Chapter 4. Back to Hogwarts
The next few weeks and month were a bit boring. The Weasleys, Harry, and Hermione all cleaned around the house, but there wasn't much to do, seeing as the Order was having a few meetings to discuss 'things.' which Harry, Hermione, and Ron were still not allowed to know about.
As Harry and the others were cleaning out one of the spare bedrooms while the adults were having a meeting, he thought a bit bitterly. I have been through a lot more then some of them have. Why can't we just go to one of the meetings? There is not much harm it can do, can it? Harry dropped a box we was carrying into the room rather heavily. We can-I can take listening to it.
Harry wanted to go outside, but never could since they were in the muggle part of London and what he really wanted to do was fly. On rainy days when they didn't have to clean, Harry would be in the living room or in the room he shared with Ron thinking of plans for Quidditch. One day while he was reading Quidditch Through the Ages, (He had bought it at Flourish and Blotts.) he suddenly remembered he had a Charms essay to write. He had been so busy with cleaning, coming to the Order, and thinking about Quidditch, he had forgotten his work.
The day before the day the train would leave for Hogwarts, the Grimmauld place was very busy. Everyone was doing last minute packing, Mrs. Weasley was checking to make sure everyone had enough socks, and there was a lot of shouting for missing quills and everything else that could be possibly missing.
"Has anyone seen my extra robes?"
"Where are the rest of my quills?"
"Here Crookshanks.. come here boy..."
A bit before dinner, Harry was giving his firebolt one last shine. He sat on his low bed thing, polishing the handle so he could see his reflection. He grinned into it then snorted, feeling like a little Gilderoy Lochart.
Harry had to admit, this year was going to be a bit harder and he was nervous. With all the Quidditch and work and probably Voldemort or something. He groaned and flopped on his back on the bed.
"Harry.. Supper's ready." Hermione said, staring at him from the door way. "Are you all right?"
"I'm fine.." Harry hoisted himself from the bed and put his broomstick away, then followed her downstairs and to the table.
Dinner was very good, Harry had to say. They had a thick beef and vegetable soup with buns and for dessert, Mrs. Weasley made a chocolate cake and baked cookies that were chewy and delicious.
"Hey, Harry, can I have a word?" Remus Lupin asked after dinner, as they were heading to their bedrooms.
"Uh sure, what is it?" Harry asked as they walked into the halls. Harry began to get a little worried.
Remus turned to Harry and looked at him. "I won't pressure you Harry, but if your ever, EVER worried, about ANYTHING, I'm here and I'm willing to talk, all right? And please don't go looking for trouble. I know, I know. Trouble tends to find you. But please don't provoke it, all right?"
Harry stared at Professor Lupin. "I don't /provoke it!/ It just finds me. I can't help it, I'm like a magnet. I-"
"I understand that, Harry. Just.. just promise me you WON'T go looking for trouble? If you find anything, anything at all weird, please let me know. Okay? One of the Order, anyone?" Lupin looked at him and Harry sighed.
"Okay, okay. I promise."
Remus nodded and Harry headed off to bed, looking forward to the next day, despite that he was scared.
The next day didn't really start as an easy one. More like a loud one. And painful one.
Harry was sleeping peacefully for a change, no dreams, no nightmares, no loud shrieks from his aunt. For now, life was good. Sleep was good. But then... BBRRIINNNGGG!!!
Harry had been about a fourth of awake at that time and rolled over in surprise, falling out of bed with a loud thump. He looked up and saw Hermione in the middle of their room with an alarm clock. Ron was wide eyed with surprise and rubbing his eyes now.
"Think you could've warned me, 'Mione?" Harry grumbled, rubbing his eyes and sat up, searching for his classes on the table.
Harry and Ron washed up and got changed pretty quickly, grumbling all the way. Ron was the most disgruntled muttering, "Damned arm clocks." And something about the things muggles create, sounding suspiciously like his father.
Harry and Ron came down to breakfast when everyone was there, Hermione and Ginny have something of a smirk on. Harry ignored them until he got a bit paranoid, glancing at them out of the corner of his eye.
"And WHAT is so funny?"
"Oh nothing, Harry. I was just telling Gin about the little alarm clock thing. She heard it down in our room." Hermione couldn't help but bite her lip when she looked at Ron who was very annoyed.
They ate their cold pizza in silence. It had been Tonks' idea to have the pizza (She went out and ordered it the night before.) because from that day to the end of the school year, they would eat almost the same thing for breakfast. Every single day. Eggs, toast, cereal, or pancakes for the next school year.
Ron didn't want to leave one of his favorite Chudley Cannons poster behind. ("It HAS THEIR NAMES ON IT!" "You already have two in the trunk already!")
Then they were five minutes later then they attended to be, because Hermione couldn't find Crookshanks. But she did, under her bed.
After all the trunks were loaded, Harry, Hermione, Ginny, Ron, and Mrs. Weasley, loaded into the car next, which, again, was a very easy fit. (Thanks Arthur!)
"Maybe you could come to the Grimmauld place for Christmas, yes? Some kids around the house will definitely liven it up." Mrs. Weasley said, looking into the rear view mirror. "You to Harry, Hermione."
Harry looked into her eyes from the mirror and could see the pain. She loved her kids, Harry and Hermione, too. It was hard for her to see the leave every year, but probably harder this time because she had almost lost all of them last year.
Harry looked out the corner of his eye and saw Hermione biting her lip and looking at her hands. Her parents probably'd want her for Christmas, but she wouldn't want to let Mrs. Weasley down.
The ride, other than for some comments and a little bit of talking, was quiet. Harry sat by the window and stared out, looking over the many fields and meadows. Ron was tapping his fingers on his knee, Ginny was sitting in the front, staring at the dashboard, and Hermione was staring out the window on the other side.
Harry blinked for a minute, stupidly. There was absolutely nothing to do. How would he survive a trip to Hogwarts?
After the quiet ride, the group unloaded their trunks and put them on trolleys and began making their way down to the platforms nine and ten. As usual, the place was 'packed with muggles.'
Harry glanced at a clock above one of the platforms. They still had ten minutes to get there and they were now passing platform two.
Seven.. eight.. nine.. ten. There we go.
"All right, Ginny, Ron, you go first. After you two, Harry and Hermione. Now off you go." Mrs. Weasley said. "And then I'll come after you."
Ginny took a breath and she and Ron inched their way to the invisible platform. They pretended to chat and casually slipped through the barrier. Harry took a breath and pretended to veer with his trolley past the platform, but instead went straight through to the other side and felt Hermione come in soon after.
There on the tracks sat a large, scarlet and shiny train. It let out a whistle of warning and Mrs. Weasley called the kids.
In turn she gave each of them a hug. "Now I want you to be good, got it? And write, you to Harry, Hermione. /Stay out of trouble./ Have a good time!" Mrs. Weasley said as they walked off. Harry wondered how weird it looked, a redhead mother, two redhead kids with freckles, and then two others who looked nothing alike?
The group lugged their large brown trunks, cages, and carriers down the narrow halls of the train, trying to find an empty compartment near the back. They reached the utmost far back compartment and what do you know, Loony Luna Lovegood and Neville Longbottom.
"Hey you guys." Neville smiled sheepishly at them and blushed a bit, remembering the recent events from last year. Luna looked at them dreamily, yet, remembering last year, there was no trace of a smile on her face.
"Hey Neville, Luna. We have to go to the Prefects compartment and then make our rounds. As sixth years, we might not have to do as much." Ron said, looking hopeful and pinning on his prefect badge, as he was pulling on his robes. "We'll see you guys in a bit."
Hermione put her robes on and smiled quickly at Harry. "We SHOULD get back a little earlier then last time."
They disappeared behind the door and Harry could see the back of Hermione's head get smaller as they walked on. He sighed and looked at the others. "So.. how was your summer?"
"Fine." Neville said softly, not looking at Harry's eyes.
"Oh, mine was nice. Me and my father hunted down Crunkle Eared Cranes." Luna said in that same dreamy voice, but still, she didn't smile.
"So.. did you get your things that were missing, back?" Harry asked, looking at Luna. She smiled a bit and nodded.
"Oh, yes. Except my necklace, Pansy Parkinson still has it. She's a Slytherin. She said she would give me detention if I didn't give her the necklace." Luna said, a little sadly.
"Well that's stupid. You should make her give it to you. So what if she gives you detention? You can explain it all to Mr. Flitwick." (Anyone know the Head of House for Ravenclaw?) Ginny exclaimed, narrowing her eyes in anger at Pansy. Pansy Parkinson was one of the Slytherin prefects.
Luna just looked at Ginny and shrugged. "I don't mind, really. It's just not nice." She sighed. "But I want my necklace back.."
"Well then, we'll help you get it back! Won't we? Harry, Neville?" Ginny asked, looking at them.
"Oh um.. yeah." Neville said in a tiny voice and looked at Harry.
"Sure.. we.. will..." He said with vagueness and saw Luna smile excitedly.
"Oh thank you, guys! This is so wonderful! Thank you! My mum gave it to me when I was eight.." Luna then frowned, but only a little bit. Luna Lovegood had long, dark blonde hair that hung below her waist and a soft and dreamy face, that always made her look spacey. Mr. Lovegood was the editor for a goofy magazine, The Quibbler.
"So, Harry, what did you get with O.W.L.S?" Neville Longbottom was a bit short and fairly plump. He had a round, nervous face and was very forgetful. His parents were in St. Mungos, they were Aurors, driven insane from torture by Death Eaters. He lived with his grandmother.
"I got fourteen O.W.L.S, I'm thinking about being an Auror. What about you?" Harry asked Neville, Luna and Ginny didn't have O.W.L.S yet, and were chatting a bit away from them, smiling a little bit.
"Wow, fourteen? I got ten, I'm thinking about becoming a.. Healer." Neville said softly. Healers, like muggle nurses, tended always be considered feminine jobs, though there were some male nurses. ( I am NOT discriminating. I am stating the truth, don't flame! ANY MALE NURSES OUT THERE: YOU ROCK! X) ).
"Really?" Ginny whipped her head around, looking at him and a few strands of red hair fell down on her shoulders. "I was thinking about being a Healer, too!" She smiled at him eagerly. "Maybe you could tutor me?" She asked, looking hopeful. The Weasleys hadn't much money and Harry thought Ginny was looking forward to getting a job and having money of her own.
"Sure.." Neville smiled sheepishly at her. Harry saw that he seemed proud, proud to have someone look to him for help or advice. Harry tried to surprises a smile that was tightening quickly on his face. Neville turned to Luna.
"So what do you want to be?"
Everyone in the compartment (excluding Luna, of course.) all thought she'd want to follow in her father's footsteps and become a writer or editor for The Quibbler. Or maybe explore lands in search for the crazy creatures her father came up with. Boy were they wrong.
"Well.." She said, looking almost nervous as she took a strand of her long straight hair in her fingers. "I was thinking about being in the Ministry. Maybe on the Council, or an Unspeakable, perhaps." She shrugged and Ginny let out a tiny giggle.
"I'm.. sorry." Ginny said, putting a hand over her mouth. Harry had to admit, Luna didn't seem all the serious. Being in Ravenclaw, she was not dizty, and had to be quite intelligent. But just the way she acted and talked, it made her seem well.. clueless, almost. But Luna was very nice.
"A lot of people.." She went on quietly, "Think I'm crazy to think about such things. I hear what they call me, Loony Luna Lovegood. You think that, don't you?" She said. Harry had to admit, the name came across his mind sometimes. "I don't mind it, really. But it's not true." She was quiet, but still had that soft, dreamy voice of hers that floated as if on water.
Ginny looked down, as if ashamed. "I know.. I'm sorry, Luna." Harry and Neville nodded their agreements and both looked down, but for only a moment.
Ginny suddenly grinned, as she looked at Harry. "Harry's the new Quidditch captain!"
"Way to go, Harry." Neville patted Harry on the back, grinning. "Me? I couldn't fly a broom at all.."
"That's good, Harry. I'm sure you'll be a great captain." Luna smiled dazily at him, drifting off into her dream world.
Harry pushed his glasses up and then blinked, feeling his scar give off an odd sense. He could feel it, but there was no pain, Harry just felt his scar was there. Like an arm, a finger. You know it's there, you can tell it's attached to you. He shut his eyes, feeling a little confused then opened them.
"Okay, were back!" Ron bounded into the room, followed by Hermione. For now, they pulled off their robes and fell onto the empty seats and greeted the others, once again.
The whole bunch, for a change, was chatting animatedly, going over summers, schools, Quidditch, any little random things to kill the long, boringness of time. After awhile, after Ron and Hermione had come back, the food trolley came by.
Ron just bought a pumpkin pastry, ("I'm saving my money!") while Ginny bought some chocolate frogs, Luna got some chocolate frogs and licorice, Hermione bought some small cakes, and Harry and Neville got a little bit of everything.
"I finally got Professor Dumbledore!" Luna exclaimed away, showing them the card, as if they never saw the headmaster before. She read the little description on the back of the card and then waved to the photographed Dumbledore as he walked out of the picture.
"You only got Dumbledore /now/?" Ron said, looking at her. Harry had three Dumbledore's, his card, along with Morgana and a few others, were quite popular. "How long have you been collecting?"
"Ever since I was ten, it became a bit of a hobby. I never got Dumbledore, before. I need about fifteen or so cards to finish the complete set." Luna said, pulling something from a bag of hers. It was like a photo album, only it had all the cards she ever collected . It had to be two inches thick!
"Whoa.." All three of the boys said as Ron took the album and began to flip through it.
"You've got Agrippa! And Raoul! How did you find them? They are pretty rare!" He exclaimed, again, looking at all the different cards. Some of the people in them were waving to the boys, some were sleeping, and some weren't even there.
Luna shrugged and tried to take the album back from Ron, who was still staring at all the cards. "I don't know, in a frog, I guess."
"But all those cards.." He muttered in awe.
"Heh, come on, Ron. You have to let go." Harry said. Ron quickly realized what he was doing and let go of the album, muttering a 'sorry.' about it. Luna shrugged as she placed it in her trunk.
"So, have any of you seen the new Defense Against the Dark Arts professor?" Neville asked them, looking a little nervous now.
It was quite funny, really. Defense Against the Dark Arts was considered an unlucky position because no one ever seemed to get a permanent job. One was a Death Eater, one was self obsessed and now had a memory loss, one was a werewolf, one was an impostor, and the last one had been crazy. The position was getting harder to fill, year after year.
"No.. I haven't seen.. it. I hope it isn't another Umbridge. I'd rather have a vampire as a teacher." Harry said, shaking his head. In his first four years, all the professors had been men. The last one had been a woman, but she went crazy and ran off last year. Everyone looked over to the prefects, Ron and Hermione.
"We never saw him." Ron shook his head.
"Or /her./" Hermione corrected him. "At the prefects meetings, Professor Mcgonagall is the one who talks to us, seeing as she is the Deputy Headmistress. On the train and in a few meetings, we only see the Head of Houses. Occasionally the whole staff, but that tends to be with the Head Boy and Girl."
"Hey... Hermione, how does all that prefect stuff work? I mean.. what do you guys do differently from the Head Boy and Girl?" Ginny asked, looking at her friend.
"Hmm.." Hermione thought of how to explain it. "Well, the teachers, you could say, are at the top of the chain. Then there is the Head Boy and Girl, then the prefects and then the students. All of us can form ideas and then the teachers will discuss it and then talk it over with the Head Boy and girl. They need the Heads because they are closer to us in age, they are still kids.. well technically, like us in a way. So they will talk it over and if it's something to do, like a Hogsmeade trip, then the prefects go to a meeting and are told how to supervise or meetings to do rounds or something."
"You'll probably be Head Girl, 'Mione. With your grades and all." Ginny said.
"The Head Boy will be either Ron or Harry or.." Neville then said the last part quietly. "Malfoy."
"Malfoy?" Everyone stared and exclaimed in surprise, except Luna, who seemed to understand. Was Neville off his rocker? His father was a Death Eater! Professor couldn't be that mad, could he? Well.. then again. He did have all sorts of teachers...
"Well, yeah. Perhaps one of the Ravenclaw or Hufflepuffs, but it would mostly likely be the ones I said. Malfoy is pretty smart and Hermione, you know that. I'm pretty sure he didn't get the position as a prefect with money; Dumbledore isn't like that. But it will all depend on this year, seeing if he grows up a bit."
"His father didn't grow up, did he?" Harry muttered under his breath and Neville just shrugged.
"I'm not saying that Dumbledore will have him as the Head Boy, but it could happen."
Everyone shrugged and nodded, then Hermione looked out the window. "We better get our robes on, were getting pretty close to the school." She said. The boys had to go outside the compartment while the three girls changed and then they switched.
"So you're going to be the Quidditch captain, Harry? Dean and Seamus are more of the spectators and the girls, well the girls... Ginny is okay, but the others wouldn't want to go into it. I guess you'll have to look in the fifth and down. I'd start early though. Most of the team is going to be new.."
"Ginny was thinking about being the Chaser, I wonder how Mcgonagall knew that.." Harry said, pulling on his sweater.
"Probably from Angelina. A few times, after Herbology me and Ginny would chat and she was always saying she was trying to get you to be the seeker. I don't think she'd be bad as a chaser." Neville said, tying up his robes.
"Probably, Dad was a chaser, Bill and Charlie were on the team, so were Fred and George and me." Ron said, waiting for the others to finish getting ready.
When the boys were done, the girls came in and sat down, waiting to go get the to castle. Soon, the large school came into view and Harry couldn't help but look up to it and grin, it was so big and massive.
When the train stopped, the six climbed off together and walked down through the mud ("Why does it always rain when we get here?") toward the thresals and carriages.
Harry looked around for Hagrid, getting worried with each second he didn't see him. But then he heard the faint, "First years o'er 'ere! First years o'er 'ere!" And saw his large, half giant friend.
"Hey, Hagrid! Hagrid!" Harry and the others waved to him excitedly. He stopped in the middle of 'years' and looked up at them, roaring a hello over the rain and a wave to them.
Harry took his attention from Hagrid and began to head for the carriages. The six people climbed into the carriage, fitting comfortably. Almost as soon as Neville shut the door, the carriage pulled off with the others, bumping along in the mud and on the rocks.
The ride was quiet and rather bumpy, Harry could smell the old hay and dew.
The carriage slowed down to a stop, and the group climbed off and made their way toward the entrance doors, where they were quickly lead to their tables. Luna waved goodbye to them and skipped off to the Ravenclaw table. Harry and the others sat down with the other Gryffindors and immediately Hermione walked around the table for a minute, greetings the two new Gryffindor Prefects, Collin Creevy, a small, excited boy with mousy brown hair, and Megan Jaycee, a girl of the same size with long, light brown hair.
After a few minutes the new first years came in, almost all of them looked at least a little bit nervous. They were all looking around, at the ghosts, the other students, and the ceiling, which was charmed to mimic whatever the weather was outside.
Professor Mcgonagall fetched the Sorting Hat and a three legged stool, setting the hat on top of it.
Everyone was silent as they stared at the old and frayed hat. There was more silence for a moment or two, until the sorting hat's brim opened and it began to sing.
/Though I'm old and frayed,
Once a year, on your head I'm laid.
You may think it's funny,
That I know where you'll be,
But be in no doubt, I have a mind.
So give me a chance and see.
Long ago, before you were born,
Were four best friends at heart.
Never did they think,
Would they grow apart.
It all began when each had a thought,
A different idea, each they had,
never agreeing.. so they fought.
Gryffindor did say, the bravest we shall seek.
Ravenclaw, claimed instead,
For those with knowledge in their head.
Slytherin wanted those of pure,
no different then another,
Hufflepuff would take all others,
So fair and wise like a smart mother.
For the longest time,
On Gryffindor's head I lay,
to watch them fight and bicker,
till I heard one day what he had to say,
The idea that brought them together.
'I have it!' Said he, and taking me off his head,
'All of us in one and one of us in all.'
Together they gave me a mind of my very own,
And now I get to choose where you belong.
Don't fear, I've never been wrong.
The hat fell silent once more and the Great Hall broke into cheers for the smart cap. It bowed to each of the tables with the tip of it's hat, then it fell silent and still once more.
"When I call your name, you will come up and be sorted, then go directly to your table. Ari, Matthew!"
A plump boy walked over and soon after was sorted into Ravenclaw.
"Alberts, Sarah." A girl with frizzy black hair went under the Sorting Hat.
"HUFFLEPUFF!"
Harry, for a minute, drifted away from the sorting, thinking about the Sorting Hat's song. Last year it had been much different, warning about Unity and becoming one. This time it seemed, in the beginning, that they broke away because of a fight. Though the Hat didn't dwell to much on it..
Harry looked around, a few new students had been sorted into the Houses, and they had four new Gryffindors themselves.
A bunch of new students were sorted into the houses, Hufflepuff had the most and Harry counted nine.
"Zeus, Ally." Was the last name called. A fairly tall, pale and nervous looking girl with glasses and long curly dark blonde hair walked over toward the Sorting Hat and sat on the stool. From what he could see, she was shaking like a leaf. Harry had a feeling that she had thought the same thing he had before he was being sorted. What if he didn't get sorted at all? If they just whipped the hat off his head and told him to pack his bags and leave?
The hat sat on the girl's head for the longest time and then finally shouted "GRYFFINDOR!" Harry clapped with the other students and from the look on Ally's face, the shout must have scared her.
Professor Dumbledore stood up and gave his usual speech, warning about the rules and halls and things. Ron nudged Harry and nodded over to the professor's table at the new professor.
It was a fairly young woman, with short, dirty blonde hair. She was pale, but looked fairly nice. She seemed tall and was fairly plump, but didn't appear to be much like Umbridge. She had been trying to talk to Snape, but was failing in an attempt of much conversation. If Snape didn't like her, she must be okay.
"Most of you now know that Lord Voldemort (most people cringed) has now returned. Throughout the year, the Ministry of Magic will come by and having brief meetings, discussing things that have happened. Professor Sombra," Dumbledore motioned to the short haired blonde woman, "Will be teaching the other sixth and seventh years, along with the advanced. I hope you welcome her and listen closely, because Defense Against the Dark Arts, at this time.. is one of your most important classes." He said very quietly.
There was a pause and then he said, lightening the mood, "My last words to you are Enjoy the feast!" He clapped and large plates of food appeared on the tables, it all looked delicious and Harry couldn't wait to eat. His stomach rumbled.
He piled turkey, mashed potatoes, gravy, corn, pork, carrots, ham, steak, bread, and anything else you could think of. They all ate and talked and all, but Harry was much more quiet, thinking about what Dumbledore had said about the war.
He had tried to put Sirius out of his mind, it made him upset. The last thing he wanted to do was break down at the Gryffindor table in front of everyone. Real good way to make an impression on the first years and anyone willing to be on the Gryffindor Quidditch team.
Luckily he didn't have to think of Sirius at the moment, because Professor Mcgonagall had come over to the table and looked down at him. He could almost see a trace of a smile on her face.
"Well.. Harry. I see you didn't send a letter back, so I assume you accept the position of Quidditch captain? I hope you'll start early. Two of the chasers and the beaters are now gone, so you'll have to practice. If you want, I will give you permission to have the Pitch for a few days? And Ronald, I need to speak with you first thing in the morning, before breakfast." Mcgonagall said. Ron nodded slowly.
"Well.. I was thinking about Tryouts on Friday and then on Sunday, Tuesday, Thursday and next Friday have practices.." Harry said, spilling all the information out. He had really gotten to thinking about Quidditch, lately.
"All right then, Friday and the next week I can schedule for you, since it's extremely early. See you in the morning, Mr. Weasley." With that, she turned and went back to the staff table.
"What was that about, /Ronald/?" Harry asked his friend, lifting an eyebrow.
"I half nob ibeada." Ron said, shoveling in mashed potatoes. When the last plate was cleared, the deserts came out.
Harry had ice cream, strawberries, a doughnut, fudge brownies, and apple pie, not to mention a few other things.
All the way, he, Ron, and Hermione (Colin was leading the first years upstairs) yawned and stretched tiredly from the heavy food as they went upstairs to the Gryffindor Common Room.
Once they got there, with a few good-byes, they headed to their dormitories.
Harry got undressed and didn't bother unpacking (except to take out his pajamas.) As soon as he hit the pillow, he fell into a heavy and sound sleep.
The next few weeks and month were a bit boring. The Weasleys, Harry, and Hermione all cleaned around the house, but there wasn't much to do, seeing as the Order was having a few meetings to discuss 'things.' which Harry, Hermione, and Ron were still not allowed to know about.
As Harry and the others were cleaning out one of the spare bedrooms while the adults were having a meeting, he thought a bit bitterly. I have been through a lot more then some of them have. Why can't we just go to one of the meetings? There is not much harm it can do, can it? Harry dropped a box we was carrying into the room rather heavily. We can-I can take listening to it.
Harry wanted to go outside, but never could since they were in the muggle part of London and what he really wanted to do was fly. On rainy days when they didn't have to clean, Harry would be in the living room or in the room he shared with Ron thinking of plans for Quidditch. One day while he was reading Quidditch Through the Ages, (He had bought it at Flourish and Blotts.) he suddenly remembered he had a Charms essay to write. He had been so busy with cleaning, coming to the Order, and thinking about Quidditch, he had forgotten his work.
The day before the day the train would leave for Hogwarts, the Grimmauld place was very busy. Everyone was doing last minute packing, Mrs. Weasley was checking to make sure everyone had enough socks, and there was a lot of shouting for missing quills and everything else that could be possibly missing.
"Has anyone seen my extra robes?"
"Where are the rest of my quills?"
"Here Crookshanks.. come here boy..."
A bit before dinner, Harry was giving his firebolt one last shine. He sat on his low bed thing, polishing the handle so he could see his reflection. He grinned into it then snorted, feeling like a little Gilderoy Lochart.
Harry had to admit, this year was going to be a bit harder and he was nervous. With all the Quidditch and work and probably Voldemort or something. He groaned and flopped on his back on the bed.
"Harry.. Supper's ready." Hermione said, staring at him from the door way. "Are you all right?"
"I'm fine.." Harry hoisted himself from the bed and put his broomstick away, then followed her downstairs and to the table.
Dinner was very good, Harry had to say. They had a thick beef and vegetable soup with buns and for dessert, Mrs. Weasley made a chocolate cake and baked cookies that were chewy and delicious.
"Hey, Harry, can I have a word?" Remus Lupin asked after dinner, as they were heading to their bedrooms.
"Uh sure, what is it?" Harry asked as they walked into the halls. Harry began to get a little worried.
Remus turned to Harry and looked at him. "I won't pressure you Harry, but if your ever, EVER worried, about ANYTHING, I'm here and I'm willing to talk, all right? And please don't go looking for trouble. I know, I know. Trouble tends to find you. But please don't provoke it, all right?"
Harry stared at Professor Lupin. "I don't /provoke it!/ It just finds me. I can't help it, I'm like a magnet. I-"
"I understand that, Harry. Just.. just promise me you WON'T go looking for trouble? If you find anything, anything at all weird, please let me know. Okay? One of the Order, anyone?" Lupin looked at him and Harry sighed.
"Okay, okay. I promise."
Remus nodded and Harry headed off to bed, looking forward to the next day, despite that he was scared.
The next day didn't really start as an easy one. More like a loud one. And painful one.
Harry was sleeping peacefully for a change, no dreams, no nightmares, no loud shrieks from his aunt. For now, life was good. Sleep was good. But then... BBRRIINNNGGG!!!
Harry had been about a fourth of awake at that time and rolled over in surprise, falling out of bed with a loud thump. He looked up and saw Hermione in the middle of their room with an alarm clock. Ron was wide eyed with surprise and rubbing his eyes now.
"Think you could've warned me, 'Mione?" Harry grumbled, rubbing his eyes and sat up, searching for his classes on the table.
Harry and Ron washed up and got changed pretty quickly, grumbling all the way. Ron was the most disgruntled muttering, "Damned arm clocks." And something about the things muggles create, sounding suspiciously like his father.
Harry and Ron came down to breakfast when everyone was there, Hermione and Ginny have something of a smirk on. Harry ignored them until he got a bit paranoid, glancing at them out of the corner of his eye.
"And WHAT is so funny?"
"Oh nothing, Harry. I was just telling Gin about the little alarm clock thing. She heard it down in our room." Hermione couldn't help but bite her lip when she looked at Ron who was very annoyed.
They ate their cold pizza in silence. It had been Tonks' idea to have the pizza (She went out and ordered it the night before.) because from that day to the end of the school year, they would eat almost the same thing for breakfast. Every single day. Eggs, toast, cereal, or pancakes for the next school year.
Ron didn't want to leave one of his favorite Chudley Cannons poster behind. ("It HAS THEIR NAMES ON IT!" "You already have two in the trunk already!")
Then they were five minutes later then they attended to be, because Hermione couldn't find Crookshanks. But she did, under her bed.
After all the trunks were loaded, Harry, Hermione, Ginny, Ron, and Mrs. Weasley, loaded into the car next, which, again, was a very easy fit. (Thanks Arthur!)
"Maybe you could come to the Grimmauld place for Christmas, yes? Some kids around the house will definitely liven it up." Mrs. Weasley said, looking into the rear view mirror. "You to Harry, Hermione."
Harry looked into her eyes from the mirror and could see the pain. She loved her kids, Harry and Hermione, too. It was hard for her to see the leave every year, but probably harder this time because she had almost lost all of them last year.
Harry looked out the corner of his eye and saw Hermione biting her lip and looking at her hands. Her parents probably'd want her for Christmas, but she wouldn't want to let Mrs. Weasley down.
The ride, other than for some comments and a little bit of talking, was quiet. Harry sat by the window and stared out, looking over the many fields and meadows. Ron was tapping his fingers on his knee, Ginny was sitting in the front, staring at the dashboard, and Hermione was staring out the window on the other side.
Harry blinked for a minute, stupidly. There was absolutely nothing to do. How would he survive a trip to Hogwarts?
After the quiet ride, the group unloaded their trunks and put them on trolleys and began making their way down to the platforms nine and ten. As usual, the place was 'packed with muggles.'
Harry glanced at a clock above one of the platforms. They still had ten minutes to get there and they were now passing platform two.
Seven.. eight.. nine.. ten. There we go.
"All right, Ginny, Ron, you go first. After you two, Harry and Hermione. Now off you go." Mrs. Weasley said. "And then I'll come after you."
Ginny took a breath and she and Ron inched their way to the invisible platform. They pretended to chat and casually slipped through the barrier. Harry took a breath and pretended to veer with his trolley past the platform, but instead went straight through to the other side and felt Hermione come in soon after.
There on the tracks sat a large, scarlet and shiny train. It let out a whistle of warning and Mrs. Weasley called the kids.
In turn she gave each of them a hug. "Now I want you to be good, got it? And write, you to Harry, Hermione. /Stay out of trouble./ Have a good time!" Mrs. Weasley said as they walked off. Harry wondered how weird it looked, a redhead mother, two redhead kids with freckles, and then two others who looked nothing alike?
The group lugged their large brown trunks, cages, and carriers down the narrow halls of the train, trying to find an empty compartment near the back. They reached the utmost far back compartment and what do you know, Loony Luna Lovegood and Neville Longbottom.
"Hey you guys." Neville smiled sheepishly at them and blushed a bit, remembering the recent events from last year. Luna looked at them dreamily, yet, remembering last year, there was no trace of a smile on her face.
"Hey Neville, Luna. We have to go to the Prefects compartment and then make our rounds. As sixth years, we might not have to do as much." Ron said, looking hopeful and pinning on his prefect badge, as he was pulling on his robes. "We'll see you guys in a bit."
Hermione put her robes on and smiled quickly at Harry. "We SHOULD get back a little earlier then last time."
They disappeared behind the door and Harry could see the back of Hermione's head get smaller as they walked on. He sighed and looked at the others. "So.. how was your summer?"
"Fine." Neville said softly, not looking at Harry's eyes.
"Oh, mine was nice. Me and my father hunted down Crunkle Eared Cranes." Luna said in that same dreamy voice, but still, she didn't smile.
"So.. did you get your things that were missing, back?" Harry asked, looking at Luna. She smiled a bit and nodded.
"Oh, yes. Except my necklace, Pansy Parkinson still has it. She's a Slytherin. She said she would give me detention if I didn't give her the necklace." Luna said, a little sadly.
"Well that's stupid. You should make her give it to you. So what if she gives you detention? You can explain it all to Mr. Flitwick." (Anyone know the Head of House for Ravenclaw?) Ginny exclaimed, narrowing her eyes in anger at Pansy. Pansy Parkinson was one of the Slytherin prefects.
Luna just looked at Ginny and shrugged. "I don't mind, really. It's just not nice." She sighed. "But I want my necklace back.."
"Well then, we'll help you get it back! Won't we? Harry, Neville?" Ginny asked, looking at them.
"Oh um.. yeah." Neville said in a tiny voice and looked at Harry.
"Sure.. we.. will..." He said with vagueness and saw Luna smile excitedly.
"Oh thank you, guys! This is so wonderful! Thank you! My mum gave it to me when I was eight.." Luna then frowned, but only a little bit. Luna Lovegood had long, dark blonde hair that hung below her waist and a soft and dreamy face, that always made her look spacey. Mr. Lovegood was the editor for a goofy magazine, The Quibbler.
"So, Harry, what did you get with O.W.L.S?" Neville Longbottom was a bit short and fairly plump. He had a round, nervous face and was very forgetful. His parents were in St. Mungos, they were Aurors, driven insane from torture by Death Eaters. He lived with his grandmother.
"I got fourteen O.W.L.S, I'm thinking about being an Auror. What about you?" Harry asked Neville, Luna and Ginny didn't have O.W.L.S yet, and were chatting a bit away from them, smiling a little bit.
"Wow, fourteen? I got ten, I'm thinking about becoming a.. Healer." Neville said softly. Healers, like muggle nurses, tended always be considered feminine jobs, though there were some male nurses. ( I am NOT discriminating. I am stating the truth, don't flame! ANY MALE NURSES OUT THERE: YOU ROCK! X) ).
"Really?" Ginny whipped her head around, looking at him and a few strands of red hair fell down on her shoulders. "I was thinking about being a Healer, too!" She smiled at him eagerly. "Maybe you could tutor me?" She asked, looking hopeful. The Weasleys hadn't much money and Harry thought Ginny was looking forward to getting a job and having money of her own.
"Sure.." Neville smiled sheepishly at her. Harry saw that he seemed proud, proud to have someone look to him for help or advice. Harry tried to surprises a smile that was tightening quickly on his face. Neville turned to Luna.
"So what do you want to be?"
Everyone in the compartment (excluding Luna, of course.) all thought she'd want to follow in her father's footsteps and become a writer or editor for The Quibbler. Or maybe explore lands in search for the crazy creatures her father came up with. Boy were they wrong.
"Well.." She said, looking almost nervous as she took a strand of her long straight hair in her fingers. "I was thinking about being in the Ministry. Maybe on the Council, or an Unspeakable, perhaps." She shrugged and Ginny let out a tiny giggle.
"I'm.. sorry." Ginny said, putting a hand over her mouth. Harry had to admit, Luna didn't seem all the serious. Being in Ravenclaw, she was not dizty, and had to be quite intelligent. But just the way she acted and talked, it made her seem well.. clueless, almost. But Luna was very nice.
"A lot of people.." She went on quietly, "Think I'm crazy to think about such things. I hear what they call me, Loony Luna Lovegood. You think that, don't you?" She said. Harry had to admit, the name came across his mind sometimes. "I don't mind it, really. But it's not true." She was quiet, but still had that soft, dreamy voice of hers that floated as if on water.
Ginny looked down, as if ashamed. "I know.. I'm sorry, Luna." Harry and Neville nodded their agreements and both looked down, but for only a moment.
Ginny suddenly grinned, as she looked at Harry. "Harry's the new Quidditch captain!"
"Way to go, Harry." Neville patted Harry on the back, grinning. "Me? I couldn't fly a broom at all.."
"That's good, Harry. I'm sure you'll be a great captain." Luna smiled dazily at him, drifting off into her dream world.
Harry pushed his glasses up and then blinked, feeling his scar give off an odd sense. He could feel it, but there was no pain, Harry just felt his scar was there. Like an arm, a finger. You know it's there, you can tell it's attached to you. He shut his eyes, feeling a little confused then opened them.
"Okay, were back!" Ron bounded into the room, followed by Hermione. For now, they pulled off their robes and fell onto the empty seats and greeted the others, once again.
The whole bunch, for a change, was chatting animatedly, going over summers, schools, Quidditch, any little random things to kill the long, boringness of time. After awhile, after Ron and Hermione had come back, the food trolley came by.
Ron just bought a pumpkin pastry, ("I'm saving my money!") while Ginny bought some chocolate frogs, Luna got some chocolate frogs and licorice, Hermione bought some small cakes, and Harry and Neville got a little bit of everything.
"I finally got Professor Dumbledore!" Luna exclaimed away, showing them the card, as if they never saw the headmaster before. She read the little description on the back of the card and then waved to the photographed Dumbledore as he walked out of the picture.
"You only got Dumbledore /now/?" Ron said, looking at her. Harry had three Dumbledore's, his card, along with Morgana and a few others, were quite popular. "How long have you been collecting?"
"Ever since I was ten, it became a bit of a hobby. I never got Dumbledore, before. I need about fifteen or so cards to finish the complete set." Luna said, pulling something from a bag of hers. It was like a photo album, only it had all the cards she ever collected . It had to be two inches thick!
"Whoa.." All three of the boys said as Ron took the album and began to flip through it.
"You've got Agrippa! And Raoul! How did you find them? They are pretty rare!" He exclaimed, again, looking at all the different cards. Some of the people in them were waving to the boys, some were sleeping, and some weren't even there.
Luna shrugged and tried to take the album back from Ron, who was still staring at all the cards. "I don't know, in a frog, I guess."
"But all those cards.." He muttered in awe.
"Heh, come on, Ron. You have to let go." Harry said. Ron quickly realized what he was doing and let go of the album, muttering a 'sorry.' about it. Luna shrugged as she placed it in her trunk.
"So, have any of you seen the new Defense Against the Dark Arts professor?" Neville asked them, looking a little nervous now.
It was quite funny, really. Defense Against the Dark Arts was considered an unlucky position because no one ever seemed to get a permanent job. One was a Death Eater, one was self obsessed and now had a memory loss, one was a werewolf, one was an impostor, and the last one had been crazy. The position was getting harder to fill, year after year.
"No.. I haven't seen.. it. I hope it isn't another Umbridge. I'd rather have a vampire as a teacher." Harry said, shaking his head. In his first four years, all the professors had been men. The last one had been a woman, but she went crazy and ran off last year. Everyone looked over to the prefects, Ron and Hermione.
"We never saw him." Ron shook his head.
"Or /her./" Hermione corrected him. "At the prefects meetings, Professor Mcgonagall is the one who talks to us, seeing as she is the Deputy Headmistress. On the train and in a few meetings, we only see the Head of Houses. Occasionally the whole staff, but that tends to be with the Head Boy and Girl."
"Hey... Hermione, how does all that prefect stuff work? I mean.. what do you guys do differently from the Head Boy and Girl?" Ginny asked, looking at her friend.
"Hmm.." Hermione thought of how to explain it. "Well, the teachers, you could say, are at the top of the chain. Then there is the Head Boy and Girl, then the prefects and then the students. All of us can form ideas and then the teachers will discuss it and then talk it over with the Head Boy and girl. They need the Heads because they are closer to us in age, they are still kids.. well technically, like us in a way. So they will talk it over and if it's something to do, like a Hogsmeade trip, then the prefects go to a meeting and are told how to supervise or meetings to do rounds or something."
"You'll probably be Head Girl, 'Mione. With your grades and all." Ginny said.
"The Head Boy will be either Ron or Harry or.." Neville then said the last part quietly. "Malfoy."
"Malfoy?" Everyone stared and exclaimed in surprise, except Luna, who seemed to understand. Was Neville off his rocker? His father was a Death Eater! Professor couldn't be that mad, could he? Well.. then again. He did have all sorts of teachers...
"Well, yeah. Perhaps one of the Ravenclaw or Hufflepuffs, but it would mostly likely be the ones I said. Malfoy is pretty smart and Hermione, you know that. I'm pretty sure he didn't get the position as a prefect with money; Dumbledore isn't like that. But it will all depend on this year, seeing if he grows up a bit."
"His father didn't grow up, did he?" Harry muttered under his breath and Neville just shrugged.
"I'm not saying that Dumbledore will have him as the Head Boy, but it could happen."
Everyone shrugged and nodded, then Hermione looked out the window. "We better get our robes on, were getting pretty close to the school." She said. The boys had to go outside the compartment while the three girls changed and then they switched.
"So you're going to be the Quidditch captain, Harry? Dean and Seamus are more of the spectators and the girls, well the girls... Ginny is okay, but the others wouldn't want to go into it. I guess you'll have to look in the fifth and down. I'd start early though. Most of the team is going to be new.."
"Ginny was thinking about being the Chaser, I wonder how Mcgonagall knew that.." Harry said, pulling on his sweater.
"Probably from Angelina. A few times, after Herbology me and Ginny would chat and she was always saying she was trying to get you to be the seeker. I don't think she'd be bad as a chaser." Neville said, tying up his robes.
"Probably, Dad was a chaser, Bill and Charlie were on the team, so were Fred and George and me." Ron said, waiting for the others to finish getting ready.
When the boys were done, the girls came in and sat down, waiting to go get the to castle. Soon, the large school came into view and Harry couldn't help but look up to it and grin, it was so big and massive.
When the train stopped, the six climbed off together and walked down through the mud ("Why does it always rain when we get here?") toward the thresals and carriages.
Harry looked around for Hagrid, getting worried with each second he didn't see him. But then he heard the faint, "First years o'er 'ere! First years o'er 'ere!" And saw his large, half giant friend.
"Hey, Hagrid! Hagrid!" Harry and the others waved to him excitedly. He stopped in the middle of 'years' and looked up at them, roaring a hello over the rain and a wave to them.
Harry took his attention from Hagrid and began to head for the carriages. The six people climbed into the carriage, fitting comfortably. Almost as soon as Neville shut the door, the carriage pulled off with the others, bumping along in the mud and on the rocks.
The ride was quiet and rather bumpy, Harry could smell the old hay and dew.
The carriage slowed down to a stop, and the group climbed off and made their way toward the entrance doors, where they were quickly lead to their tables. Luna waved goodbye to them and skipped off to the Ravenclaw table. Harry and the others sat down with the other Gryffindors and immediately Hermione walked around the table for a minute, greetings the two new Gryffindor Prefects, Collin Creevy, a small, excited boy with mousy brown hair, and Megan Jaycee, a girl of the same size with long, light brown hair.
After a few minutes the new first years came in, almost all of them looked at least a little bit nervous. They were all looking around, at the ghosts, the other students, and the ceiling, which was charmed to mimic whatever the weather was outside.
Professor Mcgonagall fetched the Sorting Hat and a three legged stool, setting the hat on top of it.
Everyone was silent as they stared at the old and frayed hat. There was more silence for a moment or two, until the sorting hat's brim opened and it began to sing.
/Though I'm old and frayed,
Once a year, on your head I'm laid.
You may think it's funny,
That I know where you'll be,
But be in no doubt, I have a mind.
So give me a chance and see.
Long ago, before you were born,
Were four best friends at heart.
Never did they think,
Would they grow apart.
It all began when each had a thought,
A different idea, each they had,
never agreeing.. so they fought.
Gryffindor did say, the bravest we shall seek.
Ravenclaw, claimed instead,
For those with knowledge in their head.
Slytherin wanted those of pure,
no different then another,
Hufflepuff would take all others,
So fair and wise like a smart mother.
For the longest time,
On Gryffindor's head I lay,
to watch them fight and bicker,
till I heard one day what he had to say,
The idea that brought them together.
'I have it!' Said he, and taking me off his head,
'All of us in one and one of us in all.'
Together they gave me a mind of my very own,
And now I get to choose where you belong.
Don't fear, I've never been wrong.
The hat fell silent once more and the Great Hall broke into cheers for the smart cap. It bowed to each of the tables with the tip of it's hat, then it fell silent and still once more.
"When I call your name, you will come up and be sorted, then go directly to your table. Ari, Matthew!"
A plump boy walked over and soon after was sorted into Ravenclaw.
"Alberts, Sarah." A girl with frizzy black hair went under the Sorting Hat.
"HUFFLEPUFF!"
Harry, for a minute, drifted away from the sorting, thinking about the Sorting Hat's song. Last year it had been much different, warning about Unity and becoming one. This time it seemed, in the beginning, that they broke away because of a fight. Though the Hat didn't dwell to much on it..
Harry looked around, a few new students had been sorted into the Houses, and they had four new Gryffindors themselves.
A bunch of new students were sorted into the houses, Hufflepuff had the most and Harry counted nine.
"Zeus, Ally." Was the last name called. A fairly tall, pale and nervous looking girl with glasses and long curly dark blonde hair walked over toward the Sorting Hat and sat on the stool. From what he could see, she was shaking like a leaf. Harry had a feeling that she had thought the same thing he had before he was being sorted. What if he didn't get sorted at all? If they just whipped the hat off his head and told him to pack his bags and leave?
The hat sat on the girl's head for the longest time and then finally shouted "GRYFFINDOR!" Harry clapped with the other students and from the look on Ally's face, the shout must have scared her.
Professor Dumbledore stood up and gave his usual speech, warning about the rules and halls and things. Ron nudged Harry and nodded over to the professor's table at the new professor.
It was a fairly young woman, with short, dirty blonde hair. She was pale, but looked fairly nice. She seemed tall and was fairly plump, but didn't appear to be much like Umbridge. She had been trying to talk to Snape, but was failing in an attempt of much conversation. If Snape didn't like her, she must be okay.
"Most of you now know that Lord Voldemort (most people cringed) has now returned. Throughout the year, the Ministry of Magic will come by and having brief meetings, discussing things that have happened. Professor Sombra," Dumbledore motioned to the short haired blonde woman, "Will be teaching the other sixth and seventh years, along with the advanced. I hope you welcome her and listen closely, because Defense Against the Dark Arts, at this time.. is one of your most important classes." He said very quietly.
There was a pause and then he said, lightening the mood, "My last words to you are Enjoy the feast!" He clapped and large plates of food appeared on the tables, it all looked delicious and Harry couldn't wait to eat. His stomach rumbled.
He piled turkey, mashed potatoes, gravy, corn, pork, carrots, ham, steak, bread, and anything else you could think of. They all ate and talked and all, but Harry was much more quiet, thinking about what Dumbledore had said about the war.
He had tried to put Sirius out of his mind, it made him upset. The last thing he wanted to do was break down at the Gryffindor table in front of everyone. Real good way to make an impression on the first years and anyone willing to be on the Gryffindor Quidditch team.
Luckily he didn't have to think of Sirius at the moment, because Professor Mcgonagall had come over to the table and looked down at him. He could almost see a trace of a smile on her face.
"Well.. Harry. I see you didn't send a letter back, so I assume you accept the position of Quidditch captain? I hope you'll start early. Two of the chasers and the beaters are now gone, so you'll have to practice. If you want, I will give you permission to have the Pitch for a few days? And Ronald, I need to speak with you first thing in the morning, before breakfast." Mcgonagall said. Ron nodded slowly.
"Well.. I was thinking about Tryouts on Friday and then on Sunday, Tuesday, Thursday and next Friday have practices.." Harry said, spilling all the information out. He had really gotten to thinking about Quidditch, lately.
"All right then, Friday and the next week I can schedule for you, since it's extremely early. See you in the morning, Mr. Weasley." With that, she turned and went back to the staff table.
"What was that about, /Ronald/?" Harry asked his friend, lifting an eyebrow.
"I half nob ibeada." Ron said, shoveling in mashed potatoes. When the last plate was cleared, the deserts came out.
Harry had ice cream, strawberries, a doughnut, fudge brownies, and apple pie, not to mention a few other things.
All the way, he, Ron, and Hermione (Colin was leading the first years upstairs) yawned and stretched tiredly from the heavy food as they went upstairs to the Gryffindor Common Room.
Once they got there, with a few good-byes, they headed to their dormitories.
Harry got undressed and didn't bother unpacking (except to take out his pajamas.) As soon as he hit the pillow, he fell into a heavy and sound sleep.