Disclaimer: Still not mine, still don't sue.
A/N: Okay, yada, yada. Back to school, blah, blah, blah. Enjoy, bloo, bloo, bloo. Read/Review, blee, blee, blee. **Lol that was fun!**
Chapter: Back to school
Cheerful students danced around in the vibrant Gryffindor Common Room. Cheery faces, not stricken with worries or pain. The fire cracked and popped, providing the room with a sense of unsteady rhythm, but rhythm nonetheless. Harry smiled as he watched his classmates dance and twirl all around him in the dimly lit, and pleasant room. Then, the students crowded around him and began to shake him gently, at first, and then more violently, until Harry's smile faded.
"Get up mate, get up. It is almost eight! We've overslept!" Ron stood over Harry, shaking him vigorously. Harry moaned and pulled the sheet up over his head. "Oh, that's lovely Harry! Make us all be late!" Ron continued to shake him, until, finally, Harry complied and rose.
"I was having a good dream!" protested Harry, but he did so to Ron's back, as he was already walking out of the room. Harry followed close behind, still in his night clothes.
"Well that's wonderful, but Mum told me to get you up, and MY dreams would have been horrible if I hadn't." he said this, in a hurry to get downstairs. Once they had reached the bottom floor, there were people rushing about trying to get things together. It's only eight, thought Harry, but he then realized that there was indeed a lot of things that had to be done. Mrs. Weasley beckoned Harry over to her in the kitchen, then shoved a piece of toast in his hand before running off up stairs.
"What a mad house!" began Harry, but was cut off by Mr. Weasley telling him to double check his luggage. That particular task took him upwards of fourty minutes. Now he realized what they had been saying about 'a lot to do.' Nine-o-clock rolled around, and the next task was to get dressed and retrieve the pets.
Harry got dressed in a little under two minutes, and didn't bother trying to comb his hair. It wouldn't help. The pet-retrieving chore, however, took longer than expected. Pig had been chasing Hedwig around the room, as usual, just out of Harry, or Ron's reach. This was most annoying. It took about half an hour to do this. Carrying down the cages, they heard Hermione, or Ginny one, scream.
Depositing their owls before they went, they hastily ran to the girls room. When the door opened, they couldn't help but laugh. Crookshanks had fused himself to Ginny's face. "What happened?!" Ron questioned as her ran to his sister.
"She tried to pull him out from under the bed, and," She pointed to Ginny who was flailing her arms like mad.
Ron began pulling and prying at the animal, but with no success. Every time he would tug at him, Ginny would give a loud yelp of pain. "Well help Hermione! It's your cat, thing," Hermione and Harry both joined the effort to get Crookshanks off Ginny's face, and finally, after ten minutes, Hermione finally persuaded him into his cage with a piece of leftover bacon from breakfast. The cat was fine, but Ginny's face was not that lucky. She had claw marks by her chin and on her forehead. Crying tears of embarrassment, Ginny ran from the room with her hands cupped over her face.
"That!," Ron shoved an resentful finger at the cat. "That thing needs to be put into an asylum!" He was sweating slightly from the effort he had put into freeing his sister.
"It is a cat Ron. C-A-T, cat, and maybe it is you who needs to be put into an asylum," snapped Hermione with her nose upturned.
Ron walked over to her and patted her on the shoulder. "Hermione," he shook his head. "We really ought to work on your comebacks," He sighed dramatically.
"Bring that Malfoy around, and I'll be spitting out comebacks like soured milk!" She cringed at the sound of the name and Ron and Harry both looked up in surprise.
"You see! There you go! That's what I'm talking about." He smiled sarcastically to congratulate Hermione. "All she needs is proper motivation, this one," he continued, this time speaking, and facing Harry, who smiled then looked at his watch.
"Oh!" his eyes widened in astonishment. "Er—How did they say we are traveling again?" He couldn't recall them ever saying.
"They didn't. Why?" Ron shrugged and proceeded to walk out the door.
"Oh no reason really, only that it is now ten," Harry spoke with false indifference. Ron gasped. Hermione grabbed up Crookshanks, and they all progressed down the stairs.
In the living room, they found Mr. Weasley and Lupin sitting on a sofa drinking a cup of coffee. They both looked exhausted. Mrs. Weasley was fussing over the scratches that Ginny wouldn't let her mend.
"No Mum! I'd rather walk into school with a few scratches on my face then a few dozen bandages!" Harry thought Ginny stated a really good point. He would never want to walk into the Great Hall with his face half covered by thick dressings. Everyone seemed to be in the room now, so this was his chance to ask.
"Mr. Weasley?" He asked softly. Mr. Weasley's eyes had been closed, and the sound of Harry's voice made him jump a little ways off the couch, spilling a bit of his coffee down his robes.
"Yes Harry?" he said, calming himself once more.
"How—er—how are we getting there this time?" Harry asked this nervously as he knew they would never make it in time if they were flying.
Mr. Weasley simply pointed at the fireplace, and it clicked. Not jut with Harry either.
"Are you off your rocker?! We'll be seen! What are we supposed to say to a lot of muggles who have just seen some six people appear in a fireplace? Huh? 'Oh, hello there! Just wanted to see the sites, you know. They just don't make 'em like they used to'" Leave it to Ron to say something like this, but Harry actually couldn't figure it out himself.
"Relax, we have certain connections Ron. It appears that an old fireplace lies in a room on the second floor." Mr. Weasley said simply.
"Oh yeah? And what room might that be?"
"A bathroom. I had a friend track down a muggle 'Out of Order' sign to place in front of it. He seemed to believe it would keep any muggle from venturing into it." He shot a glance toward Harry and Harry nodded knowing that he was about to ask whether the fact was true.
Ron almost dropped to his knees laughing, "Oh I could have a field day with that one! Please say that the fireplace is covered up like Harry's uncle's! I would love to come up with an explanation for the Blasting Charm's sound!" This even made Harry laugh, as he knew what Ron was referring to.
"No the fireplace is not covered up Ronald, and I would ask you to be civil!" This time, it was Ron's mother who spoke.
They wasted no more time. Arthur Weasley got to his feet and said. "I'll go through first with the trunks." He took a pinch of floo powder and spoke loud and clear, "KINGSCROSS STATION. BATHROOM SECOND FLOOR." And he and the four trunks was engulfed by emerald flames and gone.
"You next, Ginny dear. Oh please do let me put some dressings on those scratches."
Ginny stepped into the fireplace with some floo powder clenched in her hand. "NO Mum! KINGSCROSS STATION. BATHROOM SECOND FLOOR." And she was gone. Next it was Harry's turn.
He scooped up Hedwig's cage, the pensieve, the box containing his potion, and his prized Firebolt broomstick. "No. Harry dear let me take these through. You don't want to break them." Mrs. Weasley took the pensieve and the potion out of Harry's hands and cradled them in her own. "Through you go now. We've got but a little time. Hurry." She hurried Harry into the fire place.
Taking a pinch of floo powder from the container, her said, very clearly, "KINGSCROSS STAITION. BATHROOM SECOND FLOOR." Before he knew it, he Hedwig, and the broom were spiraling through the floo system. Hedwig was thrashing about and squealing furiously. Harry had forgotten she had never traveled by floo before. Finally, after about a minute and a half of twisting and taking sharp turns, he arrived in a small fireplace, decorated with flowers. He had to duck down a bit, for this particular fireplace was rather tiny. In fact, by the way Mr. Weasley was rubbing the top of his head, Harry could be sure it was smaller than even Arthur had expected. He climbed out, after dislodging his broom, and walked over to Ginny and Arthur, while dusting the gray ash off of his shirt. In the next few minutes, Hermione emerged with a hissing and sputtering Crookshanks, followed by Ron and Mrs. Weasley. Pig, Ron's hyper active owl, seemed to rather enjoy the trip. He was hooting pleasantly.
"Mad, this one. I think he's killed a few brain cells," Ron held up the cage and peered at the owl who was flapping his wings and jumping up and down. "Or a dozen," he added. Mr. Weasley looked at his watch.
"Oh dear, dear. We must be off. Did Harry's belongings make it through okay Molly?" He scanned her full arms.
"All fully intact." She began to walk towards the door.
One by one, they stepped out into the hustle and bustle of the train station, descended the stairs, which were conveniently right in front of them, and retrieved trolleys for their things. Mr. Weasley looked rather relieved to find trolleys so quickly, as he had carried three of the four trunks down the stairs. Harry had carried his own. Soon enough, the six found themselves standing between platforms nine and ten.
"Okay, off you go. Two by two. It is nearly 10:45. Let's go." Molly rushed them. Ginny and Hermione took off first. Then it was Harry and Ron's turn. They leaned against the solid brick wall, as if they were simply resting, and then melted into, and through it. The sight of platform nine and three quarters was always a pleasant sight, but this year, it was more like the muggle military camps had seen on TV. People pushing and shoving students on the train. Yelling, people stationed as look outs everywhere you looked.
"Just precautions Harry." Harry had forgotten that Mr. and Mrs. Weasley were behind him. All the while, he had been gaping at what he was watching. It was not long before one of these pushy people cornered Harry, Ginny, Ron and Hermione, and began pushing them toward the train.
"No time to chat, wave goodbye, get on, secure your belongings, sit down and stay on." Harry recognized the one who had said this. Kingsley Shacklebolt winked at Harry, but kept a strict look upon his face.
"Bye Ginny, Ron, Hermione. Harry! Do keep those," Mrs. Weasley paused, "Keep those presents with you on the train," Harry knew she was speaking of the pensieve and the potion, and he had every intention to follow her orders this time. The men shoved them toward the train, and watched them until they got on. Balancing his owl and his other belongings on top of the trunk, Harry made his way onto the train first, and found, to his surprise, an empty compartment. He placed his trunk in storage along with Hedwig. Hermione, Ron and Ginny followed suit. Once everything was in place, Harry slumped into the seat and put his head back.
"We'll be back in a few minutes Harry. We have to check in at the prefect's compartment." Harry waved at Hermione and Ron with his eyes closed now. He was thinking, forgetting that Ginny was even in the compartment. The train thrust into motion causing Harry to slide down in his seat a bit.
"So?" said Ginny. "You think Snape will get the Defense Against the Dark Arts job this year?" this question struck Harry as odd. He knew Snape hadn't been given that job.
"No. In fact, I know he didn't," He squinted his eyes questioningly, while Ginny proceeded to take something out of her pocket.
"How did you find out? I mean. Look here," She held out her class schedule to him. Sure enough, there were not one, but two 'to be announced' messages. One beside Defense Against the Dark Arts, and one beside Potions. Harry reached inside his own pocket and pulled out a crumpled piece of parchment. Careful not to rip it, he opened it and handed it to Ginny. Inside, Harry was bursting with laughter. Snape had once again failed to get the job he always wanted, and Harry loved it.
"Bastard deserves it," he said, not realizing he had spoken the words aloud.
"What?" asked Ginny looking up from Harry's class list a bit startled.
"Oh-er-nothing. Nothing." He shrugged and took his list back from Ginny.
"So? You want a game of exploding snap?" She smiled.
"Sure," said Harry. He knew he ought to feel a little more sympathetic towards Snape, but he couldn't. He gladly accepted the game and they played until Ron and Hermione got back. They were both looking quite bemused. "What are you two smiling about?" Asked Harry, right in the middle of his and Ginny's game.
Ron plopped down beside Harry and heaved a small laugh. "Malfoy." He needn't say anymore. Harry was already laughing. Anything that had to do with Malfoy was funny anymore, for Harry had landed his father in prison and was proud.
"Really? What did he do this time?" Harry really couldn't care less about Malfoy right now, but asked out of respect.
It was Hermione who answered, "It wasn't really what he did or said, it was the way he looked."
"Really? How did he look?" Now Harry was beginning to get interested. Ron screwed up his face, his eyes falling closed every two seconds, then darting open again, his head falling onto his chest then flying up the moment it made contact.
"Remember how," He looked at his sister, "Ginny keep your trap shut about this," He looked back at Harry. "Remember how Sirius looked the first time we saw him? Malfoy looks like he's half bloody dead! Didn't even have time to call me poor, or call Hermione a mu—that thing he calls her." He shook his head, his face coming back to its normal expression. Harry thought on this a moment. As he really didn't give half a cockroach cluster about Malfoy's appearance, he had to wonder—
"Why?" Ginny perked up.
"Dunno," said Ron taking a huge bite of a muffin his mother had given him before they left. Harry wondered if it had something to do with his father being gone to Azkaban. Coming to the conclusion that it most likely did, Harry leaned back against the seat and thought no more of it.
The four entertained themselves by chatting nonchalantly and playing exploding snap. At around one, when the lady with the trolley came round, Harry treated his friends to chocolate frogs, pumpkin cakes, and pumpkin juice all around.
"That'll be fifteen sickles, lad." Harry pulled out his moneybag, which felt extremely low and pulled out fifteen pieces of silver. He exchanged these pieces for the food and drinks, waved goodbye and closed the compartment door. After distributing the items, he reached inside his moneybag and pulled out all that was in there. Seven galleons, four sickles, and eleven knuts. He sighed. He had not asked Mr. Weasley to go to Gringotts and fetch him some more money for this year. He decided that he would write a letter to the Order later. Replacing the money in the bag, he joined in the conversation that was already taking place.
"Staying there practically all year. I told them that they were mad for wanting to stay in that rubbish dump." Ron was speaking to Hermione, and Ginny was nodding.
Harry screwed up his face. "Who is staying where?" He had really chosen the wrong time to start listening.
Ron sighed. "Mum and Dad! Staying at the Order! Lupin to! I would never want to stay in that place all year!"
Harry's face remained confused looking, "But why all year?" He took a long sip of his pumpkin juice.
"'cause Mum 'as ta take care 'o it" Ron had just taken a huge bite of his chocolate frog and was trying to speak with it still in his mouth.
"Why would your Mum have to take care of it all year? And why would your dad stay? And Lupin?" This time it was Hermione who answered Harry.
"Because it's getting worse. They are having monthly meetings now, people stop by now and then to report information, they are getting foreign witches and wizards as members now, and someone has to be there. It doesn't help that it is the only headquarters, when V-Voldemort is attacking in so many places." Ginny and Ron winced at the sound of his name. "Oh, come off it Ron. I would have thought you were used to it by now."
"Well I'm not. I don't see why you two can't just say you-know-who or the like. Honestly."
"We've had this discussion before Ron, and I'm not going to fight with you." Ron looked rather disappointed when Hermione said that she didn't want to fight. Ginny changed the subject rather quickly.
"Hey, did you two hear? Snape didn't get the defense against the dark arts job!" This was directed at Ron and Hermione who were refraining from looking at each other. At this, they both jumped to the edge of their seats, closer to Ginny.
"How do you know?" Ron asked disbelievingly "It said on the class list!"
"It didn't say on the class list. It was implied on the class list, but look at Harry's," Both Ron and Hermione looked at Harry questioningly. He took out the crumpled parchment once more and handed it to them. Both grabbed at it. Hermione's face went into a smile that seemed to wrap all the way around her head. Ron's face, however, was formed into a painful cringe.
"That'll make him three times as sour this year!" Ron hit his head and tossed the paper down. Harry looked utterly confused at his reaction to the whole situation.
"But you don't even have him in class," he assumed this because Ron had only gotten an 'A' on the potions examine, and you needed and 'O' for the class.
Ron bent very close to Harry's ear. "Dumbledore, McGonagall, and Dad worked on him a bit during one of the meetings because they wanted me to be able to become an Auror. Said he almost had a screaming fit before he accepted, then stormed out ten minutes early." Ron seemed very proud that he had been cause to Snape's fit, but Harry knew that Ron would have the worst year in the Potions classroom than he had ever had.
As the day dragged on, many people visited their compartment. Seamus Finnegan and Dean Thomas stopped by to say hello, and ask about their summer. Luna Lovegood came by to stare dreamily out the window then leave, "Crazy, that one." Was Ron's response to this, and Neville Longbottom came by lastly.
"C-can I sit with you guys for a while?" Neville's face had gone red with embarrassment.
"Of course you can!" Said Hermione enthusiastically, knowing quite well that Neville would have been very offended if Ron had said no, jokingly. Neville smiled then sat down, not saying a word. "So how was your summer Neville?" Hermione exchanged looks with Harry, who had also noticed Neville's behavior.
"Oh, mine? It was—er—okay. My Gran wouldn't let me go out much after, well," He stammered and kept his eyes on the floor. "I got a new wand though!" He held up a sleek, long wand. "Holly, twelve and a half inches, phoenix feather." He smiled and put the wand in his lap.
"That's good Neville! Where did you get it? Olivander's?" Hermione continued to speak for all of them.
"Yeah!" said Neville delightedly. "Heya Harry, are we still gonna have DA meetings this year? I mean, Dumbledore's sure to let us ay? I bet I'll loads better at it this year." Neville jumbled on and on about how he would be better now that he had a wand all his own, but Harry was still thinking on the DA meetings. In all actuality, it had not once crossed his mind this whole summer. "So," continued Neville. "Are we?"
Harry shot Ron and Hermione a quick glance. Both shrugged unknowingly. "I don't know Neville." Said Harry shortly. He wanted to have DA this year. He liked how it felt when he watched his fellow classmates performing the spells that he had taught them. Scrunching up his face in thought, he decided that this would be the first thing he asked the headmaster when they got back to Hogwarts.
"How 'bout it Harry? Come on," Neville pleaded with Harry. "You're a great teacher you know. Why, I don't think I would have lived through that, OW!" Neville rubbed the place on his side where Ron had just elbowed him furiously. Ron then gave Harry an awkward grin. "What was that for?" Neville was still kneading his ribs when he realized what Ron had meant by the jab. "Oh," He looked at Harry. "Sorry," he returned his uncomfortable gaze to the floor.
Harry felt the old pain coming back to him. It felt like his heart had gained thirty pounds and was sinking into the pits of his stomach. He knew Neville had meant no harm, but it was there, all the old hurt. His loss was still to near him to forget about it whenever anything remotely related was mentioned, but he kept it hidden away inside. Knowing he must ward off the no gloomy atmosphere in the room, he contorted his mouth into a sideways smile; it was all he could bring himself to do. "It's okay Neville," he got up and patted Neville's shoulder.
"W-well," Neville looked around the room, smiling when he got to Ginny. "B-better be off then, I'm in Dean and Seamus's compartment. They'll be wondering where I got to." He stood up and smoothed down his robes a bit.
"Tell them we said hello, then?" said Hermione. Neville nodded then departed, closing the compartment door behind him.
"Sorry mate, he just got a bit over excited I guess." Ron shook his head. "The poor bloke doesn't know when to quit." Ron looked at Harry semi-apologetically.
"I told you, I'm fine. Come off it." Harry's answer came off a bit rudely, but he was tired of people taking pity on him. He didn't want that. He didn't deserve that. His hand moved instinctively up to his scar that had started to tingle a little. His scar, he noticed, was tingling more and more when his emotions were extreme. He couldn't figure it out, perhaps his emotions were being read and then matched? Mere guesses. He shook his head and then decided to let Hedwig out of her cage.
Night fell as Ron and Harry played exploding snap in the compartment. Ginny had gone to sit with her friends in her own year, and Hermione had decided to flaunt her prefect badge by checking on various compartments. Harry gazed out of the window as Ron sealed another win. He found himself captivated by the sky. The color was that of extraordinary beauty. The color when the deep of night just begins to set in. When the elegant, violet, shimmer, and the passionate shades of deep blue swirl into a whirlpool of mesmerizing relaxation. It was just beginning to become blanketed by stars that burned straight through the sky and into the tiny compartment on the Hogwarts Express. Also revealed amongst this captivating splendor was a very large, very full moon. Harry thought of Lupin. Where was he going to transform now that he had taken up residence in the old Black house? He could only imagine.
"Alright Harry?" Ron looked mildly concerned. Harry had not realized he had been peering out the window for over ten minutes now, watching the sky float by as the train pressed on.
"Yeah. Alright," He said timidly. "Sort of," he said admitted this only to himself, for all this while, he knew what this year would bring. He had been thinking about it all this time without actually knowing it. Then, just as Harry began to wonder whether he would just let go and tell Ron everything he was worried about, he saw a miniscule silhouette in the distance. Hermione came rushing through the door.
"We're nearly there! I can hardly wait! Can you?" she had a brilliant smile on her face.
No doubt she was thinking of burying herself in a book. Harry smiled as well as Ron shrugged, "Hardly," said Ron unconvincingly. As much as he hated to concede, he left to do his prefect duties and Harry was left alone to gather his things. He pulled down Hedwig's cage and lured her into it with an Owl treat. She hooted angrily when Harry closed the door, trapping her inside.
"Sorry girl," he said apologetically.
He continued to take down his belongings. His trunk first, then his Firebolt. Then he wrapped the pensieve in an old tee shirt and stacked it on top. Deciding that he didn't want a huge lecture from Snape, he slipped the potion into the pocket of his wrinkled robes, which he had changed into now, to prevent it from being broken. A part of him wanted to cling to the pensieve and chuck the potion out the window, as it was much more valuable to him, but he resisted. When the time came that they arrived at Hogsmede Station, his stomach turned over.
He saw out the window, the same people who had been escorting, or what Harry thought to be herding, them at platform nine and three quarters. But it wasn't that that bothered Harry. No. It was their appearance. Even with the mere, hazy, shadow cast over them by the night, Harry could tell that they all looked horribly tired and sickly. He was staring, dumbstruck at what he saw when a familiar head popped into the compartment.
"Come on Harry, you are the last one, this end of the train," Ron's voice rumbled with a hint of astonishment, as Harry had always hurried to get off the train.
He did not hesitate after that. Scooping up his things, with the help of Ron, he exited the compartment and made for the exit of the train itself. To his great surprise he found he had a horde of people waiting on him. He shook his head dejectedly as he looked upon Ginny Weasley, Luna Lovegood, Neville Longbottom, Hermione, and a tall, thin, old woman with her hair neatly hidden by an emerald witch's hat.
"Professor McGonagall?" His mouth dropped as two men came over and took his luggage for him.
"Be careful with that," instructed Ron, pointing an urgent finger at Harry's broom. The men nodded and walked off.
"Yes Mr. Potter. I will be accompanying you to the castle, along with some of your classmates that have agreed to do so." The woman turned on heel and headed toward distant carts. Harry looked to Ron, then to Hermione. All they could provide him with was a less than comforting shrug and pat on the back.
"I can't believe this," He said as he followed the Gryffindor Head of House, lengthening his stride a bit to keep up. "I just can't believe it,"
They walked in silence the rest of the way to the carts, and there before them stood beautiful, covered carts pulled by something that Harry could not see. He did a double take, then gaped in utter confusion. He noticed that Ron was smiling broadly.
"Oy! Have a look at that!" He said putting a hand on his hip. "That's amazing. They are wonderful. Can you see them Harry? Can you?"
Harry felt his stomach turn over once again. "Not anymore," He said in a painful whisper. "I-I've seen it more than once," He found that substituting 'it' for 'death' took some of the initial sting of pain.
"Well are you coming Mr. Potter or are you going to make us late for a wonderful feast?" Professor McGonagall was standing a little in front of the group next to one of the great carts. One-by-one the group loaded into the compartment, and rode to the castle in silence. Ron and Hermione had been permitted to accompany Harry instead of attend to their perfecting duties due to 'special circumstances' as McGonagall had put it.
The castle looked as splendid and as welcoming as ever. The torches flickered brightly giving it a homely glow. Harry placed one foot at a time on the grass, determined to let the joy of being 'home' flood over him. Indeed it did. When his feet were firmly on the soft earth, and was once more surrounded by his silent swarm, they set off to the Great hall. Oh the joy when Harry's shoe hit stone floor, and the light fell onto his face, illuminating all that was around him. He hadn't known a time when he was happier, but some of the happiness was drained slightly when he saw the likes of Professor McGonagall.
She looked different from when Harry had glanced over her at the after-meeting dinner at the Order. Deep lines were cut into her face, more than normal. Her eyes were swollen and red. She was horribly thin, her face looked like a skull with skin draped haphazardly about it. Harry winced a little, but McGonagall's usual voice with a harsh, strict edge made him think that she couldn't be that bad off. Perhaps she just needed a good night's rest.
"Mr. Potter, I trust you know your way around the castle? You are to report straight to the Great Hall. I have to attend to some first years. Go on then," She turned and began walking hastily away. The others remained silent. Harry looked around not really knowing what to say.
"So," he said motioning to the stairs.
Neville was the first to go up them, then Luna, then Ginny. Harry stayed behind with Ron and Hermione.
"Sorry about that Harry. You know it's,"
Harry cut her off with sarcasm, "For my own good? Tell me? Can I not walk to a cart that is around thirty feet away now? Is Voldemort going to pop out of the ground and yell 'Boo' in the middle of this mad rush?" His scar singed at the mention of Voldemort.
"Don't you get cross with me, Harry Potter! You know I didn't come up with this!" They had reached the top stair on the last flight of stairs they had to climb.
"She's right this time mate. No need to blow up." Ron patted him on the shoulder and looked over to Hermione.
Harry took a deep breath and continued towards the great doors through which people were disappearing. "Sorry," he said to Hermione.
"It's okay, but you must think before you speak. It's getting to be a bad habit. It'll get you into trouble. We don't want you to get in trouble." Harry nodded in agreement, then stepped into the tremendous brightly lit room. His smile was so large, that he felt his face might split in two if he smiled any further.
"Home," he said, while he ran to get a seat at Gryffindor table.