Chapter Two- Home again
Slowly, the few weeks that separated Harry from his departure for Hogwarts passed. The Dursleys had received a letter from Professor Dumbledore where he explained in a few well chosen words that Harry must be protected and that they are all perfectly safe. Since that letter, the Dursley's began to avoid Harry as much as they could. They seemed to think that he could be struck down by thunder at any time, and thus the most intelligent thing to do was to stay away from trouble... Meanwhile, Harry found himself many times thinking at Hermione. And thoughts about her often appeared in his diary.
And then, one day, Harry woke up and smiled... It was the day when he left for Hogwarts...
Everything was already packed, so the only thing Harry had to do was get dressed. He carried his trunk down the stairs, placed Hedwig's cage on top of it and the skateboard near. He wore his Superstars for the first time and zoomed around the house for 10 minutes, until he heard aunt Petunia get out of bed. Soon, uncle Vernon followed her and, to Harry's surprise, also did Dudley. He had never seen Dudley get out of bed that early. They all ate hastily without saying anything. And then, at 9 o'clock sharp, the doorbell rang. Dudley squeaked and ran upstairs, aunt Petunia jumped behind uncle Vernon and Harry headed for the door. It was professor McGonnagal. She wore perfectly normal Muggle clothes and seemed whiter than usual. Harry invited her inside. Professor McGonnagal headed towards uncle Vernon and reached him her hand.
- Professor Minerva McGonnagal, Trasfiguration teacher and deputy headmistress of Hogwarts school of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Pleased to meet you.
- Vernon Dursley...This is my wife Petunia...
Uncle Vernon seemed to have appreciated the fact that professor McGonnagal looked absolutely normal...in fact, the stern look on her face would perfectly suite a guardian at St. Brutus...
-Please take your trunk to the car, Harry, said professor McGonnagal.
Five minutes later, Harry was in a small black car and the driver, a small bald guy that looked remarkably like a goblin, was speeding on the roads.
Soon, the car stopped in front of King's Cross station and Harry got out. He saw five or six people surrounding him and, strange enough, they all had a little sign on their chests. It read:
"Order of the Phoenix- Auror"
They smiled to him and shook his hand saying:
- Mr. Potter! What an honor to meet you! Delighted! We will be your escort until you are safe within the train. But where is our leader?
- Oh, there she is!
Harry's jaw dropped. Mrs. Figg was advancing towards them with a small emblem on her chest. On the emblem there was a Phoenix rising from it's ashes and the words:"Order of the Phoenix- Archwizard" were clearly visible.
- Hello, Harry dear! I'm so pleased to meet you again!
- Mrs. Figg? But how....and why...
- A few weeks after you defeated Lord Voldemort, and Albus had placed all sorts of charms and protection on the house of the Muggles where you were living, he thought that additional safety would not hurt...So I was sent as an...how do Muggles call them...undercover agent, to ensure your safety. But times have changed now, so I had to come back and reassume my position. And here I am, making sure that you will get to Hogwarts safely.
Harry felt anger sweeping over him. Why? Why was he so special? What did he do to deserve all these safety measures? He thought of Neville... Why didn't Neville get any protection? He had defeated Lord Voldemort three times so far! He wasn't exactly helpless! He wanted to scream at them, tell them to leave him alone but suddenly, all the anger left him. And then he saw a beautiful Japanese girl standing next to him. She smiled and said:
- Why are you so angry? Anger doesn't solve anything, it only makes problems worse.
Her voice was so calm, and sounded almost like music. And Harry realized how right she was. She smiled at him and then began to push her trolley towards the wall that separated platform nine from platform ten.
- That's the "special" girl? asked a young wizard that was standing next to Mrs. Figg.
- Indeed...She's the one.
Harry gave them a puzzled look and then slowly began to push the trolley towards the wall...
.....And then he was on the other side. Wizards and witches were squirming around, Harry heard screaming, sparks flew into the air, owls were hooting madly at each other and he felt that he finally was where he belonged!
- Harry! Harry!!! Finally!!!
Hermione's face appeared in the crowd. And all the thoughts Harry had about him and Hermione vanished. She was his friend! And that was much more than a girlfriend. He loved her, but not as a girlfriend but as a true friend. He smiled warmly. Hermione had changed a lot. She too looked mature and she was more beautiful that last year. She was no longer a little girl. He hair wasn't bushy anymore and Harry wondered weather it was because of some kind of magic she had used, or simply Mother Nature had decided that bushy hair is no longer needed. The second version seemed better, as Harry knew that Hermione was the last person to disobey the interdiction for underage wizards to use magic outside Hogwarts. Hermione jumped and kissed Harry on his cheek and then hugged him tightly until she left him breathless. And then Harry saw Ron. He was advancing through the crowd tall and handsome. He had also changed during summer. His face was mature too, he was tall as he had always been, and he also seemed more muscular. He shook Harry's hand and helped him to take his trunk into an empty compartment he and Hermione had found at the end of the train. Then they went back to Ron's family. There, Harry received another round of kissing and hugging from Mrs. Weasley who wished them good luck and then, when the engine announced that the train was about to leave, disapparated in a small blue cloud of sparks.
Five minutes later, Harry, Ron and Hermione were sitting together in their compartment talking about everything. Hermione was just telling them how her hair stopped being bushy when the compartment door opened and the Japanese girl Harry had met earlier poked her head inside and said:
- Hi! Can i sit here with you? Everywhere else it's full...
- Sure, Harry answered hastily. And hi, I'm Harry, Harry Potter.
- Hello Harry Potter. I'm Helena Toda.
Helena looked around for a place to put her trunk and Harry helped her to heave it near his. Then, he introduced Helena to Ron and Hermione and they all sat down confortably. Soon the food cart arrived and they emptied their pockets buying as much as they could carry. Then, after choking on a lemon-flavored every flavor bean, Harry asked Hellena:
- How didn't we meet you until now? In what year are you?
- Actually, i wasn't in Hogwarts until now... I received the letter when i was 11 but i had to finish my studies before coming to Hogwarts.
- Then...You'll be starting in the 1st year? Harry asked in amazement.
- No... The truth is everything i need to know will be "written" into my head through magic...
Ron suddenly choked spraying the window with bits of chocolate frog. Hermione stared at Hellena in amazement and Harry frowned. The first one to recover was Ron:
- ARE YOU SERIOUS? AND WE HAVE TO WORK SO HARD FOR 7 YEARS WHEN IT CAN ALL BE "WRITTEN" INTO US?
- Whoa there! It's not that simple.
- ACTUALLY IT'S VERY SIMPLE!
- No... The purpose of school isn't just to fill your head with information you will surely forget after you graduate.
- Really! Then what's the purpose of school?
- It's to teach you how to think and how to organize your work.
- I couldn't have said it better! said Hermione suddenly smiling.
- Domo Arigato. That means thank you in Japanese...
Soon they were all talking as if they had known each other for a long time. They found out that Helena was a very interesting person. She never got mad. She could control her anger and, through some sort of magic, could take others anger away. Also, she didn't know very much about Lord Voldemort either. Harry was surprised that she could say his name and then he told her everything he knew about the Dark Lord except what had happened at Hogwarts last year.
- Well, well, well! Potter's back!
Malfoy's head appeared in the door. He was followed by Crabbe and Goyle. Harry's eyes flashed with anger, but it vanished quickly as Hellena spoke:
- And who might you be?
- That's Malfoy. answered Ron disgusted. He's a combination between a garbage pile and dirt from under the fingernails...
- Well, Weasley, I see you've got some new words in the vocabulary. It was about time you found out where your family found food...
Ron felt like he was hit with a hammer in his head. He took out his wand and shouted:
- Paralisio!
The spell hit Malfoy's legs.
- Paralisio!
The spell hit Malfoy's arms. Malfoy fell but Goyle caught him in time.
- YOU UNDO THIS WEASLEY!!! NOW!!!
- Sorry, but i don ' t know any counter-curse...
Ron was standing in the doorway, twirling his wand and smiling. Harry joined him.
- GET THEM!!!! shouted Malfoy.
Crabbe tried to hit Ron, but missed, hitting Harry instead. Harry's head hit the door and he ducked just in time to avoid being hit by Goyle. And then Helena screamed something and little white spheres of light erupted from her hands. Blinding flashes hit Crabbe and Goyle into the face causing small burning marks to appear. Dragging Malfoy, they succeeded to retreat and Helena sat down panting...After a few moments, Harry stood up, looked at Helena and asked:
- What the hell was that?
- I'm not sure...I guess it was just my anger...
- I thought you had control over your anger!
- Well, actually I do but I have to get rid of it sometimes...
- Did you see the look on Malfoy's face?
They all laughed and felt like they were the best friends in the world. Later, Fred and George appeared and told them how Malfoy and a gang of Slytherins are trying to find a counter-curse to the paralysis spell Ron had put on him.
- And you should see Crabbe and Goyle! Their faces are full of blisters and they're saying there's a dragon in here!
- Oh, by the way, meet the Dragon! This is Helena, Helena these are Fred and George, Ron's brothers, said Harry.
- Nice to meet you! Does anyone want a game of Exploding Snap?
- What's that? asked Helena.
Soon, Fred and George were racing to tell her all about the rules. And the train was speeding towards Hogwarts. And then it suddenly stopped. Harry and the others looked around puzzled. Students were getting off the train, trying to see what had stopped it. They followed them. And there, on the tracks was a great pile of trees. Wizards began to apparate near the engine and, with their wands out, were casting the "Wingardium Leviosa" spell over the trees. On the left of the train there was a great field. And on the right a great forest. Harry suddenly realized that this was an ambush. His head turned to the forest just in time to see hundreds of Dementors emerging from it. A familiar wave of coldness swept over him as the Dementors glided towards the pupils. The wizards handling the trees turned around suddenly and began to cry:" EXPECTO PATRONUM!!!". But they were to weak. Wizards and students began to collapse around Harry, he heard Helena behind him, he felt the coldness drowning him, almost all happy thoughts were drained from him and then he realized he had to fight. He opened his eyes, raised his wand and thought of Helena. "Especto Patronum." he said in a strange, calm voice. He almost could feel the tremendous power of his own patronus before it emerged from his wand. And then he saw it. A great stag, shining brightly than the sun charged at the Dementors. And then they were all gone. Harry was standing alone in the middle of the field. All the students and the wizards that had come to help were lying unconscious on the ground. And suddenly, wizards began to apparate. Harry could still feel the cold of the Dementors in his bones. He looked around and then a familiar voice said behind him:- Well, Harry, that was some Patronus!
Harry turned around again and smiled. Remus Lupin was standing there, with his wand in one hand and a great piece of chocolate in the other.
- Professor Lupin! You're back!
Lupin looked exactly like Harry remembered him. He smiled and said:
- Here, eat this...
Harry took the piece of chocolate from Lupin's hands. Meanwhile, the wizards were waking the other students up. Lupin pointed his wand towards Helena and whispered: "Enervate!". Helena woke up and looked scared around. Lupin did the same thing with Hermione then Ron.
- What were those things? asked Helena in a low and tired voice.
- Dementors, answered Harry darkly. They feed upon good human emotions, they suck happiness and hope out of you and they leave fear and despair behind...
- But why did they attack us?
Harry didn't answer. He looked down. Lupin spoke:
- You must be the new girl... Don't worry, everything is under control now...
Soon, all the pupils were awake and nibbling at pieces of chocolate. Malfoy could move again, and the blisters on Crabbe's and Goyle's faces were gone.
Harry, Ron, Hermione and Helena went back to their compartment. As soon as they had closed the door, Ron said:
- Ok, Harry, tell us what happened after we passed out.
- I'm not sure...I suddenly felt calm and relaxed...I guess it was Hellena's influence...
- I don't remember doing anything, so... said Helena.
- Well, anyway, I just cast the patronus spell and I kind of felt the power within it... And it was so great. And then the Dementors were gone and Lupin was standing behind me...
- What's a Patronus? asked Helena.
- It's the opposite of a Dementor. You summon it and it chases the Dementor away. It doesn't feel fear or despair so the Dementor can't harm it...
Soon the engine started to move. Harry was looking out the window. Ron and Hermione were talking. Helena had closed her eyes and crossed her legs in a strange position. The sun was slowly descending behind the hills. Harry turned around and looked at Helena. She was beautiful. And suddenly, Harry realized that she was floating. He gasped. Thin threads of light were surrounding her. Ron and Hermione turned around too and their jaws dropped. Helena was rising. The threads of light surrounding her multiplied and her head almost touched the ceiling. And then she slowly began to descend. As she seated herself on the couch she slowly opened her eyes and looked around.
- What's that? asked Ron amazed.
- It's a person... Someone with great power... Remember how I was flying in the compartment...
- Yeah...
- She's doing the same thing only... her power is much, much bigger that mine!
Meanwhile others had noticed the comet and where pointing at it as it approached the walls of the school. For a moment it seemed to have crashed into the wall, but then they all realized it had entered through a window... Harry thought for a moment and then said:
- That should be the window to Dumbledore's room...
No one answered.
Soon, the carriages were stopping in front of Hogwarts's gates and the pupils were entering Hogwarts. And there, in front of the Great Hall, professor McGonnagal was waiting for the first years. When she saw Helena, she called:
- Miss Toda, if you would be so kind as to wait for the first years... You'll have to be sorted too...
- Of course...
Harry, Ron and Hermione wished her good luck and then they entered the Great Hall. They found seats at the end of the Gryffindor exactly near the place where the sorting ceremony was about to start. Harry looked up at the teacher's table. Professor Dumbledore had taken his usual seat and he winked at Harry. Near him, professor McGonnagal's seat was empty. At the end of the table, another seat was empty...Hagrid's seat. On the other side of Dumbledore Harry was surprised and shocked at the same time to see Snape.
- What the hell is he doing here? Harry asked Ron.
- Dunno... I thought Dumbledore had given him a mission...
- Perhaps he accomplished it...What do you think it was?
- Dunno...
- Honestly! I thought better of you! It's obviously what his mission was and what he's doing here!
- Oh yeah, Hermione? Then if you're so clever than why don't you tell us too!
- He was sent to spy Voldemort. Probably Voldemort sent him back to spy for him...
"Why didn't I think of that before..." Harry asked himself and then he turned towards the teacher's table again. Professor Flittwick was seated next to Snape and was engaged into conversation with a tall and handsome witch. She seemed to be Japanese... Harry thought she must be the new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher. Suddenly the door opened and in the cheers of the school, the first years entered the Great Hall led by professor McGonnagal. At the back of the row Harry spotted Helena. She was smiling slightly embarrassed, as she joined the others in front of the little chair where Filch had placed the Sorting Hat. Meanwhile, Hagrid had taken his seat at the teacher's table. Professor McGonnagal said:
- Before the sorting ceremony begins, professor Dumbledore would like to address a few words...
- Thank you, professor McGonnagal. As you might have noticed, this year we have a new student. Her name is Helena Toda. Certain...circumstances didn't allow her to come to Hogwarts until now. This evening, she will be sorted and tomorrow a series of exams will determine her level. And now the Sorting Ceremony may begin!
Harry suddenly felt he was being watched. He turned his head and he noticed that the Japanese teacher was looking at him in a strange way. Harry felt like she was trying to penetrate his head and then the whole room started to spin around everything became a blur and then darkness... For a few seconds, all that Harry could see was total darkness and then a distant call... He started to run towards it and he wasn't sure why he was running he just knew that he had to reach the call... He ran and ran and suddenly he realized that the darkness was gone. He looked around. He was trapped in some kind of box. Walls on his left, on his right and behind him. And in front of him there was a table with a tiny needle on it. Behind the table there was a dark tunnel, but that was his only option. Harry approached the table and suddenly realized that he had to move the needle before he could jump over the table. He didn't stop to think why he had to move the needle, he just knew he had to... He tried to grab it with his hand, but it was hot, too hot. He tried to kick it, but the table was too high. Panic ran over him. What was this? A kind of test? But why? He stared at the needle. "MOVE!!!". He began to concentrate. He concentrated hard, then harder. Drops of sweat appeared on his forehead and he felt something pressing hard against his neck. And then he felt the Power. He saw a gigantic hand coming out of his head and grabbing the needle. Then he moved the needle away with his gigantic and invisible hand. And indeed, the needle moved. At the beginning slowly and then faster until it reached the edge of the table. There it balanced for a few moments and then it fell. As it hit the floor a great earthquake started. The table shattered to pieces and Harry saw a dim light shining in the distance. But he suddenly felt so tired and his head hurt so much, that he realized he cannot go on....
And the Great Hall appeared. Harry was in his chair again, and the Sorting Ceremony had just begun. Harry looked at the Japanese teacher and she looked back at him and smiled. And Harry understood that something had just happened, that somehow something had started, something he couldn't stop, something he had to control without knowing what it was...
- Toda Helena! professor McGonnagal called.
Helena advanced towards the chair. She grabbed the Sorting Hat and put it on. She smiled and closed her eyes. And soon, the Sorting Hat screamed: "Gryffindor!"
Gryffindor table erupted with applause. Helena came and sat near Harry. She smiled and then said:
- Something happened to you...
- How do you know?
- Your aura has changed... But don't worry. I'm here.
She took him by his hand and then she turned around because professor Dumbledore was getting up for his usual speech before dinner.
- Another year at Hogwarts has begun... It won't be an easy one. I see some of the pupils who were here last year are missing and I'm sorry that their parents were short-minded. We also have a new Defense Against The Dark Arts teacher. I present you Mrs. Mariko Murasama.
The Japanese teacher smiled at the wave of applause that followed Dumbledore's voice.
- Yes, welcome to Hogwarts. professor Dumbledore said. And now, a few last minute notes. The Forbidden Forest is out of bounds to all students. Also, the Quidditch championship will start again and...
The cheers and applause that followed this affirmation made it impossible for anyone to hear what professor Dumbledore had to say. Soon, the cheers died out and Dumbledore continued:
- These being said, the feast may begin!
Suddenly all plates filled with food. Helena let Harry's hand and extracted a spoon of mashed potatoes from a large bowl. Harry felt a strange warmth in his body. And then, his eyes met Cho Chang. She was laughing with some of the other Ravenclaw students. But she wasn't as beautiful as Harry had thought she was... And then he turned his back on her.
About an hour later the plates were empty again and professor Dumbledore stood up again:
- And now that we have filled our stomachs, I'd like to ask the prefects to lead the students to their rooms.
- Wonder who's our prefect this year...said Ron.
To his surprise, Hermione stood up with a prefect badge pinned to her robe. She smiled awkwardly and then she called:
- All Gryffindors follow me please!
For a few moments, Ron couldn't move or say anything. Then he began to laugh and was followed by Harry, as they went after Hermione. Soon they were in the Gryffindor common room. The boys said good night and went to their dormitories.
- This was some day! Ron said before closing his eyes.
- Yeah...answered Harry yawning.
A little while later, Neville's snores filled the room. Harry was still awake. He looked at the window. The moon was shining brightly and he thought of Lupin who had to be somewhere in his werewolf form waiting for the morning. He thought of Sirius keeping him company. And he thought of Voldemort, devising plans to kill him... But then he thought of Helena, Hermione and Ron. He thought that a new year had started at Hogwarts. And he realized he was finally home.
Slowly, the few weeks that separated Harry from his departure for Hogwarts passed. The Dursleys had received a letter from Professor Dumbledore where he explained in a few well chosen words that Harry must be protected and that they are all perfectly safe. Since that letter, the Dursley's began to avoid Harry as much as they could. They seemed to think that he could be struck down by thunder at any time, and thus the most intelligent thing to do was to stay away from trouble... Meanwhile, Harry found himself many times thinking at Hermione. And thoughts about her often appeared in his diary.
And then, one day, Harry woke up and smiled... It was the day when he left for Hogwarts...
Everything was already packed, so the only thing Harry had to do was get dressed. He carried his trunk down the stairs, placed Hedwig's cage on top of it and the skateboard near. He wore his Superstars for the first time and zoomed around the house for 10 minutes, until he heard aunt Petunia get out of bed. Soon, uncle Vernon followed her and, to Harry's surprise, also did Dudley. He had never seen Dudley get out of bed that early. They all ate hastily without saying anything. And then, at 9 o'clock sharp, the doorbell rang. Dudley squeaked and ran upstairs, aunt Petunia jumped behind uncle Vernon and Harry headed for the door. It was professor McGonnagal. She wore perfectly normal Muggle clothes and seemed whiter than usual. Harry invited her inside. Professor McGonnagal headed towards uncle Vernon and reached him her hand.
- Professor Minerva McGonnagal, Trasfiguration teacher and deputy headmistress of Hogwarts school of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Pleased to meet you.
- Vernon Dursley...This is my wife Petunia...
Uncle Vernon seemed to have appreciated the fact that professor McGonnagal looked absolutely normal...in fact, the stern look on her face would perfectly suite a guardian at St. Brutus...
-Please take your trunk to the car, Harry, said professor McGonnagal.
Five minutes later, Harry was in a small black car and the driver, a small bald guy that looked remarkably like a goblin, was speeding on the roads.
Soon, the car stopped in front of King's Cross station and Harry got out. He saw five or six people surrounding him and, strange enough, they all had a little sign on their chests. It read:
"Order of the Phoenix- Auror"
They smiled to him and shook his hand saying:
- Mr. Potter! What an honor to meet you! Delighted! We will be your escort until you are safe within the train. But where is our leader?
- Oh, there she is!
Harry's jaw dropped. Mrs. Figg was advancing towards them with a small emblem on her chest. On the emblem there was a Phoenix rising from it's ashes and the words:"Order of the Phoenix- Archwizard" were clearly visible.
- Hello, Harry dear! I'm so pleased to meet you again!
- Mrs. Figg? But how....and why...
- A few weeks after you defeated Lord Voldemort, and Albus had placed all sorts of charms and protection on the house of the Muggles where you were living, he thought that additional safety would not hurt...So I was sent as an...how do Muggles call them...undercover agent, to ensure your safety. But times have changed now, so I had to come back and reassume my position. And here I am, making sure that you will get to Hogwarts safely.
Harry felt anger sweeping over him. Why? Why was he so special? What did he do to deserve all these safety measures? He thought of Neville... Why didn't Neville get any protection? He had defeated Lord Voldemort three times so far! He wasn't exactly helpless! He wanted to scream at them, tell them to leave him alone but suddenly, all the anger left him. And then he saw a beautiful Japanese girl standing next to him. She smiled and said:
- Why are you so angry? Anger doesn't solve anything, it only makes problems worse.
Her voice was so calm, and sounded almost like music. And Harry realized how right she was. She smiled at him and then began to push her trolley towards the wall that separated platform nine from platform ten.
- That's the "special" girl? asked a young wizard that was standing next to Mrs. Figg.
- Indeed...She's the one.
Harry gave them a puzzled look and then slowly began to push the trolley towards the wall...
.....And then he was on the other side. Wizards and witches were squirming around, Harry heard screaming, sparks flew into the air, owls were hooting madly at each other and he felt that he finally was where he belonged!
- Harry! Harry!!! Finally!!!
Hermione's face appeared in the crowd. And all the thoughts Harry had about him and Hermione vanished. She was his friend! And that was much more than a girlfriend. He loved her, but not as a girlfriend but as a true friend. He smiled warmly. Hermione had changed a lot. She too looked mature and she was more beautiful that last year. She was no longer a little girl. He hair wasn't bushy anymore and Harry wondered weather it was because of some kind of magic she had used, or simply Mother Nature had decided that bushy hair is no longer needed. The second version seemed better, as Harry knew that Hermione was the last person to disobey the interdiction for underage wizards to use magic outside Hogwarts. Hermione jumped and kissed Harry on his cheek and then hugged him tightly until she left him breathless. And then Harry saw Ron. He was advancing through the crowd tall and handsome. He had also changed during summer. His face was mature too, he was tall as he had always been, and he also seemed more muscular. He shook Harry's hand and helped him to take his trunk into an empty compartment he and Hermione had found at the end of the train. Then they went back to Ron's family. There, Harry received another round of kissing and hugging from Mrs. Weasley who wished them good luck and then, when the engine announced that the train was about to leave, disapparated in a small blue cloud of sparks.
Five minutes later, Harry, Ron and Hermione were sitting together in their compartment talking about everything. Hermione was just telling them how her hair stopped being bushy when the compartment door opened and the Japanese girl Harry had met earlier poked her head inside and said:
- Hi! Can i sit here with you? Everywhere else it's full...
- Sure, Harry answered hastily. And hi, I'm Harry, Harry Potter.
- Hello Harry Potter. I'm Helena Toda.
Helena looked around for a place to put her trunk and Harry helped her to heave it near his. Then, he introduced Helena to Ron and Hermione and they all sat down confortably. Soon the food cart arrived and they emptied their pockets buying as much as they could carry. Then, after choking on a lemon-flavored every flavor bean, Harry asked Hellena:
- How didn't we meet you until now? In what year are you?
- Actually, i wasn't in Hogwarts until now... I received the letter when i was 11 but i had to finish my studies before coming to Hogwarts.
- Then...You'll be starting in the 1st year? Harry asked in amazement.
- No... The truth is everything i need to know will be "written" into my head through magic...
Ron suddenly choked spraying the window with bits of chocolate frog. Hermione stared at Hellena in amazement and Harry frowned. The first one to recover was Ron:
- ARE YOU SERIOUS? AND WE HAVE TO WORK SO HARD FOR 7 YEARS WHEN IT CAN ALL BE "WRITTEN" INTO US?
- Whoa there! It's not that simple.
- ACTUALLY IT'S VERY SIMPLE!
- No... The purpose of school isn't just to fill your head with information you will surely forget after you graduate.
- Really! Then what's the purpose of school?
- It's to teach you how to think and how to organize your work.
- I couldn't have said it better! said Hermione suddenly smiling.
- Domo Arigato. That means thank you in Japanese...
Soon they were all talking as if they had known each other for a long time. They found out that Helena was a very interesting person. She never got mad. She could control her anger and, through some sort of magic, could take others anger away. Also, she didn't know very much about Lord Voldemort either. Harry was surprised that she could say his name and then he told her everything he knew about the Dark Lord except what had happened at Hogwarts last year.
- Well, well, well! Potter's back!
Malfoy's head appeared in the door. He was followed by Crabbe and Goyle. Harry's eyes flashed with anger, but it vanished quickly as Hellena spoke:
- And who might you be?
- That's Malfoy. answered Ron disgusted. He's a combination between a garbage pile and dirt from under the fingernails...
- Well, Weasley, I see you've got some new words in the vocabulary. It was about time you found out where your family found food...
Ron felt like he was hit with a hammer in his head. He took out his wand and shouted:
- Paralisio!
The spell hit Malfoy's legs.
- Paralisio!
The spell hit Malfoy's arms. Malfoy fell but Goyle caught him in time.
- YOU UNDO THIS WEASLEY!!! NOW!!!
- Sorry, but i don ' t know any counter-curse...
Ron was standing in the doorway, twirling his wand and smiling. Harry joined him.
- GET THEM!!!! shouted Malfoy.
Crabbe tried to hit Ron, but missed, hitting Harry instead. Harry's head hit the door and he ducked just in time to avoid being hit by Goyle. And then Helena screamed something and little white spheres of light erupted from her hands. Blinding flashes hit Crabbe and Goyle into the face causing small burning marks to appear. Dragging Malfoy, they succeeded to retreat and Helena sat down panting...After a few moments, Harry stood up, looked at Helena and asked:
- What the hell was that?
- I'm not sure...I guess it was just my anger...
- I thought you had control over your anger!
- Well, actually I do but I have to get rid of it sometimes...
- Did you see the look on Malfoy's face?
They all laughed and felt like they were the best friends in the world. Later, Fred and George appeared and told them how Malfoy and a gang of Slytherins are trying to find a counter-curse to the paralysis spell Ron had put on him.
- And you should see Crabbe and Goyle! Their faces are full of blisters and they're saying there's a dragon in here!
- Oh, by the way, meet the Dragon! This is Helena, Helena these are Fred and George, Ron's brothers, said Harry.
- Nice to meet you! Does anyone want a game of Exploding Snap?
- What's that? asked Helena.
Soon, Fred and George were racing to tell her all about the rules. And the train was speeding towards Hogwarts. And then it suddenly stopped. Harry and the others looked around puzzled. Students were getting off the train, trying to see what had stopped it. They followed them. And there, on the tracks was a great pile of trees. Wizards began to apparate near the engine and, with their wands out, were casting the "Wingardium Leviosa" spell over the trees. On the left of the train there was a great field. And on the right a great forest. Harry suddenly realized that this was an ambush. His head turned to the forest just in time to see hundreds of Dementors emerging from it. A familiar wave of coldness swept over him as the Dementors glided towards the pupils. The wizards handling the trees turned around suddenly and began to cry:" EXPECTO PATRONUM!!!". But they were to weak. Wizards and students began to collapse around Harry, he heard Helena behind him, he felt the coldness drowning him, almost all happy thoughts were drained from him and then he realized he had to fight. He opened his eyes, raised his wand and thought of Helena. "Especto Patronum." he said in a strange, calm voice. He almost could feel the tremendous power of his own patronus before it emerged from his wand. And then he saw it. A great stag, shining brightly than the sun charged at the Dementors. And then they were all gone. Harry was standing alone in the middle of the field. All the students and the wizards that had come to help were lying unconscious on the ground. And suddenly, wizards began to apparate. Harry could still feel the cold of the Dementors in his bones. He looked around and then a familiar voice said behind him:- Well, Harry, that was some Patronus!
Harry turned around again and smiled. Remus Lupin was standing there, with his wand in one hand and a great piece of chocolate in the other.
- Professor Lupin! You're back!
Lupin looked exactly like Harry remembered him. He smiled and said:
- Here, eat this...
Harry took the piece of chocolate from Lupin's hands. Meanwhile, the wizards were waking the other students up. Lupin pointed his wand towards Helena and whispered: "Enervate!". Helena woke up and looked scared around. Lupin did the same thing with Hermione then Ron.
- What were those things? asked Helena in a low and tired voice.
- Dementors, answered Harry darkly. They feed upon good human emotions, they suck happiness and hope out of you and they leave fear and despair behind...
- But why did they attack us?
Harry didn't answer. He looked down. Lupin spoke:
- You must be the new girl... Don't worry, everything is under control now...
Soon, all the pupils were awake and nibbling at pieces of chocolate. Malfoy could move again, and the blisters on Crabbe's and Goyle's faces were gone.
Harry, Ron, Hermione and Helena went back to their compartment. As soon as they had closed the door, Ron said:
- Ok, Harry, tell us what happened after we passed out.
- I'm not sure...I suddenly felt calm and relaxed...I guess it was Hellena's influence...
- I don't remember doing anything, so... said Helena.
- Well, anyway, I just cast the patronus spell and I kind of felt the power within it... And it was so great. And then the Dementors were gone and Lupin was standing behind me...
- What's a Patronus? asked Helena.
- It's the opposite of a Dementor. You summon it and it chases the Dementor away. It doesn't feel fear or despair so the Dementor can't harm it...
Soon the engine started to move. Harry was looking out the window. Ron and Hermione were talking. Helena had closed her eyes and crossed her legs in a strange position. The sun was slowly descending behind the hills. Harry turned around and looked at Helena. She was beautiful. And suddenly, Harry realized that she was floating. He gasped. Thin threads of light were surrounding her. Ron and Hermione turned around too and their jaws dropped. Helena was rising. The threads of light surrounding her multiplied and her head almost touched the ceiling. And then she slowly began to descend. As she seated herself on the couch she slowly opened her eyes and looked around.
- What's that? asked Ron amazed.
- It's a person... Someone with great power... Remember how I was flying in the compartment...
- Yeah...
- She's doing the same thing only... her power is much, much bigger that mine!
Meanwhile others had noticed the comet and where pointing at it as it approached the walls of the school. For a moment it seemed to have crashed into the wall, but then they all realized it had entered through a window... Harry thought for a moment and then said:
- That should be the window to Dumbledore's room...
No one answered.
Soon, the carriages were stopping in front of Hogwarts's gates and the pupils were entering Hogwarts. And there, in front of the Great Hall, professor McGonnagal was waiting for the first years. When she saw Helena, she called:
- Miss Toda, if you would be so kind as to wait for the first years... You'll have to be sorted too...
- Of course...
Harry, Ron and Hermione wished her good luck and then they entered the Great Hall. They found seats at the end of the Gryffindor exactly near the place where the sorting ceremony was about to start. Harry looked up at the teacher's table. Professor Dumbledore had taken his usual seat and he winked at Harry. Near him, professor McGonnagal's seat was empty. At the end of the table, another seat was empty...Hagrid's seat. On the other side of Dumbledore Harry was surprised and shocked at the same time to see Snape.
- What the hell is he doing here? Harry asked Ron.
- Dunno... I thought Dumbledore had given him a mission...
- Perhaps he accomplished it...What do you think it was?
- Dunno...
- Honestly! I thought better of you! It's obviously what his mission was and what he's doing here!
- Oh yeah, Hermione? Then if you're so clever than why don't you tell us too!
- He was sent to spy Voldemort. Probably Voldemort sent him back to spy for him...
"Why didn't I think of that before..." Harry asked himself and then he turned towards the teacher's table again. Professor Flittwick was seated next to Snape and was engaged into conversation with a tall and handsome witch. She seemed to be Japanese... Harry thought she must be the new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher. Suddenly the door opened and in the cheers of the school, the first years entered the Great Hall led by professor McGonnagal. At the back of the row Harry spotted Helena. She was smiling slightly embarrassed, as she joined the others in front of the little chair where Filch had placed the Sorting Hat. Meanwhile, Hagrid had taken his seat at the teacher's table. Professor McGonnagal said:
- Before the sorting ceremony begins, professor Dumbledore would like to address a few words...
- Thank you, professor McGonnagal. As you might have noticed, this year we have a new student. Her name is Helena Toda. Certain...circumstances didn't allow her to come to Hogwarts until now. This evening, she will be sorted and tomorrow a series of exams will determine her level. And now the Sorting Ceremony may begin!
Harry suddenly felt he was being watched. He turned his head and he noticed that the Japanese teacher was looking at him in a strange way. Harry felt like she was trying to penetrate his head and then the whole room started to spin around everything became a blur and then darkness... For a few seconds, all that Harry could see was total darkness and then a distant call... He started to run towards it and he wasn't sure why he was running he just knew that he had to reach the call... He ran and ran and suddenly he realized that the darkness was gone. He looked around. He was trapped in some kind of box. Walls on his left, on his right and behind him. And in front of him there was a table with a tiny needle on it. Behind the table there was a dark tunnel, but that was his only option. Harry approached the table and suddenly realized that he had to move the needle before he could jump over the table. He didn't stop to think why he had to move the needle, he just knew he had to... He tried to grab it with his hand, but it was hot, too hot. He tried to kick it, but the table was too high. Panic ran over him. What was this? A kind of test? But why? He stared at the needle. "MOVE!!!". He began to concentrate. He concentrated hard, then harder. Drops of sweat appeared on his forehead and he felt something pressing hard against his neck. And then he felt the Power. He saw a gigantic hand coming out of his head and grabbing the needle. Then he moved the needle away with his gigantic and invisible hand. And indeed, the needle moved. At the beginning slowly and then faster until it reached the edge of the table. There it balanced for a few moments and then it fell. As it hit the floor a great earthquake started. The table shattered to pieces and Harry saw a dim light shining in the distance. But he suddenly felt so tired and his head hurt so much, that he realized he cannot go on....
And the Great Hall appeared. Harry was in his chair again, and the Sorting Ceremony had just begun. Harry looked at the Japanese teacher and she looked back at him and smiled. And Harry understood that something had just happened, that somehow something had started, something he couldn't stop, something he had to control without knowing what it was...
- Toda Helena! professor McGonnagal called.
Helena advanced towards the chair. She grabbed the Sorting Hat and put it on. She smiled and closed her eyes. And soon, the Sorting Hat screamed: "Gryffindor!"
Gryffindor table erupted with applause. Helena came and sat near Harry. She smiled and then said:
- Something happened to you...
- How do you know?
- Your aura has changed... But don't worry. I'm here.
She took him by his hand and then she turned around because professor Dumbledore was getting up for his usual speech before dinner.
- Another year at Hogwarts has begun... It won't be an easy one. I see some of the pupils who were here last year are missing and I'm sorry that their parents were short-minded. We also have a new Defense Against The Dark Arts teacher. I present you Mrs. Mariko Murasama.
The Japanese teacher smiled at the wave of applause that followed Dumbledore's voice.
- Yes, welcome to Hogwarts. professor Dumbledore said. And now, a few last minute notes. The Forbidden Forest is out of bounds to all students. Also, the Quidditch championship will start again and...
The cheers and applause that followed this affirmation made it impossible for anyone to hear what professor Dumbledore had to say. Soon, the cheers died out and Dumbledore continued:
- These being said, the feast may begin!
Suddenly all plates filled with food. Helena let Harry's hand and extracted a spoon of mashed potatoes from a large bowl. Harry felt a strange warmth in his body. And then, his eyes met Cho Chang. She was laughing with some of the other Ravenclaw students. But she wasn't as beautiful as Harry had thought she was... And then he turned his back on her.
About an hour later the plates were empty again and professor Dumbledore stood up again:
- And now that we have filled our stomachs, I'd like to ask the prefects to lead the students to their rooms.
- Wonder who's our prefect this year...said Ron.
To his surprise, Hermione stood up with a prefect badge pinned to her robe. She smiled awkwardly and then she called:
- All Gryffindors follow me please!
For a few moments, Ron couldn't move or say anything. Then he began to laugh and was followed by Harry, as they went after Hermione. Soon they were in the Gryffindor common room. The boys said good night and went to their dormitories.
- This was some day! Ron said before closing his eyes.
- Yeah...answered Harry yawning.
A little while later, Neville's snores filled the room. Harry was still awake. He looked at the window. The moon was shining brightly and he thought of Lupin who had to be somewhere in his werewolf form waiting for the morning. He thought of Sirius keeping him company. And he thought of Voldemort, devising plans to kill him... But then he thought of Helena, Hermione and Ron. He thought that a new year had started at Hogwarts. And he realized he was finally home.