Athenakitty: Well, he can't really spill the beans, you'll see why. As for Nyo's parents...you shall see. And trust me: it's gonna be one hell of a shocker when you find out.no more there for the moment, though. And the verdict is in: the teasers remain!
Ears91: Yeah, I know. But it's just so typically Ron, isn't it? Sirius.:sigh: yes, I think I'll use him a lot more in this story. If you finished Book 5, you should know why. You'll know their reactions soon...
Emma Watson: For shame for shame. You should know that I can tell you anything like that, Jen. But think about it for a moment. Would I really make it Nyo/Harry? Hmm. . .
Istalksiriusonweekends: I finished #5 at precisely 12:36 on Sunday. I'm so proud! 870 pages in a day in a half! Well, I think it was AU from the moment I introduced the idea that Harry was abused. I know what you mean, though. Don't worry, this is going to be a good story!
S: K then, it shall be as the public wishes!
Potterfreak: Are you serious? Wow. I'm not sure I've gotten a compliment like that before. Thanks a whole bunch!
Kim:Frowns: You didn't like it? What do you mean it has nothing to do with my writing? There is a lot of information in this chapter that will be pertinent in future chapters. I'm sorry if this depressed you, but things can't be happy all the time.I'm sorry if I seem defensive.I've never gotten a bad review before.
Danny's Girl: Thanks! And I shall!
Lady Reaper of the Shadows: Yeah, I know what you're talking about. There are 4 other people in my family I have to share it with. But I'm glad that you enjoyed this chapter!
Angelic Demon: Oh, I completely understand. I just thought I'd post the chapter before I left to camp for a week. I'm certain you guys wouldn't want to wait for it after you finished book 5.
Hedowl5: Is it really? I don't think I would ever have the guts to eat it. Yeah, Harry's gonna ask Hermione to marry him.I ain't saying why, but it should be amusing.
Charlie: Yay! More cool words! No worries about me not continuing, though. It goes against my reasoning to stop a story that so many people are reading. 55 reviews for four chapters? That's gotta be a sign! I'll be here all summer entertaining your reading needs. So any requests, just let me know:Smiles: Enjoy the chapter!
Wanted: A Happy Ending
Ch5: Headmaster Harry?
Harry watched the door to his office slam shut. It was only as the angry footsteps died away from hearing range that he released his grip on his godfather's robes. Sirius ran for the door, only to find it sealed shut by magic.
"God dammit, Harry! Let me get one good shot at him! That's all I want!" Sirius shouted angrily.
"That's what he wants you to do, Sirius," Tali said, "We're not kids anymore. If you attack him, then chances are that you won't be here to greet the new students tonight."
Sirius rolled his eyes, "Yes, but when I attack him, he won't be there either. I think the students would thank me for that later."
"This year's going to be hell for you if you can't learn to at least tolerate Snape," Tali said impatiently.
"Not as big a hell as it'll be for him if he can't learn to keep his mouth shut!" Sirius raged, "If he insults my family one more time."
"You were never too big on your family to begin with, Padfoot," Remus reminded him.
Sirius sighed angrily, "That doesn't mean I'm going to let a scum bag like Snape insult them."
"It sounds to me like you're more upset that it was him who insulted them and not you," Tali observed.
Sirius huffed, "It doesn't matter, anyway. They're dead, it's over with now."
Harry looked questioningly between the adults in the room. He couldn't help but get the feeling that he was being left out of the conversation on purpose.
He decided to leave it alone, though, and smiled, "So, do you guys have your first lesson plans ready?"
"What's to plan? I put the kids on a broom, and make sure they don't fall off. What's so hard about that?" Sirius asked with a smile.
Tali snorted, "Good luck with that. Why do you think Hooch retired in the first place, Sirius?" (Sirius shrugged) "Every bloody year, some first year loses control of their broom and ends up in the hospital wing."
"Ah, Tals, that won't happen to me," Sirius laughed.
Tali, Remus, and Harry all rolled their eyes, "Sure it won't."
"I don't see why you're talking, Harry. It's not like you're teaching anything," Sirius said, crossing his arms.
Harry's eyes twinkled and he grinned, "Maybe not, but I still have to find something to give Hermione for her birthday. It's only a couple of weeks away."
"Buy her a box of candy; women love that kind of thing. Right, Tals?"
Tali crossed her arms, "Sirius Black, you obviously have no clue about women, do you?"
"Hey, you married me," Sirius defended.
Tali sighed and shook her head, "I know, but we're all entitled to our share of mistakes, aren't we?"
"Hey!" Sirius cried indignantly, diving at her and tickling her like crazy.
Remus and Harry hit their hands to their foreheads simultaneously, and Remus turned to Harry, "Don't listen to anything Sirius says about women, Harry. It's a sure fire way to become single again."
"Hey! If you haven't noticed, I'm married here!" Sirius exclaimed, pointing to the ring on his finger.
"Yes, well, you two are an exception," Remus said before smiling, "You're both very special."
Sirius nodded proudly before understanding the insult hidden in there and dropping his mouth open in protest.
"I still don't know what to get her," Harry said, cutting Sirius off before he could say anything.
"You'll figure it out. You have until the nineteenth," Tali said confidently.
"Yeah, and if all else fails, ask her what she wants when she gets here tonight," Sirius smiled.
"Speaking of which, we should be heading down to the Great Hall. The students will be arriving shortly," Remus said, casting a glance out the window to the darkening sky.
"Good idea. I'm starving!" Harry said, heading toward the door.
"You three go on, I have to go greet the first years," Tali said, separating from them at the gargoyle that blocked Harry's office off from the rest of the school.
"Good luck, Tals," Sirius said, "If they get rowdy, I'll send Peeves over to quiet them down."
"Oh no you won't! That's the last thing we need," Tali said, muttering to herself as she headed down the hall.
"Come on, if we hurry we might be able to snag some food from the kitchens before dinner," Harry said, pulling on the others' arms.
"Hold it, Harry," Sirius said, standing firmly in the same spot on the ground.
Harry's stomach grumbled as he gave up on fighting his godfather. He sighed and decided to save his energy. He let himself fall forward, knowing Sirius was there to keep him from falling, which he was. As he hung there, leaning over the floor, Harry began to think it might have been best to leave with Tali.
"Come on, Harry, stand up," Sirius said, pulling him up.
"Ah, Sirius, I'm hungry. What is it?" Harry asked, standing up, perturbed.
"If I'm reading him correctly, his mind has managed to work up some mischief," Remus said, rolling his eyes.
Harry grinned, eyes twinkling, and forgot about his hunger, "Really? Like what?"
Remus looked at his best friend, "Care to clue us in, Padfoot?"
"What fun would that be? Come on, I'll show you," Sirius said, pulling the two in the direction of the dungeons.
"Tali!" Hermione called out over the sea of faces in the Great Hall.
Tali, who had been busy trying to come up with a good reason for the delay in the Sorting, caused by Sirius, Harry and Remus' lack of attendance in the Hall, welcomed the distraction, "Hello, Hermione, Ron, Lavender. How are you all?"
"We're fine. We were just wondering if Harry had come with you this year?"
"Oh. Yes. Yes, he did." Tali nodded, the original source of her frustration coming back to her.
"So where is he?" Lavender asked, looking around the Hall.
Tali sighed, "If I knew that then my problems would be over."
The three laughed, "So he's run off again, then?"
"More like Sirius dragged him and Remus off somewhere. …They should be getting here soon enough, though…or at least they better," Tali shook her head.
"Okay then. We'll give him an earful for you when we see him," Ron said, walking back to the Gryffindor table.
"Tali, we need to start soon. I'm certain they'll arrive sooner or later," Professor Sprout whispered at her.
Tali cast a glance at the four empty seats at the Head Table and nodded, "Yes, I suppose you're right."
She stood up and gently hit her spoon against the rim of her glass cup. Silence fell over the students as they all gazed curiously at her, wondering what the delay was about.
"As I'm sure you have all heard," Tali said, looking around nervously, "Professor Dumbledore has recently accepted the position of Minister of Magic and Professor McGonagall has also transferred over to the Ministry. This, along with the retirement of Madame Hooch, has left three positions open. . ."
She broke off and glanced at three of the empty seats, "We have filled these positions. . .though, apparently, the replacements have not arrived yet—"
No sooner had she said this, than did the doors to the Great Hall burst open and in ran Sirius, Remus, and Harry.
"Out of the way! Quick, before he gets here!" Sirius yelled as he pushed his way through the curious first years.
Every single eye in the room followed the three as they ran to the front of the room. Curiosity seemed to reach a new peak as they all jumped over the table and into the three empty seats. Once there, they quickly straightened their robes and tried to catch their breath, but before any questions could be asked.
"Black! You and your little band of misfits can run but you can't hi—" Snape stopped in his tracks as he realized that the students had arrived.
A moment of silence met the scene but was quickly broken by several snickers. Pretty soon, the entire school was laughing as Snape stormed forward. He was followed by a pair of magically brought to life gloves that massaged shampoo into his hair. Every minute or so, the bucket that was suspended above his head dumped ice cold water over him.
"What are you talking about, Snape? We've been here for the past ten minutes," Sirius said, smiling innocently.
"Indeed! And I suppose it was a trio of your evil counterparts that did this?" Snape asked snippily as he swatted at the gloves.
The three looked at each other than back to the Potions Master, "Perhaps."
Snape scowled, "This isn't over yet! Two can play this game!"
Harry leaned over to his two friends, "Aren't there already three of us playing it?"
They smirked as Snape turned curtly and stormed out of the Hall, laughter following him the whole way. The doors to the Hall slammed shut behind him, and as soon as they did, Harry, Sirius, and Remus burst out into laughter, not noticing all the eyes that were now staring at them.
"What?" Sirius asked after he managed to calm down.
"I should have known better than to let you three wander about the castle without proper supervision," Tali said, glaring at them.
Some people in the room snickered at this, and Sirius frowned at her, "We aren't kids, Tals."
"You could have fooled me."
"Hey, it was Padfoot's idea. Not ours," Remus said, and Harry nodded earnestly.
"Yes, well, even so—" Tali started, but was cut off when Madame Pomfrey cleared her throat and nodded at the students who were all staring at them.
"Er…right. We'll finish this discussion later," Tali then turned to students.
"Hey, Harry! What are you doing up there?" Seamus Finnegan shouted from his seat at the Gryffindor table.
Harry sweatdropped and rubbed the back of his head, "Er…"
"Aren't you going to say something, Harry?" Tali asked, tapping her foot.
Harry looked across the sea of faces and than back to her, "Do I have to?"
"You should explain everything to them, Harry," Remus agreed, "They'll find out soon enough as it is."
"Fine," Harry said reluctantly as he shook his head and stood up, "Hi."
Silence met him, and Harry looked around at the many familiar faces, and those faces of the first years who stared at him in awe. Harry shifted his weight to his other foot, no matter how many times he was forced into the spotlight; he doubted he would ever like it.
"Er—I guess you're all wondering what I'm doing up here." Harry started and many nodded, "Well…first, let me introduce you to your new Flying professor, Sirius Black."
There was a rather enthusiastic applause by all those who had been at Hogwarts the previous year. Harry waited for it to die down until he started again, "And Professor Black—er…Professor Tali Black has been switched to your Transfiguration professor."
Once again, Harry was interrupted by the students who applauded. "Finally, Remus Lupin, as some of you older students might remember, has come back as your Defense Against the Dark Arts professor."
At this, there was a mixed response. All the fourth years and above, with the exception of the Slytherins, applauded loudly. From the Slytherin table, many booed and, in very raised voices, protested that they wouldn't have a werewolf teach them.
"I'm sure some of you," Harry spoke again, silencing everyone, "are worried about Professor Lupin's monthly problem. Well, you can rest assured that that will not be a problem. I can personally guarantee you that he is no longer a werewolf."
At this, nothing less than an uproar exploded from the student body. People were shouting left in right in disbelief.
"How the hell do you cure a werewolf?" Pansy Parkinson demanded to know.
"There has been a potion recently discovered that cured him," Sirius spoke over the noise.
"Who the hell invented it?" asked another Slytherin.
Harry was quite content to not answer that, but, apparently, others weren't.
"Harry did!" Ron shouted from the Gryffindor table, "So why don't you do us all a favor and stuff your foot in your mouth!"
For not the first time that evening, silence fell over the room. And, also not for the first time, all eyes rested upon Harry who groaned and shook his head, making a note of it to discuss the meaning of the word privacy with Ron later.
There was, not surprisingly, no more argument over whether Remus was cured or not, but another question was quickly shouted out into the silence, "Hey, Harry! You never answered me. Why are you up there?"
Harry sent a 'you-know-this-is-exactly-what-I-wanted-to-avoid' look at his companions seated on either side of him. Remus patted his shoulder, "Just get it over with, Harry."
"Right. Well, to put it simply: I'm the new Headmaster," Harry said, bracing himself for the explosion of discussion that didn't disappoint.
"He's the Headmaster?"
"Isn't he too young?"
"He hasn't even graduated yet!"
"This is so cool!"
"We can get away with anything now!" ("Ron!" Hermione said disapprovingly.)
"Why the hell didn't he tell us?"
"He's got a lot of explaining to do!"
"Why don't you take over, Tali?" Harry suggested, taking a seat.
"Quiet! Quiet, please!" she shouted over the room in response. Slowly, silence crept upon the room.
"Yes, you will all have plenty of time to talk later, but as of the moment, I need to sort the first years," Tali said and there was a nervous shuffle among the first years.
Looking out among their faces, Harry's gaze fell upon Nyo, which wasn't very hard to do, considering that she was double the height of those she was standing with. She looked as nerve racked as the others did. Harry caught her gaze and smiled at her. She gave him a shaky smile back before both turned their attention back to Tali, who was already on the "C's". Harry looked on, a bit disappointed that he had missed the Sorting Hat's song.
"Cretcher, Julian." A boy with sandy brown hair walked forward. He gulped and took a seat on the stool. It wasn't long until the hat shouted, "RAVENCLAW!"
The Sorting wasn't much different than that.
"HUFFLEPUFF!"
"HUFFLEPUFF!"
"SLYTHERIN!"
"RAVENCLAW!"
And "Glover, Reanna" became the first new Gryffindor.
It seemed, to Harry at least, that the Sorting was taking longer than normal. He supposed it might have had something to do with the fact that his stomach was threatening to jump out of his body if he didn't eat soon, and Harry was seriously beginning to wish that he hadn't had such an early lunch when the Sorting was over, with the exception of one person.
"Students, this is Nyoka Rill. She and her family have just moved here from Ireland. She's a seventh year, and I expect that, whatever house she is sorted into, you will help her adjust," Tali said as Nyo took a seat on the stool.
Harry stole glances at Ron, Hermione, and Lavender and noticed that they were all staring at Nyo in anticipation. Harry turned his attention to her as well and waited…and waited…and waited until a total of ten minutes had gone by.
"What's wrong with the hat?" Harry asked Remus in a whisper.
"I don't know," Remus whispered back, "It hardly takes longer than three minutes at most."
"With the exception of you, Harry," Sirius said, dropping in on the conversation, "But even then it was only five minutes, or so I heard."
Nyo's head whipped in the direction of the Slytherin table, and Harry was almost positive that he saw her hunch her shoulders over in defeat. He looked back to his friends, and Ron raised his eyebrows at him. Harry shrugged in a way that said "don't ask me." Ron shook his head and whispered something to Hermione and Lavender which caused Lavender to hit him.
"Gryffindor," the Sorting Hat finally said, far from its normal shouting of the house.
Nyo pulled the hat off her head very shakily and walked over to the Gryffindor table where Hermione scooted over to give her a seat between her and Lavender. Tali took the hat and stool off to the side and took her seat next to Sirius.
Harry stood up, "Before we eat, I have a few start of term notices. First, Fil—er. Mr. Filch wishes to remind you that the list of all things banned from the hallway is posted on his office door. Second, please remember that the Forbidden Forest is off limits—"
At that, there came several loud snorts, namely from the Head table and his friends at the Gryffindor table. Harry smiled, his eyes twinkling, "Hey, I'm not a student anymore."
Quite a few people snorted again at that, and Harry rolled his eyes before continuing, "Finally, there will be a Back-to-School Ball next Saturday. With that in mind, may you all enjoy dinner."
As he said this, food appeared on the table, and Harry was so quick to start piling food on his plate that he hardly noticed the excited jabbering that broke out at the news of the Ball.
"Slow down, Harry, the food's not going anywhere," Remus said as Harry shoved a whole boiled potato in his mouth.
Harry shrugged and swallowed, "I told you I was hungry. We should have never had that early lunch."
"I don't recall us deciding that there would be a dance, Harry," Tali said with a small smile.
Once again, Harry shrugged, "Come on, you have to admit, we could all use a little fun after last year."
"He's got you there, Tals," Sirius smirked.
Tali rolled her eyes and piled more food on her plate, "I suppose...am I to guess that this'll be a yearly event?"
"Of course!" Harry smiled before frowning, "Think you have enough?"
Tali looked down at her plate, "It's like you said, Harry. We should have never had that early lunch."
Sirius laughed, clapping her shoulder, "She takes after me."
Before long, the aching in his stomach that had been bothering him for the past few hours had finally disappeared. Harry sighed contentedly and leaned back in his chair, listening to the remnants of a small argument that had started between Sirius and Tali about "being a bad influence on Harry," referring to the incident with Snape at the beginning of dinner.
Harry was about to jump to Sirius' defense when the desserts disappeared. Harry sighed and stood up, "Okay, I hope you all enjoyed your first meal of the term at Hogwarts. Prefects, please lead the first years back to the Common Rooms."
There was a scraping of chairs, and Harry quickly headed towards the doors that would take him to the safety of his office. However, before he was even half way there, a voice rang out over the noise that filled the room.
"Harry Potter! Don't you run away from me!"
Harry froze, took a deep breath, and turned to see Ron, Hermione, Lavender, and Nyo (who was being hastily dragged over by Lavender) hurrying over to him.
"Er...hi." Harry said, laughing shortly.
"Harry! Why didn't you tell us?" Hermione asked shrilly.
Harry thought for a moment before chuckling nervously, "Surprise?"
They looked at him a moment before cracking smiles and laughing as well. Hermione rolled her eyes, "I should have known something was up when Ron was made Headboy."
"He was what?" Harry exclaimed, glancing over at his red-haired friend who had the shiny badge pinned to the front of his robes.
"Didn't you know?" Hermione asked and Harry shook his head, "Oh, well, Ron and I were made Headboy and girl, and Lavender and Neville were made prefects. …And I guess you were made Headmaster."
"Bloody hell, Harry! This is awesome!" Ron exclaimed, clapping him on the shoulder.
Harry shrugged, "It wasn't my idea. They offered it to me."
"Not just that, the whole thing with Snape! And he can't even do anything to you anymore!" Ron laughed.
"That wasn't my idea either, it was Padfoot's," said Harry before thinking, "All I wanted to do was go to the kitchens for a snack."
Lavender snorted, "Careful, Harry. You're beginning to sound like Ron."
Ron dropped his mouth open in indignation, "Well, I never!"
"Congrats on making Gryffindor," Harry smiled, turning to Nyo.
"Thanks," Nyo said grinned back at him before ducking slightly behind Lavender, though not before Harry noticed a slight blush.
Shrugging it off, he turned back to Hermione, "So, are you looking forward to your first day of classes tomorrow?"
Hermione nodded brightly, but Ron groaned, "Not hardly, I hear I have double Divination first thing. That class is going to suck some serious ass now that you're not in it."
Lavender gasped, "Ron! I'll be in there, too, in case you've forgotten."
Ron rolled his eyes, "Yeah, but you actually take that class seriously."
"Face it, Ron, you better get used to Divination. I'm willing to bet money that Lavender's going to take over Kismet's someday," Hermione with a small smile.
"Oh! You really think so, Hermione?" Lavender asked, sounding ecstatic.
"You had to go there, Herms," Ron groaned.
"You four best get up to the tower," Remus said as he, Sirius, and Tali walked up to the group.
Hermione looked around the Hall and her eyes widened when she noticed that even the Professors had all left, "Oh! Right!"
She gave Harry a quick kiss, "See you tomorrow, Harry."
Harry nodded, "Right. And I guess I should just tell you all now, the password to my office is 'PJ.' If you need me, that's where I'll be."
The next morning, Harry was sitting at the Gryffindor table, talking animatedly with Ron, Dean, and Seamus.
"No way! You have to stay on the team, Harry!" Seamus exclaimed.
Harry laughed and shook his head, "I can't. I'm the Headmaster now, it 'goes against school policy,' or at least that was Tali said. I have to 'remain neutral' or some rubbish like that. Everyone knows I was in Gryffindor last year."
The three groaned and smacked their hands to their foreheads, "We're doomed!"
"Calm down. You saw Cho's replacement last year, he wasn't any good, and Hufflepuff hasn't had a decent seeker since Cedric. And now that Malfoy's gone, too, you'll do fine...rather, you better or else I'll hex you," Harry smiled and turned to Ron, "Looks like you're the captain now, Ron. Good luck keeping these blokes in shape."
Seamus and Dean mock-glared at Harry who laughed, "I'm just kidding."
"Sure you are, Harry," Dean rolled his eyes.
"Hey, Ron, why didn't you wait for us this morning?" Lavender asked as she, Hermione, and Nyo sat down.
Ron sighed, "There are three of you now, besides you knew where I was going to be."
"Hello, Harry," Hermione interrupted, kissing him briefly.
"Looking lovely, as usual, 'Mione," Harry smiled at her.
Lavender turned to Ron, "Why can't you be more romantic like that, Ron?"
Ron shrugged, "I don't know."
"That's a real winner of an excuse," Lavender said sarcastically.
"Oh! Mail's here!" Seamus smiled as numerous owls flew into the Hall.
A large number of them flew to the Gryffindor table and deposited letters to Harry who looked as puzzled as everyone else in the Hall. He picked up one that was right in front of him and looked it over.
"What's with all the mail?" Ron wondered out loud.
Harry shrugged and opened it, reading it out loud:
"Dear Mr. Potter,
My sons, you may know them, Colin and Dennis Creevy, have just written to me with the news that you are the new Headmaster of Hogwarts. And, I must say, I can't imagine a better pick! I had my doubts that the Board would be able to find a suitable replacement for Dumbledore, but I guess that I was wrong. Congratulations on your appointment!
Best Wishes,
Mr. & Mrs. Sam and Mary Creevey"
Harry sighed and set the paper down as his friends looked through the other letters.
"They're all like that," Nyo said, setting another letter down.
"Why am I not surprised?" Harry asked, looking through more letters.
"Don't sound so depressed, Harry," Ron said, rolling his eyes, "They're all supporting you."
"Hey, Harry, this one's not a congratulations letter," Dean said, handing Harry an official looking green piece of parchment.
"Dear Mr. Potter,
It has come to our attention that you are the mysterious donator/creator of the Opium Dresigs supply that was dropped off at our facility last week. We would like to thank you profusely and let you know that, so far, a total of forty three werewolves have been cured. It is, therefore, understandable when I inform you that I, and the rest of the wizarding world, wish to give you the Amity Accolade Award, more commonly known as the AAA, for your services to wizarding kind. The award ceremony will take place on September 29 at St Mungo's. If this date is inconvenient please let us know as soon as possible, if it is fine, please contact us ASAP anyway.
Thank you,
Melinda Spenser
Head Healer of St Mungo's"
Harry groaned, "Not another one."
"Wow! Harry, no one's received the AAA in over eighty years!" Hermione exclaimed.
This caused Harry to sigh and shake his head, "Great, just what I needed: more publicity."
He pulled a quill out and reluctantly wrote a reply:
Dear Ms Spenser,
Yes, the 29th sounds fine, but I think you should know that I, alone, didn't find the cure. Professor Severus Snape assisted me in creating the Opium Dresigs. If you intend on giving me the AAA, you should give it to him as well. I will see you on the 29th.
Sincerely,
Harry Potter
Harry whistled, and Hedwig came zooming into the room. The first years that were present stared at the beautiful white phoenix as she flew to her master and landed delicately on his shoulder. Harry tied the letter to her leg and gave her a piece of his toast before she flew out of the Hall again.
"Well now that that's over—" Ron started.
"Oh Merlin..." Nyo said quietly as an owl came swooping into the room, headed straight for her.
"A little late there, isn't he?" Lavender commented.
Nyo frowned irritably as the owl dropped off a steaming red letter before flying back out of the room.
"A Howler?" asked Ron, "What'd you do?"
Nyo looked at him, "Knowing my parents, probably nothing." Then, shaking her head, she took up the Howler and slowly slid her finger under the lip. Instantly, the voice Harry recognized as her father filled the Hall.
"NYOKA RILL! HOW DARE YOU! HOW DARE YOU GET IN GRYFFINDOR! DIDN'T WE TELL YOU NOT TO ARGUE WITH THE HAT?"
Nyo looked down, her face burning bright red as everyone stared at her.
"YOU'RE A DISGRACE TO THIS FAMILY! YOUR MOTHER AND I ARE COMPLETELY DISGUSTED! HOW DARE YOU TAINT OUR NAMES! YOU BETTER GET THIS SORTED OUT BEFORE I HAVE TO COME AND SORT IT OUT MYSELF!"
A new voice, a female voice that Harry remembered as Nyo's mother's, broke in, "AND IF YOU THINK FOR ONE INSTANT OF CHANGING THE DOUBLE 'S' FOR THE LION THEN CONSIDER YOURSELF SEVERED FROM THIS FAMILY!"
The letter floated up a few feet before shredding into tiny pieces and falling to the table, the voice of the woman still echoing off the walls.
Nyo, besides looking a little startled, appeared relatively unaffected by the ordeal. "So much for being subtle," she muttered to herself before glancing at Dean, "Pass the butter, please."
Dean dumbly handed over the requested, staring at her, "What was that about?"
For a long moment, it looked as if she had chosen to ignore the question. She buttered her toast and had fully eaten it before shrugging, "They wanted me in Slytherin."
Those around her traded looks as the girl in question grabbed her bookbag and hurried out of the Great Hall, slamming the doors slightly louder than she had most likely intended.
"What was that about?" Dean asked again.
Hermione blinked a few times and shook her head, "I don't know."
Ron cleared his throat, "Yeah, well, we better get to Divination."
Lavender, Dean, Seamus, and Neville nodded and the group left the Great Hall. Hermione turned to Harry, "That couldn't really have been her parents, could it?"
Harry nodded, "I think so. I met them outside Wheezes over the summer…they didn't seem very nice."
Hermione stood up and picked up her bags, "Nice? Try down right nasty. What's wrong with Gryffindor? And what's 'the double s?'"
Harry stood up and the two left the Great Hall, "I don't know."
Hermione stopped and turned to him, "Harry, you don't have any classes to get to, why don't you go find her? I really don't think she was heading to class."
"Sure," Harry said, kissing her goodbye and looking down both directions of the hall.
He thought for a moment hitting his head and rolling his eyes. Pulling out his wand, he said, "Accio Marauder's Map."
It didn't take more than a few seconds for one of the most useful pieces of parchment Harry had ever owned came flying into his hand. He smiled and tapped his wand to the parchment, "I solemnly swear I'm up to no good."
The map came to life, and Harry noticed that most people were in their classrooms already…most. After spotting what he needed, Harry folded the map, tucked it away, and headed towards his old tower. As there were no crowds of students, he made it there in record time.
"Password?" asked the Fat Lady.
"Merlin's Beard," Harry said promptly.
The portrait opened, and Harry climbed through. He smiled at the familiar sights and smells that greeted him. The place hadn't changed one bit. His attention was drawn elsewhere, however, by a loud crash coming from the girls' dormitories. Apparating to save himself the problem of the protection mechanism the girls' stairway held, Harry quietly pushed open the door leading to the seventh year girls' dorm.
Upon entering the room, the first thing he noticed was a broken mirror much like the one Sirius had given shown him earlier that summer. According to him, it was one of a pair that he and Harry's father had used while back in school when they had separate detentions.
Willing to bet that she had been using it to speak with her parents not long before he had gotten there, Harry's eyes moved to the bed where Nyo was currently sitting, scribbling furiously in a black bound leather notebook.
"Nyo?" he asked carefully.
She looked up at the voice and blushed slightly when she realized who it was and stood up, "Oh, hello, Professor."
Harry scrunched his nose, "Don't call me that, it makes me sound old. Harry will do."
She gave a small smile before going back to her scribbling. Harry moved to Lavender's bed which was next to hers and sat down, "I take it your parents didn't take the news well?"
Nyo snorted, "Not hardly. I'm sorry. I'll get to class."
She started to stand up, but Harry shook his head, "No, no, it's alright. What do you have?"
"Arithmancy."
"Oh, that's Vector's class. Don't worry about it. I'll talk to him about it," Harry said smiling.
Nyo sat back down and looked at him, "Thanks."
"It's no problem," Harry smiled again, "…So, you want to talk about it?"
Nyo looked down, "It's nothing. I knew I'd be getting an earful…I just thought they might have wanted to be a bit more subtle about it."
"Are they always that upset?" Harry asked, surprised.
"You could say that," Nyo said bitterly, "They're always raving about how great Slytherin is. They told me I'd regret it if I didn't make it."
Harry looked at her, "Regret it?"
She blushed again as if she had said too much and shrugged, "No biggie. Just more chores to do. Our house elf won't mind. You get used to it. Listen, I better get to class."
Harry nodded and stood up, "I'll walk you there. I don't want Vector giving you any trouble."
She took a deep breath and smiled broadly, dismissing any troubles she might have still held in regards to the Howler, "Whatever floats your boat."
The walk to Arithmancy was completely silent. Once or twice, Harry tried to make conversation, and Nyo answered them jovially, though their conversation always inevitably fell into long lulls. When they reached the classroom, Nyo slipped into a seat near Hermione close to the back.
"Ah, Headmaster, what can I help you with?" asked Vector.
"I'm just dropping Nyo off. She was with me," Harry said and Vector nodded before continuing with his lesson.
Just before he left, he caught Hermione's eye. They smiled at each other and Hermione mouthed, "Love you."
Harry grinned like an idiot and mouthed the same thing back before blowing a kiss at her. Some of the students saw this and, namely the girls, giggled. Hermione blushed and blew him a kiss back before continuing to take notes.
Harry winked and Hermione looked up at the new words that had appeared on her parchment. Suppressing giggles, she found his eye and nodded. Harry smiled and left the room.
'Lunch it is, then,' he thought happily to himself.
AUTHOR'S NOTE: Well, there it is! I'm back from camp, I've hit my trigger chapter, and I have all summer! So guess what? The stories are gonna keep on coming! Don't forget, any new reviewers who want in on the mailing list, just say so.
NEXT CHAPTER: A trip to Hogsmeade, Tali has some BIG news, and Harry seeks out advice on what to get Hermione for her birthday.