At breakfast the next day Harry saw the Great Hall decorated with its usual Halloween splendor.
There were large, carved pumpkins along the walls. Harry noticed they were a little smaller than most of the previous years. Then he realized, Hagrid hadn't been around to take of the pumpkins as he usually was. But they were there nonetheless and so were the live bats fluttering over the tables as well as some other decorations.
At Charms, Harry was listening as Professor Flitwick explained for at least the third time that day, how to do a Mute Charm.
"Class! Keep your wrist firm and bring your wands down through the air. The word to say is Silencio! Don't forget to enunciate."
Professor Flitwick turned on a little radio on his desk; this was harder than it sounds because Professor Flitwick was short that he had to stand on a pile of books just to see over his desk.
Harry frowned at the radio. He had tried the spell twice and he could still hear everything. Harry tried again.
On his way to lunch Ron said, "I can't believe that creature Lupin showed us scratched me. It looked so harmless."
Harry grimaced, "It sure wasn't. It bit me."
"Well you can't always judge people, things, or animals by how they look," Hermione said in a matter-of-fact tone.
After lunch they a dull History of Magic class with the ghost of Professor Binns.

Around 7 o'clock Harry, Ron, and the other boys in the dormitory started getting ready. By seven thirty Harry and Ron were in the common room waiting with others who were done getting ready.
Harry smoothed out a wrinkle in his green robe and asked hesitatingly, "So, are you going with Hermione?"
Ron turned scarlet and nodded.
About ten minutes later, Harry received a nudge in the ribs from Ron. Ron nodded at the girls' staircase.
Coming down the steps were Hermione and Renata. But they didn't exactly look like Hermione and Renata.
Hermione was wearing a sky-blue robe with a darker blue trim. She was smiling and her hair was done nicely. Her hair had been gathered back and then it was clipped to the back of her head with the ends of it flipped back. She looked taller too.
Harry saw Renata and involuntarily his jaw dropped slightly.
Renata's robe (though it seemed more like a dress) was black on the top and the bottom had large, vertical bars of orange and black. It was about mid-calf, rather than down to her ankles and Harry saw that her shoes were smart looking pumps with an inch or so heels. Her hair framed her face. It seemed almost gold in the light and it had been curled. The hair in front, on both sides, had been put up into some sort of braid and pulled to the back with the rest curled and hanging loose. Renata was grinning broadly. She came up to Harry, "Close your mouth, it's not polite." She pushed Harry's chin, making the jaw snap shut.
Harry blushed.
Ron mumbled to Hermione, "You look nice."
"Thank you," Hermione said.
Harry looked at Renata and nodded, he couldn't speak. She seemed to get the idea. "You don't look so bad yourself. Come on. Everyone is leaving."
They joined those thronging the corridor and Hermione remarked, "I wonder."
"About what?"
"The exchange students were supposed to come today."
Dean came over. "Hi. Have any of you seen Neville?"
"No. Not since Professor Binns's class."
"Thanks anyway." Dean disappeared back into the crowd.
When they entered the Great Hall, Harry was impressed. There were even more decorations than there had been that morning. A stage had been set-up and there were some wizards on it with what looked like electric guitars but different.
The long, house tables had vanished and had been replaced with small circular tables near the walls. The band struck an upbeat rhythm and began to play. From a room that was a sort of annex from the Great Hall came ten figures. Harry recognized Neville, Justin, Dumbledore, McGonagall, and a few others. The music quieted.
The ten of them broke off into five pairs. Dumbledore, standing with McGonagall, announced in a loud and clear voice, "Welcome to the Halloween Dance! Allow me to introduce the students leaving Hogwarts and those arriving. Neville Longbottom of the Gryffindor House will be going to the Angels Magical Academy." There were applause. "Justin Finch-Fletchley of the Hufflepuff House will be going to the Salem Institute." There was more applause. "Millicent Bulstrode of the Slytherin House will be going to the Durmstrang Institute." The applause came again. "Patricia Clearwater will be going to Beauxbatons Magical Acadamy." The applause sounded again. "Our visitors are Anthony Bordeaux from Beauxbatons, Kevin Mone from Salem, Aurora Daria from Angels, and Gwendelan Anderson from Durmstrang." The applause was tremendous. Dumbledore proclaimed, "Let the dance begin!" Dumbledore, McGonagall, and the other four pairs began to dance as the band started again.
The five pairs danced and were soon joined by other couples. Harry saw Neville's face was really red, as red as the hair of the girl he was dancing with. Harry, Renata, Ron, and Hermione found a table and sat down. When the song had ended two of the original dancing figures came to see them.
"Ren?"
Renata looked up, slightly surprised at hearing her old nickname.
"Ren!"
"Rory!" Renata sprang out of her seat, nearly knocking it over, and ran over to the girl coming toward her. "What are you doing here?"
"I plan to stick around for a few months. Weren't you listening?"
"Sit down. Sit down. Come on, Neville. You sit too." Now there were six at the table.
Renata and Rory chatted, catching up on news. Renata and Rory went to school together at the Angel's Academy before Renata transferred to Hogwarts the previous year. "So tell me everything."
After talking very fast for about fifteen minutes. Rory asked, "So, Ron, where are those delightful brothers of yours?"
"Graduated. You're a year too late."
Rory seemed unperturbed, "Harry, in Ren's letter she said you guys would have a rebuilding year for the team. How's it going?"
Harry sighed. "The Quiditch team needs help."
"If you're nice I may help." Rory chuckled. "Oh! I like this song. Somebody dance with me?" Her eyes turned to Neville. "Please?"
Neville muttered something and they stood up.
Renata cocked her head as if listening, "Come on, Harry. This is a really good song. I know this one."
"No, thanks."
"Harry," she stared at him. "Get up." Renata took his hand and hauled him out of the chair and over to the dance floor. Ron and Hermione, Ron blushing furiously, came over too.
"So you know this song, Renata?"
"Yeah. The band is great."
"What's the band called?"
"The Flying Toadstools. See the lead singer? That's Amadeus. That one there is Eric. The one standing in the back is Sammy. I don't quite recall the names of the other two."
Harry nodded dumbly.
"Why don't any of you call me 'Ren'?"
"I don't know. You were introduced to me and the others as Renata and not Ren so we got used to saying Renata." He glanced sideways. "You're glad Rory is here, aren't you?"
"I missed her. I miss Dan, Joe, and everyone. I miss my old life. It's not here. It's there. In California."
"Would you go back? Go there instead of Hogwarts again?"
"I don't know." There was a few moments silence and then Renata said, "The song's ending. Let's sit down."
Back at the table there was an envelope with Harry's name on it. The writing was familiar.
Harry pocketed the note and asked someone nearby, "Hey, did you see anyone come put anything down on this table?"
The boy, probably a third year, shook his head. "Thanks anyway." He went back to the table. Harry opened the envelope after a furtive glance to make sure no one was watching. Harry took out the letter and began to read it.

POTTER, YOU'RE DEAD. YOU WON'T GET TO HAGRID AND YOU ARE DEAD. HA HA
HA. NICE GIRLFRIED. SHE CAN BE DEAD TOO. THAT MUGGLE-LOVER AND THAT
MUDBLOOD ARE GOING TO DIE TOO. JUST YOU WAIT. I"LL DISPOSE OF THEM
MYSELF. YOU WON'T FIND OUT WHO I AM. YOU'RE A COWARD AND YOU ARE GOING
TO DIE.

"This is just great," he muttered sarcastically.
"What is it? Let me read it."
"No."
"Harry, just let me read it."
"NO!" He held the letter as far from her as he could.
"Fine, Harry. Fine, okay." Then she stood quickly and snatched the letter. She smiled smugly but her face paled as she read the letter. "This is serious, Harry."
"I'm sure it's just an empty threat."
"You don't really think so."
Harry didn't reply. How could she know that he thought that?
"Let's go get Ron and Hermione."
"N-no." Harry looked over and saw Hermione and Ron. They were talking and they looked pretty happy. "No. I don't think we have to tell them."
"Harry, this is the same writing as the other two times."
"I know."
Renata studied his face silently for a minute. "You don't want to say anything to Dumbledore, or Sirius, or my uncle, or any teachers, or anyone else. Do you?"
He shook his head.
Renata looked at Ron and Hermione. "Harry, if something happens to either of them it's going to be on our heads if we don't tell someone about this letter."
Harry gritted his teeth, "But what are the teachers going to do? Are they going to analyze the handwriting of every student here? Even then, how are they supposed to find out anything? What if it's not a student? What if someone is sneaking into the school? It just isn't going to do any good!" he banged his fist on the table. "Quiet, Harry."
"No. Whoever is threatening my friends is going to pay."
"Quiet!" she hissed.
"Why?"
"Because Malfoy is standing behind you. What do you want, Malfoy?"
"To make your life miserable."
"The fact that you even exist, already proves that, but why are you here now?"
"I want to talk to Potter."
"I'm not talking to you, Malfoy."
"Fine. Just thought you ought to know Dumbledore wants to talk to you. You're in trouble." Draco Malfoy smirked and left.

"I told you, you should have kept quiet, Harry. I'm sure Dumbledore saw that little tantrum of yours just now. Go talk to Dumbledore."
"What?"
"Why do you always make me repeat myself? I don't think Malfoy was lying about Dumbledore wanting to talk to you. Look, Dumbledore is looking this way, right at you."
Harry saw Dumbledore was looking in their direction. "Alright," he muttered. Harry got up and went to the table where Dumbledore was sitting talking to a Prefect and to Sirius. "Ah, Harry. You received my message to see me."
"Yes, sir."
"Good." Dumbledore grabbed the arm of a boy who was passing. "Anthony, stay here a moment please."
The boy paused and looked at Harry.
Harry got a good look at him and saw his hair was dark brown, his face had an angular quality to it, and he was about two inches taller than Harry.
"Harry, Anthony here will be staying in your dorm this year seeing as your room now has an empty bed. Would you mind showing him around tomorrow?" "Sure." So he wasn't in trouble.
"Thank you. You'll be excused from your classes for the day" Dumbledore turned his conversation back to Sirius.
Harry went back to the table where Renata, Ron, and Hermione were sitting. Halfway there, Harry realized he was being followed. "Did you want something?"
"I want to talk to that girl over there," he said quietly to Harry. He continued past Harry and asked Hermione, "Is it alright if I sit down.
"Okay," Hermione replied him.
"Thank you." Anthony smiled charmingly at Hermione.
Ron scowled at Anthony but Anthony appeared not to notice.
Harry suddenly realized he was quite hungry; he hadn't eaten since lunch. He used this as an excuse to change the subject. "I'm hungry. Is anyone else?" Harry picked up a menu that had been lying in wait on the table. He glanced at it and said, "Chicken." The plate that had been waiting in front of him filled with mashed potatoes, green beans, and a generous portion of roast chicken.
The others at the table did the same.
Conversation stayed at a minimum as they ate. Eventually they were done and they pushed their plates to the center of the table where the remaining food on them disappeared.
"What do you think of Hogwarts so far?" asked Renata.
"Very nice here. But it's different from the Beauxbatons Palace."
"You're just not used to it yet," grinned Renata.
"Are you here for the exchange program too? I didn't see you earlier."
"No, I transferred here from the Angel's Academy last year. Don't worry you'll get used to it here. How long are the four of you staying?"
"We leave in June. After the final exams."
"The exams here are awful," Ron said.
"They aren't that bad," Hermione scolded. "I find them rather invigorating. Oh this song sounds nice." Hermione looked at Ron.
"I don't want to dance," he answered dully.
"I do," volunteered Anthony. "If you don't mind?" Anthony turned to Ron.
Ron's face turned beet red.
Hermione answered for him. "He doesn't mind."
Ron glowered as the two of the walked off. He muttered something to Renata (his face even brighter red) and they went on the dance floor.
Harry watched gloomily. He watched as Ron kept glancing at Hermione. Hermione wasn't paying attention though. She appeared to be having a great time and was oblivious to the glaring face of Ron a few yards away. Harry sat at the table by himself. Neville came over at one point to say goodbye to Harry.
"Are you leaving in the morning?"
"No, I'm leaving tonight."
"Tonight?"
"Yeah. The bags of the four of us leaving were already brought to the schools and we met with the headmasters, er, in my case it was the headmistress. As soon as the dance is over we leave."
"How are you getting there?"
"Floo Powder. That room we came out of has a fireplace."
Harry nodded. Wizards could travel by fire using a green powder known as Floo Powder.
After Neville wandered off to say his goodbyes to Seamus and Dean another person visited the table. "Hi, Harry."
"Hello, Ginny." Harry indicated a chair and Ginny sat down.
"What happened to everyone else at the table?"
"Neville is talking to some people. I don't know where Rory is. Ron, Renata, Hermione and the other guy are dancing."
"Oh."
Ginny's friend Claire appeared. "Hello, Ginny, Harry. Ginny, Colin wants to talk to you."
"Really?"
"Uh-huh. He's over here." The other girl led Ginny away to the far side of the room.
Harry waited another few minutes before Ron and Renata reappeared. Ron's scowl was still plastered on his face and he looked sullen. Renata looked as casual as ever, though she appeared slightly miffed. "Ron, I still wanted to dance."
"I'm tired," muttered Ron.
"Fine. Come with me, Harry."
"But I don't want to-"
"I don't care. This is a good band, a good song, and I don't want to sit down and do nothing all night. Let's go dance."
Harry reluctantly followed Renata.
"I wanted to talk to you," she said. Renata placed her hands on his shoulders; it was a slow song, quiet and perfect for talking.
"What about?" Harry asked.
"That letter, you should talk to Dumbledore. People's lives are being threatened. Your life is being threatened."
"I don't care about my life being threatened. I can take care of myself."
"Your friends' lives were threatened. I know you care about Ron and Hermione. I don't want to see them hurt. And I know you don't want to see them hurt either." "The teachers won't be able to help, even if they knew who was responsible."
"I wonder." Renata murmured.
"What?"
"You don't want me to say anything to Dumbledore or any of the teachers here, do you? Or to Ron or Hermione?"
"No, I don't."
"Okay. I won't. I promise."
Harry sighed. Renata tended to keep promises so in all likelihood she wouldn't say anything about the letter; but Harry didn't like the tone in her voice. He got worried whenever she started agreeing with him.
After a brief silence Renata said, "Did you notice the look on Ron's face when that boy asked Hermione to dance? Look at him, he's still sour."
Harry looked back at Ron sitting at the table alone. He didn't look too happy about it.
"Hermione seems happy enough," Harry said, averting his eyes form his sullen looking friend.
"Of course she is. She's getting the attention deserves that she doesn't usually get from the two of you. Don't look so confused, Harry. Ron and you have been friends with Hermione for six years now. But you two still leave her out of things, you ask her for homework help without ever offering any help back, really, Harry. And on top of that it's not really like Hermione has that many other friends to hang out with when the two of you get in a fight with her. The fights are usually your fault."
"What?"
"I mean every word I say, Harry. When Hermione is just looking out for either of you, you both gang up on her and don't speak to her and then she gets so upset and she cries and she's lonely. It's not fair for her, you know. She is just looking out for you. She cares a lot. Hermione doesn't want either of you hurt."
"Give me one example of a fight that was either my fault or Ron's that was between us and Hermione."
"Your third year," she answered smugly and quickly. She smiled as she continued. "You got a Firebolt for Christmas, you didn't know who sent it, and you and Ron were ready to jump on it and fly without even checking to see if it was jinxed, hexed, or cursed, just because it was a Firebolt. She did do the right thing, going to McGonagall and telling her about it."
"How did you know?"
"I know most everything, Harry. It always seems to be the boys' fault doesn't it?"
"How do you mean?"
"Think about it. Godric Gryffindor and Salazar Slytherin didn't get along well but have you ever heard any problems between Rowena Ravenclaw and Helga Hufflepuff? I don't think so."
When the song was over, Harry and Renata went back to the table where Ron was sitting and talked to him for a while.
Hermione came over a little later. Breathless from dancing for so long. "How are you all doing?"
Anthony was with her and Ron scowled again.
"Not bad," Harry replied mildly. "So-er-"
"Anthony," the boy said, shaking hands.
"Right, Anthony, so when the dance is over you'll come with us up to the tower and then tomorrow I'll show you around the school."
"That sounds like a good idea, I wouldn't want to get lost trying to get to class."
"But we have classes tomorrow. How can you show him around?" interrupted Hermione.
"Your Headmaster said that he chose a student to guide each of the exchange students around for the day and so neither of us will have classes. What are your names again?" Anthony asked.
"I'm Hermione."
"I remember that," he smiled.
"That's Ron, Harry, and Renata."
"And I'm Rory." Rory came back to the table and seated herself.
"Which House are you staying with, Rory?"
"Um.Slytherin. With the seventh year Slytherin girls."
"You're stuck in Slytherin?"
"Aren't you going to ask Dumbledore to switch you?"
"No, I'll tough it out there. They can't be that bad."
"You don't know the Slytherins."
"I'll be fine, Ren. Don't worry about me."
Ron sulked throughout most of the night. Harry noticed that Hermione seemed to be having a fairly good time. He noticed Renata wasn't faring too bad either. If a song she liked started to play she dragged one of the guys at the table (usually Harry) up to the dance floor. Other than that she was content to talk. Rory was the same.
At last, the last song of the night was announced. Renata took Harry from his conversation with Ron. "Last song, we're not missing this." She whispered something quickly to Rory before bringing Harry to the dance floor.
Harry glanced back. Rory got up with Anthony to dance and Ron got up with Hermione.
Renata saw where Harry was looking, "I couldn't let Ron miss the last dance with Hermione."
"So you asked Rory to talk to Anthony."
Renata nodded. Eventually she asked, "So what do you think of tonight? Was the dance as terrible as you thought it would be? Terrible enough that you would have rather not come?"
"No," he admitted.
"Good." Renata smiled a genuine, glad smile.
"I'm glad I came."
"Me too. But-"
"What's the matter?" asked Harry.
"The song is over. Listen, the music stopped."
Harry looked and saw the dance floor was clearing. He checked his watch, midnight on the nose. "I guess we should get going."
Harry, Renata, Ron, Hermione, and Anthony went up the stairs that led in the direction of the Gryffindor Tower. Rory said goodbye and followed the departing Slytherins. Harry glanced back and saw Neville and three others follow Dumbledore into the room annexed from the Great Hall.
Harry and his friends continued to Gryffindor Tower with the other Gryffindors. Harry pointed out to Anthony which staircase to go up and told him that the door would say SIXTH YEARS. Hermione disappeared up the girls' staircase and Ron went up the boys' staircase. Students continued to go up both staircases.
"Goodnight, Harry."
"Night, Renata." He didn't move to follow the boys retreating to the dorm.
"Go upstairs now, you look tired."
"Why?"
"Because, it's late and even if you don't have to go to class tomorrow you still have to show that other boy around the school. And even if you aren't tired, I am."
She had a point about tomorrow, but she didn't look tired.
"Goodnight." Without another word, Renata climbed the stairs and left.
Harry stood there wishing he'd come up with something better say. Harry shook his head. Yawning and suddenly realizing how tired he actually was, he went to his dorm, changed into his pajamas, and fell soundly asleep.