Before the train stopped in Hogsmede, Harry made an announcement to everyone, "Everyone we are approaching Hogsmede station in about 2 minutes. Please be ready to leave the train. Leave your trunks on the train they will be brought up to the castle for you. Once you get off the train please board the carriages that are waiting just outside the platform to take you to the castle. Thank you."
Harry and Hermione got into one carriage with Amanda, Alicia and Roger. Harry asked Alicia and Roger about the new students, "What do you guys think about the other Head boys and girls? You think that they can work together and they will be able to help each other out in keeping the school in check?"
Alicia commented, "When I first was told of what was happening starting this year regarding the three mainland schools in the US and us I was not too sure if it would work until I saw the students that have come. I am so surprised on how they get along with each other. There wasn't a single problem on the entire trip up and I am sure there must have been some kind of rivalry like we have between the Gryffindor and the Slytherine houses. But I have seen both houses playing chess together and talking to each other. I really think the Hogwarts students need to get their act together and take a page out of the books of the American schools in inter-house competition. I don't think we will have any problem with everyone keeping tight control of their students."
Roger commented next, "Alicia is right. There is no real competition between the students other then for maybe Quiditch and house points but there is no hostility like we have between Gryffindor and Slytherine houses. I think your suggestion with having a communal dining hall instead of house tables. About the tight control over students' behavior we only really have to worry about the Hogwarts students."
Hermione confirmed their earlier discussions on the plane, "Harry and I came to the same conclusion on the flight from Houston to here. I think we should really support any ideas they may have for getting the whole thing setup for the students to enjoy their stay here."
Just as Hermione completed saying that, they pulled up to the front door of the castle. The 5 of them got out of the carriage and waited for everyone to reach there before leading them to the great hall for dinner.
Harry, Hermione, and Amanda joined Cho and Virginia at the head table and sat down. Professors Michelle, Posey and Johnson sat down at basically the middle of the table on either side of Sikandar and Sarah. Harry was sitting next to Michelle. Sikandar looked at Harry and nodded since it was his job to make most of the speeches.
Harry stood up and addressed the students, "Welcome to Hogwarts everyone. Because of the attacks on the American schools we had to push up the arrival time from August 15th to today. For those of you from Hogwarts that are wondering why I and the rest of us are up here it is for two reasons. Hermione and I are the Head boy and Girl of the combined schools, meaning that we are the ones that the Head students report to for inter-school problems. If you have any internal problems regarding your own school and none of the rest you go to your headmaster or headmistress, in Salem's case. My twin sister and my younger sister as well as Cho are the prefects of the Hogwarts. This is basically only putting them over the one school because of the need to control the large population we have already here. Now I would like to introduce the Headmaster and Assistant Headmistress of the combined schools, Sikandar and Sarah Durrani. Next to Professor Sikandar is the headmaster of Hogwarts, Albus Dumbledor. Sitting next to Professor Dumbledor is William Posey of Brenham. Sitting next to Professor Sarah is Professor Johnson of Hollywood and sitting next to me is Professor Michelle Dumbledor of Salem. As soon as dinner has started, Hermione and I will be coming around to all the new students to give you all maps of the school. There are only 3 rules we need to ask you to follow. One very important rule, No one is to enter the forest surrounding the school with out a teacher with you. This is only for your own protection. There are animals in the forest that are quite deadly, trust me on that. Now the second rule is that we ask that you refrain from using magic in the halls. The final rule is actually a request from our Caretaker Mr. Filch for you all to read a list of forbidden items that are not allowed in the halls and for that matter please don't use half the stuff in the dorms. A few other reminders on the schedules, breakfast is served between 7 and 10, lunch is between 12 and 2 and dinner between 6 and 8. If any one has any ideas as to getting together and doing something fun feel free to pass it on to the others including my family and I. Hogwarts has a large library if you want to read anything. We just ask that you don't enter the restricted section. Only the professors and students with permission from Professor Dumbledor may enter there. Let us go ahead and eat now."
With the clap of his hands, the feast began. Harry sat back down next to Hermione and started eating. Hermione turned to Harry and smiled. Harry did the same.
Hermione said after a bit, "Harry has you ever thought about taking up public speaking as a profession. I am quite certain that you will do great in class."
Harry smiled at her and said, "Thanks Hermione I appreciate your comments. When I was in Muggle School I took speech as a class. It was one of the few times where I got to practice what I learned. This is going to be fun to see when it comes to class. I always had fun in class. It was one of the few classes where Dudley didn't come with me. He was never good at the class."
Hermione smiled and nodded, "I took speech myself and found it fun because I got to do my favorite thing, research. Just kidding, I really wasn't this bad about reading till I came here. Anyway we should have fun this year."
The rest of the dinner was spent talking to the professors about what can be done. After dinner, the students got up and everyone but the head students and the professors left the great hall. Once all the other students that were not a head student or part of the staff left, Harry and Hermione stood up and walked to the other side of the teachers table and conjured up seats for everyone to seat and then Harry started.
"The students and us have discussed a few ideas on the train here for what we should do to encourage inter-school inter-house relations between students. One of the ideas was to do a communal dining room where all the students would be able to sit where they want instead of at separate tables for each house and school. Another idea is to have a few dances like at the beginning of term mixer where all the students can attend 1st to 7th with a few curfews to be determined, Halloween, Christmas and finally end of term. We may want to have one at Valentines Ball but that will have to be discussed later. There was an idea from the American's about introducing Thanksgiving celebrations to us British students here at Hogwarts."
The teachers nodded in agreement on the ideas. Professor Dumbledor commented on the Thanksgiving idea, "I think it would be a great idea regarding the Thanksgiving feast and all. It gives the Hogwarts students that have never lived in the US a chance to learn something about the customs that are held in high regard in the states."
Harry then began to discuss the ideas about the extra curricular activities on weekends for the students that would love to do something since they are not allowed to or able to play Quiditch. Again everyone nodded in approval on the idea.
After discussing some further information on how they would be handling the arrival of the students on September 1st, the meeting ended.
It was decided that all the head students and half the prefects would be riding the train from kings crossing to Hogwarts. The rest of the prefects will meet the train at the Hogsmede station and make sure everyone gets on the carriages to get to Hogwarts or on the boats for the 1st years. Everyone got up from the table and said their farewells and went to bed.
Harry and Hermione were so tired that night that they didn't get up till after lunch the next day. Amanda hadn't done so either. The professors were a bit concerned until they remembered what they had done in Houston and were not surprised afterwards. No one made any attempt to wake up any of them.
Harry was the first to wake up the next morning and just laid their looking at the beautiful thing that was laying on his chest. He still couldn't believe how much love he had for her and how they were as one. They thought a like they did things in unison with out even thinking about it. The attack the other day was an example of how they worked together. Both Hermione and Amanda seemed to be able to work with Harry in this fashion real well.
Hermione started to stir awake bringing Harry out of his thoughts, "Good morning darling. Sleep well?"
Hermione groaned, "I will kill the person that coined the phrase, 'Good morning'. By the way if you look at the clock its afternoon. And to answer your question I slept like a log. How did you sleep sweetie?"
While stroking her silky hair, Harry said, "Also like a log. I think we have missed both Breakfast and Lunch. I am surprised no one has come in here to find out what has happened to us."
Hermione thought that through and stated, "I think they let us sleep in because of what happened to us the other day. I for one am thankful for that. Why don't we get up and get dressed and go down to the common room to see who else is still around and then go down to the kitchen to get something to eat?"
Hermione agreed and they both took a bath together and got ready. They walked out of their room just as Amanda was coming out of her room.
"Hey guys, I take it they let you sleep in also," said Amanda.
Harry and Hermione nodded their heads.
Harry said, "We are headed down to the kitchen want to join us?"
"Yea I would. Haven't had the chance to see the kitchens yet. Is it true they had House Elves here?" said Amanda.
Harry and Hermione nodded. They walked down to the kitchens and Harry showed Amanda the way to get in by tickling the pear till it turned into a handle and they could pull the portrait/door open. As soon as they entered, Harry was nearly knocked down by none other then Dobby.
"Harry Potter, Sir. Dobby is so happy to see you well. Dobby hear about what happened to Harry and his friends in America and was really worried."
Harry smiled and Amanda and Hermione and then smiled down at Dobby while stating, "Hello Dobby. I am glad to be back too. Dobby I would like to introduce you to my twin sister Amanda. Amanda this is the famous Dobby I told you about from my second year." Harry grinned innocently at the last comment.
"Dobby is pleased to meet you Miss Amanda. It is a pleasure to meet you again Ms. Hermione. What can Dobby get for you Harry Potter?"
"Dobby, We haven't had anything to eat all day and would like to get something for a late lunch," said Harry.
"Dobby will get you something Master Potter. Dobby can have it setup in your common room or in the Great Hall," said Dobby.
"Great Hall is fine Dobby. We will go down there and wait for you. Thank you Dobby," said Harry.
With that Dobby was off. Harry, Hermione, and Amanda went to the Great hall and sat down on one of the small tables. There were still a few students left eating a late lunch. As they sat down, Albus came around and greeted them.
"Good afternoon you three, we were worried about you but thought you needed the rest. I take it you have already seen Dobby about getting lunch brought up?"
Harry nodded, "Thanks for letting us sleep late. We needed it. As to the lunch we stopped by and showed Amanda where the kitchens were and how to get in. Dobby said he would bring up the food for us."
"Eat up you three. The rest of the school is out on the pitch, flying around. Harry, I know you didn't want to play Quiditch any more as competition but still doesn't mean you can play for fun, may even give you a chance to get Hermione to break her fear of flying. Never know what can happy," Albus said while smiling.
Harry and Hermione turned to each other and grinned too. Harry spoke, "I was planning on giving Hermione some personal lessons sometime this summer. She has always been scared of flying but I feel that she should be more comfortable if I was with her. Maybe there will be a scrimmage game between some of the students. This could be fun to watch. I won't play but I will referee if need be."
The trio (Harry, Hermione, and Amanda) went to their rooms and got their brooms. In Hermione's case, it was a Nimbus 2001 that Harry had gotten her as a present for her birthday. Amanda and Harry had Firebolts. They walked to the pitch to find that there were two teams being formed to play a game. Harry walked up and spoke up.
"Hey guys I see you are ready to play a game of Quiditch. Do you need a referee?"
Salem prefect by the name of David Daniels came over and introduced himself, "Hi Harry, I am David Daniels seeker of my team. We would be honored to have you referee. It would have been more fun to play against you though."
"Sorry David, I have been grounded from playing for health reasons. I will be happy to referee for y'all. I will say this I don't take sides. Amanda will help me keep an eye out on the game. Hermione if you can do me a favor and keep score, I will try and commentate for the game while keeping an eye on it."
Hermione went up to the top box using her broom and took a seat behind the score board control. She thought down to Harry:
~Harry, I need to input names for the teams. What are they?~
Harry went up to the two captains, David and Michelle, and asked for the team names. David's team was the Golden Lions and Michelle's team was the Golden Ravens.
~Hermione, the team names are Golden Lions and Golden Ravens.~
Hermione put up the Team Names on the score board.
Golden Lions 000 Golden Ravens 000
Harry walked over to the balls and magically amplified his voice, "Good afternoon and welcome to the first Scrimmage game between the Golden Lions and the Golden Ravens. I am your referee and announcer for today. My co-referee is Amanda Durrani and the Score keeper is Hermione Durrani. The captains for the game are David Daniels for the Lions and Michelle Fisher is the Captain for the Ravens. This will be the standard British scoring rules for the game and the standard British game rules for the game. The scoring is10 points for each goal and 150 points for the catch of the Snitch. The rules are basically no intentional fouling against the other team. No hitting the bludgers at someone who is not even in possession of the quaffel or trying for the snitch. That's it. Captains shake hands. Mount your brooms and take off. The bludgers and the snitch are released and here goes the Quaffel."
Harry tossed up the quaffel and the Lions' chaser catches the quaffel and heads to the goals. Harry takes off on his broom and flies up and starts commentating.
"Lions have the ball. Chaser Spinet passes the ball the Jameson. Jameson fakes a shot at goal and shoots off the quaffel toward Marcus."
This goes on for an hour with the score as:
Golden Lions 150 Golden Ravens 130
Harry then noticed that the seekers on both teams were heading neck in neck for what he saw was the snitch. "Looks like the seekers have seen the Snitch. So have I. David has the snitch. Game over. Golden Lions win."
Golden Lions 300 Golden Ravens 150
All the teams flew down to the pitch and Hermione cleared the board and then flew down to the pitch next to Harry.
Harry got to the captains and congratulated the Lions, "Congratulations Lions. That was a very good game. Reminds me of Gryffindor versus Ravenclaw games we used to play. Well it is almost dinner time why don't the teams go take showers and then join the rest of us in the main hall."
The teams went to their respective changing rooms and the rest of the onlookers went to the great hall for dinner. After dinner and before everyone got up to go to their rooms, Harry stood up and spoke.
"Sorry to keep you from your beds and maybe some reading. I thought maybe we should discuss a few things that we can do this year. Basically one of the main things we need to discuss is the dances that we are planning on holding this year. The first dance is the start of term mixer. This is going to be held on the first Saturday after the start of classes. I would like volunteers to be in charge of the dance. Those who would be interested come see me or Hermione tomorrow morning. This will give you all enough time to think about whether you want to volunteer or not. Just a reminder to all of you, please don't get to close to the Dark Forest, it is dangerous in there day or night. Also if any of you see any strange people wearing dark cloaks here in the castle or if you see a rat with a silver paw do your best to stun that rat and see if you can put an anti-animagus changing spell on it. He is a follower of the dark lord. That is about it, get a good night sleep and tomorrow I have gotten permission to setup a little friendly dueling club between us to get some practice."
******************************************************************************************(A/N: Well this is the end of another chapter. Sorry for the delay. I have been trying to finish the next chapter and haven't had the time to upload this one. My next chapter is really long and I am still writing it. Please Review.)
Beth (Moonglaze89): Thank you for your review. I hope you enjoyed this chapter. Talk to you later.
Cris: Hey Cris your love about the Hollywood school wouldn't have anything to do with your home state does it. I have always thought that the states was too big to have just one school.
Sew2100: Thank you for continuing to read my story. I hope you enjoyed this chapter. Next one is going to be a doozy. Its about 4K words long at least. I am still writing it.
Rhysel Ash: Ash, you will find the strongest reaction to the teenage teachers in the two chapters. Hint: Lucious.
Julie Jewelrannah: Harry, Hermione, and Amanda are 15. Virginia is 14 and Cho is 16. Sikandar and Sarah are 31. Sikandar and Sarah graduated a year or two early with Lily and James like the teens are doing now.
Kristen: No matter how much you say that you are not better you are. I love your story and keep going. I hope you project went well.
Detdet: I love your Quiditch idea and I plan to use it. It will be a few chapters down but I will have it. Thanks for the review. I hope you like this chapter and I know you will find the next chapter very winded but great.
Tequila: I hope you continue reading my story.
Luke: Thank you for reviewing. As to your idea about Ron, I am probably not going get rid of Ron per see but we will have to see. If you think the past chapters are confusing wait till the next chapter. Just a warning.