Harry Potter and the Sealed Gateway
Chapter 7: The Armor Parade
"Thought you wouldn't come see us, mates?" came a voice from behind them.
"No, Fred, I reckon they were too busy snooping in our financial records..." said George Weasley.
"Fred! George!" cried Ron. Harry studied them. Fred was wearing a bright pink suit, and George was wearing the same in lime green. Both had patches on the shoulder that read, "Weasley's Wizarding Wheezes." Hermione giggled.
"Well, how's 'Weasley's Wizard Wheezes'?" asked Hermione.
"You don't know?" asked George with a look of mock incredulity, "We thought for sure you'd know just how much money was in our Gringotts account."
Even Hermione laughed. "Oy! Professor Lupin! Check these 'Voodoo Who-do's" out. They're brand new, we thought you might get a kick out of them." And George pulled a small stuffed woman out of his pocket, dressed in a pink cardigan and a stuffed man in a lime green bowler's hat, who looked suspiciously like his former Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher, and the former Minister of Magic.
"Watch this," said a grinning Fred, who pinched the lady doll's hand. The doll's eyes began to bulge, and her mouth thinned until she turned into a pink bullfrog, before finally exploding into a blast of pink confetti. The Fudge-doll did a similar trick, disappearing into his hat and flying out again as a dove, that eventually fell to the ground and turned into a puddle of green water.
"Our targets are Hogwarts, alumni and Order Members, of course," added George.
Lupin beemed. "Let's see the shop, then."
Weasley's Wizard Wheezes was fluorescent yellow shop, and the letter's flashed lime green and pink. Around 50 young wizards (and some adults, too) were in and around the small shop, grabbing fake wands, Canary Creams, and stocking up on Skiving Snackboxes for the upcoming school year. They all pushed their way inside. ("Owners coming through! Move!") At the back of the shop, was Mundungus Fletcher, looking quite strange in an acid yellow suit.
"Lo, Harry, Ronald, 'Mine, Remus!" and turning to Fred, "We'll need some more Hic-cupcakes by tomorrow!" and turning to a door behind them, "Angie! Spinny! get us some Cheating Chesspieces...Mrs. Dorkens wants a whole set..."
Harry turned to Fred to ask him who 'Angie' and 'Spinny' were, but just then two former members of Harry's Quidditch team, Alicia Spinnet (neon blue dress) and Angelina Johnson (shocking orange) came out with boxes of Cheating Chesspieces. "Fred!" screamed Angelina, "If we have to man the store while you two go strolling down the alley ONE MORE TIME!" She saw Harry and the rest. "Harry, nice to see you. Ron. Hermione. Professor Lupin, Long time, no see! Excuse me, but I've got—Fred and George have got a lot of work to do.
"Eh...well," said George, and pulling his wand out, "FINITE VENDUM!" The store locked itself up, display cases sinking into the ground and items vanishing into the walls.
"All right, everyone," said Fred, "Lunch time! SO GET OUT!" And the crowd, cursing, retreated outside. Old Mrs. Dorkens, however, hit Fred with a Jumping Jinx, and George laughed as he bounced around the street, before Mrs. Dorkens gave him a Hopping Hex of his own to worry about. It seemed that she had wanted several more sets of Cheating Chesspieces, and some Poker Glasses.
Lupin laughed, but not harder than Angelina and Alicia, who simply yelled, "Some work'll do you both good!" nor Mundungus, who had fallen on the ground with laughter. After a few minutes, Lupin performed the counter- jinxes and set Fred and George back to normal, although looking rather disconcerted. Alicia giggled and kissed George on the cheek, causing him to blush.
They ate lunch at the Leaky Cauldron along with (it seemed) half the wizards in the country. It was so crowded that several groups had made their tables hover near the ceiling to make more space. They all sat beneath a chatty group of witches who were sharing their theories about recent events.
"I won't put a toe in Diurn Alley these days—not a single toe!"
"Those poor people...Albus Dumbledore's brother...Ludo Bagman...a fabulous beater..."
"I reckon You-Know-Who's trying to stop magical education. He killed the Headmaster of Durmstrang and our Headmaster's brother..."
"I doubt it, really Edna...if you ask me the target was the Egyptians..."
"...I'll bet it was Mr. Tennydine, he killed a Death Eater last time round..."
"...and those poor little girls..."
The witches continued on, and the list of possible targets grew.
"Why don't they ever mention the sixteen dead goblins?" asked Hermione angrily.
"Some people don't think they're important," replied Lupin, sadly.
"Well...there are six more dead goblins than wizards..." observed Ron.
"Ron, wasn't Bill in Egypt?" asked Hermione.
"Yah, I wonder if he knew those wizards..."
"He did," said Fred, "they were visiting him."
"Three of his friends," added George, "Dumbledore needed international cooperation...Charlie has been recruiting Romanian wizards to the cause daily..."
Lupin added, "When the Egyptians were killed, several Egyptian wizards joined the Order."
They finished lunch on a high note, for Harry at least, when Mundungus said, "That Malfoy bloke's still in jail, though, that's something."
They parted ways with Fred, Angelina, George, Alicia, and Mundungus and headed towards Ollivander's.
"I sure am glad Mundungus found some sort of acceptable work," said Lupin.
Harry, Ron, and Hermione flew back to Hogwarts on two of Mr. Ollivander's Aethonans. Hermione and Lupin, riding on Samantha, discussed the Hall of Records, while Ron and Harry, riding on the smallest horse, Torque, listened in, flying side by side.
"Fascinating...the information in there..."
"...Full of secrets...and ..."
"I'd love to look around..."
Harry cleared his voice... "Eh...Professor, what kind of information is kept in there..."
Lupin yelled from Samantha, "Oh, probably Financial Records, Genealogical Papers, Birth Certificates, things like that. But very few people actually know."
They continued to discuss the Hall of Records, Goblins, and Quidditch (to Hermione's unabashed disappointment) all the way back to Hogwarts. They landed on the lawn just in time to see Professor McGonagall, who had walked out to meet them.
"Hello, everyone. How was Diagon Alley?" she asked. And Hermione burst into the story of the Hall of Records. McGonagall was fascinated. "You went in? Oh...just to see the names," she said enviously, "I may have to pay Bill Weasley a visit...He owes his old Head of House a favor, I'd say..." She smiled. "Oh, Remus, you and I are to fly the horses back to Diagon Alley, and stop at Hildebrand's...Dumbledore's orders." She turned to Harry, Ron, and Hermione. "You three," she said, "should head into the Great Hall. Professor Dumbledore would like you to try his Yorkshire Pudding. Being Prefects, and also in order to keep your stay here a secret, you will travel to London on the 1st of September and ride the Hogwarts Express back to school. Remember, it is a secret that you three have been here. And I'll see you on September 1st." The said goodbye to she and Lupin before heading into the Great Hall to talked to update those there about their day at Diagon Alley.
They spent the remainder of the term visiting Hagrid's cabin quite frequently. Hagrid also took great interest in Gharblag, and they spent numerous hours training him to call Draco Malfoy an albino snotrag.
Harry woke up on July 31st to find fireworks bursting all around his bed, and a poster hovering above him that read, "Happy Birthday, Harry." There was a pile of presents in the middle of the dormitory, and Hermione, Borlig, and Ron were gathered at the foot of his bed.
"Happy Birthday, Harry!"
"Sixteen, mate..."
"Ghappy Birtday!"
"Thank you all."
"Well open your presents, then!"
First Harry opened Ron's gift: A new Quidditch playbook that simulated a defense against your plays.
"I reckon that'll be useful, mate," grinned Ron. Harry returned his smile. Hermione had gotten him something very useful: The Potions Ring of Error. Normally blue, it glowed red whenever a mistake was made a mistake in potionmaking.
"Blimey...that's useful...where'd you get it?" asked Ron.
"I'm not telling," said Hermione, "and the only reason I've given it to Harry is because Professor Snape is openly biased against him."
Borlig had given Harry a guidebook for basic Jarvey training, and Harry was very amused to open it up to a page that showed a Jarvey imitating the way someone flew a broomstick poorly.
"Thanks, Borlig,"
"Gno Problem, Garry." When they arrived in the Great Hall for Breakfast, Harry was nearly knocked over by Hedwig, who must have missed him greatly.
"Hello, Hedwig," he said stroking her, "What's that you've got?"
He took a parcel off of her feet. It was from Aunt Petunia. He read the letter.
Dear Harry,
I'm sorry I sprung all of that on you. Hope you made it to Hogwarts safely. I have enclosed your first decent gift from your Uncle Vernon and I. Hope you enjoy it! I've also included a picture of your mother and I, with our parents.
Aunt Petunia
Harry looked at the picture. It was non-magical, and the images stood still, but it still meant a great deal to Harry to be able to see his Grandparents without the Mirror of Erised, which he had encountered during his first year. Harry immediately noticed how happy Aunt Petunia looked. She was about 10, but unmistakably Petunia. And Harry's Mother...
"Everyone's right about your eyes, Harry," said Hermione.
"It's like I'm looking at you..."
"Glet me zee," said Borlig, "Down ghere."
Harry stooped down to give Borlig a view. But Borlig didn't look at the picture, he looked at Harry. "Gyou...Gyou's Garry Potter!" he exclaimed as the realization came across his face.
"G-I gam zo zorry, Garry," added Borlig, "Git's ghard tah zee down ghere..."
Harry wasn't at all upset. "It's fine, Borlig." He looked at the picture again. Harry's maternal grandfather was very tall and very bald. He had a very long black moustache, and a very merry smile; his green eyes were the same as Harry's. His grandmother had short curly red hair and a sweet smile. She was shorter than his grandfather and had brown eyes. Harry's blood boiled when he thought of them being murdered by Lord Voldemort. He ripped open the package. Inside was a pair of new shoes, and a green sweater.
"'Arry!" yelled Hagrid, "'appy birthday!" He came over to give Harry his gift, which was a beautiful blue, water-resistant robe. "Thanks, Hagrid." Hagrid beemed. "You'll be finding that pretty useful before long..." Harry looked at Hagrid curiously. The last time Hagrid had said that, his textbook had attempted to eat him.
They sat down to eat breakfast and were soon joined by Dumbledore, Bill, and Mr. Filch, who glared at them with a look that plainly said, "They're multiplying."
"What are you doing back here, Bill? Order business again?" asked Ron.
"Erm...sortof." Ron shrugged.
Hermione looked at him, "You won't be teaching us, will you?" She bit her hip, clearly signifying that she would very much like to see Bill Weasley and his fanged earring on a regular basis.
"Nope, I'm afraid not," replied Bill coolly.
Just then the doors to the great hall swung open and several trunks were being marched in by a brigade of Suits of Armor.
Ron had seemingly forgotten about the food he was holding, and his cereal was spilling onto his lap. He looked extremely confused by this.
"I wonder who that could be," said Professor Dumbledore, smiling in such a fashion that it was apparent to Harry that there was no doubt in Dumbledore's mind who was marching the Suits down the hall, and onto the west stairway.
A tiny old wizard hobbled in on his cane after the last Suits had entered the building. He was bobbing his wand up and down to the beat of the march. Harry was sure he had seen him before.
"Tiberius, good to see you!" cried Professor Dumbledore.
"Ah! Albus...it's wonderful to be back at Hogwarts again..." said Tiberius.
"Won't you join us for some breakfast?" asked Dumbledore politely.
"Don't mind if I do," said Tiberius. And he conjured a red armchair right in the middle of the Great Hall, before looking at Dumbledore menacingly.
"Why didn't he just conjure one at the table?" whispered Hermione curiously.
Dumbledore chuckled. He flicked his wand and a fluffy orange loveseat appeared right on top of the red armchair. Tiberius flicked again—a purple sofa stood vertically on top of the loveseat. This continued for about five minutes—poor Ron hadn't taken a bite of cereal once without spilling it all over himself.
Finally, Tiberius conjured a small pink stool on top of the pile of chairs that was now nearly five stores high, and it came crumbling down, leaving chairs strewn all over the Great Hall. Dumbledore and Tiberius seemed to find this extremely amusing, for as Dumbledore wiped a tear of laughter from his cheek he said, "I haven't play that for years."
They both sat down at the staff table, while everyone stared at them.
Ron broke the silence. "What..." he asked bewildered, "was that?"
Tiberius chuckled. "It's an old game we used to play at Hogwarts...it's called Chairs."
Ron raised his eyebrow and made a very strange expression as he looked at his robes in disgust.
"Scourgify," said Hermione lazily, as the mess on Ron's robes vanished.
"Where are my manners," said Dumbledore, "Harry, Ron, Hermione...meet Professor Ogden, who will be your new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher." Professor Ogden bowed. Harry had a very brief and very ridiculous vision of Professor Ogden inviting a Death Eater to play Chairs with him instead of fight. Ron looked as though he had just seen Professor Snape ride a dragon through the Great Hall.
"Erm...nice to meet, you..." said Ron, "I'm Ronald Weasley."
"Yes...I know your father...excellent man..."
"Nice to meet you, Professor," said Hermione, trying very hard to be extremely polite, "My name is Hermione Granger."
"Heard of you, also...not many fifteen year olds who can do a Protean Charm...very impressive..."
Hermione's face reddened so quickly that she had to concentrate very intently on the milk pitcher.
"Wait a minute," said Harry, "You helped me pick out that 'Bind, Torture, Kill' book! I'm Harry Potter..."
"Nice to meet you formally, Mr. Potter...Now, will you all be taking Defense Against the Dark Arts next year?"
Dumbledore cleared his throat. "All of the students here will be taking Defense Against the Dark Arts, naturally."
"Of course," said Professor Ogden.
As Ogden and Dumbledore continued to talk and giggle, apparently about their years at Hogwarts, Bill quietly told Borlig, Hagrid, Ron, Hermione, and Harry that Professor Ogden was apparently the person who trains Aurors.
"Of course, since no one had been taken on in the last four years..."
After breakfast, Mr. Filch left to take Professor Ogden to his new room, while Professor Dumbledore and Bill headed off into a different area of the castle.
"Well...what do you think?" asked Hermione nervously.
"He's a bit mad..." said Ron, who hadn't removed his eyes from a moose- patterned lawn chair that was lying upside down near the staff table.
"Well, maybe he's a bit touched, but I've 'eard he's brilliant...Trained our own Professor Lupin, mind you..." said Hagrid.
"Ghe gould be very differnt gin class..." said Borlig sagely.
But the fact that he had taught Lupin raised Harry's opinion of him significantly.
The rest of the summer was rather uneventful, with the exception of one mysterious day in mid-August. Harry and Hermione had gotten up early to investigate Professor Ogden's room while Ron and Borlig played with Gharblag.
They were on a stairway leading to the third floor when they heard what sounded like a large crowd of talking people approaching them. Suddenly, a handful of ghosts appeared out of the wall next to them.
"Nick!" said Harry and Hermione at once.
"Where have you been?" asked Hermione, "We haven't seen any of you all summer." Harry recognized four of the ghosts as the Ghosts of the Four Houses: Gryffindor's Nearly Headless Nick, Ravenclaw's Grey Lady, Slytherin's Bloody Baron (he had silver stains on his front), and Hufflepuff's Fat Friar.
"Harry! Miss Granger! How nice to see you one last time!" exclaimed Nick.
"But where are you going?" asked a puzzled Harry.
"We are leaving this world, Harry," said Nick, "Our time has come." He looked at Harry and Hermione sadly, but smiled again.
The Grey Lady, a tall ghost with waist-length hair, said in a singsong voice, "I heard a student in my house discussing the Passageway."
The Fat Friar added, "While Nick and the Baron and the Lady were in London searching for it, I discovered that it had been moved to Hogwarts." Nick continued, "Many of the ghosts have already left. I am proud to finally be free of this life, but I will certainly miss you two, and all of the students here." He sighed. "It's time I conquered Death."
"Has Peeves left already?" asked Harry.
The hard, Pirate-like voice of the Bloody Baron answered him. "Peeves will come with me, because...well, Peeves is a part of me." Seeing the looks of puzzlement on Harry's and Hermione's faces, he added. "When a murderer or violent criminal becomes a ghost...their menacing side leaves them and forms it's own spirit...a Poltergeist. Peeves was a summation of my mischief. He wasn't really a murderous or violent poltergeist...but he was mischievous, like I was..."
Hermione looked as if she was trying to memorize this and very much wished she could have been taking notes.
"Nick, is that Dr. Potter's son?"
Nick beemed. "He is, indeed. In Gryffindor, just like his parents."
"You look like your Parents..." said the Bloody Baron, and the Grey Lady and the Fat Friar nodded fervently.
"Spitting image of James..." said the Lady.
"Lily's eyes," added the Friar.
"Well, then, Harry, Hermione...It was very nice knowing you...I won't forget you...Goodbye." Nick looked as happy as he had ever been in his life.
"Bye, Nick!" said Harry and Hermione. It was both sad and happy to see the four ghosts float through another wall, never to be seen at Hogwarts again.
Chapter 7: The Armor Parade
"Thought you wouldn't come see us, mates?" came a voice from behind them.
"No, Fred, I reckon they were too busy snooping in our financial records..." said George Weasley.
"Fred! George!" cried Ron. Harry studied them. Fred was wearing a bright pink suit, and George was wearing the same in lime green. Both had patches on the shoulder that read, "Weasley's Wizarding Wheezes." Hermione giggled.
"Well, how's 'Weasley's Wizard Wheezes'?" asked Hermione.
"You don't know?" asked George with a look of mock incredulity, "We thought for sure you'd know just how much money was in our Gringotts account."
Even Hermione laughed. "Oy! Professor Lupin! Check these 'Voodoo Who-do's" out. They're brand new, we thought you might get a kick out of them." And George pulled a small stuffed woman out of his pocket, dressed in a pink cardigan and a stuffed man in a lime green bowler's hat, who looked suspiciously like his former Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher, and the former Minister of Magic.
"Watch this," said a grinning Fred, who pinched the lady doll's hand. The doll's eyes began to bulge, and her mouth thinned until she turned into a pink bullfrog, before finally exploding into a blast of pink confetti. The Fudge-doll did a similar trick, disappearing into his hat and flying out again as a dove, that eventually fell to the ground and turned into a puddle of green water.
"Our targets are Hogwarts, alumni and Order Members, of course," added George.
Lupin beemed. "Let's see the shop, then."
Weasley's Wizard Wheezes was fluorescent yellow shop, and the letter's flashed lime green and pink. Around 50 young wizards (and some adults, too) were in and around the small shop, grabbing fake wands, Canary Creams, and stocking up on Skiving Snackboxes for the upcoming school year. They all pushed their way inside. ("Owners coming through! Move!") At the back of the shop, was Mundungus Fletcher, looking quite strange in an acid yellow suit.
"Lo, Harry, Ronald, 'Mine, Remus!" and turning to Fred, "We'll need some more Hic-cupcakes by tomorrow!" and turning to a door behind them, "Angie! Spinny! get us some Cheating Chesspieces...Mrs. Dorkens wants a whole set..."
Harry turned to Fred to ask him who 'Angie' and 'Spinny' were, but just then two former members of Harry's Quidditch team, Alicia Spinnet (neon blue dress) and Angelina Johnson (shocking orange) came out with boxes of Cheating Chesspieces. "Fred!" screamed Angelina, "If we have to man the store while you two go strolling down the alley ONE MORE TIME!" She saw Harry and the rest. "Harry, nice to see you. Ron. Hermione. Professor Lupin, Long time, no see! Excuse me, but I've got—Fred and George have got a lot of work to do.
"Eh...well," said George, and pulling his wand out, "FINITE VENDUM!" The store locked itself up, display cases sinking into the ground and items vanishing into the walls.
"All right, everyone," said Fred, "Lunch time! SO GET OUT!" And the crowd, cursing, retreated outside. Old Mrs. Dorkens, however, hit Fred with a Jumping Jinx, and George laughed as he bounced around the street, before Mrs. Dorkens gave him a Hopping Hex of his own to worry about. It seemed that she had wanted several more sets of Cheating Chesspieces, and some Poker Glasses.
Lupin laughed, but not harder than Angelina and Alicia, who simply yelled, "Some work'll do you both good!" nor Mundungus, who had fallen on the ground with laughter. After a few minutes, Lupin performed the counter- jinxes and set Fred and George back to normal, although looking rather disconcerted. Alicia giggled and kissed George on the cheek, causing him to blush.
They ate lunch at the Leaky Cauldron along with (it seemed) half the wizards in the country. It was so crowded that several groups had made their tables hover near the ceiling to make more space. They all sat beneath a chatty group of witches who were sharing their theories about recent events.
"I won't put a toe in Diurn Alley these days—not a single toe!"
"Those poor people...Albus Dumbledore's brother...Ludo Bagman...a fabulous beater..."
"I reckon You-Know-Who's trying to stop magical education. He killed the Headmaster of Durmstrang and our Headmaster's brother..."
"I doubt it, really Edna...if you ask me the target was the Egyptians..."
"...I'll bet it was Mr. Tennydine, he killed a Death Eater last time round..."
"...and those poor little girls..."
The witches continued on, and the list of possible targets grew.
"Why don't they ever mention the sixteen dead goblins?" asked Hermione angrily.
"Some people don't think they're important," replied Lupin, sadly.
"Well...there are six more dead goblins than wizards..." observed Ron.
"Ron, wasn't Bill in Egypt?" asked Hermione.
"Yah, I wonder if he knew those wizards..."
"He did," said Fred, "they were visiting him."
"Three of his friends," added George, "Dumbledore needed international cooperation...Charlie has been recruiting Romanian wizards to the cause daily..."
Lupin added, "When the Egyptians were killed, several Egyptian wizards joined the Order."
They finished lunch on a high note, for Harry at least, when Mundungus said, "That Malfoy bloke's still in jail, though, that's something."
They parted ways with Fred, Angelina, George, Alicia, and Mundungus and headed towards Ollivander's.
"I sure am glad Mundungus found some sort of acceptable work," said Lupin.
Harry, Ron, and Hermione flew back to Hogwarts on two of Mr. Ollivander's Aethonans. Hermione and Lupin, riding on Samantha, discussed the Hall of Records, while Ron and Harry, riding on the smallest horse, Torque, listened in, flying side by side.
"Fascinating...the information in there..."
"...Full of secrets...and ..."
"I'd love to look around..."
Harry cleared his voice... "Eh...Professor, what kind of information is kept in there..."
Lupin yelled from Samantha, "Oh, probably Financial Records, Genealogical Papers, Birth Certificates, things like that. But very few people actually know."
They continued to discuss the Hall of Records, Goblins, and Quidditch (to Hermione's unabashed disappointment) all the way back to Hogwarts. They landed on the lawn just in time to see Professor McGonagall, who had walked out to meet them.
"Hello, everyone. How was Diagon Alley?" she asked. And Hermione burst into the story of the Hall of Records. McGonagall was fascinated. "You went in? Oh...just to see the names," she said enviously, "I may have to pay Bill Weasley a visit...He owes his old Head of House a favor, I'd say..." She smiled. "Oh, Remus, you and I are to fly the horses back to Diagon Alley, and stop at Hildebrand's...Dumbledore's orders." She turned to Harry, Ron, and Hermione. "You three," she said, "should head into the Great Hall. Professor Dumbledore would like you to try his Yorkshire Pudding. Being Prefects, and also in order to keep your stay here a secret, you will travel to London on the 1st of September and ride the Hogwarts Express back to school. Remember, it is a secret that you three have been here. And I'll see you on September 1st." The said goodbye to she and Lupin before heading into the Great Hall to talked to update those there about their day at Diagon Alley.
They spent the remainder of the term visiting Hagrid's cabin quite frequently. Hagrid also took great interest in Gharblag, and they spent numerous hours training him to call Draco Malfoy an albino snotrag.
Harry woke up on July 31st to find fireworks bursting all around his bed, and a poster hovering above him that read, "Happy Birthday, Harry." There was a pile of presents in the middle of the dormitory, and Hermione, Borlig, and Ron were gathered at the foot of his bed.
"Happy Birthday, Harry!"
"Sixteen, mate..."
"Ghappy Birtday!"
"Thank you all."
"Well open your presents, then!"
First Harry opened Ron's gift: A new Quidditch playbook that simulated a defense against your plays.
"I reckon that'll be useful, mate," grinned Ron. Harry returned his smile. Hermione had gotten him something very useful: The Potions Ring of Error. Normally blue, it glowed red whenever a mistake was made a mistake in potionmaking.
"Blimey...that's useful...where'd you get it?" asked Ron.
"I'm not telling," said Hermione, "and the only reason I've given it to Harry is because Professor Snape is openly biased against him."
Borlig had given Harry a guidebook for basic Jarvey training, and Harry was very amused to open it up to a page that showed a Jarvey imitating the way someone flew a broomstick poorly.
"Thanks, Borlig,"
"Gno Problem, Garry." When they arrived in the Great Hall for Breakfast, Harry was nearly knocked over by Hedwig, who must have missed him greatly.
"Hello, Hedwig," he said stroking her, "What's that you've got?"
He took a parcel off of her feet. It was from Aunt Petunia. He read the letter.
Dear Harry,
I'm sorry I sprung all of that on you. Hope you made it to Hogwarts safely. I have enclosed your first decent gift from your Uncle Vernon and I. Hope you enjoy it! I've also included a picture of your mother and I, with our parents.
Aunt Petunia
Harry looked at the picture. It was non-magical, and the images stood still, but it still meant a great deal to Harry to be able to see his Grandparents without the Mirror of Erised, which he had encountered during his first year. Harry immediately noticed how happy Aunt Petunia looked. She was about 10, but unmistakably Petunia. And Harry's Mother...
"Everyone's right about your eyes, Harry," said Hermione.
"It's like I'm looking at you..."
"Glet me zee," said Borlig, "Down ghere."
Harry stooped down to give Borlig a view. But Borlig didn't look at the picture, he looked at Harry. "Gyou...Gyou's Garry Potter!" he exclaimed as the realization came across his face.
"G-I gam zo zorry, Garry," added Borlig, "Git's ghard tah zee down ghere..."
Harry wasn't at all upset. "It's fine, Borlig." He looked at the picture again. Harry's maternal grandfather was very tall and very bald. He had a very long black moustache, and a very merry smile; his green eyes were the same as Harry's. His grandmother had short curly red hair and a sweet smile. She was shorter than his grandfather and had brown eyes. Harry's blood boiled when he thought of them being murdered by Lord Voldemort. He ripped open the package. Inside was a pair of new shoes, and a green sweater.
"'Arry!" yelled Hagrid, "'appy birthday!" He came over to give Harry his gift, which was a beautiful blue, water-resistant robe. "Thanks, Hagrid." Hagrid beemed. "You'll be finding that pretty useful before long..." Harry looked at Hagrid curiously. The last time Hagrid had said that, his textbook had attempted to eat him.
They sat down to eat breakfast and were soon joined by Dumbledore, Bill, and Mr. Filch, who glared at them with a look that plainly said, "They're multiplying."
"What are you doing back here, Bill? Order business again?" asked Ron.
"Erm...sortof." Ron shrugged.
Hermione looked at him, "You won't be teaching us, will you?" She bit her hip, clearly signifying that she would very much like to see Bill Weasley and his fanged earring on a regular basis.
"Nope, I'm afraid not," replied Bill coolly.
Just then the doors to the great hall swung open and several trunks were being marched in by a brigade of Suits of Armor.
Ron had seemingly forgotten about the food he was holding, and his cereal was spilling onto his lap. He looked extremely confused by this.
"I wonder who that could be," said Professor Dumbledore, smiling in such a fashion that it was apparent to Harry that there was no doubt in Dumbledore's mind who was marching the Suits down the hall, and onto the west stairway.
A tiny old wizard hobbled in on his cane after the last Suits had entered the building. He was bobbing his wand up and down to the beat of the march. Harry was sure he had seen him before.
"Tiberius, good to see you!" cried Professor Dumbledore.
"Ah! Albus...it's wonderful to be back at Hogwarts again..." said Tiberius.
"Won't you join us for some breakfast?" asked Dumbledore politely.
"Don't mind if I do," said Tiberius. And he conjured a red armchair right in the middle of the Great Hall, before looking at Dumbledore menacingly.
"Why didn't he just conjure one at the table?" whispered Hermione curiously.
Dumbledore chuckled. He flicked his wand and a fluffy orange loveseat appeared right on top of the red armchair. Tiberius flicked again—a purple sofa stood vertically on top of the loveseat. This continued for about five minutes—poor Ron hadn't taken a bite of cereal once without spilling it all over himself.
Finally, Tiberius conjured a small pink stool on top of the pile of chairs that was now nearly five stores high, and it came crumbling down, leaving chairs strewn all over the Great Hall. Dumbledore and Tiberius seemed to find this extremely amusing, for as Dumbledore wiped a tear of laughter from his cheek he said, "I haven't play that for years."
They both sat down at the staff table, while everyone stared at them.
Ron broke the silence. "What..." he asked bewildered, "was that?"
Tiberius chuckled. "It's an old game we used to play at Hogwarts...it's called Chairs."
Ron raised his eyebrow and made a very strange expression as he looked at his robes in disgust.
"Scourgify," said Hermione lazily, as the mess on Ron's robes vanished.
"Where are my manners," said Dumbledore, "Harry, Ron, Hermione...meet Professor Ogden, who will be your new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher." Professor Ogden bowed. Harry had a very brief and very ridiculous vision of Professor Ogden inviting a Death Eater to play Chairs with him instead of fight. Ron looked as though he had just seen Professor Snape ride a dragon through the Great Hall.
"Erm...nice to meet, you..." said Ron, "I'm Ronald Weasley."
"Yes...I know your father...excellent man..."
"Nice to meet you, Professor," said Hermione, trying very hard to be extremely polite, "My name is Hermione Granger."
"Heard of you, also...not many fifteen year olds who can do a Protean Charm...very impressive..."
Hermione's face reddened so quickly that she had to concentrate very intently on the milk pitcher.
"Wait a minute," said Harry, "You helped me pick out that 'Bind, Torture, Kill' book! I'm Harry Potter..."
"Nice to meet you formally, Mr. Potter...Now, will you all be taking Defense Against the Dark Arts next year?"
Dumbledore cleared his throat. "All of the students here will be taking Defense Against the Dark Arts, naturally."
"Of course," said Professor Ogden.
As Ogden and Dumbledore continued to talk and giggle, apparently about their years at Hogwarts, Bill quietly told Borlig, Hagrid, Ron, Hermione, and Harry that Professor Ogden was apparently the person who trains Aurors.
"Of course, since no one had been taken on in the last four years..."
After breakfast, Mr. Filch left to take Professor Ogden to his new room, while Professor Dumbledore and Bill headed off into a different area of the castle.
"Well...what do you think?" asked Hermione nervously.
"He's a bit mad..." said Ron, who hadn't removed his eyes from a moose- patterned lawn chair that was lying upside down near the staff table.
"Well, maybe he's a bit touched, but I've 'eard he's brilliant...Trained our own Professor Lupin, mind you..." said Hagrid.
"Ghe gould be very differnt gin class..." said Borlig sagely.
But the fact that he had taught Lupin raised Harry's opinion of him significantly.
The rest of the summer was rather uneventful, with the exception of one mysterious day in mid-August. Harry and Hermione had gotten up early to investigate Professor Ogden's room while Ron and Borlig played with Gharblag.
They were on a stairway leading to the third floor when they heard what sounded like a large crowd of talking people approaching them. Suddenly, a handful of ghosts appeared out of the wall next to them.
"Nick!" said Harry and Hermione at once.
"Where have you been?" asked Hermione, "We haven't seen any of you all summer." Harry recognized four of the ghosts as the Ghosts of the Four Houses: Gryffindor's Nearly Headless Nick, Ravenclaw's Grey Lady, Slytherin's Bloody Baron (he had silver stains on his front), and Hufflepuff's Fat Friar.
"Harry! Miss Granger! How nice to see you one last time!" exclaimed Nick.
"But where are you going?" asked a puzzled Harry.
"We are leaving this world, Harry," said Nick, "Our time has come." He looked at Harry and Hermione sadly, but smiled again.
The Grey Lady, a tall ghost with waist-length hair, said in a singsong voice, "I heard a student in my house discussing the Passageway."
The Fat Friar added, "While Nick and the Baron and the Lady were in London searching for it, I discovered that it had been moved to Hogwarts." Nick continued, "Many of the ghosts have already left. I am proud to finally be free of this life, but I will certainly miss you two, and all of the students here." He sighed. "It's time I conquered Death."
"Has Peeves left already?" asked Harry.
The hard, Pirate-like voice of the Bloody Baron answered him. "Peeves will come with me, because...well, Peeves is a part of me." Seeing the looks of puzzlement on Harry's and Hermione's faces, he added. "When a murderer or violent criminal becomes a ghost...their menacing side leaves them and forms it's own spirit...a Poltergeist. Peeves was a summation of my mischief. He wasn't really a murderous or violent poltergeist...but he was mischievous, like I was..."
Hermione looked as if she was trying to memorize this and very much wished she could have been taking notes.
"Nick, is that Dr. Potter's son?"
Nick beemed. "He is, indeed. In Gryffindor, just like his parents."
"You look like your Parents..." said the Bloody Baron, and the Grey Lady and the Fat Friar nodded fervently.
"Spitting image of James..." said the Lady.
"Lily's eyes," added the Friar.
"Well, then, Harry, Hermione...It was very nice knowing you...I won't forget you...Goodbye." Nick looked as happy as he had ever been in his life.
"Bye, Nick!" said Harry and Hermione. It was both sad and happy to see the four ghosts float through another wall, never to be seen at Hogwarts again.