Author's Note: Thanks to all of you who reviewed. To quote myself, It has put one very tense young man a little bit at ease. Now, on with the story. . .

Chapter 4

Harry awoke the next day with a small weight on his chest. As he sat up in bed, the weight fell to his lap. He leaned over to pick up his glasses from the bedside table, put them on, and picked up the weight to look at it. It was his prefect badge, but it was slightly different. Instead of saying prefect, it now read "Perfectly Stupid". At this he sighed. Fred and George's work was slipping, as this wasn't nearly as good as what he was used to from them. He then turned to look at Ron's bed. He wasn't in it, but Harry's brain finally registered the sound of the shower. Stretching as he did so, Harry got up, and began to get himself ready for the trip to Hogwarts, via King's Cross.

* * * * * The trip to King's Cross went fairly smoothly. The Ministry lent the Weasleys' some cars, so everything went a lot better than with the cabs. They went through the barrier in pairs. Ron and Hermione, sharing a trolley and holding hands, went through the barrier first, followed by a sniggering Fred and George. Harry and Ginny just looked at each other, rolled their eyes, laughed, and went through themselves.

On the other side of the barrier, they stopped to collect themselves, then went over to where Ron and Hermione were talking to Seamus Finnigan and Dean Thomas. Ron and Seamus were in the middle of a conversation about Quidditch. Ron was speaking enthusiastically about the Cannons chances for the next season.

"I tell you Seamus, they're moving up in the league. They've got that new Chaser, Troy, from the Irish team, and he's going to lead them on their way up the table."

Seamus looked unconvinced. "Yeah, I know how good he is, but it won't matter as much if the other Chasers can't keep up. You keep saying how much better the Cannons are getting, but every year they finish ninth. They're a mediocre team, not horrible, not good. They're probably going to stay at ninth."

Ron refused to have his enthusiasm dampened. "You just wait, they'll be winning, and I'll remind you of this little conversation." At this point, Dean cut in.

"This is all well and good, but we need to be getting on the train before all the compartments are taken."

The groups said their goodbyes, then broke up and went to find compartments. Seamus and Dean went to sit with Lavender Brown and Parvati Patil, while Ron, Hermione, Ginny, and Harry went to get their own compartment. They were just settling in when the train started moving, and were finally comfortable when an unwelcome guest showed up.

"Well if it isn't Potty, Mudblood, Weasel, and the Weaselette," drawled Draco Malfoy. What a surprise. Looks like the Weasel finally got the piece he's been after since school started, though why anyone would want the Mudblood is beyond me. Potter, you got a piece now too? I must say the Weaselette at least has decent blood, though she's no prize herself. Or maybe she just wants to get her hands on a few galleons."

Ron went suddenly red, and reached for his wand. However, Hermione stopped him, and instead it was Harry who spoke.

"Draco," he said lazily as he slowly pointed his wand at him, "I suggest you leave, unless you want a repeat of the last train ride."

With this remark, Malfoy paled. This was an interesting effect, as Ginny had thought that it wasn't possible for him to be any paler. He muttered something to Crabbe and Goyle, who had been flanking him, and all three left.

After they left, Harry sighed and slumped. He suddenly looked very drained, and Ginny looked at him with concern in her eyes. She then spoke up. "Are you all right? What happened last time? And where did you get your wand from so fast?"

Harry turned to face her. He seemed surprised to see her concern, but he went ahead and answered. "I'm fine. Last year, with the help of your two brothers, we kind of hexed those three and knocked them unconscious for most of the trip. They had some interesting effects from the combinations of curses. As far as the wand goes, they always bother us on the trips, so I decided to have it ready this time."

Ginny had laughed at his explanation of his curses, but sobered up when he talked about their encounters with Malfoy. "I know what you mean," she replied. "I've had a few run-ins with him over the years, but probably nowhere near what you three have had to deal with."

"Too right," replied Harry wearily. "He never leaves us alone. He'll probably be even worse this year, since Voldemort has returned to his body." Ginny flinched at Voldemort's name, but she didn't say anything about it. She had opened her mouth in reply, but was interrupted by a knocking on the door to their compartment. Harry, Ron, and Hermione looked at each other in surprise. No one had actually knocked on their compartment door in their memory. Usually, people just barged in, just as Malfoy had previously. With a still curious expression on his face, Ron reluctantly pulled himself from his snog session with Hermione, and reached for the door. He opened it to see his older twin brothers, each wearing identical evil grins.

"Isn't this spiffing, Fred? Just the person we wanted to see."

"Absolutely spiffing, George. This makes things easy for us."

Ron had just enough time to form a suspicious expression when his brothers grabbed his arms and pulled him out of the compartment. Harry, Hermione, and Ginny, who had stood up to see what was going on, noticed that Fred and George weren't alone. In fact, it seemed that they had brought along the entirety of Gryffindor from 4th year on up. Ron had apparently noticed this as well, as the first words out of his mouth were "Why are all these people here?"

Fred and George's grins grew even bigger, if that was possible. "Why, they're here for the ceremony."

Ron looked from one to the other. "What ceremony?"

Fred and George suddenly became solemn. "Ron, it has come to our attention that you have indeed, grown up," George stated.

"Events of the past couple of weeks have proven this without a doubt."

"Your actions have been observed, and duly noted." Ron turned red at this comment.

"You have finally shown yourself to be a true Weasley male."

"As such, you are entitled to certain privileges, but you are also bound by certain duties."

"As a symbol of this rite of passage, we present you with this." Fred then handed the object he had been holding to Ron. Ron held it up for inspection. It was about three feet long, one half of an inch thick, and made of wood. It was perfectly straight and round, and appeared to have been sanded and polished.

"What's this?" he asked.

George answered him, "It's a stick, you prat. What are you, blind?"

"I know it's a stick," Ron retorted, "but what is its point?"

Fred answered him this time. "It's to beat off all the women you're going to be attracting."

George continued, "You're a Weasley male, and all women find Weasley men wildly attractive."

"I suspect this gift won't be appreciated by you as much as someone else, though." At this, all eyes turned on Hermione, who in turn changed shades to an interesting version of scarlet.

"Yes, she'll appreciate it very much. You're a one woman man now, and you need to stay that way." By this time, all the Gryffindors, minus Ron and Hermione, were laughing uncontrollably. Harry, for his part, had to revise his opinion of Fred and George's work. This had been absolutely brilliant.

* * * * * The Hogwarts Express slowed to a stop, and the students alighted. The weather was warm, with a slight breeze, and nary a cloud marred the blue sky. Harry, Hermione, Ron, and Ginny quickly grabbed a carriage, and rode to the school, enjoying the scenery and the weather. They carriage stopped, so they jumped out and entered the Great Hall.

The Great Hall looked as amazing as ever. Each of the tables had their respective banners flying high, and the Hogwarts Crest adorned the wall behind the teachers. The Hall was only about half full, but students were continuing to stream in at a rapid pace. The four went and found some places, boys across from girls, next to the rest of the returning Quidditch team, plus Lee Jordan. Angelina Johnson, who had been deep in conversation with Fred, looked up at the group's arrival and gave Ron a wicked grin. "Where's your stick?" she asked.

Alicia Spinnet added, "We know how much you'll be needing it this year. Just look at these females, all waiting to swoon over you, now that you have become a man."

Ron blushed. "It's in my trunk."

George clucked at him and replied, "It's not going to do you any good in your trunk. You need to carry it at all times."

Fred continued for his twin, "How else are you going to be able to get to class, do your homework, and get ready for Quidditch?"

At this last statement, the three chasers looked surprised. "You're trying out for the team Ron?" asked Katie Bell for the group.

Ron blushed even harder. "Yes," he said in a very quiet voice.

The girls all looked very happy at this prospect. "Another Weasley male," stated Angelina. "If we can keep our concentration during practices, we should win another Cup title."

Harry decided to save his friend from even more embarrassment. "He's not on the team yet," he stated. "Who's going to be captain?"

His five teammates looked at each other and shrugged. "Your guess is as good as ours," George answered. "McGonagall hasn't told us yet. I wouldn't be surprised if it was you though, since all of us are leaving after this year."

It was Harry's turn to be surprised. "Me? I'm the youngest one here. How could she possibly choose me?"

Again, it was George who replied. "You've also been on the team the entire time you've been here. The most experienced of us have only one year on you, and a couple have only played the same number of years. Don't worry, though, it will all be fine. McGonagall knows what she's doing."

Harry still looked a little scared, but visibly calmed. "You're right, she does. We'll win no matter who's Captain."

Fred grinned. "That's the spirit, boy. Just catch the Snitch the way you always do, and we'll be good to go."

At that moment, the opening of the Great Hall doors interrupted them. Professor McGonagall entered, followed by the normal group of scared, sick looking First Years. Ron whispered to Harry, "Were we really that small?"

Harry smiled at this. "You weren't, you big oaf, but the rest of us were. I remember how scared I was, and all of us were. Well, all except Hermione here. She always knew exactly what was going to happen."

Hermione blushed and smiled at the compliment. "Well, it's not my fault no one else reads. You could have known what was to happen as well."

"Well, we didn't have our personal copy of the book back then, did we?" Ron retorted.

"Only because you were so mean to Hermione," Ginny interjected. "Don't look at me like that, brother of mine." Ron had pulled a face at her. "I remember those letters you sent home. What a know-it-all. Thinks she's better than everyone. Too smart for her own good. What happened to all that?"

Ron just smiled. "I had my opinion changed." With this, he openly reached across the table and took Hermione's hand. "For the better, I might add."

Harry and Ginny looked at each other, rolled their eyes, and laughed at the two of them, who were now deep into an eyes-only flirting match. All four then listened as the Sorting Hat sang its song, and the new children went up one by one to get sorted.

* * * * * The Sorting was over, the Hat and stool were gone, whisked away by the Assistant Headmistress to wait out the year that lay between them and their next task. Professor Dumbledore stood up, and everyone grew quiet. The great wizard spoke, his words reaching the corners of the Hall, penetrating the hundreds of young ears eagerly awaiting their wisdom.

"Another year is upon us, and once again in my capacities as Headmaster I am called upon to offer you fine young people a few words. Here they are. Prestidigitation. Noodle. Sproing. Fluffy. Thank you."

The great wizard sat down to thunderous applause. Ron, Hermione, Harry, and Ginny joined in the applause, and laughed themselves silly while they were at it. "I've always said he was mad," crowed Ron. "But he's the greatest wizard of all time."

Harry joined in. "He's the best crazy wizard that I've ever known. But that's not saying much, since I only know three crazy wizards. Fred Weasley, George Weasley, and Professor Dumbledore."

Fred and George looked angry. "Hey, we're not crazy," Said Fred.

"But he did mention us in the same sentence as Dumbledore," replied George.

"You're right. Maybe that was a complement."

"Or maybe it was an insult."

"Maybe we should hex his mashed potatoes."

"Not my mashed potatoes," interjected Harry, "I like them too much. Hex the creamed corn."

"Okay," said George, who then hexed his creamed corn to attack Harry. Harry ran from it for a while, to the great amusement of everyone at the table, then got enough of a lead on it to turn around and send it at Malfoy, who got hit in the back of the head by it. The entirety of the Gryffindor table laughed at him, especially after it became apparent that he had no idea who had done it. He turned and gave his usual sneer to the famous trio, then turned and went back to eating.

Harry returned to his seat, calm as could be, and everyone went back to their food. Fred and George each took bites, then spit them out simultaneously. Harry had charmed the food to be unbearably hot, while Ginny had taken the more mundane route of dumping the entire contents of the salt shaker on to the food of the twins, in retaliation for the creamed corn. The twins were good sports about it, since it had been retaliation. They gave Harry and Ginny thumbs up, and finished the dinner that wasn't ruined.

Everyone finished dinner, and once again Professor Dumbledore stood up to speak. "After having partaken in such a sumptuous meal, I realize how much these remarks pale in comparison. However, they must be said, so I will try to be brief. First, the Forbidden Forest is just that. First Years, please do not be tempted to enter it, and above all, do not listen to Misters Weasley and Weasley when they try to convince you that it isn't dangerous." Fred and George looked in shock that he would mention them, but everyone could tell it was put on. "Second, we have higher security around the castle, so please do not try to sneak out." One again he looked at Fred and George, who one again returned the look with one of pseudo-shock. "Finally, enjoy yourselves at work and at play this year, and with that let's sing the school song!"

After an enthusiastic rendition from the students, accompanied by the less enthusiastic teachers, everyone stood up to go to their respective dormitories. Harry, however, was collared by Professor McGonagall. He gestured to the rest to go on, but Ron, Ginny and Hermione stayed and waited for him. He then turned and listened to the Transfiguration Professor.

"Potter, I wanted to talk to you about Quidditch. As you know, we're short a seeker and a captain. I think you can fill the job quite nicely."

"You want me to be Keeper?" Harry asked incredulously.

"Don't be silly, Potter," replied the Professor. "You are to be Captain."

"But Professor," he protested, "I'm the youngest on the team."

"You're also the only one who's going to be around after this year." She stated impatiently. "Now do you accept?"

"Yes, Professor," Harry said dumbfoundedly.

"Good." She rewarded him with a rare smile. "I've taken the liberty of booking the pitch for this Saturday for tryouts. Oh, and Potter?"

"Yes Professor?"

"Do try and get a good keeper. We want to keep the Cup, after all. And, since you are a prefect this year, the password is Tiara."

"Thank you professor." He turned around and went to his friends. The Great Hall was almost completely empty by now, so they had an easy time getting to Gryffindor Tower. They discussed his previous conversation with their Head of House along the way.

"She wants me to be captain," said Harry. "She says it's because I'll be the only one returning after this year."

Ron chuckled. "Of course, who else would she choose? So when are tryouts, oh great Captain?"

"Next Saturday. You better be on time Weasley." Harry grinned. "Tiara," he said to the Fat Lady, for they had reached the portrait hole. He was about to climb through when he noticed Ron and Hermione had stopped and were staring at him. "What?" he asked.

"No one told you the password, Harry, unless McGonagall did," Ron pointed out.

"That would mean you're a prefect Harry," Hermione said, with the excitement growing in her voice. "Oh, I've got some books you can read, Harry," she began, but she was cut off by Ron.

"How could you be a prefect?" Ron asked. "Just when we could have had some fun."

"Yes, I'm a prefect," he said, interrupting Ron. "We can talk about it in the morning. Right now, I just want to go to bed. Shall we?" He offered his hand to Ginny, who took it and used it to help herself through the portrait hole. Harry followed her closely. Ron and Hermione first exchanged a quick kiss, then followed their friends. Everyone said their goodnights, and went to their respective dormitories.

A little later, when both were in bed, Ron spoke to Harry. "Hey, congratulations on being made a prefect and Quidditch Captain. But more for the Captain thing." Harry just smiled and went to sleep.