Chapter 9: There's No Place Like Home

~*~

"Dorothy now took Toto up solemnly in her arms, and having said one last good-bye she clapped the heels of her shoes together three times, saying:

"Take me home to Aunt Em!"

Instantly she was whirling through the air, so swiftly that all she could see or feel was the wind whistling past her ears. "

~*~

 Precisely at 11:00, the Hogwarts Express rolled out of Platform 9 ¾ and out towards the Scottish countryside. Harry waved out the window to both Brian and Lexie as the train began to pull out. He'd pondered before why they didn't go to Hogwarts but never gotten to asking. He supposed they might be home-schooled, but he'd have to wait and ask them the next time he sent a letter.

 He and Ginny were both smiling at the sight across from them in the compartment. Seeing Ron and Hermione so happy with each other was definitely a relief, especially after all the years of bickering. Soon Hermione had pulled out one of their new texts, which Harry noted already had pages marked and seemed full of notes, and Ron had challenged him and Ginny to a game of exploding snap. Singed eyebrows ensued, at least for everyone but Ginny. Harry was amazed and wondered quite how she had managed that.

 Soon most everyone in the compartment had fallen asleep and Harry didn't blame then. After all, he'd managed to keep them awake nearly all the night. He felt guilty about it but a part of him was glad. He found himself floating back to the discussion he'd had with Ginny after awaking from his nightmare. Then with all of them.  He'd been surprised at how angry Ron had been, and Hermione as well. They were so concerned.

 When he'd awoken to all of them gathering in the room it had definitely been a shock. And somehow he'd finally told them. He had finally managed to share just what had happened that night in the graveyard. Everything from Cedric's death, to Cruciatius, to his parent's saving him once again.

 He sat there thinking about it now. Not about talking to his friends, but about his parents. It was something he'd been pondering more this summer. He missed them. It seemed strange to miss someone he couldn't even remember. He didn't just miss them; He'd missed out on them. He didn't know how his mother's laugh sounded, or his father's favorite color. He didn't have any of those cherishable memories. He had his father's cloak, some pictures, and that was all. Oh, and the nightmares. Funny how his one memory had become a weakness. He remembered how hard it had been to fight off the dementors. Because in a twisted way he'd wanted to hear them, even if he was hearing their deaths.  Anger surged through him now. He'd lost them because of Voldemort.

"Damn it," he said as his foot connected with his trunk, causing his friends to stir, but they weren't the ones who spoke next.

"Really ought to control that temper of yours, Potter," smirked Draco Malfoy. "You'd be out of luck if someone at the prophet heard. We'd all hate for them to see you as the madman you are, eh?"

"Shove off Malfoy," Harry said darkly, "How many train rides will it take before you realize that you aren't wanted. Or I suppose you don't have anything better to do."

"Maybe I just came to warn you," said Draco, "Remember mudbloods and muggle-lovers first."

 Harry didn't have time to register everything but the next thing he knew Malfoy was on the ground... and Hermione was wiping her hands on her robes. She used her foot to nudge Draco out of the compartment and then shut the door behind him before sitting down and picking up her book.

 Ron and Harry were looking at her, awestruck, and Ginny was grinning. Finally Ron regained his voice.

"Bloody hell, Mione," he said, then continued in a pouting voice, "But why couldn't I do it."

"Well," said Hermione, "How likely is it that Draco is going to admit that a girl got the better of him, especially a muggle-born one."

"Your brilliance overwhelms us oh great one," said Harry still grinning. "So, who wants some cauldron cakes?"

~*~

 Harry piled into a horseless carriage with his friends after then train ride was over and they rode happily up the castle. Once again he was amazed by the sight of it. A warm feeling came over him and he knew this was home. It always would be. No matter how old he got, [though his life expectancy was probably growing shorter with Voldemort back] he would always view his school this way. He chuckled as he envisioned a pair of  magic slippers.

 Soon they were all entering the Great Hall once more and Ron was already complaining about his hunger. Soon after they were all seated the first years began filing in nervously behind McGonagall. It seemed like yesterday that he'd been sorted. He remembered the dilemma too. Imagine, him, a Slytherin? His stomach twisted slightly as he wondered if that had counted as another similarity between Voldemort and he. He concentrated on what Dumbledore had told him about choices. 'Evidently,' he thought as he glanced over at the Slytherin table, 'I must have made the right one.'

 Finally the old tattered hat was brought forth and Harry grinned as the jaws of the first years all dropped when it opened its mouth.

Though I am just a tattered hat

Listen well to me

Pay very close attention

And we'll see where you shall be

Perhaps you'll be in Ravenclaw

With those of stunning smarts

They suck up facts from books

From history to art

Or perhaps in Hufflepuff

Is the place for you?

Where you will meet loyal friends

Who are all hard-working too

Then of course there's Gryffindor

If you think you've got the nerve

If you possess the bravery

This placement you deserve

Or perhaps there's room in Slytherin

For a cunning child like you

To achieve your goals

You know, you'll do what you must do

So try on this old tattered hat

Into your mind I'll see

Then my child I'll tell you

Where you ought to be!

 The hall filled with applause as the hat finished and McGonagall began to call the names.

"Abbot, Grace!"  McGonagall called the first name. Harry watched her approach the stool and heard the hat shout "RAVENCLAW." She smiled and waved slightly at her sister at the Hufflepuff table sitting down.

"Baddock, Randy," followed the first girl to Ravenclaw before McGonagall called "Branstone, Miranda" who became the first Hufflepuff. "Cauldwell, Laurell!" became the first new Gryffindor and their table erupted into cheers. Then came "Finch, Erin" who was a Gryffindor too.  Then there was "Fletcher"... "Gardner"... "Hamilton." When "Rennison, Anita!" joined the Slytherin table Harry saw Malfoy muttering to someone across from him and soon the whole table seemed to be involved.  McGonagall progressed through the names until finally "Yesire, Anne!" was sorted into Ravenclaw. After McGonagall removed the stool and hat all eyes turned to Dumbledore as he began his speech.

 "Welcome all to another year at Hogwarts," said Dumbledore, "I am pleased to introduce you to our temporary Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher, Mrs. Weasley, and her assistant, Ms. Fleur Delacour. I also ask that you remember that the Forbidden Forest has it's name for a reason. Mr. Filch has updated his list of forbidden items and should anyone wish to read all 879 items, it can be found posted on his office door. Sadly, I must also remind you of the caution we must be under now that Voldemort has returned." Many of the first years gasped. "There will be a memorial service held here for young Cedric Diggory for all of you who would like to attend, and perhaps some of you will want to speak. On a lighter note, I believe it's high time we dug in."

  The room broke out into chatter again, though some people remained more solemn than others, and Harry watched as young Anita Rennison. He pointed it out to Hermione and she looked over. People around the table began to talk and soon he finally got word. "She's muggle-born!" burst out Hermione after someone leaned over and said something to her, "She has to be the first one in decades!" Then her tone softened. "That poor girl," she said. "It looks like they're being absolutely horrid to her."

"She is a Slytherin," said Ron, putting an emphasis on the last word. This only earned a glare from Hermione.

"Honestly," she retorted. "Just because someone is a Slytherin doesn't mean they're evil!"

Ron mumbled something like "Sure it does" but Harry couldn't quite make it out through all the potatoes.

"Do you think that the founders really sat down and said, 'Let's pick four traits, Bravery, Smarts, Hardwork and Loyalty, oh yes, how about evil?"

"It wanted to put me in Slytherin," said Harry quietly without really meaning to. This gained him shocked looks from both of them. He almost wished Ginny were there to stop them gaping but she had disappeared over to where some of her friends from her year sat. "I'll tell you later," was all he said. After that they spent much of the feast in silence before they were signaled by McGonagall to lead the first years up. Hermione managed to take the head of the tour as Harry, Ron, and surprisingly... Neville spread out amongst them. Harry tried to act normally and pretended not to hear most questions about a scar. Finally they reached the portrait of the Fat Lady. Hermione had explained earlier that they would be taking turn making up the passwords. He wondered what she had picked... When she finally said it loud enough for them all to hear most of the older Gryffindors burst out laughing.

Because when Hermione had spoken the password, she had given the Fat Lady two words.

"Bouncing Ferret."

** I really must apologize for my horrid attempt at a sorting song.