Hogwarts here we come!

The morning had been full of packing and good-byes since Fudge had called Moody into work for an "important" meeting. As Alastor walked out of the front door that morning Harry couldn't help wondering if he would ever see old mad eye Moody again. Just like Harry Moody was stuck in the middle of a huge and bloody war that was just beginning and no one was guaranteed to make it. A while later Kate and Harry got into a taxi and arrived at Kings Cross Station with plenty of time to spare before the Hogwarts express left for the year.

Kate turned to Harry and pulled him into a hug, "You should get on the train and claim a compartment before they are full. Have a great year and write me once and a while. You have grown on me Harry Potter, it feels like I have four kids now and I am wishing my youngest one off to school for the year," whispered Kate.

"I'll write, and thank you. You didn't have to put up with me much less bringing me into your family." replied Harry as he pulled out of the hug and picked up his stuff.

With one last wave and a pop Kate apparated back to Holly Fields. Harry turned his head to the train and carried his trunk into an empty compartment at the back of the train.

People came and went but Harry hadn't seen Ron or Hermione yet. Just when he started to get worried that they were going to miss the train, Harry head some familiar arguing. "Ron he hasn't been kidnapped. I bet you he is already on the train waiting for us."

"Hermione, he is staying with the Moody's. Just stop and think about it. If the death eaters knew that Harry was there they would have a field day. Two of the biggest pains in the You-Know-who's rear would be dead with one strike. All you would have to do is add Dumbledore to that mix and there goes everything that we have been working for."

"Ronald Weasley! If you weren't a friend I would have slapped you for that! Harry is fine, just wait and see." as she slid the door open, "See, I told you so," smirked Hermione in triumph.

"Harry!" exclaimed Ron, "I thought that you hadn't made it."

"Kate would have killed to get me here on time. I was in absolutely in no danger of being late." smiled Harry.

"Wow Harry you sure have grown," stated Hermione, "I suddenly feel very very short."

Hermione was exactly right just as she has always been. Not only had Harry grown and filled out but Ron had grown also so that he still towered over Harry. Hermione on the other hand was exactly the same size except a little more feminine shaped. She is probably done growing thought Harry.

The trio settled themselves down in the compartment and prepared for the long trip ahead of them. As the train whistled leaving the station they heard some banging and then the door flew open. In the doorway stood a very flustered looking Icicle, "Hello, do you mind if I join you guys? The rest of the train is full or they annoyed me by just looking at the," sighed Icicle as she pushed a piece of hair behind her ear.

"Sure Icicle," replied Harry as he grabbed her trunk. "How was your summer with Remus and Sirius?"

"Actually, I had a pretty fun summer considering all of the work that I had to do. Those two are great Defense teachers. Oh and that reminds me I have a letter from you from Sirius." said Icicle as she pulled a piece of paper out of her backpack and handed it to Harry.

Harry eagerly opened the letter to see what Sirius had to say,

Harry,

It was great to hear that you had a nice peaceful summer at the Moody's. This summer has been the first restful summer I have had since before I headed to Azkaban, it was great. As a tip, be really nice to Icicle because she has really a wicked since of humor. It is very rare that anyone is able to play a prank on a marauder and embarrass them. I better not find out that you asked her what she did to us because I don't want you getting any ideas. And Harry, I want you to play everything safe this year. If I find out that you are wandering around at night or doing anything along those lines I will personally come to Hogwarts and box your ears. You were in enough danger last year with Voldemort still biding his time but with him being back this year you need to watch your butt and your butt alone. Most of all have fun and write me once you've settle down.

Love,

Sirius

P.S. Remus says Hi!

Harry laughed, "Hey guys, I am going to get my ears boxed this year."

"What, why?" asked Ron.

"Sirius told me that if he finds out that I was wandering around the castle at night that he would come down and box my ears. You know our luck when it comes to staying out of trouble."

"We will just have to do a better job at lying," replied Hermione as she continued to introduce herself to Icicle.

There was suddenly a bark and some squeals in the compartments ahead of them. Icicle got up and smiled, "Buddy, come here!"

Bounding down the train came a medium size dog, his stump of a tail wagging and all. "Hi baby," cooed Icicle as she bent down to kiss the dog that was apparently hers on the head.

"How cute," squealed Hermione as she slid down from her seat to pet the very hyper and happy brown and white dog. "I read a book about different types of dogs this summer when I was really bored. He is a Springier Spaniel right?" asked Hermione.

Icicle smiled and nodded, "Remus was right, it is amazing that you didn't get into Ravenclaw."

A while latter the group was found lounging around talking about their summer break. Hermione had become a prefect, which totally did not shock one single person on the train and Ron's brother Charlie had come home for the summer bringing a baby dragon much to the families dismay. Harry told everyone about his stay at the Moody's and he also found out what Icicle pulled to embarrass Remus and Sirius. Apparently they were spending a week in a beach house with Icicle cleaning up after the two because there were no house elves. To spite Sirius and Remus she did the worst thing imaginable, called Remus's mother. That morning they arrived at the beach house to find Remus and Sirius sleeping on some partially empty pizza boxes in their underwear. Let's just say that Icicle spent the rest of that day laughing on a clean floor.

* * * *

Harry was looking out the window and saw that the sun was pretty close to setting were almost there thought Harry.

Hermione was buried in a surprisingly thin book while Icicle sat in a corner listening to her portable CD player that she had brought with her. Harry on the other hand was in the middle of losing let another game of chess to Ron. "Check mate," said Ron holding Harry's king in triumph.

"I give up," sighed Harry, "You keep getting better and I keep getting worse, a lot worse."

"Aww…. cheer up Harry, maybe one day you'll beat me when I am old and sick and dying in my bed 60 years from now." smirked Ron in mock sympathy, "Until then you must prepare to lose again."

As the pieces started to rearrange themselves the compartment door opened once again letting in three people that were really not welcomed, a taller, less twig like Malfoy and his pet monkeys. "This makes perfect since Goyle. The trash is always put in back." smirked Draco.

Hermione rolled her eye behind her book while Harry held onto Ron making sure that he wouldn't splatter little bits of human all over the train. "Don't you have anything better to do then waste our time and nag us like an old hag?  I mean sure those hex marks didn't leave that big of a mark but I didn't expect that stick you have shoved up your butt to get bigger." sighed Hermione as she put down her book preparing for a fight.

"When my father….." started Draco until he laid eyes upon Icicle who was still lip singing away to what ever music she was listening to. If she knew what was going on she sure showed no sign of it.

Draco strode over to her and stood looking down upon her. At first she didn't notice him there but eventually looked up and took off her ear phones. "Umm…. What?" Icicle asked Draco.

"Who might you be and what are you doing?" asked Draco who actually looked intrigued.

"Oh, I am Icicle Vera and this is what muggles call a CD player. It basically plays music off of these little disk called CD's." explained Icicle, "The CD I am listening to is called Les Miserables. A very tasteful piece of music in my own opinion."

All through this time Harry watched Draco actually take interest in what Icicle was saying. Ron looked confused on what was happening while Hermione appeared impressed. After a while of conversation about CD players and Les Miserables Draco finally popped the question that the group had been waiting for, "So you are a Mudblood?"

Icicle raised an eyebrow at him, "No in fact I am a pure blood. And what exactly is wrong with being a Mudblood as you so eloquently put it?"

Before Draco could respond the speaker came on announcing that they will be arriving at the station in 10 minutes. "Good luck with the sorting," yelled Draco over his shoulder as he and his friend left avoiding Icicle's question.

Following his departure there was a very long pause until Ron decided to brake the silence, "What just happened?"

"She was nice to Malfoy," stated Harry in awe, "Why were you nice to that git?"

"Malfoy came in and I saw that being mean and cold to him was not working for you guys so I tried another way, treating him like a normal human being. With a name like Malfoy he has most likely been put on a pedestal and pampered his whole life or spit upon. This was something new for him. Shock can be the best way to deal with people and who knows maybe I'll need his help down the road." replied Icicle.

Ron and Harry snorted at the part of needing Malfoy's help but Hermione looked impressed. "That was a smart move for you especially since you haven't been sorted yet." stated Hermione, "You as so good at manipulating and reading people that I would not be surprised if you do get into Slytherin."

"Hermione!" protested Ron, "How could you wish that upon any living thing, Slytherin honestly!"

"Ron, Slytherin is for the cunning not the I am totally slimy and evil so please come and make me a death eater people. It just turns out that most of the cunning people tend to be influenced by the dark side a lot easier then the other houses."

"Thanks Hermione," interrupted Icicle as she rolled her eyes "But don't you think that we should get off the train now?"

The group had been so preoccupied that they had totally not noticed that the Hogwarts express had arrived. "Yeah that might be the best move." replied Harry as he put away his stuff so that it would all end up in his dorm instead of lost or floating around the school.

After stumbling out of the train and greeting Hagrid the group crawled into a carriage and sat back for a nice quite ride to the castle. Pretty soon the carriages arrived at Hogwarts and they got out joining the masses of students heading for the great hall. Icicle sighed when they started to stomp up the stairs mumbling about being too lazy to deal with stair when they came face to face with Professor McGonagall. "Mr. Potter, the headmaster would like to talk to you and Miss Vera after the feast. Oh and Miss Vera you need to come with me so that we can sort you."

"Ok Professor," replied Icicle, "See you guys later."

Harry watched as Icicle turned and followed the retreating figure of McGonagall. "Lets go grab a seat," said Harry as he swam through the mob of humans to reach the Gryffindor table.

People filled in slowly but surely as they talked about their summers and other popular subjects when McGonagall returned with the first years. "Is it just me or are the first years getting smaller and smaller each year," asked Ron as he looked down upon a few first years that were poking each other and any one that came near them.

"It is just you Ron, believe it or not you were that short a few years ago." sighed Hermione as she realized that these two trouble makers in the line were probably going to be put in Gryffindor since they were not showing any fear at being sorted.

Silence swept the hall as Professor Snape brought out the sorting hat. As he placed it on the stool it began its yearly song.

Today I see both young and old, gather to watch as the future of these children unfold. There are four houses that they could be placed in Ravenclaw, Gryffindor, Slytherin and Hufflepuff. Each house has produced their own fair share of timeless wizard and witches. So what house will it be? Is it the house for the studious and smart or the house for the loyal at heart? None of these you say then you could be set in the ways of the brave and chivalrous or it could even be that you are cunning and sly. Whatever you may be there is a place for you just come on up and join me for a chat because after all I am the sorting cap.

The hall burst into applause at the end of the song. Well that was different thought Harry as McGonagall started calling out names.

Name after name Harry watched the first years being sorted in a blind daze until he heard a semi familiar name, "Fudge, Nicholas."

Harry was wiped out of his daze as Ron gaped, "What?!?! We have to put up with a Fudge at school. I get enough crap from his dad at home!"

Hermione back handed Ron, "Set an example please, we can bad mouth that idiot later when there are not younger students around to rat is out and pick up our behavior." Hermione was proving to be a lot less up tight this year.

"Hufflepuff" declared the hat as Ron rubbed his head mumbling some sort of thanks that Nicholas was not in their house.

The sorting continued without many other major first years catching Harry's eye. There was of course a few new Gryffindors and they clapped for them but Harry was more interesting in finding out where Icicle was. As the sorting finished Professor Dumbledore stood up. "Good evening students, this year we are graced with a transfer student who will be joining the 5th years." Icicle must have been listening and waiting to be called in because she chose moment time to walk in the door. "Ahh and here she is Miss Icicle Vera."

Icicle smiled waved at everyone and walked up to the sorting hat. On her way up there Harry, Ron and Hermione watched most of the male population's chins hit the ground and drool all over the table. "Well so much for tact," muttered Hermione as Ron snorted.

The hall sat in silence for what seemed forever as Icicle and the sorting hat had a nice in depth conversation. Ten minutes later the hat shouted, "Gryffindor!"

The Gryffindor table broke out in applause as Icicle sat herself next to Hermione and Neville Longbottom. "What took you so long?" asked Hermione.

"What do you think we were doing, having a nice cheery conversation? Just like I expected we had trouble deciding if I should be in Gryffindor or Slytherin."

"Students," boomed Dumbledore, "I will make the announcements short so that we can get on with the more important aspects of life such as eating. The Forbidden Forest is well…forbidden. No magic in the halls and there are 26 new items added to the banned list which is posted on Flich's office door if anyone wishes to look over it. On a more serious note, with the return of the Dark Lord last year we will be heightening security. No one, I repeat no one is to be out of their tower once the sun goes down. Yes that means your curfew is earlier now. I recommend that you don't try to sneak around or you might be caught by one of the staff members or even a death eater. Now eat and enjoy!"

Food appeared on the table and began to disappear because of the poor starving teenage boys at the table. An hour later the school headed up to their rooms full and ready to start school tomorrow, at least as close as they will get to wanting to start. Harry got up and motioned to Icicle, "Shall we?"

"We shall," sighed Icicle as they both said good bye to Ron, Hermione, Fred, George and some other Gryffindors.

When they reached the gargoyle they found the door was already open for them so they climbed the stair and knocked. They heard some shuffling of papers and then Dumbledore's familiar warm voice, "Come in Harry and Icicle."

When Harry opened the door he found that the office hadn't changed a bit except for a few extra papers and books thrown around. Dumbledore motioned to both of them to sit so Harry and Icicle both plopped down in one of the many armchairs. "Well you two are probably wondering why I called you here.  Let me be blunt, I am begging you two not to wander around the castle at night. I already told the whole school this but we all know that students will wander around, especially Mr. Fred and George Weasley." Dumbledore smiled, "The difference is that Harry is a main target for Voldemort and Icicle you have your own personal reasons that say it would be in your best interest to stay out of trouble. So please don't wander after hours. Also I would love it if when you get in trouble this year, because we know it will happen even if you do play it safe, that you come to me for help. I know that you like a challenge but master song charms or something else with all that energy that drives you to get in trouble. I don't want anything to get out of hand this year. Now Icicle, you start orchestra the day after tomorrow and your private lessons will be Monday at two thirty. Your dance schedule should be handed out with your table tomorrow. Now if you could excuse Harry and I for a second I will then be done with both of you."

Icicle got up kissed Dumbledore on the cheek and wished him goodnight. When she was out of hearing distance Dumbledore began again, "Harry, I am glad to see that you made it to school. Quite frankly I was worried that you might not pull through from the way you were handling everything. Well I did receive your letter about that dream you had this summer but I wanted to speak to you in person about it without anyone around. I believe that family that you described was Icicle's muggle family. Sadly as you may know they were murdered a good two months before that dream."

Harry stared ahead, why had he seen those people murdered after the point when nothing could have been done. "But why did I have that dream when it was too late to do anything? I mean most of my dreams have been pretty live action, I see them dead and that second they die."

"Well were you sleeping well at the time?"

"No"

"Then that was probably it, you hadn't been sleeping so you weren't getting the dreams/visions on time, a traffic jam of some sort."

"Oh…. ok"

"Well that should be it, the password to the common room is Snape sucks," said Dumbledore who was trying hard not to smile.

Harry snorted, "Take care Harry," said Dumbledore as he stood up from behind his desk.

"Thank you Professor."

After he reached the bottom of the stairs he found Icicle waiting at the bottom humming a tune to herself. "Ready to head to the common room?" asked Harry.

"Lead on oh fearless leader." replied Icicle as she did a grand bowing motion.

When they finally reached the portrait of the pink lady they found out that Neville had forgotten the password once again and was arguing with the pink lady to let him in. "I am in this house!" sighed a flushed Neville, "I have been in your house for the past four years."

"Don't worry Neville, the password is Snape sucks." said Harry as he reached the portrait.

"Thanks Harry, I really should have remembered that. After all I am a prefect this year."

Harry's jaw hit the floor, "Wow Neville, congratulations." Neville is a prefect?

Neville laughed, "You looked as shocked as my grandma did. Apparently my Herbology grades were very high and all of my other grades were not that bad besides potions of course. You should have gotten it though……"

"Oh shut up Neville," sighed Icicle who stepped though the portrait, "Harry's head is big enough. You earned it because you did get into as much trouble as the rest of the Gryffindor boys in their 5th year."

Following Neville through the portrait jumped into the common room. Looking around for his friends he saw that Hermione and Ron were in the corner apparently having a very deep conversion by the looks on their faces. "I am going to head to bed and start unpacking some of my stuff." stated Icicle, "Night."

"Goodnight," replied Harry that is a good idea I think I head off to bed too. Ron and Hermione look like that they need this time alone.

After a nice long shower Harry crawled into his bed while taking off his glasses. As he laid there the feeling that he had potions and diversionary tomorrow crept over him. With those last thoughts of academic torture and failure Harry drifted off into a dreamless sleep.

* * * *