Chapter Six: Back At Hogwarts
The remaining days at Peaceden passed very fast. Ron had been constantly writing to Susan. He didn't tell about it to anyone except Harry. The day before they left for Hogwarts Mrs. Weasley prepared a farewell dinner for them while Fred and George inaugurated their latest item 'Aqua Tonic'. It was a blue liquid, which people would mistake as a refreshing drink. But as soon one had had a few drops, the person would turn into the living organism closest to him. Fred offered some to Ginny. She eyed him suspiciously before taking it. Fred moved away quickly. Ginny felt a strange sensation in her throat before her back arched and she transformed into Hermione's cat Crookshanks. Crookshanks mewed in surprise while the others roared in laughter. The effect wore off in a few minutes, which was lucky as Mrs. Weasley entered the room at that very moment.
Next morning Mr. Weasley said goodbye to all of them before going off to work. He was sorry to see the children for the last time. He wished them good luck for the year ahead. It was going to be a tough year for Ginny especially because it was her OWL year. She had refused becoming a prefect to concentrate on her work.
Mrs. Weasley was accompanying them to King Cross' Station. They once again were going in a car. Fred and George had said that they would take few minutes off from work and apparate to say goodbye. Bill and Charlie unfortunately could not take time off from work so they said their goodbyes before going. They were all ready now. They loaded the car and started. They reached the station with twenty minutes left for the train to leave. They got into platform nine and three quarters in the usual way. Mrs. Weasley kissed all of them. With five minutes remaining there was a pop sound and Fred and George appeared. They said goodbyes before asking Harry and Ron to come aside. They handed them a bagful of tricks. Ron was very pleased.
'I'll use them on that git Malfoy', he said with a cheeky grin.
The train started exactly at 11:00 am. Mrs. Weasley, Fred and George waved at them. Harry, Ron and Hermione sat in the prefects' compartment. They found out that the other new prefects from their year were Terry Boot from Ravenclaw, Millicent Bulstrode from Slytherin and to Ron's delight Susan Bones from Hufflepuff. He went and sat next to her. Harry and Hermione sighed.
'I wonder when he'll ask her out', said Hermione.
'Doesn't look like it'll be very long before he does' replied Harry.
'Potty and Mudblood', a voice said.
'How's your dad Malfoy?' asked Harry cheerfully.
The usual smirk from Malfoy's face vanished. It was replaced by a look of pure hatred. The fact that Crabbe and Goyle were not present in the prefects' compartment was the only thing that stopped him from hitting out at Harry.
'I'm going to get you for that Potter', he said and walked away.
They changed into their robes when fifteen minutes were remaining for their arrival at Hogwarts. Neville Longbottom came into their compartment and gave them a very good piece of news.
'You know the doctors at St. Mungos have discovered a cure for my parents. They would be completely okay within a month and will be retaking their positions in the ministry. I'll be able to see them during Christmas', he said.
'Oh Neville I'm so happy', said Harry. Hermione ran up and hugged him.
Within minutes they were in Hogwarts. They were getting down from the train when they heard a familiar voice.
'Firs' years C'mon here! Follow me all o' yeh. Yeh'll get yer firs' sight o' Hogwarts soon'
'Hi Hagrid, nice to see you again', said Hermione.
'Hi Hermione, got lots to tell yeh all. Yeh all right'
Hermione nodded as she walked off with Harry, Ron and Susan. From what Harry understood Ron had already asked Susan out. His suspicion was confirmed when Ron gave him a quick wink and a nod.
The great hall looked as beautiful as ever. The students took their seats. There were frequent stares towards the staff table with eyes searching the new Defense against dark arts Professor. One surprise on the staff table was Professor Grubby Plank. Harry wondered what she was doing there because he already had seen Hagrid. Dumbledore got up from his seat and spoke.
'Welcome to another year at Hogwarts all of you. Firstly I would make some announcements. From this year there would be three prefects per house per would make some announcements. From this year there would be three prefects per house per year. A full list of prefects has been pinned up in the usual place. The forbidden forest is out of bounds for all. No magic can be used in the corridors. Quidditch trials for house teams will take place in two weeks time. Those interested please inform Madame Hooch.'
He paused as everybody waited. Harry saw Hagrid coming into the hall and taking his place on the staff table. This confused Harry even more. However Dumbledore's continued to clear Harry's confusion. 'I would like to welcome back Professor Grubby Plank who has twice substituted for Hagrid. This time however she has a permanent post. Hagrid has been very busy with other work, so has decided to teach only the sixth and the seventh year students. So Professor Grubby Plank will be the care of magical creatures teacher for the first five years. Now coming to the more important thing. Over the past five years we have had five different professors for defense against dark arts. This subject is very important for each one of you. Having different professors certainly doesn't help. So despite my busy schedule I have decided to take over as the new defense against dark arts teacher'
There was a loud applause from all the students and staff members except for the Slytherins. Dumbledore teaching Defense against dark arts would certainly be good. As the applause died down Dumbledore spoke again.
'Last year a club Defense club was run by students. And I was delighted to see that all members of that club secured high grades in Defense against Dark Arts. So I would like that club to continue this year. Students from all year should join it'
Harry looked slightly stunned. He had thought that the Hogwarts professors were angry with him for starting 'Dumbledore's Army'. Dumbledore continued,
'Lastly the students of sixth and seventh year will need to study an additional subject this year namely Occulamency. It will be taught by Professor Snape. More details will be given in the first class. Now tuck in!!'
The tables filled with wonderful food. Everyone ate happily. They went up to their common rooms after that. The new password for the Gryffindor common room was 'firebolt'. Harry knew that he would never forget that. They all were tired after the long journey and fell asleep as soon as they hit the bed.
The remaining days at Peaceden passed very fast. Ron had been constantly writing to Susan. He didn't tell about it to anyone except Harry. The day before they left for Hogwarts Mrs. Weasley prepared a farewell dinner for them while Fred and George inaugurated their latest item 'Aqua Tonic'. It was a blue liquid, which people would mistake as a refreshing drink. But as soon one had had a few drops, the person would turn into the living organism closest to him. Fred offered some to Ginny. She eyed him suspiciously before taking it. Fred moved away quickly. Ginny felt a strange sensation in her throat before her back arched and she transformed into Hermione's cat Crookshanks. Crookshanks mewed in surprise while the others roared in laughter. The effect wore off in a few minutes, which was lucky as Mrs. Weasley entered the room at that very moment.
Next morning Mr. Weasley said goodbye to all of them before going off to work. He was sorry to see the children for the last time. He wished them good luck for the year ahead. It was going to be a tough year for Ginny especially because it was her OWL year. She had refused becoming a prefect to concentrate on her work.
Mrs. Weasley was accompanying them to King Cross' Station. They once again were going in a car. Fred and George had said that they would take few minutes off from work and apparate to say goodbye. Bill and Charlie unfortunately could not take time off from work so they said their goodbyes before going. They were all ready now. They loaded the car and started. They reached the station with twenty minutes left for the train to leave. They got into platform nine and three quarters in the usual way. Mrs. Weasley kissed all of them. With five minutes remaining there was a pop sound and Fred and George appeared. They said goodbyes before asking Harry and Ron to come aside. They handed them a bagful of tricks. Ron was very pleased.
'I'll use them on that git Malfoy', he said with a cheeky grin.
The train started exactly at 11:00 am. Mrs. Weasley, Fred and George waved at them. Harry, Ron and Hermione sat in the prefects' compartment. They found out that the other new prefects from their year were Terry Boot from Ravenclaw, Millicent Bulstrode from Slytherin and to Ron's delight Susan Bones from Hufflepuff. He went and sat next to her. Harry and Hermione sighed.
'I wonder when he'll ask her out', said Hermione.
'Doesn't look like it'll be very long before he does' replied Harry.
'Potty and Mudblood', a voice said.
'How's your dad Malfoy?' asked Harry cheerfully.
The usual smirk from Malfoy's face vanished. It was replaced by a look of pure hatred. The fact that Crabbe and Goyle were not present in the prefects' compartment was the only thing that stopped him from hitting out at Harry.
'I'm going to get you for that Potter', he said and walked away.
They changed into their robes when fifteen minutes were remaining for their arrival at Hogwarts. Neville Longbottom came into their compartment and gave them a very good piece of news.
'You know the doctors at St. Mungos have discovered a cure for my parents. They would be completely okay within a month and will be retaking their positions in the ministry. I'll be able to see them during Christmas', he said.
'Oh Neville I'm so happy', said Harry. Hermione ran up and hugged him.
Within minutes they were in Hogwarts. They were getting down from the train when they heard a familiar voice.
'Firs' years C'mon here! Follow me all o' yeh. Yeh'll get yer firs' sight o' Hogwarts soon'
'Hi Hagrid, nice to see you again', said Hermione.
'Hi Hermione, got lots to tell yeh all. Yeh all right'
Hermione nodded as she walked off with Harry, Ron and Susan. From what Harry understood Ron had already asked Susan out. His suspicion was confirmed when Ron gave him a quick wink and a nod.
The great hall looked as beautiful as ever. The students took their seats. There were frequent stares towards the staff table with eyes searching the new Defense against dark arts Professor. One surprise on the staff table was Professor Grubby Plank. Harry wondered what she was doing there because he already had seen Hagrid. Dumbledore got up from his seat and spoke.
'Welcome to another year at Hogwarts all of you. Firstly I would make some announcements. From this year there would be three prefects per house per would make some announcements. From this year there would be three prefects per house per year. A full list of prefects has been pinned up in the usual place. The forbidden forest is out of bounds for all. No magic can be used in the corridors. Quidditch trials for house teams will take place in two weeks time. Those interested please inform Madame Hooch.'
He paused as everybody waited. Harry saw Hagrid coming into the hall and taking his place on the staff table. This confused Harry even more. However Dumbledore's continued to clear Harry's confusion. 'I would like to welcome back Professor Grubby Plank who has twice substituted for Hagrid. This time however she has a permanent post. Hagrid has been very busy with other work, so has decided to teach only the sixth and the seventh year students. So Professor Grubby Plank will be the care of magical creatures teacher for the first five years. Now coming to the more important thing. Over the past five years we have had five different professors for defense against dark arts. This subject is very important for each one of you. Having different professors certainly doesn't help. So despite my busy schedule I have decided to take over as the new defense against dark arts teacher'
There was a loud applause from all the students and staff members except for the Slytherins. Dumbledore teaching Defense against dark arts would certainly be good. As the applause died down Dumbledore spoke again.
'Last year a club Defense club was run by students. And I was delighted to see that all members of that club secured high grades in Defense against Dark Arts. So I would like that club to continue this year. Students from all year should join it'
Harry looked slightly stunned. He had thought that the Hogwarts professors were angry with him for starting 'Dumbledore's Army'. Dumbledore continued,
'Lastly the students of sixth and seventh year will need to study an additional subject this year namely Occulamency. It will be taught by Professor Snape. More details will be given in the first class. Now tuck in!!'
The tables filled with wonderful food. Everyone ate happily. They went up to their common rooms after that. The new password for the Gryffindor common room was 'firebolt'. Harry knew that he would never forget that. They all were tired after the long journey and fell asleep as soon as they hit the bed.