Chapter Four—All Aboard!

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Author's Note:  Hey everybody!  I appreciate the great reviews, especially the person who gives me a review on every chapter.  Let's see some more of that!  If you haven't written a review for this story yet or you already have, send me a review!  Criticism, praise, helpful suggestions—they all work!  Sorry about the wait, by the way!

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          Harry awoke particularly late on August 31ST, the day before he was supposed to take the train back to Hogwarts.  He looked over to the other bed and saw that Ron was already up.  He got out of bed and put a robe on over his pajamas.  He exited the room, not looking where he was going and bumped right into Professor McGonagall, who was looking the other way, talking to Professor Flitwick.

          "Huh?" Harry looked up.  "Sorry, Professor.  I didn't see you."

          "That's quite all right, Mr. Potter.  Professor Flitwick and I were waiting for you.  Go down to breakfast, we'll see you their shortly."

          "Okay," said Harry.  "Good-bye Professors."  Harry headed down the stairs and walked into the kitchen to find most of the Order there. 

          Harry sat down next to Hermione and whispered, "Hey, did you know McGonagall and Flitwick are here?"

          "Mrs. Weasley mentioned something about a few teachers from Hogwarts being here, but I haven't seen anyone and didn't know who," responded Hermione, taking a small bit of toast. 

          Mrs. Weasley brought Harry a dragon egg omelet, some toast with jam, and a biscuit.  As Harry began to ear you could hear a rather large "crack!" coming from the living room.  Harry watched as a young man he had seen somewhere before come in to the kitchen and ask for Professor Flitwick and Professor McGonagall.

          "They're upstairs, but should be down shortly," answered Mrs. Weasley.  "Would you like something to eat while you wait?"

          "No, thank you," replied the man.  "However, I wouldn't mind a spot of tea."  As Mrs. Weasley poured the tea, the man introduced himself.  "I'm Rob Mason, Professor Rob Mason.  I'll be teaching Defense Against the Dark Arts at Hogwarts starting this year.  I'm very honored, Dumbledore hand picked me himself.  I only graduated five years ago."  That must be how Harry recognized him.  He was still at Hogwarts in their first year. 

Harry was about to open his mouth to ask his new teacher some questions, but before he could Professors Flitwick and McGonagall came in.

          "Ah, Robert.  Good, now that you're here we can begin," said Professor McGonagall.  She and Professor Flitwick sat down.

          "As you three know," Professor McGonagall said to Harry, Ron, and Hermione, "He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named has returned.  What you probably do not know is that several Durmstrang students have gone missing.  As you know, Durmstrang teaches the Dark Arts to their students, and the missing people had the best marks.  We fear that they have joined the ranks of He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named.  And since we know that he is after you, Mr. Potter, we must make certain security arrangements.  I'm here because I am the head of your house.  I am the one in charge of your safety."

          "I'm here," began Professor Flitwick, "because as Charms teacher, I can perform several enchantments which could aide in your defense."

          "And," said Professor McGonagall, "Professor Mason is here because he was the best student in Defense Against the Dark Arts that Hogwarts has ever seen.  And at this point in time, we need that."

          Harry spent the rest of that day, and most of the night digesting that information.  He was in danger.  Even at Hogwarts.

          Harry awoke the next morning okay, but still a little unsettled.  He didn't let that bother him, though, as he got dressed and headed down to breakfast to find that there was only one other person here.  Professor Mason.

          "Good Morning, professor," said Harry, sitting down next to him.

          "Good morning Harry," he replied, "did you sleep well?"

          "Yeah, okay," said Harry.  "It's good to be here, instead of my aunt and uncle's house.

          "What's so bad about you're aunt and uncle's house?" he asked.

          "They're muggles," said Harry.  "And they absolutely hate magic, and me."

          "My parents are muggles too," said Professor Mason.  "And they weren't too comfortable with the idea at first.  But they got used to it.  Maybe your aunt and uncle will too."

          "I doubt it."

          "Doubt what?" said Mrs. Weasley, who had just entered the kitchen.

          "That Harry's aunt and uncle will ever be comfortable with him being a wizard."

          Breakfast was quick, Professor Mason left about halfway into the meal.  The second they finished they were off to King's Cross.

          As Fudge was trying to be as nice as possible to Mr. Weasley these days, he had graciously provided them with more ministry cars than needed.  The cars met them at the local post office, and Harry, the Weasleys, Hermione, and the Order guard set off.

          After arriving at King's Cross with about fifteen minutes to spare thy headed off towards the platform.

          "Have a good year," said Mrs. Weasley.  "And be careful, you three," she added to Ron, Hermione, and Harry.

          "Mum!" said Ron.

          "Hurry up, move along," Mrs. Weasley sais as she vanished along with Kingsley Shacklebolt, Professor Moody, and Tonks.

          They were fairly early so they had no trouble finding a compartment, so Harry, Ron, Ginny, and Hermione settled down and relaxed.  They were on there way…back to Hogwarts.