Disclaimer; I do not own Harry Potter...er, I'm sure there was something else I meant to tell you....nope, it's gone.



Ch.6 - An Unexpected Turn



As they climbed up the steps, Harry, Ron and Hermione caught a glimpse of the boats as they ducked under the cliff.

"I hope she's alright," whispered Hermione, as they filed inside. Professor McGonagall was waiting in the Entrance Hall.

"Prefects, this way please," she called sharply. Harry and Ron hesitated, "That does include you," she said, watching them. They followed Hermione and the other Gryffindor prefects (the Ravenclaw, Hufflepuff and Slytherin prefects had all followed their heads of house). Professor McGonagall lead them to a small office beside the Great Hall and indicated that they should sit.

"I have simply called you here to ask if you understand the conditions of being prefects and to tell you that the new password is 'Hinkypunk', I don't want you to miss the Sorting Ceremony so, unless you have any questions, you may go." Her 'asking that they understood' had been rhetorical and, as no one moved - save to shift slightly uncomfortably - she said, "Very well, you may go. Potter and Weasley, a word." Harry watched Hermione walk self-importantly out of the office and wondered what McGonagall could want to blame/punish him for so early in the term.

"You both wish to be prefects?" she asked. They nodded, "This was Professor Dumbledore's idea" she said, slightly sniffily, "He seemed to think you deserved this and was very disappointed that neither of you had applied. However, just because you have been.... specially selected by the Headmaster does not mean you will be any different to the other prefects," she paused to give them time to take this information in, "Which means you should both be wearing your badges," she scowled slightly - there was the McGonagall he knew, Harry thought as he hurriedly pinned his badge on, "You may go, I have to get the first years now." Although she hadn't told them off, Harry had got the distinct impression that she disapproved.

Hermione was waiting for them in the Entrance Hall, she had decided she was proud of them, rather than angry, and was being perfectly nice again. They slipped into the Great Hall and their places at Gryffindor table. Harry ran his eyes along the staff table - he couldn't see a new face among them. Then he realised why.

"Look!" he said, nudging Ron and Hermione in the ribs, "Look, he's back!" Seated as far away from Snape as he could get, was Professor Lupin. He caught Harry's eye and smiled.

Just then, the first years began to shuffle in nervously, followed by Professor McGonagall with the Sorting Hat. A few of the them jumped as it began to sing;



Now here you stand behind me,

And though you would not think to look,

Your teachers once stood where you are now

And at the time they shook!



So small was Flitwick at the time

That, what, do you suppose?

When he tried me on his head,

I fell down to his toes!



McGonagall a few years on,

Without a shred of doubt,

Was barely on the stool when I

"Gryffindor" did shout.



Professor Sprout was next to come,

Even then she was a scruff ,

A definite herbologist

And worthy Hufflepuff .



Sev'rus Snape was last to join,

Cunning, wry and thin,

This wise yet devious mind at once

Was placed in Slytherin.



So there you have the heads of house,

But I can see within,

That makes me the head of heads, for I'll decide

Whose steps you'll follow in.



The Great Hall burst into applause - the hat seemed very pleased, the brim was twisted into what was unmistakeably a smile, everyone had laughed in the right places. Professor McGonagall was smiling good naturedly, and Professors Flitwick and Sprout were laughing. Harry noticed that Snape was staring at the hat menacingly, and Harry wondered if it hadn't acquired one or two of its rips by a singing a similar - but more insulting - song about Snape.

As the first years began trying on the hat, Harry played spot the Slytherin - it was quite easy, you just looked for the nasty or evil looking ones. He didn't pay much attention - applauding politely when anyone was sorted into Gryffindor - until Gwyn stepped up. She looked very nervous, Harry crossed his fingers for her under the table. Even from this distance, Harry could see she was shaking as she picked up the hat. She put it on.

"SLYTHERIN!" it yelled. Harry saw Gwyn's hands tense, and Hermione gave a little gasp. When Gwyn took the hat off she was white - white except for a red mark on one cheek. She was staring at Professor McGonagall imploringly, but McGonagall didn't notice - she was simply calling 'Fry, Lawrence' up. Gwyn went off to join the Slytherins - none of whom were applauding her. She threw a desperate glance towards Hermione.

"They must have made a mistake," Hermione was whispering, but there was nothing any of them could do.

The Sorting was over and food had materialised. Harry noticed that Hermione was frowning as she ate. At first he thought she was worrying about Gwyn, but then he noticed the bright, circular badge pinned beside her prefect one. With a surge of guilt he remembered what he couldn't believe he'd forgotten all summer. Hermione was practically crying into her gravy, she had a very small portion and it remained mostly untouched, she was only picking . Harry suddenly found that he wasn't hungry either, in fact he felt slightly sick, wondering what had happened to Winky. He also began worrying about Sirius - he hadn't been able to send him food all summer. Hermione helped him sneak a substantial amount of food from the table using several neat little charms she'd learnt over the holidays. The puddings faded away, untouched by Hermione, and with Harry not noticing what he'd eaten, and then everyone began to trail towards bed.

Harry stayed so he could talk to Lupin - it seemed the polite thing to do, but also he wanted to. Ron and Hermione followed him to the emptying staff table - Lupin remained, apparently waiting for them.

"Hello," he said simply as they reached the table.

"You're back!" whispered Harry, his face breaking into a slightly self conscious smile. Lupin glanced at his own shoes and legs.

"So I am!" he said, also smiling, "I must say, that's a very interesting badge you have there Miss. Granger, er, what is s-p-e-w?" Hermione smiled - at last someone had said it right.

"It stands for 'the Society for the Promotion of Elfish Welfare," she said proudly, "Oh! That reminds me-!" She dashed out of the hall.

"How very interest-" Lupin's voice trailed off after Hermione's retreating back, "oh."

"What made you change your mind?" asked Harry.

"Well - if we discount Lockhart for being an idiotic and incompetent git" he began, "then every other Defence Against the Dark Arts teacher you have had has tried to kill you," he said very calmly and rationally, "I decided I would worry about you, and that the only person I knew I could trust for the job is me, and Dumbledore was perfectly happy to have me back."

"Oh, right," said Harry.



***



"Where do you think Hermione's gone?" asked Harry, as they glanced round the common room.

"Dunno," Ron replied, "Probably stirring up rebellion." Harry smiled weakly. They flopped down into two of the armchairs to wait. A minute later Hermione burst through the portrait hole. It was a good thing most people had drifted off to bed, because Harry knew Hermione wouldn't want people to see her in this state. She sank down into the vacant chair next to Ron. Tears had already been streaming uncontrollably down her cheeks, now they were accompanied by sobs. She buried her head in Ron's shoulder. He put his arm reassuringly (although slightly awkwardly) around her.

"Hey," he said gently, "Hey, what's wrong?" Hermione just continued to sob, the only words Ron and Harry managed to discern were

"Oh! That horrible, horrible Mr. Crouch!"