Disclaimer: I don't own any characters, things, or places you recognize from the Potter-verse.
CHAPTER SEVEN: Return To Hogwarts
The three were almost at the end of the train by the time they came across an empty compartment. They filed in and Ron slid the door closed. Harry looked up and like him, the other two had a look on their faces that plainly stated, "we need to talk." Harry decided to start. "I know we need to talk." They all sat down looking at each other. Since no one knew where to begin there was silence for sometime. "Has anyone heard from Hagrid this summer? He usually writes me at least once but I never got a letter from him all summer."
"Do you think something went wrong with that special business Dumbledore sent him on at the end of last year?"
"I hope not. I read if you insult giants they can get pretty upset. Trying to get the giants and giantesses to stay on our side is a good idea, but..." she trailed off. Another silence followed but was broken by the slide of the compartment door.
Neville Longbottom came in with Dean Thomas and Seamus Finnigan. "Hullo," Neville sounded miserable.
"Hi, Neville," Hermione tried to sound cheerful. "Do you want to play Exploding Snap with us? We were just going to start a game."
"Why not?"
Seamus whispered to Harry, "His toad got worse and he died. I wish that toad was still around. I can't stand watching Neville mope like this." Hermione began to deal out the cards.
At around one o'clock the witch who handled the food cart knocked on the compartment door. "Anything off the cart dears?"
Harry got up and brought back Cauldron Cakes, Licorice Whips, Pumpkin Pasties, Bertie Botts Every Flavor Beans, Chocolate Frogs, Droobles Best Blowing Bubble-Gum and just about some of every other candy from the cart. He paid the woman 12 Silver Sickles and 3 Bronze Knuts. Then he brought the candy back and laid it on an empty seat. They sat eating for a while, stopping every so often to talk.
"Hermione, were you made a Prefect this year?"
"No, I was bothered that it wasn't in my letter."
"That's weird, I mean you practically get better grades than Percy did."
"I know..." Hermione looked like she might get upset.
Sensing the distress Harry searched for something, anything, to say. "Anybody want a Chocolate Frog?" Both Ron and Hermione accepted one each for the moment and Harry opened one, too. Then he looked at the card that came with it. Chocolate Frogs always came with a card of a famous witch or wizard.
Ron looked at the card that had come with his own frog, "Hey, I haven't seen this one yet."
As Harry stood up to look at Ron's card, the compartment door slid open and he was propelled backward by a rather heavily built boy his own age, known as Crabbe. Draco Malfoy had entered the compartment with his two large companions, Vincent Crabbe and Gregory Goyle. The two of them seemed to exist solely to do Malfoy's bidding. Harry looked at Malfoy eye to eye.
Malfoy began to speak in his usual drawl. "Well if it isn't Potty, the Weasel and their little Mudblood pet. This year will be a nightmare for you, I swear. I doubt that any of you will survive. If I were you, I wouldn't step off this train." Ron sprang up and Hermione was looking murder. Harry started forward again.
All three spoke at once. Well, it was more like a shout, "What did you say?" Hermione stalked over and punched Malfoy in the face, Ron and Harry would have told her how proud they were that she had punched him but they were more interested in getting Malfoy back themselves. Harry and Ron grabbed the front of Malfoy's robes and as Crabbe and Goyle tried to push them away a person was directly behind the three standing in the door, "I hope no one in here is fighting. You wouldn't want me to hand out any detentions before we even had class, would you?" Professor Delano smiled pleasantly. "Hermione, sit down; Harry, Ron, let go of that boy's robes. I want you three," she looked down at Malfoy, Crabbe, and Goyle. "To leave and go stay in another part of the train. Now." The last word seemed to cut the very air and the three left. The Professor came in followed by Renata and Ginny. They all sat down.
Hermione wasted no time in stating her argument. "Professor, we were just talking when Malfoy, Crabbe, and Goyle came in and—"
"Hermione, whatever they did was no excuse for fighting."
"Malfoy called her a Mudblood, he came in here insulting all of us and looking for a fight—" Ron said. "And how did you retaliate?"
"I punched Malfoy in the face," Hermione admitted. "He deserved it."
"Nonetheless you could have all gotten in serious trouble. Really, and grabbing the front of his robes...I'll go see what I can do about his face to prevent the black eye. I don't want any of you to give any trouble." The professor proceeded out the compartment door without a word.
Under his breath Harry muttered, "I could've knocked him out."
"What?" Renata tilted her head and looked at him.
"Nothing."
"Fine, have it your own way. Hermione it's getting late the train will probably be at Hogwarts soon, we should change into our robes, now." All three girls got up and left.
Shaking his head Ron turned to Harry, "I'll never understand them." They both put on their robes.
The train pulled into the Hogsmeade station about fifteen minutes later. It had turned cold and windy but as Harry wrapped his cloak tighter around him he was glad that it wasn't raining this year. Harry and Ron stepped off the train and onto the platform and they looked around for Hermione and Renata. They spotted them and then heard a booming voice from across the way. "Firs' Years! Firs' years follow me! Yeh alrigh' there Harry? Ron? Hermione?" Hagrid waved to them and then headed off down the path with the first years. Harry, Ron, and Hermione led Renata over to where the carriages stood that would take them to Hogwarts. As soon as they were inside the carriage it took off, despite the fact that there were no visible horses.
As Renata admired the view there was silence. They were almost at the school when the silence was suddenly broken by Hermione. "Don't forget we have to go to Dumbledore's office. The password is 'Chocolate Frog,' right?"
"Yeah, that's what we were told," Ron said.
"It wouldn't be that hard to figure out anyway. Dumbledore always uses candy as his password." As Harry said this, the carriage came to an abrupt halt outside of the castle. As the four of them disembarked from the carriage and mounted the steps, a silent form came up to them. It was Professor McGonagall.
"Don't forget your appointment." And she left.
The four of them continued up the steps and went inside. Once inside, Harry felt like he had come home again at last. He then led the others up the stairs and through the corridors that led to Professor Dumbledore's office. When he found the stone gargoyle he said to it, "Chocolate Frog," the stone came to life and stepped aside revealing a staircase. They all went in and the gargoyle sprang back into place. When they reached the top of the stairs Harry knocked on the door.
It was pulled open by Professor Dumbledore, smiling at them with his usual twinkling eyes behind their half moon spectacles that were perched upon his long crooked nose. "Come in. We have a few orders of business to take care of." They all took seats in front of his desk. Harry looked around and found Fawkes on his usual perch. "Renata, allow me to welcome you to Hogwarts, I hope you will enjoy your years here. Tonight after the first years are sorted into their houses, you will also be sorted. I want the three of you to help Renata find her way around the school and grounds. I'm sure you all remember how tough your first days here were.
"Now, for the three of you I have some excellent news. Due to special services to the school you are all Prefects this year. Miss Granger, you would have been made a Prefect due to your excellent marks as well but there are other reasons for the three of you to be here." He handed the three of them badges with the letter "P" on them.
"Now all of you have rather a reputation at this school. We appreciate all you've done for the school but in the future please tell us of these things rather than taking them on yourselves. Stay out of trouble or extreme actions will be taken. Stay out of the Forest and away from other restricted areas as well. All the same I would like to release some information to you that I'm sure you understand is confidential. You all know that Voldemort has returned and we must all be on our guards, that means no sneaking off to the forest, no being out of bounds, especially at night, and if you find something out come to me or one of the teachers. If any of you are needed we will let you know but for the time being the most you can do is inform us when there is trouble afoot. Voldemort has not announced to the general public that he has returned yet, but our intelligence has informed us that he is gathering strength."
"Yes, Professor," they all answered in unison.
"You may all go now." Ron, Hermione, and Renata got up and went to the door but Harry remained seated.
"Professor, can I stay a minute? I've got a couple questions."
"Certainly, Harry."
The others left.
"I saw something several times this summer that I could have sworn was a Phoenix. Did you send Fawkes after me?"
Dumbledore looked grave and some of the twinkle had vanished from his bright eyes. "No, Harry, I didn't. Fawkes has been with me all summer."
Harry began to feel a bit unsettled. "Why does Voldemort want to kill me? What is he after? Why? I know you know, so just tell me."
"I'm sorry, Harry, I don't deem it wise to tell you just now but I can assure you that one day you will know and that I will do everything in my power to keep him from regaining his power over other wizards. He can be defeated. We really should be getting down to the feast now. As it is we've missed the sorting. Come along, now." Dumbledore got up and went to the door. Harry followed him out. They all went down to the Great Hall.
Professor Dumbledore took the center seat of the staff table. Renata stood next to Professor McGonagall as Dumbledore had instructed her to. Harry, Ron, and Hermione took seats at the Gryffindor table which already had new students seated around it. Professor McGonagall called the last name on the list and "Winter, Darren" became a Ravenclaw. He got off the three-legged stool and went over to sit at the Ravenclaw table.
Dumbledore stood up and cleared his throat. "We have a new pupil joining our 5th year students. Renata Delano has just transferred from The Angels Magical Academy of California." Renata sat on the three-legged stool the first years had sat on and put the sorting hat on. It then shouted "Gryffindor!" Renata then put the Hat back on the stool and walked over to the applauding Gryffindor table and sat next to Hermione.
Professor Dumbledore stood up. "Before we can begin our feast I have a few announcements to make. We have a new faculty member in our staff this year. Please welcome Professor Delano as your new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher. I would like to remind you all that the Forest on the grounds is strictly forbidden due to various dangers. I would also like to inform you that the curfew to be within the castle and in your room or house common room; will be enforced. Also, use of magic in the corridor between classes is not allowed. Now sit back and enjoy the feast!" Suddenly the plates and platters empty only seconds before were filled with delicious foods of all kinds. As Dumbledore took one last look at the students before sitting down, he was wearing a smile on his face so wide his face was almost unable to hold it.
Everyone began to talk at once. Renata was almost immediately bombarded with questions from Lavender Brown and Parvati Patel such as, "What's like in the States?" and "Isn't it so nice here?"
Ron began to speak to Harry in an undertone. "So, what's the news? Did he—"
"Hey!" Fred poked George and pointed to the badge Ron was wearing. "Another Prefect in the family. I thought Percy was the last."
George shook his head solemnly and looked at Ron. "I thought we taught you better." He then went back to his conversation with Lee Jordan about why tarantulas should have ten legs and discussing different methods for proving his hypothesis true.
Harry turned to Ron, who couldn't stand spiders. "Er—what did Dumbledore say?" repeated Ron.
Harry answered him in the same quiet tone. "He didn't send Fawkes after me this summer. And he won't tell me about why I'm wanted dead."
"Nothing?"
"Nothing."
"Cheer up, I bet we can find something at the library."
Across from Harry Seamus Finnigan was muttering to Dean Thomas. "I still can't believe the new Defense Against the Dark Arts Professor is a girl;, she won't last."
"Lets hope she lasts longer than our other Defense Against the Dark Arts teachers. Probably won't last any longer than they did, though. I can't believe it, a witch! A month and I but she'll leave."
Hearing this Renata looked up, she was not happy. Harry and Ron watched, amused. She whispered to Hermione, "What're their names?"
"Dean Thomas and Seamus Finnigan."
"Look you two," she stared at them and spoke in the same no-nonsense voice her mother had used when talking to Harry, Ron, and Hermione after the meeting. There almost seemed to be fire in her eyes. "Don't say anything. Just trust me. I wouldn't do anything against the rules but you would definitely regret it if you crossed me, you stupid, narrow-minded boys. You don't want to mess with me, by the way, insulting my mom like that is one of the worst ways to get me mad so don't do it." The look in her eyes remained a dangerous one.
After a few minutes the two boys hesitantly began to speak again, talking about Quidditch. The night continued to pass. The enchanted ceiling that mirrored the sky was a deep black dotted with bright stars. When everyone had eaten as much as they could the remaining food vanished, leaving the plates as sparkling as before. The serving platters now contained desserts: ice creams in every flavor, candies, cakes, pies, and treacle fudge.
When they had all finished their desert. Dumbledore stood up for his final announcement for the night. "Before we all trot off to bed, I have one more announcement to make. Our regular Quidditch season will resume this year. If you are interested in playing for your house team please contact Madam Hooch. Now off to bed with you all." Everyone got up and headed to their houses. The Gryffindors all went up the marble staircase and tread the familiar path to Gryffindor Tower. The continued up flights of stairs, down corridors, behind and hidden doors. To everyone's surprise that knew him well, Neville remembered to jump the trick step he always got stuck in. Harry was so surprised that he nearly forgot to skip it himself.
Eventually the crowd of students came to the painting of the Fat Lady in the pink dress. "Password?" She inquired.
A Gryffindor Prefect, one who had been notified a head of time and received the password spoke, "Magister!" The word was spoken in a clear and carrying voice so that all the Gryffindors would hear it. The portrait swung open silently and everyone filed in through the circular passage. As Harry step in he was greeted by the comfort of seeing the Gryffindor Common Room just as he always remembered it: large overstuffed chairs, tables on which to do homework, the fireplace and two sets of stairs.
Harry and Ron said goodnight to Hermione as she led Renata up the stairs to the girls' rooms. Harry and Ron climbed the winding stairs until they reached the door that now read FIFTH YEARS. The circular room had the same familiar four-poster beds, five of them. Near each bed was a small bedside locker and at the end of each bed were the boys' trunks, which had been brought up while they students had been at the feast. Behind Harry and Ron came Neville, Seamus, and Dean.
As they climbed into their pajamas, Seamus looked over and spoke to Harry, "That new girl has a bad temper. I don't like it."
"She's mean," agreed Seamus.
"Just don't make her mad then. She isn't really that bad," Harry pulled the crimson hangings closed and drifted into sleep.
In the morning Harry woke up and put on his Hogwarts robes. When Ron was ready they got their books and went down to the Great Hall for breakfast. Plunging into his oatmeal Ron asked between mouthfuls, "I wonder what we have today?" George, sitting across from him passed him his schedule and Harry's. Ron looked down at it in disgust, "We've got Snape first!"
"Then Delano and then Hagrid." Hedwig flew in the large windows with hundreds of other owls dropping letters. To Harry's mild surprise she had a letter for him. He opened it and let Ron read it over his shoulder once he saw whom it was from.
Dear Harry,
Just wanted to wish you some luck on your first day back at school. Have a good term. I'll see you when I can. Stay OUT of trouble. I mean it. Have a good term.
Sirius
"He really thinks I can't take care of myself. They all do."
"Harry, that's not true and you know it," Hermione told him in a know-it-all voice as she sat down beside him. "Be nice when you write back later, he is just looking out for you."
"Who made you the boss? Harry doesn't need you telling him what to do," Ron told her in annoyed tone.
"I don't remember asking your opinion Ron."
Harry, who knew they were in all the same classes that day didn't want to have to deal with the two of them being in a fight and not talking to each other. "Er—look, we really should get to class. As it is, if Snape found out about what you did to Malfoy on the train Hermione, they'll both be worse than usual."
Professor Severus Snape was the potions master and head of the Slytherin House. He generally favored students of his own house, Slytherin, and he seemed especially hateful toward Gryffindors and he loathed Harry most of all. It didn't help that Harry's class had double-potions with the Slytherins. The three of them stood up and Hermione brought Renata along behind her.
When they reached the dungeon classroom it was chilly. Most of the Slytherins were already waiting. When Snape got there and let the class in, Harry and Ron sat at the table at the back of the room, with Hermione and Renata at the next table. To Harry's great irritation Malfoy sat directly in front of him with Crabbe on one side and Goyle on the other.
Snape spoke in barely over a whisper but he had no problems keeping control of the class. "I'm sure you have forgotten what little you managed learn last year, the summer vacation has undoubtedly wiped it all from your minds. No matter, it only means that this year will be harder for you dunderheads than it needs to. Take out your books and turn to page 387. Now! Read it all and take out the supplies you need to begin your potion. A simple one for keeping pests at least three feet away at all times. I'd be surprised if you all don't end up three feet from each other until the potion wears off. What are you waiting for? Start!"
Harry skimmed the page and took out his kit of basic potions ingredients. He removed caterpillar legs, the wings of lacewing flies, and other numerous things from the pack before returning it to the bag with his books in it. After grounding and slicing the necessary ingredients Harry let the potion simmer. Ron, as well as almost everyone else, was doing the same thing. Malfoy began to talk loudly to Crabbe and Goyle and as he got up to wash off his knife, and his mallet he began, "That new teacher looks utterly hopeless. I seriously doubt that she'll live through the month. Anyone want to start placing bets?"
As Malfoy passed his way Harry couldn't resist answering back in a quiet voice. "Yeah I was going to say the same thing about your Quidditch career. Your father can't by your way through life forever."
"Potter! Five points from Gryffindor for talking out of turn," Snape spoke the words with obvious delight.
Renata sitting nearby was very offended. She tripped Malfoy on his way back and turned to Hermione to say, "But that isn't right he just—Ow!"
Hermione had stepped on her foot, "We don't want to lose anymore points."
"For homework I would like everyone to write an essay, two rolls of parchment long, about why bats' ears are a significant part of the ingredients used in this potion. This is to be handed in by Monday."
It came time for everyone to test his or her potions. Amazingly enough there was nothing wrong with Neville's potion; Potions was his worst class and he always went to pieces in it. In addition, there were no insects of any sort bugging them all for two hours.
As they left class, Renata blurted out, "He is brutal, he had no excuse for picking on Harry and not punishing that other boy—uh, Malfoy. But what are the points he was taking about?"
"House points are awarded and removed throughout the year and at the end of the year, the house with the most points wins the House Cup. Gryffindor has won the last four years."
After the morning break, the Gryffindor fifth years went to Defense Against the Dark Arts, all wondering what it would be like. They all took seats and waited. In a few minutes Professor Delano arrived and stood behind her desk. "I would like to introduce myself as Professor Delano. I have been reviewing your work in this class since your first year and I am not impressed." Murmurs of protest began to break out over this. The Professor held up her hand for silence. "I have heard all about the difficult circumstances every year for your class, but this year you will be taking your O.W.L.s and you need to be prepared. I will be working with you in units. The first shall be curses since that seems to be where you left off; next will be evil places; and we will finish off with magical creatures since you seemed to have a good back round in those. Any questions? Please give your name before you ask."
"I'm Dean Thomas. Are you actually gonna teach here all year?"
"Yes, Dean, unlike all of the previous teachers who have filled this position of late I will finish the year and quite probably do the same for the next two years, at least."
"I am Seamus Finnagin. I heard that the job—"
"No, Seamus, this position is not jinxed or cursed, as some of you would believe. Anyone else?"
Lavender Brown raised her hand, "I'm Lavender, and I was wondering: Now that you are here what do you think of Hogwarts?"
"Actually none of this is new to me. Although I grew up in California, I attended Hogwarts and stayed in England for a year afterwards. In fact, I was in the same year as one of your past teachers. Professor Lupin. I didn't move back to the United States until after my graduation. If there are no more questions related to the curriculum we shall get a start on it." Professor Delano picked up her wand and after saying a few well-chosen words there was a list of notes on the blackboard behind her. "Everyone please copy this and any other information I add down onto your papers please."
She began a long discussion on curses and the elements in a spell that cause the curse. Then she went over a few examples of simple curses and methods of dodging them and blocking them. "Next time we have class we shall get deeper into the actual curses and counter-curses. Last year you studied the unforgivable curses. Please write me a summary on them and have it in by Monday. There is still class time left so why don't all of you begin your assignment now?"
When the class was over the students gathered their books into their bags and hustled out to the Great Hall for lunch. Ron turned to Harry; "I wonder what Hagrid is going to do for our class today?"
"Could be anything from flobberworms to hippogriffs."
"Is Buckbeak still with Sirius?"
"Yeah," Harry answered as he sat down. "What did you think of Delano's class?"
"It wasn't' bad. I still think we shouldn't have to take that class."
"You probably are right." He ate his lunch "We'd better go down to Hagrid's hut now lunch is just about over." Together they made there way out of the castle and across the grounds to Hagrid's hut. As Harry approached the hut he heard Malfoy complaining loudly in his lazy drawl.
"I honestly can't believe that oaf is still teaching here. He should have been fired ages ago, he shouldn't even have attended Hogwarts in the first place. Honestly, I can't believe this school can get any lower. It's repulsive, allowing people like him."
"Keep talking Malfoy and I'll pound you."
"Really, Weasley? You could take Hagrid's place if he was gone, then maybe your parents could both afford to eat."
Ron dove at Malfoy and just before his hit fell he was pulled back by a powerful arm.
"Break it up you two! Stop it or yeh both 're gettin' detention!" After pulling Ron far enough away so that he wouldn't go after Malfoy again, he continued to steer Ron away and beckoned Harry and Hermione to follow. Renata came, too. "Now will yeh tell me what all that was abou'? I thought yeh had better sense Ron. I know Malfoy's got no more sense than a flobberworm, but I thought yeh had some."
"Malfoy was insulting my family! And you."
"I know, I know, but it doesn't mean yeh wouldn't get in trouble if yeh got caught fightin'. It looks like he had a black eye already but that was almost gone."
"I punched him on the train yesterday, and Professor Delano helped fix his eye so it wouldn't look so bad and we wouldn't be in trouble for fighting," Hermione said.
"Well, I thought yeh all knew better. Now who's this? Oh you're Jennifer's girl. Renata, is it?"
"Yes, Professor."
"Nah, jus' call me Hagrid. Everybody does. Now all of yeh can join the class." Hagrid went to get something waiting at the edge of the forest. He came back with a baby dragon. "We're gonna start class this year with a dragon. For the next week yer all gonna get to help take care of Mulberry here. She's a Romanian Longhorn. Then she'll be shipped off to be released into the wild." Hagrid was positively beaming; the class was looking very uncertain, some seemed downright terrified. "I'm gonna put yeh all in groups of four of five for turns at taken care of the dragon. He started listing groups. Finally there were only eight people left without groups. "Malfoy, Crabbe, Goyle, and Pansy you're all together. And Harry, Ron, Hermione, and Renata together. Alright now, here're the lists of when ter come down." He passed a copy out to each of the students. "When yeh come down yeh gotta feed her and then make sure she is locked up for the night."
"Do we have to come to this hovel? It's bad enough that we have to come for our lessons," Malfoy asked with a sneer.
"Yeh do if yeh wanna pass this class. Go on now."
Harry pushed his way over to Hagrid. "Are you sure you're allowed to have that dragon, Hagrid?" Harry remembered all too well what it was like when Hagrid had won a dragon egg in a game of cards four years before and how difficult it had been to help hide it and take care of it. He also remembered how much trouble they had wound up in when they were finally able to get rid of the dragon. Norbert had been an awful mess to take care of. Harry desperately hoped that this was different.
"I cleared it with Dumbledore meself. I got to take care of 'er the last week. So sweet isn' she? An' now I get to use her for my class. She's beautiful!" His beetle black eyes were wet with tears of joy.
"Hagrid, don't get too attached you know you can't keep her," Hermione used as firm a voice as she could muster.
"I know, I know, but at least she gets to stay another week."
"Hagrid, we've got a couple questions to ask you." Harry still wanted to know about the summer.
"Could you ask when you come back tonight? I wanna finish Mulberry's playpen."
"Sure we've got research to do now anyway and the teachers gave us lots of homework. We'll see you later." The four them walked back to the castle. The sky had been growing cloudy and it was beginning to rain. They went back to the Tower to begin to work. Then they went down to eat in the Great Hall.
They ate finished their chicken and mashed potatoes they were about to go back up to Gryffindor Tower when Hagrid found them.
"Aren' yeh coming to help with Mulberry? It is your night."
They had completely forgotten. "Er—yeah we're coming Hagrid." They followed him outside. They walked with him to his house. "Hagrid we had a couple of questions. Did you go talk to the giants this summer? I got worried when I didn't hear from you this summer."
"I did, but I can't tell yeh the results. Not that I even know them meself, yet. But yeh shouldn't be worrin' yerselves about that just now." They reached his house and went inside. The familiar bed with its huge quilt sat in one corner. Pheasants hung from the ceiling, there was the fireplace with roaring fire and the large table with its matching chairs. As soon as Harry had entered, Fang, Hagrid's Boarhound had begun jumping up and down and licking him. In the corner Mulberry sat; steam was coming from her nostrils. Hermione went for the chicken blood and some brandy for her while Harry and Ron managed get the dragon into the "playpen" Hagrid had made for her earlier.
There was nothing really for Renata to do except watch. Then Hagrid asked them to come in for tea on Friday afternoon. After saying thanks and that they would, they left. "Why do I have the feeling you three had done that before?"
"We may have, but it's still hard. Have you ever gotten bitten by a dra—"
Harry and Hermione gave Ron severe looks.
Renata laughed. "Yeah, I know you are all troublemakers. Hiding a dragon sounds like something you'd do."
"It wasn't us!"
"It was Hagrid."
"Honestly we were lucky that we got Hagrid to get rid of Norbert at all. Norbert bit Ron and Hermione and I got detention for being out of Gryffindor Tower so late at night. At least Filch—he's the caretaker—didn't know why were out of bed. Trouble for being out of bed in the middle of the night wasn't half as bad as if they'd known we were delivering a dragon to someone."
The four of them made their way up to Gryffindor Tower. Then, after collecting their books from their rooms they began their homework in the common room. When it was late and Harry didn't feel like working anymore he went upstairs to go to bed. But there was something sitting on it already. A low voice hissed, "Ssstop, Harry Potter."