Chapter 8: Year Seven

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"Most of the important things in the world have been accomplished by people who have kept on trying 
when there seemed to be no hope at all."

-Dale Carnegie

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The next few days flew by for Harry. The afternoons spent with Ron and Hermione were carefree enough to make him forget the
problems the Order was having with the Ministry of Magic, but by the time dinner rolled around and all of the Order members
came to eat, he couldn't help but be reminded of the difficulties every time he looked into their eyes. The hollow, dead look
he saw in so many of their faces frightened him. It was a constant reminder of the terror that Harry knew was lurking just
around the corner. How long will it be? he wondered. How long until the next attack?

Before Harry even knew it, September 1st was upon them. He and Ron were hurriedly packing their belongings as Mrs. Weasley
yelled up at them from downstairs.

"Hurry up, you two, or you'll miss the train!" she threatened, waving her hand in a flustered manner as she helped Ginny search
the house for her missing shoe. Hermione sat at the foot of the stairs, her trunk perfectly packed in a stark contrast to
Harry and Ron, who were clunking down the stairway with their belongings haphazardly thrown into cauldrons or backpacks. Hermione
said nothing, only shaking her head at the mess. 

"How're we getting there?" Ron asked his mother, glancing around the foyer.

"You'll be walking, of course. It's not that long of a walk at all, you'll be fine," she said distractedly, shoving more
items into Ginny's knapsack. Ron groaned and readjusted his backpack, causing it to fall and its contents to spill across
the floor.

"Ron," Hermione sighed, rolling her eyes. She waved her wand a bit and all of the books and quills magically reordered themselves
inside of the backpack. 

"Thanks, Mione," Ron said, clearly relieved. 

"All right everyone, we're ready to go," Mrs. Weasley announced. The group headed outside, where they were met by two wizards,
both of whom Harry recognized as Order of the Phoenix members; a gray-haired man named Elphias Dodge and a slightly drunk
Mundungus Fletcher. Mundungus winked at Harry and pulled a flask out of his pocket, taking a quick sip of something. He walked
a little faster than the group and ended up maintaining a ten foot distance in front of them for the entire trip, while Elphias
Dodge stayed about ten feet behind. As Harry watched Mundungus' bowlegged gait in front of him on the sidewalk, he realized
what they were doing. With Mrs. Weasley on one side, Mr. Weasley on the other, Mundungus in front, and Elphias in back, Harry
was completely surrounded by members of the Order. Instead of feeling frustrated because of his overprotection, or even safe
because of it, Harry sensed an emotion that he didn't often feel: fear. He was afraid because now he knew the risks, the danger
that seemed to constantly surround them. He quickened his pace, silently praying that they would all make it to King's Cross
without problems.

He needn't have worried, as the group arrived at Platform 9 3/4 a few minutes later, having had no difficulties. Harry breathed
an involuntary sigh of relief, and walked through the barrier just after Mundungus. The rest of the Weasleys and Elphias Dodge
followed, and they stood off to one side chatting in the minutes before the train would leave. 

"Now Ron, make sure you're studying hard for your N.E.W.T.s, don't let this Quidditch rubbish get in the way..." Mrs. Weasley
was shaking a finger at her youngest son, who was rolling his eyes. "Ginny, you're sure you got all of your textbooks? What
about your History of Magic, did you get that one packed?" Mr. Weasley was patting Ron on the back and beaming.

"Quidditch captain, I still can't believe that one, Ron! We'll have to come down for a game, I'll see if I can get away from
work..." Harry shifted uncomfortably as he surveyed the crowd; they were getting lots of strange looks. A red-headed family,
a frizzy-haired girl, the Boy Who Lived, an old man, and a drunken thief did attract attention. Elphias noticed this soon after
Harry and motioned to the Weasleys.

"Perhaps they should be boarding the train," he said softly. "It's nearly time." The group said their final goodbyes before
hopping aboard the train with their belongings. After searching for an empty compartment, they settled for one that contained
only Neville Longbottom. Harry, Ron, and Hermione dropped off their luggage and headed up to the prefects' compartment, leaving
Ginny and Neville behind. Most of the other prefects were already there; Harry took a seat beside Rachel. Hermione, always
organized and prepared, stood up.

"Welcome back, everyone," she began. "For those of you who are fifth years and have not been prefects before, your job will be
to watch over the younger students and make sure that they are obeying school rules. You will be doing prefect rounds once a 
week at least, during the evening hours. During these rounds we will be checking to make sure that students are in their rooms
after curfew and that no problems are occurring in the corridors." Harry was trying to stay focused but it was hard, since he
already knew all of this. His eyes shifted around the room, and he caught a jealous glance from Draco Malfoy, sitting in the
corner of the compartment. As soon as Harry made eye contact with him though, Draco's eyes dropped from the shiny Head Boy
badge and he stared down at his hands. Harry felt a tiny twinge of pride. I made Head Boy and you didn't, he thought
haughtily, grinning. He realized he was supposed to be helping Hermione, or listening at least, and he tuned back into her
speech. "...So I'll be handing out these schedules, please meet at your listed time and date for prefect rounds. If you do not
already have a copy of the school rules, there is a list on the back, along with consequences that prefects are expected to
give out." She looked around the compartment, smiling happily. "Any questions?" No one said anything; it seemed that most people
had nearly drifted off, Ron included. Harry nudged Ron's leg with his toe and he stirred, blinking frantically. 

"Did I fall asleep?" he whispered worriedly. Harry fought back a smile.

"I think so, mate, but she didn't notice." Ron breathed a sigh of relief. 

"All right then," Hermione continued. "Fifth year prefects, it is your duty to patrol the train for the first half of the
ride; sixth years take the second half. Remember that after the feast, you must escort the younger students to their dormitories
and give them the passwords I have told you. See you at next week's meeting!" With a smile, she sat down next to Ron.

"Well, I think that went quite well, didn't it?" she asked Harry.

"Perfect, Hermione. Sorry I wasn't much help," he said sheepishly. 

"Oh, no problem," she said with a wave of her hand. "We'll have loads to do this year, I'm sure you'll get to help plenty later
on."

"Should we be discussing Hogsmeade dates?" Ernie Macmillan asked anxiously, Hannah Abbot peering over his shoulder.

"That sounds like a good idea," said Harry, as Rachel pulled some parchment out of her bag.

"I've got a calendar," Pansy Parkinson chimed in from the other side of the compartment. Harry nearly jumped through the roof. All
of the rest of the prefects were staring at her as if she were an alien that had just appeared mere feet away from them. Even
Draco was staring at her in surprise. Pansy shrugged. "I just thought it might be easier if we knew what days were weekends, you
know," she explained, rummaging through her bag.

"Wonderful," Hermione said, smiling as if Pansy had always been this normal. "I was thinking some time in October for the 
first one, maybe the second weekend? How does that sound to everyone?"

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Remus Lupin adjusted his tie nervously, fiddling with the knot as he sat in the spacious waiting room.

"Mr. Bradley will see you now," the plump receptionist told him. Anxiously, he stood up and followed her through a long hallway.
They stopped at the second to last door; a golden plate on the door read "Aldan Bradley". The receptionist turned and walked
back to her desk. Remus knocked lightly on the door.

"Come in," a voice from inside said. Remus entered and saw a man about his age, with dark hair and wire-rimmed glasses, shuffling
a stack of papers. "You must be Remus Lupin. Welcome," the man greeted him, smiling as he held out his hand. "Please, have a 
seat."

"Thank you," Remus murmured. Aldan Bradley once again shuffled the stack of papers and pulled one out. 

"Remus Lupin," he said thoughtfully. "Let's see here... several muggle jobs... a bartender, hmm... and Professor of Defense
Against the Dark Arts at Hogwart's, of course." Bradley looked up with interest. "The cursed position, as I have heard. My
son is in Ravenclaw; perhaps you remember him?"

"Bradley... oh, Conan Bradley! Yes, quite an intelligent young man. And a Quidditch player too, isn't he?" Remus asked. Aldan
Bradley's chest swelled with pride.

"Chaser for the Ravenclaw team," he said proudly. "But, on with the interview. Why are you interested in this position?"

"Well, I think it's simply a wonderful idea, and I love being a teacher..." They chatted for a few more minutes.

"Mr. Lupin, let me explain why I thought this was a good idea. A firm education is necessary for a successful future, as most
of us know. Hogwart's School of Witchcraft and Wizardry is an excellent school, but most wizards and witches could use more
instruction even after their first seven years. My institution will be like a muggle university, in a way. We'll be the only
one in the world! So far, we have an auror training program, programs for Care of Magical Creatures, curse breaking courses,
and classes for future Hit Wizards, as well as a program for Mediwizards and Healers. We have been certified in all of these
areas and are hoping to expand into a few other fields, as well." 

"It sounds amazing," Remus said quietly. Aldan Bradley looked down at the sheet of paper in front of him, reading it again
carefully. 

"Mr. Lupin, we are looking to bring a great deal of diversity to our school. In what way could you do this?" he asked. He looked
at the paper again, frowning. "And why did you leave Hogwart's? It doesn't say..." Remus took a deep breath. It's now or
never, he told himself.

"The answer to both of those questions is the same. I am a werewolf."

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Harry, Ron, and Hermione got off of the train and walked into the pouring rain outside. The train ride had been quite uneventful;
they had chosen a few weekends for Hogsmeade trips and had discussed future prefect meetings. Harry could hear Hagrid's voice
in the distance.

"Firs' years, this way!"

Harry noticed Ron staring at the carriages in front of them, his eyes wide as if in a trance. 

"Ron?" Harry asked, waving a hand in front of his eyes. "Come on mate, let's get inside before we get even more drenched." Ron
nodded, obviously distracted, and followed Harry and Hermione into the nearest carriage. Harry noticed him staring in horror at...

"The thestrals," he breathed. "Ron, you can see them?" Ron nodded.

"Adele," he murmured sadly, giving no other explanation. Harry didn't need one. He simply climbed into the carriage after 
his friends. 

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As they arrived at the school, Harry remembered that this would be the first sorting he had seen in years. Something always 
seemed to come up, but this time, he told himself, he would enjoy it. The last sorting I'll see, he thought, feeling
a bit sad. He seated himself at the Gryffindor table in the Great Hall and waited for the First Years to appear. They came
within a few minutes, assembling into a line as they stood cold and shivering, looking terrified. Professor McGonagall came
forward and placed the Sorting Hat on a stool. As its brim opened and it broke out in song, some of the First Years gasped.
Muggle borns, Harry thought, leaning forward to listen to the song.

Welcome to another year
At Hogwart's, grand and proud.
All you first years, do not fear
The challenges that surround.
The sorting hat can read your mind
And knows your character true;
So put me on your head to find
The house that's right for you.

In bold Gryffindor dwell the brave of heart;
For sweet Hufflepuff, the workers - 
In Ravenclaw, you'll find those who are smart,
For Slytherin, the ambitious.

But as I have said in the past
And will continue to inform you:
The good in the world will not long last
If division creeps among you.

Do not allow the petty fights
To destroy the lives of many;
Or all the days will be dark as nights
And suffering will be plenty.

Please listen to this plea I make
Let it stay with you all year long.
Separation into houses is a mistake - 
That's why I sing this song.

"Another warning," Hermione sighed. "It's right, you know." Ron snorted in disgust as "Arabel, Diana" was called.

"You know we'll never be friends with the Slytherins, Hermione. It will just never work. Don't even try to fight it," Ron said
determinedly, staring daggers at the Slytherin table. Hermione glared at him.

"You'd be wise to take its advice, Ron. Didn't you see Pansy Parkinson on the train today? She was being so sweet," she retorted.

"That was very odd," Harry commented.

"She's up to something!" Ron hissed. "You really think a Slytherin can change?"

"Marrion, Andre," McGonagall called, as a short boy with dark hair climbed up on the stool.

"SLYTHERIN!" yelled the hat as soon as it touched his head. Ron shuddered.

"There's another one," he muttered quietly, so that Hermione couldn't hear him. The sorting ended soon afterwards and Professor
Dumbledore stood.

"Welcome back, students, to another year at Hogwart's School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. As you know well by now, you are living
in a time full of dark magic. Please be on the lookout for anything suspicious and report it to a prefect or to the Head Boy or
Girl." He paused. "This year's Head Boy and Girl are Harry Potter and Hermione Granger. Please stand." Hermione and Harry
stood, Hermione looking proud and Harry blushing a bit. He ducked back into his seat as soon as possible. "On a lighter note,
Quidditch try-outs will take place in two weeks; please watch the bulletin boards in your common rooms for more information.
If you have any questions about what is forbidden in the hallways of Hogwart's, Mr. Filch has posted a list containing more than
500 items, including all products sold at Weasleys' Wizard Wheezes." Harry grinned at Ron.

"You wouldn't believe how well business is doing for them," Ron whispered. "It's bloody amazing."

"Finally, I wish to say to you all, have a wonderful term! Tuck in and let the feast begin!" The food appeared on the tables
and the students dug in hungrily. Harry ate as fast as possible; he was exhausted and he couldn't wait to get up to his new
room. The prefects escorted the younger students up to their dormitories after they were done eating, with Harry and Hermione
in the lead. 

"Hermione, what is our password?" Harry asked curiously. She looked at him, a shocked expression on her face.

"Weren't you listening during my speech?" she asked, slightly hurt.

"Oh, er, of course! I seem to have forgotten, though..." Harry trailed off. Ron stood by his side, looking worried; he knew he
had been asleep during that part of the speech as well.

"It's Elysium," she said shortly, appearing to be a little angry. "Ah, here we are! Elysium," she told the Fat Lady, and the
doorway swung open. "Did you hear that everyone?" she called back to the students behind her. "The password is 'Elysium'".

"They got it Mione, I'm sure they'll be fine," Ron said with a careless wave of his hand. "Now let's go upstairs and see your
new rooms!" He seemed almost more excited than Harry was.

"Sure," Harry said, shrugging. They followed a small spiral staircase just to the left of the entrance to the common room and
found themselves in what appeared to be another common room. "What is this?" Harry asked incredulously.

"It's like your own private common room," Ron said jealously. "Can you believe it, Hermione?"

"It's beautiful! And perfect for studying - it'll be nice and quiet up here," she commented, surveying the squashy armchairs.
She wandered off towards a door which read "Head Girl".

"So this must be mine," Harry stated, staring at the plaque that said "Head Boy".

"Go in, mate!" Ron urged him. Harry took a deep breath and walked inside. He stared in shock at the exquisite room. "Whoa," Ron
breathed quietly behind him. "This is amazing!" The furniture was all made of a dark, highly polished wood and the entire room
was decorated in Gryffindor colors. The drapes on the windows and the bedspread were bright red with gold stripes. Harry ran his
hand across the bed and laid down on it. It was the softest bed he had ever laid on, he thought, as his eyelids drooped suddenly.
He heard Ron chuckle. "I'll go check up on Hermione then, if you're going to sleep," he joked.

"Fine by me," Harry muttered, falling into a deep slumber. He didn't wake until late the next morning. As he opened his eyes
and sighed happily about his new room, he thought of something that made him even more happy. The dark-haired woman, Dulcinea-
whatever-her-name-was, hadn't appeared in his dreams. I knew it was just something I made up, he thought, nestling back
into the warm recess of his blankets. 

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