AN: ::cowers from angry reader:: Erm... meep?
Sorry for the delay. I actually had the chapter written, but I've been busy with various summer assignments and a production of West Side Story (it was AMAZING and now it's OVER!!! *cries*), so I didn't get to type it till recently. Once again, I'm trying to follow the basic idea of the books, so this chapter is mostly HP stuff, though there are a few loose SM references. Review Responses are at the end. "..." is talking, '...' is thought, [...] is AN or definition, (...) is extra info but part of the fic, ... means trailed off, -- means interrupted. Enjoy!
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The landscape was flying by as the Hogwarts Express sped through the country. Harry could hear Ron and Hermione chatting beside him, but he was in no mood to talk. He curled up by the window, staring at the scenery, silent and pensive.
The summer was uneventful, considering Voldemort was on the move. Had he not been so depressed, Harry would have realized that this had probably been the best summer he'd ever had with the Dursleys (though that's not saying much). The family he'd despised for so long was still frightened of the dementor attack from the previous year and let Harry have his space. No one ever made him do anything, and Dudley was almost afraid to touch him, let alone be in the streets with only Harry.
The annual invitation came from the Burrow, of course, but Harry declined. Though he loved the redhead family, he craved silence and solitude rather than happy mayhem. He didn't fell ready to deal with a mass of other people yet, not others that knew.
Ron and Hermione had tried to treat him the same as always, but Harry could tell that under it all they were very concerned about him.
A knock came on the door of their compartment. Ron slid it open to see the kindly witch pushing the cart. "Want anything, Harry?" Hermione asked as the two headed out to fill their pockets with sweets. Harry made no response.
"Here, have a frog," said Ron, tossing Harry a Chocolate Frog as they returned to the compartment. "It's good for you."
Nonchalantly, Harry opened the foil and broke open the frog. A card glittered up at him.
"Whoa..." he uttered softly as he raised the card.
"Harry?" asked Hermione, as the two moved towards him.
Silently, surprise etched onto his face, he turned the card for the others to see.
A familiar man looked back at them. His hair was brown and his skin was pale, but had he only been pearly and transparent, he would have been a perfect replica of Professor Binns, their History of Magic teacher.
Hermione read the caption aloud. "Horatio Binns, though not known for any great deeds, is considered by many to be one of the greatest scholars of magical history. Though it is an understatement to say that Binns lacks the power to captivate his audience, he knows things about history that most wizards forgot before they learned them. Binns is also very devoted to his profession as professor at Hogwarts, and when he passed away seventeen years ago, his spirit continued teaching. Binns is still respected for his insights among the ghostly community."
Ron looked up, his face white with shock. "Wow, Harry. I had no idea a Binns card even *existed*."
Hermione looked flustered. "I had no idea Binns was such a prominent figure. I really wish I had paid better attention during his lectures."
Ron scoffed. "C'mon, Hermione. Even the Frog people say it's an understatement to say Binns is boring. I mean, that class was created for snore time!"
Hermione hmphed and Harry almost smiled. Almost.
Ron was still eyeing the card. "Uh, Harry?" he said cautiously. "Uh, that card must be ultra-rare, right? And, uh, I... er... I bought the frog. So, err, I was wondering..."
Harry smiled for Ron's sake and offered the card. "But I get to keep the chocolate."
Relieved, Ron smiled. "Sure thing, Harry."
~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Harry was relieved to see Hagrid calling for the first-years again when they got off the train. He wondered what had happened to Grawp, but he wisely didn't say anything to Hagrid.
Nearly all the carriages were full as the trio walked towards the back for open seats. Hermione and Ron climbed in as Harry stared at the wild-eyed threstal before him.
"Thanks," he murmured, patting its mane lightly. The beast nickered softly.
"They really are marvelous, once you get to know them," said a voice by his ear. Harry spun around to see the strange Luna Lovegood staring at him. He shrugged and climbed into the carriage, as she followed.
The ride to Hogwarts was uneventful. Luna babbled about a legend of some sort, doubtless the topic of her father's latest issue. Hermione rolled her eyes, but smiled politely.
Almost everyone was inside when they reached the castle. The foursome jumped out and hurried towards the murmur of voices, Harry lingering for one final glance at the strange horses.
Harry hurried up the great steps and through the entrance hall to the Great Hall where the Sorting would begin in moments. Suddenly someone grabbed him and pulled him aside.
"Harry!"
He fearfully stared at the strange woman who had pressed him against a wall. She seemed to be about middle-aged, but her hair, in two loose pigtails, was gray and her face, stern.
"Uh... can I help you?" he asked, having no idea who she was or what she wanted.
"Harry!" cried the woman with exasperation. "It's me! It's Tonks!"
Harry stared at a loss for words. He could hear the Sorting begin, but he didn't care. Suddenly, something snapped within him, and he glomped the woman. She was taken by surprise, but she patted his back awkwardly.
"Well, it's good to see you too, Harry."
"But how-- why are you here?"
Tonks smiled. "Ministry's orders. As Hogwarts is one of the largest centers of wizardry and the home of his arch-enemy, the Ministry assumes Hogwarts is pretty high on You-Know-Who's hit list. Sure, it's protected, but with so many kids who can't even wave their wands properly, let alone defend themselves, the Ministry decided that some extra protection would be a good idea. So a group of us Aurors were sent here to watch over this place through the year. Kingsley is here, too, and Remus--"
"Professor Lupin?!" interrupted Harry incredulously.
"Yep," said Tonk. "He'll be teaching again, but-- wait, I've just spoiled the surprise. Sorry 'bout that, my mouth ran away with me. You better hurry inside, now. Dumbledore will be making the announcements and starting the feast soon. I'll see you around, Harry!"
Harry waved goodbye and hurried inside.
The first thing he noticed upon nearing the Gryffindor table was that nearly everyone wore the same expression on their face. An expression of surprise and wonder and... was that fear?
"What did I miss?" he asked as he sat down.
"The Sorting Hat," Ginny murmured, still staring at the old hat on the head of one of the last first-years. "I'm wondering if it's still working."
"Last year was weird enough, with all that unity stuff, but this...?" Ron trailed off.
"What do you mean?" said Harry, more confused.
"The Song," explained Hermione. "It wasn't... normal. For one thing, it had a strange eerie rhythm. But for another . . . Harry, it never even mentioned the houses or anything. It was all about some weird prediction of the future and all the darkness and evil and terror that will come. But then it spoke of hope and a prophecy-- No, I don't think it's the same one, Harry. This was something about a search... I don't know. But it said, 'From these walls will rise up the only hope for the wizarding world.' And something about watching the 'blue flame'. It was spooky, Harry."
McGonagall was taking the hat away, and Dumbledore stood to address the Hall. "Welcome, welcome everyone to a new year at Hogwarts. Firstly, it would do everyone well to note that the Forbidden Forest is strictly off-limits. This is a matter of personal safety, and I advise you that if you value your life, not to venture into its depths.
"Secondly, I would like to welcome our host of Aurors who have been provided by the Ministry for your extra protection during these dark times.
"Thirdly, please welcome back Professor Hagrid, Professor Trelawney, and Professor Firenze, who have resumed their teaching positions. Professor Trelawney will be teaching Divination to students from third- to fifth-year, and Professor Firenze will teach Advanced Divination to the students in sixth- and seventh-year.
"Also returning to our faculty this year is our dear Professor Lupin." Enthusiastic but scattered applause met this last remark, and many looked around fearfully. But Dumbledore understood their fears that a werewolf, considered a dark creature, would be at Hogwarts. "Never fear, for Professor Lupin is one of the kindest men I know and very tame, even in his condition. But for your reassurance, an Auror will be present during his classes at all times." Harry frowned, assuming this was something Fudge had insisted on. But Professor Lupin didn't appear to mind.
"And finally, I'd like to congratulate our very own Professor Binns for his appointment as chairperson of the International Ghostly Convention in Transylvania. Professor Binns will be away for the first part of the year, so I'd like to welcome your new History of Magic professor for the first semester, all the way from Japan. Please give a warm welcome to Professor Naru!"
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AN: FINALLY, enter SM. I don't know Naru's last name, but then again, how many people would recognize her if I used it? I admit, originally this position was gonna be filled by an older Chibi Usa, but I decided it would work better this way. Naru will teach History of Magic quite different from Binns... ::wink:: And for those that are wondering, International Ghostly Conventions are rare, but when called they are very important for each ghost to attend for at least a little while. So currently, Hogwarts is empty of all its ghosts except Myrtle (who sulked and refused to go) and Peeves, who doesn't really count. ;D The conference this time is about the threat of Voldemort and how the ghost community will respond.
And now, Review Responses!
Loopy Lu- I *think* Sirius will be back *eventually*, but it will all be part of the plot. Cause I don't understand JKR's reasons, but that was just plain e-vile!
The Wind and The Sea- I have a bodyguard! Woohoo!!! ::cheers::
Serenity Silvermoon- ouch! Yeah, work's no fun. And I'll have to check out your fic!
Lady of the Forest- Honestly, I'm kinda weird with how I plan my fics. I get ideas at the randomest times, so I scribble them down on scraps of paper. Then later I go back and think about the best way to pull it all together and start more notes. In the end, I have piles of colorful scraps of paper. ^_^" Works pretty well for me though, weird as it is. Personally, I've never liked outlines too much. Reminds me too much of research papers. Ack!
Lost-star3- Hey, thanks for checking out my Sirius Lives site! Sorry there's so little there now, and the email doesn't work and everything. ^_^" Lol, and you're review was amusing. ;D
Midnight Lilly- Interesting pairing idea... Snape will get someone, but it's still up in the air as to who...
AngelDust159- hmm... interesting idea, but I don't think I'm gonna use a Dark Cosmos here. Thanks anyways!
Chibi-Cola- I dunno, Bill/Fleur is kinda funny. I dunno how long it will last in this fic, but we shall see...
Thank you also to:
Fellow
Sailor-Destin
wha?
setsuna-3000
Usagi Asia Maxwell
DaughterofDeath
Dark Universe
Kiwi3
Crescendo
kara
Skittles the Sugar Fairy
Moon's Heart
Moonprincess202
Momentum
Shaiala RialleThank you everyone and *please* review. Ja ne, minna-chan!
~Calli-chan