"Damn! Another Morgana! This must be the ninth one. What'd you get, Harry?"
Harry's eyes snapped away from the window and down to the card in his hand.
"Cliodna, the druidess. I've already got her though, do you want it?" Harry replied as he turned to focus his eyes back on the rolling countryside.
Ron said without looking up, "Nah. I've got about five o' her already. But would you hand me that Cauldron Cake? I'm starving." But Harry, not really paying attention, didn't move. "Harry?" Hermione said, curiously. "Oh, right, here you go Ron." Harry answered tossing Ron a Pumpkin Pasty and returning to the window. Ron caught it and paused to look at Harry, then exchanged a nervous glance with Hermione, who was sitting next to him. Hermione opened her mouth to say something, but Ron pulled her arm back and shook his head no. She frowned at Ron but stayed quiet just the same.
About an hour later it started to get dark. With all the silence in their compartment Ron and Hermione fell asleep, only to be awoken by the trains whistle stating their arrival. Hermione lifted her head off of Ron's shoulder they looked at each other awkwardly and blushed then instead directed their attention toward Harry who was already taking his trunk from the luggage rack. Ron followed in suit and handed Hermione her trunk and finally got his. They pulled on their robes quickly before placing their trunks back in the rack.
They waved a hello to Hagrid whom was gathering all the first years to take them across the lake. "Hello again," came a soft mystical voice from behind them. "Hi, Luna." Ron said without even looking. Hermione turned and nodded politely. Harry just kept going pausing only to look at the Thestrals before pulling himself into an empty carriage.
"What's up with him?" whispered Ginny, nodding towards Harry and climbing into the carriage after Luna. Hermione shook her head as if to say, don't ask when Luna chimed in, "He's sad of course. The best link to his parents is lost and he watched him go." Luna whispered back.
These words stung Harry but it didn't show as he pretended not hear what Luna had said. It was true, Harry was sad about the death of his godfather but that was not what he had been thinking about. All summer he lay in his bed going over in his mind everything that Dumbledore had said to him that night. That was all he ever thought about.
When the Dursley's told him to do something he did it without speaking. Dudley was upset when he called Harry an ickle scardy ass and Harry didn't react, didn't even threat him. All he thought about was what Dumbledore said about Neville and Professor Trelawney's prediction. I guess you could say it had made him slightly mental. Harry elected not to tell Ron and Hermione what Dumbledore had told him, at least not until he knew how he felt about it.
They traveled the rest of the way in silence. Hermione had a feeling that's how most of the year would be, silent.
After stumbling out of the carriage and situating themselves at the long Gryffindor house table they waited for the sorting to take place. Harry could hear little snatches of conversations, "I hope we get a lot of first years. As long as we get more than Slytherin I'll be happy."
Harry didn't care either way. He was more focused one the woman seated next to Snape. She must be the new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher. She was trying to speak to Snape, but he kept himself busy with other things, like he didn't want to talk to her. She looked nice enough but Harry knew not to hold all his faith in kindness.
She was only a little taller than Harry himself with short black hair, not unlike his own. She had on tangerine colored robes that made her look like a carrot, and was quietly eyeing a large group of Slytherins that were whispering amongst themselves.
He realized how long he must have been looking at her and quickly directed his gaze toward his goblet. He felt her eyes on him but did not dare look.
"Oy! Harry!" Harry looked up to see Colin Creevy, a fifth year, straining his neck above the anxious Gryffindors to speak to him. "Is it true what they were saying on the train? Did you really send Draco Malfoy's dad to Azkaban?!" At those words many other students including Colin's brother Dennis stood up to get a good look at him. He realized that Malfoy and his goons didn't try to pulverize him on the train, which is the ideal time because there are no teachers around. He looked in the direction of the Slytherin table but couldn't make out anyone's faces because they were too far off.
Harry noticed that the carrot woman was looking curiously in his direction. She couldn't have heard that! Harry thought. He was thinking of an excuse not to answer when the double doors swung open and all the nervous first years walked in.
Ron leaned over to Harry and said, "Is it just me or do they get shorter every year." Harry realized Ron was talking about the first years and smirked, "I don't know about the first years but I think the DADA professors keep getting weirder. I mean," he pointed to the newest staff member, "is it just me or does she look like a carrot?" Hermione snorted, glad that Harry had come out of his quiet stage even for a moment. "I dunno. It's going to be pretty hard to top that fluffy pink number Umbridge sported all last year." Seamus pointed out.
The giggles subsided as Professor McGonagall read the first name, Aberik, Freddrick. "HUFFLEPUFF!" When the last name was read Professor McGonagall rolled up the parchment and carried the hat and stool away.
Everyone turned their gaze to Dumbledore and waited for the opening speech. He, in turn, stood up. "Hello and welcome one and all! Welcome to a new year here at Hogwarts! A year in which we can start over fresh! A year in which we can learn and grow! A year in which we can make friends! A year in which we can," he paused, "Eat." Everyone laughed as Dumbledore beamed and the plates filled themselves with food. The first years gawked at the sight while everyone else started piling their plates with food.
During the feast Harry talked with Neville, Dean, and Seamus. Ron and Hermione were sitting across from him but they kept to themselves, whispering to each other and smiling. Every once in a while they pause and just look at each other. Finally, Harry thought, smirking to himself.
As soon as everyone was finished eating and the food that was left disappeared, Dumbledore rose once more. "I have a few start-of-term announcements to make before I dismiss you to your dormitories. To all the first years who do not know, the Forest on the grounds is off limits. Mr. Filch, the caretaker would like me to remind you that after last years "festivities" there is no magic, dungbombs, or fireworks in the corridors." At those words everyone but the first years laughed.
Dumbledore smiled before continuing, "I would like to introduce our new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher, Professor Raginoth. I expect you will show her the amount of respect and kindness she deserves. Good night and good luck tomorrow!" Everyone stood up and started for the doors while the prefects gathered the first years into a group and guided them to the Fat Lady. "Well, this is going to be one hell of a year." Ron said. And the three of them headed for the Gryffindor Tower.
"Cliodna, the druidess. I've already got her though, do you want it?" Harry replied as he turned to focus his eyes back on the rolling countryside.
Ron said without looking up, "Nah. I've got about five o' her already. But would you hand me that Cauldron Cake? I'm starving." But Harry, not really paying attention, didn't move. "Harry?" Hermione said, curiously. "Oh, right, here you go Ron." Harry answered tossing Ron a Pumpkin Pasty and returning to the window. Ron caught it and paused to look at Harry, then exchanged a nervous glance with Hermione, who was sitting next to him. Hermione opened her mouth to say something, but Ron pulled her arm back and shook his head no. She frowned at Ron but stayed quiet just the same.
About an hour later it started to get dark. With all the silence in their compartment Ron and Hermione fell asleep, only to be awoken by the trains whistle stating their arrival. Hermione lifted her head off of Ron's shoulder they looked at each other awkwardly and blushed then instead directed their attention toward Harry who was already taking his trunk from the luggage rack. Ron followed in suit and handed Hermione her trunk and finally got his. They pulled on their robes quickly before placing their trunks back in the rack.
They waved a hello to Hagrid whom was gathering all the first years to take them across the lake. "Hello again," came a soft mystical voice from behind them. "Hi, Luna." Ron said without even looking. Hermione turned and nodded politely. Harry just kept going pausing only to look at the Thestrals before pulling himself into an empty carriage.
"What's up with him?" whispered Ginny, nodding towards Harry and climbing into the carriage after Luna. Hermione shook her head as if to say, don't ask when Luna chimed in, "He's sad of course. The best link to his parents is lost and he watched him go." Luna whispered back.
These words stung Harry but it didn't show as he pretended not hear what Luna had said. It was true, Harry was sad about the death of his godfather but that was not what he had been thinking about. All summer he lay in his bed going over in his mind everything that Dumbledore had said to him that night. That was all he ever thought about.
When the Dursley's told him to do something he did it without speaking. Dudley was upset when he called Harry an ickle scardy ass and Harry didn't react, didn't even threat him. All he thought about was what Dumbledore said about Neville and Professor Trelawney's prediction. I guess you could say it had made him slightly mental. Harry elected not to tell Ron and Hermione what Dumbledore had told him, at least not until he knew how he felt about it.
They traveled the rest of the way in silence. Hermione had a feeling that's how most of the year would be, silent.
After stumbling out of the carriage and situating themselves at the long Gryffindor house table they waited for the sorting to take place. Harry could hear little snatches of conversations, "I hope we get a lot of first years. As long as we get more than Slytherin I'll be happy."
Harry didn't care either way. He was more focused one the woman seated next to Snape. She must be the new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher. She was trying to speak to Snape, but he kept himself busy with other things, like he didn't want to talk to her. She looked nice enough but Harry knew not to hold all his faith in kindness.
She was only a little taller than Harry himself with short black hair, not unlike his own. She had on tangerine colored robes that made her look like a carrot, and was quietly eyeing a large group of Slytherins that were whispering amongst themselves.
He realized how long he must have been looking at her and quickly directed his gaze toward his goblet. He felt her eyes on him but did not dare look.
"Oy! Harry!" Harry looked up to see Colin Creevy, a fifth year, straining his neck above the anxious Gryffindors to speak to him. "Is it true what they were saying on the train? Did you really send Draco Malfoy's dad to Azkaban?!" At those words many other students including Colin's brother Dennis stood up to get a good look at him. He realized that Malfoy and his goons didn't try to pulverize him on the train, which is the ideal time because there are no teachers around. He looked in the direction of the Slytherin table but couldn't make out anyone's faces because they were too far off.
Harry noticed that the carrot woman was looking curiously in his direction. She couldn't have heard that! Harry thought. He was thinking of an excuse not to answer when the double doors swung open and all the nervous first years walked in.
Ron leaned over to Harry and said, "Is it just me or do they get shorter every year." Harry realized Ron was talking about the first years and smirked, "I don't know about the first years but I think the DADA professors keep getting weirder. I mean," he pointed to the newest staff member, "is it just me or does she look like a carrot?" Hermione snorted, glad that Harry had come out of his quiet stage even for a moment. "I dunno. It's going to be pretty hard to top that fluffy pink number Umbridge sported all last year." Seamus pointed out.
The giggles subsided as Professor McGonagall read the first name, Aberik, Freddrick. "HUFFLEPUFF!" When the last name was read Professor McGonagall rolled up the parchment and carried the hat and stool away.
Everyone turned their gaze to Dumbledore and waited for the opening speech. He, in turn, stood up. "Hello and welcome one and all! Welcome to a new year here at Hogwarts! A year in which we can start over fresh! A year in which we can learn and grow! A year in which we can make friends! A year in which we can," he paused, "Eat." Everyone laughed as Dumbledore beamed and the plates filled themselves with food. The first years gawked at the sight while everyone else started piling their plates with food.
During the feast Harry talked with Neville, Dean, and Seamus. Ron and Hermione were sitting across from him but they kept to themselves, whispering to each other and smiling. Every once in a while they pause and just look at each other. Finally, Harry thought, smirking to himself.
As soon as everyone was finished eating and the food that was left disappeared, Dumbledore rose once more. "I have a few start-of-term announcements to make before I dismiss you to your dormitories. To all the first years who do not know, the Forest on the grounds is off limits. Mr. Filch, the caretaker would like me to remind you that after last years "festivities" there is no magic, dungbombs, or fireworks in the corridors." At those words everyone but the first years laughed.
Dumbledore smiled before continuing, "I would like to introduce our new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher, Professor Raginoth. I expect you will show her the amount of respect and kindness she deserves. Good night and good luck tomorrow!" Everyone stood up and started for the doors while the prefects gathered the first years into a group and guided them to the Fat Lady. "Well, this is going to be one hell of a year." Ron said. And the three of them headed for the Gryffindor Tower.