****Author's Note: Thanks again for all the reviews!
To Szihuoko: More details? Ok, I'll try to keep that in mind!
Enjoy, enjoy, enjoy! ---neoepiphany****
Chapter Six
The New Quidditch Captain
By Friday, Harry's mood had not improved, but he was making every effort not to retreat into the solitude he so strongly desired.
Harry had had a hard time coming up with a list of his favorite foods. It was weird to be asked what he wanted. The Dursleys didn't care, and at Hogwarts, all the food was prepared in advance. With Ron's help, though, he finally managed it.
There had been no more attacks, but that was thanks in part to the Order. They had found out, probably from Snape, the names of three wizards Voldemort wanted dead, and they were moved hurriedly to secret locations. Only a handful of people in the Order knew where they had been sent, including Dumbledore and Moody. The first relocated family had been reluctant to go, but a few days later, their home was levelled by Death Eaters who weren't pleased to have arrived to an empty house. Once the pictures appeared in the Daily Prophet, the other families that the Order approached were happy to go straight away.
By now, Harry was more than a little stir crazy. He had been cooped up inside for nearly three weeks now, and he was dying to get out and walk around, or maybe play some quidditch. Ron, Hermione, and Ginny were pretty good about keeping him company, but they still managed to get outside every once in a while. He was tired of being cooped up with Mira, who spent a ridiculous amount of time listening to cds and dancing around with a cleaning-fluid laden rag in her hand.
Friday, however, was special. He awoke with a good feeling, which the delicious smells rising from the kitchen only helped to increase. It was the first really good mood he'd had in a long time.
He pulled on his favorite jeans and t shirt while Ron slowly woke up. Harry went downstairs to the kitchen, where he froze in the doorway. There was someone new sitting at the table. Taking up an entire side of it, in fact.
"Hagrid!" Harry shouted, delighted.
"There yeh are, Harry!" Hagrid said, standing. He was grinning widely. Now that he was up, Harry could see Mira grinning bemusedly over her coffee cup. Harry wondered if she ever slept.
Hagrid enveloped Harry in a bone-crushing hug. "I knew yeh weren' dead!" Hagrid said cheerfully. "Yeh've taken on You-know-who, after all. Coupla Death Eaters aren' about ter get the best a you."
"Thanks, Hagrid," said Harry, cheerfully. He dropped into a chair.
Hagrid was working on a plate of scrambled eggs, toast, and bacon. Mira dropped some toast and marmalade in front of Harry as well. Then with a wink at Harry, she left the room.
"I heard about that one," Hagrid said, his voice a low grumble. "Dumbledore says she's okay, and that's all right fer me, but just yeh mind yerself around her, Harry. I don't think she's tryin' anything, but just in case…"
"Don't worry, Hagrid," said Harry. "We're trying to figure out what she's up to."
"You just keep outta her way," Hagrid admonished, wolfing down a forkful of eggs. "If she is trouble, the last thing we'd need is fer her to catch yeh snoopin' around."
"We don't snoop, Hagrid," said Hermione from the doorway, her voice dignified and a little pompous. She was followed by Ginny. "We simply make an effort to discover the truths that lie beneath the surface." She smiled.
"Six of one, Hermione," Hagrid said, grinning in welcome.
"Good morning!" Ginny said, slipping into the room. "Happy Birthday Harry!"
"Yeah, happy birthday," Ron added, following the girls into the kitchen. "Hagrid! When did you get here?"
"How does it feel to be sixteen? Different than fifteen?" Ginny grinned.
Actually, it did. For the first time in weeks, he felt peaceful today. At this moment, he wasn't worried or angry; the empty place in his stomach where Sirius had been didn't hurt quite so much (although he could still feel its presence); and all the troubles in the world didn't matter to him. He was just a normal kid, having his birthday.
"Wish we could play quidditch," Ron sighed. Harry nodded. He could've really used a good game. He hadn't played in such a long time, he was practically aching to get on his broom for a bit.
"Heard all three of you got Os on your Care of Magical Creatures OWLs," Hagrid said, beaming. Besides being their friend, Hagrid was Care of Magical Creatures teacher.
"Yeah, piece of cake," Ron said, stuffing a piece of toast into his mouth.
"We were well prepared for the exam, Hagrid," Hermione assured him.
"Well, I'm awfully proud a the three of you," Hagrid said, his face beaming.
"Good morning!" Mira said, re-entering the kitchen, a green apron around her waist. "I nearly forgot. These came for you this morning." She produced a thick envelope from on top of a cabinet.
"Our Hogwarts letters!" Hermione squealed.
Harry grinned.
Mira passed out the envelopes. They all ripped into them eagerly.
CLUNK.
All heads turned toward Ginny, who was staring down at her plate of scrambled eggs with a look of mingled shock, delight, and fear. There, fallen from the envelope, was a shiny red and gold prefect's badge. It had fallen out of the envelope and sent up a spray of eggs.
"Oh, Ginny!" Hermione said, her voice shrill with excitement. "I can't believe it! You too!"
"Mom'll be nuts," Ron added, grinning proudly at his sister.
"Fred and George won't approve," Ginny said, her tone more than a little smug about this.
"Congratulations, Ginny," Hagrid said, patting her arm.
"This is so exciting, Ginny!" Mira beamed, polishing the eggy badge on her apron. When she handed it back, it practically gleamed.
Ginny beamed and pinned the badge onto her t-shirt.
Harry read his letter. It told him to catch the Hogwarts train as usual from Platform 9¾ on September 1st. He fipped over to the booklist. There were several new books.
Standard Book of Spells, Grade Six, by Miranda Goshawk
Advanced Transfiguration Techniques, by Mogrifus Moorehead
The Greate Arte of Potions, by Hecate Newcomb
The Rarest of Beasts: a New Compendium of Magical Creatures, by Newt Scamander
Curses, Jinxes, and Hexes: A guide to Self-Defense against the Worst of the Wizarding World, by Bradley Gateworthy
"This doesn't make any sense," Harry frowned. "It's got a potions textbook listed here, and McGonagall said I had to get at least an O to go on in potions. I only managed an E."
"I'm sure they'll sort it all out for yeh when you get there," Hagrid said, polishing off his breakfast.
"Look—a new Defense against the Dark Arts textbook," Hermione said. "I wonder who we've got this year?"
"Couldn't be worse than that Umbridge woman," Ron scowled. Harry nodded. A firebreathing dragon would be better than Delores Umbridge.
"I thought no one would take the job," Ginny said. "I thought everyone thought it was cursed."
"They do," Hagrid said. "The ministry's appointed someone again."
Harry froze, a bite of toast halfway to his mouth. His eyes flicked toward Hagrid They all stared at him with open mouths.
"Surely they—they wouldn't do that again, Hagrid?" Hermione managed finally.
"They did," he insisted. But Harry noticed a twinkle in his eye. "Won't tell yeh who it is—yeh ought to be surprised like everyone else—but believe me, this year's teacher's a sight better than Umbridge. Well, nicer at any rate. I think you'll be pleased."
They all exchanged a glance. After last year…
Harry sat down his letter, and noticed that there was another piece of parchment stuck to the book list. That was funny—nobody else had three pages. He pulled it apart, and read the letter.
"Dear Mr. Potter,
As of now, I am reinstating your quidditch privileges. As the most senior member of the team, it seems fitting that you be the new quidditch captain. This will be a difficult task, as there are a lot of positions to fill this season. I am expecting you to be a model student and DO NOTHING THAT WOULD JEOPARDIZE YOUR POSITION.
I have no doubt that you will see to it that we have another Gryffindor win for the cup this year.
Congratulations,
Minerva McGonagall."
Harry stared aghast at the letter.
Ron and Hermione who had been discussing the new Dark Arts teacher in hushed tones both looked up when Ginny elbowed Hermione and nodded toward Harry.
"What? What is it?" Ron demanded.
"I—I've been made quidditch captain," he said, his voice trembling.
For a moment they all stared at each other. Then, with a sudden explosion of sound, they were all up and cheering. Ginny hugged Harry, Hermione hugged Harry, Hermione hugged Ron, Hagrid hugged Harry, Mira hugged Harry, Hagrid hugged Mira, and Harry hugged everybody. They were all sort of dancing around the kitchen shouting and squealing, when Mrs. Weasley ran through the door.
"What's happened? What? What is it?" she demanded.
"Oh, Mum!" Ginny shrieked, throwing her arms around her mother. "I'm a prefect!"
"What? Oh GINNY!" Mrs. Weasley said. She joined in all the jumping and shrieking. "Now that's really everyone in the family! Oh, I'm so proud!" She was hugging Ginny so tightly that Ginny's face was slowly turning purple. Ginny didn't seem to mind—she was still smiling.
"Told you," Ron chirped to Harry, who was still flushed with glee.
"We'll have to get you your own owl! Or would you rather have a broomstick, like your brother?" Mrs. Weasley asked.
"A broomstick, Mum. Just a Cleansweep, maybe? Only I want to go out for chaser this year," Ginny said.
"And speaking of quidditch," Mira prompted, nudging Harry.
Harry grinned. "I've been made captain of the quidditch team!"
"Oh, HARRY!" Mrs. Weasley shrieked again, now catching him in her huge, enveloping hug. "Oh, that's wonderful! You deserve it, you know. You're the best seeker Gryffindor's had since Charlie. Everyone says so."
"Thanks," Harry said, beaming.
Everyone finally calmed down a bit, and sat at the table, still smiling. Their faces were all a bit flushed, especially Hagrid's, who looked unusually pink. Mrs. Weasley wiped a tear out of her eye.
"I'll go to Diagon Alley, and get your books and things," Mrs. Weasley smiled. "I'll be back before the party tonight."
"Wish I could go," said Harry wistfully.
"Me too," Ron said.
"You'll stay here and have a nice day," Mrs. Weasley commanded. "I'll be back soon."
They did have a nice day, after all. Harry and Ron spent a lot of the afternoon discussing who they thought would be good as the new chasers. Ron thought they desperately needed new beaters, and, after seeing what little he had of last season's games, Harry agreed. Finally, Hermione and Ginny caught them, and got them into a rather vicious game of team chess, which Harry and Ron won.
Mrs. Weasley returned after a while with their Hogwarts supplies. She had a stack of books for each of them (The Great Art of Potions was a massive, leather bound tome—Harry doubted it would fit in his bag), new robes for Ron who had once again outgrown his, refills for their potions kits, quills and fresh rolls of parchment, new boxes of owl treats, and Ginny's broom. She'd gotten the same kind as Ron had, and Ginny beamed when she saw it.
"Mum! It's wonderful," she said, her eyes glazing over slightly. She ran her hand up and down the glossy lacquered handle.
They all had a look at it and chatted for a while about quidditch and broomsticks. Harry thinking about his Firebolt, where it was leaning against the wall of his room. He imagined how good it would feel to get back onto the quidditch pitch, and fly around for a while. He swallowed down a lump in his throat when he thought about it—the broom had been a gift from Sirius. He twisted Sirius's ring around his finger. It was soothing somehow. Finally, they divvied up their stuff, and carried it off to their bedrooms. There was a bit of commotion downstairs, and Harry realized that the dinner guests must've arrived. He followed Ron and Hermione downstairs.
A banner was hanging over the table again, same as last year. "Congratulations Ginny—New Gryffindor Prefect! And Congratulations Harry—New Quidditch Captain!" A bunch of balloons nearby had been bewitched to change colors and randomly flash the words "Happy Birthday!"
The table had a magnificent spread. There was steak and kidney pie, roast ham, roast beef, and magnificent barbecued chicken. There was a heap of mashed potatoes with thick, steaming gravy, dishes of peas and green beans, and sweet golden corn. There was another dish full of treacle tart, and in the center of the table, a huge cake with the words "Happy 16th Birthday Harry Potter!" emblazoned on it. Harry grinned.
In a few minutes the kitchen was full. Harry filled his plate, and headed over to talk to Fred and George. They were telling Ginny about a new quill they had made which dissolved as soon as it touched parchment. "We'll give you one for free if you promise to slip it to Hermione sometime," George said to Harry. He grinned.
"Joke shop going well?" Harry asked.
"We outsold Zonko's last month!" Fred said, puffing out his chest with pride. "He sent us a howler about being his best customers for ages and then turning into rivals."
"We've had the ashes framed," George nodded.
They went on to tell Harry and Ginny about some of their other new inventions—including a pair of shoelaces that were impossible to tie, socks that continually changed color so you always had an odd pair on, sunglasses that let you see in the dark, and a sack of toffees that made your friends grow second tongues.
"Makes it dead difficult to talk," Fred explained. "Never know which tongue is going to try and do the pronouncing. But the spare vanishes once you get to the center of the toffee."
"I cannot believe you made prefect, little sister," George said, scowling at Ginny. "I can only hope you never become Head Girl. I could never survive the shame."
"I may!" Ginny protested. "I'd be marvelous at it, too!" She crossed her arms.
It was steeling up to be a good fight, so Harry grinned and walked over to where Hagrid and Lupin were talking in hushed tones. They had their backs to him, so they didn't see him approach right away.
"—not on the network," Lupin was saying, "but Dumbledore's got some kind of plan for her."
"You don't trust her, do you?" Hagrid whispered.
"Not really, no. But there's no other explanation," Lupin frowned. He spotted Harry. "Ah, Harry! Happy Birthday!"
"Thanks," Harry grinned. He had a pretty shrewd idea who they'd been talking about.
"And congratulations on that Defense against the Dark Arts OWL, Harry. Really well done," he added.
"Thanks again," Harry said. "D'you know who our teacher is this year? We heard it was another ministry appointment… it's not another of Fudge's aides, is it?"
"No," Lupin grinned. "I think you'll be surprised. I certainly was. So was Professor McGonagall."
Hagrid snorted. "Never thought I'd see the day," he chuckled. "Fer her to react like that!"
"Sssh, you'll give it away!" Lupin admonished him, smiling.
"Are you talking about the new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher?" Mira said, joining the conversation while munching demurely on a bit of steak-and-kidney pie. "I've only just heard who it is! Isn't it exciting?"
"You know?" Harry said, exasperated. "And I don't?"
"Sorry," she shrugged. "I overheard."
"And you're quidditch captain," Lupin went on, ignoring Mira. "You really ought to be proud of yourself, Harry."
Harry smiled. Mira looked for a moment like she was going to add something, but she staggered forward suddenly.
"So sorry, Mira," said George, who had rammed into her from behind. He grabbed her arm to help steady her.
"Yeah, sorry about that," Fred added, coming up from her other side. "We just wanted to get Harry. We have something we want to show him."
"Okay," Harry said, slightly bewildered. He followed Fred and George over to a corner. "What--?"
"Sssh," George hissed. "You were just our cover. We're testing a new creation out on Mira. Slipped some of this onto her food when I bumped into her." He pulled a small, bright orange envelope partway out of his pocket. It was full of a fine, yellowy powder.
"Mum only said we couldn't try our stuff out on Ron and Ginny, after all," Fred nodded. "Anyway, she doesn't like Mira, so we reckon the worst we'll get is a quiet lecture."
"Any second now," Fred said, watching Mira polish off the last of her plate. Hagrid had wandered off, leaving just her and Lupin. He was asking her questions, and she was replying with a rather sad look on her face.
After a moment, though, they hissed with disappointment. Mira had just taken her last bite, and nothing had happened. "Must be a dud batch," George sighed.
"I don't understand it! It worked on us. Her voice should've gotten higher and higher, until she sounded like a house-elf on helium. It would've been hysterical," Fred added shaking his head sadly.
"Back to the drawing board," George nodded. "Guess we need more burdock root and knarl fur."
"Maybe next time," Harry said encouragingly. He turned his head, looking for Hermione and Ron. He spotted them in a corner, talking animatedly.
He approached the two of them. Hermione was snapping at Ron. "Of course he sent me a letter, he's my pen-friend. That's what they do! Anyway, I don't see what you're so upset about. I write him the odd letter every now and then—big deal."
"But Hermione," Ron protested, "It's Vicky. It's not just any pen-friend, it's Krum!"
"Do stop calling him that! Just because you're jealous—"
"Why would I be jealous of Krum?" Ron snapped.
"I don't know, Ron. You tell me!" Hermione said.
Ron floundered for a moment, his mouth opening and closing soundlessly.
"Knock it off, you two," Harry interrupted them. "I've got something to tell you." He told them about what he heard Lupin and Hagrid saying about Mira, and then what Mira had said.
"If she overheard, that means it's probably someone here," Hermione said.
"How d'you reckon?" Ron asked, raising an eyebrow.
"She probably overheard them telling someone about it," she shrugged. "So, let's see… Hagrid and Lupin are out."
"Could be Moody," Ron said.
"Not likely after last time," Harry frowned, "but possible. There's your Mum and Dad—"
"No way. Dad's too busy at the Ministry, and Mum would've told us. I can practically hear her: 'At least when I'm your teacher, I'll be able to keep a proper eye on you all.'"
Harry had to agree. "Well, that leaves Fred and George, who are definite nos—"
"Kingsley and Tonks," Hermione added. "But the aurors are so busy right now, I don't know why they'd be appointed."
"Or Mira," Ron finished. He nodded to the corner where Mira and Lupin were still talking. Lupin was actually chuckling as Mira gestured wildly about something.
"Mira?" Hermione said, raising an eyebrow. "What would she teach us—how to fight the dark arts by serving badly made coffee?"
"Or how to counter curses by humming at them," Harry suggested. "Anyway, she's too big of a klutz."
"So's Tonks, and she's an auror," Ron pointed out.
"Anyone could be the new teacher. I wish it were Lupin again," Hermione sighed. "He was the best we've had, besides the Moody impostor."
"Guess we'll just have to wait and see," Harry said.
Mrs. Weasley called him over suddenly to open his presents. Harry blushed, opening them in front of everyone, but he had a good time. Mrs. Weasley had knitted him an emerald green sweater with a snitch on the front, and there was a brand new quidditch play book for him to fill up. Fred and George had provided a large bag of trick sweets, which Harry sat aside for fear of mixing it up with the real ones on the table. Ron had gotten him a Chudley Cannons t-shirt, and Hermione had provided a little stone that flashed your schedule so you never missed appointments. There was a model quidditch team from Ginny (the players were just about as big as his pinky finger, and they kept zipping around their box, tossing the quaffle back and forth). Hagrid had offered up a little whistle to call some kind of animal to you (although he couldn't quite remember what, so Harry was a bit nervous about that). Lupin, Tonks, and Kingsley had all gone in together on a charm that could reveal magical disguises if held in front of someone's face. There were lots of cards full of well-wishes as well. Harry blushed his pleasure.
It was altogether too soon that Mrs. Weasley was shooing them all upstairs to bed. Harry left the model team out on the floor, and he and Ron fell asleep watching the tiny seeker zipping around looking for the near-invisible snitch.
To Szihuoko: More details? Ok, I'll try to keep that in mind!
Enjoy, enjoy, enjoy! ---neoepiphany****
Chapter Six
The New Quidditch Captain
By Friday, Harry's mood had not improved, but he was making every effort not to retreat into the solitude he so strongly desired.
Harry had had a hard time coming up with a list of his favorite foods. It was weird to be asked what he wanted. The Dursleys didn't care, and at Hogwarts, all the food was prepared in advance. With Ron's help, though, he finally managed it.
There had been no more attacks, but that was thanks in part to the Order. They had found out, probably from Snape, the names of three wizards Voldemort wanted dead, and they were moved hurriedly to secret locations. Only a handful of people in the Order knew where they had been sent, including Dumbledore and Moody. The first relocated family had been reluctant to go, but a few days later, their home was levelled by Death Eaters who weren't pleased to have arrived to an empty house. Once the pictures appeared in the Daily Prophet, the other families that the Order approached were happy to go straight away.
By now, Harry was more than a little stir crazy. He had been cooped up inside for nearly three weeks now, and he was dying to get out and walk around, or maybe play some quidditch. Ron, Hermione, and Ginny were pretty good about keeping him company, but they still managed to get outside every once in a while. He was tired of being cooped up with Mira, who spent a ridiculous amount of time listening to cds and dancing around with a cleaning-fluid laden rag in her hand.
Friday, however, was special. He awoke with a good feeling, which the delicious smells rising from the kitchen only helped to increase. It was the first really good mood he'd had in a long time.
He pulled on his favorite jeans and t shirt while Ron slowly woke up. Harry went downstairs to the kitchen, where he froze in the doorway. There was someone new sitting at the table. Taking up an entire side of it, in fact.
"Hagrid!" Harry shouted, delighted.
"There yeh are, Harry!" Hagrid said, standing. He was grinning widely. Now that he was up, Harry could see Mira grinning bemusedly over her coffee cup. Harry wondered if she ever slept.
Hagrid enveloped Harry in a bone-crushing hug. "I knew yeh weren' dead!" Hagrid said cheerfully. "Yeh've taken on You-know-who, after all. Coupla Death Eaters aren' about ter get the best a you."
"Thanks, Hagrid," said Harry, cheerfully. He dropped into a chair.
Hagrid was working on a plate of scrambled eggs, toast, and bacon. Mira dropped some toast and marmalade in front of Harry as well. Then with a wink at Harry, she left the room.
"I heard about that one," Hagrid said, his voice a low grumble. "Dumbledore says she's okay, and that's all right fer me, but just yeh mind yerself around her, Harry. I don't think she's tryin' anything, but just in case…"
"Don't worry, Hagrid," said Harry. "We're trying to figure out what she's up to."
"You just keep outta her way," Hagrid admonished, wolfing down a forkful of eggs. "If she is trouble, the last thing we'd need is fer her to catch yeh snoopin' around."
"We don't snoop, Hagrid," said Hermione from the doorway, her voice dignified and a little pompous. She was followed by Ginny. "We simply make an effort to discover the truths that lie beneath the surface." She smiled.
"Six of one, Hermione," Hagrid said, grinning in welcome.
"Good morning!" Ginny said, slipping into the room. "Happy Birthday Harry!"
"Yeah, happy birthday," Ron added, following the girls into the kitchen. "Hagrid! When did you get here?"
"How does it feel to be sixteen? Different than fifteen?" Ginny grinned.
Actually, it did. For the first time in weeks, he felt peaceful today. At this moment, he wasn't worried or angry; the empty place in his stomach where Sirius had been didn't hurt quite so much (although he could still feel its presence); and all the troubles in the world didn't matter to him. He was just a normal kid, having his birthday.
"Wish we could play quidditch," Ron sighed. Harry nodded. He could've really used a good game. He hadn't played in such a long time, he was practically aching to get on his broom for a bit.
"Heard all three of you got Os on your Care of Magical Creatures OWLs," Hagrid said, beaming. Besides being their friend, Hagrid was Care of Magical Creatures teacher.
"Yeah, piece of cake," Ron said, stuffing a piece of toast into his mouth.
"We were well prepared for the exam, Hagrid," Hermione assured him.
"Well, I'm awfully proud a the three of you," Hagrid said, his face beaming.
"Good morning!" Mira said, re-entering the kitchen, a green apron around her waist. "I nearly forgot. These came for you this morning." She produced a thick envelope from on top of a cabinet.
"Our Hogwarts letters!" Hermione squealed.
Harry grinned.
Mira passed out the envelopes. They all ripped into them eagerly.
CLUNK.
All heads turned toward Ginny, who was staring down at her plate of scrambled eggs with a look of mingled shock, delight, and fear. There, fallen from the envelope, was a shiny red and gold prefect's badge. It had fallen out of the envelope and sent up a spray of eggs.
"Oh, Ginny!" Hermione said, her voice shrill with excitement. "I can't believe it! You too!"
"Mom'll be nuts," Ron added, grinning proudly at his sister.
"Fred and George won't approve," Ginny said, her tone more than a little smug about this.
"Congratulations, Ginny," Hagrid said, patting her arm.
"This is so exciting, Ginny!" Mira beamed, polishing the eggy badge on her apron. When she handed it back, it practically gleamed.
Ginny beamed and pinned the badge onto her t-shirt.
Harry read his letter. It told him to catch the Hogwarts train as usual from Platform 9¾ on September 1st. He fipped over to the booklist. There were several new books.
Standard Book of Spells, Grade Six, by Miranda Goshawk
Advanced Transfiguration Techniques, by Mogrifus Moorehead
The Greate Arte of Potions, by Hecate Newcomb
The Rarest of Beasts: a New Compendium of Magical Creatures, by Newt Scamander
Curses, Jinxes, and Hexes: A guide to Self-Defense against the Worst of the Wizarding World, by Bradley Gateworthy
"This doesn't make any sense," Harry frowned. "It's got a potions textbook listed here, and McGonagall said I had to get at least an O to go on in potions. I only managed an E."
"I'm sure they'll sort it all out for yeh when you get there," Hagrid said, polishing off his breakfast.
"Look—a new Defense against the Dark Arts textbook," Hermione said. "I wonder who we've got this year?"
"Couldn't be worse than that Umbridge woman," Ron scowled. Harry nodded. A firebreathing dragon would be better than Delores Umbridge.
"I thought no one would take the job," Ginny said. "I thought everyone thought it was cursed."
"They do," Hagrid said. "The ministry's appointed someone again."
Harry froze, a bite of toast halfway to his mouth. His eyes flicked toward Hagrid They all stared at him with open mouths.
"Surely they—they wouldn't do that again, Hagrid?" Hermione managed finally.
"They did," he insisted. But Harry noticed a twinkle in his eye. "Won't tell yeh who it is—yeh ought to be surprised like everyone else—but believe me, this year's teacher's a sight better than Umbridge. Well, nicer at any rate. I think you'll be pleased."
They all exchanged a glance. After last year…
Harry sat down his letter, and noticed that there was another piece of parchment stuck to the book list. That was funny—nobody else had three pages. He pulled it apart, and read the letter.
"Dear Mr. Potter,
As of now, I am reinstating your quidditch privileges. As the most senior member of the team, it seems fitting that you be the new quidditch captain. This will be a difficult task, as there are a lot of positions to fill this season. I am expecting you to be a model student and DO NOTHING THAT WOULD JEOPARDIZE YOUR POSITION.
I have no doubt that you will see to it that we have another Gryffindor win for the cup this year.
Congratulations,
Minerva McGonagall."
Harry stared aghast at the letter.
Ron and Hermione who had been discussing the new Dark Arts teacher in hushed tones both looked up when Ginny elbowed Hermione and nodded toward Harry.
"What? What is it?" Ron demanded.
"I—I've been made quidditch captain," he said, his voice trembling.
For a moment they all stared at each other. Then, with a sudden explosion of sound, they were all up and cheering. Ginny hugged Harry, Hermione hugged Harry, Hermione hugged Ron, Hagrid hugged Harry, Mira hugged Harry, Hagrid hugged Mira, and Harry hugged everybody. They were all sort of dancing around the kitchen shouting and squealing, when Mrs. Weasley ran through the door.
"What's happened? What? What is it?" she demanded.
"Oh, Mum!" Ginny shrieked, throwing her arms around her mother. "I'm a prefect!"
"What? Oh GINNY!" Mrs. Weasley said. She joined in all the jumping and shrieking. "Now that's really everyone in the family! Oh, I'm so proud!" She was hugging Ginny so tightly that Ginny's face was slowly turning purple. Ginny didn't seem to mind—she was still smiling.
"Told you," Ron chirped to Harry, who was still flushed with glee.
"We'll have to get you your own owl! Or would you rather have a broomstick, like your brother?" Mrs. Weasley asked.
"A broomstick, Mum. Just a Cleansweep, maybe? Only I want to go out for chaser this year," Ginny said.
"And speaking of quidditch," Mira prompted, nudging Harry.
Harry grinned. "I've been made captain of the quidditch team!"
"Oh, HARRY!" Mrs. Weasley shrieked again, now catching him in her huge, enveloping hug. "Oh, that's wonderful! You deserve it, you know. You're the best seeker Gryffindor's had since Charlie. Everyone says so."
"Thanks," Harry said, beaming.
Everyone finally calmed down a bit, and sat at the table, still smiling. Their faces were all a bit flushed, especially Hagrid's, who looked unusually pink. Mrs. Weasley wiped a tear out of her eye.
"I'll go to Diagon Alley, and get your books and things," Mrs. Weasley smiled. "I'll be back before the party tonight."
"Wish I could go," said Harry wistfully.
"Me too," Ron said.
"You'll stay here and have a nice day," Mrs. Weasley commanded. "I'll be back soon."
They did have a nice day, after all. Harry and Ron spent a lot of the afternoon discussing who they thought would be good as the new chasers. Ron thought they desperately needed new beaters, and, after seeing what little he had of last season's games, Harry agreed. Finally, Hermione and Ginny caught them, and got them into a rather vicious game of team chess, which Harry and Ron won.
Mrs. Weasley returned after a while with their Hogwarts supplies. She had a stack of books for each of them (The Great Art of Potions was a massive, leather bound tome—Harry doubted it would fit in his bag), new robes for Ron who had once again outgrown his, refills for their potions kits, quills and fresh rolls of parchment, new boxes of owl treats, and Ginny's broom. She'd gotten the same kind as Ron had, and Ginny beamed when she saw it.
"Mum! It's wonderful," she said, her eyes glazing over slightly. She ran her hand up and down the glossy lacquered handle.
They all had a look at it and chatted for a while about quidditch and broomsticks. Harry thinking about his Firebolt, where it was leaning against the wall of his room. He imagined how good it would feel to get back onto the quidditch pitch, and fly around for a while. He swallowed down a lump in his throat when he thought about it—the broom had been a gift from Sirius. He twisted Sirius's ring around his finger. It was soothing somehow. Finally, they divvied up their stuff, and carried it off to their bedrooms. There was a bit of commotion downstairs, and Harry realized that the dinner guests must've arrived. He followed Ron and Hermione downstairs.
A banner was hanging over the table again, same as last year. "Congratulations Ginny—New Gryffindor Prefect! And Congratulations Harry—New Quidditch Captain!" A bunch of balloons nearby had been bewitched to change colors and randomly flash the words "Happy Birthday!"
The table had a magnificent spread. There was steak and kidney pie, roast ham, roast beef, and magnificent barbecued chicken. There was a heap of mashed potatoes with thick, steaming gravy, dishes of peas and green beans, and sweet golden corn. There was another dish full of treacle tart, and in the center of the table, a huge cake with the words "Happy 16th Birthday Harry Potter!" emblazoned on it. Harry grinned.
In a few minutes the kitchen was full. Harry filled his plate, and headed over to talk to Fred and George. They were telling Ginny about a new quill they had made which dissolved as soon as it touched parchment. "We'll give you one for free if you promise to slip it to Hermione sometime," George said to Harry. He grinned.
"Joke shop going well?" Harry asked.
"We outsold Zonko's last month!" Fred said, puffing out his chest with pride. "He sent us a howler about being his best customers for ages and then turning into rivals."
"We've had the ashes framed," George nodded.
They went on to tell Harry and Ginny about some of their other new inventions—including a pair of shoelaces that were impossible to tie, socks that continually changed color so you always had an odd pair on, sunglasses that let you see in the dark, and a sack of toffees that made your friends grow second tongues.
"Makes it dead difficult to talk," Fred explained. "Never know which tongue is going to try and do the pronouncing. But the spare vanishes once you get to the center of the toffee."
"I cannot believe you made prefect, little sister," George said, scowling at Ginny. "I can only hope you never become Head Girl. I could never survive the shame."
"I may!" Ginny protested. "I'd be marvelous at it, too!" She crossed her arms.
It was steeling up to be a good fight, so Harry grinned and walked over to where Hagrid and Lupin were talking in hushed tones. They had their backs to him, so they didn't see him approach right away.
"—not on the network," Lupin was saying, "but Dumbledore's got some kind of plan for her."
"You don't trust her, do you?" Hagrid whispered.
"Not really, no. But there's no other explanation," Lupin frowned. He spotted Harry. "Ah, Harry! Happy Birthday!"
"Thanks," Harry grinned. He had a pretty shrewd idea who they'd been talking about.
"And congratulations on that Defense against the Dark Arts OWL, Harry. Really well done," he added.
"Thanks again," Harry said. "D'you know who our teacher is this year? We heard it was another ministry appointment… it's not another of Fudge's aides, is it?"
"No," Lupin grinned. "I think you'll be surprised. I certainly was. So was Professor McGonagall."
Hagrid snorted. "Never thought I'd see the day," he chuckled. "Fer her to react like that!"
"Sssh, you'll give it away!" Lupin admonished him, smiling.
"Are you talking about the new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher?" Mira said, joining the conversation while munching demurely on a bit of steak-and-kidney pie. "I've only just heard who it is! Isn't it exciting?"
"You know?" Harry said, exasperated. "And I don't?"
"Sorry," she shrugged. "I overheard."
"And you're quidditch captain," Lupin went on, ignoring Mira. "You really ought to be proud of yourself, Harry."
Harry smiled. Mira looked for a moment like she was going to add something, but she staggered forward suddenly.
"So sorry, Mira," said George, who had rammed into her from behind. He grabbed her arm to help steady her.
"Yeah, sorry about that," Fred added, coming up from her other side. "We just wanted to get Harry. We have something we want to show him."
"Okay," Harry said, slightly bewildered. He followed Fred and George over to a corner. "What--?"
"Sssh," George hissed. "You were just our cover. We're testing a new creation out on Mira. Slipped some of this onto her food when I bumped into her." He pulled a small, bright orange envelope partway out of his pocket. It was full of a fine, yellowy powder.
"Mum only said we couldn't try our stuff out on Ron and Ginny, after all," Fred nodded. "Anyway, she doesn't like Mira, so we reckon the worst we'll get is a quiet lecture."
"Any second now," Fred said, watching Mira polish off the last of her plate. Hagrid had wandered off, leaving just her and Lupin. He was asking her questions, and she was replying with a rather sad look on her face.
After a moment, though, they hissed with disappointment. Mira had just taken her last bite, and nothing had happened. "Must be a dud batch," George sighed.
"I don't understand it! It worked on us. Her voice should've gotten higher and higher, until she sounded like a house-elf on helium. It would've been hysterical," Fred added shaking his head sadly.
"Back to the drawing board," George nodded. "Guess we need more burdock root and knarl fur."
"Maybe next time," Harry said encouragingly. He turned his head, looking for Hermione and Ron. He spotted them in a corner, talking animatedly.
He approached the two of them. Hermione was snapping at Ron. "Of course he sent me a letter, he's my pen-friend. That's what they do! Anyway, I don't see what you're so upset about. I write him the odd letter every now and then—big deal."
"But Hermione," Ron protested, "It's Vicky. It's not just any pen-friend, it's Krum!"
"Do stop calling him that! Just because you're jealous—"
"Why would I be jealous of Krum?" Ron snapped.
"I don't know, Ron. You tell me!" Hermione said.
Ron floundered for a moment, his mouth opening and closing soundlessly.
"Knock it off, you two," Harry interrupted them. "I've got something to tell you." He told them about what he heard Lupin and Hagrid saying about Mira, and then what Mira had said.
"If she overheard, that means it's probably someone here," Hermione said.
"How d'you reckon?" Ron asked, raising an eyebrow.
"She probably overheard them telling someone about it," she shrugged. "So, let's see… Hagrid and Lupin are out."
"Could be Moody," Ron said.
"Not likely after last time," Harry frowned, "but possible. There's your Mum and Dad—"
"No way. Dad's too busy at the Ministry, and Mum would've told us. I can practically hear her: 'At least when I'm your teacher, I'll be able to keep a proper eye on you all.'"
Harry had to agree. "Well, that leaves Fred and George, who are definite nos—"
"Kingsley and Tonks," Hermione added. "But the aurors are so busy right now, I don't know why they'd be appointed."
"Or Mira," Ron finished. He nodded to the corner where Mira and Lupin were still talking. Lupin was actually chuckling as Mira gestured wildly about something.
"Mira?" Hermione said, raising an eyebrow. "What would she teach us—how to fight the dark arts by serving badly made coffee?"
"Or how to counter curses by humming at them," Harry suggested. "Anyway, she's too big of a klutz."
"So's Tonks, and she's an auror," Ron pointed out.
"Anyone could be the new teacher. I wish it were Lupin again," Hermione sighed. "He was the best we've had, besides the Moody impostor."
"Guess we'll just have to wait and see," Harry said.
Mrs. Weasley called him over suddenly to open his presents. Harry blushed, opening them in front of everyone, but he had a good time. Mrs. Weasley had knitted him an emerald green sweater with a snitch on the front, and there was a brand new quidditch play book for him to fill up. Fred and George had provided a large bag of trick sweets, which Harry sat aside for fear of mixing it up with the real ones on the table. Ron had gotten him a Chudley Cannons t-shirt, and Hermione had provided a little stone that flashed your schedule so you never missed appointments. There was a model quidditch team from Ginny (the players were just about as big as his pinky finger, and they kept zipping around their box, tossing the quaffle back and forth). Hagrid had offered up a little whistle to call some kind of animal to you (although he couldn't quite remember what, so Harry was a bit nervous about that). Lupin, Tonks, and Kingsley had all gone in together on a charm that could reveal magical disguises if held in front of someone's face. There were lots of cards full of well-wishes as well. Harry blushed his pleasure.
It was altogether too soon that Mrs. Weasley was shooing them all upstairs to bed. Harry left the model team out on the floor, and he and Ron fell asleep watching the tiny seeker zipping around looking for the near-invisible snitch.