Chapter 2: Beginnings

Harry's first class was Transfiguration. It was not his favorite class but it was also not his least favorite. He did not know if he would be able to deal with a potions class that morning. Potions class was easily his least favorite class. A cold dungeon, a professor who had hated his family since he went to Hogwarts, and a class full of Slytherins were not the ingredients for a successful class in his opinion. Still, Harry wished he could take the morning off and go flying. Flying and quidditch always helped him clear his mind.

Professor McGonagall stopped Harry at the door of the classroom. She had a concerned look on her face that somewhat softened her usually strict, no-nonsense expression.

"Dumbledore asked me to see if everything is alright with you." She said kindly. "He did not want to take you out of class. He said it would create too much distraction and curiosity. I do not believe you would like the whole school to make up rumors about you. He thought that me talking to you would keep things more – subtle I believe was the word he used." A smile was dancing at the corners of the professor's mouth.

Harry just nodded and snuck a glance at the class. He found it hard to believe that this was helping keep things "subtle". The whole class seemed to be watching him with curiosity written all over their faces. If the owl had not already started rumors (which Harry deemed very unlikely) this little conversation would surely start them flying.

"He asked me to talk to you and ask you if everything is all right." Professor McGonagall was serious again. "You seemed somewhat troubled this morning when the owl post came in."

"I'm fine." Harry said.

Professor McGonagall watched him closely and then nodded. "In that case you may have a seat."

Harry turned towards the place where he, Ron and Hermione usually sat but someone was sitting in his seat. Ron pointed to the guy sitting next to him and shrugged while Hermione tried to be helpful pointed to an empty seat in the front row and mouthed to him "talk to us later"

The seat Hermione pointed at was the only empty seat left in the classroom. It was right next to a small girl with long thick hair the color of corn silk. She smiled at Harry when he sat down but did not say a thing. Harry had never talked to her before and did not even know her name.

"I'm Laura," she introduced herself.

"Harry," Harry answered.

"I know." She nodded politely and then turned the attention back to the lesson. Harry did the same.

You would think, Harry thought to himself, that after six years people would know that Ron Hermione and I always sit together. It's not as if they don't know me. They know me even if I don't know them. The thought amused him. He had already learned that he could not be anonymous and he would have to deal with his fame. He did not like it but sometimes he thought there could be advantages. There were no assigned seats in Hogwarts classes but Harry assumed that after six years people would realize that if Ron and Hermione were sitting together, Harry would want to sit with them. Never the less it might be for the better, Harry continued his thought; I could use a quiet class to think.

~*~

The rest of the day was uneventful. Professor McGonagall and the other professors assigned a large amount of homework claiming that a lot of work now would mean less pressure and less work right before the NEWTs; a thought that Hermione agreed with. In addition to that Hermione found the time to create an extra study schedule.

"You are insane Hermione!" Ron exclaimed when he saw her schedule. Hermione pointedly ignored him and handed Harry a copy.

"He has a point, you know." Harry said after giving the schedule a thorough examination. "We will have no time."

"We will have to make time. I am not planning to fail my tests."

"You would never fail even if sat here and did nothing for the rest of the year." Ron said crossly. "The teachers are giving us enough work to prepare us and you are head girl. You won't have much time with all your added responsibilities."

"Besides, Hermione, I don't know if I will have that much time." Harry added. "I mean, there's Quidditch and everything."

"I'm not worried about you Harry. But Ron here –"

"What about me?!" Ron interrupted.

"You have potential, you just need a push. You always did."

"Potential for what?" Ron demanded

"So does this mean I don't have potential?" Harry was slightly amused. Hermione smiled and laughed.

"Oh no. I've already given up on you a long time ago." Hermione said in a too serious voice and winked at Harry.

"Potential for what?" Ron was not going to let it slide.

"Potential to get good grades. You just don't try hard enough." Hermione answered.

"If I only had a brain…" Harry sang, earning glares from his two friends. Then the three burst out laughing.

Half an hour later Hermione got up. "Well I'm going to my room. I have a book I want to read before dinner."

"Read a whole book before dinner?" Ron teased.

"Not a whole book, Ron. I just want to start reading it."

"Well if Hermione is leaving us, what would you say to a little flying race?" Harry asked. Ron's face lit up.

"You're on!"

Hermione rolled her eyes. Boys, seems like they have nothing in their heads but flying.

~*~

Ron and Harry rushed up to their room to grab their brooms.

"She's insane." Ron said as soon as the door was closed.

"Not unusually so." Harry said as he searched his trunk for his riding gear. "In fact compared to some other people she is completely sane."

"She's trying to work us to death!" Ron grabbed his broom and sat on Harry's bed. "I'm telling you Harry, if You Know Who doesn't kill you, her study schedule will."

Harry stopped his search for a second and then continued determinedly. Ron realized that he had gone too far and did not say a thing. Ron was beginning to feel uncomfortable when Harry broke the awkward silence.

"What was that?" Harry was suddenly alert.

"What was what?"

"That sound."

"Harry are you ok? What sound?"

"I heard someone crying and it sounded like it came from above us."

"There is nothing above us. We are at the top of the tower."

"That's why I was surprised."

Harry walked to the window and tried to see what or who was on the roof but he was unable to see much.

"Is anyone there?" He called out but he was only answered by a surprised gasp and the sight of a large bundle of blue fabric rolling off the roof at the edges of his vision.