A/N: OMG, I GOT TWO REVIEWS!!! WHOOOOOO!!! Yeah, I guess you must think
that two isn't a lot, but those two reviews meant so much to me! ::blows
kisses to Cedar and unicorngrl415:: You two are awesome! Now, I'm off to
answer your questions and comments. Well, Ron wasn't necessarily going
after Cho. He just thinks she's hot. You know, the chick phase! Thanks for
the correction with Harry's speaking. I actually wasn't really thinking
about how they speak when I first started off writing this fic. I just
wanted to write it. But in the other chapters, I try to get their lingo
down, and I try to get it sounding J.K. Rowling-esque. I said try, people,
TRY! Yes, this is my first fic. I'm pretty nervous about what y'all will
think of it. I hope it's turning out okay. Oh yeah, y'all know the
disclaimer. I don't wanna repeat myself. Here's chapter five.
Chapter 5: There's Been a Mistake
Harry, Ron, and Hermione were sitting by the fire in the common room with the rest of the Gryffindors. It had only been their first day of class and things were already getting weird. There were even rumors going around that Professor Dumbledore had gotten hold of everyone's families to send them home. Harry was beginning to think that his little incident on the train with Malfoy had jinxed the year, while Hermione kept muttering things under her breath about Professor Trelawney. Ron, on the other hand, was worrying about how the other girls in Hogwarts were taking things.
"Well, they shouldn't worry their pretty heads about it." Ron said as Hermione rolled her eyes mumbling something under her breath about Ron's hormones moving so fast he can't catch up with them.
"You said something, Herm?" Ron asked. Hermione simply looked off somewhere else and pretended she didn't hear what he had said. Ron shrugged as the portrait of the Fat Lady swung open and in came Professor McGonagall.
"Any news on what's going on, Professor? What's going to happen to the students? Are we safe?" Angelina asked as she quickly ran to Professor McGonagall's side.
"Thank you for your concern, Miss Johnson." Professor McGonagall said softly to Angelina before she began addressing the anticipating Gryffindors. "Classes will resume to their regular schedules tomorrow. We have nothing to worry about until we get all the facts straight." Professor McGonagall assured. After she had left the common room, full of scared faces, there was a loud commotion of questions and comments filling the air.
"Get what facts straight? The fact is that there's werewolves coming to kill us!" Seamus exclaimed to Dean and Neville. Dean made a face and Neville shuddered. "I thought we're supposed to be safe here." Seamus announced as other Gryffindors shouted in agreement.
"I don't think my Gran will be too happy when she hears the news." Neville said loudly, to whomever it may concern, over the loudness in the common room.
"This is rich! Too, too rich!" Fred exclaimed, shaking his head, still unable to believe it. "This is a great way to end our last year here at Hogwarts!" George tapped Fred urgently.
"Hey, I bet you ten Galleons that the first person the werewolves are going to go after is Harry." George said.
"You got a-OW!" Fred was about to shake on it with George, but Angelina looked to Fred disapprovingly before smacking him on the arm to keep him from shaking George's hand.
"I wonder how Padma Patil over at Ravenclaw is doing. I hope she isn't worrying. Worrying isn't good for the teenage witch. Do you even know what affects it has on teenage witches? It causes warts! It would be horrible if Padma got-"
"This is going to be all over the Daily Prophet." Hermione finally spoke, interrupting Ron who was still talking about the safety of the girls at Hogwarts, and how they'd all break out in warts if they worried too much.
"Screw the Daily Prophet, my mum will be going crazy." Ron said, discontinuing his previous sentence to comment on Hermione's statement. Hermione blushed slightly and then Harry began to speak, although it wasn't exactly audible in the crowded common room.
"What if the werewolves are coming for me? What if it isn't Lupin?" Harry asked.
"Is this Harry Potter talking to us, or Neville Longbottom? You've become such a chicken nowadays." Ron said, looking at Harry with total disbelief. Seeing Ron's reaction, Hermione turned to Harry and arched an eyebrow.
"Yeah, why are you acting so strange? I mean when You-Know-Who was on the loose and everything like that, you didn't exactly seem as tense as you are now. Well, I mean you were scared and stuff, but this whole werewolf thing has seemed to get you a bit shaken up. And this werewolf thing still isn't for sure. Even McGonagall kind of admitted it. They don't have all the facts. I thought you were braver than that." Hermione said.
"Well, I.I don't exactly know how to ward off werewolves. With Voldemort, I could just use some spell to cast him away, but what do I do with werewolves? You've read those books in the library, Hermione." ("She's read all the books in the library." Ron said quietly) "The author said in What's Up with Werewolves that a human witch or wizard cannot use Avada Kedavra on a werewolf." Harry said. Hermione then caught on.
"And a werewolf cannot use Avada Kedavra on a human witch or wizard. I remember! With werewolves, they could only use the Unforgivable Curses on their own species. The same goes with human witches and wizards. But human witches and wizards can use Avada Kedavra on Muggles because they're not exactly out of the species." Hermione said.
"Thanks for the explanation, Herm. But I don't think we needed all that information." Ron said.
"Look Harry, since you can't use an Unforgivable Curse, you could always use a simple charm or hex. It should be easy." Hermione said as she brushed a loose strand of hair behind her ear.
"Easy for Hermione Granger. Charms are always easy for you. But you're not Harry Potter. You're not as cursed as he is." Ron said. And this time, he caught the bit of pink that had rushed to Hermione's cheeks.
Harry stopped moping a bit to snap his head up at Ron.
"What do you mean by she isn't as cursed as I am?" Harry asked.
"Well, things are always after you, Harry. First it was Quirrell and You-Know-Who. Then, it was that basilisk, and Tom Riddle, who really is You- Know-Who. After that, it was supposedly Sirius Black, but then he turned out to be your godfather. But then again, there were those dementors, and Wormtail." Ron said, shuddering when he mentioned "dementors". "Then you had the Goblet of Fire mess and then Barty Crouch Jr. was after you, as well as You-Know-Who." Ron said.
"Why-" Harry was about to say something, but Ron held his hand up to silence Harry.
"I'm not done yet!" Ron exclaimed. "So then, that whole dilemma went on to the resurrection of You-Know-Who and the death of Cedric, God bless his soul." Ron said, lowering his head a bit, but then snapping it back up to continue. "Harry, now there's werewolves coming to Hogwarts. They were predicted in your future. So, it seems evident to me that you are cursed because bad things always seem to find you." Ron said, shrugging his shoulders, "But I guess it shouldn't be that bad for you anymore, you've got to be used to it by now." Ron said. Harry looked at Ron blankly, and his face then fell into his hands.
"Why me? Why do things always go after me?" Harry asked, his voice sounding distant.
"Fate, I guess." Ron said. Hermione pushed Ron aside and was now at Harry's side.
"Harry, ever since you banished Voldemort, I believe you've been destined to fight off all evil. But rest assured, Harry, for Ron and I will be there for you every step of the way. It being dementors, werewolves, or Voldemort, we will be there for you." Hermione said. Ron thought Hermione had finally gone mad.
"Voldemort?" Ron mouthed out to Hermione. Hermione nodded, urging Ron to go along.
"Um, yeah Harry, we'll be there for you." Ron said cautiously. Harry's head moved slowly, and he finally looked at the two of them. He smiled weakly.
"You mean that?" Harry asked. Ron smiled, to his surprise, sincerely.
"Yeah, what are best friends for?" Ron asked. Voldemort may have been way out of Ron's league, but he knew that Harry was his best friend and if he were in a jam, he knew Harry wouldn't let him down. Harry then smiled widely at Hermione and Ron and embraced them both in a hug.
"You two are awesome." Harry said as he pulled away, "Look, I'm going to bed. I'm beat. I'll see you in the morning." Harry said as he got up and walked to the stairs that led to the boys' dormitories.
Harry started slowly up the stairs, feeling a bit happy that his friends had said they were going to be there for him. But he still felt scared. He had never felt the urge to look over his shoulder before, and now it seemed like it would kill him if he didn't. So, he turned his head a bit to see if anyone, or anything, was behind him. Nothing. He then pushed the door to the dormitory open and shut the door quietly behind him. It was empty inside. He figured everyone was still in the common room going nuts over the ordeal. But then again, it had never seemed so empty before. And it finally occurred to Harry how huge the dormitory actually was. He then changed into his pajamas and went to his window. He sat there, and made the sure latch on the windows were keeping the windows closed before he actually relaxed.
The world outside the window seemed so relaxed. The grass looked so serene. The ripples on the lake glowed in the moonlight. Once in a while, a heavenly white unicorn would add to the scenery. It was so peaceful.so unlike Harry's feelings. He was feeling scared, uneasy. He just wanted someone there to tell him everything would be all right. And then his thoughts roamed over to the thought of his mother. How she had protected him from Voldemort. He wished that she were there now, protecting him from some werewolves that have been putting him through hell. He wished that she were there, whispering in his ear that everything was going to be okay, and that he had nothing to worry about. He could imagine his mother holding him tight in her embrace, running her fingers through his hair gently, and rubbing his back soothingly. He was in the mood for something like that right at the moment.
When it felt as if his toes were going to freeze, he tiptoed over to his four-poster and slid inside. He sighed, and he tried thinking about his parents once again as his head hit the pillow. He remembered their faces from the time he saw them in the Mirror of Erised. He remembered how his mother and father had smiled at him proudly.
"They wouldn't be so proud if they found out that their son is a coward." Harry thought. He shook his head and tried not to think about his cowardice. I mean who would've thought that Harry Potter was a coward? Afraid of werewolves and all those other things that go bump in the night. He hoped that the Slytherins never found out about that, or else they'd really get the best of him.
He fidgeted in bed for a while, and realized that it wasn't going to be easy for him to get to sleep. A few minutes later, Ron, Dean, Seamus, and Neville finally came back to the dormitory.
"I just wanna go home." Neville said quietly.
"Why? So your Granny can protect you? Trust me, your old Gran cannot save you from the wrath of those werewolves." Seamus said. Neville told him to shut up a couple of times before Seamus stopped his teasing. Neville stopped defending, and Harry heard the faint noises of his friends settling into bed. Soon after, he heard Neville's loud snoring, and Ron's occasional mumbling of girls' names.
He then thought back to what Ron had said. Harry was beginning to believe his life was cursed.
"But I guess it shouldn't be that bad for you anymore, you've got to be used to it by now." Ron's voice repeated in his head. Harry sighed.
"Is my luck that horrible?" Harry questioned himself.
The wind brushing up against his window made him tense up a bit, and he then clutched onto his bed sheets. He then shut his eyes tightly, and kept forcing himself to fall asleep. But the wind rattling still kept him away from total peace. He feared the dream that he might have that night. He just knew it would have to do with werewolves. Finally, the noise outside stopped and Harry felt his eyelids become heavy. "No werewolves. Please no werewolves." Harry thought before he drifted off into slumber.
******
Harry woke the next morning to find his dormitory was completely empty. "And nobody cared to wake me." Harry thought as he changed into his robes. He ran down the stairs to the common room, and then flung the portrait of the Fat Lady open. He ran down the halls, and slid down the last banister before he finally made it to the Great Hall. When he pushed the doors open, he found the entire school, and the faculty including Professor Trelawney, looking back at him. Professor Dumbledore was sitting in his seat at the middle of the faculty table as usual, but he seemed to look quite happier than usual. "That's odd. Maybe the werewolf thing was just a hoax." Harry thought as he spotted Ron and Hermione saving him a seat.
"I'm sorry I didn't wake you. Angelina had come around and said that Dumbledore had an important message and wanted us in the Great Hall immediately. I really meant to wake you, but Angelina was screaming her brains out. I'm surprised you didn't hear it." Ron whispered as Professor Dumbledore stood before the whole school. He smiled broadly.
"The second day of school, the day after the first day of school, and the day before the third day of school. I know that everyone had been hearing about the werewolves coming to Hogwarts. Well, not exactly. We have some exchange students: permanent exchange students. After a bit of confusion at their previous school, I was happy to accept them and add them into the Hogwarts family in account to the fact I believe everyone deserves a second chance at things. The rest of the faculty and I have already met them, and have welcomed them with warmly. I hope you all will welcome them with open arms as well. They will be joining the rest of the fifth years, and they have been sorted into their houses already. So without further ado, here they are." Professor Dumbledore said as Professor McGonagall escorted six girls to Professor Dumbledore's side.
"I like that one." Ron whispered to Harry and pointing at one of them.
"Which one?" Harry asked, trying to look over some heads.
"That one." Ron hissed as he pointed. But that wasn't much help because his finger was way off, and if you checked to see where he was actually pointing, his finger would direct you right to Hagrid.
"They are Erin McAteer, Camille Bobbington, Mikaela Roddigan, Megan Adams, Alina Halliwell, and Penelope Stoneriver. Alina, Megan, and Penelope will be joining the rest of the Gryffindor fifth years, while Erin and Mikaela will join the Slytherin fifth years. Camille will be joining the Ravenclaw fifth years. So if you please make space at your table and get acquainted, we will begin breakfast." Professor Dumbledore said as he urged the girls to go to their tables.
"Yes! She's a Gryffindor." Ron whispered to Harry. It was clearly evident that Ron had quickly taken a great liking to one of the new Gryffindor girls. But Ron groaned when Megan, Alina, and Penelope had found a seat at the far end of the table.
"Do you want to introduce yourself to those girls?" Harry asked. Ron's face had suddenly gotten pale, but then his ears turned pink when he spotted Fred and George heading over to the girls.
"I'm Fred Weasley." They heard Fred say.
"And I'm George Weasley." They heard George say.
"But if you get us mixed up, that's fine with us." Fred said, winking. Ron sent an icy glare to their direction. Then, he stormed over to the other end of the table as Hermione's eyes followed him.
"Did you two forget you already have girlfriends?" Ron asked. George laughed.
"And this is 'ickle Ronnikins, our 'ickle brother." George cooed as he pinched Ron's cheeks. Ron swatted George's hand off of him. He straightened out his robes and grinned at the girls.
"It's Ronald, but feel free to call me Ron-"
"Or 'ickle Ronnikins!" Fred exclaimed. Megan smiled at Ron, and he found his cheeks turning as red as his hair. Ron was totally unaware that somewhere at their table there was a girl (Hermione) watching on. Hermione then stood up and left the Great Hall as Ron approached Harry.
"Hermione, where are you going?" Harry called out. But Hermione pretended she didn't hear, and was soon out of sight. Harry's eyebrows furrowed as he wondered what was bothering her.
"What's up with Herm?" Ron asked. Harry shrugged.
"Dunno. I'm not the only one that's been acting strange. I mean Hermione's been really worked up about something, too. But, tell me about that new girl." Harry said as Ron took a seat beside him.
"Her name's Megan, and she's amazingly beautiful, Harry: her smile, her eyes, and everything else. Fred and George were all up on her, but then I gave them a reality check and brought Angelina and Alicia over. But Angelina and Alicia were good sports about it. Angelina then took the time to explain what to do and what not to do around Hogwarts so they won't get in trouble. You know, she's almost like Percy, but she's not as arrogant. Anyways, Megan and her friends seem to be fitting in good. They were talking with Alicia about Quidditch before I left. Megan said she doesn't fancy it much because it's violent. I don't really think it's violent. I think Megan is built enough to play. I just know she'd be able to-" Ron stopped jabbering when he and Harry looked to the end of the table. Malfoy, Crabbe, and Goyle were all laughing about something that Megan, Alina, and Penelope weren't laughing about.
"That git does not mess with Megan when Ron Weasley is around." Ron's ears had turned pink again and he got up. Harry was about to pull Ron back down, but it was too late. Ron was taking long strides to Malfoy and company. Heads turned as they watched to see what was going to happen. Was Ron going to make it out alive? It looked as if Malfoy hadn't gained his composure when Ron finally got to him and shoved him rudely from behind.
A/N: Good? Bad? Let me know! Well...err, no flames, please. I hate those. Constructive criticism is welcome! Gee, I actually have nothing to say. Oh well. -Gryffindor Heiress
Chapter 5: There's Been a Mistake
Harry, Ron, and Hermione were sitting by the fire in the common room with the rest of the Gryffindors. It had only been their first day of class and things were already getting weird. There were even rumors going around that Professor Dumbledore had gotten hold of everyone's families to send them home. Harry was beginning to think that his little incident on the train with Malfoy had jinxed the year, while Hermione kept muttering things under her breath about Professor Trelawney. Ron, on the other hand, was worrying about how the other girls in Hogwarts were taking things.
"Well, they shouldn't worry their pretty heads about it." Ron said as Hermione rolled her eyes mumbling something under her breath about Ron's hormones moving so fast he can't catch up with them.
"You said something, Herm?" Ron asked. Hermione simply looked off somewhere else and pretended she didn't hear what he had said. Ron shrugged as the portrait of the Fat Lady swung open and in came Professor McGonagall.
"Any news on what's going on, Professor? What's going to happen to the students? Are we safe?" Angelina asked as she quickly ran to Professor McGonagall's side.
"Thank you for your concern, Miss Johnson." Professor McGonagall said softly to Angelina before she began addressing the anticipating Gryffindors. "Classes will resume to their regular schedules tomorrow. We have nothing to worry about until we get all the facts straight." Professor McGonagall assured. After she had left the common room, full of scared faces, there was a loud commotion of questions and comments filling the air.
"Get what facts straight? The fact is that there's werewolves coming to kill us!" Seamus exclaimed to Dean and Neville. Dean made a face and Neville shuddered. "I thought we're supposed to be safe here." Seamus announced as other Gryffindors shouted in agreement.
"I don't think my Gran will be too happy when she hears the news." Neville said loudly, to whomever it may concern, over the loudness in the common room.
"This is rich! Too, too rich!" Fred exclaimed, shaking his head, still unable to believe it. "This is a great way to end our last year here at Hogwarts!" George tapped Fred urgently.
"Hey, I bet you ten Galleons that the first person the werewolves are going to go after is Harry." George said.
"You got a-OW!" Fred was about to shake on it with George, but Angelina looked to Fred disapprovingly before smacking him on the arm to keep him from shaking George's hand.
"I wonder how Padma Patil over at Ravenclaw is doing. I hope she isn't worrying. Worrying isn't good for the teenage witch. Do you even know what affects it has on teenage witches? It causes warts! It would be horrible if Padma got-"
"This is going to be all over the Daily Prophet." Hermione finally spoke, interrupting Ron who was still talking about the safety of the girls at Hogwarts, and how they'd all break out in warts if they worried too much.
"Screw the Daily Prophet, my mum will be going crazy." Ron said, discontinuing his previous sentence to comment on Hermione's statement. Hermione blushed slightly and then Harry began to speak, although it wasn't exactly audible in the crowded common room.
"What if the werewolves are coming for me? What if it isn't Lupin?" Harry asked.
"Is this Harry Potter talking to us, or Neville Longbottom? You've become such a chicken nowadays." Ron said, looking at Harry with total disbelief. Seeing Ron's reaction, Hermione turned to Harry and arched an eyebrow.
"Yeah, why are you acting so strange? I mean when You-Know-Who was on the loose and everything like that, you didn't exactly seem as tense as you are now. Well, I mean you were scared and stuff, but this whole werewolf thing has seemed to get you a bit shaken up. And this werewolf thing still isn't for sure. Even McGonagall kind of admitted it. They don't have all the facts. I thought you were braver than that." Hermione said.
"Well, I.I don't exactly know how to ward off werewolves. With Voldemort, I could just use some spell to cast him away, but what do I do with werewolves? You've read those books in the library, Hermione." ("She's read all the books in the library." Ron said quietly) "The author said in What's Up with Werewolves that a human witch or wizard cannot use Avada Kedavra on a werewolf." Harry said. Hermione then caught on.
"And a werewolf cannot use Avada Kedavra on a human witch or wizard. I remember! With werewolves, they could only use the Unforgivable Curses on their own species. The same goes with human witches and wizards. But human witches and wizards can use Avada Kedavra on Muggles because they're not exactly out of the species." Hermione said.
"Thanks for the explanation, Herm. But I don't think we needed all that information." Ron said.
"Look Harry, since you can't use an Unforgivable Curse, you could always use a simple charm or hex. It should be easy." Hermione said as she brushed a loose strand of hair behind her ear.
"Easy for Hermione Granger. Charms are always easy for you. But you're not Harry Potter. You're not as cursed as he is." Ron said. And this time, he caught the bit of pink that had rushed to Hermione's cheeks.
Harry stopped moping a bit to snap his head up at Ron.
"What do you mean by she isn't as cursed as I am?" Harry asked.
"Well, things are always after you, Harry. First it was Quirrell and You-Know-Who. Then, it was that basilisk, and Tom Riddle, who really is You- Know-Who. After that, it was supposedly Sirius Black, but then he turned out to be your godfather. But then again, there were those dementors, and Wormtail." Ron said, shuddering when he mentioned "dementors". "Then you had the Goblet of Fire mess and then Barty Crouch Jr. was after you, as well as You-Know-Who." Ron said.
"Why-" Harry was about to say something, but Ron held his hand up to silence Harry.
"I'm not done yet!" Ron exclaimed. "So then, that whole dilemma went on to the resurrection of You-Know-Who and the death of Cedric, God bless his soul." Ron said, lowering his head a bit, but then snapping it back up to continue. "Harry, now there's werewolves coming to Hogwarts. They were predicted in your future. So, it seems evident to me that you are cursed because bad things always seem to find you." Ron said, shrugging his shoulders, "But I guess it shouldn't be that bad for you anymore, you've got to be used to it by now." Ron said. Harry looked at Ron blankly, and his face then fell into his hands.
"Why me? Why do things always go after me?" Harry asked, his voice sounding distant.
"Fate, I guess." Ron said. Hermione pushed Ron aside and was now at Harry's side.
"Harry, ever since you banished Voldemort, I believe you've been destined to fight off all evil. But rest assured, Harry, for Ron and I will be there for you every step of the way. It being dementors, werewolves, or Voldemort, we will be there for you." Hermione said. Ron thought Hermione had finally gone mad.
"Voldemort?" Ron mouthed out to Hermione. Hermione nodded, urging Ron to go along.
"Um, yeah Harry, we'll be there for you." Ron said cautiously. Harry's head moved slowly, and he finally looked at the two of them. He smiled weakly.
"You mean that?" Harry asked. Ron smiled, to his surprise, sincerely.
"Yeah, what are best friends for?" Ron asked. Voldemort may have been way out of Ron's league, but he knew that Harry was his best friend and if he were in a jam, he knew Harry wouldn't let him down. Harry then smiled widely at Hermione and Ron and embraced them both in a hug.
"You two are awesome." Harry said as he pulled away, "Look, I'm going to bed. I'm beat. I'll see you in the morning." Harry said as he got up and walked to the stairs that led to the boys' dormitories.
Harry started slowly up the stairs, feeling a bit happy that his friends had said they were going to be there for him. But he still felt scared. He had never felt the urge to look over his shoulder before, and now it seemed like it would kill him if he didn't. So, he turned his head a bit to see if anyone, or anything, was behind him. Nothing. He then pushed the door to the dormitory open and shut the door quietly behind him. It was empty inside. He figured everyone was still in the common room going nuts over the ordeal. But then again, it had never seemed so empty before. And it finally occurred to Harry how huge the dormitory actually was. He then changed into his pajamas and went to his window. He sat there, and made the sure latch on the windows were keeping the windows closed before he actually relaxed.
The world outside the window seemed so relaxed. The grass looked so serene. The ripples on the lake glowed in the moonlight. Once in a while, a heavenly white unicorn would add to the scenery. It was so peaceful.so unlike Harry's feelings. He was feeling scared, uneasy. He just wanted someone there to tell him everything would be all right. And then his thoughts roamed over to the thought of his mother. How she had protected him from Voldemort. He wished that she were there now, protecting him from some werewolves that have been putting him through hell. He wished that she were there, whispering in his ear that everything was going to be okay, and that he had nothing to worry about. He could imagine his mother holding him tight in her embrace, running her fingers through his hair gently, and rubbing his back soothingly. He was in the mood for something like that right at the moment.
When it felt as if his toes were going to freeze, he tiptoed over to his four-poster and slid inside. He sighed, and he tried thinking about his parents once again as his head hit the pillow. He remembered their faces from the time he saw them in the Mirror of Erised. He remembered how his mother and father had smiled at him proudly.
"They wouldn't be so proud if they found out that their son is a coward." Harry thought. He shook his head and tried not to think about his cowardice. I mean who would've thought that Harry Potter was a coward? Afraid of werewolves and all those other things that go bump in the night. He hoped that the Slytherins never found out about that, or else they'd really get the best of him.
He fidgeted in bed for a while, and realized that it wasn't going to be easy for him to get to sleep. A few minutes later, Ron, Dean, Seamus, and Neville finally came back to the dormitory.
"I just wanna go home." Neville said quietly.
"Why? So your Granny can protect you? Trust me, your old Gran cannot save you from the wrath of those werewolves." Seamus said. Neville told him to shut up a couple of times before Seamus stopped his teasing. Neville stopped defending, and Harry heard the faint noises of his friends settling into bed. Soon after, he heard Neville's loud snoring, and Ron's occasional mumbling of girls' names.
He then thought back to what Ron had said. Harry was beginning to believe his life was cursed.
"But I guess it shouldn't be that bad for you anymore, you've got to be used to it by now." Ron's voice repeated in his head. Harry sighed.
"Is my luck that horrible?" Harry questioned himself.
The wind brushing up against his window made him tense up a bit, and he then clutched onto his bed sheets. He then shut his eyes tightly, and kept forcing himself to fall asleep. But the wind rattling still kept him away from total peace. He feared the dream that he might have that night. He just knew it would have to do with werewolves. Finally, the noise outside stopped and Harry felt his eyelids become heavy. "No werewolves. Please no werewolves." Harry thought before he drifted off into slumber.
******
Harry woke the next morning to find his dormitory was completely empty. "And nobody cared to wake me." Harry thought as he changed into his robes. He ran down the stairs to the common room, and then flung the portrait of the Fat Lady open. He ran down the halls, and slid down the last banister before he finally made it to the Great Hall. When he pushed the doors open, he found the entire school, and the faculty including Professor Trelawney, looking back at him. Professor Dumbledore was sitting in his seat at the middle of the faculty table as usual, but he seemed to look quite happier than usual. "That's odd. Maybe the werewolf thing was just a hoax." Harry thought as he spotted Ron and Hermione saving him a seat.
"I'm sorry I didn't wake you. Angelina had come around and said that Dumbledore had an important message and wanted us in the Great Hall immediately. I really meant to wake you, but Angelina was screaming her brains out. I'm surprised you didn't hear it." Ron whispered as Professor Dumbledore stood before the whole school. He smiled broadly.
"The second day of school, the day after the first day of school, and the day before the third day of school. I know that everyone had been hearing about the werewolves coming to Hogwarts. Well, not exactly. We have some exchange students: permanent exchange students. After a bit of confusion at their previous school, I was happy to accept them and add them into the Hogwarts family in account to the fact I believe everyone deserves a second chance at things. The rest of the faculty and I have already met them, and have welcomed them with warmly. I hope you all will welcome them with open arms as well. They will be joining the rest of the fifth years, and they have been sorted into their houses already. So without further ado, here they are." Professor Dumbledore said as Professor McGonagall escorted six girls to Professor Dumbledore's side.
"I like that one." Ron whispered to Harry and pointing at one of them.
"Which one?" Harry asked, trying to look over some heads.
"That one." Ron hissed as he pointed. But that wasn't much help because his finger was way off, and if you checked to see where he was actually pointing, his finger would direct you right to Hagrid.
"They are Erin McAteer, Camille Bobbington, Mikaela Roddigan, Megan Adams, Alina Halliwell, and Penelope Stoneriver. Alina, Megan, and Penelope will be joining the rest of the Gryffindor fifth years, while Erin and Mikaela will join the Slytherin fifth years. Camille will be joining the Ravenclaw fifth years. So if you please make space at your table and get acquainted, we will begin breakfast." Professor Dumbledore said as he urged the girls to go to their tables.
"Yes! She's a Gryffindor." Ron whispered to Harry. It was clearly evident that Ron had quickly taken a great liking to one of the new Gryffindor girls. But Ron groaned when Megan, Alina, and Penelope had found a seat at the far end of the table.
"Do you want to introduce yourself to those girls?" Harry asked. Ron's face had suddenly gotten pale, but then his ears turned pink when he spotted Fred and George heading over to the girls.
"I'm Fred Weasley." They heard Fred say.
"And I'm George Weasley." They heard George say.
"But if you get us mixed up, that's fine with us." Fred said, winking. Ron sent an icy glare to their direction. Then, he stormed over to the other end of the table as Hermione's eyes followed him.
"Did you two forget you already have girlfriends?" Ron asked. George laughed.
"And this is 'ickle Ronnikins, our 'ickle brother." George cooed as he pinched Ron's cheeks. Ron swatted George's hand off of him. He straightened out his robes and grinned at the girls.
"It's Ronald, but feel free to call me Ron-"
"Or 'ickle Ronnikins!" Fred exclaimed. Megan smiled at Ron, and he found his cheeks turning as red as his hair. Ron was totally unaware that somewhere at their table there was a girl (Hermione) watching on. Hermione then stood up and left the Great Hall as Ron approached Harry.
"Hermione, where are you going?" Harry called out. But Hermione pretended she didn't hear, and was soon out of sight. Harry's eyebrows furrowed as he wondered what was bothering her.
"What's up with Herm?" Ron asked. Harry shrugged.
"Dunno. I'm not the only one that's been acting strange. I mean Hermione's been really worked up about something, too. But, tell me about that new girl." Harry said as Ron took a seat beside him.
"Her name's Megan, and she's amazingly beautiful, Harry: her smile, her eyes, and everything else. Fred and George were all up on her, but then I gave them a reality check and brought Angelina and Alicia over. But Angelina and Alicia were good sports about it. Angelina then took the time to explain what to do and what not to do around Hogwarts so they won't get in trouble. You know, she's almost like Percy, but she's not as arrogant. Anyways, Megan and her friends seem to be fitting in good. They were talking with Alicia about Quidditch before I left. Megan said she doesn't fancy it much because it's violent. I don't really think it's violent. I think Megan is built enough to play. I just know she'd be able to-" Ron stopped jabbering when he and Harry looked to the end of the table. Malfoy, Crabbe, and Goyle were all laughing about something that Megan, Alina, and Penelope weren't laughing about.
"That git does not mess with Megan when Ron Weasley is around." Ron's ears had turned pink again and he got up. Harry was about to pull Ron back down, but it was too late. Ron was taking long strides to Malfoy and company. Heads turned as they watched to see what was going to happen. Was Ron going to make it out alive? It looked as if Malfoy hadn't gained his composure when Ron finally got to him and shoved him rudely from behind.
A/N: Good? Bad? Let me know! Well...err, no flames, please. I hate those. Constructive criticism is welcome! Gee, I actually have nothing to say. Oh well. -Gryffindor Heiress
