A/N: I couldn't believe the amount of reviews I got for chappie three so I decided not to leave you in suspense MUCH longer. So here is chappie four where the plot sorta starts to come in. Thanx to:
Lily106: Thanx for the review!
Annie: Thanx! I don't usually write long detailed stories with plots but this one sort of just came to me. You can check out my fluffy ones if you want to! ;)
dreamon: Thanx, here's more!
Katie Grint: Luv ur name! Please review again, and tell me if you like it!
Cheese Diva: I would like to thank you for being a consistent reviewer. You rock! I like the Lucius Malfoy thing too! :)
And now here you go...chappie four!
Chapter 4: A Painful Sorting Ceremony
Harry couldn't believe how fast the time flew by. Before he knew it, it was already September 1st and time to board the Hogwarts express. Harry had packed his bags the night before and was already down stairs and ready to go. As much as he believed Hogwarts was his home, this was the only time he felt somewhat sad about going back. He knew this was his last year there and he would miss it desperately.
"Come on, mate," Ron said as they stepped up to the barrier to platform 9 ¾. "We're going to miss the train!"
He and Hermione grabbed Harry and they materialized in front of the gleaming Hogwarts Express. Soon everyone else was gathered around them, giving them hugs and telling them to write.
"Good-bye, Harry, dear," Mrs. Weasley said with tears in her eyes, "This may be the last time I see in a long time."
Harry realized he had a lump in his throat too. "Good-bye, Mrs. Weasley."
"Take care of yourself, Harry," Mr. Weasley said, shaking his hand and giving him a small pat on the back.
"Don't worry, Mr. Weasley, I will."
"Harry! Ron! Hermione! Ginny!"
Harry turned around to see Neville Longbottom running hard as he pulled his heavy trunk and clutched Trevor in his hand. Just behind him he caught a glimpse of Luna Lovegood walking slowly as if she had all the time in the world and staring vaguely into space.
Harry, Ron, Hermione, and Ginny waited as Neville and Luna joined them. The six of them had become very close friends, since their shared experience in Harry's fifth year
"Hey, Harry!" called Fred and George, as they were about to get on the train, "Don't forget our little bargain!" Harry caught George wink as the train departed from the station.
When the three of them were on the train Harry departed from Ron and Hermione, who had to go do their Head Boy and Girl duties.
"Let's go find a seat, Harry," Ginny said.
"Right," Harry said, shifting Hedwig's cage from one arm to the other.
"Okay," Neville said, grinning on his plump face.
Luna said nothing, but merely nodded briefly.
The four of them found a compartment at the back of the train that was completely uninhabited. Taking seats and saving two for Ron and Hermione they relaxed and began to talk, except for Luna who, as usual, buried herself in The Quibbler.
"So, how has your summer been, Harry?" Neville asked him, clutching onto Trevor who was struggling to get away.
"Oh," Harry wasn't quite sure if he wanted Neville to know about his aunt, "it was ok, better than most of my summers at the Dursley's actually."
"That's good," said Ginny while Neville nodded in agreement.
"How about yours, Ginny?" Neville said placing Trevor on the seat, who instantly hopped away.
"Oh, it was good," she said smiling, "Ron, invited Hermione and Harry over so not as boring as usual. Did you hear Ron and Hermione are Head Boy and Girl?"
"Yeah," said Neville grinning, "that's great, isn't it?"
"Yeah, I suppose. Fred and George don't seem to think so. Incidentally, Harry, what did the twins mean when they said 'Don't forget our bargain'?"
"Um," Harry said, giving a nervous laugh, "they were going to let me pay for one of their new inventions if I promised to give Ron and Hermione a hard time."
Ginny laughed. "You mean about being Head Boy and Girl together?"
"Yep."
"I noticed that too. I thought it was pretty funny, but I didn't want to embarrass them. It seems like they do like each other, doesn't it?"
Harry grinned. "I've been wondering, myself."
"I don't think they do."
Harry looked over at Luna who had evidently heard the whole conversation.
"Why not?" Harry asked.
"Because…because…Hermione wouldn't like someone as stupid as Ron," Luna explained.
"Hey!" Ginny said, "My brother may be a prat sometimes, but it's not like he's not good enough for Hermione. She isn't that shallow!"
"Suit yourself, but I think that it's pretty obvious that Hermione likes Harry."
Neville's jaw dropped. "No way!"
Ginny made a face. "I don't think so."
Harry laughed. "Hermione and me? That's pretty funny Luna."
Luna did not seem effected by any of their reactions.
"Well why else would she act the way she does around you?"
Harry looked puzzled. "Act how around me?"
"The way she does. You know, all," she seemed to be searching for the word to describe the action, "worried."
"Hermione's always worried about someone," Neville said, "She worries about me sometimes and I don't think she likes me."
"Who doesn't like you?"
Neville's head whirled around just as Ron and Hermione walked into the compartment.
"Um…um…uh…Professor…McGonagall," Neville finished lamely.
"Professor McGonagall?" Hermione asked.
"Yeah, I mean she acts rather strict to me."
"She's like that to everyone, mate," Ron said flopping down next to Harry. "Has the snack cart come yet?"
"No, but it should be here pretty soon, "Harry answered. "So how were your duties?"
"Not so good," Hermione said sitting down next to Ginny.
"Why?" asked Ginny, looking bewildered.
"There was this one little prefect who I think I am going to have to hurt," Ron said clenching his fists.
"Why?" Neville asked.
"He really was somewhat of a brat," Hermione said. "We were telling them not to abuse their powers as prefects and all that stuff and he mutters, 'Yeah right. They can't tell me what to do.'"
"And then I say," Ron said, "'you better do what I tell you to do, because I'm Head Boy."
"And then he says, 'Oh, I am so scared.'"
"He's the Slytherin prefect," Ron said his ears going pink.
"Figures," Harry said stretching out in his seat.
"Hey, Harry?" Hermione said wrinkling up her nose, "What did Fred and George mean when they said, 'don't forget our bargain."
The whole compartment laughed, except for Luna who scowled and buried her nose further in The Quibbler.
"Oh, nothing," Harry said still grinning. "They just told me to give you guys a hard time."
"Why?" Ron asked, his ears growing red again.
"Because you two are-"
"Head Boy and Girl," Hermione finished. "Honestly, when will they grow up?"
"I'm guessing never," Ginny said sending the compartment into peals of laughter again.
When the train arrived at Hogwarts it was dark. The only time Harry had ever seen the sky this dark was the night they had had a storm in their fourth year.
"Come on let's hurry and get in the carriages," Hermione said, pulling her robes more tightly around her.
The six of them all squeezed into a carriage and Harry watched the thestrals pull it slowly up the hill. He looked around and saw everyone else staring in the same direction only they could not see the threstrals. Except for Luna, who, as Harry had found out at the end of his fifth year had seen her mother die when she was nine, could see the threstrals too.
For some odd reason the sight of the threstrals seemed to fill Harry with distress. He knew it was probably from seeing Sirius die rather than Cedric. He hadn't known Cedric very well after all, but Sirius had been the only father he had ever known. Harry felt his throat tighten and forced himself to look away from the threstrals.
The six of them stepped out of the carriages just as the first of the freezing raindrops began to fall. They hurried into the castle before they could get to wet.
When they got into the Great Hall Luna waved good-bye and departed to go to the Ravenclaw table. Ginny went at sat with her other friends and Harry, Ron, Hermione, and Neville went and sat at the end of the Gryffindor table.
Harry scanned the staff table. Hagrid waved to him and took a swig from his tankard. Firenze sat in the spot where Professor Trelawny would have usually sat. Harry noticed that there was an empty seat that must be for the new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher.
"I hope they hurry up. I am starving!" Ron said clutching his stomach.
"You're always hungry!" Hermione snapped, "Besides there are more important things to worry about."
"What could me more important than food?" Ron asked looking at her as if she were mad.
"The sorting ceremony!" she said as if it were the most obvious thing in the world.
Ron opened his mouth to argue, but Harry said hastily, "Who do you reckon the new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher is?"
"I don't know," Ron said looking at Harry, "Probably some nut who thinks he can do the job and can't."
"No," said Hermione indignantly, "he's very qualified. He's-"
But Hermione didn't have to finish. A man dressed in black robes and a heavy fur cloak had just walked in the door and headed up to the Head Table. He was rather duck footed and walked with his back slouched. Harry jumped. He would've recognized that scowl anywhere.
"Krum?" he heard Ron say after he figured out who it was. "Victor Krum is going to be our Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher?"
"Yes," Hermione said, not meeting Ron's eyes at all. "Is there something wrong?"
"Yes, there's-"but Ron stopped himself and grinned slyly. "I mean of course not. That's…brilliant."
Hermione looked shocked, but said nothing.
Harry leaned over to Ron. "Why is that a good thing?" he whispered.
"Because something dreadful is going to happen to him," Ron explained. "Maybe what happened to Quirrel or maybe the same thing that happened to Lockhart. That was pretty good."
Harry snickered and hastily turned into a hacking cough because Hermione was watching.
The door opened and in marched Professor McGonagall and a group of anxious first years. Harry watched as one by one they were sorted carefully into their houses.
"Adams, Sarah," Professor McGonagall called. A proud looking girl marched right up to three legged stool and plopped herself down on it. Harry grinned; the girl reminded him very much of Hermione.
The hat went over her eyes and all you could see were the ends of her braided, blonde, pigtails.
"Gryffindor!" the hat shouted.
A loud whoop erupted from the Gryffindor table and the hall was filled with clapping. The little blonde grinned and sat down at the end of the table near Harry.
"Brandish, Jason."
"Hufflepuff!"
"Clarence, Franklin."
"Ravenclaw!"
"Davis, Ashley."
"Hufflepuff!"
Harry was surprised that Slytherin had not yet been called.
"Garrison, Rhonda."
Harry watched as the little girl walked over to the stool and placed the hat on her head. Just before it slid down over her eyes Harry caught a glimpse of them. They were cold and dark and Harry had the feeling that he had been sucked into a hole and could not get himself out.
"Gryffindor!" the hat yelled.
Harry's scar erupted with pain and he felt a strange happy sensation.
"Ouch!" he whispered rubbing his forehead. It felt like he had been hit over the head with a chisel. The pain was more than he could bare and his eyes began to water.
"Harry, are you alright?"
Harry heard Ron's voice somewhere in the distance, but his vision was blurred due to the searing pain in his scar.
"It's just my scar," Harry whispered as the pain began to dull. "He's happy, really happy."
"Uh oh, Harry you should tell Dumbledore," Ron said. Now Hermione was looking curiously at him too.
"No!" Harry hissed. "I can handle this myself!"
"Alright," Ron said, but he didn't look convinced.
The sorting ceremony went on as planned with no more painful eruptions in Harry's head. It finally ended with Wilson, Allen (Slytherin) and Dumbledore stood up to welcome everyone.
"Welcome everyone to a new year at Hogwarts, now tuck in!"
Harry smiled and felt rather sad. That was the last time he would ever hear one of Dumbledore's "don't waste any time" speeches.
The plates automatically filled with food and Ron began to attack everything nearest to him.
"Finally!" Ron said as he sunk his teeth into a chicken leg. "This is great!"
Hermione rolled his eyes at him and looked at Harry with concern.
"Are you okay?" she whispered to him, looking around to make sure no one was watching.
"Yeah, I'm fine. It's nothing out of the ordinary," Harry lied. He knew there was something to it. He didn't know how he knew he just knew that Rhonda Garrison was not someone he was going to like very much.
After all the food had been cleared and the plates returned to their gleaming shine, Dumbledore stood up once more and opened his arms in welcome.
"As I have said before welcome to Hogwarts, I want to take a moment to acknowledge out new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher, Professor Krum. Many of you may already no him from his rather famous history in playing for the Bulgarian Quidditch team."
The hall filled with loud whoops and whistles.
"Now I would also like to take this time now to introduce you all to our Head Boy and Girl for this year, Mr. Ronald Weasley and Miss Hermione Granger."
There was scattered applause and Harry saw Malfoy smirk at them. Ron turned extremely red and began to sink down in his chair. Hermione smiled and Harry saw Krum look at her and wink.
"Now, our first order of business," said Dumbledore lightly "Is to inform you all that of course the Forbidden Forest is to remain forbidden to all students. Some of our older students may wish to take this into account as well." Harry could've sworn that Dumbledore winked at him. "There is also a list on Mr. Filch's door to tell you the list of forbidden items. And now that we have all eaten and are I do say tired from our long journey here. It is time to go to bed. Good night."
Harry got up to walk to Gryffindor Tower along with everyone else. He walked along to corridor with Ron and Hermione all the way thinking about how he would very much like to fall into his bed and think until he fell into dreamland.
Harry stumbled and nearly ran into a little first year that seemed to be very lost and frightened. Harry realized it was the blonde girl who had reminded him so much of Hermione and looked down at her.
"I'm sorry," he said.
The girl looked rather frightened. Her eyes did the familiar flick over his scar ad her jaw dropped.
"You're…you're Harry Potter!" she squeaked looking at him in awe.
"Not another one," Harry thought, all sense of pity for this little girl leaving him.
"Yeah," he mumbled.
"Hi," she said sticking out her hand, "I'm Sarah Adams. It's nice to meet you."
"Hi, Sarah," he said.
Ron's head popped out from behind Harry and looked at Sarah.
"Hi," she said to him smiling.
"Hey," Ron said giving her a lopsided grin. "I'm Ron Weasley." He stuck out his hand for her to shake.
"Oh," she said shaking his hand. "You're the Head Boy!"
Ron's face turned pink and he nodded sheepishly.
Sarah turned to Hermione.
"Hi," Hermione said. "I'm Hermione Granger, the Head Girl."
"That's wicked!" Sarah said shaking Hermione's hand as well. "I've always thought it would be cool to be Head Girl. My mother was when she was at school here."
"That's nice," Hermione said smiling. "We had all better get back to the common room. Oh, crud I don't know the password."
Ron's jaw dropped in mock surprise. "Hermione Granger, Head Girl, and top witch in every class, doesn't know the password? I'm shocked!" He grinned at her.
"Oh, shut up, Ron!" she said playfully slapping him on the shoulder.
"I know it," Sarah piped up. "It's stinksap."
Harry cringed at the memory of being covered in stinksap in his fifth year. He remembered how Cho had walked in right at the moment, but that didn't matter now. Cho had graduated last year and frankly, Harry couldn't stand her anymore.
The four of them walked to the portrait together and Sarah said, "Stinksap!" and the door the portrait swung open. Hermione and Sarah went up the girls' staircases and Harry and Ron went in the opposite direction.
"Well, that Sarah girl seemed nice," Ron said, undressing for bed. "But I wish she hadn't brought up that I'm Head Boy."
"Why don't you like people mentioning it?" Harry asked flopping down on his own bed.
"Because they make it sound like I'm some goody two-shoes or something." Ron pulled the covers over him and turned to face Harry. "Not to mention the whole idea that everyone is going to think Hermione and I are going out."
Harry jumped. Had Ron just said what he thought he said?
"Well, you're not so it doesn't matter." Harry shifted under his bedclothes. "You aren't going out with her, right?
Ron's eyes grew very wide. "Of course not Harry, trust me. If Hermione and I were going together, you'd be the first to know." He rolled over so that Harry could not see his face.
Harry smirked. He figured that was as good as a confession that Ron liked Hermione as he was going to get.
Harry rolled over and remembered the searing pain he had gotten when he looked at Rhonda Garrison.
It could mean nothing, he told himself. His scar had flared up many times and it didn't mean that they were in league with Voldemort.
But still her eyes were so…cold.
Harry reminded himself that Snape had cold eyes and Dumbledore had given him his complete confidence. Harry drifted off into a restless sleep full of harsh laughter and the cold, dark, eyes of Rhonda Garrison.
A/N: Dun dun dun! A cliff hanger! What will happen next? Review and I just might tell you...or maybe I'll just forget about it...FOREVER! Mua-hahaha! So you better review!
Lily106: Thanx for the review!
Annie: Thanx! I don't usually write long detailed stories with plots but this one sort of just came to me. You can check out my fluffy ones if you want to! ;)
dreamon: Thanx, here's more!
Katie Grint: Luv ur name! Please review again, and tell me if you like it!
Cheese Diva: I would like to thank you for being a consistent reviewer. You rock! I like the Lucius Malfoy thing too! :)
And now here you go...chappie four!
Chapter 4: A Painful Sorting Ceremony
Harry couldn't believe how fast the time flew by. Before he knew it, it was already September 1st and time to board the Hogwarts express. Harry had packed his bags the night before and was already down stairs and ready to go. As much as he believed Hogwarts was his home, this was the only time he felt somewhat sad about going back. He knew this was his last year there and he would miss it desperately.
"Come on, mate," Ron said as they stepped up to the barrier to platform 9 ¾. "We're going to miss the train!"
He and Hermione grabbed Harry and they materialized in front of the gleaming Hogwarts Express. Soon everyone else was gathered around them, giving them hugs and telling them to write.
"Good-bye, Harry, dear," Mrs. Weasley said with tears in her eyes, "This may be the last time I see in a long time."
Harry realized he had a lump in his throat too. "Good-bye, Mrs. Weasley."
"Take care of yourself, Harry," Mr. Weasley said, shaking his hand and giving him a small pat on the back.
"Don't worry, Mr. Weasley, I will."
"Harry! Ron! Hermione! Ginny!"
Harry turned around to see Neville Longbottom running hard as he pulled his heavy trunk and clutched Trevor in his hand. Just behind him he caught a glimpse of Luna Lovegood walking slowly as if she had all the time in the world and staring vaguely into space.
Harry, Ron, Hermione, and Ginny waited as Neville and Luna joined them. The six of them had become very close friends, since their shared experience in Harry's fifth year
"Hey, Harry!" called Fred and George, as they were about to get on the train, "Don't forget our little bargain!" Harry caught George wink as the train departed from the station.
When the three of them were on the train Harry departed from Ron and Hermione, who had to go do their Head Boy and Girl duties.
"Let's go find a seat, Harry," Ginny said.
"Right," Harry said, shifting Hedwig's cage from one arm to the other.
"Okay," Neville said, grinning on his plump face.
Luna said nothing, but merely nodded briefly.
The four of them found a compartment at the back of the train that was completely uninhabited. Taking seats and saving two for Ron and Hermione they relaxed and began to talk, except for Luna who, as usual, buried herself in The Quibbler.
"So, how has your summer been, Harry?" Neville asked him, clutching onto Trevor who was struggling to get away.
"Oh," Harry wasn't quite sure if he wanted Neville to know about his aunt, "it was ok, better than most of my summers at the Dursley's actually."
"That's good," said Ginny while Neville nodded in agreement.
"How about yours, Ginny?" Neville said placing Trevor on the seat, who instantly hopped away.
"Oh, it was good," she said smiling, "Ron, invited Hermione and Harry over so not as boring as usual. Did you hear Ron and Hermione are Head Boy and Girl?"
"Yeah," said Neville grinning, "that's great, isn't it?"
"Yeah, I suppose. Fred and George don't seem to think so. Incidentally, Harry, what did the twins mean when they said 'Don't forget our bargain'?"
"Um," Harry said, giving a nervous laugh, "they were going to let me pay for one of their new inventions if I promised to give Ron and Hermione a hard time."
Ginny laughed. "You mean about being Head Boy and Girl together?"
"Yep."
"I noticed that too. I thought it was pretty funny, but I didn't want to embarrass them. It seems like they do like each other, doesn't it?"
Harry grinned. "I've been wondering, myself."
"I don't think they do."
Harry looked over at Luna who had evidently heard the whole conversation.
"Why not?" Harry asked.
"Because…because…Hermione wouldn't like someone as stupid as Ron," Luna explained.
"Hey!" Ginny said, "My brother may be a prat sometimes, but it's not like he's not good enough for Hermione. She isn't that shallow!"
"Suit yourself, but I think that it's pretty obvious that Hermione likes Harry."
Neville's jaw dropped. "No way!"
Ginny made a face. "I don't think so."
Harry laughed. "Hermione and me? That's pretty funny Luna."
Luna did not seem effected by any of their reactions.
"Well why else would she act the way she does around you?"
Harry looked puzzled. "Act how around me?"
"The way she does. You know, all," she seemed to be searching for the word to describe the action, "worried."
"Hermione's always worried about someone," Neville said, "She worries about me sometimes and I don't think she likes me."
"Who doesn't like you?"
Neville's head whirled around just as Ron and Hermione walked into the compartment.
"Um…um…uh…Professor…McGonagall," Neville finished lamely.
"Professor McGonagall?" Hermione asked.
"Yeah, I mean she acts rather strict to me."
"She's like that to everyone, mate," Ron said flopping down next to Harry. "Has the snack cart come yet?"
"No, but it should be here pretty soon, "Harry answered. "So how were your duties?"
"Not so good," Hermione said sitting down next to Ginny.
"Why?" asked Ginny, looking bewildered.
"There was this one little prefect who I think I am going to have to hurt," Ron said clenching his fists.
"Why?" Neville asked.
"He really was somewhat of a brat," Hermione said. "We were telling them not to abuse their powers as prefects and all that stuff and he mutters, 'Yeah right. They can't tell me what to do.'"
"And then I say," Ron said, "'you better do what I tell you to do, because I'm Head Boy."
"And then he says, 'Oh, I am so scared.'"
"He's the Slytherin prefect," Ron said his ears going pink.
"Figures," Harry said stretching out in his seat.
"Hey, Harry?" Hermione said wrinkling up her nose, "What did Fred and George mean when they said, 'don't forget our bargain."
The whole compartment laughed, except for Luna who scowled and buried her nose further in The Quibbler.
"Oh, nothing," Harry said still grinning. "They just told me to give you guys a hard time."
"Why?" Ron asked, his ears growing red again.
"Because you two are-"
"Head Boy and Girl," Hermione finished. "Honestly, when will they grow up?"
"I'm guessing never," Ginny said sending the compartment into peals of laughter again.
When the train arrived at Hogwarts it was dark. The only time Harry had ever seen the sky this dark was the night they had had a storm in their fourth year.
"Come on let's hurry and get in the carriages," Hermione said, pulling her robes more tightly around her.
The six of them all squeezed into a carriage and Harry watched the thestrals pull it slowly up the hill. He looked around and saw everyone else staring in the same direction only they could not see the threstrals. Except for Luna, who, as Harry had found out at the end of his fifth year had seen her mother die when she was nine, could see the threstrals too.
For some odd reason the sight of the threstrals seemed to fill Harry with distress. He knew it was probably from seeing Sirius die rather than Cedric. He hadn't known Cedric very well after all, but Sirius had been the only father he had ever known. Harry felt his throat tighten and forced himself to look away from the threstrals.
The six of them stepped out of the carriages just as the first of the freezing raindrops began to fall. They hurried into the castle before they could get to wet.
When they got into the Great Hall Luna waved good-bye and departed to go to the Ravenclaw table. Ginny went at sat with her other friends and Harry, Ron, Hermione, and Neville went and sat at the end of the Gryffindor table.
Harry scanned the staff table. Hagrid waved to him and took a swig from his tankard. Firenze sat in the spot where Professor Trelawny would have usually sat. Harry noticed that there was an empty seat that must be for the new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher.
"I hope they hurry up. I am starving!" Ron said clutching his stomach.
"You're always hungry!" Hermione snapped, "Besides there are more important things to worry about."
"What could me more important than food?" Ron asked looking at her as if she were mad.
"The sorting ceremony!" she said as if it were the most obvious thing in the world.
Ron opened his mouth to argue, but Harry said hastily, "Who do you reckon the new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher is?"
"I don't know," Ron said looking at Harry, "Probably some nut who thinks he can do the job and can't."
"No," said Hermione indignantly, "he's very qualified. He's-"
But Hermione didn't have to finish. A man dressed in black robes and a heavy fur cloak had just walked in the door and headed up to the Head Table. He was rather duck footed and walked with his back slouched. Harry jumped. He would've recognized that scowl anywhere.
"Krum?" he heard Ron say after he figured out who it was. "Victor Krum is going to be our Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher?"
"Yes," Hermione said, not meeting Ron's eyes at all. "Is there something wrong?"
"Yes, there's-"but Ron stopped himself and grinned slyly. "I mean of course not. That's…brilliant."
Hermione looked shocked, but said nothing.
Harry leaned over to Ron. "Why is that a good thing?" he whispered.
"Because something dreadful is going to happen to him," Ron explained. "Maybe what happened to Quirrel or maybe the same thing that happened to Lockhart. That was pretty good."
Harry snickered and hastily turned into a hacking cough because Hermione was watching.
The door opened and in marched Professor McGonagall and a group of anxious first years. Harry watched as one by one they were sorted carefully into their houses.
"Adams, Sarah," Professor McGonagall called. A proud looking girl marched right up to three legged stool and plopped herself down on it. Harry grinned; the girl reminded him very much of Hermione.
The hat went over her eyes and all you could see were the ends of her braided, blonde, pigtails.
"Gryffindor!" the hat shouted.
A loud whoop erupted from the Gryffindor table and the hall was filled with clapping. The little blonde grinned and sat down at the end of the table near Harry.
"Brandish, Jason."
"Hufflepuff!"
"Clarence, Franklin."
"Ravenclaw!"
"Davis, Ashley."
"Hufflepuff!"
Harry was surprised that Slytherin had not yet been called.
"Garrison, Rhonda."
Harry watched as the little girl walked over to the stool and placed the hat on her head. Just before it slid down over her eyes Harry caught a glimpse of them. They were cold and dark and Harry had the feeling that he had been sucked into a hole and could not get himself out.
"Gryffindor!" the hat yelled.
Harry's scar erupted with pain and he felt a strange happy sensation.
"Ouch!" he whispered rubbing his forehead. It felt like he had been hit over the head with a chisel. The pain was more than he could bare and his eyes began to water.
"Harry, are you alright?"
Harry heard Ron's voice somewhere in the distance, but his vision was blurred due to the searing pain in his scar.
"It's just my scar," Harry whispered as the pain began to dull. "He's happy, really happy."
"Uh oh, Harry you should tell Dumbledore," Ron said. Now Hermione was looking curiously at him too.
"No!" Harry hissed. "I can handle this myself!"
"Alright," Ron said, but he didn't look convinced.
The sorting ceremony went on as planned with no more painful eruptions in Harry's head. It finally ended with Wilson, Allen (Slytherin) and Dumbledore stood up to welcome everyone.
"Welcome everyone to a new year at Hogwarts, now tuck in!"
Harry smiled and felt rather sad. That was the last time he would ever hear one of Dumbledore's "don't waste any time" speeches.
The plates automatically filled with food and Ron began to attack everything nearest to him.
"Finally!" Ron said as he sunk his teeth into a chicken leg. "This is great!"
Hermione rolled his eyes at him and looked at Harry with concern.
"Are you okay?" she whispered to him, looking around to make sure no one was watching.
"Yeah, I'm fine. It's nothing out of the ordinary," Harry lied. He knew there was something to it. He didn't know how he knew he just knew that Rhonda Garrison was not someone he was going to like very much.
After all the food had been cleared and the plates returned to their gleaming shine, Dumbledore stood up once more and opened his arms in welcome.
"As I have said before welcome to Hogwarts, I want to take a moment to acknowledge out new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher, Professor Krum. Many of you may already no him from his rather famous history in playing for the Bulgarian Quidditch team."
The hall filled with loud whoops and whistles.
"Now I would also like to take this time now to introduce you all to our Head Boy and Girl for this year, Mr. Ronald Weasley and Miss Hermione Granger."
There was scattered applause and Harry saw Malfoy smirk at them. Ron turned extremely red and began to sink down in his chair. Hermione smiled and Harry saw Krum look at her and wink.
"Now, our first order of business," said Dumbledore lightly "Is to inform you all that of course the Forbidden Forest is to remain forbidden to all students. Some of our older students may wish to take this into account as well." Harry could've sworn that Dumbledore winked at him. "There is also a list on Mr. Filch's door to tell you the list of forbidden items. And now that we have all eaten and are I do say tired from our long journey here. It is time to go to bed. Good night."
Harry got up to walk to Gryffindor Tower along with everyone else. He walked along to corridor with Ron and Hermione all the way thinking about how he would very much like to fall into his bed and think until he fell into dreamland.
Harry stumbled and nearly ran into a little first year that seemed to be very lost and frightened. Harry realized it was the blonde girl who had reminded him so much of Hermione and looked down at her.
"I'm sorry," he said.
The girl looked rather frightened. Her eyes did the familiar flick over his scar ad her jaw dropped.
"You're…you're Harry Potter!" she squeaked looking at him in awe.
"Not another one," Harry thought, all sense of pity for this little girl leaving him.
"Yeah," he mumbled.
"Hi," she said sticking out her hand, "I'm Sarah Adams. It's nice to meet you."
"Hi, Sarah," he said.
Ron's head popped out from behind Harry and looked at Sarah.
"Hi," she said to him smiling.
"Hey," Ron said giving her a lopsided grin. "I'm Ron Weasley." He stuck out his hand for her to shake.
"Oh," she said shaking his hand. "You're the Head Boy!"
Ron's face turned pink and he nodded sheepishly.
Sarah turned to Hermione.
"Hi," Hermione said. "I'm Hermione Granger, the Head Girl."
"That's wicked!" Sarah said shaking Hermione's hand as well. "I've always thought it would be cool to be Head Girl. My mother was when she was at school here."
"That's nice," Hermione said smiling. "We had all better get back to the common room. Oh, crud I don't know the password."
Ron's jaw dropped in mock surprise. "Hermione Granger, Head Girl, and top witch in every class, doesn't know the password? I'm shocked!" He grinned at her.
"Oh, shut up, Ron!" she said playfully slapping him on the shoulder.
"I know it," Sarah piped up. "It's stinksap."
Harry cringed at the memory of being covered in stinksap in his fifth year. He remembered how Cho had walked in right at the moment, but that didn't matter now. Cho had graduated last year and frankly, Harry couldn't stand her anymore.
The four of them walked to the portrait together and Sarah said, "Stinksap!" and the door the portrait swung open. Hermione and Sarah went up the girls' staircases and Harry and Ron went in the opposite direction.
"Well, that Sarah girl seemed nice," Ron said, undressing for bed. "But I wish she hadn't brought up that I'm Head Boy."
"Why don't you like people mentioning it?" Harry asked flopping down on his own bed.
"Because they make it sound like I'm some goody two-shoes or something." Ron pulled the covers over him and turned to face Harry. "Not to mention the whole idea that everyone is going to think Hermione and I are going out."
Harry jumped. Had Ron just said what he thought he said?
"Well, you're not so it doesn't matter." Harry shifted under his bedclothes. "You aren't going out with her, right?
Ron's eyes grew very wide. "Of course not Harry, trust me. If Hermione and I were going together, you'd be the first to know." He rolled over so that Harry could not see his face.
Harry smirked. He figured that was as good as a confession that Ron liked Hermione as he was going to get.
Harry rolled over and remembered the searing pain he had gotten when he looked at Rhonda Garrison.
It could mean nothing, he told himself. His scar had flared up many times and it didn't mean that they were in league with Voldemort.
But still her eyes were so…cold.
Harry reminded himself that Snape had cold eyes and Dumbledore had given him his complete confidence. Harry drifted off into a restless sleep full of harsh laughter and the cold, dark, eyes of Rhonda Garrison.
A/N: Dun dun dun! A cliff hanger! What will happen next? Review and I just might tell you...or maybe I'll just forget about it...FOREVER! Mua-hahaha! So you better review!