Chapter seven: Back to Hogwarts
As they walked towards the Thestral-drawn carriages, Harry noticed how cold it had become.
"You know Harry, it's kind of strange how the Thestrals are there, but I can't see them," Ron said beside him as he, Harry, Hermione, Ginny and Luna got into one of the carriages.
Harry was looking out of the carriage at the dark abyss of the Dark Forest when the carriage came to a halt in front of Hogwarts Castle. The students were making their way into Hogwarts when Harry heard a group of girls shriek in front of him. Harry looked up and saw Peeves floating around gleefully, having just turned a bucket of ice over on top of the girls, who Harry assumed were first years.
Among the hurry to get into the Great Hall, Harry and Ron were separated from Hermione and Ginny. Harry and Ron both decided to walk to the side and allow for everyone to get into the Hall before they walked in. Harry and Ron were talking while Harry was leaning against a door when it suddenly opened, making Harry fall back into someone. Harry looked at Ron's face which was a mix of laughter and "uh oh".
Harry slowly and hesitantly turned his head upward to see a very angry Professor Snape looking down his hooked nose at him. Harry gulped.
"Mr. Potter, not even an hour at school and you are already causing trouble? Ten points from Gryffindor," he said in his oily voice.
"I was just leaning on the door," Harry said jerkily.
"Did I ask you to open your mouth Potter? Five more points from Gryffindor," he said, smirking.
Without another word, he swept passed them and into the Great Hall. Harry and Ron could hear the Sorting Hat singing its song. Ron helped Harry get up and walked into the Great Hall as the Sorting Hat finished the song.
"-So as we walk on this troubled path let not a worry arise, for unity amongst ourselves will help us through this time."
The Hall broke into applause.
"Another warning," Ginny commented.
"Of course," said Hermione briskly, "Look at what we're facing."
At this, Harry and Ron sat between Hermione and Ginny a little out of breath.
"What kept you?" inquired Hermione.
"Snape," Harry whispered as Professor McGonagall began to read off names:
"Alley, Murray"
A boy with black hair stumbled up the steps and sat down on the stool.
"RAVENCLAW!" shouted the hat. There was polite clapping from the Ravenclaw table.
"Betcher, Layla"
A nervous looking girl walked up the steps and sat herself down on the stool, awaiting the hat's decision. She looked older than she apparently was. She had a certain familiarity to Harry but he couldn't put his finger on it. He brushed it off as quickly as that the thought had come.
"GRYFFINDOR!" declared the hat. The Gryffindors clapped and roared for her.
After about ten minutes came the last few first years.
"Rushell, Michael"
"RAVENCLAW!"
"Tran, Lucy"
"HUFFLEPUFF!"
"Zennigan, Rafael"
"SLYTHERIN!"
There was a tumultuous applause after Rafael Zennigan had been sorted. Apparently everyone else was hungry as well. But they still had to listen to Dumbledore make his announcements.
"Ahem, Welcome to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry on this cold and dreary evening! I have two quick announcements for you all before I begin the feast. First, all first years please note, the Forbidden Forest is strictly off limits, hence the name," he said, smiling, "Also, I would like to say that we have a new Defense Against-" he stopped and smiled, for he was interrupted by a roar from the students and heavy applause at the news of this, which included every one of the teachers, "-the Darks Arts teacher," he continued, "Professor Snape has agreed to accept this job and has given his Potions responsibilities to a new teacher." Most of the school gasped at the words while Snape looked absolutely ecstatic for once.
"Professor Snape is our Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher now?"
"Has Professor Dumbledore gone mad?"
Yet Dumbledore acted as though he had not heard any sound. So he proceeded to introduce the new Potions master.
"I would like to introduce you all to your new Potions Master, Professor Annie Williams."
A woman with brown hair down to the middle of her back stood up and waved to everyone cheerfully. She was very pretty considering she was old enough to be a teacher. A few Slytherin boys whistled at her as she sat back down. The hall broke into a scattered laughter. It would have been more cheerful, but the news of Professor Snape's job change was still lingering among the students. She smiled lightly at this. While Hermione rolled her eyes at the whistling.
"Let the feast begin!" boomed Professor Dumbledore.
Instantly, the plates were filled with the most delicious food Harry had ever seen. Of course it was the same Welcoming Feast that he always had, but to Harry it is the most sumptuous food he could taste.
"So why do you think Dumbledore gave Snape the Defense Against the Dark Arts job," asked Seamus, anxiously.
"I really don't know Seamus," said Hermione, looking worried, "but I don't think he'd appoint Snape to the job unless he really had to."
"Like as a last resort?" asked Ron, confusingly.
Harry did not add his opinion to the conversation, for he was busy eating his dinner. They noticed this and started to eat also, apparently remembering their hunger. After every plate was cleaned, Ginny, Hermione and Ron got up from the table along with the other Prefects from the other houses and led the first years to the dormitories.
"Bye Harry!" called Hermione.
"See you in the common room," said Ginny softly, brushing past him.
Harry slowly got up from the Gryffindor table and walked up the Grand Staircase to Gryffindor Tower. He got up to the third floor when he heard voices coming around the corner. They sounded worried and hushed. Harry slipped behind a near-by tapestry and listened to the conversation.
"She is a danger to everyone, Albus. If she-"
"Minerva, I will not speak of this outside of my office. We shall discuss this later," came Dumbledore's unusually sharp voice.
"Anything could happen Albus. We can not just let this situation be!" said Professor McGonagall in a severe voice.
"For the time being, we can. I will not interfere in this right now. I have other things on my mind," said Dumbledore.
When Harry heard the footsteps die away, he came out from behind the tapestry and ran up the staircase to Gryffindor Tower. As he ran up the stairs he was wondering who on earth Professors Dumbledore and McGonagall were talking about. He arrived at the Portrait of the Fat Lady and quickly said the password ("thestral"). He crawled through the Portrait hole and saw Hermione and Ron sitting on the couch holding hands and talking.
"Harry, are you ok?" asked Hermione. "You look really out of breath."
"Yeah . I'm . fine," he panted.
"Why'd you run here mate?" asked Ron, confused.
"I heard Professor Dumbledore talking to Professor McGonagall about some woman," Harry began. He told them what little of the conversation he heard.
"I honestly don't know who they could be talking about Harry," said Hermione.
"Maybe it's Bellatrix Lestrange," suggested Ron.
"Possibly, but I can't imagine why they would talk about it when the students would be getting to their dormitories," added Hermione. "There is always that risk of being overheard by a student." She looked up at Harry when she said this. Harry grinned.
"Anyway, I'm tired, so I'm going to bed," she said, as she got up and yawned greatly.
"Goodnight Hermione," said Ron, kissing her goodnight.
"Goodnight," she said, walking to the girl's staircase.
Ron kicked back on the couch and heaved a big sigh. Harry sat across from him in an armchair and looked at Ron. He smiled.
"What?" asked Ron, wondering why Harry was smiling at him.
"Nothing, it's just you and Hermione," Harry said still grinning. "You guys have fought for the past five years and now you are going out, it's funny."
"Oh, heh, yeah," said Ron awkwardly.
"When did you ask her out?" Harry asked.
"I asked her out about two weeks before you came to Grimmauld Place," Ron said. "I really like her, Harry. Whenever I'm around her now, it's different than it used to be. I don't know how to explain it."
"I know how you feel," Harry sighed.
"What do you mean?" he asked.
"Nothing," Harry said, wishing he hadn't opened his big mouth.
"No, come on mate, tell me," said Ron.
Harry sighed again. "Well, don't go nuts or anything, but I like Ginny," Harry began," a lot."
At this, Harry cast his eyes downward; he felt embarrassed.
Harry looked at Ron after he said this to check his expression. It was very comical. Ron was sitting there open mouthed, eyes as big as saucers. His countenance gradually turned into comprehension.
"I knew it!" whooped Ron.
"Shh! Don't let the whole common room hear you," Harry said quickly, noticing the looks that other Gryffindors were giving them. "What do you mean 'you knew it'?"
"Fred and George told me about you and Ginny holding hands in their store," said Ron, smiling widely. Harry blushed and looked away.
"It was an accident," he said. "Ginny grabbed my hand so we could go talk to Fred and George and we forgot to let go."
Nevertheless, Ron was still smiling. "Are you going to ask her out?" Ron asked bluntly.
"Wh-What?" Harry stuttered.
"Are you going to ask my sister out?" Ron repeated.
"Well, er, yeah," Harry said, looking away again.
Ron grinned once more. He yawned. "Alright mate, I'm heading to bed. Night."
Ron went to bed, leaving Harry in the emptying common room. He sat there for a while looking into the fireplace. He thought about many things. Ginny, Sirius, Ron and Hermione, his Aunt Petunia. He looked down at his watch and received a shock. Midnight already? Harry got up and went to the boys' dormitories. He got dressed in his pajamas and fell asleep thinking about the classes tomorrow and what the new teacher would be like.
As they walked towards the Thestral-drawn carriages, Harry noticed how cold it had become.
"You know Harry, it's kind of strange how the Thestrals are there, but I can't see them," Ron said beside him as he, Harry, Hermione, Ginny and Luna got into one of the carriages.
Harry was looking out of the carriage at the dark abyss of the Dark Forest when the carriage came to a halt in front of Hogwarts Castle. The students were making their way into Hogwarts when Harry heard a group of girls shriek in front of him. Harry looked up and saw Peeves floating around gleefully, having just turned a bucket of ice over on top of the girls, who Harry assumed were first years.
Among the hurry to get into the Great Hall, Harry and Ron were separated from Hermione and Ginny. Harry and Ron both decided to walk to the side and allow for everyone to get into the Hall before they walked in. Harry and Ron were talking while Harry was leaning against a door when it suddenly opened, making Harry fall back into someone. Harry looked at Ron's face which was a mix of laughter and "uh oh".
Harry slowly and hesitantly turned his head upward to see a very angry Professor Snape looking down his hooked nose at him. Harry gulped.
"Mr. Potter, not even an hour at school and you are already causing trouble? Ten points from Gryffindor," he said in his oily voice.
"I was just leaning on the door," Harry said jerkily.
"Did I ask you to open your mouth Potter? Five more points from Gryffindor," he said, smirking.
Without another word, he swept passed them and into the Great Hall. Harry and Ron could hear the Sorting Hat singing its song. Ron helped Harry get up and walked into the Great Hall as the Sorting Hat finished the song.
"-So as we walk on this troubled path let not a worry arise, for unity amongst ourselves will help us through this time."
The Hall broke into applause.
"Another warning," Ginny commented.
"Of course," said Hermione briskly, "Look at what we're facing."
At this, Harry and Ron sat between Hermione and Ginny a little out of breath.
"What kept you?" inquired Hermione.
"Snape," Harry whispered as Professor McGonagall began to read off names:
"Alley, Murray"
A boy with black hair stumbled up the steps and sat down on the stool.
"RAVENCLAW!" shouted the hat. There was polite clapping from the Ravenclaw table.
"Betcher, Layla"
A nervous looking girl walked up the steps and sat herself down on the stool, awaiting the hat's decision. She looked older than she apparently was. She had a certain familiarity to Harry but he couldn't put his finger on it. He brushed it off as quickly as that the thought had come.
"GRYFFINDOR!" declared the hat. The Gryffindors clapped and roared for her.
After about ten minutes came the last few first years.
"Rushell, Michael"
"RAVENCLAW!"
"Tran, Lucy"
"HUFFLEPUFF!"
"Zennigan, Rafael"
"SLYTHERIN!"
There was a tumultuous applause after Rafael Zennigan had been sorted. Apparently everyone else was hungry as well. But they still had to listen to Dumbledore make his announcements.
"Ahem, Welcome to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry on this cold and dreary evening! I have two quick announcements for you all before I begin the feast. First, all first years please note, the Forbidden Forest is strictly off limits, hence the name," he said, smiling, "Also, I would like to say that we have a new Defense Against-" he stopped and smiled, for he was interrupted by a roar from the students and heavy applause at the news of this, which included every one of the teachers, "-the Darks Arts teacher," he continued, "Professor Snape has agreed to accept this job and has given his Potions responsibilities to a new teacher." Most of the school gasped at the words while Snape looked absolutely ecstatic for once.
"Professor Snape is our Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher now?"
"Has Professor Dumbledore gone mad?"
Yet Dumbledore acted as though he had not heard any sound. So he proceeded to introduce the new Potions master.
"I would like to introduce you all to your new Potions Master, Professor Annie Williams."
A woman with brown hair down to the middle of her back stood up and waved to everyone cheerfully. She was very pretty considering she was old enough to be a teacher. A few Slytherin boys whistled at her as she sat back down. The hall broke into a scattered laughter. It would have been more cheerful, but the news of Professor Snape's job change was still lingering among the students. She smiled lightly at this. While Hermione rolled her eyes at the whistling.
"Let the feast begin!" boomed Professor Dumbledore.
Instantly, the plates were filled with the most delicious food Harry had ever seen. Of course it was the same Welcoming Feast that he always had, but to Harry it is the most sumptuous food he could taste.
"So why do you think Dumbledore gave Snape the Defense Against the Dark Arts job," asked Seamus, anxiously.
"I really don't know Seamus," said Hermione, looking worried, "but I don't think he'd appoint Snape to the job unless he really had to."
"Like as a last resort?" asked Ron, confusingly.
Harry did not add his opinion to the conversation, for he was busy eating his dinner. They noticed this and started to eat also, apparently remembering their hunger. After every plate was cleaned, Ginny, Hermione and Ron got up from the table along with the other Prefects from the other houses and led the first years to the dormitories.
"Bye Harry!" called Hermione.
"See you in the common room," said Ginny softly, brushing past him.
Harry slowly got up from the Gryffindor table and walked up the Grand Staircase to Gryffindor Tower. He got up to the third floor when he heard voices coming around the corner. They sounded worried and hushed. Harry slipped behind a near-by tapestry and listened to the conversation.
"She is a danger to everyone, Albus. If she-"
"Minerva, I will not speak of this outside of my office. We shall discuss this later," came Dumbledore's unusually sharp voice.
"Anything could happen Albus. We can not just let this situation be!" said Professor McGonagall in a severe voice.
"For the time being, we can. I will not interfere in this right now. I have other things on my mind," said Dumbledore.
When Harry heard the footsteps die away, he came out from behind the tapestry and ran up the staircase to Gryffindor Tower. As he ran up the stairs he was wondering who on earth Professors Dumbledore and McGonagall were talking about. He arrived at the Portrait of the Fat Lady and quickly said the password ("thestral"). He crawled through the Portrait hole and saw Hermione and Ron sitting on the couch holding hands and talking.
"Harry, are you ok?" asked Hermione. "You look really out of breath."
"Yeah . I'm . fine," he panted.
"Why'd you run here mate?" asked Ron, confused.
"I heard Professor Dumbledore talking to Professor McGonagall about some woman," Harry began. He told them what little of the conversation he heard.
"I honestly don't know who they could be talking about Harry," said Hermione.
"Maybe it's Bellatrix Lestrange," suggested Ron.
"Possibly, but I can't imagine why they would talk about it when the students would be getting to their dormitories," added Hermione. "There is always that risk of being overheard by a student." She looked up at Harry when she said this. Harry grinned.
"Anyway, I'm tired, so I'm going to bed," she said, as she got up and yawned greatly.
"Goodnight Hermione," said Ron, kissing her goodnight.
"Goodnight," she said, walking to the girl's staircase.
Ron kicked back on the couch and heaved a big sigh. Harry sat across from him in an armchair and looked at Ron. He smiled.
"What?" asked Ron, wondering why Harry was smiling at him.
"Nothing, it's just you and Hermione," Harry said still grinning. "You guys have fought for the past five years and now you are going out, it's funny."
"Oh, heh, yeah," said Ron awkwardly.
"When did you ask her out?" Harry asked.
"I asked her out about two weeks before you came to Grimmauld Place," Ron said. "I really like her, Harry. Whenever I'm around her now, it's different than it used to be. I don't know how to explain it."
"I know how you feel," Harry sighed.
"What do you mean?" he asked.
"Nothing," Harry said, wishing he hadn't opened his big mouth.
"No, come on mate, tell me," said Ron.
Harry sighed again. "Well, don't go nuts or anything, but I like Ginny," Harry began," a lot."
At this, Harry cast his eyes downward; he felt embarrassed.
Harry looked at Ron after he said this to check his expression. It was very comical. Ron was sitting there open mouthed, eyes as big as saucers. His countenance gradually turned into comprehension.
"I knew it!" whooped Ron.
"Shh! Don't let the whole common room hear you," Harry said quickly, noticing the looks that other Gryffindors were giving them. "What do you mean 'you knew it'?"
"Fred and George told me about you and Ginny holding hands in their store," said Ron, smiling widely. Harry blushed and looked away.
"It was an accident," he said. "Ginny grabbed my hand so we could go talk to Fred and George and we forgot to let go."
Nevertheless, Ron was still smiling. "Are you going to ask her out?" Ron asked bluntly.
"Wh-What?" Harry stuttered.
"Are you going to ask my sister out?" Ron repeated.
"Well, er, yeah," Harry said, looking away again.
Ron grinned once more. He yawned. "Alright mate, I'm heading to bed. Night."
Ron went to bed, leaving Harry in the emptying common room. He sat there for a while looking into the fireplace. He thought about many things. Ginny, Sirius, Ron and Hermione, his Aunt Petunia. He looked down at his watch and received a shock. Midnight already? Harry got up and went to the boys' dormitories. He got dressed in his pajamas and fell asleep thinking about the classes tomorrow and what the new teacher would be like.