Harry's broom jolted most uncomfortably forwards before shuddering to a
stop. He turned to look at the girl and noticed the scar along her cheek.
"Is that where you...?"
"Got attacked? Yeah. Uncle Lucius said I'd let the family down, y'know them all in Slytherin and me in Gryffindor."
"If you haven't been to Hogwarts before, how do you know what house you're in?" Harry asked, as his broom kicked itself into high gear.
"Beauxbatons has houses as well, sort of like the ones at Hogwarts. I was in the same house as Gryffindor, the same features, y'know, bravery, intelligence, that sort of thing."
"You speak good English for a French girl."
"Yeah, my grandmother's English, she wanted me to learn it as a second language."
"Right."
Harry noticed the castle about a mile in front of them. Urging the broom on they sped up even more and caught up with Tonks.
"Hi Tonks!" Harry shouted over the roaring wind.
"Wotcher Harry!" Tonks shouted back taking her hand off the broom handle and saluted him.
Harry laughed and dodged his way through the hundreds of trunks. Zooming faster towards the castle he laughed again and did a loop on his broom. Tally's grip around his waist tightened and he smiled.
"Sorry."
"No problem." He heard her gasp.
Harry looked down on the castle looming directly in front of them, the green, red, yellow and blue stands of the Quidditch pitch looked even more welcoming than usual. The Firebolt circled lower over the Quidditch pitch, finally touching down on the even grass. Harry kicked his leg over the handle and helped Tally off.
Leading her around the side of the castle, he slung his Firebolt over his shoulder and looked around at Tally, she was admiring the Forbidden Forest.
"Is it true they have Unicorns in that forest?"
"Yep, Unicorns, Centaurs, Werewolves, the lot, that's why it's forbidden for any student to enter."
"What's the school like?"
"It's um...Extremely big...That sounds a bit lame doesn't it?" Harry said, trying not to laugh.
Tally giggled, "A little."
"The staircases like to change, so you have to be careful where you're going. Potions takes place in the dungeons, with Professor Snape."
"He's head of Slytherin."
"Yep. Then Professor McGonagall teaches Transfiguration, on the fourth floor. Herbology takes place here." He gestured to the greenhouses. "With Professor Sprout, then Professor Flitwick does Charms on the second floor and last, Hagrid does Care Of Magical Creatures, over there." Harry pointed at Hagrid's cabin, next to the Forest.
"What about defense Against The Dark Arts?"
"To be honest I don't know."
Harry pulled open the Grand Oak Doors to the Entrance Hall. Most people were sitting at the four long house tables already; the First Years were all standing in a group at the Staff Table. Kai was standing at the entrance to the hall.
"Come on, you're late." Kai whispered.
"Tonks and Remus are coming, they'll be here shortly." Harry whispered back.
Kai led Harry and Tally into the hall and along Slytherin's table. Ignoring Malfoys glare Tally followed Harry, keeping her eyes firmly directed at the back of his head. Kai obviously wasn't bothered about the looks people shot at him because he led the two Gryffindors to their table without as much as a wince.
Harry sat down next to Ron and Tally sat next to him, looking at her plate. Harry looked up at the Staff Table and saw two empty chairs. Tonks and Remus burst through the doors with the two girls who hastily walked to their house tables and sat down.
"Sorry we're late, problems with the trunks." Tonks said as they neared the Staff Table.
"Very well Nymphadora, Remus, please take your seats." Dumbledore replied gesturing to the two empty seats next to each other.
The two quickly sat down and waited patiently as Dumbledore stood up.
"We are glad to have you all safely here at Hogwarts once again. Let the Sorting begin!"
"When I call out your names, sit on the stall and place the hat on your head."
"You missed its new song." Hermione whispered.
"Amies, Shawna."
A blonde girl sat on the stall and place the hat on her head. Sitting in silence for a minute the hat finally shouted out the name of the girl's house.
"Hufflepuff!"
"Dixon, Douglas."
"Gryffindor!"
Soon the Sorting ended. Every one clapped as Dumbledore stood up. Professor McGonagall disappeared into the side chamber. She came back and sat silently next to Dumbledore as he stared his speech.
"As I said before we all are glad you are safe. The incident is being looked into as we speak and shall hopefully be resolved quickly. May I introduce your new Defense Against The Dark Arts teacher. Nymphadora Tonks."
There was a loud applause. Tonks blushed and her hair changed to green. People laughed and she smiled.
"And also the return of Remus Lupin, who will be assisting in Tonks' classes."
Lupin got a louder applause as he said something in Tonks' ear. She blushed again and whispered something back.
"Now, to Quidditch. New Gryffindor Captain, Harry Potter."
He paused as the whole hall, except Slytherin, applauded Harry.
"Slytherin Captain, Draco Malfoy."
Again he paused to let the applause die out.
"Ravenclaw Captain, Cho Chang."
The applause rung once again through the hall.
"And finally, the Hufflepuff Captain, Justin Finch-Fletchley."
"I didn't know he played Quidditch." Hermione said quietly.
"He joined last year." Harry replied.
"The Captains will need to have their teams chosen by October 21st. The first Quidditch match will be on October 31st, Gryffindor versus Hufflepuff. Now on a lighter note, let's eat!"
The plates along all four tables filled suddenly with the most delicious food Tally had ever seen. She just stared at it all for a minute before Harry offered her a lamb steak.
"Thank you." Tally smiled as Harry dropped a few onto her plate.
"You're welcome."
"Oh hi Nick!" Hermione laughed as Nick's head appeared in a bowl of soup.
"Hello miss Granger! Did you have a good summer?"
"Fine thank you, and you?"
"A lot better that last years I have to admit, I've given up trying to join the Headless Hunt, I didn't know how interesting it was around here without that on my mind."
"Why would that be Nick?" Harry asked.
"Oh, I found a few new hidden passages, bits and bobs around here and there. And your summer Harry?"
"Fine, once I got to the Burrow, well most of it."
Ginny choked on a chicken bone and turned beet red. Harry glanced at her but she didn't look at him. Instead she got up and walked to the other end of the table, settling herself between the Creevey brothers.
"What on earth was that about?"
"Ginny's boyfriend was over at out house this summer." Ron said, sourly emphasizing the word 'boyfriend'.
"Really, who would that be."
"Malfoy." Harry and Hermione said at once. This news caused Tally to choke on her pumpkin juice.
"Say what?"
"Didn't you know?" Harry asked.
"Draco doesn't talk to me, unless he's being a spiteful git." Tally replied.
"Oh, Hermione, Ron, this is Tally Malfoy." Harry said, quickly introducing her.
"Really? Shouldn't you be in Slytherin then?" Ron asked.
"Nah, Beauxbatons has houses as well, I was sort of in the Gryffindor type of house there."
"Oh right."
"Why did you get expelled?" Hermione asked.
"There was this girl in my house who didn't really like me, she framed me for throwing one of the pupils out of a window."
It was Ron's turn to choke.
"Bloody hell!"
"I know."
"So you've been sent here because..."
"My Grandmother taught me English so she said I should go to an English school, instead of the one in Australia my parents were planning to send me to."
"Hi Harry!" Cho had appeared next to Harry.
"Hi Cho! Congratulations on making Captain."
"You too. Listen Harry, could I have a word?"
"Sure."
Harry stood up and followed Cho out of the Great Hall.
"What's up?"
"The ceiling mostly. Look, I'm sorry I acted a bit harshly last year."
"Forget it, I should've been more understanding."
"I was wondering if you'd fancy...you know, going out sometime."
This obviously was not what Harry had been expecting.
"Uh...Yeah sure."
"Will you come with me for a minute?"
"Sure."
Cho led Harry up the staircase and along the first corridor. She smiled at the puzzled look on Harry's face as she led him up another set of stairs. They came to a painting and Cho told it the password. Harry's ears weren't working properly so he missed it. The painting swung open and left a gaping hole in the wall. Cho went inside and Harry followed.
"Harry, you know I like you, don't you?"
"Yeah, I like you too."
The candelabra lit up the whole room; Harry looked around in amazement at the decor.
"I used to come here with Cedric."
Harry knew what was coming. Sure enough Cho broke down in tears and Harry found himself holding her to him. She cried into his shoulder before looking up and smiling.
"Here I go again, I promised myself I wouldn't. I'm sorry."
"Don't be."
Harry brushed a strand on jet-black hair out of Cho's face. She took a deep breath and sighed. Harry's fingers touched her cheek and he smiled at her.
"You're more beautiful now than I ever realized." He breathed.
Their faces were inches apart. Harry could see her eyes shining with tears.
"I'm sorry." He said.
"Harry."
"Seriously, I have to go."
Harry left Cho standing in the middle of the room as he pushed the painting aside and left the room.
"Harry!" Hermione shouted to his as the students swarmed the Entrance Hall.
"Hermione, anything else I should know about?"
"What? Oh, no, Dumbledore just told us to go to bed."
"Right."
The Gryffindors broke away from the Hufflepuffs at the fifth floor. Tally looked around in awe as the paintings moved into each other's frames and waves at the Gryffindors. Harry noticed her amazement and smiled.
"It's great isn't it?"
"Yes, enchanting."
The Gryffindors approached the Fat Lady.
"Password?"
"Wolfs bane." Hermione said.
The portrait swung forward and Harry found himself looking at the Gryffindor common room he loved so much. People piled into the common room. Harry and Tally pushed their way inside and Harry looked at the roaring fire. The squishy armchairs were full with students in their usual groups of two or three. Harry led Tally over to the doorway of the boy's dormitory, where they could talk in private.
"Tally I need to ask you something."
"What would that be?"
"Did you throw that kid out of the window?"
"No way! I'd never do a thing like that, I mean I know I'm related to the Malfoys and they might all be like that but I'd never...Never even dream of doing something as horrible as that. She was my best friend."
"Was?"
"After the rumor got round that it was me, she didn't want to know. It's not as if she's dead, even if she dropped fifty odd feet."
"Right, just wanted to make sure."
"You can trust me Harry, I'm not like that."
She looked up into Harry's green eyes. He felt as though she was searching him to see if he trusted her. He took her hand and smiled.
"Don't worry I trust you." Tally smiled.
"I'll see you tomorrow." She said.
"Yeah, see you."
Harry let her hand go and walked up the stairs to his dormitory. His trunk and belongings had been brought up and his Firebolt was lying on his bed. Opening his trunk he pulled out two pieces of parchment.
Hedwig hooted from the windowsill and soared onto Harry's bed. He stroked her stomach and wrote a quick note to Madame Hooch, the flying teacher.
Madame Hooch,
Please let Gryffindor's have the Quidditch pitch this Saturday and Sunday for tryouts.
Harry Potter.
"Hedwig, could you send this to Madame Hooch for me?" Hedwig hooted softly in reply.
Harry gave her the note, which she clasped in her beak, and took her over to the window.
"I'll have a treat for you when you get back."
Hedwig bobbed her head and took off. Harry watched her out of sight and turned back to his bed and picked up his quill again.
Quidditch Tryouts
Anyone wishing to try out for the new Gryffindor team, report to the Quidditch Pitch at seven thirty on...
Hedwig hooted as she landed on the bed with Madame Hooch's reply. He smiled as he read the letter and fished a few owl treats out of his trunk.
"Thank you." He whispered to Hedwig as she ruffled her feathers, nipped his hand affectionately, took the treats and flew out of the window again.
Turning back to his notice he wrote down the last few details.
...Saturday. The team will be chosen over night and all those who tried out will report to the pitch same time Sunday for the results. Team practice starts Sunday at noon; those chosen will have to be there.
He reread his letter and smiled. The sixth year boys filed into the dormitory. Harry passed them all quickly and ran down the stone stairs two at a time and jumped down the last three steps. Pinning the notice to the board, he stepped back and read it through again. Nodding he went back up to his dormitory and the fire in the common room died out.
"Is that where you...?"
"Got attacked? Yeah. Uncle Lucius said I'd let the family down, y'know them all in Slytherin and me in Gryffindor."
"If you haven't been to Hogwarts before, how do you know what house you're in?" Harry asked, as his broom kicked itself into high gear.
"Beauxbatons has houses as well, sort of like the ones at Hogwarts. I was in the same house as Gryffindor, the same features, y'know, bravery, intelligence, that sort of thing."
"You speak good English for a French girl."
"Yeah, my grandmother's English, she wanted me to learn it as a second language."
"Right."
Harry noticed the castle about a mile in front of them. Urging the broom on they sped up even more and caught up with Tonks.
"Hi Tonks!" Harry shouted over the roaring wind.
"Wotcher Harry!" Tonks shouted back taking her hand off the broom handle and saluted him.
Harry laughed and dodged his way through the hundreds of trunks. Zooming faster towards the castle he laughed again and did a loop on his broom. Tally's grip around his waist tightened and he smiled.
"Sorry."
"No problem." He heard her gasp.
Harry looked down on the castle looming directly in front of them, the green, red, yellow and blue stands of the Quidditch pitch looked even more welcoming than usual. The Firebolt circled lower over the Quidditch pitch, finally touching down on the even grass. Harry kicked his leg over the handle and helped Tally off.
Leading her around the side of the castle, he slung his Firebolt over his shoulder and looked around at Tally, she was admiring the Forbidden Forest.
"Is it true they have Unicorns in that forest?"
"Yep, Unicorns, Centaurs, Werewolves, the lot, that's why it's forbidden for any student to enter."
"What's the school like?"
"It's um...Extremely big...That sounds a bit lame doesn't it?" Harry said, trying not to laugh.
Tally giggled, "A little."
"The staircases like to change, so you have to be careful where you're going. Potions takes place in the dungeons, with Professor Snape."
"He's head of Slytherin."
"Yep. Then Professor McGonagall teaches Transfiguration, on the fourth floor. Herbology takes place here." He gestured to the greenhouses. "With Professor Sprout, then Professor Flitwick does Charms on the second floor and last, Hagrid does Care Of Magical Creatures, over there." Harry pointed at Hagrid's cabin, next to the Forest.
"What about defense Against The Dark Arts?"
"To be honest I don't know."
Harry pulled open the Grand Oak Doors to the Entrance Hall. Most people were sitting at the four long house tables already; the First Years were all standing in a group at the Staff Table. Kai was standing at the entrance to the hall.
"Come on, you're late." Kai whispered.
"Tonks and Remus are coming, they'll be here shortly." Harry whispered back.
Kai led Harry and Tally into the hall and along Slytherin's table. Ignoring Malfoys glare Tally followed Harry, keeping her eyes firmly directed at the back of his head. Kai obviously wasn't bothered about the looks people shot at him because he led the two Gryffindors to their table without as much as a wince.
Harry sat down next to Ron and Tally sat next to him, looking at her plate. Harry looked up at the Staff Table and saw two empty chairs. Tonks and Remus burst through the doors with the two girls who hastily walked to their house tables and sat down.
"Sorry we're late, problems with the trunks." Tonks said as they neared the Staff Table.
"Very well Nymphadora, Remus, please take your seats." Dumbledore replied gesturing to the two empty seats next to each other.
The two quickly sat down and waited patiently as Dumbledore stood up.
"We are glad to have you all safely here at Hogwarts once again. Let the Sorting begin!"
"When I call out your names, sit on the stall and place the hat on your head."
"You missed its new song." Hermione whispered.
"Amies, Shawna."
A blonde girl sat on the stall and place the hat on her head. Sitting in silence for a minute the hat finally shouted out the name of the girl's house.
"Hufflepuff!"
"Dixon, Douglas."
"Gryffindor!"
Soon the Sorting ended. Every one clapped as Dumbledore stood up. Professor McGonagall disappeared into the side chamber. She came back and sat silently next to Dumbledore as he stared his speech.
"As I said before we all are glad you are safe. The incident is being looked into as we speak and shall hopefully be resolved quickly. May I introduce your new Defense Against The Dark Arts teacher. Nymphadora Tonks."
There was a loud applause. Tonks blushed and her hair changed to green. People laughed and she smiled.
"And also the return of Remus Lupin, who will be assisting in Tonks' classes."
Lupin got a louder applause as he said something in Tonks' ear. She blushed again and whispered something back.
"Now, to Quidditch. New Gryffindor Captain, Harry Potter."
He paused as the whole hall, except Slytherin, applauded Harry.
"Slytherin Captain, Draco Malfoy."
Again he paused to let the applause die out.
"Ravenclaw Captain, Cho Chang."
The applause rung once again through the hall.
"And finally, the Hufflepuff Captain, Justin Finch-Fletchley."
"I didn't know he played Quidditch." Hermione said quietly.
"He joined last year." Harry replied.
"The Captains will need to have their teams chosen by October 21st. The first Quidditch match will be on October 31st, Gryffindor versus Hufflepuff. Now on a lighter note, let's eat!"
The plates along all four tables filled suddenly with the most delicious food Tally had ever seen. She just stared at it all for a minute before Harry offered her a lamb steak.
"Thank you." Tally smiled as Harry dropped a few onto her plate.
"You're welcome."
"Oh hi Nick!" Hermione laughed as Nick's head appeared in a bowl of soup.
"Hello miss Granger! Did you have a good summer?"
"Fine thank you, and you?"
"A lot better that last years I have to admit, I've given up trying to join the Headless Hunt, I didn't know how interesting it was around here without that on my mind."
"Why would that be Nick?" Harry asked.
"Oh, I found a few new hidden passages, bits and bobs around here and there. And your summer Harry?"
"Fine, once I got to the Burrow, well most of it."
Ginny choked on a chicken bone and turned beet red. Harry glanced at her but she didn't look at him. Instead she got up and walked to the other end of the table, settling herself between the Creevey brothers.
"What on earth was that about?"
"Ginny's boyfriend was over at out house this summer." Ron said, sourly emphasizing the word 'boyfriend'.
"Really, who would that be."
"Malfoy." Harry and Hermione said at once. This news caused Tally to choke on her pumpkin juice.
"Say what?"
"Didn't you know?" Harry asked.
"Draco doesn't talk to me, unless he's being a spiteful git." Tally replied.
"Oh, Hermione, Ron, this is Tally Malfoy." Harry said, quickly introducing her.
"Really? Shouldn't you be in Slytherin then?" Ron asked.
"Nah, Beauxbatons has houses as well, I was sort of in the Gryffindor type of house there."
"Oh right."
"Why did you get expelled?" Hermione asked.
"There was this girl in my house who didn't really like me, she framed me for throwing one of the pupils out of a window."
It was Ron's turn to choke.
"Bloody hell!"
"I know."
"So you've been sent here because..."
"My Grandmother taught me English so she said I should go to an English school, instead of the one in Australia my parents were planning to send me to."
"Hi Harry!" Cho had appeared next to Harry.
"Hi Cho! Congratulations on making Captain."
"You too. Listen Harry, could I have a word?"
"Sure."
Harry stood up and followed Cho out of the Great Hall.
"What's up?"
"The ceiling mostly. Look, I'm sorry I acted a bit harshly last year."
"Forget it, I should've been more understanding."
"I was wondering if you'd fancy...you know, going out sometime."
This obviously was not what Harry had been expecting.
"Uh...Yeah sure."
"Will you come with me for a minute?"
"Sure."
Cho led Harry up the staircase and along the first corridor. She smiled at the puzzled look on Harry's face as she led him up another set of stairs. They came to a painting and Cho told it the password. Harry's ears weren't working properly so he missed it. The painting swung open and left a gaping hole in the wall. Cho went inside and Harry followed.
"Harry, you know I like you, don't you?"
"Yeah, I like you too."
The candelabra lit up the whole room; Harry looked around in amazement at the decor.
"I used to come here with Cedric."
Harry knew what was coming. Sure enough Cho broke down in tears and Harry found himself holding her to him. She cried into his shoulder before looking up and smiling.
"Here I go again, I promised myself I wouldn't. I'm sorry."
"Don't be."
Harry brushed a strand on jet-black hair out of Cho's face. She took a deep breath and sighed. Harry's fingers touched her cheek and he smiled at her.
"You're more beautiful now than I ever realized." He breathed.
Their faces were inches apart. Harry could see her eyes shining with tears.
"I'm sorry." He said.
"Harry."
"Seriously, I have to go."
Harry left Cho standing in the middle of the room as he pushed the painting aside and left the room.
"Harry!" Hermione shouted to his as the students swarmed the Entrance Hall.
"Hermione, anything else I should know about?"
"What? Oh, no, Dumbledore just told us to go to bed."
"Right."
The Gryffindors broke away from the Hufflepuffs at the fifth floor. Tally looked around in awe as the paintings moved into each other's frames and waves at the Gryffindors. Harry noticed her amazement and smiled.
"It's great isn't it?"
"Yes, enchanting."
The Gryffindors approached the Fat Lady.
"Password?"
"Wolfs bane." Hermione said.
The portrait swung forward and Harry found himself looking at the Gryffindor common room he loved so much. People piled into the common room. Harry and Tally pushed their way inside and Harry looked at the roaring fire. The squishy armchairs were full with students in their usual groups of two or three. Harry led Tally over to the doorway of the boy's dormitory, where they could talk in private.
"Tally I need to ask you something."
"What would that be?"
"Did you throw that kid out of the window?"
"No way! I'd never do a thing like that, I mean I know I'm related to the Malfoys and they might all be like that but I'd never...Never even dream of doing something as horrible as that. She was my best friend."
"Was?"
"After the rumor got round that it was me, she didn't want to know. It's not as if she's dead, even if she dropped fifty odd feet."
"Right, just wanted to make sure."
"You can trust me Harry, I'm not like that."
She looked up into Harry's green eyes. He felt as though she was searching him to see if he trusted her. He took her hand and smiled.
"Don't worry I trust you." Tally smiled.
"I'll see you tomorrow." She said.
"Yeah, see you."
Harry let her hand go and walked up the stairs to his dormitory. His trunk and belongings had been brought up and his Firebolt was lying on his bed. Opening his trunk he pulled out two pieces of parchment.
Hedwig hooted from the windowsill and soared onto Harry's bed. He stroked her stomach and wrote a quick note to Madame Hooch, the flying teacher.
Madame Hooch,
Please let Gryffindor's have the Quidditch pitch this Saturday and Sunday for tryouts.
Harry Potter.
"Hedwig, could you send this to Madame Hooch for me?" Hedwig hooted softly in reply.
Harry gave her the note, which she clasped in her beak, and took her over to the window.
"I'll have a treat for you when you get back."
Hedwig bobbed her head and took off. Harry watched her out of sight and turned back to his bed and picked up his quill again.
Quidditch Tryouts
Anyone wishing to try out for the new Gryffindor team, report to the Quidditch Pitch at seven thirty on...
Hedwig hooted as she landed on the bed with Madame Hooch's reply. He smiled as he read the letter and fished a few owl treats out of his trunk.
"Thank you." He whispered to Hedwig as she ruffled her feathers, nipped his hand affectionately, took the treats and flew out of the window again.
Turning back to his notice he wrote down the last few details.
...Saturday. The team will be chosen over night and all those who tried out will report to the pitch same time Sunday for the results. Team practice starts Sunday at noon; those chosen will have to be there.
He reread his letter and smiled. The sixth year boys filed into the dormitory. Harry passed them all quickly and ran down the stone stairs two at a time and jumped down the last three steps. Pinning the notice to the board, he stepped back and read it through again. Nodding he went back up to his dormitory and the fire in the common room died out.