HARRY POTTER AND THE ORDER OF THE PHOENIX
Created by J.K. Rowling, Anticipated For Impatient Readers by Chrissy
Disclaimer: Harry and all of his friends belong to J.K. Rowling, Warner Bros., etc., and not me. Obviously I don't know what the Order of the Phoenix is in her mind; this is merely my interpretation. No money is being made off of this story, and no copyright infringement is intended.
A/N: This is the last chapter I finished writing before Book 5 was released, so it will be the last chapter published. A big thank-you to everyone who reviewed, and to all of my readers. I'll miss working on this story, but I can't say I don't like the real version better!
*
CHAPTER NINE: THE HOGWARTS EXPRESS
It was a Monday morning, but it still felt like Sunday night. Harry had got almost no sleep over the weekend, and what little rest he'd got was plagued by nightmares. Every time he closed his eyes, he saw Voldemort's snake-like face and beady red eyes staring back at him. he could hear his laughter. he could hear his mother screaming.
So when Mrs. Weasley made the rounds that morning to wake them all up, Harry was the least reluctant to leave his bed. He knew that all he could look forward to were more nightmares; why bother? And soon he would be at Hogwarts. Then maybe things would get better.
Hogwarts. The Great Hall. The Common Room. and he'd get to see Hedwig! But what would he do? What would he say when he saw Colin Creevey? Colin had always looked up to him, and surely he didn't know the details of the dark ritual that had given Voldemort his body. he wouldn't know that it was Harry who was responsible for his sister's death. but Harry would know. He would know, and he would be reminded every time he saw Colin, or his younger brother, Dennis. He would know whenever someone mentioned Susan Bones, or Cedric Diggory. He would know when he saw Cho Chang, and saw that look on her face again.
Cho. He hadn't thought about her since the beginning of the summer; it was too painful. When he thought of Cho, he couldn't see her as he used to, exhilarated after a game of Quidditch, circling the field on her broom. He couldn't even see her in Cedric's arms as they danced at the Yule Ball the year before. whenever Harry thought of Cho, all he could think of was the look on her face - horrible, distraught, frenzied, sick - when she'd seen Cedric's body. When she'd seen Harry return with Cedric's body.
It wasn't fair. A great swell of anger filled Harry, and he wished that Cedric were alive so that he could yell at him. Cho loved Cedric. He could see it in her face when Cedric had died. She would still love him, this year. And how could he compete? How could he compete with someone who was dead? Cedric would always be perfect in her memory, and he would always be just. Harry.
Then his anger turned, and he felt sick. Had he really been angry at Cedric for dying?
No. He couldn't be. He wouldn't be.
Sighing, he rolled over and climbed out of bed, hoping that Ron wouldn't question him. He wouldn't be able to answer.
***
"Now then, you have your trunks? Your books? Your lunches?" Mrs. Weasley's eyes drilled into Harry. "Harry, do you have Hedwig's cage?"
He held the cage up dutifully, and then, finally satisfied, Mrs. Weasley gave a curt nod and began to direct the luggage out the front door and into the two cars that were once again on loan from the Ministry of Magic. The cars' spacious interiors left room to spare once they had all loaded their trunks and equipment, and despite the fact that they were all older, with larger bodies. Harry, Ron, and Hermione were able to get a car to themselves, while Mrs. Weasley rode with Ginny and the twins.
The ride to the train station was short and silent. The car seemed to dart in and out of traffic in a way that defied the laws of physics. Harry was sure there was more at work than simply the mechanics of a Muggle car, but it wasn't really important.
Hermione and Ron seemed to sense Harry's depression, and although at first they attempted to draw him out of his shell, they soon lapsed into silence and left him to his thoughts. Part of Harry was grateful for the privacy, but another part of him was angry. He needed to talk to his friends, about anything! Even if they had to discuss the attack on Flourish and Blotts, it would be better than this silence. He wasn't sure what they were thinking, and it worried him.
When at last they reached London, Harry couldn't stand it any longer. He leapt out of the car, brushing past Ron and Hermione to get his trunk out of the boot of the car. Then, still without speaking to his friends, he dragged it inside, found a trolley, and made his way to the familiar barrier between Platforms Nine and Ten. Barely hazarding a glance to make sure no Muggles were watching, he walked straight into the barrier without flinching.
Suddenly the Muggle world dissolved around him, and he found himself stumbling out onto Platform Nine and Three Quarters. The Hogwarts Express was already sitting on the tracks, waiting for the students still mulling about on the platform. It was a quarter of eleven o'clock, and usually at this time in the morning on the first of September, the platform was full of students saying their goodbyes to family and greeting friends.
This year it was strangely empty, and Harry felt slightly sick as he looked around. There were no bursts of laughter, no cheers, no excitement. The older students looked subdued and grave; the younger students looked downright tearful. Harry could see a first-year girl clinging to her mother's robe as her father tried to coax her into boarding the train.
He stood there, blocking the barrier, waiting for Ron and Hermione, and wondering for the first time what the next year would really be like. He hadn't stopped to consider it before; he had always taken Quidditch, and Hogsmeade visits, and classes, and even the occasional wizard duels for granted. this year was bound to be different.
"Harry!" a breathless voice exclaimed in his ear. He turned around, startled, to see Hermione coming to a stop, her trolley in front of her. "We wondered where you'd got off to. Mrs. Weasley was a bit worried."
He felt suddenly guilty. "Sorry," he muttered. "I just. I guess I needed to see it again." Indeed, he felt better knowing at least that Hogwarts was waiting for him. The good things that had happened in the past four years. they weren't all a dream. There was more to his life than dreariness and death, after all.
"Harry!" Ron came to a skidding halt behind Hermione, barely managing not to knock her over with his trolley. "Would you two move out of the way? Mum and the rest will be in in just a moment, you know."
They hurriedly moved their luggage out of the way, and then a moment later, Fred and George burst through the barrier, grinning widely from ear to ear.
"What's so funny?" Ron questioned suspiciously.
George snickered, and opened his pockets, flashing something shiny for the briefest moment. "She forgot to check," he muttered in an undertone. "We'll have our order forms and our products this year."
Just then, Mrs. Weasley and Ginny came through the barrier, and George hurriedly flattened his pocket shut.
"What are you all waiting around for?" Mrs. Weasley questioned, glancing at the clock above the platform. "Heavens, we've only ten minutes left! You'd best get your trunks loaded, then you can stand around and talk."
The ten minutes flew by. The trunks were loaded shortly, and then they changed into their robes. His ill-fitting Muggle clothes always embarrassed Harry; he was all too happy to throw his robe right over them. Once they had changed, Harry, Ron, and Hermione quickly searched for an empty compartment. It wasn't hard to find; there didn't seem to be a full compartment this year.
"I don't see Colin or Dennis anywhere," Hermione murmured, obviously concerned.
Ginny, who had stowed her trunk with theirs, sighed softly. "He. well, both of them. They're not coming this year. Their parents won't allow it. I got an owl from Colin this morning."
"I'm not surprised," Hermione offered. "After all that's happened."
They settled down, and then Ginny, turning slightly pink, turned around. "I guess I'd better be off, then. Have a nice trip."
Harry started in his seat. "Don't you. you wouldn't like to sit with us, would you?" he found himself offering. "There's plenty of room."
Ron groaned, though it quickly turned into a cough after Hermione elbowed him in the ribs.
Ginny glared at Ron. "Don't mind if I do." She settled in across from Harry, who was suddenly alarmingly aware of her knees bumping his own.
"Sorry," he muttered, sitting up straighter to pull his legs back.
Ginny just murmured something and turned to look at Hermione. "So what do you all usually do on the ride there?" she laughed nervously.
Ron glared at her. "Talk. About private stuff." He turned to Harry, sending a look that said quite plainly, "Why did you have to invite her?"
Ginny looked down at her lap. "Oh. Well. you could just pretend I'm not here, I suppose. O-Or. I guess I could go."
"Don't even think about it!" Hermione exclaimed, but the warning in her tone was quite obviously directed not at Ginny, but at Ron.
"How about a round of Exploding Snap?" Harry suggested, hoping to relieve the tension that had suddenly invaded their compartment. It worked - for the time being - but he had to wonder what the rest of the year would be like; if he could deal with this constant sibling rivalry. He wondered if it wouldn't make him crazy, or guilty, or.
"All right," Ron agreed. He pulled a deck from his pocket and began to deal.
"Well, well, well," an all-too-familiar voice drawled from the door.
Harry sighed, and didn't even bother looking up. "Lost your way, Malfoy?" he questioned flatly. "Still searching for the girls' toilet?"
Draco Malfoy stepped closer, Crabbe and Goyle just behind him, until Harry was forced to look up.
"I'd watch your mouth if I were you, Potter," he breathed, fingering a shiny badge on his lapel. "Do you know what this means?"
"You've joined the circus?" Harry offered lightly.
Malfoy's eyes flashed, and Crabbe and Goyle flexed their muscles behind him.
"No bloody way," Ron was muttering beside him. "It has to be fake. There's no way in hell Dumbledore would make him a prefect."
"Language, Weasley," Malfoy replied, his eyes shining maliciously. "That's ten points from Gryffindor!"
Ron exploded. "We're not even at school yet! You can't do that!" he shouted.
Hermione stood up, shaking, behind him. "Um. yes he can, Ron. Why don't you sit down?"
Ron turned a furious glare on her. "Siding with him now?"
Hermione stared right back at him. "I'm trying to keep you out of trouble."
"That's right," Malfoy murmured gleefully. "I'm afraid your girlfriend is no longer a part of the Dream Team, Weasley. You may have to actually behave yourself this year."
"What are you talking about?" Ron spat.
Crabbe and Goyle stepped closer menacingly.
Malfoy looked delighted, as though Christmas had come early. "You mean she hasn't told you, then?" he crowed, grinning widely. "Well, I wouldn't want to spoil the surprise! Why don't you tell him now, Granger?"
Hermione blushed. "No. really. that's not necessary."
Harry stared back and forth between them, and finally stood to meet Malfoy. "That's enough," he said evenly. "Why don't you go sit in the prefects' compartment?"
"Oh, don't say that, Harry. I'm sure they don't want him there," Ginny called suddenly from the back. "After all, who would?"
Ron started and stared back at his sister, a smile tugging at the corners of his lips.
Malfoy was smiling as well, by his grin was far less friendly. "Ah, yes," he murmured, "the youngest Weasley. I gather you're preparing ahead of time for the position, then? Building up your resume, hoping a position as prefect will count more than family connections, I suppose?"
Ginny just stared at him, smiling slightly. "As opposed to you. well, don't worry, Draco, I'm sure your family's connections will make up for your short-comings. after all, intelligence isn't really that necessary in the real world, is it?"
Harry was trying desperately not to laugh. Ginny had always seemed like. well, rather like a mouse. It was quite hilarious to see Malfoy beginning to lose his composure after less than a minute of her mocking. It looked like Ron was trying not to laugh, too. His hand was covering his mouth as though he was about to cough, but Harry could see his cheeks twitching.
Hermione, however, looked to be panicking. "Well!" she exclaimed, too cheerfully. "Why don't you all go. enjoy yourselves, then? I'm sure you have other people to see."
"What's your hurry, Mudblood?" Malfoy spat, now openly hostile.
There was a sudden intake of breath, and Ron's grin dropped.
"Waiting for some privacy to practice your next love spell?" he continued. "Which one is it this time, the orphan, or Weasley, here?" He studied them both as Ron's face grew steadily redder. "No, I suppose it couldn't be Weasley, could it? Not really your style to go after a nobody, is it, Granger? You like men with pow-"
He never got any further.
"Mutus," Ginny had uttered quite calmly, leveling her wand at Malfoy's throat.
Malfoy blanched, and stared at her for a moment in shock. Then he opened and closed his mouth slowly. "What did you do?" he mouthed silently. He turned to Crabbe and Goyle, who stood there for a moment, staring dumbly at him, and then Crabbe seemed to catch on. He lurched forward, his fist raised, but Harry got there first.
"Oh, no you don't," he muttered, grabbing a fistful of Crabbe's robes and, feeling rather suicidal, shoving hard.
Surprisingly, Crabbe stumbled backward, looking shocked that someone had managed to match his brawn.
"Oh, dear," Hermione murmured. "We're not supposed to be fighting!" she added anxiously.
Malfoy was sending Ginny a look that could only be described as murderous. He allowed Goyle to pull him from the compartment, however, and Ron slammed the door shut behind them.
As soon as they were gone, Ron, Harry, and Ginny burst into laughter.
"That was classic!" Ron exclaimed, patting Ginny on the shoulder.
"Good one," Harry added.
Ginny looked very flattered.
Hermione was the only one who remained seriously. "Oh no. oh, don't you understand?" she exclaimed desperately.
The other three calmed down and turned to her, trying to remain serious.
"It's not that bad, Hermione," Ron said soothingly. "We've done stuff like this before, and we've never got in that much trouble."
"You've never had witnesses!" Hermione exclaimed angrily. "Oh, I could hex all three of you! This really isn't funny at all!"
Ginny looked at her soberly. "I'm sorry, Hermione, really, but Ron looked like. well, better to mute Malfoy than kill him, right?"
Ron was seized by a new fit of laughter. "Depends on who you ask," he choked out.
Hermione looked furious now. "This is so unfair.," she muttered.
Ron calmed down, and all four of them sat down again. "What's so unfair, Hermione?"
When she looked up, Harry was surprised to see Hermione's eyes brimming with tears. She fumbled with her robes for a moment, and then shoved a badge under Ron's nose. "This!" she exclaimed. "This is what's so unfair!"
Harry leaned forward in his seat. The badge looked suspiciously like Malfoy's. "Are you a prefect, Hermione?" he questioned.
"Oh, congratulations!" Ginny exclaimed.
Hermione sniffed, but smiled at Ginny.
"You're a prefect." Ron was looking just as furious as Hermione had a moment before. "You're a prefect?!"
Hermione looked angry now, too. "Yes!" she replied hotly. "I got the letter the first week this summer!"
"And you didn't bother to tell us?" Ron exclaimed.
"Why didn't you tell us?" Harry echoed.
"Oh, why do you think?" Hermione replied, exasperated. "Because of this. this. interrogation! Being a prefect is an honor!"
"Why, because you get to lord it over the rest of us?" Ron returned hotly. "Just fantastic. Just when we were loosening you up, Hermione." He turned to Harry. "How long do you think it will take her to report us, eh? Think that will get her the Head Girl badge?"
Harry felt that was a bit unfair, and Hermione seemed to agree. She jumped to her feet and ran from the room without another one.
"You absolute prat!" Ginny hissed angrily. She stood and followed Hermione.
Ron sank back in his chair, his arms crossed over his chair. "Oh, I'm the prat?" he questioned sarcastically, after Ginny left. "I'm not the one who's a bloody prefect!"
Harry didn't feel particularly inclined to argue. He didn't want to get into an argument with Ron. Still, he felt Ron was being a bit unfair to Hermione. It wasn't as though she had asked to be a prefect. and she was still Hermione. It wasn't as if she was going to turn them in for every little thing.
The ride was long and slow after that. They went back to Exploding Snap for awhile, and even practiced dueling, but both boys were depressed, and the girls did not return. Harry, try as he might, could not help worrying about the danger that might be in store for his friends this year. Ron was obviously preoccupied with Hermione.
"Damn," Ron swore as his cards exploded in his hand.
Harry grinned. It was the first hand he'd won all afternoon.
There was a slight tapping on the compartment door, and Harry looked up quickly. It was Ginny. He smiled, but she didn't meet his eyes.
"We're nearly there," she said coldly. "You'd best get ready."
Harry felt disappointed, and a bit angry. He hadn't been the one to yell at Hermione, had he? Why should Ginny be mad at him?
Soon enough, though, the train had slowed to a halt. Harry and Ron made their way into the hallway. Ron was ahead of Harry, and went through the compartment door first.
"Ow!"
Ron jumped back and Hermione gasped.
"Sorry," Ron muttered. Hermione stepped out ahead of him, shooting him a glare. He was clearly not forgiven.
Harry was amazed, though. It wasn't like Ron to apologize about anything, but he seemed to be getting better at it, at least where Hermione was involved.
Ginny exited behind Hermione without a word, and then the boys were able to leave.
Professor Flitwick was waiting on the platform. "All right, everyone, into the carriages!" he squeaked.
In front of them, Hermione sighed and turned to Ginny. "I keep expecting to see Hagrid," Harry heard her admit. He was having the same problem. Now in his fifth year, Harry had always looked forward to seeing Hagrid on his first day back, towering over all the students, shouting, "All righ', Harry?" But Hagrid wasn't here.
He and Ron found a carriage to themselves and settled in.
"I wonder who the first years are riding with," Harry said, realizing that he had not seen another teacher other than Professor Flitwick, who had just climbed into his own carriage.
"They're riding with us, aren't they?" Ron pointed out. "I reckon Hagrid's been the only one who could charm the giant squid in a century. It would be too dangerous without him."
"Oh." Harry hadn't known that.
The door to their carriage suddenly swung open, and Hermione and Ginny stepped inside. "All the other carriages were taken," Hermione said coldly, "and I certainly didn't fancy the idea of sitting with Malfoy. Professor Flitwick reversed the spell, you see." The girls sat down, and the carriage began to move up toward the castle.
The four sat in silence for a moment, not knowing what to say to each other.
"It's so sad about the first years," Ginny offered finally. "They won't get to ride across the lake, did you hear?"
"Well, it wouldn't be the same without Hagrid, anyway, would it?" Hermione put in.
"No, it wouldn't," Harry agreed.
"This year will be odd without him," Ron said thoughtfully. "Wonder who will be teaching Care of Magical Creatures, eh?"
"What about Defense Against the Dark Arts?" Hermione added eagerly. "Do you think they'll get Professor Lupin back? Or maybe we'll get the real Mad-Eye Moody!"
"Maybe," Ginny agreed.
Ron shook his head. "No, I bet they're too busy now. I reckon Dumbledore already has them off looking for Voldemort."
They all suddenly lapsed into silence again, remembering that they weren't supposed to be speaking to each other.
"This is stupid!" Harry exclaimed finally, as they pulled up to the castle. "Hermione, it's okay that you're a prefect. Congratulations. It was a bit of a shock, is all."
Hermione nodded gratefully. "Thank you, Harry. You're forgiven."
"I'm sorry, too," Ron added meekly.
"Really?" Ginny questioned sternly.
"Really," Ron repeated, beginning to sound a bit desperate.
Hermione was trying to glare at him, but she was obviously enjoying the moment. "You're really sorry? You won't tease me about being a prefect? You promise?"
"Yeah, I promise," Ron agreed, exasperated.
Hermione grinned. "All right, then."
The carriage stopped, and the four clambered out quickly. Harry stared up at the castle, his awe almost matching that of his first year. A nearly full summer with the Dursleys was enough to make him appreciate everything about Hogwarts, from the castle itself, even down to detentions with Filch.
"This way, please!" Professor McGonagall was standing by the front entrance, directing the first years into a line. Harry could remember his first year, being led into the Great Hall by Professor McGonagall, filled with terror at the prospect of being Sorted, even after he realized he only had to put the Sorting Hat onto his head. He could sense the same fear in the straggle of first years who hastily made their way to the professor now. Some things never changed.
Ron groaned. "I'm starved."
"Me, too," Ginny agreed. "Let's go in."
Indeed, the straggle of students that would make up Hogwarts this year had already begun to surge into the Great Hall. Finally, Harry, Ron, Hermione, and Ginny reached the doors.
Harry stepped into the Great Hall, and then stopped short, spying the staff table. He could see Professor Dumbledore and the Potions master, Snape, as well as Madam Pomfrey, and several others. Professor Flitwick was conversing with a woman twice his size. She appeared nearly as old as Professor Dumbledore, and was clad in deep purple robes. Her silver hair was twisted into a bun at the top of her head, and her dark eyes twinkled merrily behind thick round spectacles. Harry knew he had seen her before.
The students took their seats, and then the back doors opened, and Professor McGonagall led the first years to the front of the room, where the Sorting Hat was sitting on a small stool. The noise in the hall hushed, and then the familiar wrinkles in the hat opened into a mouth and began to sing:
My brim is worn, my fabric thin, And though I'm rather dusty, You'll find my mind sharp as a pin, And anything but rusty. I am the Sorting Hat of old, That cap of myths and tales. Although you'll find my judgment bold, You'll see it never fails. Four houses have we at this school, But only one for each; One house to be your greatest tool, And help your goals be reached. In Gryffindor, you'll find the brave, Those heroes of strength and lore; Beware their love to misbehave And secrets to explore. In Hufflepuff, you'll find a place Of love and loyalty; Persistent Hufflepuffs give chase To knowledge of earth and sea. In Ravenclaw, the cleverest minds Are put to constant test For in that house, the smartest finds Are thought to be the best. Last, there is great Slytherin, Where those seeking success Will find a home among their kin And fair chance to impress. So fear me not; I will not bite; I'll only take a peek, And searching so for great insight, I'll find which house you seek.
Harry applauded along with the rest when the hat was finished. As soon as the clapping had died down, Professor McGonagall stepped forward again with a scroll in her hands.
"Abbot, Henry!"
A small boy with blonde hair stepped forward timidly, and Professor McGonagall placed the Sorting Hat on his head. There was a brief pause, and then the hat shouted, "Hufflepuff!" Two tables over, there was a burst of cheering.
The list continued through, "Cleary, David,", "McNair, Ellen,", and several others. There were very few students to be sorted this year, and only five new Gryffindors. Professor McGonagall soon rolled up the scroll of parchment in her hands and resumed her seat at Dumbledore's right. As soon as she had settled, Professor Dumbledore stood and waved a hand for silence.
"The past few months have been very hard on all of us," he began slowly. "No doubt you have all heard of the deaths of Susan Bones, and young Dana Creevey." Dumbledore sighed. "It is tragedy, indeed, when the innocent are murdered to serve the wicked. These are trying times, and I wish to encourage all of you to be prepared for the worst eventualities. I can only promise you that we will all be tested in the next few years." He straightened up, and it seemed that he was coming to the crux of his speech. "It is for this reason that I have brought a very dear friend of mine to Hogwarts this year. We were in need of a Defense Against the Dark Arts professor, and there is no one more capable than Arabella Figg."
The woman in the purple robes stood at Dumbledore's request, and Harry gasped. "I knew it!" he exclaimed.
"Knew what?" Hermione questioned.
"Look, mate, if this is about her being the Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher, it's not exactly a long shot," Ron pointed out, grinning. "How many positions are open?"
Harry shook his head. "No! That's Mrs. Figg! She used to be my babysitter when I was living with the Dursleys! Only. only, I thought she was a Muggle the whole time!"
Ginny frowned. "Do you think Professor Dumbledore had her babysit you so she could keep an eye on you?"
Harry shook his head, frowning. "It's possible, I suppose, but he would have to tell the Dursleys, then, wouldn't he? And they must not have known she was a witch, or they never would have let her near me."
Professor Figg sat down after a brief round of applause, and Dumbledore continued. "You will also have noticed, I'm sure, the rather conspicuous absence of our Care of Magical Creatures teacher and Gamekeeper. I'm afraid Hagrid will be away for some while on business. As such, Care of Magical Creatures classes are temporarily cancelled. Until Hagrid returns, his class periods will be used for extra Defense Against the Dark Arts lessons."
Harry groaned. "More time with Mrs. Figg?"
Hermione, on the other hand, looked pleased. "But just think, Harry; Defense Agaisnt the Dark Arts is more useful than ever. It's probably a good thing we'll be having more classes."
Harry shrugged. "I just hope she's more interesting as a wizard than she was as a babysitter. I don't fancy learning any more about her cats."
Ron snickered. "I wouldn't worry about that. I doubt cats have much to do with Defense Against the Dark Arts."
Hermione shook her head. "I thought you visited Egypt, Ron. Didn't you learn anything on that holiday?"
"Yeah: not to let Fred and George anywhere near my food!" Ron replied seriously.
"No!" Hermione groaned impatiently. "About cats, Ron. Didn't you learn anything about cats in Egypt?"
Ron shrugged. "No."
"Cats were worshipped by ancient Egyptian wizards and Muggles alike for their precognitive abilities," Hermione informed them. "Well, the Muggles didn't know about that - they still believe cats just have quick reflexes. But they can really see things just before they happen. That's why many wizards prefer them as pets - especially when You-Know - alright, Voldemort," she corrected herself, off Harry's look. "Well, wizards wanted cats around the house to warn them if Voldemort was going to attack, so they would have time to prepare."
Suddenly, food appeared on all the tables, and they realized the banquet had begun while they'd been talking.
"Finally!" Ron exclaimed, tucking into his plate.
Harry, however, was not quite ready to eat. His stomach was fluttering unpleasantly again, and he turned back to Hermione. "If that's true, though, about cats," he questioned quietly, "then why were so many wizards killed by Voldemort? Wouldn't they have been able to escape in time, if they'd had warning?"
Hermione shrugged. "Not really. Most cats are only able to see a few seconds into the future. It would be enough time to draw your wand."
"Oh."
Ron was staring at the both of them, his cheeks bulging with food. He swallowed quickly. "Where do you get this stuff, Hermione?"
She shrugged, blushing, and stared down at her plate. "Oh, you know. just a bit of light reading. after I bought Crookshanks, I wanted to learn more about cats, so."
Harry stifled a laugh. '.So she consulted a book,' he finished silently. From the look on Ron's face, it wasn't exactly a unique thought.
Soon enough, Harry found himself wishing the feast were over. He was exhausted, and before he fell asleep, he still needed to visit the Owlery and see Hedwig with his own eyes.
It was as if Professor Dumbledore had read Harry's thoughts, for at that moment, he stood before the students and professors and announced, "So! I take it everyone is now well fed and watered. Time for bed!"
Harry joined the other Gryffindors trekking out of the Great Hall and up the staircase. When they reached the top, Harry turned to Hermione. "Could you just tell me the password now?" he asked her. "I want to go check on Hedwig." Ron leaned in as well, waiting for her answer.
Hermione bit her lip. "I don't know, Harry," she said slowly.
Ron rolled his eyes. "Oh, come on, Hermione."
Hermione sighed. "I'm really sorry, Harry, but Professor Dumbledore said to go to bed. I'm not sure."
"I'm just going to the Owlery," Harry pointed out. "It's not like I'm running off into the Forbidden Forest or something. I want to see Hedwig, Hermione. I haven't seen her in a week."
"You can see her tomorrow," Hermione said, this time more firmly. "She'll still be there in the morning. Now, come on. We've got to catch the Gryffindors up, or they'll be wondering where we've got off to."
"Hermione!" Ron ejected angrily.
"What?" she shot back immediately. "You think I don't feel bad? Look, Ron, things have got to be different this year. I'm a Prefect, all right? I have a responsibility."
"Fine," Harry said quickly, sensing the impending fight. He turned to Ron. "Will you wait for me by the portrait hole? I'll only be a few moments."
"Of course," Ron agreed, shooting a nasty look at Hermione.
Hermione stared at the both of them. "Well, thank you both. I'm glad you both appreciate my authority. This will make my year so much easier." She gave Harry a very hard look. "Harry, come back to the tower now, or it's five points from Gryffindor."
"Oh, get off it, Hermione," Harry said, now a bit annoyed. "Look, Dumbledore won't care. And. if he does, you can just blame it on me."
"No!" Hermione said again, more shrilly. "It's my responsibility, Harry."
Harry had the sinking suspicion that she was serious. He could see Ron's mouth opening to argue further, but he held up his hand. He didn't want to start the year fighting and losing points. "Fine," he said slowly, turning to Ron. "I'll go up to the tower. I'll see Hedwig in the morning." Teeth clenched, he marched off after the Gryffindors.
Created by J.K. Rowling, Anticipated For Impatient Readers by Chrissy
Disclaimer: Harry and all of his friends belong to J.K. Rowling, Warner Bros., etc., and not me. Obviously I don't know what the Order of the Phoenix is in her mind; this is merely my interpretation. No money is being made off of this story, and no copyright infringement is intended.
A/N: This is the last chapter I finished writing before Book 5 was released, so it will be the last chapter published. A big thank-you to everyone who reviewed, and to all of my readers. I'll miss working on this story, but I can't say I don't like the real version better!
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CHAPTER NINE: THE HOGWARTS EXPRESS
It was a Monday morning, but it still felt like Sunday night. Harry had got almost no sleep over the weekend, and what little rest he'd got was plagued by nightmares. Every time he closed his eyes, he saw Voldemort's snake-like face and beady red eyes staring back at him. he could hear his laughter. he could hear his mother screaming.
So when Mrs. Weasley made the rounds that morning to wake them all up, Harry was the least reluctant to leave his bed. He knew that all he could look forward to were more nightmares; why bother? And soon he would be at Hogwarts. Then maybe things would get better.
Hogwarts. The Great Hall. The Common Room. and he'd get to see Hedwig! But what would he do? What would he say when he saw Colin Creevey? Colin had always looked up to him, and surely he didn't know the details of the dark ritual that had given Voldemort his body. he wouldn't know that it was Harry who was responsible for his sister's death. but Harry would know. He would know, and he would be reminded every time he saw Colin, or his younger brother, Dennis. He would know whenever someone mentioned Susan Bones, or Cedric Diggory. He would know when he saw Cho Chang, and saw that look on her face again.
Cho. He hadn't thought about her since the beginning of the summer; it was too painful. When he thought of Cho, he couldn't see her as he used to, exhilarated after a game of Quidditch, circling the field on her broom. He couldn't even see her in Cedric's arms as they danced at the Yule Ball the year before. whenever Harry thought of Cho, all he could think of was the look on her face - horrible, distraught, frenzied, sick - when she'd seen Cedric's body. When she'd seen Harry return with Cedric's body.
It wasn't fair. A great swell of anger filled Harry, and he wished that Cedric were alive so that he could yell at him. Cho loved Cedric. He could see it in her face when Cedric had died. She would still love him, this year. And how could he compete? How could he compete with someone who was dead? Cedric would always be perfect in her memory, and he would always be just. Harry.
Then his anger turned, and he felt sick. Had he really been angry at Cedric for dying?
No. He couldn't be. He wouldn't be.
Sighing, he rolled over and climbed out of bed, hoping that Ron wouldn't question him. He wouldn't be able to answer.
***
"Now then, you have your trunks? Your books? Your lunches?" Mrs. Weasley's eyes drilled into Harry. "Harry, do you have Hedwig's cage?"
He held the cage up dutifully, and then, finally satisfied, Mrs. Weasley gave a curt nod and began to direct the luggage out the front door and into the two cars that were once again on loan from the Ministry of Magic. The cars' spacious interiors left room to spare once they had all loaded their trunks and equipment, and despite the fact that they were all older, with larger bodies. Harry, Ron, and Hermione were able to get a car to themselves, while Mrs. Weasley rode with Ginny and the twins.
The ride to the train station was short and silent. The car seemed to dart in and out of traffic in a way that defied the laws of physics. Harry was sure there was more at work than simply the mechanics of a Muggle car, but it wasn't really important.
Hermione and Ron seemed to sense Harry's depression, and although at first they attempted to draw him out of his shell, they soon lapsed into silence and left him to his thoughts. Part of Harry was grateful for the privacy, but another part of him was angry. He needed to talk to his friends, about anything! Even if they had to discuss the attack on Flourish and Blotts, it would be better than this silence. He wasn't sure what they were thinking, and it worried him.
When at last they reached London, Harry couldn't stand it any longer. He leapt out of the car, brushing past Ron and Hermione to get his trunk out of the boot of the car. Then, still without speaking to his friends, he dragged it inside, found a trolley, and made his way to the familiar barrier between Platforms Nine and Ten. Barely hazarding a glance to make sure no Muggles were watching, he walked straight into the barrier without flinching.
Suddenly the Muggle world dissolved around him, and he found himself stumbling out onto Platform Nine and Three Quarters. The Hogwarts Express was already sitting on the tracks, waiting for the students still mulling about on the platform. It was a quarter of eleven o'clock, and usually at this time in the morning on the first of September, the platform was full of students saying their goodbyes to family and greeting friends.
This year it was strangely empty, and Harry felt slightly sick as he looked around. There were no bursts of laughter, no cheers, no excitement. The older students looked subdued and grave; the younger students looked downright tearful. Harry could see a first-year girl clinging to her mother's robe as her father tried to coax her into boarding the train.
He stood there, blocking the barrier, waiting for Ron and Hermione, and wondering for the first time what the next year would really be like. He hadn't stopped to consider it before; he had always taken Quidditch, and Hogsmeade visits, and classes, and even the occasional wizard duels for granted. this year was bound to be different.
"Harry!" a breathless voice exclaimed in his ear. He turned around, startled, to see Hermione coming to a stop, her trolley in front of her. "We wondered where you'd got off to. Mrs. Weasley was a bit worried."
He felt suddenly guilty. "Sorry," he muttered. "I just. I guess I needed to see it again." Indeed, he felt better knowing at least that Hogwarts was waiting for him. The good things that had happened in the past four years. they weren't all a dream. There was more to his life than dreariness and death, after all.
"Harry!" Ron came to a skidding halt behind Hermione, barely managing not to knock her over with his trolley. "Would you two move out of the way? Mum and the rest will be in in just a moment, you know."
They hurriedly moved their luggage out of the way, and then a moment later, Fred and George burst through the barrier, grinning widely from ear to ear.
"What's so funny?" Ron questioned suspiciously.
George snickered, and opened his pockets, flashing something shiny for the briefest moment. "She forgot to check," he muttered in an undertone. "We'll have our order forms and our products this year."
Just then, Mrs. Weasley and Ginny came through the barrier, and George hurriedly flattened his pocket shut.
"What are you all waiting around for?" Mrs. Weasley questioned, glancing at the clock above the platform. "Heavens, we've only ten minutes left! You'd best get your trunks loaded, then you can stand around and talk."
The ten minutes flew by. The trunks were loaded shortly, and then they changed into their robes. His ill-fitting Muggle clothes always embarrassed Harry; he was all too happy to throw his robe right over them. Once they had changed, Harry, Ron, and Hermione quickly searched for an empty compartment. It wasn't hard to find; there didn't seem to be a full compartment this year.
"I don't see Colin or Dennis anywhere," Hermione murmured, obviously concerned.
Ginny, who had stowed her trunk with theirs, sighed softly. "He. well, both of them. They're not coming this year. Their parents won't allow it. I got an owl from Colin this morning."
"I'm not surprised," Hermione offered. "After all that's happened."
They settled down, and then Ginny, turning slightly pink, turned around. "I guess I'd better be off, then. Have a nice trip."
Harry started in his seat. "Don't you. you wouldn't like to sit with us, would you?" he found himself offering. "There's plenty of room."
Ron groaned, though it quickly turned into a cough after Hermione elbowed him in the ribs.
Ginny glared at Ron. "Don't mind if I do." She settled in across from Harry, who was suddenly alarmingly aware of her knees bumping his own.
"Sorry," he muttered, sitting up straighter to pull his legs back.
Ginny just murmured something and turned to look at Hermione. "So what do you all usually do on the ride there?" she laughed nervously.
Ron glared at her. "Talk. About private stuff." He turned to Harry, sending a look that said quite plainly, "Why did you have to invite her?"
Ginny looked down at her lap. "Oh. Well. you could just pretend I'm not here, I suppose. O-Or. I guess I could go."
"Don't even think about it!" Hermione exclaimed, but the warning in her tone was quite obviously directed not at Ginny, but at Ron.
"How about a round of Exploding Snap?" Harry suggested, hoping to relieve the tension that had suddenly invaded their compartment. It worked - for the time being - but he had to wonder what the rest of the year would be like; if he could deal with this constant sibling rivalry. He wondered if it wouldn't make him crazy, or guilty, or.
"All right," Ron agreed. He pulled a deck from his pocket and began to deal.
"Well, well, well," an all-too-familiar voice drawled from the door.
Harry sighed, and didn't even bother looking up. "Lost your way, Malfoy?" he questioned flatly. "Still searching for the girls' toilet?"
Draco Malfoy stepped closer, Crabbe and Goyle just behind him, until Harry was forced to look up.
"I'd watch your mouth if I were you, Potter," he breathed, fingering a shiny badge on his lapel. "Do you know what this means?"
"You've joined the circus?" Harry offered lightly.
Malfoy's eyes flashed, and Crabbe and Goyle flexed their muscles behind him.
"No bloody way," Ron was muttering beside him. "It has to be fake. There's no way in hell Dumbledore would make him a prefect."
"Language, Weasley," Malfoy replied, his eyes shining maliciously. "That's ten points from Gryffindor!"
Ron exploded. "We're not even at school yet! You can't do that!" he shouted.
Hermione stood up, shaking, behind him. "Um. yes he can, Ron. Why don't you sit down?"
Ron turned a furious glare on her. "Siding with him now?"
Hermione stared right back at him. "I'm trying to keep you out of trouble."
"That's right," Malfoy murmured gleefully. "I'm afraid your girlfriend is no longer a part of the Dream Team, Weasley. You may have to actually behave yourself this year."
"What are you talking about?" Ron spat.
Crabbe and Goyle stepped closer menacingly.
Malfoy looked delighted, as though Christmas had come early. "You mean she hasn't told you, then?" he crowed, grinning widely. "Well, I wouldn't want to spoil the surprise! Why don't you tell him now, Granger?"
Hermione blushed. "No. really. that's not necessary."
Harry stared back and forth between them, and finally stood to meet Malfoy. "That's enough," he said evenly. "Why don't you go sit in the prefects' compartment?"
"Oh, don't say that, Harry. I'm sure they don't want him there," Ginny called suddenly from the back. "After all, who would?"
Ron started and stared back at his sister, a smile tugging at the corners of his lips.
Malfoy was smiling as well, by his grin was far less friendly. "Ah, yes," he murmured, "the youngest Weasley. I gather you're preparing ahead of time for the position, then? Building up your resume, hoping a position as prefect will count more than family connections, I suppose?"
Ginny just stared at him, smiling slightly. "As opposed to you. well, don't worry, Draco, I'm sure your family's connections will make up for your short-comings. after all, intelligence isn't really that necessary in the real world, is it?"
Harry was trying desperately not to laugh. Ginny had always seemed like. well, rather like a mouse. It was quite hilarious to see Malfoy beginning to lose his composure after less than a minute of her mocking. It looked like Ron was trying not to laugh, too. His hand was covering his mouth as though he was about to cough, but Harry could see his cheeks twitching.
Hermione, however, looked to be panicking. "Well!" she exclaimed, too cheerfully. "Why don't you all go. enjoy yourselves, then? I'm sure you have other people to see."
"What's your hurry, Mudblood?" Malfoy spat, now openly hostile.
There was a sudden intake of breath, and Ron's grin dropped.
"Waiting for some privacy to practice your next love spell?" he continued. "Which one is it this time, the orphan, or Weasley, here?" He studied them both as Ron's face grew steadily redder. "No, I suppose it couldn't be Weasley, could it? Not really your style to go after a nobody, is it, Granger? You like men with pow-"
He never got any further.
"Mutus," Ginny had uttered quite calmly, leveling her wand at Malfoy's throat.
Malfoy blanched, and stared at her for a moment in shock. Then he opened and closed his mouth slowly. "What did you do?" he mouthed silently. He turned to Crabbe and Goyle, who stood there for a moment, staring dumbly at him, and then Crabbe seemed to catch on. He lurched forward, his fist raised, but Harry got there first.
"Oh, no you don't," he muttered, grabbing a fistful of Crabbe's robes and, feeling rather suicidal, shoving hard.
Surprisingly, Crabbe stumbled backward, looking shocked that someone had managed to match his brawn.
"Oh, dear," Hermione murmured. "We're not supposed to be fighting!" she added anxiously.
Malfoy was sending Ginny a look that could only be described as murderous. He allowed Goyle to pull him from the compartment, however, and Ron slammed the door shut behind them.
As soon as they were gone, Ron, Harry, and Ginny burst into laughter.
"That was classic!" Ron exclaimed, patting Ginny on the shoulder.
"Good one," Harry added.
Ginny looked very flattered.
Hermione was the only one who remained seriously. "Oh no. oh, don't you understand?" she exclaimed desperately.
The other three calmed down and turned to her, trying to remain serious.
"It's not that bad, Hermione," Ron said soothingly. "We've done stuff like this before, and we've never got in that much trouble."
"You've never had witnesses!" Hermione exclaimed angrily. "Oh, I could hex all three of you! This really isn't funny at all!"
Ginny looked at her soberly. "I'm sorry, Hermione, really, but Ron looked like. well, better to mute Malfoy than kill him, right?"
Ron was seized by a new fit of laughter. "Depends on who you ask," he choked out.
Hermione looked furious now. "This is so unfair.," she muttered.
Ron calmed down, and all four of them sat down again. "What's so unfair, Hermione?"
When she looked up, Harry was surprised to see Hermione's eyes brimming with tears. She fumbled with her robes for a moment, and then shoved a badge under Ron's nose. "This!" she exclaimed. "This is what's so unfair!"
Harry leaned forward in his seat. The badge looked suspiciously like Malfoy's. "Are you a prefect, Hermione?" he questioned.
"Oh, congratulations!" Ginny exclaimed.
Hermione sniffed, but smiled at Ginny.
"You're a prefect." Ron was looking just as furious as Hermione had a moment before. "You're a prefect?!"
Hermione looked angry now, too. "Yes!" she replied hotly. "I got the letter the first week this summer!"
"And you didn't bother to tell us?" Ron exclaimed.
"Why didn't you tell us?" Harry echoed.
"Oh, why do you think?" Hermione replied, exasperated. "Because of this. this. interrogation! Being a prefect is an honor!"
"Why, because you get to lord it over the rest of us?" Ron returned hotly. "Just fantastic. Just when we were loosening you up, Hermione." He turned to Harry. "How long do you think it will take her to report us, eh? Think that will get her the Head Girl badge?"
Harry felt that was a bit unfair, and Hermione seemed to agree. She jumped to her feet and ran from the room without another one.
"You absolute prat!" Ginny hissed angrily. She stood and followed Hermione.
Ron sank back in his chair, his arms crossed over his chair. "Oh, I'm the prat?" he questioned sarcastically, after Ginny left. "I'm not the one who's a bloody prefect!"
Harry didn't feel particularly inclined to argue. He didn't want to get into an argument with Ron. Still, he felt Ron was being a bit unfair to Hermione. It wasn't as though she had asked to be a prefect. and she was still Hermione. It wasn't as if she was going to turn them in for every little thing.
The ride was long and slow after that. They went back to Exploding Snap for awhile, and even practiced dueling, but both boys were depressed, and the girls did not return. Harry, try as he might, could not help worrying about the danger that might be in store for his friends this year. Ron was obviously preoccupied with Hermione.
"Damn," Ron swore as his cards exploded in his hand.
Harry grinned. It was the first hand he'd won all afternoon.
There was a slight tapping on the compartment door, and Harry looked up quickly. It was Ginny. He smiled, but she didn't meet his eyes.
"We're nearly there," she said coldly. "You'd best get ready."
Harry felt disappointed, and a bit angry. He hadn't been the one to yell at Hermione, had he? Why should Ginny be mad at him?
Soon enough, though, the train had slowed to a halt. Harry and Ron made their way into the hallway. Ron was ahead of Harry, and went through the compartment door first.
"Ow!"
Ron jumped back and Hermione gasped.
"Sorry," Ron muttered. Hermione stepped out ahead of him, shooting him a glare. He was clearly not forgiven.
Harry was amazed, though. It wasn't like Ron to apologize about anything, but he seemed to be getting better at it, at least where Hermione was involved.
Ginny exited behind Hermione without a word, and then the boys were able to leave.
Professor Flitwick was waiting on the platform. "All right, everyone, into the carriages!" he squeaked.
In front of them, Hermione sighed and turned to Ginny. "I keep expecting to see Hagrid," Harry heard her admit. He was having the same problem. Now in his fifth year, Harry had always looked forward to seeing Hagrid on his first day back, towering over all the students, shouting, "All righ', Harry?" But Hagrid wasn't here.
He and Ron found a carriage to themselves and settled in.
"I wonder who the first years are riding with," Harry said, realizing that he had not seen another teacher other than Professor Flitwick, who had just climbed into his own carriage.
"They're riding with us, aren't they?" Ron pointed out. "I reckon Hagrid's been the only one who could charm the giant squid in a century. It would be too dangerous without him."
"Oh." Harry hadn't known that.
The door to their carriage suddenly swung open, and Hermione and Ginny stepped inside. "All the other carriages were taken," Hermione said coldly, "and I certainly didn't fancy the idea of sitting with Malfoy. Professor Flitwick reversed the spell, you see." The girls sat down, and the carriage began to move up toward the castle.
The four sat in silence for a moment, not knowing what to say to each other.
"It's so sad about the first years," Ginny offered finally. "They won't get to ride across the lake, did you hear?"
"Well, it wouldn't be the same without Hagrid, anyway, would it?" Hermione put in.
"No, it wouldn't," Harry agreed.
"This year will be odd without him," Ron said thoughtfully. "Wonder who will be teaching Care of Magical Creatures, eh?"
"What about Defense Against the Dark Arts?" Hermione added eagerly. "Do you think they'll get Professor Lupin back? Or maybe we'll get the real Mad-Eye Moody!"
"Maybe," Ginny agreed.
Ron shook his head. "No, I bet they're too busy now. I reckon Dumbledore already has them off looking for Voldemort."
They all suddenly lapsed into silence again, remembering that they weren't supposed to be speaking to each other.
"This is stupid!" Harry exclaimed finally, as they pulled up to the castle. "Hermione, it's okay that you're a prefect. Congratulations. It was a bit of a shock, is all."
Hermione nodded gratefully. "Thank you, Harry. You're forgiven."
"I'm sorry, too," Ron added meekly.
"Really?" Ginny questioned sternly.
"Really," Ron repeated, beginning to sound a bit desperate.
Hermione was trying to glare at him, but she was obviously enjoying the moment. "You're really sorry? You won't tease me about being a prefect? You promise?"
"Yeah, I promise," Ron agreed, exasperated.
Hermione grinned. "All right, then."
The carriage stopped, and the four clambered out quickly. Harry stared up at the castle, his awe almost matching that of his first year. A nearly full summer with the Dursleys was enough to make him appreciate everything about Hogwarts, from the castle itself, even down to detentions with Filch.
"This way, please!" Professor McGonagall was standing by the front entrance, directing the first years into a line. Harry could remember his first year, being led into the Great Hall by Professor McGonagall, filled with terror at the prospect of being Sorted, even after he realized he only had to put the Sorting Hat onto his head. He could sense the same fear in the straggle of first years who hastily made their way to the professor now. Some things never changed.
Ron groaned. "I'm starved."
"Me, too," Ginny agreed. "Let's go in."
Indeed, the straggle of students that would make up Hogwarts this year had already begun to surge into the Great Hall. Finally, Harry, Ron, Hermione, and Ginny reached the doors.
Harry stepped into the Great Hall, and then stopped short, spying the staff table. He could see Professor Dumbledore and the Potions master, Snape, as well as Madam Pomfrey, and several others. Professor Flitwick was conversing with a woman twice his size. She appeared nearly as old as Professor Dumbledore, and was clad in deep purple robes. Her silver hair was twisted into a bun at the top of her head, and her dark eyes twinkled merrily behind thick round spectacles. Harry knew he had seen her before.
The students took their seats, and then the back doors opened, and Professor McGonagall led the first years to the front of the room, where the Sorting Hat was sitting on a small stool. The noise in the hall hushed, and then the familiar wrinkles in the hat opened into a mouth and began to sing:
My brim is worn, my fabric thin, And though I'm rather dusty, You'll find my mind sharp as a pin, And anything but rusty. I am the Sorting Hat of old, That cap of myths and tales. Although you'll find my judgment bold, You'll see it never fails. Four houses have we at this school, But only one for each; One house to be your greatest tool, And help your goals be reached. In Gryffindor, you'll find the brave, Those heroes of strength and lore; Beware their love to misbehave And secrets to explore. In Hufflepuff, you'll find a place Of love and loyalty; Persistent Hufflepuffs give chase To knowledge of earth and sea. In Ravenclaw, the cleverest minds Are put to constant test For in that house, the smartest finds Are thought to be the best. Last, there is great Slytherin, Where those seeking success Will find a home among their kin And fair chance to impress. So fear me not; I will not bite; I'll only take a peek, And searching so for great insight, I'll find which house you seek.
Harry applauded along with the rest when the hat was finished. As soon as the clapping had died down, Professor McGonagall stepped forward again with a scroll in her hands.
"Abbot, Henry!"
A small boy with blonde hair stepped forward timidly, and Professor McGonagall placed the Sorting Hat on his head. There was a brief pause, and then the hat shouted, "Hufflepuff!" Two tables over, there was a burst of cheering.
The list continued through, "Cleary, David,", "McNair, Ellen,", and several others. There were very few students to be sorted this year, and only five new Gryffindors. Professor McGonagall soon rolled up the scroll of parchment in her hands and resumed her seat at Dumbledore's right. As soon as she had settled, Professor Dumbledore stood and waved a hand for silence.
"The past few months have been very hard on all of us," he began slowly. "No doubt you have all heard of the deaths of Susan Bones, and young Dana Creevey." Dumbledore sighed. "It is tragedy, indeed, when the innocent are murdered to serve the wicked. These are trying times, and I wish to encourage all of you to be prepared for the worst eventualities. I can only promise you that we will all be tested in the next few years." He straightened up, and it seemed that he was coming to the crux of his speech. "It is for this reason that I have brought a very dear friend of mine to Hogwarts this year. We were in need of a Defense Against the Dark Arts professor, and there is no one more capable than Arabella Figg."
The woman in the purple robes stood at Dumbledore's request, and Harry gasped. "I knew it!" he exclaimed.
"Knew what?" Hermione questioned.
"Look, mate, if this is about her being the Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher, it's not exactly a long shot," Ron pointed out, grinning. "How many positions are open?"
Harry shook his head. "No! That's Mrs. Figg! She used to be my babysitter when I was living with the Dursleys! Only. only, I thought she was a Muggle the whole time!"
Ginny frowned. "Do you think Professor Dumbledore had her babysit you so she could keep an eye on you?"
Harry shook his head, frowning. "It's possible, I suppose, but he would have to tell the Dursleys, then, wouldn't he? And they must not have known she was a witch, or they never would have let her near me."
Professor Figg sat down after a brief round of applause, and Dumbledore continued. "You will also have noticed, I'm sure, the rather conspicuous absence of our Care of Magical Creatures teacher and Gamekeeper. I'm afraid Hagrid will be away for some while on business. As such, Care of Magical Creatures classes are temporarily cancelled. Until Hagrid returns, his class periods will be used for extra Defense Against the Dark Arts lessons."
Harry groaned. "More time with Mrs. Figg?"
Hermione, on the other hand, looked pleased. "But just think, Harry; Defense Agaisnt the Dark Arts is more useful than ever. It's probably a good thing we'll be having more classes."
Harry shrugged. "I just hope she's more interesting as a wizard than she was as a babysitter. I don't fancy learning any more about her cats."
Ron snickered. "I wouldn't worry about that. I doubt cats have much to do with Defense Against the Dark Arts."
Hermione shook her head. "I thought you visited Egypt, Ron. Didn't you learn anything on that holiday?"
"Yeah: not to let Fred and George anywhere near my food!" Ron replied seriously.
"No!" Hermione groaned impatiently. "About cats, Ron. Didn't you learn anything about cats in Egypt?"
Ron shrugged. "No."
"Cats were worshipped by ancient Egyptian wizards and Muggles alike for their precognitive abilities," Hermione informed them. "Well, the Muggles didn't know about that - they still believe cats just have quick reflexes. But they can really see things just before they happen. That's why many wizards prefer them as pets - especially when You-Know - alright, Voldemort," she corrected herself, off Harry's look. "Well, wizards wanted cats around the house to warn them if Voldemort was going to attack, so they would have time to prepare."
Suddenly, food appeared on all the tables, and they realized the banquet had begun while they'd been talking.
"Finally!" Ron exclaimed, tucking into his plate.
Harry, however, was not quite ready to eat. His stomach was fluttering unpleasantly again, and he turned back to Hermione. "If that's true, though, about cats," he questioned quietly, "then why were so many wizards killed by Voldemort? Wouldn't they have been able to escape in time, if they'd had warning?"
Hermione shrugged. "Not really. Most cats are only able to see a few seconds into the future. It would be enough time to draw your wand."
"Oh."
Ron was staring at the both of them, his cheeks bulging with food. He swallowed quickly. "Where do you get this stuff, Hermione?"
She shrugged, blushing, and stared down at her plate. "Oh, you know. just a bit of light reading. after I bought Crookshanks, I wanted to learn more about cats, so."
Harry stifled a laugh. '.So she consulted a book,' he finished silently. From the look on Ron's face, it wasn't exactly a unique thought.
Soon enough, Harry found himself wishing the feast were over. He was exhausted, and before he fell asleep, he still needed to visit the Owlery and see Hedwig with his own eyes.
It was as if Professor Dumbledore had read Harry's thoughts, for at that moment, he stood before the students and professors and announced, "So! I take it everyone is now well fed and watered. Time for bed!"
Harry joined the other Gryffindors trekking out of the Great Hall and up the staircase. When they reached the top, Harry turned to Hermione. "Could you just tell me the password now?" he asked her. "I want to go check on Hedwig." Ron leaned in as well, waiting for her answer.
Hermione bit her lip. "I don't know, Harry," she said slowly.
Ron rolled his eyes. "Oh, come on, Hermione."
Hermione sighed. "I'm really sorry, Harry, but Professor Dumbledore said to go to bed. I'm not sure."
"I'm just going to the Owlery," Harry pointed out. "It's not like I'm running off into the Forbidden Forest or something. I want to see Hedwig, Hermione. I haven't seen her in a week."
"You can see her tomorrow," Hermione said, this time more firmly. "She'll still be there in the morning. Now, come on. We've got to catch the Gryffindors up, or they'll be wondering where we've got off to."
"Hermione!" Ron ejected angrily.
"What?" she shot back immediately. "You think I don't feel bad? Look, Ron, things have got to be different this year. I'm a Prefect, all right? I have a responsibility."
"Fine," Harry said quickly, sensing the impending fight. He turned to Ron. "Will you wait for me by the portrait hole? I'll only be a few moments."
"Of course," Ron agreed, shooting a nasty look at Hermione.
Hermione stared at the both of them. "Well, thank you both. I'm glad you both appreciate my authority. This will make my year so much easier." She gave Harry a very hard look. "Harry, come back to the tower now, or it's five points from Gryffindor."
"Oh, get off it, Hermione," Harry said, now a bit annoyed. "Look, Dumbledore won't care. And. if he does, you can just blame it on me."
"No!" Hermione said again, more shrilly. "It's my responsibility, Harry."
Harry had the sinking suspicion that she was serious. He could see Ron's mouth opening to argue further, but he held up his hand. He didn't want to start the year fighting and losing points. "Fine," he said slowly, turning to Ron. "I'll go up to the tower. I'll see Hedwig in the morning." Teeth clenched, he marched off after the Gryffindors.
