Kim: Harry and Sirius singing a song. . .hey, the story is young. You never know, it's possible, not sure if it'll happen, though. Anywho, well that's good! Yes, Harry's Headmaster now. . .can't you just picture everyone's faces when they find out?
Matakishi Hirata-San: Yes, actually, finals are over! Hallelujah! It does mean that I'll be able to update more frequently, great, isn't it? There is one little hitch, but that's gonna be in the Author's Note, so be sure to read that. As for your other question. . .you'll just have to wait to find out. . .
Angelic Demon16: Thanks! I really couldn't think of anything else to start the chapter with. I'm glad someone liked it! And, I hope, the story is going to get a lot better in a few more chapters. . .something big is gonna happen. . .I'm not sure how many more chapters till it starts, though.
Rachel A. Prongs: Well, it's not exactly an Abuse Museum. It's a Museum dedicated to Harry's life. There was just one room with the abuse stuff in it. . .I guess I could've explained that better. . .:sweatdrops: Sorry 'bout that!
Istalksiriusonweekends: What he does next:Smiles and looks around: I have no idea. . .Good luck in your endeavors of finding Sirius!
Englishgirl: Thanks! I love that line, too. I was gonna have someone respond to it, but it seemed better to just cut it off there. :Smiles: Thanks for the review!
Chrispy: No worries there. I don't write slash. . .not that I have anything against it. . .it's just not me. Yeah, you won't have to worry about any of that from me. Anywho, no. Snape is gonna be saved for a later time in the story. Right now it's gonna be someone else. . .good guess, though
Amy: Angst. . .well, I hope it's enough to last you for a while. It'll be a bit before anymore comes. . .if any does. And thanks about the snake! I liked him, too! I'm thinking about possibly bringing him in later, what do you think? And as for everyone's reactions. . .I hope you'll enjoy reading them as much as I enjoy writing it!
Ladee Sakura Evenstar Night: Hey, no sweat. It got me to thinking. And anything's possible with me as the author, huh:Smiles: I like the way that sounds! So many possibilities!
Charlie:Laughs: I never get tired of your reviews! Groovtasical! Great! I think I might start a new dictionary with your words, if that's okay, of course! Thanks for the review!
Hedowl5: So you knew Harry would say yes, huh? Well, I can tell you now, things won't stay predictable for much longer. . .:Smiles evilly: I know, you hate me. One question, though. Four days till what? Till school is out? If so, have an awesome summer!
Lady Reaper of the Shadows: Well, I'm glad that I've assisted you in having one over your sis. I, for one, can fully understand how that feels! I have two younger sisters. . .annoying as poop sometimes. . .have fun!
Ears91: You're the second person to guess Snape. And, for a second time, I fear to inform you that, no. It's someone else this time. That's not to say that Harry won't get to know Snape better later. . .things will certainly take a turn that gives them TIME to get to know each other. . .but that's all I'm saying now. . .
Athenakitty: Wow! You gave me quite a lot of things to think about! I'll answer some of your questions now, but the others will have to be saved for a later time, fair? Okay, first, no. This time Harry's not talking to Snape this time, but he will later on in the story. The deputy headmistress will be identified this chapter. . .so I'm not gonna tell you now. As for your other questions, patience is a good virtue to have. . .
Tony: Don't worry, I will. And thanks for the review!
Mystic Queen: Thanks! I love writing Sirius. He's a great character!
Wanted: A Happy Ending
Ch4: Dinner at Westbridge
"—And that's about it. Any questions?"
Harry glanced through the list of do's and don'ts. It was all pretty basic stuff, nothing that he hadn't expected.
"No, I think I have it."
Dumbledore smiled, "Good, good. I should need to be going now, there is a press conference I must attend, but if you ever have any questions, I am but an owl away."
Harry nodded and tucked the list away, "Good luck, Sir."
"You, too, Harry. Just remember everything we talked about, and you should be fine," Dumbledore shook Harry's hand, "I will see you soon."
With that, Albus Dumbledore turned and left his old office one last time. Harry watched him go, and, once he was gone, looked around. The room looked terribly plain without all Dumbledore's decorations. The Sorting Hat and Dumbledore's desk, though completely bare, were the only things left. Hedwig took off of Harry's shoulder and flew around the room, taking everything in.
"Welcome home, Hedwig," Harry smiled, "I guess I better unpack, huh?"
He looked around again before nodding. He clapped his hands together and slowly separated them. A gentle breeze accompanied by a pale yellow light filtered through the room. When both subsided, there were boxes upon boxes of all Harry's belongings stacked neatly in the center of the room.
Circling the boxes, Harry managed to locate Hedwig's perch protruding from one of the top boxes. He levitated it out of the box, and Hedwig instantly flew over and landed on it. Harry rolled his eyes at the bird. Of course she couldn't wait for him to place it on solid ground. He quickly set it next to his desk—exactly where Fawkes' had been. Hedwig tucked her head under her wing, and, Harry was certain, that she was asleep in next to no time.
Turning around, he heaved a heavy sigh as he took in the many boxes that remained to unpack. It would be a while until he figured out how he wanted everything. The tip to his Starshooter 83—the latest broomstick that wasn't even available in stores yet—was poking out of another box. To say that he had been ecstatic when the inventor, a wizard by the name of Chet Waters, gave it to him would be an understatement.
It had been on his birthday. He had already received hundreds of gifts from witches and wizards from every corner of the globe. He truly didn't know what he would do with them all. Some were quite practical—a new set of robes which he desperately needed after a growth spurt he had just had—but some were just down right odd.
Harry would never forget the blue-eyed blonde American who had placed herself inside a cake from which she jumped in lingerie that left little to the imagination. He didn't have to tell you how mortifying it had been when she had gone as far as to try to give him what he later learned to be a lap dance. And while Sirius, Ron, Fred, George, and a good number of his other male friends at the party thought it righteously hilarious—they still taunted him about it every time the name Cookie Morgan was brought up—Hermione had been positively furious.
It had taken every ounce of strength Ginny and Lavender could muster to keep her from jinxing the witch into next week. The whole fiasco had lasted no longer than ten minutes, but it was enough to cause Hermione to sit possessively close to Harry as he worked through the remainder of his gifts.
That night after Sirius, Remus, and Tali had managed to get rid of all the reporters and well-wishers—a feat which Harry still marveled at to this day—Waters had arrived bearing the Starshooter 83. Waters, already famous for his hand in the development of the Nimbus series, had caused Sirius to have a near heart attack induced by his excitement.
Harry hadn't flown it yet—he really hadn't had the time what with all the time he had been spending with Snape working on Remus' birthday present—but with one quick look outside at the beautiful blue sky, the temptation became too great. Harry grabbed the broom out of the box and headed towards the door—unpacking could wait.
On his way down the stairs, frustrated voices reached him: "Would you think for a moment, Padfoot? Dumbledore isn't the Headmaster anymore. Harry must have made a new password, and I seriously doubt that it's a candy."
"How do you even know that they changed it yet?"
"Why don't we just go and find someone else. Surely someone must know the password."
Harry laughed to himself and rolled his eyes. Of course Hogwarts' newest professors would be arguing about passwords. Blinking only for an instant, he opened his eyes to find himself standing behind the trio of adults he lived with, none of whom, noticed him.
He rested his broom on his shoulder, "I hear the new password's 'PJ.'"
The three jumped, but before anyone could say anything more, the gargoyle sprung to life. Harry pulled Remus out of the way just in time as the gargoyle landed right where the man had been standing but a minute before.
"Thanks," Remus said before growing a puzzled look, "PJ?"
Harry smiled at them, "Prongs Jr."
Understanding dawned on their faces as Harry shift his Starshooter to his other shoulder, "What are you three doing here? I thought you'd be busy getting ready for Monday."
"We came to help you unpack...apparently you already did so," Tali said, eyeing the broom.
"Oh this?" Harry said, shrugging the shoulder the broom was on, "No, I was just taking a break to go try out my new broom."
"You should really unpack, Harry. As you said, school starts up again Monday."
"Ah, don't be such a party pooper, Tals! Harry's got THE broomstick out there. Hell, it's not even out there yet! You really expect him to want to unpack instead of trying it out?" Sirius asked incredibly.
Tali rolled her eyes and brought her hand to her face, "What was I thinking? You haven't unpacked yet, either. It must be the way to do things."
"Exactly! Come on, Harry. Let's go try out that broom!" Sirius said, putting his hand on his godson's shoulder and guiding him down the hall.
The four quickly made their way out onto the Quidditch field. Along the way, Sirius had stopped by his office—which, as Tali had referenced, was horribly unorganized—to grab the Quidditch balls, due to Harry's request, along with three of the school's standard issue brooms which had been updated to Nimbus Two-Thousand and One's.
"Lets see what that thing's made of, Harry," Sirius said, holding up the Snitch, "Get up there and I'll let this thing go in a minute."
Harry nodded and mounted the broom, which was unbelievably comfortable. Kicking off, he found himself ascending to a decent height the quickest he ever had. Within seconds, he had risen so high, that he had difficultly distinguishing the three on the ground.
"Wow," he breathed to himself before lowering to a more appropriate level.
By the time he reached the point where he could actually make out the figures on the ground, he noticed that they were jumping up and down, waving their arms frantically. It was only then that he saw a speck of gold dash by him. Before he could even go to direct the broom, it had already turned and was speeding after Snitch.
As he chased after it, he briefly recalled Waters saying something about the broom being "in sync" with the owner's thoughts. Harry didn't even want to think about how much it would cost when it finally came out for sale.
Closing in on the golden ball, he stretched his fingers out as far as they would go. Within seconds, he was zooming towards the ground, gold peering through the gaps between his fingers. Sirius was whooping so loud that, even a hundred feet from the ground he could be heard clearly.
"A minute! A minute! That has to be a record!" he yelled, practically pulling Harry off his broom as soon as he came within arms' length.
"One hell of a broomstick, that's for sure," Tali agreed.
Remus was still staring wide eyed at him, "A minute...no one's ever caught a snitch that quickly before! Can you imagine the next World Cup? It's a good thing you're not still on Gryffindor's team, Harry. The other Houses wouldn't stand a chance!"
Harry sighed, "Yeah...one of the things I'm going to miss this year. Playing Quidditch."
"I wonder who the hell they're going to get to replace you," Sirius wondered out loud.
"It won't matter," Remus said, playfully punching Harry's shoulder, "No one can be as good as Harry."
Even though it didn't hurt, Harry rubbed his shoulder, "It better be someone good...Gryffindor needs to keep its hands on the Cup."
"Damn straight!" Sirius agreed.
"Hey, Slytherin has to find a new seeker, too, right?" Tali asked.
Harry thought for a moment, "Oh yeah...I guess they do."
"Where did that git and his mum run off to, anyhow?" Remus asked.
"I heard they moved to Bulgaria," Sirius said, "I guess the outpouring of hatred about Lucius must have been too much."
Indeed, it hadn't been long before word had gotten around that Lucius Malfoy had been Voldemort's right hand man. Consequentially, the man's surviving family had been on the receiving end of one of the harshest backlashes Harry could ever remember witnessing.
Malfoy and his mother had tried to ignore the hatred pouring their way, but after an Australian man had attempted to kill them by means of a rallying a huge mob which stormed and burnt their house to the ground, it had become too much. The very next day the two had packed what little remained of their belongings and high-tailed it out of the country.
Very few knew where they were—Harry being one of them. As much as he hated to admit it, he couldn't help but feel bad for his rival. He knew all too well what it was like to have seemingly the whole world opposed to your very existence. He had even gone as far as to wish the Malfoys a safe journey, though he'd never admit this to Ron or Sirius who seemed to think that they were getting exactly what they deserved.
"Don't sound too bad for them, Sirius," Remus rolled his eyes.
Sirius shrugged, "Why would I? The Malfoys are pieces of shit. The only difference is that now everyone knows it."
"Well put, Padfoot," Remus said sarcastically.
"I thought so," Sirius said, crossing his arms and smiling.
Remus shoved Sirius and stuck out his tongue. Sirius mock-glared at him and stuck his tongue out back at him.
"They're awfully mature now, aren't they?" Tali whispered at Harry.
"Oh, definitely," Harry agreed, nodding his head, "Do any of you know what time it is?"
Remus turned to him, ignoring Sirius who was shouting about winning the raspberry contest, "I believe it's going on seven."
"Seven?" Harry exclaimed dramatically, "Bloody hell! Did it really take that long?"
"What's wrong?" Sirius asked, calming down.
Harry sighed and shook his head, "I'm supposed to meet Ron, Hermione, and Lavender at Westbridge for dinner."
"Westbridge? How'd you get reservations there? It's just opening today," Tali said, impressed.
Harry shrugged, "There's your answer. They wanted me to go. . .I think it's probably good for publicity, but, hey, Lavender says they have the best desserts."
"He gets an invitation to the classiest restaurant around here, and he doesn't invite us," Sirius said, crossing his arms, "I think I'm offended."
"Get off it, Sirius. I took you three to the opening of Nightingale's. Besides, this is a pre-Hogwarts celebration," Harry said, tossing Sirius the Snitch, "Would you mind taking my broom back to my office? I need to get going before I'm even later."
"Sure," Remus said, taking the broom, "Have a good time, Harry."
Harry bid them farewell before apparating to Hermione's house, where the four of them were to meet. He smiled and walked up the steps. Apparating was definitely the preferable way of travel. He was about to knock on the door when he looked down at himself. He was still in his day-to-day clothes. Rolling his eyes, he made sure no Muggles were passing by, and, in a flash, found himself in deep green dress robes the complimented his eyes and contrasted his hair nicely.
Checking himself once more, Harry smiled and knocked on the door. He heard someone shout "I'll get it," and in a matter of moments, Harry found himself face to face with Hermione. He smiled broadly at her. She was dressed beautiful lilac dress robes. Her eyelids were decorated in a soft white glitter, and her glossy lips shone in the setting sun. Her hair, obviously straightened, had been styled and framed her face magnificently.
"Wow, Herms, you look great!" he exclaimed, hugging her, "Did you cut your hair?"
She smiled and spun around, "Yeah, you like it?"
He grabbed her hand and she came to a stop, "Love it."
"Come on," she said, pulling him inside, "We're just waiting for Ron to arrive."
"Hi, Harry!" Lavender said, hugging him as he entered the living room. She was dressed in sea foam green robes, and her hair was half-pulled back half-let down. Harry nodded and the three took seats on the couches.
"Hello, Lavender. You look nice," Harry said as they pulled back.
She giggled and spun around, "You think so?"
Harry nodded and Lavender grinned, hugged him briefly, and took her seat on the couch. Following her example, Hermione pulled Harry onto the loveseat, "Dad went out to the market. He says to tell you hi," Hermione said.
Harry nodded, "Thanks. ...I wonder what's keeping Ron. He's not the kind to be late when there's food involved."
Hermione and Lavender agreed, "Perhaps Fred and George hid his dress robes again."
Lavender laughed, "I don't know about that. Ron went out and bought that room alarm Harry got for Ginny last Christmas as soon as it turned Percy into a weasel."
Harry and Hermione laughed, "Percy was trying to break into Ginny's room?"
"Well, actually he was just trying to get back his quill that she borrowed," Ron said, stepping out of the fireplace.
"Ron!" they all exclaimed, jumping to their feet.
Ron stepped out of the shadows in the fireplace with a smirk, "So I can't be late when food's involved, huh?"
Harry laughed, "You never have been the one to pass up an opportunity to stuff your face, Ron."
Ron blushed and looked down at his midnight blue robes, "What can I say, I love culture."
Hermione rolled her eyes, "No, you love culture's eats."
Ron shrugged, "That too."
"Well, we better hurry, or we'll be late," Hermione said, walking to the fireplace and picking up a flower pot.
"You guys go on ahead, I'll meet you over there," Harry said as everyone else walked to the fireplace.
"What's the matter, Harry? Don't like the Floo System?" Ron teased.
"Yeah, that's exactly it," Harry said flatly, "I prefer to travel by apparation as it is."
"Have it your way then," Ron shrugged, stepping back into the fireplace. They both disappeared at the same time.
Harry reappeared at the Shrieking Shack just as Ron, Hermione, and Lavender walked out of it. They greeted each other again and headed on their way. Even from a good distance off, the quartet could easily spot the large crowd at the entrance to the restaurant.
"It's going to be hell getting in there," Ron stated with forth coming dread.
"It can't be any worse than Nightingale's opening," Harry said optimistically.
Hermione looked at him, "I still can't believe you went to America without us."
"Hey, it was Sirius, Remus, and Tali's turns. You don't see them here, do you?" Harry asked.
Hermione shook her head, "No, it's alright. I've just always wanted to go to America, that's all."
"Yeah, I heard they have some of the best chefs there!" Ron jumped in.
"Is all you think about food?" Hermione asked incredibly.
"No," said Ron, "Sometimes I think about Lavender."
"Glad to know I make it into that mind of yours," Lavender said sarcastically.
"Sometimes," Ron restated.
Lavender shoved him, knocking him into Harry, who stumbled backwards a few steps before bumping into someone.
"Oh, sorry!" he said, turning around to see a young girl on the ground.
"Don't mention it," she said, standing up, "I seem to be bumping into people left and right these days."
"Hey!" Harry exclaimed as soon as he saw the girl's face, "Nice to see you again! Er…Nyo, right?"
He shook her hand as she nodded, a slight blush tinting her cheeks, "Nice to see you again, too."
Ron cleared his throat behind them, and Harry smiled at them, "Hey, Nyo, these are my friends, Ron and Lavender."
Ron and Lavender said hi, and Harry took Hermione's hand, "And this is my girlfriend, Hermione."
"Nice to meet you," Nyo grinned, shaking her hand.
"And, guys, this is Nyo. I bumped into her the other day outside Fred and George's shop. She's a transfer student. She'll be at Hogwarts this year," Harry said, motioning to the blue-eyed girl.
"Nice to meet you," the three said simultaneously.
"What year are you?" Lavender smiled.
"Seventh."
"Alright!" Ron exclaimed, "Hope to see you in Gryffindor."
"Are you all in Gryffindor?" she asked, looking at them.
"Yep!" Ron grinned broadly, "The best of the lot."
Harry fought down a smile. Little did they know that he was no longer a Gryffindor.
"You all look nice tonight. Where are you heading?"
Harry nodded at Westbridge, "We have reservations at Westbridge."
"Wow! That's an expensive place," Nyo said, impressed, "And I hear they have the best desserts."
"Yeah, but you want to hear the best part?" Ron said excitedly, "It's all for free!"
"Free?" Nyo asked.
Harry whacked Ron over the head, "Yeah. I guess the owners want me to be seen there or something. Either way, they offered me and my friends free meals if we came tonight."
"Wow," Nyo breathed, "Well, I hope you four have fun."
Hermione whispered feverishly in Harry's ear, and he smiled, "Hey, Nyo, want to come with us?"
She looked taken back, "What?"
"Why don't you come with us?" Hermione asked, "That way we could get to know you a little better."
"Yeah, and we can give you the dos and don'ts for Hogwarts," Lavender smiled.
"I don't know...Haven't you only reserved four seats?"
Ron laughed, "You think they care? As long as Harry's there, they'll give us fifty seats."
Harry looked at him muttered something about "annoying twit." Hermione and Lavender laughed as Ron put his hand on his hips and pretended to be offended ("Well I never!").
"I'm not even dressed for someplace like Westbridge," Nyo said, looking at herself when questioned again. She was wearing an ordinary, worn robe.
"You look about my size. You can borrow one of my dress robes," Lavender smiled, "Oh! I have the perfect one! It'd be beautiful on you!"
Nyo opened her mouth, but before she could say anything, Lavender latched onto her hand, "Come on! It'll be fun! We could use another girl to chat with. Once those two get caught up on Quidditch there's no stopping them!"
"I like Quidditch," Nyo laughed at the indignant looks Ron and Harry were giving Lavender.
"So you'll come?" Harry asked.
Nyo thought for a moment before nodding, "I suppose so. I could use something to do until my parents are done."
"They're here?" Harry asked, looking around, not noticing the disdain that slipped into his voice.
Shaking her head, Nyo sighed irritably, "Yeah. They said they needed to meet someone in Hogs Head and didn't want me tagging along."
"Typical. Parents are all the same. Mum and Dad kicked me and Gin out the other day when Dumbledore came over… It's like they don't trust us or something." Ron crossed his arms.
"I wonder why," Lavender laughed before turning to Harry, "Harry, would you mind getting my spare robe? It's the pastel pink one with the white trim,"
Harry nodded and apparated out of sight.
"Where'd he go?" Nyo asked, looking around.
"To my house," Lavender said plainly.
"He can apparate?" Nyo asked, impressed.
The three laughed, and Nyo's cheeks tinted pink. Ron put a hand on her shoulder, "Harry can do anything. Didn't you hear about last year?"
"My parents don't keep up on business that doesn't concern them," Nyo said quietly.
"Doesn't concern them?" Ron exclaimed, "The press conference after Harry killed You-Kno...er...Voldemort doesn't concern your parents?"
Nyo shrugged, "We keep to ourselves a lot."
"I suppose so," Hermione said.
Nyo suddenly found herself enveloped in a warm golden light. When it faded, she was fitted in Lavender's pink dress robe, which did fit her quite nicely.
"Not bad, Lav. Maybe you should consider being a fashion consultant," Harry said, reappearing.
"Yeah, anything but a Divination store," Ron pleaded.
Lavender stuck her head into the air proudly, "No, I may have a knack for fashion, but it could never replace my one true love."
Ron's face fell, "You mean, you like some ruddy rubbish more than me?"
Lavender's mouth dropped open, "I know that you didn't just insult Divination!"
Harry and Hermione simultaneously dropped their heads into their hands, "Here we go again."
"Come on, if we have to listen to you two fight, I'm at least going to be sitting down while I do it," Harry said, grabbing their hands and pulling them towards Westbridge.
Fifteen minutes later, they had somehow managed to make their way through the crowds of reporters and onlookers—a task none were looking forward to attempting again after their meal. The moment they were inside, though, they were once again surrounded.
"Ah, Mister Potter! So glad you could make it!" a tall, lean woman—whom Harry guessed to be one of the owners—exclaimed, taking his hand and shaking it furiously.
"Er. . .yes," Harry said once he got control of his hand back, "I brought an extra friend."
A man in a gray robe smiled, "For you, no problem at all, Mister Potter."
"Thanks," Harry said, casting a quick wink at Nyo as the five of them were led through the tables.
Not many people had arrived yet, but those who were, stared after them as they passed. Harry did his best to ignore them and was a bit less than pleased to find that the man had placed them right at the head of the room.
"Can't we have a seat somewhere closer to the back?" he asked hopefully.
"This is the best table in the house," the man beamed.
Ron coughed something that sounded suspiciously like 'bullshit' and Lavender elbowed him. Harry reluctantly nodded and the five took their seats. Once the man was gone, Harry looked at his friends, "I suppose I should have known better than to expect to remain inconspicuous, huh?"
"Harry, with you, there is no such thing as inconspicuous," Hermione laughed.
"I'll take that as a compliment," Harry smiled.
Hermione smiled back and kissed his cheek, "Take it however you want, Harry."
"If you two are finished..." Ron led off.
"Why do you always have to ruin the moment, Ron?" Lavender asked, setting down her menu.
"Er..." Ron looked around for a moment before pulling her close and whispering rather loudly in her ear, "Because you and I weren't the stars."
Everyone at the table snorted at how corny that sounded before hiding their faces behind their menus with the exception of Lavender who pushed herself away from Ron, "Sorry, Ron. Not this time."
"So, you've been here before Lavender, what's good?" Hermione asked.
"Who cares? I'm just going to order the most expensive thing on the menu," Ron said, "What's 'haggis' anyway?"
Hermione and Nyo laughed while the other three looked at them.
"What is it?" asked Harry. The two girls looked at each other and laughed again.
"From their reaction, I wouldn't say it's anything you'd want to get, Ron," Harry said pointedly.
"Sure you can get it," Hermione smiled.
"Yes. This place makes the best haggis," Nyo grinned.
"What is it?" the three chorused.
Nyo forced her laughter down, "Chopped lungs, heart, and liver mixed with oatmeal and boiled in a sheep's stomach."
"Oh! Ew! That's disgusting!" Lavender exclaimed, clamping her hands over her mouth. Judging by Harry and Ron's faces, they felt the same way.
"Still going for the priciest thing on the menu, Ron?" Hermione asked.
Ron put his menu down and pushed it away, "I think I'll just have a hamburger."
"One hamburger, and what will the rest of you have?" asked a waitress, walking up to them.
"Er...I'll have the chicken marbella," Harry said, setting down his menu.
"And I'll have the smoked salmon," Hermione said, also setting down her menu.
"I guess I'll have the paella," Nyo said, gathering all the menus and handing them to the waitress.
"Alright, I'll be back with your food momentarily," said the waitress as she walked off.
"So you like it in England?" Hermione asked Nyo.
"Yes, it's very nice here...the people are a lot more friendly, anyway," Nyo nodded.
"The people were rude where you came from?" asked Lavender, and Nyo nodded again.
"Did you by any chance come from Bulgaria?" Ron asked before being kicked in the shin by Hermione, "Ow! What was that for?"
"Just because you didn't like Viktor doesn't mean you can still go around insulting his country, Ron," Hermione said, perturbed.
"Still. . ." Ron said, rubbing his leg, "You didn't have to kick me so hard."
"Well you don't have to be such a prat," Hermione retorted before turning back to Nyo, "So where do you come from?"
"Well. . .I'm from England, but my parents and I have lived in Ireland since I was very little."
"Ireland, eh? Ever have any trouble with those damn leprechauns planting fake money with yours?" Ron asked.
"Ron!" Harry, Hermione, and Lavender exclaimed.
Nyo laughed, "No, they never bothered us. . .we really didn't have many friends over there."
"Well I should think that a good thing if everyone was rude," Lavender said.
Nyo shrugged, "I suppose so. It did open a lot of time for studying, though."
Harry and Ron simultaneously groaned and smacked their hands to their foreheads.
"Not another Hermione," Ron groaned, earning another kick in the shins from the brunette.
Nyo laughed again, "I did play Quidditch often, you know."
Ron's eyes shimmered, "Really? What position?"
"Seeker. I never made the House team at my old school, but only because my parents wouldn't let me try out," Nyo added the last part quickly.
"Why not?" asked Ron, fascinated.
"They don't want me to draw any attention to myself," Nyo said, shrugging.
"No offense, Nyo, but your parents sound like stuck up bitches," Ron laughed.
"RON!" Harry, Hermione, and Lavender shouted, all either hitting or kicking him.
"OW! WHAT THE HELL WAS THAT FOR?" Ron yelled in pain.
The room suddenly took on a silence, and the members of the table turned to see everyone else in the restaurant staring at them. They laughed nervously before diving in over the table for a more private conversation.
"What the hell was that for?" Ron asked furiously, but more quietly.
"What do you think it was for, you prat?" Harry asked.
"No, it's alright. He's right. My parents are a bit stuck up. You should know that, Harry. You've met them before," Nyo said calmly.
"Still, there's a thing called etiquette. Obviously Ron hasn't learned any yet," Lavender said, glaring at him.
"Alright, alright. I'm sorry, already," Ron said, leaning back in his seat.
"Here's your food," said the waitress as she walked up to them.
She handed out their food and gave them a small smile before heading to another table from which she was being beckoned.
"A hamburger. . .we come to the fanciest restaurant in England, and you get a hamburger," Hermione said, shaking her head.
"Just be quiet and eat your food, Hermione," Ron said through a mouthful of food.
Hermione muttered something about Ron being an 'unsophisticated prat' before turning to the others at the table, "Did you guys read the Daily Prophet this morning? Dumbledore's the new Minister of Magic!"
"Yeah, I know! And can you believe that no one knows who the new Headmaster of Hogwarts is going to be?" Lavender asked.
Harry choked on a bite of his chicken and Hermione patted him on the back, "You okay, Harry?"
"Er. . .yeah. Yeah, I'm fine. No clue who's going to be the Headmaster, though," he said, instantly regretting the last part he said.
"Harry, do you know something you're not telling us?" Lavender asked.
"Er. . .no. No, nothing that I'm aware of."
"Hey! Sirius, Tali, and Remus are all professors at the school now, aren't they?" Ron turned to Harry, "Harry! Who's the new Headmaster?"
"I have no idea," Harry said, "...Did you guys hear about the Quidditch Cup finals? The favorite is England this year."
"Don't go changing the subject, Harry. I know you know!" Ron exclaimed.
Harry cursed himself numerously in his head before looking those who were staring at him expectantly, "Alright, alright. I know who it is. But I can't tell you. I've been sworn to secrecy."
"Aw! Come on, Harry! You can tell us! We're your best friends!" Ron pleaded, leaning over the table.
"Ron, you're getting your robes in Harry's food," Lavender said, trying to pull him back into his seat.
"Harry! Please tell me!" Ron begged, "At least tell me it's not that Umbridge woman from the Ministry! Fred and George have been swearing up and down—"
"Ron, you're drawing attention to yourself again," Nyo pointed out.
Ron either didn't notice, or didn't care, for he went on pleading with his friend until Harry finally magicked Ron back into his seat.
"I told you," Harry said, "I'm sworn to secrecy. All I can tell you is that he's a cool guy. Don't worry. We'll have a great year."
"Well at least we can rule Snape out," Hermione said with subtle pleasure.
"Snape?" asked Nyo, "Isn't he a Death Eater?"
The three looked at each other, "Where'd you hear that?"
"It's common knowledge among us magic folk in Ireland," Nyo said, shrugging.
"Well it's not here. You can't tell anyone, okay?" Harry said earnestly.
Nyo looked at them, uncertain of what the big deal was, but nodded nonetheless, "Okay, then."
The rest of dinner went pretty uneventful. They learned that Nyo was an only child, and she learned quite a bit about Harry's defeat of Voldemort, which, quite surprisingly, she knew very little about.
After a huge round of dessert which consisted of an ice cream sundae large enough to feed the whole of Hogwarts, the five made their way out of the restaurant. The crowd outside had died down in the two and a half hours it had taken them to eat, but they still had to brave past a few lingering photographers. Once out of their sight, they collapsed on a nearby bench.
"Bloody hell, they do have the best desserts!" Ron said, patting his stomach.
"Their meals weren't that bad, either," Hermione nodded.
"I don't know. I've had better at cheaper places," Ron said.
"Why are you even talking, Ron? Not only was it all free, but, out of all the things you could have had, you had a hamburger and fries," Lavender said.
"Well, it was nice getting to meet you all, and thank you for dinner, but I really best be heading back before my parents have a cow," Nyo said, beginning to take off Lavender's robe.
"Keep it," Lavender said, "You can just give it to me on the Hogwarts Express. There's no rush, right?"
"No, I really ought to give it to you now," Nyo said, handing it to her, "My parents don't like me to borrow things."
"I said it before, and I'll say it again—" started Ron.
Hermione quickly slapped her hand over his mouth, though, "No you won't say it, Ron."
"You're not cold?" Harry asked, noticing Nyo tugging at her short sleeves, "It's August."
"What?" she asked, "Oh, no. No, I'm fine."
"You sure? You can keep my robe until Hogwarts. Honest, I don't mind," Lavender said.
"No, I'll be fine. My parents should be done by now. I'll you at school," Nyo said, turning and beginning to walk towards the edge of town. They watched her until she disappeared around the corner of the street.
"Well, we better be going, too. I want to make sure that Fred and George haven't found a way around that lock yet," Ron said, turning towards the Shrieking Shack.
"You guys go on, I think I'll apparate again," Harry said.
Ron rolled his eyes, "Wimp. Come on, Lavender. We can't part ways until a goodnight kiss, now can we?"
Lavender smiled, "We'll meet you at the Shack, Hermione."
Hermione laughed, and waved them off, though it was rather pointless, for they had already broken out into a run and were already half way to the Shack.
"Now that we're alone. . ." Harry pulled Hermione closer to him.
"Thank you for a wonderful evening, Harry," Hermione said, kissing him.
"Hey, don't thank me, thank my use as a publicity act," Harry smiled.
Hermione laughed and kissed him again, "I better be going. Dad's going to want to make sure I'm back before he goes to bed, and it's getting a bit late."
Harry nodded, "See you on the first, then."
Hermione nodded, "It's a date."
Harry smiled and stared at her retreating figure. When she finally vanished within the house, Harry turned back in the direction that Nyo had taken off in. Something felt awfully familiar about her, though he couldn't place his finger on what it was.
The clock in the center of Hogsmeade rang eleven. Sighing, he decided that he would figure it out later. After all, he had all year, and now that he didn't have classes to worry about, he would have plenty of time. That thought in mind, he apparated back to Marauder Manor.
AUTHOR'S NOTE: Sooooooooooooo happy right now! Anywho, hope you like the chapter. I fear I must go to this really stupid camp this week, and I won't be back until Friday afternoon. You have the fifth book of Harry Potter to keep you busy, though. And if you finish that, I'll leave you with a little something else. . .
Next chapter: September first is here, and everyone finds out who the Headmaster is.