Disclaimer: I don't own any of the characters.

Fate.

When Harry woke up the next morning, he had the unpleasant feeling that it was going to be a long day. At first, still half asleep, he was not able to pinpoint the surge of that feeling. But then he remembered what his friends had said the evening before. Hogwarts students at Greenings, it was about the worst thing that could happen to him right now. Sirius had left the night before to go back to the apartment he had rented, and he had promised to meet him that evening after classes. With a sigh, Dragon stood up and groggily walked out to his room and to the bathroom so he could get cleaned up. Luckily, today it was Hermione's turn to wake Ron up, because he really wasn't in the mood to do so. After having washed up, the teenager walked down the stairs and went into the kitchen. Much to his surprise, Hermione was sitting there with Ron. They were both starring glumly in front of them, Harry could easily tell they were really not happy about the new turn of events. Hermione looked up at him when he came in and offered him a small smile.

"Morning Dragon."

Harry grumbled a bit and sank down into his chair. Ron looked at him. "You're cheerful today."

Harry snorted. "Look who's talking."

They stayed silent for a while, Professor Villjé hadn't come down yet, and for the first time, Harry noticed it was really early, barely six o'clock. Hermione, in an effort to break the tension coating the room, tried to talk about something not related to school, namely Sirius. "How did it go yesterday with Padfoot, Harry?"

The boy shrugged. "I guess it went well, at least he wont take me back to Hogwarts for now. I'm going to move in with him as soon as he has his house arranged." At their horrified looks, he smiled wryly. "Don't look so panicked, I convinced him to buy the house next to this one so it won't be all that different."

Sighing, Hermione leaned her head in on the table. "I guess that was to be expected. Is he still your guardian?"

Harry rose an eyebrow. "Who else would be?" At his friends looks he added dryly. "My parent's son died fifteen years ago, remember? There's no way they will claim guardianship over me, at least till someone has knocked some sense into them."

Both his friends sighed and mumbled an apology. After that the conversation died and they sat in silence till their professor came down.

"My, are you in a good mood today."

The trio shot her looks that clearly told her to shut up, but didn't respond otherwise. They really weren't in the mood to talk. Half an hour later, when the children were picking up their things to get going, Daleila asked them something that had been nagging her since the day before. Sternly she looked at them. "Children, I hope you are not planning on skipping classes, are you?"

Harry looked at her surprised. Actually the thought hadn't crossed his mind. Looking at his friends, he realised they were feeling much the same way as he was. Hermione was the first to speak. "No, we weren't planning on skipping. By the way, professor, I don't think the students are going to come alone, are they?"

Somewhat reassured by the girl's words, she nodded. "You're right, two teachers are going to come with them. I'm afraid I don't remember their names, so you'll have to wait and see." She smiled gently at them. "I'll be seeing you later, ok? If it is too much for you to cope with, you can always come up to my office."

The teenagers nodded, said goodbye, and left the house.

When they came into their classroom, they were relieved to see the new students weren't there yet. They took their usual places in the back and tried to ignore the excited chatter that rang around the room. They had history as their first lesson, but instead of Professor Manson, professor Tarís came in. Everyone rushed to their seats and looked at her expectantly.

"Good morning, Class. As I told you yesterday, we have a few transfer students who will be attending lessons with you for two weeks. Also with them, two of their teachers will be sitting in some of the classes with the purpose to compare the differences in teaching between our schools. I hope you will help them in everything you can. We will use this hour to make introductions. Unluckily, the two exchange teachers are talking with the headmistress and won't be able to attend. So you know what to call them, their names are Professor Lupin and Professor Snape."

Hearing those names, the trio groaned loudly and Ron banged his head on the table. "We are doomed! Of all the Hogwart's teachers we have to put up with that slimy git. What was Dumbledore thinking?"

"Beats me, but I will have a long, nice chat with the headmaster next time I see him." Harry was looking grimly in front of him, the thought of him and Snape being in the same building again, was nearly enough to make him sick.

Hermione sighed. "At least Remus is with him. It could have been Snape and Trelawny."

The two boys looked at her shocked. Ron shook his head vigorously, trying to shake that thought. "Don't even joke about that, Phoenix."

Suddenly they became aware of the whole classroom looking at them. Blushing a bit, they settled down again, looking blankly in front of them. Softly professor Tarís asked. "Are you three feeling alright? Do you need to go see the nurse?"

Harry smiled grimly. "No, everything's... fine. We were just a tad shocked, go on."

Looking at him strangely, the teacher walked to the door and opened it, allowing the five students standing there to come in. The teacher once again took her place in front of the classroom and motioned to the students. "These are our exchange students." She turned to them. "Could you please tell the class your names and what you like to do?"

Ron looked at his former housemates, they hadn't changed that much in the year he hadn't seen them. One of the boys stepped forward rather confidently. "My name is Dean Thomas and I love football."

After him, one of the girls came forward. Harry wasn't really surprised about that, those two were muggleborns and didn't risk embarrassing themselves. "I'm Lavender Brown, and I like to gossip."

Harry heard Ron moan at his side, it was something Lavender would say.

"I'm Neville Longbottom, and I like to study plants."

"I'm Seamus Finnigan, I like sports."

Hermione snorted softly, obviously someone had told what they had to say. The other girl came forward. "My name is Parvati Patil, and I guess I like the same things as Lavender."

Ron bend over Harry and whispered in his ear. "No kidding. But they have forgotten to say they love divination."

Harry snorted quietly, it wouldn't do if they attracted their friend's attention before the time was right. It would be awkward enough as it was, no need to have them angry on top of everything. The teacher started to talk again. "Thanks children." She turned to the class. "Now I want you to stand up, one at the time, and do the same."

The class obediently chorused "Yes ma'am."

But Ron, Harry and Hermione sighed again and sank back into their seats. The teacher, noticing this looked at them, smiling sweetly. "Why don't you start, Phoenix?"

The girl cursed under her breath while the two boys put their heads into their hands. With a smirking face Hermione stood up. She saw the five Gryffindors turn to her and suddenly freeze. Without a word, she mock-bowed to them, and patiently waited for an answer. Professor Tarís, a bit puzzled at her behaviour, was about to reprimand the girl when a loud shriek rang through the room.

"Hermione!!!!!"

Suddenly, Lavender bolted from her place and ran to Phoenix, enveloping her in a tight hug. They were soon joined by Parvati, who was now crying softly. Ron and Harry shook their heads, mildly amused, but didn't have the time to stand up when two other cries sounded.

"Harry!!!!!"

"Ron!!!!!!"

With a loud sound, Harry crashed onto the floor, with Dean and Seamus lying on top of him. Ron had been more lucky, Neville had just embraced him tightly.

"Dean, Seamus, get off!"

The two boys grinned and stood up, pulling him along. Harry didn't have much of a chance to be relieved, because at the same moment Dean and Seamus pulled away, Lavender and Parvati took their places and began to cry on his shoulders. With a resigned sigh, he put his arms around the two crying girls, patting their backs reassuringly and shooting a helpless look at his friends. Finally Hermione managed to get away from Neville, and whistled sharply. All the Gryffindors looked at her. "Ok, if you don't mind, I'm sure we can continue this tearful reunion later, when we are not in front of a whole classroom. Right?"

The five students looked around the room and noticed everyone was gapping at them, flushing a bit, they let go of their friends and walked back to the places they had been standing while Ron, Hermione and Harry sat down again. Professor Tarís looked at them curiously. "Care to explain?"

Hermione looked at her intently before answering. "We went to Hogwarts."

Seeing the trio was not about to explain more than that, the professor motioned for the next student to introduce himself.

To be continued...

A/N: Thanks for all reviews.