Nothing much is happening this chapter. Things will begin to pick up very soon – next chapter. Review Responses at the bottom.
Chapter 7: First Week at Home
Pushing their trolleys through the crowded platform at King's Cross Harry, Ron, Hermione, Ginny and Neville led the way towards the barrier between Platforms nine and ten. All around them people glanced suspiciously in their direction but no one came forward. Harry knew it was the presence of the Owls in their cages, as well as Crookshanks, Hermione's cat.
Hermione was beaming. She had already forgotten about her anger over the note as she was excited about going back to Hogwarts to start N.E.W.T level. Neither Ron nor Harry were enthusiastic about this.
When they came to the barrier, Harry went through first followed by Ron and Hermione. It was ten to eleven which meant they had ten minutes to get seated onto the train. As he stepped onto the platform Harry was bombarded by people who came over and thumped him on the back, congratulating him, asking him whether he had a good summer.
"It was reasonable." he replied.
They found a compartment that was free. Dumping their luggage in a compartment, Harry, Ron, Hermione, and Ginny went off to say farewell to Mrs Weasley, Bill and Charlie, as well as Tonks and Mad-Eye Moody who had all escorted them from Godric's Hollow.
"Have a good term and don't get into too much trouble." Mrs Weasley said, hugging each of them, "And Harry dear, practice Occlumency as much as you can."
"I will, Mrs Weasley." said Harry.
Exactly at 11AM the train pushed off and began its long journey to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Harry shared a compartment with Ron, Hermione, Neville and Ginny. It was during the trip that Harry learned that Ginny had been made a prefect. He did not feel angry or jealous as he had before instead he congratulated her.
The day passed swiftly: it was bright and sunny with little cloud in the sky. Neither Malfoy or his cronies came into their apartment though they saw him walking past the compartment several times. It was quite obvious that they were looking to attack Harry when he was alone, and even when Hermione and Ron and Ginny went on their Prefect rounds, Harry was surrounded by Dean and Seamus who had been asked by Hermione to watch over Harry, just in case.
As the train began to slow down their compartment door slid open and Luna Lovegood walked in. "Had good hols everyone?" she asked, her wand stuck behind her ear and her waist length, dirty-blonde hair was tied securely behind her. Her great eyes bulged.
"It was okay." Harry mentioned. "Yours?"
"It was fine. Daddy and I didn't find a Crumple Horned Snorkack though, which was a disappointment. Daddy had to say in The Quibbler that the reports of its existence were false. He's terribly upset about it."
"Shame," Ginny said, though she side-glanced at Hermione and they smiled at each other: they all knew Luna was just 'loony'.
"Well as there is no room in this carriage, I'll see you later!" Luna gave a cheery wave and departed.
Five minutes after Luna had gone their door opened again and in stepped a timid looking first year; her hair black, her blue eyes glistening and her face a shade of dark brown.
Harry jumped up, cursing himself for forgetting. "Claire! I'm so sorry! I forgot that you were coming to Hogwarts, especially with all that is going on!"
Claire Wright smiled. "It's alright Harry. I've met a really a nice girl who I've been talking to. She's called Freá Williams."
Everyone was now looking at Harry and Claire. "Um, everyone, this is Claire Wright, she is a girl who lives near me in Little Winging."
"And he likes my older sister Bonnie!" Claire blurted.
"No I don't!" he replied hotly, his face burning red.
"Bonnie?" Hermione asked, "Was she the Muggle who swore she saw Voldemort appear and murder Harris Jones?"
"Yes," Claire ventured, "It was when the Ministry came to our house that they said I was a Witch and I'd be attending Hogwarts in September. They mentioned Harry as being the only other magical person in our neighbourhood, and Bonnie used to go to school with him. Bonnie was awfully jealous when she learned I was a Witch; she so badly wanted to be with Harry."
Hermione nodded. "So, Claire, what do you think of the magical world you've seen so far?"
"Its brilliant! I can't wait to start lessons! Especially flying and Transfiguration!"
"Hogwarts is fun. I'm sure you'll enjoy it!" said Ginny. "If you need anything, any of us will help you!"
"Thanks! Anyway, I'd better get back to Freá." And then Claire left.
Ron rounded on Harry. "You never told us about Bonnie!"
"We're not going out, so get that stupid idea out of your head!" Harry snapped.
The others laughed at his incompetence but said no more.
Watching from the Gryffindor House Table in the Great Hall, Harry looked out for Claire who was standing amongst a group of first years waiting to be sorted into their houses. As Claire's surname was 'Wright' she would be right at the bottom of the list. Claire was sorted after 'Vermont, Wild' who had been sorted into Slytherin.
Claire sat upon the stool with the Sorting Hat placed upon her head. Her legs were crossed and a moment's decision and the hat's brim widened and shouted: - "GRYFFINDOR!"
She was beaming widely and went to join the Gryffindor table. She smiled down at Harry who winked back.
As soon as 'Yellis, Daniel' had been sorted into Ravenclaw, Professor Dumbledore stood up, spreading his aging hands wide in a gesture of welcome.
"Welcome to the start of a new school year. I will give out notices after the Start of Term Feast. So…Treefrogs, Gobblers Gnomes and Elves." He sat down and as he did so the plates on every house table filled up.
Harry dug eagerly into the food, listening to all sorts of talk from around the table. Most were trading stories about their holiday but some were talking about Voldemort and his recent silence in activities since his attack on the Wizard.
Claire seemed to be listening also and when a sixth year asked her where she came from as her last name sounded familiar, her story of her being the sister of Bonnie who had seen Voldemort, began to fly round the school. Everyone began to look at her. Harry noticed that she suddenly became very shy and refused to speak to anyone unless they asked a question.
An hour passed and soon dinner was finished. Professor Dumbledore stood up and handed out the notices: there was a new one this year "Students are to be reminded that the War in the Wizarding world will be beginning soon and any word that any students posses about the Dark Side must be reported to me. If any student is behaving in an odd manor it should be reported."
After this, Dumbledore re-introduced Lupin as the Defence Against the Dark Arts teacher and hoped that everyone in the hall would make him at home as they once did a few years ago.
Ron and Hermione left the first years to be collected by the fifth-year prefects. They took a quick route to the Gryffindor Common Room. There were numerous 'hi' and 'had a good summer' questions floating around and Harry answered them as best as he could.
When they parted to go up to their separate dormitories Harry stumbled in his step: a voice he sort of recognised had shouted his name. He turned to Ron. "Did you hear that?"
"Hear what?"
"Someone calling my name?"
Ron shook his head. "No. Why?"
"Nothing." Harry mumbled. Ron looked at him rather strangely but then he shrugged: Harry was not telling, he wouldn't bother by annoying him.
Their trunks had been brought up for them. Harry arranged a few things on his bedside cabinet: his wand, the book of the Marauders, and a photograph of his mum and dad. He drew the curtains around his four-poster bed, climbed into his pyjamas and crawled into bed. He lay there thinking of the voice: who's had it been?
He eventually fell asleep as weariness took over.
The sun was rising as Harry woke. It was still pretty early but he found he could not fall asleep again. Quietly he pulled on his school robes and exited the dormitory, taking with him the Book of the Marauders and his bag. He settled himself quietly down at the table looking through the book: he had not looked at it since his birthday. He turned onto the third page. This is what he read:
September 3rd 1971
Well, the first few days have been a real nightmare. What with the Slytherins trying to curse all the new Gryffindors, if it hadn't been for Sirius and I, poor Remus and Peter would have been cursed. I suppose that Bellatrix in third year thinks she's got it all: she certainly hasn't. Anyway, four days into our first week, myself and Sirius have already got ourselves detentions, mainly because we were being insulting towards this Slytherin called Snape (Snivellus) but he did curse me first. Ungrateful little kid. Probably jealous. Anyway to anyone who bothers to read this: don't become friends with a Slytherin or even become one, they are nasty and not worth knowing, believe us, we've had first hand experience…
James Potter
It seemed to Harry that his father and Sirius happened to be real trouble-makers from the moment they stepped off the train and it looked like, no matter how points they lost, they remained popular. This had been proven to him when he'd taken a look into Snape's pensive and seen Sirius and James taunting him. It had made Harry feel positively sick but having heard the truth from Sirius and Lupin he had felt warmer towards his father after that.
"What have you got there, Harry?" asked a female voice.
Harry jumped looking round and then spotting Claire watching him. "I'm too excited to sleep. I want to start my lessons. So what have you got?"
"A book from my father." He said. He closed it, he didn't want Claire reading it. "What lessons have you got today?"
"History of Magic, Potions and Transfiguration."
Harry smiled. "History of Magic will make you fall asleep. I failed my O.W.L with that!"
"You did!"
"Yes." He looked at his watch. "I'd better go down to breakfast."
"I'll come with y-" she stopped as Harry gave her a look.
"I know you want to hang out with me but I'd rather be alone. I just don't want company."
Claire looked crestfallen but she silently trumped up the girls staircase and out of sight.
Harry opened the portrait and stepped outside. The familiar surroundings just seemed to be…well…hurting him. This place was not where he wanted to be, even though he counted Hogwarts his true home.
The school hall was hardly full: not many students rose at this hour. He seated himself down at the Gryffindor table and pulled a piece of toast towards him. He buttered it and began to eat. He once more picked up the book of Marauders and opened it. As he read each passage he felt tears brimming in his eyes: they spoke of the mischief they had caused, Quidditch matches, James rumbled on about Lily and how she didn't like him, Wormtail spoke of how he was picked on, but most prominently both James and Sirius always disowned the Slytherins and how they also played rather amusing jokes on them, but always resulted in them getting detentions.
As he turned another page he saw a photo: one that showed the Marauders standing together smiling and waving: Lily was standing next to James. Tears rolled down his cheeks.
"Harry? Why are you crying?" it was Hermione's voice: he had not noticed her.
Hermione stood with Ron, Dean, Seamus and Neville and they were staring at Harry oddly. He hastily wiped his eyes and looked at the others. "It's just this photo. They…look so happy."
They crowded round to look at it.
"Blimey Harry! Is that your father?" Dean asked pointing to the figure of James, who was smiling and waving, while keeping an arm wrapped round Lily.
"It is." He shut the book not wanting any more questions. He stuffed it into his back and continued his breakfast. He had never cried over his parents before but, he supposed, none of them in that picture knew what the future had held for them, none of them had known what would happen, and Harry felt an overwhelming sense of sadness creep up through him, threatening to consume him. All he wanted to do was be a normal boy for once, and being a Wizard was something he could not help but be.
Feeling a bit tearful he left the Gryffindor Table. Just as he was leaving the Hall, Hermione came running up to him, holding a bit of paper. "Here's your time-table."
"Thanks," he said, then rushed out of the hall.
Once alone he looked at his timetable. He had Transfiguration first, followed by Care of Magical Creatures. Lonely and unresponsive he trudged through the castle to the Transfiguration class. He was the first to arrive surprisingly. He sat down at a desk waiting for the others to arrive. Hermione, Ron and Neville arrived before everyone else. They sat around Harry not sure whether to speak to him.
"Are you okay Harry?" Hermione asked, cautiously.
Harry shook his head. "I've been here only one night and already I feel that…I just can't cope anymore!" he shouted suddenly.
"What with?" Hermione asked, gently, rubbing Harry's shoulders.
"Everything," he said fiercely, "everything since last June! The Department of Mysteries, those dreams, Sirius dying, learning about the Prophecy and why it concerns me, these messages."
"You…know what the Prophecy said?" Ron asked, astounded.
Harry suddenly realised what he had said and he felt foolish for not keeping his mouth and brain working properly. It was too late, the damage was done. "Professor Dumbledore knows it. He told me what it was."
"What did it say?" Neville asked.
"I don't think he wants to talk about it right now." Hermione said, quietly.
The rest of the class was now filing in. Professor McGonagall followed in soon after. She started the lesson by congratulating them for passing O.W.L Transfiguration and that they were going to start on harder, more adult like magic that would help them later on in life. She then went onto explain the various charms and transfiguring they would be doing. She even mentioned the 'Recardo' spell and later in the year they would be practising in recording messages and putting them in a book.
Harry wondered if she was thinking of Marauder's Book. McGonagall gave them homework: to write a report on the various Transfiguration spells that would come in handy during a battle with the Dark Arts.
"Potter! Can I have a word?" Professor McGonagall asked as Harry packed up his things.
He waited till the rest of the class had filed out. "Yes Professor?"
"I understand that you've been getting messages? Professor Dumbledore is well aware of it."
"I've only had two. One was warning me and the other was wishing me good luck."
"Do you have them on you?"
Harry nodded, reached into his pack and pulled out the two pieces of paper. He handed them to her. "Thank you, Potter. You may go now. You can't have these back. Professor Dumbledore asks you to give me any more messages you receive. He is trying his best to track the writer."
Dismissed, Harry left the classroom. Hermione and Ron were waiting for him. He told them about the messages.
"It's a good thing Dumbledore is looking into it," Hermione said, "I mean at least that way they'll stop."
"Yeah," Harry said.
Care of Magical Creatures was taken by Hagrid, the gamekeeper at Hogwarts. He was a tall, burly man, with a big beard and taller then two men put together. "Hi ya, you three!" he said as he saw them.
"Hi!" they coursed back.
"No Slytherins!" Ron said excitedly.
Ron was right; it appeared that none of the Slytherins had passed this subject, or they had been put in another group. Gryffindors were with the Hufflepuff's.
"Righ' today, class, we'll be doin' Jobberknoll's. Can anyone tell me what it is?"
Hermione raised her hand. "The Jobberknoll is a tiny blue, speckled bird which eats small insects. It makes no sound until the moment of its death, at which point it lets out a long scream made up of every sound it has ever heard, regurgitated backwards. Jobberknoll feathers are used in Truth Serums and Memory Potions."
"Very good," Hagrid said, "ten points to Gryffindor. Now, today, we'll be seein' if we can tame 'um. Get into three's. One Jobberknoll to each group. Usin' your books, learn how to tame one. They make useful pets. Also feed it with some insects that are in this bucket."
Hermione went to collect the things and soon they were sitting in a circle, trying to tame the bird, but it kept nibbling their fingers. Neither of them managed to do it well and by the end of the class, only Hermione could get the Jobberknoll to hop onto her shoulder without getting bitten.
Hagrid didn't set them any homework. Harry, Ron, Hermione set off to the castle for lunch.
"I think we'll be able to get through N.E.W.T year quite well. Its easy!" Ron said.
Hermione smirked. "Ron, they're going to build the workload up."
Ron scowled. "Make me unhappy, will you?"
Hermione shook her head. "I'll never understand boys as long as I live."
After lunch they were free and spent time in Gryffindor Tower. Harry started upon his Transfiguration homework, which Ron said was insane. However Harry didn't care and sat by himself writing, glancing occasionally at Ron and Hermione who were playing Wizard's chess. It was odd for Hermione to not be doing homework but then…perhaps she wasn't trying to overtax her brain too much.
That night Katie Bell approached Harry. "I've been made Quidditch Captain of the House Team. Angelina and Alicia left last year. We need to start practicing as soon as possible. We need to get new beaters plus two Chasers."
"What about Ginny? Couldn't she be Chaser?" Harry asked.
Katie frowned. "I was thinking of that but I think we should let others try out. Ginny's good but I've never seen her play Chaser before."
"So when's practice?"
"Saturday. All day. McGonagall's booked the pitch for us so hopefully the Slytherins won't get it. Oh, yeah, thought I'd tell you that Malfoy has been made Quidditch Captain of the Slytherin Team, and he's placed two new beaters, Crabbe and Goyle on to the team. They've been practicing already. Malfoy has got three new chasers and a keeper so the teams made up of younger blood then ours. If they are not that good we may be in with a chance at winning the Cup again this year."
Harry nodded.
"A new rule in Quidditch ages has been brought in as well. First years are allowed to play on the house teams now as long as they are good enough. I've got to attend first year broom practice with Madam Hooch tomorrow and see if there are any new Gryffindors that are able to get onto the team."
"I wonder why they changed that."
Katie shrugged. "It gives them a better chance I suppose. Anyway, thanks for your time. Remember Saturday for practice!"
"I won't forget."
That night Harry's dreams were haunted once more. Once again he found himself struggling to save Sirius but failing to do so. Out of the darkness he heard a voice, shouting for his help. Even if it was just a dream, Harry heard Sirius' voice and his heart constricted in pain, and then a cruel one followed it.
"Harry! Help me! HARRY!"
"He is mine!"
Harry woke with a start, his head beating. It was nearly morning but still dark. He quietly got dressed, grabbed his invisibility cloak, the Marauders Map, and his Firebolt. He decided to go for a ride; he hadn't been on his broom since the Summer Holidays. Once on the Quidditch Pitch, he carefully wrapped the Cloak round him, sat upon his broom and began to glide around the Pitch. He felt free gliding in the air, his troubles and his dream forgotten in the morning air. He waited till about seven-thirty before he decided to have something to eat.
Sitting alone he patiently waited for the others to join him.
The rest of the week sped by in a swirl of colours and blurriness. Harry avoided talking with anybody. In the first Defense Against the Dark Arts Lesson with Professor Lupin, Harry was asked upon to demonstrate his Patronus. His silver stag ran where it was directed around the classroom, each person oooed and aahed. The first Potions lesson of the year was the one class Harry was dreading, mainly because Malfoy was in the class, the only lesson he was in with Harry. Snape completely ignored Harry, and to his great surprise criticised Malfoy for spilling his potion on the floor and trying to make it look like Harry did it. Malfoy turned pink during his telling-off. Snape had never told any of his student's off before.
After lesson Harry asked Hermione what she thought. "I think perhaps Dumbledore has asked Snape to leave you alone. You've got enough going on at the moment. You don't need Professor Snape being mean to you and making your life hell."
"It just doesn't seem like Snape would do that just for Dumbledore." Harry said.
Saturday morning came and Quidditch Practices began. Harry and Ron had done all their homework the previous night and so were free to not worry over the workload. Hermione had come with them to watch.
The practice went well. By mid-day Katie had chosen the new positions for the Gryffindor Chasers and Beaters. Ginny Weasley and Claire Wright were the new Chasers. Katie explained that Claire (when she'd gone to see the first-years flying lesson) was the only one who had successfully mounted the broom, managed to fly accurately and caught all the balls when flown into the air in record time. So, Katie had asked her to come to practice. Claire didn't have her own broom so Harry, Katie, Ginny and Ron were putting their money together to buy her the Nimbus Three Thousand.
The two new beaters were Lance Griff and Daisy Blues.
"If we practice really hard this year we can continue our winning streak. We've won the Quidditch Cup for two tournaments in a row. One when I was in fourth year, and last year in my sixth. There was no Quidditch the year before that. But we are definitely one of the best teams here! I will work out a suitable training table. One will be given to each of you, we must follow it precisely. Good luck Gryffindors!"
That night Harry fell flat onto his bed, instantly asleep. His first week back had been exhausting.
TBC
Pretty boring, I know, but next chapter pushes the plot forward a bit. Also I can't even write Hagrid's speech that well, but please bare with me. I'm learning as I go along.
Review Responses:
Got-Lotr: Thanks for the review. I hope you liked this chapter.
Galadriel Evenstar: I'm afraid I can't tell you who the mysterious sender is yet. You'll have to carry on reading to find out!
Moon Lace: I hope you have a nice time in Canada: I just recently went to France and Spain for my holiday and I had no access to the Internet for three weeks! At least you're able to read your favourite Fanfiction stories! As, in this chapter, Claire has proven adapt at flying and will be using the Nimbus Three Thousand Broom. I don't think Harry should get rid of the Firebolt so quickly – its his proud and joy. Actually SB has a connection to do with Sirius, it has something to do with him, but its not him, if you get what I mean. Confusing, I know, but hopefully sometime soon Harry will meet his mysterious sender. Thanks for the review!
EnterTheLion: You have a good point about Godric's Hollow being Harry's, I didn't think of that. Until Harry leaves school, I would think Godric's Hollow would belong to Dumbledore, because he can't really go and live there properly due to Privet Drive being Harry's safest haven. Harry wouldn't want to explore Godric's Hollow yet because of the bad memories he has. It doesn't feel right for him to be in the house where he once lived with his parents. Thanks for reading, I hope you enjoyed this chapter!
ThE 3 cAbAlLeRoS: I might be bringing back Sirius in a way: you'll have to read and see. Hope you enjoyed this chapter.
Kelsey Radcliffe: Thanks for e-mailing me with your views on the last chapter! I hope you liked this chapter.
