Chapter 6 - The Welcoming Feast.
"Harry Potter" Professor McGonagall's voice came from behind as the Harry and his fellow Gryffindors entered the Great Hall for the start of another year at Hogwarts. Turning Harry greeted his head of House with a warm smile. "Professor, good to see you again."
"You will require this tonight." she stated, handing Harry a program for his school year. Programs for students were usually handed out at breakfast tomorrow but Harry could see why he had been given this now. He had an early start in the morning.
"How are you, Mr Potter?" Professor McGonagall asked Harry. She found it impossible to be informal even when she wanted to show her concern for a student's welfare.
"I guess what you really want to know is if I have come to terms yet with the events of last year. With Cedric Diggery's death in particular. Not yet, Professor, not yet. That won't happen till I again meet Voldemort, and kill him. Then I will have some peace, perhaps."
Harry's voice never changed its pitch from its casual conversational tone and the pleasant smile on his face remained. Only the intensity of his green eyes portrayed the depth of emotion he felt behind his words. Professor McGonagall was shocked to her core, as were all the students around Harry except for one. To that one, Harry Potters words brought a glimmer of hope.
Professor McGonagall returned to the staff table still in shock at Harry's words, even though he was right, that was exactly what she had really wanted to know. Although Harry seemed destined to fight and hopefully defeat Voldemort, to hear the boy say it so calmly was shocking.
The staff began to take their places at the head table in preparation for the entrance of the first years and their sorting. Harry was studying his program, as were Ron and Hermoine.
'Good God, Harry!" Ron exclaimed "They've got you down for something at 6:00AM called Physical Conditioning. And the rest of the program must be wrong too. I have never heard of any of those subjects before. Advanced weapons and tactics? That can't be right, can it?"
"I'm afraid that it is right, Ron" Harry sighed, "Oh well at least I had one day off. I wonder who Dumbledore is getting to conduct my training? I hope it's not Snape!"
Harry looked up from the program and saw who had just entered. "It can't be." Harry saw a familiar face at the staff table but it was impossible, he can't be here at Hogwarts. But deep down Harry could see the sense of it. Who better to continue his training as a warrior than the man who had began it at the start of his summer holidays.
As he was studying the staff table and most of the people around Harry were studying Harry's strange behaviour, no one saw that another student was reading Harry's program with an unusual expression of interest.
Staff members were getting the older students to take their places now, so that the new first years could be brought in for the sorting. Once everyone was seated at their house tables, the new students were brought in and lined up before the staff table. The Headmaster rose.
"I have one start of term notice. I would like to introduce a new member of staff, our first muggle staff member. Professor Bond will be teaching some specialised courses. Do not be fooled by the fact he is a muggle." Dumbledore eyes flicked over the reaction his words had on the students, they were surprised, especially the Sytherin table. "It will not pay to underestimate this man. I am sure you all will make him welcome. Now on with the sorting."
After the sorting was finished and the usual feast had appeared upon the tables, Harry excused himself from the table and went forward to the staff table.
"James, I mean Professor Bond, I can't believe you're here." Harry told the new member of staff.
"Neither can I Harry, but your Headmaster made me an offer I couldn't refuse. So tomorrow morning 6:00AM behind the greenhouses, we will continue were we left off. So you better go enjoy yourself while you can." Professor Bond told his one and only student.
"Professor McGonagall…" Another Gryffindor had followed Harry to the staff table.
"What is it, Longbottom?" Professor McGonagall asked.
"Professor, I would like to change my program this year please " Neville said.
Harry regarded his friend closely for the first time and could tell that something was bothering him. In fact, Harry was quite surprised that Neville had approached the staff table. He seemed to have a determination that Harry had never seen before.
"Longbottom, we can discuss this in the morning, now go back to the feast." Professor McGonagall looked a little miffed at being disturbed during her dinner.
Neville however, for the first time Harry had ever seen, held his ground and insisted. "No I need to have it changed tonight. I want the same program as Harry." Neville said quite defiantly.
"That's quite impossible. Mr Potter will be undertaking very arduous training for some special purposes. I don't think you realise what is involved."
"He's training to fight… to fight…" Neville struggled and then with intense effort said "Voldemort!" The effect of Neville naming you-know-who was electric. Most the staff were shaken and now watched the boy closely.
"I need the training too." Neville persisted.
"What possible reason…" Professor McGonagall started but Neville cut her off.
"The Lestranges!" Neville said forcefully. Professor McGonagall's face visible paled.
"Minerva, I believe Neville has the right to decide what subjects he undertakes. That is, if Professor Bond has no objection to another student" Dumbledore interrupted in a kindly voice but his eyes were piecing as he regarded Neville Longbottom.
"Fine by me, Headmaster. The more the merrier." Professor Bond said lightly but was sizing up this new boy with his eyes too.
"Albus, are you sure?" Professor McGonagall asked the headmaster who merely nodded in reply. A wave of her wand and another program appeared on the desk before her and handing it to Neville she told him, "Once started, you must see it through Mr Longbottom, you understand that?"
"Yes Professor" Neville replied gravely, holding his new program.
Harry and Neville returned to their table. Harry asked, "You're really sure about this Neville?"
"Yes!" Neville replied with more metal in his voice that Harry had ever heard from him before.