit down", she gestured to the chairs in front of Dumbledore's desk. "You have only had one single Transfiguration-class this year, but after the transfigurations I asked you to make I judge that you all are doing exquisitely well. You are easily my best students in fifth year."
Hermione looked like she was going to burst with pride, and Harry felt very good as well. He had never heard a teacher speak of him in that way, and he realised suddenly why Hermione so much enjoyed doing well in class.
"What I would like to request of you, Albus, is that you let me remove these three from my class and allow them to take Advanced Transfiguration classes, if you understand what I mean."
"I do, Minerva, but are you certain of this? It's hard do manage that class, and you know it as well as I do. And they would still have to take the O.W.L.s together with their classmates in the end of year".
"I am certain, Albus. Though I'm still amazed Mr. Potter has improved his skills so much over summer - he's even transfigured a lamp into a unicorn just now - and even though I don't really know Mr. Malfoy at all, these three show the best potentials since Sirius Black and James Potter attended school".
"If you say so, Minerva, I trust your judgement".
"Then you'll let me do it?".
"Of course, but who's going to teach them? If they want to, of course".
"Well, couldn't you.?", she blushed a little.
Harry stared, he'd never seen McGonnagall blush.
"I'm afraid I cannot, Minerva. I'm much too busy these days. But I think I know someone who can help them".
None of the three students understood a word of what the Professors were saying. Orion seemed to be the one with the least portion of patience left.
"Excuse me, professors!", he said sharply. "Will you please note that we're in no position to determine weather or not we wish to attend this class unless you tell us what this is all about?".
Dumbledore smiled.
"I'm so sorry, Mr. Malfoy. Of course you're all entitled to know what we're discussing here. It concerns your future, after all. What we're asking you, is if you'd like to take another class instead of Transfiguration, which you all seem to manage perfectly."
"I understood as much, Professor", Orion replied tiredly. "And I'm sure our Pair of Aces over here did as well, but what class, I pray thee", he continued in a highly manner. "What class?".
"Why Animagus classes, of course, Mr. Malfoy", Dumbledore answered with a smile. "I though you knew that."
Hermione gasped.
"Animagus classes, Professor? Do you really think us capable of that?".
"Why of course, Miss Granger. You all seem to have the skill necessary".
"We'd love to, Professor", Harry whispered.
"Well, then, that's settled", Dumbledore answered. "You have your next Transfiguration class on Thursday after lunch, correct?".
McGonnagall nodded.
"Then you will come here instead of going to Minerva's class. I'll have your teacher ready by then".
"I would appreciate it if you told your classmates you're taking Advanced Transfiguration instead", McGonnagall explained. "Please keep your Animagus training a secret, even from Mr. Weasley".
"We will, Professor", Harry answered, a little uneasy to the task.
"Well, then", Dumbledore said. "I will see you on Thursday after lunch. You may go".
~oOo~
Orion got up, followed by Harry, who had to tug at Hermione's hand to get her to react. They all walked slowly to the stairs leading down into the corridor, all silent and amazed. In the corridor outside Dumbledore's office no-one was to be seen, and the three friends didn't encounter anyone at all on their way back to Gryffindor Tower. They didn't have any other class that day, and that was probably for the best, since they all needed to process the new developments anyway.
Harry spoke the password and they got into the Common Room, his hand still locked together with Hermione's. When they were back there, in the safety and comfort of their Common Room, both Harry and Hermione finally reacted. They threw their arms around each other, laughing and jumping around the room, holding each other tightly.
Orion got a big smile on his face and heavily sat down next to Ron on a couch, who looked at his friends with a questioning face.
Harry and Hermione had abandoned jumping around in benefit of kissing on another couch when Fred and George walked into the Common Room, together with Alicia, Angelina and Katie, and they all stopped and stared at the couple, while exchanging grins and knowing glances. They all reacted kind of like Ron had, asking them how they defined being together and if this had just happened.
Harry merely shrugged and dragged Hermione off into his own room, not to snog, though.
He got down into his fauteuil and Hermione got into his lap, leaning her head against his.
"What do you suggest we do about Ron, One?", Harry asked. "We're getting real Animagus-classes, but we already decided that we'd try to do it all three of us, without help from the Professors".
"Well, I'm not sure, Harry", she answered, clearly concerned. "I really think we shouldn't go through with it, since we've been trusted with these classes for real, and that we shouldn't tell anyone about them. I think we should tell Ron we're taking Advanced Transfiguration, and then consult with Dumbledore and the new Professor on Thursday".
Harry gave her a peck on the nose, relieved.
"As always, you're right, One. That's the right thing to do. Now, if you could just get up, it occurred to me we haven't shown Ron and Orion these amazing rooms of ours yet".
~oOo~
A/N: Chapter four, done and accounted for. This was the longest one yet, I'm on my fourteenth page now! I must say I'm quite proud of myself. The next chapter will probably not be posted in a while, since I'd written nearly half of chapter four when I began posting this fic. But hang in there! It's coming, in a week or so.
The transfer-student turned out to be an OC, AND related to Malfoy! Well, I just wanted someone like Malfoy (with the language and suchlike) on the good side, and I didn't want to make Malfoy himself good, since I doubt it will happen ever, I don't want it to happen (since I would be losing one of the best prank-victims there is) and whatever.. That is not to say he WON'T become good, nor to say that he WILL. For now, there's four members of the Dream Team instead of three, Harry, Hermione, Ron and Orion.
As for the happenings there: Prefect's meeting, Duelling Club (probably), maybe some new classes.. Hopefully Fleur Delacour teaching (yay!). And what are they all going to do about Ron and Animagus-training?
Review! I really didn't understand why everyone was nagging about it so much until I began posting myself - reviews are the best!
I'll post as fast as I can!
And to my first three reviewers: Thank you so much, you made my day!
~oOo~
Chap. 4
A Pair of Aces and a constellation of stars
The Great Hall was as usual amazing. The teachers were sitting on the far end of the hall, the students spread out next to the Houses' tables. Harry, Ron and Hermione entered among the first, and got themselves seats at the end of the table which was closest to the professors' table. In the middle of the room stood a small group of nervous first years, waiting for the sorting ceremony to begin.
When everyone had taken their seats, the sorting had performed it's usual song, and then Professor McGonnagall began reading from the list of first years.
"Apple, Mary".
A very small girl with brown pigtails and a lot of freckles sat down on the stool. The hat thought about it for a moment, and then declared her a member of Hufflepuff House.
"Finnegan, Samantha!".
A sandy-blonde, very tall and gangly eleven-year-old sat down on the stool.
"That's my sister", Harry heard Seamus whisper to Dean some way down the table.
"GRYFFINDOR!".
The Gryffindor students let up an applause as their first new member of the year came and sat with them, on a free seat next to her brother.
"French, Julian!".
"RAVENCLAW!"
"Oh be done with it already", Ron moaned. "I'm starving here!".
Hermione smacked him on the shoulder and exchanged a knowing glance with Harry.
"Come on, One", Harry whispered to her jokingly. "Don't be so hard on him, you know how he's always hungry".
"Not fair, Harry", Ron said. "That's not true!"
"Oh, really, Ron", Hermione said. "It is too, and you know it!".
"Yeah, so it is, but that's not going to change anything, now is it?".
The hat had sorted most of the few first years there were to sort this year, it was merely two student's left. One little girl with black hair, and a platinum blonde boy, who didn't at all look like a first year, but a bit like Malfoy.
"Patil, Patricia!".
"RAVENCLAW!".
Harry reckoned that the girl must be Parvati and Padma's little sister, and he was right. Parvati sighed in relief when she found that her sister hadn't come to the same house as she.
"I don't have anything in common with any of my sisters", Harry heard her mumble to Lavender. "They're both very studious, especially Patricia. I mean, she's like some kind of mini-Hermione. And both of them are really into Quidditch, only Merlin knows why!".
"Oh, I don't know", Hermione whispered to Harry. "It sounds like their both a whole lot nicer than Parvati, at least".
The last boy was the only one that remained. Harry caught a glimpse of Malfoy over at the Slytherin table, who looked at the new boy with pure loathing in his eyes.
"We have a fifth year transfer student with us as well. He'll be sorted into a house just like the rest of you!", McGonnagall explained. "Malfoy, Orion!"
The entire Great Hall fell silent when the boy's name was stated, but began murmuring excitedly when the hat gave it's judgement of him:
"GRYFFINDOR!".
Orion Malfoy smiled when he went and took a seat at the Gryffindor table, right next to Harry. His face expressed relief, pride and happiness, something every single student in the whole Great Hall seemed surprised over.
"Hello", Orion said. "My name's Orion Malfoy, nice to meet you".
He shook a startled Harry's hand.
"Um, not that it matters, or anything", Harry answered. "But are you perchance related to Draco Malfoy? The one that sits over there?", he pointed at the Slytherin table. "And I'm Harry Potter, this is Ron Weasley and Hermione Granger".
Orion looked a little uneasy and shifted his position on his chair.
"Unfortunately, I am", he said. "We're cousins, on our fathers' side. We don't really get along. In fact, if we ever get within ten metres of one another, we bite each others' heads off."
Ron grinned.
"Sounds like an extraordinarily fine habit to me! Harry here bites Malfoy's head off on a daily basis, meanwhile I laugh and Hermione threatens to hex him into the next century. She even smacked him once!"
"I think we'll get along just fine, my friends!", Orion laughed. He then turned to Harry. "Harry Potter, eh? Sounds like you've got a lot to live up to."
"You have absolutely no idea. Ron! Food!".
While they had been talking the plates had magically filled themselves with the most well-tasting dishes. They all dropped conversation in benefit of eating.
When they had finished their meal Dumbledore got up and asked for silence. The entire student-body compiled.
"Welcome, my friends to yet another year at Hogwarts. Classes will begin tomorrow, your schedules will be handed out at breakfast. Now, due to great demand and the dark times laying ahead, we have re-instated the Duelling Club. The first meeting will be precisely a week from now, to which all students of third year and above are welcome. Further information will be available on notes in the Common Rooms, and what questions you cannot get answered from reading those will be answered on the first meeting. Now, I'm sure all of you fifth through seventh years have noticed that there is a new class you all will be taking, Magical languages. This class is instated in purpose of encouraging the forging of international bonds, among other things, and will be thought by an entirely new professor, who I'm sure quite many of you are familiar with from last year, when she participated in the Triwizard Tournament; Professor Delacour", he held his hand out to the young part-veela who had got to her feet down the table.
She smiled a little nervously and waved at the students before sitting down again. Ron gagged.
"I have two more teachers I would like to present before letting you all go", Dumbledore continued. "The first one is Professor Weasley, who will be filling in for Hagrid as Care of Magical Creatures Professor this term", Charlie got up and smiled, although most of the Slytherin's glared back at him. "And the other one is yet another in the row of new Defence Against the Dark Arts Professors, Professor Figg", the middle-aged woman Harry had once known as his cat-loving next-door neighbour stood up and looked around the Great Hall. "Now, since you are all tired and eager to get up to your Common Rooms, off to bed with all of you!"
Harry, Ron, Hermione and their new-found friend Orion made their way through the crowd and out into the entrance hall, chatting excitedly about the Duelling Club and the new professors.
"We're all going to the meeting, right?", Orion said. "I'd love to learn some more about duelling, my father refuses to tell me a word about it. They didn't think it that important on Beauxbatons, so we never covered the subject. Have you had much experience with duelling?"
Ron snorted, Hermione looked troubled. Only Harry remained objective to the matter, in spite of being most involved himself.
"Oh yes we have", he explained. "But definitely not thanks to the school. We had one lousy meeting back in second year, when all we learnt was that letting Gilderoy Lockheart up on a stage to lead a duelling session with a vicious Potions Professor answering to the name of Snape for a co-teacher wasn't at all the best of ideas."
"Everything we learned about duelling we've taught ourselves", Hermione filled in. "I'm sure you've heard about what happened at the end of the Triwizard Tournament last year, with Harry duelling Voldemort and everything", she didn't even notice Ron and Orion flinching when she mentioned his name, nor Harry's startled face. "To be quite honest, we've all done that kind of things where at least one of us ended up spending several days in the Hospital Wing at least once a year since we came here. That's where we got all the practice."
"You've been busy!", Orion said admiringly. "I knew by rumour the three of you had done some rather strange stuff, but I never imagined this".
"Well, we've had time to do quite a lot in four years", Ron laughed.
"So, what about the new professors, then?", Orion continued. "The Care of Magical Creatures one is your brother, right Ron?"
"Yup. He was always the right person to teach, it'll be great."
"Aren't you concerned someone will question his morals, teaching his own brother?".
"Nah", Ron waved his hand dissmissively. "Only Malfoy would do such a thing, and him I can handle. You know, I'm not the only one of Charlie's own siblings he will have to teach, either. My sister's in fourth year, and my twin brothers' in seventh."
"Better watch out with them, though, Orion", Harry warned him. "Fred and George are a big pair of pranksters, take a good advice and never eat anything they give you".
"Here we are", Hermione said when they reached the portrait of the Fat Lady, behind which the entrance to the Gryffindor Common Room was hidden. "Sweethearts!"
"Welcome back dear!", the Fat Lady sang and swung aside.
Orion snickered.
"I know, sassy password, huh?", Ron said mockingly. "It's our dear Prefect over here who chose it", he pointed at Hermione.
"Hm", Orion shrugged, but looked interested and amused. "So you get to pick out the passwords? Use 'Amazing Bouncing Ferret' sometime, would you?"
"Oh, Merlin!", Hermione gasped. "I had completely forgotten about that!"
Both Harry and Ron were clutching at their stomachs' and gasping for breath, laughing like madmen.
"I take it as to that you were present on the lovely occasion", Orion said with envy in his voice. "I really wish I had been!"
"Present? I was the reason to why Malfoy ended up as a ferret in the first place!", Harry said. "He tried to curse me, and he got transfigured for doing so."
"Thank you, Harry!", Orion snickered. "For helping out with the oh so noble quest of making my cousin's life as miserable as possible!"
"Well, I try", Harry said modestly.
Harry and Hermione parted from Orion and Ron in the Common Room, and then went to set their passwords and check out their new rooms. Harry found his way to a painting of two little boys, watched over by a lion, next to which there was a small, brass sign saying 'Harry Potter, 5h year Prefect'. Hermione's room was behind the painting right next to his own, with a similar sign to mark the entrance.
"Fifth year Gryffindor Prefect Harry Potter, password: 'Snitch'", he declared, before the painting swung aside, revealing the best room Harry had seen in his whole life.
It was entirely round, obviously placed in a small tower on the outside of the main Gryffindor one and it's colours were completely Gryffindor gold and scarlet. A slim, high window overlooked the grounds and the Quidditch- field, there was a fireplace, several packed, high bookcases and a large oak desk. There was, of course, also a big four-poster bed, complete with scarlet velvet curtains and his trunk at the foot. Next to the fireplace was a deep, red velvet fauteuil, which Harry threw himself into, laughing and sighing in content.
Quite soon he heard a knock on the portrait-door, and Hermione's excited voice calling from outside:
"Harry! Please let me in!".
He did so, and she gaped at the looks of his room for maybe two seconds, before dragging him off into her own. Hermione's room was almost exactly like Harry's, only differently furnished, and she was absolutely ecstatic about it.
"Look at all these books, Harry! I won't have to go to the library half as often with these in my own room. And the grand desk, and."
"Whoa! Hold on, One. I know it's great! Imagine not being a Prefect and missing out on all this."
"I feel so sorry for them all. or not. I can't even think about anything else besides how much I like this room."
Harry sank down into Hermione's fauteuil, looking into the flames sparkling in the fireplace.
"That's just great, Potter. Now where am I going to sit?".
"I see a lot of places. The floor, the bed, the chair at the desk, right here.", he patted the fauteuil. "There's plenty of room for both of us".
Hermione immediately saw his point and compiled, snuggling up close to him in the deep chair. She ran her hands through his hair.
"Who would've thought, Potter, that we'd be sitting here, like this, back when we loathed each other in first year, when I was petrified in second, when we didn't speak in third year?".
"Actually, I think to quite many people it was just a matter of time before we'd be a couple, One. Especially after last year, with everything that went on."
"Maybe you're right", she said and quite obviously dismissed the matter. "Harry", she continued rather unconfidently. "Would it be all right if I kissed you now?".
Harry didn't even bother to answer, but caught her lips with his own in a sweet, gentle kiss. She wrapped her arms around his neck and responded, both of them soaring high with their rushes of feelings. As Hermione eventually broke the kiss, they got up from the chair and made their way over to the portrait-hole that led out into the Common Room, where they kissed each other good-night and Harry went back to his own.
~oOo~
The next morning, that of September 2nd, dawned as a complete opposite of the one the day before. The sky was clear blue, there was absolutely no wind at all. The weather was surprisingly warm for the time of year, and every single student of Hogwarts school of witchcraft and wizardry longed to go outside. None of them went, though. Being the first day of term, they all sat in the Great Hall, going over their new schedules.
"No!", Ron cried out in despair. "Not again!"
"What?", Orion asked. Being a transfer-student, he had no idea what was so upsetting.
"Double Potions with the Slytherins?", Hermione guessed correctly.
"Not just that, but now, immediately, first thing on this otherwise so splendid Monday-morning!", Ron continued.
"Well, well, that's just life", Harry said rather cheerfully. "We're in the same situation in Defence Against the Dark Arts class, too. Can't do anything about it, though, so why bother getting annoyed?".
Ron gaped at him, Orion laughed and Hermione tousled Harry's hair.
"That's the spirit, Potter!", she said. "We might as well live with it. And, not to forget, we have Orion here with us now, too. He'll hopefully be of some assistance".
"Of course I will!", he grinned.
"Which free choice classes do you take, Orion?", Ron asked.
"Care of Magical Creatures and Ancient Runes, why?".
"Damn!", Ron cursed and then saw Orion's confused face. "I was hoping I'd have a friend at Divination, since Harry here dropped it".
"Sorry, I think that's just a heap of humbug".
"Hey, who doesn't? I've never done a homework for real in that class ever!".
"I figured", Orion answered laughing.
"Hey, Potter. We'd better get going, or we'll be late".
Harry got up and pulled Hermione up by the hand.
"Sure thing, One. Ron, Orion, you coming?"
"We don't have class for another half-hour. I'm staying here for a while", Ron answered.
"I haven't even finished my breakfast yet!", Orion said and got back to his eggs and bacon.
"Suit yourselves. Let's get going, Potter".
Neither Harry nor Hermione noticed their two friends' amused faces, nor the amount of heads that turned in the Great Hall when they slung their arms around each other and walked out into the Entrance Hall. They proceeded up to Gryffindor Tower, since they both had left their books there, and were down in the corridor where the Potions dungeon was situated in less than fifteen minutes.
"They were right, One", Harry said. "Ron and Orion, I mean. We could have stayed in the Great Hall some time longer".
The dusky corridor was completely deserted, and the two teenagers dropped their heavy school-bags onto the stone floor.
"Of course we could have", Hermione answered with a broad smile on her lips. "But then we wouldn't have had any time alone together".
"Oh", Harry raised his eyebrows. "And what do you suggest we spend the time doing then, One?".
"Well, we could always reread the Potions Textbook", she said mischievously. "I'll just grab it from my bag".
She started for her bag, but Harry was too fast for her. He lay a hand on her wrists, leaned in and kissed her quickly.
"Or we could do something else than studying", he suggested.
"You're on, Potter", she answered and snaked her arms around his neck.
Harry moved over until his arms were about her waist and he himself stood with his back to the wall. Hermione stood on her tiptoes and touched her mouth lightly to his, then backed her head away again.
"You call that a kiss, One?", Harry asked sceptically.
She merely nodded meanwhile trying hard not to laugh her head off.
"Well, then, I'll just have to teach you how wrong you are".
He spun them both around until Hermione was standing leaned against the wall, let go of her waist and supported himself with his hands to the wall, and once again leaned in and gave her a kiss, this one much more thorough than the first one, though. He smiled against her lips as he felt Hermione's arms tense about his neck, and then he opened his mouth to her.
If Harry hadn't had his hands pressed to the wall for support, we might well have fallen to the floor when their tongues came together. He decided he had been wrong about flying and kissing Hermione earlier. This was by far the better activity of the two, flying couldn't even compete. When Hermione moved her hands to his back, underneath his robes, all sane and composed thoughts went out the window and he took her by the waist and held her as close as he could, moving his kisses down to the sensitive skin on her neck. A low purr came up from Hermione's throat, and Harry hit her lips once more. They both lost their balance and fell to the floor, Hermione landing half on top of Harry, never breaking contact between their lips.
They broke their fierce kiss abruptly when they heard someone clear their throat a few metres down the hall. Harry turned his head towards the sound, and saw Orion standing there, and next to him Ron. A bit further back stood the rest of the fifth year Gryffindors, and some of the Slytherins, there among Malfoy, just came around the corner.
"Fine excuse for snogging your heads off you found there, Hermione", Orion said mockingly.
"We, um. well.", she began, blushing terribly along with Harry, who helped her up meanwhile straightening his disarrayed robes.
"Would you look at that", Malfoy sneered. "Potty and Mudblood, snogging in a corridor. Did you do it out of pity for him, Mudblood? Or did Potty do it out of charity for you?".
Both Harry and Hermione started at Malfoy, furiously brandishing their wands. They were, however, intercepted by Orion, who smiled at his cousin and stepped between him and Harry and Hermione.
"Who are you to talk, cousin? Last I heard you paid Parkinson over there to accompany you to the Yule Ball last year".
Malfoy looked startled, and, for once, seemed to loose his ability to speak.
"I-I did not!", he hissed angrily.
Orion smacked his own face.
"Oh! How clumsy of little old oblivious me!", he shouted. "Of course you didn't - your father, most despised Uncle Lucius did!".
"Why you.", Malfoy started and stepped closer to his cousin.
If Snape hadn't arrived in that moment, marching through the corridor with his robes swelling about him, Malfoy would certainly have lunged at his cousin. In the created situation, however, the Slytherin Malfoy had to shrink away back to his own house-mates and follow the ignorant-of-the- situation Potions Professor into his dungeon.
Harry was mighty surprised at Snape's behaviour, though. Last year, any year previous to this one, he would have found an excuse as fast as possible to strike down on Harry, and the situation presenting itself in the corridor when he had arrived would have been the perfect opportunity for doing so. However, Snape didn't, and Harry, Hermione, Orion and Ron got themselves a desk at the back of the dungeon, pulling their books out of their bags and sitting down, staring intently at the silent Professor in the front.
Snape was currently stacking the students' essays, that had been sent to him by owl earlier during the summer, on his desk, and when he was done with that proceeded to take notice of the class. As usual, after that, he grabbed all the essays in his arms and walked about the dungeon, handing them out and giving comments out loud as he did so.
"What a crap, Finnegan. You couldn't write an essay if your life depended on it! You'll have to do another one to prove your skill. Thomas, almost as crappy as Finnegan's, but you'll pass. Excellent work, Parkinson. Very good research. Brown, you surprise me, I thought you'd fail, but you managed just as unwell as Thomas over there. Patil, what on earth have you written?! This is the worst essay I've ever seen, even worse than Longbottom's, and he failed too", Snape gave a blushing Neville and Parvati back their essays. "You passed, Zabini, but barely. Crabbe, Goyle, would you please stop copying each other's work? You both passed."
Harry was angry, but Ron was boiling mad. Both of them stared evilly at Snape for being so unfair. If any Gryffindor at all had even considered copying work they would have found themselves facing severe loss of points and massive detention.
Now Snape had made his way to the back of the dungeon, where Harry, Hermione, Ron and Orion occupied one desk, and a surprisingly alone Malfoy the other.
"Weasley, this is really crap, but I'll accept it. Malfoy of Gryffindor, quite good, you seem to have some talent", he sneered, and then slowed down a minute. "As for these three last ones, I'm very disappointed in you, Malfoy, to have not just one, but two Gryffindors outrank you. Potter, Granger, full score to both of you", Snape nearly threw their essays at Harry and Hermione, and then marched back to the front of the dungeon.
The rest of class went by mostly as usual, although not quite. Snape still followed Neville around like a hawk, taunting him as much as possible. He still favoured the Sytherins and never missed a possibility to withdraw points from the Gryffindors, but not even Snape could ignore the fact that his two top students nowadays both were Gryffindors. Harry and Hermione answered more questions between the two of them than the rest of the class put together, including Snape's own favourite-student Malfoy. Their arch- enemy's standards were good, but not nearly as good as Harry's or Hermione's, and nearly tied with those of his cousin, Orion's.
~oOo~
The Gryffindors proceeded to Transfiguration with the Hufflepuffs after lunch, where McGonnagall once again awed at Harry's newly-achieved skills, and Ron simply spent the class gaping at Harry, who he couldn't believe was doing what he was.
Harry spent most of the class with Hermione, leaned back lazily in their chairs, watching the other students transfiguring their octopuses into chandeliers. Orion was done quite quickly as well, obviously quite a talent in Transfiguration as well.
Harry looked up from his silent conversation with the two, and saw McGonnagall studying them all with a peculiar look on her face. The strict Transfiguration Professor looked like she was pondering something, then like she decided, and then came up to the three already finished students.
"Can you come with me into the next classroom for a moment?", she asked.
The three friends simply nodded. McGonnagall dismissed the rest of the class and lead them with her there.
"Miss Granger, could you please transform my hat into a nightingale?", she asked.
Harry was surprised. They weren't supposed to learn that advanced Transfiguration until next year. But Hermione managed, and the nightingale who had previously been McGonnagall's hat flew out the open window.
"Mr. Malfoy, could you try to make a cat out of this desk?".
Orion managed, too, and took the silver-grey cat that appeared into his lap.
"Can I keep her, Professor?", he asked.
"Go ahead, Mr. Malfoy, she's yours", McGonnagall smiled at him and then demanded of Harry. "Would you please try to transfigure the lamp over there to a small pony? I know it's ridiculously difficult, but please try your best".
Harry knew he had been given the most difficult task of them all, but focused all his thoughts on the lamp and uttered the spell.
"Transfigratio Livina!".
Before he had followed through with his spell, however, another thought pierced his mind. The picture of a golden baby unicorn appeared before him, and when he sent his magic into the lamp, no ordinary pony stood there in its stead, but a shining, golden, baby unicorn.
McGonnagall and the two others gaped at him. Hermione was the first to speak.
"Harry", she said slowly. "How did you do that?".
"I-I don't know", he answered truthfully. He knew it was very rare for witches and wizards to be able to transfigure things into magical creatures.
McGonnagall still stared at him, but regained her ability to speak.
"Can I talk to you three in private for a moment?", she asked slowly.
Harry and Orion looked at her, neither of them knew what to think, but Hermione answered immediately.
"Of course, Professor", and smiled proudly.
McGonnagall didn't stay in the deserted classroom they were already in, however, but lead them on through the castle, going upwards, upwards, until Harry finally registered where they were going.
"Excuse me, Professor, but why are we going to the Headmaster's office?", he asked curiously.
"You'll find out when we get there, Potter. Just come along for now", she answered absentmindedly.
A few minutes later they arrived at the gargoyle watching the entrance to Dumbledore's office, McGonnagall gave the password, and they proceeded up the stairs.
The office itself looked different from last year, Harry noted. The furnishing was still mainly the same, but the office seemed to have become larger, to accommodate a conference-table clamoured with books, parchments and Dumbledore's pensieve, which was now out in the open. On the walls there were quite many maps and charts of different kinds as well, that hadn't been there before.
'This must be all because of the rise of Voldemort', Harry thought. A chill went through his body when he thought about it. He hadn't reflected about it at all since he'd gone to Hermione's house during the summer.
At the desk sat Dumbledore, looking as bright and cheerful as ever, even though his eyes still held some of that hard, cold rage Harry had seen at the end of last year. He was stroking the back of his pet-phoenix Fawkes, but looked up with a surprised face when McGonnagall entered with the three fifth-years tagging along behind her.
"Albus", she began. "I would like to confer with you about these three students. They all need to be present to hear it, as well."
"Well, Minerva, let's hear it, then", he answered curiously. "This seems to be of great importance."
"It is. Mr. Potter, Miss Granger, Mr. Malfoy, would you please sit down", she gestured to the chairs in front of Dumbledore's desk. "You have only had one single Transfiguration-class this year, but after the transfigurations I asked you to make I judge that you all are doing exquisitely well. You are easily my best students in fifth year."
Hermione looked like she was going to burst with pride, and Harry felt very good as well. He had never heard a teacher speak of him in that way, and he realised suddenly why Hermione so much enjoyed doing well in class.
"What I would like to request of you, Albus, is that you let me remove these three from my class and allow them to take Advanced Transfiguration classes, if you understand what I mean."
"I do, Minerva, but are you certain of this? It's hard do manage that class, and you know it as well as I do. And they would still have to take the O.W.L.s together with their classmates in the end of year".
"I am certain, Albus. Though I'm still amazed Mr. Potter has improved his skills so much over summer - he's even transfigured a lamp into a unicorn just now - and even though I don't really know Mr. Malfoy at all, these three show the best potentials since Sirius Black and James Potter attended school".
"If you say so, Minerva, I trust your judgement".
"Then you'll let me do it?".
"Of course, but who's going to teach them? If they want to, of course".
"Well, couldn't you.?", she blushed a little.
Harry stared, he'd never seen McGonnagall blush.
"I'm afraid I cannot, Minerva. I'm much too busy these days. But I think I know someone who can help them".
None of the three students understood a word of what the Professors were saying. Orion seemed to be the one with the least portion of patience left.
"Excuse me, professors!", he said sharply. "Will you please note that we're in no position to determine weather or not we wish to attend this class unless you tell us what this is all about?".
Dumbledore smiled.
"I'm so sorry, Mr. Malfoy. Of course you're all entitled to know what we're discussing here. It concerns your future, after all. What we're asking you, is if you'd like to take another class instead of Transfiguration, which you all seem to manage perfectly."
"I understood as much, Professor", Orion replied tiredly. "And I'm sure our Pair of Aces over here did as well, but what class, I pray thee", he continued in a highly manner. "What class?".
"Why Animagus classes, of course, Mr. Malfoy", Dumbledore answered with a smile. "I though you knew that."
Hermione gasped.
"Animagus classes, Professor? Do you really think us capable of that?".
"Why of course, Miss Granger. You all seem to have the skill necessary".
"We'd love to, Professor", Harry whispered.
"Well, then, that's settled", Dumbledore answered. "You have your next Transfiguration class on Thursday after lunch, correct?".
McGonnagall nodded.
"Then you will come here instead of going to Minerva's class. I'll have your teacher ready by then".
"I would appreciate it if you told your classmates you're taking Advanced Transfiguration instead", McGonnagall explained. "Please keep your Animagus training a secret, even from Mr. Weasley".
"We will, Professor", Harry answered, a little uneasy to the task.
"Well, then", Dumbledore said. "I will see you on Thursday after lunch. You may go".
~oOo~
Orion got up, followed by Harry, who had to tug at Hermione's hand to get her to react. They all walked slowly to the stairs leading down into the corridor, all silent and amazed. In the corridor outside Dumbledore's office no-one was to be seen, and the three friends didn't encounter anyone at all on their way back to Gryffindor Tower. They didn't have any other class that day, and that was probably for the best, since they all needed to process the new developments anyway.
Harry spoke the password and they got into the Common Room, his hand still locked together with Hermione's. When they were back there, in the safety and comfort of their Common Room, both Harry and Hermione finally reacted. They threw their arms around each other, laughing and jumping around the room, holding each other tightly.
Orion got a big smile on his face and heavily sat down next to Ron on a couch, who looked at his friends with a questioning face.
Harry and Hermione had abandoned jumping around in benefit of kissing on another couch when Fred and George walked into the Common Room, together with Alicia, Angelina and Katie, and they all stopped and stared at the couple, while exchanging grins and knowing glances. They all reacted kind of like Ron had, asking them how they defined being together and if this had just happened.
Harry merely shrugged and dragged Hermione off into his own room, not to snog, though.
He got down into his fauteuil and Hermione got into his lap, leaning her head against his.
"What do you suggest we do about Ron, One?", Harry asked. "We're getting real Animagus-classes, but we already decided that we'd try to do it all three of us, without help from the Professors".
"Well, I'm not sure, Harry", she answered, clearly concerned. "I really think we shouldn't go through with it, since we've been trusted with these classes for real, and that we shouldn't tell anyone about them. I think we should tell Ron we're taking Advanced Transfiguration, and then consult with Dumbledore and the new Professor on Thursday".
Harry gave her a peck on the nose, relieved.
"As always, you're right, One. That's the right thing to do. Now, if you could just get up, it occurred to me we haven't shown Ron and Orion these amazing rooms of ours yet".
~oOo~
A/N: Chapter four, done and accounted for. This was the longest one yet, I'm on my fourteenth page now! I must say I'm quite proud of myself. The next chapter will probably not be posted in a while, since I'd written nearly half of chapter four when I began posting this fic. But hang in there! It's coming, in a week or so.
The transfer-student turned out to be an OC, AND related to Malfoy! Well, I just wanted someone like Malfoy (with the language and suchlike) on the good side, and I didn't want to make Malfoy himself good, since I doubt it will happen ever, I don't want it to happen (since I would be losing one of the best prank-victims there is) and whatever.. That is not to say he WON'T become good, nor to say that he WILL. For now, there's four members of the Dream Team instead of three, Harry, Hermione, Ron and Orion.
As for the happenings there: Prefect's meeting, Duelling Club (probably), maybe some new classes.. Hopefully Fleur Delacour teaching (yay!). And what are they all going to do about Ron and Animagus-training?
Review! I really didn't understand why everyone was nagging about it so much until I began posting myself - reviews are the best!
I'll post as fast as I can!
