Disclaimer: JK Rowling owns all of the Harry Potter characters and the Harry Potter series. I own none of it.
A/N: I'm sooo sorry that this took so long to update… life is so crazy right now, and it's hard to find time when I an sit down and write… well, this is the third chapter, so I hope that you like it! R&R, please!!!
-SG
Chapter 3: The Meeting
The next few days seemed to go by slower than the one before. The students at Hogwarts all had suspicions of who would be going away for the year, but none were certain as to what the professors were looking for. There were rumors that those who needed extra help would be attending other schools, but most believed that they would have exceptionally high marks in their classes. Nonetheless, no one knew exactly what to expect, but they knew that the answer would be revealed soon, for it was now exactly a week from when Professor Dumbledore had made the first announcement.
A mixture of tension and excitement filled the Great Hall at supper on Monday, for the students knew that Professor Dumbledore would stand up during supper and put an end to the rumors that were blossoming around Hogwarts. At this time, Dumbledore was seated next to Professor McGonagall, laughing and chatting while she politely smiled, but eyed the rest of the room; completely aware of the multiplying eyes that were watching them talk. She cleared her throat and spoke quietly to the Headmaster, and he turned his head to look at the many faces of his students.
Ron didn't seem to mind all of the tension, however, because he was talking to Harry about the upcoming Quidditch practices at the Gryffindor table.
"So, I told Lee that the key to being a good keeper is that…" Ron started to tell Harry when he was interrupted by Hermione.
"Ron, be quite, Dumbledore's about to announce who is going to go," she snapped.
"Sheesh, 'Mione, you need to learn to keep calm, cool, and collective," he said while making huge arm gestures that suggested that he was 'cool' and Harry laughed.
Hermione just rolled her eyes and stared attentively at the professor.
With a grin somewhat hidden behind his beard and sparkling eyes, Professor Dumbledore finally stood up and watched as the chattering stopped completely, for each student had been watching him the entire dinner. He continued to watch the students while he, purposely, it seemed, made them wait in anticipation.
"I am very well aware of the rumors that have been floating around our school for the past week," he started, beaming at the young students, "and am now very proud to announce who will be participating in the foreign exchange program. I am pleased to announce that there will be three students from each house. These students were selected for their outstanding marks in their classes and for their show of excellence in defense against the dark arts." By this time, most of the students had a good idea of who would be going; at least, that is, from one house.
"From Hufflepuff, Justin Finch-Fletchley, Hannah Abbot, and Ernie Macmillan, congratulations," he smiled and took a break until the shouts from the Hufflepuff table stifled. "From Ravenclaw, Cho Chang, Michael Corner, and Marietta Edgecombe," he paused again until the noise died down, "From Slytherin, Draco Malfoy, Pansy Parkinson, and Blaise Zabini," soft 'boos' came from the other tables, "And lastly, those going from Gryffindor are Hermione Granger, Ron Weasley, and Harry Potter."
As soon as all of the names had been called, there were cheers from all tables, but after a while the ruckus quieted.
"Can you believe it?" Hermione asked, turning her attention back onto the two boys, "We're actually going!"
"Calm down, Hermione," Ron said, "We should have known. I mean, look at all of the stuff we've done these past couple of years. First, we helped Harry to save the Sorcerer's Stone, then, we, well, you weren't actually there, but we found and went down into the Chamber of Secrets…"
"With my help," Hermione stared in disbelief.
"Besides, Ron, it doesn't matter what we did before. That was the past. We should be thinking about this year, not the ones we have already been through," Harry stated, making them both turn to him.
"You're right, Harry, let's just think about all of the things we are going to learn from those at Durmstrang. They have learned different things than we have," Hermione commented.
"Hey, you guys, congratulations," they stopped talking and turned to see a somewhat disappointed Ginny, "I am so happy for you guys. You will have so much fun, though you are leaving me."
They all looked at her in silence, not knowing what to say, when a smile broke out onto her face and she laughed, "You guys, I'm just kidding. You guys deserve this. Besides, it would be kind of hectic, what, with me taking my OWL's this year, and all," she said, with still disappointed eyes.
"Gin, I'm sorry, I never realized how this would affect you," Hermione said.
"Don't worry about it. It's not as if you guys are my only friends," she smiled weakly.
"Well, hey, Gin, I'll bring you something when we come back, okay?" Ron offered.
"Yeah, and we'll write every day, okay, Ginny?" Harry added a little too enthusiastically, making Ginny blush furiously, and Harry, the same.
"I said it was okay, guys, so let's move on," Ginny sat down next to Hermione and started to load her plate.
"I would like to make one more announcement," Professor Dumbledore began to speak again, making the entire Great Hall quiet down, "There will be a meeting between all those involved and myself at the end of this week. We will discuss when you will be leaving, and what you may expect from your studies at Durmstrang. We will meet here, in the Great Hall, at 2:30 on Saturday. Now, please continue!" Professor Dumbledore then sat down and went back to his dinner.
As soon as they were finished eating, Harry and Ginny went with the rest of the Gryffindors to the common room while Ron and Hermione had to stay back in the Great Hall, for it was their night to man the halls; part of their responsibilities as prefects. Every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday they combined with the prefects from Slytherin, Malfoy and Pansy, while the Hufflepuff and Ravenclaw prefects took patrol on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays; professors were in charge on Saturdays.
"Last year was so much more exciting than this year," Ron commented as he and Hermione walked out the oak doors and into a hall. "I mean, I know that I would rather have Dumbledore back, but at least we had someone who we didn't care if we got expelled by. It made it a lot easier to break the rules," Ron added.
Hermione nodded and concentrated on the events of last year. It was true; she didn't mind bending the rules last year, which could have gotten the three of them thrown out of Hogwarts in a heartbeat. She still agreed that they accomplished a lot, and that their achievements would be of use to them in the future.
"Yes, it was a bit more interesting. We did have a rather ridiculous amount of things to worry about, though," Hermione started, "Trying to hide our DA practices got tiresome after a while," she said this as they rounded a corner and continued to go down the corridor.
"I guess you're right. I just thought it was brilliant how Harry was able to teach everyone so well. Look how much they all learned!" Ron stated as he looked at the portraits on the walls.
"Yes, it was. At least we know that many more people will be able to defend themselves if they find that they are in that situation," Hermione agreed, staring straight ahead. "I just wish that more people could have had the cha…"
Hermione was interrupted by fierce whispers coming from further up the corridor. One voice was that of a boy, who sounded extremely upset at the other voice, which was a girl.
"You don't get it," the first voice said, blatantly, "He doesn't see that he's being stupid. He is so caught up with being 'loyal' that he doesn't see that it's an ambush!"
"How do you know that it's an ambush, though? Couldn't you just be overreacting? Besides, it's his job to be loyal," the second voice countered.
Hermione grabbed Ron by his cloak, almost tripping him, dragged him with her, and pressed the both of them against the wall.
"I just know, okay. I trust my instincts, not his. And as for 'it's his job to be loyal,'" the first voice said, in a high, obvious mocking voice, "it's also his job to make my life hell, which he could do if he was blind, mute, and deaf. What makes you think he isn't loyal the same way? He's in denial, and I'm going to laugh when it gets him killed," the voice said, sourly.
The voices quieted as they went down a different corridor, and Hermione and Ron stepped away from the wall and continued to walk.
"That was definitely Pansy and Malfoy," Ron stated proudly.
"Yes, I realized. I've heard both their voices plenty these past five years to know that was them. I wonder who Malfoy was talking about." Hermione thought aloud as they continued.
"Do you think it had anything to do with that time he had a fight with Lucious? I mean, he did say that whoever it was makes his life hell. Who else does but his own father?" Ron offered, looking for an answer from Hermione.
"I don't know," Hermione said slowly as they passed the corridor Pansy and Malfoy had just walked down, "It is definitely a possibility. But who would ambush Lucious?"
As soon as she said this, her eyes widened and she turned to Ron, "We'll talk about this later with Harry. We need to finish up our time. It's about 9:30 now, so we'll be done in about an hour."
Ron nodded, but kept his mouth shut. It was very apparent that Hermione had made up her mind, and it was a fact that once she did, there was no swaying her decision.
"So, how are Quidditch practices going?" she asked, finally, as they climbed the stairs to the fourth floor.
Saturday seemed to come as quickly as the summer holidays had gone, and Harry, Hermione, and Ron, as well as the other sixth years seemed to note that this year had already proven to be much more relaxed than last year.
"I am so glad that we do not have to worry about any major tests, this year," Hermione said to her two friends as they walked down to the Great Hall for lunch.
"Seriously," Ron agreed as they walked through the oak doors and started to their table, "I don't know what I would do if I had to go through that again."
They sat down at the table and started to grab sandwiches and other things to eat when a sound of wings came from above their heads.
A brown barn owl landed on the table in front of Hermione with a Daily Prophet. She paid the bird and pulled the newspaper off and opened it; looking for something that could be of interest to the other two.
"Anything in there that I should know about?" Harry asked dully, remembering all of the things the Daily Prophet had said about him the summer before fifth year.
"If you mean, 'Is there anything that says that I am a lying, mental basket case?', then no," Hermione reassured him without looking up from the paper. "However, there is a piece about the foreign exchange program in here. It doesn't say much, but it does mention our names."
Hermione folded the paper and set it down on the table and continued to eat her lunch.
"Just a reminder," a voice started talking from the professors' table, making the Great Hall quiet down, "There is a meeting this afternoon here, in the Great Hall, for those participating in the foreign exchange program. I look forward to speaking with you about this wonderful opportunity." Professor Dumbledore sat back down and the Great Hall turned back to their lunches.
"As if we wouldn't remember," Ron started, "It's not like he hasn't mentioned it every night at supper."
"Yes, he has, Ron, but that just goes to show that he is just as excited as we are," Hermione explained. "Besides, there are some who are thick enough to forget," she said this while looking over at the Slytherin table.
She eyed Malfoy, who was sitting next to Pansy, Crabbe, and Goyle and had apparently just said something incredibly funny. She thought about all the times that he had mocked her and played tricks on her. Just as she was about to turn away, he glanced up at her and grinned maliciously.
"Hmmf," she made a questionable noise that was clearly angry, and Malfoy looked away from her glare.
"What was that about, 'Mione?" Harry asked, looking at her with concern.
"Oh, nothing," Hermione answered, knowing that Harry and Ron would only tell her to not let him get to her.
"Hey, let's hurry and finish so we'll have a bit of time to go to the Quidditch field before the meeting, alright, Harry?" Ron asked, just before stuffing the last half of his sandwich into his mouth.
"Charming," Hermione said, though somewhat used to Ron's eating habits.
"Alright, then. Are you coming, too, 'Mione?" Harry asked.
"I guess I could come," she started, "though it does seem as though we have been spending most of our time there."
"We need to be ready, Hermione!" Ron started as he stood up from the table, "We want to win any match we play before we leave, right?"
"Okay, Ron, I understand. Let's go," Hermione said, obviously frustrated, and the other two followed her from the Great Hall.
After about an hour down on the Quidditch field, Harry, Hermione and Ron made their way back to the Great Hall.
"I wonder what Dumbledore is going to say to us?" Hermione thought aloud.
"Probably just to have a good time and to be on our best behavior," Harry answered.
"Or that he's coming with us," Ron added.
"Okay, Ron, what are the chances that the Headmaster at Hogwarts would actually leave the school for a year. Not very likely," Hermione stated, as if it was obvious.
"I know that," Ron groaned, "I didn't mean he would come with us for the entire year, I just meant to get us all situated."
"That does sound like something he would do, Hermione," Harry offered.
"Whatever," Hermione said as they entered the Great Hall to see a few different people there.
As they looked around the hall, they noticed that two of the Hufflepuffs, Justin and Hannah, were there, as well as all three of the Ravenclaws, Cho Chang, Michael Corner, and Marietta Edgecombe.
Cho turned and made eye contact with Harry and turned away again without so much as a smile. Harry groaned.
"This should be interesting," he said as Malfoy, Pansy, and Blaise filed in with Ernie Macmillan a few steps behind them.
"Don't worry about her, mate," Ron clapped his hand on Harry's shoulder, "She's a bit on the crazy side, anyways."
"Just because she was jealous does not mean that she is crazy, Ron," Hermione snapped.
"I guess they're all crazy," Ron whispered to Harry, who laughed through his nose and then turned to look at the ceiling. He had heard these fights before, and he knew that this was just the beginning.
"You know, Ron, I do not understand…"
"Oh, there's a first," Ron interrupted.
"What is up with you lately? You are never like this!" Hermione asked.
"I guess I'm just sick of you putting me down. Look, I'm sorry, Hermione, I didn't mean to be rude," Ron apologized, making Harry listen in on the conversation again. The words, "I'm sorry" are usually never in a sentence spoken by Ron or Hermione.
Hermione stared at him in disbelief. Before she could say anything at all, Professor Dumbledore walked into the room and gathered them all to one table.
"Please sit here, so I can speak to you all at once," he said as they all gathered around the table and sat down with those in their house.
"I would like to you to observe the way in which you are sitting," they each looked around the table, "I understand that this is what the students at Hogwarts have grown comfortable and accustomed with. I do hope that this experience will allow you to develop friendships outside your houses. There is much to learn from others with different strengths, but much more to learn from those who have different weaknesses. By understanding what others cannot do, it forces us to understand the things that we can do. This kind of understanding is what makes us all strong not only within ourselves, but also when we are together. This is what I wish for you to learn while you are away." Dumbledore paused and looked at the students for a moment with a look of concern, and then he continued. "There will be those who will want you to turn against each other and will do anything in their power to make you fail to stand together. It is crucial that you all learn to understand that everyone is different and has different beliefs than you do." Dumbledore looked from Malfoy to Harry while saying this. He smiled faintly when he glanced at a glassy-eyed Ron and realized that he was losing his audience.
"Now that I have preached my wishes for you," Dumbledore began, "I have information about this program that I am sure you would like to know. You will be leaving in precisely two weeks. This will give Durmstrang plenty of time to prepare for your stay. I expect you to be ready to leave with your belongings around 10 o'clock on Saturday morning. You will travel on the Hogwarts Express and will arrive on Sunday around lunch. When you arrive, the new Headmaster, Professor Goldstein, will welcome you and explain further regulations that will apply to you there." Dumbledore then stood up from the table and looked around at each of the Hogwarts students.
"Please remember that while you are away, you shall be representing Hogwarts. I expect you all to be on your best behavior, and tolerance is a must. You are now free to leave and do whatever it is you do on Saturday afternoons. Oh yes, one last thing," Hermione had begun to stand up but sat back down, pulling Ron down with her when Dumbledore started to talk, "remember to have a good time. You have all earned this privilege, so remember to have fun. That is all."
They each stood from their seats and started to walk from the Great Hall.
When Hermione, Ron, and Harry exited the castle onto the grounds, they were each quiet until they found a place by the lake.
"This is going to be an interesting year," Hermione commented while looking at the lake.
"Yeah, sure is. What do you think Dumbledore meant about others wanting to turn us against each another?" Ron thought as the giant squid surfaced above the water.
"He knows something that we don't, that's for sure," said Harry. "What he was saying sort of sounded like the sorting hat's warning last year, don't you think?"
Hermione thought for a moment while Ron continued to stare at the squid, listening to the conversation. "You're right, Harry. I remember the sorting hat saying that we must all join together within Hogwarts or all is lost," Hermione thought, recalling the sorting hat's song last year.
"So, what you're saying is that not only does Dumbledore know something that we don't, which is not at all surprising, but the sorting hat does, too?" Ron asked, turning his head back to Harry and Hermione.
"Why not? It does live in Dumbledore's office, right? It could have heard anything suggesting trouble here at Hogwarts," Hermione stated.
"Huh. That's interesting," Ron commented.
"I guess there's not much that we can do except try to be tolerant of Malfoy?" Harry offered, trying to hide his disgust, but failed.
"Who knows, maybe he took to heart what Dumbledore was saying. You never know," Hermione defended when she looked at Ron, who was staring at her with disbelief.
"I don't know, but whatever it is, I guess we'll find out with time," Harry started, standing up, "besides, if trouble is coming, we might as well just sit back and wait until it does. It will turn up eventually; it seems to always happen that way."
"You're right. It's no use worrying about it now when we can deal with it later. I'm tired of looking for a problem, anyway," Hermione said, as she lifted her hands, indicating to Harry that she needed help up.
Ron stayed sitting for a while, apparently lost in thought about something that seemed to worry him because he had a look of concern on his face.
"It'll be okay, Ron," Hermione reassured, "Besides, we've been through so much already. What makes you think that we can't deal with a few people from Durmstrang?"
Ron smiled and looked up at Hermione. He nodded and stood up. They made their way back to the castle together quietly, thinking about the sorting hat's warning, and what was waiting for them at Durmstrang.
A/N: Well, what do you think? Please review! I hope you liked!
SG