Unexpected Thoughts
Chapter 3
The train was slowing to a stop at the Hogsmeade station, and Harry was thrilled. Beyond thrilled. He had missed Hogwarts so much over the summer... the Dursleys had made it almost unbearable for him. The only thing that kept him going was Hogwarts, and his friends.
"Ahh, it's good to be back, isn't it, even with that Malfoy git," Ron said, leaning back and grinning.
Hermione and Harry nodded their agreement, and stood up to get out of the train.
They disembarked, and started over to the carriages that waited to take them to Hogwarts. As soon as he caught sight of them, Harry stopped in his tracks and closed his eyes. He had witnessed another death last year, and the thestrals served as a reminder for something harsh that he had been blocking out of his mind all summer.
Hermione and Ron came up behind him and each placed a comforting hand on his shoulder. Harry jumped slightly at the contact; he hadn't even heard them come up to him. He opened his eyes, swallowed, and said, slightly croakily, "All right, then, let's get on, shall we?"
The carriage ride up to the castle was completely silent, much like the first half hour on the Hogwarts Express. Harry was busy staring at something outside, and Ron and Hermione sat there and tried to pretend that things weren't at all awkward.
They arrived at the castle and silently plodded up the steps, Harry in the lead. He was busy thinking about everything and trying very hard not to cry. He hadn't shed one tear all summer for Sirius, and he wasn't about to start now.
About five minutes after they had sat down at the Gryffindor table, the first years that were to be sorted were led in. However, instead of Professor McGonagall bringing out the sorting hat, as was done in previous years, Dumbledore stood up instead. "The Sorting Hat has been... misplaced... and I shall be doing the sorting this year. First years, please come up and sit down on the stool when your name is called."
Professor McGonagall seemed to be the only person not shocked by the news; all of the students as well as most of the teachers appeared not to have known and were busy discussing where the hat might be.
Dumbledore raised his hands. "Silence, please..." he said, and then motioned to Professor McGonagall.
She cleared her throat and began reading off of the list. "Alban, Stuart." As the very frightened young boy stepped up to the stool and sat down, Dumbledore drew out his wand, pointed it at the boys' head, and closed his eyes. After a moment of thought, he opened his eyes, removed the wand, and called out, "Gryffindor!" There was applause from the Gryffindor table, and the young boy walked over.
The sorting continued in this manner until the last person- "Zemrus, Stefani"- was sorted to Ravenclaw. Then Dumbledore resumed his place at the staff table and smiled at all the students. "What are you waiting for? Enjoy!" he said, and food appeared immediately on all of the tables.
There was a murmur of surprise from the first years, but everyone else just leaned over to grab a dish and dug in. Harry temporarily forgot his Sirius woes, and leaned over to discuss the absence of the sorting hat with Hermione and Ron.
Ron was already talking about it to Hermione, and Harry butted in. "So, what d'you reckon?"
Hermione paused and thought for a moment. "Well, the one thing that I do know is that Dumbledore couldn't simply have misplaced it." Harry nodded. "Yeah, you're right. When I was in his office in 2nd year I saw it sitting on a shelf. It's kinda hard to misplace it when it's sitting right there."
Ron nodded his agreement. "So that means one of two things: either it's been stolen or it's been taken somewhere to be used for other purposes. Of course, that makes sense, because the hat does have the ability to search your mind."
"Yes, and I would think it would probably good for use in interrogations and such," Hermione agreed. "I don't know why Dumbledore's never used it for that purpose before..."
Dinner was over, and Dumbledore stood up once again to make his usual announcements. "Welcome, students and teachers. A few announcements before you go to your dormitories: please, stay away from the Forbidden Forest. We urge you not to venture outside after dark at all. Any student who does so will be punished. Also, you are required to have a teacher escort as well as written permission from me, the Headmaster, before going off-grounds at any time," Dumbledore finished, looking at Harry, Ron, and Hermione.
Harry and Hermione stood up to lead the students to their dormitory. "See you later, eh, Ron?" Harry said. Ron nodded and headed out of the great hall.
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After leading the first years to their dorms (Hermione and Harry were pleasantly surprised to learn that the password was "Grawp"), Harry and Hermione looked around for Ron, who appeared to have gone to bed already. They headed up to the prefect's lounge (1) to relax, and Harry immediately plopped down on one of the huge overstuffed arm chairs. Hermione sat down in the chair next to him, and for a long time neither said anything, but just stared into the fire.
Hermione glanced over at Harry and noticed a tear glimmering in his eye. "Harry...?"
He turned to look at her, the single tear sliding down his face, and he swallowed hard. Dammit, he promised himself that he wouldn't cry, and here he was, bawling away- and in front of Hermione, too! He frowned and mentally shook himself, but Hermione was already standing in front of him looking at him. "Harry, do you want to talk?"
Harry frowned and shook his head, and stood up to leave. "I'm going to-"He was cut off by Hermione, who had wrapped him in a silent but very strong hug. Harry gave in and sobbed, his head leaning against her shoulder. Neither said anything, but both understood that they didn't need to.
A few minutes later, Harry pulled away and looked at Hermione with a shaky, somewhat watery smile. "Thank you, Hermione," he said, still sniffling a bit. "I just... I don't... I haven't cried at all since Sirius died," he said, sounding ashamed.
Hermione looked at him and smiled. "Oh, Harry," she said, her own eyes filling with tears of sympathy for her friend, "It's really quite all right." Harry gave her one last hug and then said, "I think I'm going to go to bed."
"All right. Good night, Harry!" she said, and sat down on one of the couches in the lounge. She had a lot of thinking to do.
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Author's Note (1): It's like the teacher's lounge for prefects. They still sleep in their dorms but I needed a place for them to have a private conversation.
«.:.:.:.»
Chapter 3 is up! Woo! Yay for not-quite-manly-ness on Harry's part. Because everyone has to cry once in a while... (: Anyways, review, review, review. I got a total of one reviews for the last chapter... -guilt guilt-
-Sara