Chapter 24. Home to Hogwarts
"Oi! Harry!" Ron, quite obviously harried from having to rush after, undoubtedly, yet another famous Weasley late-arrival, stumbled to a stop outside the car where Harry had been trying to secure Crookshanks into an overhead compartment.
"In here, Ron. You guys barely made it!" said Harry as the steam engine began to whistle and he felt the train begin to chug along.
Ginny unceremoniously nudged (more like shoved) Ron into the compartment. "Hurry up, you lug! We wouldn't be so late if it weren't for you dawdling around trying to argue with the mirror!"
Ginny rushed in with only a glance at Harry, "Hello, Harry," dumped her trunk on the floor, shoved a cage with a beautiful silver screech owl at Ron and ran out, crying, "See you later!"
Harry raised his eyebrows at Ron, who just shook his head with bewilderment and said, "What kind of greeting is that? She's been all secretive writing love letters to you, no doubt, and then she barely gives you the time of day, lest a proper greeting?"
Harry took a moment to take in his meaning and shrugged just as Crookshanks let out a yowl as the train had picked up more speed, making his cage slide. "Fine," he said taking the cage down and setting it on the seat, "you can just sit with all the rest of us, then. Happy?"
The large orange cat just turned around, refusing to face Harry in answer, and settled down in his carrier.
"Is that Ginny's owl?" Harry asked as he finally settled into his seat, with an arm over Crookshanks' carrier.
Ron nodded and mumbled, "Yeah," as he wedged the cage between some trunks.
"Take it she's a Prefect?" Harry asked slyly, trying to see if Ron was going to tell him he resigned his position.
Ron just mumbled and dug in a bag, rummaging around purposefully.
"Heard you resigned—does that mean you talked to McGonagall and changed your classes?" Harry was thinking that Ron's resignation and purported aims to dedicate more time to his studies meant he'd decided to aim for a career as an Auror, despite not meeting the requirement to take NEWT Potions.
"Huh? Oh, yeah, I'm in Charms now and I put in a request for Transfiguration. McGonagall said she'd have to let me know when term starts if I got in." He shrugged again, saying, "Yeah, I just never had any free time last year, ya know? Thought with NEWTs coming up and all, I might as well leave some quality time to slack off."
Harry grinned and then broke into a wide smile. "Maybe you can get into Potions too," he said.
Ron rolled his eyes sullenly, "Yeah, right. Snape likes me just barely more than you."
Harry was still grinning and took great pleasure in being able to watch Ron's reaction as he said, "What if Snape weren't teaching Potions this year?"
Still huffing, Ron slumped in his seat and looked out the window, "Yeah, like we would actually have something good happen for a change." Ron then seemed to process the sly way Harry had said that and turned to stare at his friend. "Hold on," he said as his eyes went wide seeing Harry grinning across at him, "Snape's not teaching Potions?!" Ron's incredulous voice was high and strained as his eyes bulged out in mounting glee.
Harry just chuckled and nodded.
Ron gaped for a few more moments as the glee spread throughout his face and he jumped up and pumped his fist in the air. "Yeah!"
Harry was still grinning but thought he ought to not let Ron get too excited. "But he's still around. In fact…" Harry wasn't sure if he was meant to tell anyone yet who the new DADA professor would be so he hedged, "In fact I think he's still teaching something. So he's not been trampled by Blast Ended Skrewts or anything."
Ron's face fell and he slumped back in his chair. "But you're sure he's not teaching Potions?" he asked trying to hold on to some possibly good news.
Harry nodded, "From what I've heard. Which means, you might be able to get into the class," Harry said hoping Ron would suffer through the dull class that Potions always was, by his side.
With renewed hope that he might be able to take the course of study to be an Auror, Ron perked up as the trolley came by and he and Harry loaded up on sweets and bantered about the chances of the Chudley Cannons actually winning a few games this year.
"Ginny showed me a Quibbler article saying the Cannons were ripe to win the league," Ron gushed, not caring that the Quibbler was best known for its improbable claims, Harry's article withstanding.
As Ron swallowed the last of a pumpkin pasty, he commented, "Luna's kind of out there, isn't she?"
Harry found the comment unexpected and found he didn't quite like talking about her like she was some freak. "I dunno," he said trying not to sound too defensive, "I think she's just different. But not bad." He shrugged. "I think she's a bit of alright."
Ron seemed satisfied and tore open a bag of Fizzing Whizbees as he said, "Yeah, alright."
Shortly thereafter Luna, Ginny and Hermione all filed into the compartment.
"Ron!" Ginny cried. "Mercury doesn't like being stuffed between trunks on the floor!" as she pulled out the cage and cooed at the silver bird.
"Ginny!" Ron mocked in a high voice, "Harry doesn't like being ignored!" he grinned as he taunted his little sister.
Harry hazarded a quick glance at Hermione who had sat next to him, just on the other side of Crookshanks. She looked like she had something she wanted to say and Harry assumed it was just some news from the Prefect meeting.
"Oh, Ron, honestly—you'd think you were the one being ignored." Ginny turned to Harry and smiled and reached down to give him a hug. "Hey, hope you didn't miss us too much," she said as she let him go.
"What kind of greeting is that?" Ron berated.
"Harry," Hermione cut in as she stood up, "I need to ask you a favor. A personal favor." She eyed him trying to will him to understand something he wasn't getting. "Ginny, you too, you might be able to persuade him. Can we talk privately for a second?"
Harry hazarded a glance at Ron, who shrugged at him, obviously mystified as well.
Hermione turned and slid open the door the compartment and walked out, followed by Ginny and Harry. They squeezed into the loo a few doors down and Hermione sealed and silenced the door and turned on Harry.
"Why weren't you in the Prefect's car?" she asked shrewdly as her eyes narrowed. Ginny just sat back and watched.
"Erm, well, I'm not a Prefect." Harry thought that was a perfectly good reason.
"McGonagall asked where you were when I first walked in. She seemed surprised to see Neville show up. We all were," Her eyes were very narrow as she surveyed Harry closely.
"Neville's a perfectly fine choice for Prefect," Harry asserted quickly. He stared her down for a minute, waiting for her to try to argue that and added, "Reckon Malfoy made sure to hide his surprise well."
"Malfoy's not a Prefect anymore," Hermione said loftily, as she crossed her arms. "But then McGonagall explained that Ron resigned his post."
"Really? Malfoy's not a Prefect?" Harry thought that was most excellent news.
"Really. He never even made an appeal for formal hearing on the complaints lodged against him—seems quite a few people wrote in to report him—Ernie, Hannah, Padma—loads."
Harry grinned at the good news.
"Ok, why am I here?" Ginny broke in curiously.
"Oh," Hermione composed herself and reached for Harry's hand, "we all need to talk. Right Harry?"
He looked at her and squeezed her hand, not realizing how he had already missed her after only be on the train barely an hour. "Right. About Ron." He looked back to Ginny, "We want to tell him."
Ginny bit her lip and said, "Well, I've been working on it. I think he just needs to have someone else to occupy his mind, you know?" She perched on the was washbasin ledge and swung her legs as she continued, "I've been thinking that when he finds out you two are together, he may feel left out. I mean a few years ago when he wasn't talking to you, Harry, he had Fred and George, but now…."
As she trailed off, both Harry and Hermione both felt awful at possibly causing their other best friend to feel alienated. Harry was an expert at how it felt to be the odd one out.
"So, I've been trying to get him to notice another girl. I actually had one in mind. Luna told me this summer-- she and her dad just live down the road a way--anyway, she told me that she did a Tarot reading on herself and it foretold that she would fall in love the first week of school. She seemed to quite believe it. So, since last year, I kind of had a feeling she may have liked Ron, and now I've been working on getting Ron to stop seeing her as Looney…I kind of thought, maybe…you know…what do you think?"
Harry had a sinking feeling as he realized he might have just slightly, pushed Neville into going after Luna now to only have him compete with Ron for her. This just wasn't going right.
Hermione was nodding though, "Yes, I think that would help him. Good thinking, Gin." She turned to Harry, still nodding eagerly, "Don't you agree, Harry?"
Harry just grimaced, making her stop her nodding, as he explained, "Well," he knew this was bound to blow up in their faces--all of it, "I think Ron may have competition. I don't think he's the only one who may have thought of fancying Luna."
"What?" Ginny asked, incredulously.
"What do you mean? Who?" Hermione demanded.
Harry took a step back and hit the wall in the cramped loo as he tried to put some distance between himself and the two scheming females. "Er, easy now," he tried to laugh to calm them down. It didn't work. "See, I think, I mean I'm not sure. You know us blokes, we're so thick we don't notice--"
"Cut it, Potter, and spill! Who?" Ginny looked close to dangerous and Harry was dimly aware he should prepare to block a Bat-Bogey Hex any time now.
"Neville," Harry answered with a gulp.
"Neville?" the girls chorused together in unified disbelief.
"Why?" Hermione asked, not willing to believe anything she herself did not understand.
Harry figured he wasn't to blame for this so he could just explain it as he saw it. "Well, it's just the way he was looking at her. I dunno. I could be wrong, but I just kind of thought he might." Now was definitely not the time to tell Hermione that when Neville looked disappointed to have to let Luna out of his sight to go the Prefect's car, he had given Neville the Prefect badge. Definitely not a good time. "He wanted to be around her, I thought," he said meekly.
Hermione seemed to survey this information carefully. "Yes," she began, "he did look to spot her right away when he showed up and then he even sat next to her, remember?" Ginny nodded, looking crestfallen to have hit a snag in her plans so soon.
"Well if Ron really does like her, then he'll just have to work at it," Hermione said as Ginny nodded.
"Hey!" a voice called from the other side of the door. The voice was easily recognized as Tonks. "Who's taking so long in the loo? You fall in there or something?"
They heard her hand rattling the doorknob and Hermione hurriedly spelled the door open and pulled Tonks in, "Get in here."
Tonks squeezed in the already cramped tiny room and looked around at the cloistered group. "What are you all doing in here that requires an Imperturbment Charm, eh?" she asked with some amusement.
Ginny said, "The same thing we always do in the loo--" Harry felt some growing horror inside himself, "talking." Oh. Thank god.
"Oh," said Tonks, "what are we talking about then?"
The three all looked around at each other and they all answered at the same time.
"Classes," Hermione said.
"Snape, "Ginny said.
"Quidditch," Harry said.
They all looked guilty then as they dropped they eyes to the floor.
Tonks, though, was bouncing on her toes and clapping as she squealed, "Ooh! Secrets! C'mon, tell me! Please, please, please?"
Harry was quite sure the last thing he needed was yet another scheming female mind to add to this already plotting group and he was even more sure he did not want his so-called love life to be shared with just anybody.
"Maybe we should, you might be able to help," Hermione said much to Harry's displeasure. She rolled her eyes at seeing his horrified face and said, "Oh, Harry, girls are good at these things. She'll help." Harry doubted it very much.
"Yay!" Tonks squealed again. "Ok, tell, tell."
"Well," Hermione said matter-of-factly, "you know how Harry and I are together, right?"
Tonks nodded, "Yeah, yeah, old news. Go on."
"What?!" Harry twisted in the tiny, cramped room to stare at Tonks. "How would you know? And what do you mean 'old news'?!"
Tonks just rolled her eyes at Harry, "Hello, Potter, who do you think told her how to put the moves on you, huh?" Harry's jaw dropped as Tonks turned back to Hermione and said, "Does he know yet? About the you-know-what?"
"What!" he demanded as he whipped his head around to drill his gaze into Hermione's blushing face. "Do I know about what?"
He missed Hermione's small nod as he turned back to demand an answer from Tonks with his glare.
Tonks just smirked, "A certain book."
Harry gasped. This brought up The Book again and after he had thought about it, he wasn't sure he was happy that he had to wait until someone returned his book so he could find out it was his, not to mention, a gift from Sirius. He rounded on Hermione, nearly knocking Ginny off the washbasin, "You mean my book that Sirius left for me?"
Hermione couldn't meet his eyes and he felt Tonks clap his shoulder, "Don't blame her, Harry, I found it and told her to borrow it for a bit. That was before you even got to Headquarters."
Not taking his eyes from Hermione, he ground out through clenched teeth, "He said the book was for me. He hoped I would benefit from it. But—"
"And didn't you?" said Tonks, slyly, giving his shoulder a squeeze. "Benefit from it, that is?"
Whatever else Harry was going to say in his rant that was fuelled by feeling left without a say in the plotting and the indignation of being keep from a gift from Sirius, was lost as he realized, yes, he supposed he did benefit quite well from Hermione's having read the book. He had only had a few fleeting moments to flip through it but he had seen enough to recognize some of the very guidance and suggestions she'd had as being text quotations from the book.
He mumbled, "Maybe."
"Exactly, said Tonks smugly, "you can thank me later, Potter. Now, what's the problem, girls?"
Ginny picked up filling Tonks in on their problem of fearing Ron's reaction and that all the Weasleys currently thought she and Harry were an item.
Hermione, seemed to Harry, to still be a little embarrassed or feeling bad for taking Harry's book, or both, and was not looking at anyone. Harry was feeling rather ashamed of his outburst now and as he heard Ginny telling the story, he felt sorry for making Hermione like this. He reached out to pull her hand into his and gave it a squeeze, causing her to look up at him and smile back in gratitude.
'Sorry," she mouthed to him.
He couldn't help his smile and he drew close to whisper in her ear, "S'okay, I reckon Sirius would have thought I'd benefit more this way than if I just look--, er, read it." He nipped at her ear with his mouth and she turned her head and he held her face to his for a kiss.
They almost forgot they weren't alone until Ginny, in a falsely high voice, said, "Hem, hem. We're still here, you know!"
Tonks snickered at this as Harry and Hermione pulled apart and said, "Sounds like you three got a right conundrum, you do. I just don't understand why you just don't tell him. Just get it over with. It sounds like he'll be a little ticked off no matter what."
Hermione cleared her throat and wiped the corner of her mouth. "Yes, well, it's just been a matter of timing and hoping to minimize how mad he'll be. But you are right, of course." She turned to Harry, "Now's as good a time as any, don't you think?"
Harry nodded. "Sure. I just want to get this over with."
And with that, they agreed and opened the door to finally file out of the tiny room and into the train corridor.
"Well, well," a voice drawled, "if it isn't Potty and—let's see—his fan club." Draco Malfoy stood outside the door to the loo, alone and looking pointedly at the three girls and Harry spilling out of the room. "Still with a Weasel and a Mudblood, eh, Potter?" He surveyed Ginny with a lewd rake of his eyes and said, "At least you traded in for one that might offer some benefits."
Malfoy had obviously not cared to notice Tonks, who, with her casual clothing and youthful face, probably was passing for an unknown student. Tonks didn't take well to being ignored and stepped in front of Harry who already had his arm ready to whip out his wand, if need be. "And what do you have to say about me, ickle Draco? Hmm?"
Malfoy just looked her up and down with a sneer and snorted, "Who cares about you?"
In a flash, Tonks had her wand pointed at Draco's forehead and she leaned in close and snarled at him, "Your father seemed to care when I was helping to whoop his arse and send him off to Azkaban."
Harry could see the resemblance Tonks had to Sirius when she was angry now and he was quite content to sit back and watch Malfoy be humiliated at the mention of his father, the convicted Death Eater.
Malfoy, after suppressing his panic, regained his stoic look of unconcern and, despite the wand pointed at his head, spit out, "Students aren't allowed to pull wands, fight, or use magic on the train. I'll have you reported."
Harry heard Hermione snort with the irony of Malfoy's words he held her back with a hand on her arm as Tonks threw back her head and laughed, saying, "Well, it's a good thing I'm not a student now, isn't it?" She sobered and demanded then, "Now you still need to use the facilities or have I sufficiently scared the piss out of you?"
Harry couldn't help the short laugh that escaped as he watched Tonks needle Malfoy into his place. Malfoy shot Harry a vicious glare as she said, "Laugh it up, Potter. I'll be watching you."
"Is everything under control, here?" came Dumbledore's voice from behind them. Harry whirled around to see him in an emerald robe, peering through his half-moon glasses. There was no twinkle, he noted.
"Yeah, yeah," Tonks said, still not taking her eyes from Draco, "I was just helping little Malfoy find his way in the big world." She stepped aside and flourished her hand to the door of the loo, allowing Malfoy to draw himself back up, trying to look impeccably important and to enter the empty room and slam the door in their faces.
"Nymphadora," Dumbledore said as he shook his head, "flashy, as always."
"Yeah," Tonks said, not looking anywhere near contrite. "Well, are you guys off to your compartment now? Need an escort?" She motioned for Ginny to lead the way and followed her, still looking ready for a fight.
Harry turned back to Professor Dumbledore and felt he ought to say something about having handed off his Prefect badge. "Erm, sir? Could I have a word?"
Dumbledore looked at him blankly and said, "Well, it will have to be quick and it isn't very private here, Harry."
Harry just nodded and said vaguely, "Well, I wanted to make sure you were okay with what I did? You know," he dropped his voice and mouthed, "with Neville?"
Dumbledore still looked blankly at Harry and Harry even let his mind open to the image of him handing the badge to Neville to help communicate of what he was speaking. Dumbledore answered, "Well, that seems fine for now, Harry. If there is more to it, we should discuss it later. Remind me." He followed Harry and the others then to their compartment and bid them later, leaving Harry to feel slightly uncomfortable with Dumbledore's reaction.
Back in the compartment, Neville had returned and as soon as he saw Harry, he said, "Hey! Guess what? I talked to McGonagall and she said she could enroll me NEWT Potions, isn't that great?"
Harry nodded and looked to Ron who widened his eyes at this. "Really?" he said. "Hey, maybe I should find her now and ask? What do you think, Harry?"
Harry nodded eagerly at Ron and felt that the good news of being able to take the courses for being an Auror could only help put Ron in a good mood to help him with the other news they had for him.
Ron grinned and leapt up, "I'm going to find her. I'll be back," and with that he strode out of the car and left, bumping into Dean and Seamus on his way out.
"Hey Ron," Seamus said in greeting, "later Ron," he called after him.
"Hey," said Dean as he slipped in and Harry saw Ginny light up and grin at him as she patted the seat beside her.
"How about this?" asked Seamus who settled himself next to Neville. "All these Aurors and Dumbledore himself on the train?" He eyed Harry and said, "Hey there, mate. You—you have a fine holiday?"
Harry's eyes glanced quickly at Hermione across the car as she winked back at him. "It was alright. How about you?"
"Fine. Did you hear—"
"Hey, Harry!" said Ernie Macmillan stopped by the open door to the car with Hannah Abbot and Susan Bones peering over his shoulder. "Did you all hear the news? Slytherin's had to get two new Prefects this year? I reckon you already told them all," he said looking at Hermione.
Harry grinned and nodded at the news, "So who are the new Prefects—are both Malfoy and Pansy out?"
"Yeah," Ernie grinned, "both Malfoy and Parkinson are out—anyone who was on that Inquisitional squad was released. Likely on the basis of their lack of loyalty to Dumbledore."
"Blaise Zabini and Tracey Davis are Slytherin's new Prefects for our year," Hermione said to answer Harry's question.
Hannah squeezed past Ernie and smiled at Harry as she sat down across from him, beside Hermione. "I reckon you've already heard who was voted the new Head Girl, Harry?"
"Er, not really," he said, shaking his head.
"Hey, you guys are blocking the corridor," came Cho Chang's voice from outside the car. Harry suddenly had a very good idea of who won the voting for Head Girl. "The Aurors have asked us to keep the aisles cleared—you all know that."
Harry was staring, panic-stricken, across at Hermione who was likewise, staring back, but with much less panic.
"Oh, hello, Harry," she said. He felt himself try to shrink and he entertained a fleeting thought of disapparating from the car but instead Ernie and Susan parted to make way for Harry to see Cho standing in the doorway. "I was looking for you actually. Can I have a word in the corridor, please?"
With no other option but to nod and go, Harry swallowed down the taste of discomfort and followed her out into the corridor.
He noted the silver badge with "HG" on it on her robes as she looked down the corridor and said quietly, "This is kind of personal, but…here," she turned to the door to the loo where Harry had already been stuffed inside with Hermione, Ginny and Tonks, "let's go in here."
Once inside, he was amazed how aware he was as to how utterly cramped it felt. It was only two people now and he was aware it should have felt like there was more room, because, indeed there was. The nerves he felt now, being alone with her, were not the same that he had felt the year before. These were distinctly more—uncomfortable.
"Er," she began and he could see her blush as she fidgeted with her hands, "I had wanted to write you, Harry, this summer. I did, but I thought what I had to say would be best in person, really. Did you—did you have a nice summer, Harry?"
Harry tried to lean back against the washbasin to give himself more room between him and Cho as he answered, "Yeah, yeah I did. And you? How was your summer?"
"Oh," she smiled up at Harry in a way that made him inch back again, "I was fine. You cut your hair, I see. I like it." Her hand reached up slowly as if to stroke his hair and he quickly backed up and perched upon the ledge of the basin and she withdrew her hand.
"Er, you wanted to ask me something?" he prompted, now feeling a bit like a cornered animal and wanting to get this over with as soon as possible.
She sat herself on the closed lid of the toilet and said slowly, "Well, I wanted to apologize about how we left things last year. I know, especially after this summer, that last year must have been a very, well, difficult year for you." Harry couldn't help but snort. She has no idea. She seemed to take heart from his seemingly seeing humor at her poor attempt at a joke and went on. "I think if we just gave ourselves another chance, that we might have a better go of it this year."
Does she mean what I think she means? "You mean…," he motioned between himself and her, "us?"
She nodded and stood up and stepped in front of him, placing one hand on each knee and whispered, "Us."
Harry looked down at her hands on his knees, his panic growing, and reached to remove her hands but as he touched them to remove them, she laced her fingers through his and tried to lean in, for what Harry realized with terror, was mean to be a kiss. He slid off the ledge he was on and, although he meant to slip around her and get away, she caught his waist and neck and was dragging his face to hers. He felt her lips pressing against his and his eyes were wide with shock as he watched her face, realizing that this was not good if he could see every eyelash and freckle on her face.
As he broke away, he pulled her hands away from his body and held them again (thinking it was better than letting them wander of their own accord). "I—I can't. No—I can't," he finally managed out. "You see, there—there's someone else."
The rapid change in her expression from one of blissful hope to stricken sadness was so sudden, that Harry flinched and steeled himself for the onslaught of inevitable tears. Instead, she yanked her hands back and he got an icy glare. "I see. Well."
This new attitude from Cho was almost more frightening than the huntress-after-her-prey look she had just been wearing and Harry made a note to not mention, even if she asked, that it was Hermione. "I won't even ask. I guess we're done here, then." With that, she threw open the door and stomped past him and away.
Harry stepped out and shook his head to clear his mind as he returned to the compartment.
"Hey! Harry!" Ron was standing in the crowded car, obviously just returned from talking to McGonagall, clapped Harry on the back as he walked in. "I got in. I was just telling everyone about Potions without Snape."
Several others, many members from last year's DA were all crowding into the car.
"Hey, you don't reckon he finally got he Defense job, do you?" Lavender Brown asked.
"No way," several people answered all at once. Harry saw Hermione giving him a reproachful look and felt the urge to leave this conversation before he was asked such a question, himself.
"Be back in a few, I need to ask, er--Tonks, something," Harry whispered to Ron. Ron just nodded and chimed in to the continuing speculation about Snape's new position, "If he does teach Defense, we'll just have to do the DA again. He won't teach us anything."
Harry slipped quickly down the corridor through several compartments. Towards the back of the train, he found an empty compartment and he sat down there, to stare out the window at the rapidly passing landscape.
It was an indefinite time later when a voice startled him from his thoughts. "Already feeling the need to be alone, Harry?" Dumbledore asked as he sat across from Harry.
Harry looked at him and again noted, that although he could certainly sense a genuine concern, there was something much less twinkly and more—tired—in the headmaster this day. "I suppose so. The car was getting a bit overcrowded."
Harry's thought had, during his introspective solitude, been drifting to Sirius. It seemed a reflex that when he was immersed among people who were jovial and happy, that he would begin to think of all the reasons he had to not be happy. His thoughts would drift to those things that he felt he ought to be thinking about instead of wasting his time arguing who had the better Keeper: Kenmare or Chudley, joking about what classes were likely to be taught by Snape, or other meaningless banter that was common to other teenagers. He couldn't help but think of Voldemort, the prophesy, Sirius—any number of things that would make him suddenly feel miles away from everyone else and years older. He had come to the conclusion that it was worse to feel isolated in a large group of people than to just physically isolate himself.
"Sir, I was meaning to ask you something," Harry said, looking back at Dumbledore who had been watching him. "Actually, I was meaning to talk to Remus about it, but I just never got around to it." Dumbledore looked as if he wanted to stop Harry from saying whatever he was about to say but was not quick enough as Harry said quietly; "It's about the Celebration—for Sirius."
"Oh," Dumbledore said, and then much more spryly than Harry would have expected, he quickly moved to sit next to Harry. "Harry, it's me. Remus," he said with a lopsided smile, quite unlike Dumbledore would ever give.
Harry stared at the man who appeared to be Professor Dumbledore in one of his usual richly colored robes. But as Harry looked into the eyes, he recalled he had thought there was something odd about Dumbledore today and he now recognized the tiredness in the eyes as that tiredness that Remus always had. "Polyjuice," Harry breathed out, still scrutinizing the differences in facial expression on Remus.
The grin grew wider now, more Dumbledore-like, and Remus said, "Yup. My disguise."
Harry grinned back and said, "I knew something was different about you, today—I mean about Dumbledore."
"Really? What gave me away?"
Harry's grin turned smug as he answered, "You don't twinkle enough."
"Uh, oh. He warned me not to lose his twinkling reputation."
Harry laughed outright and said incredulously, "He knows he twinkles?"
Remus-as-Dumbledore nodded solemnly. "It appears so."
Harry's laughter died down and he shook his head and grimaced, "How many doses of that do have to take? At least eight?" His face soured even more as he recalled the nasty taste and texture of the gloppy Polyjuice potion. "Blergh! I think I'd rather drink Skele-gro."
Remus nodded dolefully then stopped and gave Harry a very Dumbledore-like piercing look and asked, "How do you know what Polyjuice tastes like?"
"Erm, well," Bugger.
Remus just nodded once and sighed as he said, "Well, I reckon I'm not too surprised. James and Sirius managed to brew it finally in fifth year. Took a year to get all the ingredients and to get it right after they found it."
Harry perked up at that and couldn't help a smug grin as he said, "Second year. First try."
At the very un-Dumbledore-like look of shock, Harry added, "Hermione brewed it. We just helped get the –oh, never mind."
"I won't even ask," Remus said, waving the matter aside. "Now what about Sirius?"
"Oh." Harry was happier to be in a lighter mood now than when he first thought he was speaking to Professor Dumbledore. It made this a lot easier to talk about. "Well, I know Dumbledore said we might have had a Celebration at the end of summer for him, but, well, I guess I'm not too disappointed we didn't. I'm not sure I would have been ready. But, as you—Remus—are, well, I reckon that is, that you're missing him just as much and –what I mean to say—" Harry sighed as he realized this wasn't easy to talk about, no matter what. "It sounded like Dumbledore would arrange it when the time was right. I just—I haven't forgotten about it—but now I don't know when we can have it. I reckoned it's up to you, as well. What do you think?"
Remus was nodding and looking at his lap. "Yes. I know." He sighed deeply and said, "I think something in me wants to see his name cleared." He looked at Harry and went on, "But who knows how long that might be with there not even being a body." He shook his head, "I should just try to forget that."
"No, I'd like that too," said Harry. "But, I guess you're right. It's even been advantageous to have them think he's still alive."
Remus just nodded silently and they thought to themselves for a few minutes.
Harry broke the silence asking, "How would people who were not in the Order get in to Grimmauld Place if it was there? Does it have to be there?"
"It can be anywhere," said Remus who appeared startled at Harry's questions. He recovered quickly though and commented, "He was probably happiest at Hogwarts of all places, I reckon."
"Can we have it there?" Harry asked. While Grimmauld place was not the grim old place it had been the previous summer, Harry still occasionally felt a rising resentment for the place when he though of Sirius's unhappy life there. Although, on the other hand, he also felt he was giving Sirius' memory some satisfaction to enjoy the place's new Gryffindor décor.
"It's a possibility—it would probably have to be over holidays—Christmas, perhaps, though," Remus said musingly.
Harry was nodding. That was sounding like something he might like. "He was happy last Christmas."
A few moments of reminiscing silence went by and Remus said, "Should we aim for Christmas, then? Either way—whether it's at Hogwarts or Grimmauld, it would be best over a holiday. You agree?"
Harry nodded and after about a half hour, Remus pulled out a flagon of what appeared to be pumpkin juice and swallowed, grimacing. "Well, I best make the rounds and be seen then," he said as he left Harry alone again.
It was only a few minutes later that Harry heard the compartment door open again and he looked over to see Hermione, bringing a smile to his face.
"Hey," he said.
"Hello, Professor Dumbledore said he'd just been talking with you in here. Is everything alright?" she asked as she sat down beside him.
Harry nodded and couldn't help but put his arm around her and hold her near.
Hermione only gave him a moment though before pulling away and saying, "We should change." She looked at Harry expectantly. "Our trunks?" she prompted.
"Oh," Harry grinned and reached into his pocket and pulled out two shrunken trunks. "Engorgio," he said, pointing his wand at them to make them grow to resume their normal size.
They pulled out their robes and donned them over their clothes.
"What did Cho want?" Hermione asked, trying to sound casual.
Harry just pulled a face and said, "Apparently—me." Hermione looked up at him quickly, her mouth open and he assured her, "No—she tried to—I mean—oh, hell, she wanted for us to try things again. That's what she said. But—don't worry—I told her there was someone else."
Hermione looked to flit between being pleased and anxious. "Did you tell her who?"
Harry shook his head. "She didn't ask and I didn't tell. She got quite shirty—nah—downright frigid is more like it, when I told her that."
Hermione just nodded and said, "I imagine she was upset at having you slip through her fingers. Lavender told me that you were listed in Witch Weekly a few weeks back as a 'Wanted Wizard'." At Harry's stricken look she explained quickly, "It's like an eligible bachelor list. She said it had a recent picture—sounds like it was taken in Diagon Alley sometime this summer when you were there." Then Hermione added, slightly annoyed, "She offered to let me see the article later –apparently she's saved it."
Harry just tried to mentally obliviate this news from his mind. "Okay then." He snuck a kiss from Hermione before she could protest and grinned as he said, "Should we head back?"
The rest of the train ride was uneventful. Luna was engrossed in showing Neville pictures from her trip to Sweden over the holidays and Harry noted that Ginny and Ron were both giving them sour looks. After a while of watching this, Ginny turned to Harry and leaned over and whispered in his ear, "We'll have to wait to tell Ron until we can be alone."
Harry understood and had no desire to have any witnesses to the event. He actually caught a small nap as the afternoon wore on.
Finally, he felt a hand shaking his shoulder and woke to see Hermione smiling and saying, "We're here."
He stretched and yawned as he stood up to straighten out the kink in his neck and back.
Ron nudged him and said, "What was Cho on about before, mate? You send her on her way?"
Harry grinned back and nodded, "You could say that. She wasn't too pleased."
As they filed out of the car and stepped off the train and into the crisp autumn evening air, Ron asked, "Did she turn all hosepipe on you?"
"Nah, not this time," Harry said as he fell in behind Ron, as part of a mass of students. He pulled up and turned back, looking for Hermione. She and the others were still doing their Prefect duties and helping supervise the unloading of the train. She was now walking beside Ginny, after Neville and Luna and he waited patiently for them to catch up. When they caught up, they all paused and looked ahead. Harry and Ron turned to see what they were looking at and Harry saw the Thestral-pulled carriages.
Oh. He hadn't see those since…well, he definitely could guess what everyone else was thinking right about now. This was the same group—the same six people who had left last June with him to the Department of Mysteries. He felt a tremendous swell of gratitude for these people who, half of which, he had tried to convince to stay behind, but had refused and demanded to come along. They had all been willing to follow him on into whatever danger was in store for him and all because they wouldn't let him do it alone.
Ginny broke the reverent silence as they had been staring at the Thestrals (or in the case of Ginny, Hermione and Ron—staring at where the Thestrals would be) by grabbing Harry for a quick hug to her side as she said, "Don't even say it, Potter. I'll hex you so bad if you start apologizing."
They all laughed and Harry smiled, "Thanks. All of you—thanks."
"Any more firs' years? Firs' years over here!" the booming voice of Hagrid could now be heard and Harry smiled immediately upon hearing it and turned to see him beckoning the last few straggling first year students to head down the trail to the lake. Hagrid waved when he saw Ron, Harry, and Hermione all smiling at him.
"Let's hurry—I'm starved," Ron said as he rushed forth to claim a carriage for them.
"You're always hungry," Harry said as he scrunched in between Ginny and Hermione. He almost laughed as he spotted Luna squished between Neville and Ron across the carriage.
Ginny whispered to Harry while Ron commented again on his hunger, "Hermione and I say after the feast we can tell him, in the common room." Harry just nodded his understanding.
Quickly they were passing through the gates, flanked with winged boar statues and rolling up the castle drive and Harry could see through the window, the almost crescent moon in the western sky. The return to Hogwarts had always symbolized a new beginning to Harry and this year was no different. It felt like more than a mere two months since he had left here, but, nonetheless, Harry was happy to be home.
They joined the throng of students walking up the steps to the castle and Harry felt Hermione give his hand a squeeze in the cover of darkness. He squeezed hers back. As they entered the castle and turned towards the doors to the Great Hall, Harry saw Filch craning his neck over the students and looking around. As the caretaker caught sight of Harry, he called out as if he'd just spotted a wanted criminal, "Potter! Potter! Get over here, boy!"
Harry looked at Ron and Hermione who just shrugged and Ron said, "Beats me, mate. We'll save you a seat."
Harry wormed his way through the students flowing into the Great Hall, saying hello to many greetings from others. Finally he arrived by Filch who growled, "Barely in the doors and the headmaster already wants a word with ye, sounds like trouble to me. This way." Harry made a face as he followed the cynical Filch around the entrance to the Great Hall, down the hall and into a back room that Harry recalled from the night his name came out of the Goblet of Fire.
"Ah, Harry, here you are," Professor Dumbledore was standing and talking with Firenze the centaur as Harry entered the room. "Thank you, Argus."
"Professor, Firenze," Harry greeted them and noted that the real Dumbledore was dressed in robes of deep red, unlike Remus the Polyjuice Dumbledore had been.
Firenze nodded his head in greeting and extended a hand to Harry as he stepped towards him and said, "Harry Potter, good evening."
Harry shook his hand and said, "Evening," and then watched Firenze leave the room. He turned back to Professor Dumbledore and saw that, indeed, this Dumbledore was twinkly as only, apparently, the real Dumbledore could be.
"Harry, I see you are not wearing the badge I gave you. Am I to assume you have found a better home for it?"
Harry never ceased to be amazed at the speed with which Dumbledore knew things. "Yes, sir. I hope I haven't, well, I hope that is alright." Dumbledore merely smiled expectantly at him and Harry went on, "I gave it to Neville. I think he would be a much better choice than myself." Harry waited for any disappointment Dumbledore may have at his handing it off without permission.
Instead he got a smile and Dumbledore nodded and said, "A fine choice, fine choice. Even more difficult for me to choose those who would serve the school and myself well in the role as school Prefect, is often finding those who are not only responsible and reliable, but those who their peers see as a leader and a role model. If you as his peer can see him as such, then it is so."
Harry smiled in relief and nodded.
"Besides," Dumbledore went on, "I now have a new, last-minute request to make of you. The spare time you gained by declining the Prefect position will serve you well if you can help me out."
"What, what is it Professor?" Harry knew that requests from Dumbledore were rarely as easy to turn down or even to pass along as he did with the Prefect badge, so it was with some wariness that Harry waited to hear the request.
Dumbledore smiled disarmingly and said, "Well, I believe Professor Snape has been seeing to his schedule and making arrangements for his new position, however, he has expressed a desire to remain teaching Potions to the NEWT level classes. Our new Potions instructor is much less experienced than Professor Snape—he is after all a Potions Master, and he had taken great care to prepare his curriculum for this upcoming year and does not want to trust just anyone with the advanced levels." Harry's heart sunk. Snape would be teaching Potions again.
"There are only two sections of Potions he will teach then, one of which occurs at an free period with regards to the Defense schedule, however, seventh year Potions conflicts with the Third years' Defense class, creating a bit of a problem for us."
Harry was thinking of Ron and Neville who had quickly signed up to take Potions on Harry's word that Snape was no longer teaching it. They're going to kill me.
"I would like to ask you, Harry, if you might consent to teach this class of Third years?"
Third years? Teach? "Huh?"
"Teaching. Your third year was probably your most well taught of Defense. You've received more training in Defense than anyone else here, Harry."
"Me?" Harry was slowly catching up to what Dumbledore was asking.
"Yes, you. You've proved quite capable as a teacher last year when you helped so many of your fellow students learn Defense and perform so well on their examinations. We've never had so many excellent scores on Defense OWLs, Harry. And considering the professor's your year has had, that's saying something. Would do me this favor? It's only one class on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays and it already fits into your schedule," he pleaded.
"But, Potions, sir, there are some who just signed up now for it—Professor McGonagall let them sign up—Ron—he doesn't meet Snape's requirements for the class—he'll be crushed…." Harry trailed off, desperately hoping to not have to tell Ron that Snape was now back to teaching Potions, in addition to their Defense class, and that Ron might no longer be allowed to take Potions now.
"I see," Dumbledore said. "Well, I can assure you that if Professor McGonagall already gave her word, then it shall remain so. Professor Snape will have to understand that. Ronald should still be able to keep the class as long as he continues to meet the course requirements.
"I already have a course syllabus for you to use—I can count on you then, Harry?"
Harry nodded lamely, not really seeing any choice but to agree.
"Harry, don't look so shocked. If your peers can see you as a worthy role model—one from whom they can learn, then it is so. Third years much younger than you will have no problem regarding you with respect and as a worthy teacher." He clapped Harry on the shoulder and added, "Now, I believe the Sorting may be coming to a close. I will make the announcements after the Feast. Let us go—you may enter the Hall through here," he said as he gestured to a door that lead to the entrance by the side of the head table.
They walked out and saw that there were only a few left to be sorted and they both waited by the door, for the sorting to end. Harry craned his neck around to try to see Ron and Hermione at the Gryffindor table, but instead kept seeing other people looking at him, craning their necks back to see him and Professor Dumbledore standing off to the side of the head table.
As the last student was sorted into Hufflepuff, Dumbledore leaned in and whispered to Harry, "Off we go—and let us hope this year is a much better one than the last."
Harry smiled at the same thought he had already had several times today as he conspicuously made his way across the front of the tables to the other Gryffindors, feeling the eyes of nearly all the other students upon him.
He slid onto the bench beside Hermione and across from Ron and looked back up to the head table where Dumbledore stood, waiting for him to be seated before he began his speech. He thought Ron looked a little miffed at something but thought not much of it.
"I am most happy to welcome our new students and to our old—welcome back!" he said smiling warmly. "Now, food before words—tuck in!"
The tables filled with food and Hermione immediately leaned in, "You missed the Sorting—what happened?"
Reaching to fill his plate before Ron piled it all on his plate, or lost it splattering all the food around the table, Harry whispered back without enthusiasm, "You'll find out in the announcements. How was the Sorting? How was the song?" After his last bout with the Sorting Hat, Harry was interested in what this year's song had been.
Hermione pointed to her bag on the floor by her feet and said, "I got it all with my Quoting Quill. You'll need to read it later. It gave more warnings and advice again."
Harry raised his eyebrows at this as he took a mouthful of chicken and ham pie, but stopped as he looked squarely across at Ron who was no longer just appearing to be a little miffed but was now ripping into his food with a vicious aggression and almost snarling as he gulped down his pumpkin juice and slammed the goblet down upon the table, oblivious to drink splattering and slopping over onto Ginny's plate.
"Ron!" Ginny pulled a face at her brother and admonished, "What the bloody hell is your problem!"
Harry saw Hermione tense at Ron's behavior out of the corner of his eye as she was determinedly keeping her eyes on her own plate.
Ron swallowed and said, "You know exactly what my problem is!" Harry saw several others down the table jump at Ron's voice and look down the table at them. Ron looked up with a glare now at Harry and demanded, "Where were you, Harry? What did Filch want?"
Harry just looked up and recalled that Dumbledore had promised that Ron would still be able to take Potions even if Snape was now teaching it. Funny way to start a new year and still hope it's better than the last—all we know so far is Snape is teaching two classes—urgh. Harry grimaced at the thought, set down his fork, took off his glasses and rubbed his eyes. He knew whatever had Ron in a bad mood was, hopefully, worse than the news that Potions as well as Defense would now be with Snape.
He placed his glasses back on his face with a sigh and said, "You'll find out. But don't worry—you're alright."
Ron leaned across and with a beady look, asked, "Does this have anything to do with our newest professor?" He practically growled the word as if it were not worthy to cross his lips and then shot a scathing glare at the head table.
"Oh, Ron!" Hermione slammed down her hands upon the table. "Drop it!"
"What are you on about?" Harry asked Ron, not sure if he really wanted to know.
"What—what am," Ron sputtered, "what am I on about? Him!" He pointed up at the head table and Harry looked up to see all the usual staff in place and then he saw, beside Snape, eating quietly, Viktor Krum.
Harry smiled faintly. "Viktor, I wonder if…" he must be the inexperienced one who's teaching Potions.
"Yes—Viktor—one guess what he's showed up for," Ron spat, glaring up at the head table.
"Potions, Ron, he's here to teach Potions," Ginny said as if she were speaking to a young child.
Ron just mumbled as he bit into a drumstick, "As if that's all."
The feast progressed in silence among their section of the Gryffindor table. Harry tried to clear his plate but his stomach was fluttering nervously. Ron was in a foul mood now and he was not looking forward to having to heap on him the news that Viktor Krum was no longer the one he should be jealous off as to who held Hermione's affections. He was also growing nervous as the pudding appeared, signally the last course of the feast, after which, it would announced he was teaching the Third years Defense.
"Aren't you having any pudding?" Hermione asked him.
He shook his head and said, "Nah, I'm full." Hermione gave him a sympathetic look and squeezed his knee under the table. He had a feeling she knew he was nervous about Ron's foul mood.
"You, know," said Ron as he licked the back of his spoon, "if Krum is teaching Potions, I reckon I'd be better off just dropping the course and studying for the NEWT myself. Whatdaya reckon, Harry?"
"Well…" Harry didn't want to totally hack Ron off with the news of Snape still teaching it for them. He had begun to think it was a horse a piece as to which would get his hackles raised more: Snape or Krum as a professor.
Then Harry heard the din of the Hall grow quiet and he looked up front to see Professor Dumbledore standing at the head table, waiting for the chatter to die away before beginning his speech.
"So—now we are all watered and fed, I would ask for your attention for the start of term notices. First years and above should all note that the forest on the grounds is forbidden—more so than ever. I must stress how very dangerous, indeed, it has become of late.
"Mr. Filch, our caretaker has asked me to remind you all that magic in the corridors is prohibited and that the list of objects forbidden within the castle has been revised and expanded since last year. Please see the list posted on his door.
"Tryouts for House Quidditch teams will be at the end of the week, please see Madam Hooch or the team captains for tryout information.
"And finally, we have some staff changes and additions to announce this year. I would like to formally welcome back into our service Professors Trelawney and Hagrid." Harry and those around him clapped enthusiastically for Hagrid and he saw Lavender and Pavarti clapping just as hard for Trelawney. "Also, many of you know Firenze, who served as an interim professor of Divination last term, he is here now to teach a new, old class at Hogwarts—one we haven't offered for many years—Healing. This class is a an elective for Third years and above." There was much clapping for Firenze and Harry noted many girls were giggling and clapping and whispering amongst themselves as they gazed up at the blond centaur standing off to the side of the head table.
"A new addition to our staff this year, some may recall Viktor Krum who was our Triwizard Champion from Durmstrang Academy two years ago—he joins us now to teach Potions to Fifth years and below." There was some hesitant applause for him and Harry made sure to clap despite Ron's sputtering across the table and others' questioning looks. "Sixth and Seventh Years will remain with Professor Snape for NEWT level Potions." Harry was vaguely aware that Neville seemed to have fainted into his pudding and Ron seemed a cross between giddy and nervous.
"Now, the ever-changing position of the professor for Defense Against the Dark Arts shall be held by Professor Snape." No applause. Only silence punctuated by a few clattering pieces of silverware. Harry thought he heard Neville whimper into his pudding. "However, since Professor Snape has such a range of teaching duties this year, it was necessary for one year to be scheduled with a different teacher." Harry was holding his breath—he hated being the center of attention. Had he not been oblivious to everyone else around him, he would have noticed that they were all holding their breath—hoping to be the one year not having Defense with Snape. "Third years," a collective moan was heard as the other years were dealt a disappointment and several Third years could be seen grinning and pumping their fists, "will be taught defense by an Assistant Professor, a student-- Harry Potter." A smattering of applause began and then grew—much more than the silence Snape had received, and Harry tried not to look pleased.
He heard Colin Creevey call from down the table, "Way to go, Harry! Dennis is in there!"
Harry also heard several other Gryffindors mumbling such as he heard Lavender say, "If Harry taught us last year and we did fine, why can't he just teach us all again? Snape—god—this is going to be awful!"
"Now," Dumbledore tried to regain the attention of the students, "let me remind you all to strive to remain strong in our friendships and to know that united, we cannot fall! Now! The school song—" he gave his wand a flick and the word flew out upon a ribbon, "Pick your favorite tune and off we sing!"
Harry sang the song as Hermione keep looking back at him and grinning at him. He wasn't sure what she was so happy about—they just found out they had two classes now with Snape—this wasn't good news. Harry saw Ron was just sitting sullenly, not singing a single note whatsoever.
"Now, off to bed and goodnight!" Dumbledore said. Harry saw Ginny smile at him and then be dragged away by Colin as they beckoned the First year Gryffindors to follow them to the dormitories.
"I'm so proud of you," Hermione whispered as they departed from the Great Hall and headed towards Gryffindor Tower.
Harry smiled at her flirtatious smile and asked, "Where's Ron, now?" They paused and looked about and saw Ron still in the Great Hall, speaking to Professor McGonagall at the table where Neville still seemed to have his forehead glued to his plate.
"Neville doesn't look too pleased," Harry said. "C'mon, let's get them."
They made their way back into the Hall and heard McGonagall sternly speaking to Ron, "Mr. Weasley, you were very adamant in your desired course of study this very afternoon. I made more than one allowance for you this term and if you are so determined to let one person stand in the way of your chosen career, then perhaps you are not suited for that career after all." She turned to Neville and rather harshly said, "Mr. Longbottom! You are not fooling me—I know you are perfectly well awake. Now clean off your chin and stop making a mockery of our House-- before I take points—both of you!" She turned on her heal and walked towards the doors muttering, "Bravery, my arse." She came to a halt seeing Harry and Hermione, "Potter—Granger—do you have a problem, too?"
Harry had to hide a snicker at her language and said, "No, Professor. We're here to get those two up to the Tower."
She rolled her eyes and left. Ron was pushing away his plate and standing up and Neville was wiping his face with a napkin.
"Come on you two, let's go," Hermione called.
Harry and Hermione followed them up to the tower in silence, trading concerned glances every now and then.
"Mirabile dictu," Hermione said the password, making the portrait of the Fat Lady swing open, allowing Ron to trod in, still sullen, and Neville to stumble in numbly after him.
Hermione held Harry back with a hand on his arm and they watched Ron and Neville sulk up the stairway to the dormitory. They were alone in the deserted Common Room as everyone else was settling into their dormitories, ready to fall asleep after the long journey.
"Not so sure this would be a great time to tell him," Harry said quietly as he turned to face Hermione and held her hand in his. He felt just awful now having convinced both Ron and Neville to elect Potions this term.
She moved in closer to lay her head on his chest and said, "Yes, I think it just might push him over the edge tonight."
Harry tilted her face up to his and caught her lips for a kiss. It was meant to be quick but Hermione slid her arms around Harry and held his head to hers as she deepened the kiss until they were both pressed tightly against each other.
"Wow, you two," they broke apart hastily at hearing Ginny's voice, "when you kiss, you guys really kiss." She was smirking at them from the bottom of the girls' staircase. "So, I take it Ron is sulking too much already?"
"Yes, Harry and I think we should wait until he's not so…"
"Foul?" Ginny offered as they nodded. "Two classes with Snape and Krum in the castle—I'm not sure that mood's going to change too quick. Hey—Harry, how come the third years get you and not Snape?
"Oh, er, he was supposed to teach all the Defense classes but Dumbledore said he wanted to keep the NEWT Potions classes for as Viktor was so inexperienced. So our Potions class is a free period for him but the Seventh years' conflicts with Third year Defense…so, that's what Dumbledore wanted to ask me about."
"Well, I think everyone would agree they'd rather have you than Snape. Can we do the DA again this year?"
Harry saw Hermione smile at this and he nodded, "I reckon."
"Hey," Dean said coming down the boys' staircase, "I told Ron I'd come find you, Harry. He's well into his ranting about Snape and Krum now and he wondered where you were." Ginny snuck around and caught Dean by surprise and grabbed his hand to bring him to her.
"No other ulterior motives, eh?" Harry asked watching them together.
"Well," Dean said looking at Ginny, "I admit, I did want to get away from Ron's ranting. And Neville was looking a little green."
"Ok," Hermione said pulling Harry off to a corner, "you two say goodnight over there, we'll say goodnight over here." Harry smirked at her as she looked impishly up at him and then he pulled her in for a breathtaking snog that lasted at least five minutes. When they pulled apart for air they saw the Dean and Ginny were still standing together with their foreheads touching by the staircases.
"I should probably try to return with you, Harry—Ron might want to come find you himself," Dean said still looking at Ginny.
Harry kissed Hermione again a few quick times and muttered, "I don't know how I'm supposed to get to sleep now."
Hermione just whispered, "Remember the silencing charms—ohh, actually an Imperturbment Charm should do the whole trick." She smiled innocently as she turned and he swatted her bum making her squawk in indignation.
"To bed with you!" He said to her as he watched her and Ginny wave and turn up to their staircase.
When they arrived in the dorm, Ron was still muttering as he pulled the covers over himself. "There you are—I swear, if I…" Harry tuned him out and unpacked his pyjamas and changed quickly for bed.
He was quite pleased to find out the Imperturbment Charm also worked well to keep out the sound of muttering and snoring, as well.