A/N: Ah, reviews. It would be nice to write a story about reviews. Kind of contradicting right? Well that's how my mind wanders at midnight. Anyway, I got the next chapter, all I need is the next reviews. Oh, and they're not quite at Hogwarts yet, but they're practically there. It'll be in the next chapter, and that is a promise. And also, before anyone wonders, I'll explain about the whole teachers being on the Hogwarts Express next chapter. Continue to R/R, please!

Chapter 8

            Harry pocketed his wand and carried the folded parchment to their normal cabin where Ginny, Hermione, and Ron were already seated.

            "What's that, Harry?" Ron asked when he walked in.

            "I don't know. Tonks just gave it to me. She didn't say what it was about," Harry explained.

            "Well what are you waiting for? Open it!" Hermione encouraged. Harry unfolded it one layer at a time until he was greeted by the familiar scrawl that belonged to Remus Lupin.

            "It's from Lupin," Harry said. "It says:

Dear Harry,

            I'm writing this letter with the hope that Tonks will be able to deliver it to you without interruption, both by Voldemort and for other reasons… Anyhow, I would like to apologize for not getting the chance to visit you again before your departure to Hogwarts, but because of actions that Arthur has already told me you know about, I haven't been able to take time off to see you. I just wanted to say once again,  not to blame yourself anymore for what happened to Sirius. Mrs. Weasley has already updated me on your latest health and you know Sirius wouldn't want you to hurt yourself for him. I'm sure you've heard these words many times, but you have shown admiral strength throughout your life and you shouldn't stop now. On a lighter note, Professor Dumbledore has told me that the newest teacher at Hogwarts is well trained in the field of Occlumacy and that you will be taking lessons from her instead of Professor Snape (which I'm sure you're extremely disappointed to hear.) Oh, Mrs. Weasley also had the courtesy of informing me how well you did on your O.W.L.S., Harry, and let me say, I'm very pleased. I also hope you will congratulate Hermione and Ron on their O.W.L.S. for me as well. Unfortunately Harry, I must be going, but if you ever want to talk to me, don't hesitate. Just remember to be prepared incase of interception. Good luck at Hogwarts this year, Harry, and I'll be in touch!

Your Friend,

Moony."

            "Moony?" Came a voice from the doorway. "Who names a kid Moony?" Harry turned recognizing the snide voice instantly.

            "Beat it, Malfoy," Harry growled angry that he had been listening to Lupin's letter.

            "Touchy today aren't we, Potter? Wake up on the wrong side of the dirt floor?" Malfoy asked. "Assuming you stayed with the Weasleys' this summer, a spot on the floor in their shack must have been a relief." Crabbe and Goyle sniggered while Ron and Ginny stood up angrily with their wands raised.

            "What's going on in here?" Harry inwardly groaned. Professor Snape himself had appeared in the doorway behind Crabbe and Goyle. It was obvious to see that Snape's question had been asked with a look only awaiting Malfoy's response.

            "I was coming in her to tell Ron and Hermione about the Prefect meeting as Professor McGonagall had asked me too, when Potter threatened me and his cronies removed their wands," Malfoy said giving Harry a satisfied smile.

            "I see," Snape said, staring Harry down. "A week's detention for all of you."

            Harry's anger burned. "You can't do that! We didn't do ANY—"

            "Quiet Potter, or I'll add another week," Snape snapped as Malfoy flashed another look of triumph. "Weasley, Granger, get into your robes and report to the meeting immediately. Your tardiness as it is, is unacceptable."

            "We weren't informed—" Ron started, but Snape's glare silenced him.

            "Malfoy," Draco looked at him. "You've done your duty, you may report to the Prefect meeting now." Malfoy nodded and turned out of the room, followed closely by Crabbe and Goyle. Snape left with a final glare at Harry.

            "IT'S NOT FAIR!" Ron shouted, throwing down his wand. "MALFOY AND SNAPE WILL GO TO ANY LENGTHS TO HUMILIATE US!"

            "And you're just now realizing this?" Hermione asked aggravatingly.

            "We weren't even informed about a Prefect meeting!" Ron cried.

            "Apparently it's a last minute thing, but I highly doubt Professor McGonagall would ask Malfoy of all people to spread the word," Hermione said.

            "He lied," Harry said angrily.

            "Of course he did!" Ginny spoke up. "You wouldn't expect anything less from the son of a Death Eater."

            "I'm going to ask Professor McGonagall about it. Come on, Ron, if there really is a meeting, we better hop to it," Hermione said.

            Ron however looked at Hermione horrified. "You know I want to see Malfoy and Snape get their come-up-ins, but if Malfoy lied and Snape finds out that you told McGonagall…Well, let's just say that I'd want to move out of London."

            "He won't find out," Hermione said with assurance. "Now come on!" She grabbed Ron's hand and pulled him out the door. There were a few minutes of silence before either Ginny or Harry said anything.

            "It's really getting dark outside," Ginny commented from her seat by the window. Harry glanced up at her and then out the window.

            "You're right, it is," Harry said, wearily taking a seat.

            Ginny looked at him carefully. "Wanna talk about it?"

            Harry gave her a small smile and shook his head. The room fell silent once again. Wind began to howl outside the train as raindrops hit the windows in an unrelenting fury. Over the wind and the rain, Harry some how managed to make out Ginny's sudden gasp.

            Harry looked at her. "Ginny what—?" Ginny was staring outside the darkening window, but Harry managed to catch sight of something green high up in the sky.

            He ran over to the window to get a closer look as screams erupted throughout the train. The Dark Mark was blazing brightly. The snake protruding out of the skull's mouth seemed to be hissing right at the train.

            Cries of fear continued to erupt throughout the train. Harry actually expected the Dark Mark to disappear as the train continued to move forward, but in actuality it was slowing. A few minutes later, the Hogwarts Express had come to a complete stop. Then, with a click, the lights on the train flickered and went out. The Dark Mark's brightness reflected an eerie green color into the passenger windows before Harry found his wand and whispered, "Lumos!"

            "Everyone alright in here?" Harry turned to the doorway where Professor McGonagall was standing, fashioned in her normal green robes. Her wand too, was lit and brandishing light into the room.

            "Yes, everything is fine, Professor," Harry said. Professor McGonagall gave an anxious nod and then headed down to the next cabin. Harry glanced at Ginny whose face was still staring at the Dark Mark in fear.

            "Everyone! Can I have your attention please?" Harry and Ginny ran to the doorway and looked down the hall. Harry could barely make out Kingsley's face through the flickering fire burning on the tip of his wand, but it was definitely him. Wizards with lit wands flanked him on either side. On the left was Mad-Eye Moody, on the right was Remus Lupin himself.

            "Please remain calm! I'm going to ask that all students and teachers remain in their cabin! And please try not to use your wands until you've been cleared, thank you!" The three wizards instantly broke apart and filed down the hallway. Kingsley headed towards the back of the train, Moody took the front, and Lupin took the middle.

            "Professor Lupin!" Harry called the moment Lupin walked in front of his door.

            "Harry!" he greeted. "Ginny!

            "Professor, what's going on?" Harry asked.

            Lupin instantly turned serious. "Someone conjured the Dark Mark. As soon as the Order got word, we had the train stopped."

            "You think that someone on the train configured the Mark?" Ginny questioned.

            Lupin exhaled. "It is unlikely that a student or a teacher conjured the Mark, but this time around, we're being thorough. I know this is silly, but I'm required to ask for both your wands."

            Harry and Ginny both obligingly reached for their wands and handed them to Lupin. Lupin blew out Harry's flame and held his wand to Harry's tip. "Thrice Prior Incantato!" Harry had seen the prior incantation spell only done once before, and that was during the Quidditch World Cup after finding Winky with his wand. This time, instead of having one faint image appear from the wand's tip, there were three. First was a resemblance of fire, second were the words "Accio parchment," and third was the word "Stupefy," which was the last spell Harry had performed in his battle against Bellatrix Lestrange.

            Professor Lupin handed Harry's wand back to him and performed the same spell with Ginny's wand. A stunning spell came out twice followed by a disarming charm. Lupin handed Ginny her wand back as well and then stood up to leave.

            "You got my letter, Harry?" Lupin asked.

            "Yes," Harry said and grinned. "Tonks almost forget to give it to me."

            Lupin smiled. "That's Tonks for you." They stood there looking at each other for a moment. "I meant every word I said," Lupin finally said.

            "Thanks," Harry responded.

            "Now, I've got other wands to check. Take care Harry, Ginny." With that, Lupin had left the room, heading down to the next cabin.

            Harry and Ginny were about to return to their seats when shouting voices made their way down the hall. Harry instantly recognized one of them as Hermione. Harry took off down the hall, and stopped in the fifth room on the right. Fire from several wands lit up the room. Tears in Hermione's eyes reflected off the fluttering flames. A wispy reminiscent of the Dark Mark hovered inches from Hermione's wand that was currently in Moody's hand.

            "I didn't conjure the Dark Mark!" Hermione was protesting. "I don't even know how!"

            Mad-Eye glared at Hermione but didn't say anything. "Everyone out of this room, now!" he growled. The remaining prefects nervously exited, filling into the hallway. "Except Weasley. You can enter, Potter." Harry walked in and sat next to Ron and across from Hermione.

            Moody hobbled over to the hallway. "Remus! Get down here!" Moody came back into the room and waited for Lupin. The moment he entered, he took a look at the occupants and frowned, confused.

            "What's going on, Moody?" Remus asked. In response Moody tapped Hermione's wand once again as the same foggy form of the Dark Mark appeared out of the tip of her wand.

            Remus looked at Hermione in surprise. "Hermione, can you explain this?" Remus asked. Hermione shook her head tearfully.

            "I was with Ron the whole time! He can tell you!"

            "Remus, get Amos Diggory and Arthur Weasley down here," Moody ordered. Remus gave Moody an odd look but with a crack, he Disapparated. Neither Harry nor Ron understood why Moody had requested Amos Diggory or Arthur Weasley's presence, but he supposed they were about to find out.

            Very little time passed before Remus returned with the two confused men. "What's going on? Remus didn't have time to explain. Ron?" Mr. Weasley said after noticing his son. Moody, however, ignored Mr. Weasley and turned to Diggory.

            "Were these three the ones who heard the incantation of the Dark Mark the night of the Quidditch World Cup?" Moody asked Diggory.

            Diggory looked at the three of them, and his eyes rested on Harry. "Yes, yes they were."

            "Moody, you can't be serious," Arthur said in disbelief. "We already proved that the formation of the Mark was done by none other than Barty Crouch's son."

            "True," Moody growled. "But I've just proved that all three of them heard the incantation, and found that Granger's wand did produce the Dark Mark this evening." Diggory's eyes reared around to face Hermione.

            "Explain yourself, girl! Why have you concocted the Mark of the Dark Lord?" Diggory asked with the same harshness he had shown Winky.

            "I-I didn't. I swear," Hermione whimpered.

            "That's enough, Diggory—" Arthur tried to intervene.

            "Who can vouch for that? Who can say you didn't do it to have a little fun? Stir up the neighborhood now that He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named is back." Diggory fired the questions and accusations at Hermione one wave after another.

            "Diggory, now really—" Lupin said breaking in.

            "I can," Ron spoke loudly through the arguing voices.

            "You can what?" Diggory asked as all eyes turned to Ron.

            "I was with Hermione the whole time. She never once took out her wand to conjure the mark," Ron said speaking with confidence.

            No one said a word. Finally Lupin turned her. "Hermione, did you ever once notice that your wand was missing?" Lupin asked kindly.

            Hermione shook her head. "I've had it with me this whole time."

            "She's lying!" Diggory burst out. "And that boy is just covering up for her. He was probably in the whole thing too—"

            "MY SON IS AS HONEST AS-AS YOU OR ME, DIGGORY!" Arthur Weasley raged. "AND I WILL NOT STAND FOR THESE ALLIGATIONS AGAINST HIM OR HERMIONE GRANGER!"

            Hermione seemed to gain confidence at Mr. Weasley's words for she stood up and faced Amos Diggory himself. "I've worked hard, along with my friends, Ron and Harry, Mr. Diggory, to stop Voldemort's reign of terror. I, in no way shape or form, plan to encourage fear now that Voldemort has returned. Now, was I at the World Cup? Yes. Did I hear the incantation of the Dark Mark? Yes. Do I remember it? No. Would I conjure it? No. Would I knowingly allow someone to conjure it with my wand? No. I'm telling you, Mr. Diggory, that I did not form that Mark tonight and I don't know why it appears that I have." Hermione left her speech at that and sat down.

            Amos Diggory continued to stare at her, but now it was with horror. "She said his name!" Diggory cried, as if forgetting everything Hermione had just said. "That proves it."

            "It proves nothing, Amos," Arthur said. "Death Eaters don't even speak his name."

            For once, Diggory didn't have a response. "I think it's time for us to return to the Ministry and let these kids get to school. They've been delayed an hour already," Lupin commented.

            "But the Mark—" Diggory gestured.

            "Was apparently conjured by Mrs. Granger's wand, but there is nothing we can do to prove that the spell was performed by the wand's owner," Lupin said calmly.

            Diggory looked like he was going to burst out in anger once again, but instead he Disapparated with a crack.

Moody eyed Hermione with suspicion. "Keep on your guard, you three," he grumbled. "Constant vigilance!" with that, he too Disapparated.

"Be good," Arthur Weasley said distractedly. "And don't worry about tonight. We'll get to the bottom of this." Crack! Mr. Weasley disappeared.

"I guess this is good-bye again, Harry," Lupin said nodding towards him. "Good-bye, Ron." Lupin turned to Hermione and opened his arms. Hermione stood up and took him in a hug. "Don't let this get to you, Hermione. Arthur is right, we'll do our best to figure out what happened." Lupin released her and made his way to the door and down the hall to find Kingsley.

A few minutes later the lights flickered on and the Dark Mark became a shadow behind them. The Hogwarts Express was finally on its way to school.