~Harry Potter and the Rise of the Dark Lord~
by: LogicalRaven

****



Am I that predictable??? Pavarti Patil Head Girl? Are you kidding me???
For all of you who are worried that Cho is going to run off with Eros, don't fret (yet…)
I do feel that there needs to be a twist, which I have spent hours contemplating.
It won't happen for awhile, so relax….

Read and Review
Nothing is My Own

****

Perks and Privileges




September 1st had finally arrived. It was a mixed emotion for Harry, he couldn't tell if he was excited about returning to Hogwarts for his final year or not. Part of him dreaded going back, Hogwarts seemed to always bring out the darkest moments of his life.

Minions of the Dark Lord Strike Again


In Bristol, England thirteen muggle born or muggle wed witches and wizards were slain. This is the tenth attack on muggle born or muggle wed this month. The Minister of Magic, Cornelius Fudge, is urging citizen to remain indoors and draw as little attention to themselves as possible.

A record number of Muggle Borns have turned in their wands, disclaiming their magical rites. This brings the official number of wands turned in to 55. Ministry Officials are advising Muggle Borns not to react hastily.

"Turing in ones wand does not deliver them out of harms way. Just last week five muggle borns, who turned in their wands, were murdered by dark servants in their sleep," warns Lieutenant Depty Head Auror, December O'Riley.

With news of the latest attacks, a long time ally with Britain's Magical Governing body, has pulled out their support. The Ambassador of France, Jacque Franc, regretfully said that 'he who must not be named' is England's problem. Will Britain's Ministry of Magic be forced to stand alone in this fight?

Retired Chief Head Auror, Alastor Moody stated, "Everyone must exercise constant vigilance. You shouldn't even go to the bathroom in your home without your wand in hand."

England's Magical community waits in fear for the end of the Dark Days.


Harry grimaced as he finished the article, it seemed like de ja vu, everyday was the same. More attacks against Muggles or Muggle Borns. He wasn't sure why but he couldn't help but search for his aunt and uncle in the names each time he read the paper.
December O'Riley was absolutely correct, turning in ones wand didn't take them out of harms way.

Harry Potter and Padma Patil Named New Heads at Hogwarts



In a statement released from the Minister of Magic's cabinet, the new Head Boy at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry will be none other than Harry Potter himself.

Young Harry Potter was the boy who lived through a 'he who must not be named attack' and survived bring the Dark Lord to his first fall. Some magical communities are claiming that The Boy Who Lived is "Our Only Hope" against the new rise of the Dark Lord.

Harry's parents, James and Lily Potter, were active opponents in the former campaign to bring down 'he who must not be named." Now Harry, is following in their footsteps.

"He's a bright young lad. His courage is inspiring and he reminds us that we still have a chance in these dark times," said, the Minister of Magic, Cornelius Fudge. "I think it is a brilliant idea that Semi-Retired Head Master, Albus Dumbledore, selected Harry for the position."

Harry counterpart in his position, is Padma Patil. She is the daughter of Sashi and Erilynn Patil of Glasgow.


"Interesting article?" Cho asked, taking a seat next to Harry on his bed.
"Fudge is such a hypocrite," Harry spat.

"Most people are," Cho agreed, glancing over Harry's shoulder to catch a glimpse of what Harry was reading.

"Oh, how wonderful. Padma made Head Girl, it's about time a Ravenclaw was named Head again," Cho said excitedly, noticing the title of the article Harry was reading.

"The year before last Ravenclaw had the Head Girl title," Harry reminded her.

"True, but last year we lost it to a Hufflepuff, it's about time we got it back," Cho retorted.

Harry grinned as he handed his copy of the Daily Prophet over to Cho. He knelt down near his chest and continued to gather his things, they were leaving for King's Crossing in less than an hour, and he still hadn't finished packing.

"I can't believe that you're already going back, it just isn't fair," Cho whined, watching him with a pout.
"Would you rather me drop out of school and just stay here with you?" Harry asked jokingly.

A mischievous grin spread across Cho's face, "That isn't all that bad of an idea. I don't mind supporting you."
"I thought you wanted me to make it into Auror training next year?" Harry teased.

Cho dropped backwards on the bed with a sigh, "Why don't we just apparate to some white sandy beach and forget about all these stupid responsibilities."

"That doesn't sound very Cho like," he commented, folding a pair of his socks.
Cho propped her head up with her elbow, "You have to admit it sounds appealing. I hear there is a great beach community is southern France."

"I don't think your mentor would approve," Harry said with a snicker.

Cho frowned slightly at the mention of her mentor. Eros Raymer had been a delicate subject around the couple.

"You don't have to worry about me falling for Raymer, I promise," Cho said staring at Harry with sincerity.

He sighed, feeling a twinge of jealous hit his stomach, "I just wished you weren't going to have to spend so much time with him, that's all."
"Well, after my first assessment there will be a lot less classroom time. Me and Master Raymer will actually be going on raids, so I won't exactly be alone with him," she tired to assure.

"Raids?" Harry asked, "They're going to let you start going on raids?"
"Oh course, I'll be a Rank II Auror in training," Cho said, looking slightly concerned with Harry's tone.

Harry shook his head, "You don't think it might be a bit early to start fighting Death Eaters. You've only been in training for a short time. You remember the attack, fighting Death Eaters and Dementors…"

"Harry, I'll be fine. It isn't like they're going to send me into battle unprepared," she laughed nervously.

Harry held his breath as she leaned her head down to his, inching her way closer and closer. It amazed Harry how a kiss with Cho had gone from something that always caught him off guard, to a common event.

"I'm sorry to interrupt, but Tonk's sent me up here to get you Harry. We need to get going or we're going to miss the train," interrupted a mock serious voice.

Harry chuckled, "Ginny, don't you know how to knock."

"I have six brothers, privacy is a concept I don't grasp," Ginny remark sarcastically.

****



A Ministry car brought them to the London train station. Tons of muggles were pushing themselves around, and like Harry had done five previous times, he pushed his cart through the barricade onto platform nine and three quarters.

It must have been the moment he saw all his fellow peers, that the gleaming badge pinned to his chest really sunk in. A timid first year passed by him nervously. He had to laugh when he heard Ron mutter the word 'midgets' behind him.

"Only a Crackpot would make an unstable scarhead like Potter Head Boy," hissed Pansy Parkinson as she pushed by Harry and Ron rudely on her way to the train.

"Give her detention Harry, come on," Ron urged.
"I hate to admit it, but Ron does have a point," Ginny agreed.

Hermione didn't say a word. In fact Harry had barely heard Hermione say a thing since the day he had apparated upstairs. He had played it off thinking that Hermione was just bitter over not making Head herself, but Hermione wasn't the type to get jealous.

"I don't have the slightly inkling what I'm suppose to do," Harry confesses, staring at the train and feeling like a fish out of water.

"Well, there should be a note for the Heads in the Prefects' compartment. It normally tells them what their suppose to tell all the prefects," Ginny said biting her lip as she recalled her experience the previous year.

Hermione looked like she wanted to say something but didn't, she just kept quite. It was completely uncharacteristic of her. After the group loaded their luggage they made their way to the Prefects' compartment of the Hogwart's Express, and as Ginny had told him, Harry found a letter address to him and Padma Patil taped to the door.

"Congratulations Padma," called a Ravenclaw girl.
"Thanks Mandy," Padma called back sweetly.

Harry turned around to see his new Head partner walking a few feet behind him. He couldn't help but wonder how Pavarti was taking the news of her sister making Head Girl.

"Hello Padma," Harry greeted.
"Hello," Padma said shyly as she approached.

"Congratuations," Harry added, it was amazing how much she looked like Pavarti, but after all, they were twins.

Padma smiled, starting at the letter in Harry's hands.

"So, have you read our instructions yet?" Padma asked.

"Uh, no. You can open it if you want," Harry shrugged, holding the letter out for her to take.

The prefects of Hogwarts slowly started filling the large compartment as Padma scanned through the letter quickly and then handed it to Harry.

"Hello everyone. Welcome back to Hogwarts. Most of you have been prefects for awhile now, so you know what your responsibilities consist of. For those of you who are new this year your duties are simple. A schedule will be posted in the Prefects' Lounge, which is located on the fifth floor corridor. The password this year will be Lotus Blossom. The Prefect's Bathroom is on the Fifth floor next to the portrait of Boris the Bewildered. The password is the same as last year, pine fresh. It is acessable during legal hours. I'd like to remind everything that it is a co-ed bathroom and to knock before entering. For those of you who are fifth year prefects, your first duty is to show the new first years where their houses will be. You can get your house password from Professor Snape when we arrive at Hogwarts," Padma said confidently, as if she had been reciting it for weeks.

"Thanks," Harry whispered over to her, feeling slightly overwhelmed.

"No problem," she mouthed back with a grin.

Slowly the prefects started to chat amongst themselves, the new fifth years asking eager questions about perks and privileges.

"Oh, you'll love the prefects bathroom, absolutely amazing. I love the pink bubbles that smell like cotton candy," said Cindy Etchheart, Hufflepuff's sixth year prefect.

Harry couldn't help but smile to himself as he recalled his illegal visit to the prefects' bathroom during his fourth year. He preferred the lilac colored fog personally.

"So, were you surprised to make Head this year?" Padma suddenly asked, scanning through some handwritten notes she had made.

"That's an understatement, were you?" Harry returned.

Padma laughed to herself, "I was positive Hermione Granger was going to be named Head Girl. I wasn't surprised you were named Head Boy though."

****



"All first yers this way," bellowed Hagrid as the student exited the Hogwarts Express.

Padma exited the train with Harry, since it was customary that the Heads ride in the front carriage taking them up to Hogwarts. Harry couldn't help but wonder how many more students could now see the Thestals this year. A Thestal was a winged hourse, skeletal and reptilian, which supposedly brings bad luck. Actually, thestrals are amazingly magical creatures which are invisible to anyone who hasn't seen death first hand.

As the two Heads approached their carriage, Padma Patil let out a slight whimper, reminding Harry she had witnessed Dennis Creevy die the previous year.

"They won't hurt you. They've always been there," Harry told her calmly, feeling his stomach turn sick at the sight of the winged monsters.

"I know, I remember Hagrid telling us about them in Care for Magical Creatures, but I just never imagined them to look so horrible," Padma confessed, trying to hold her head up.

When they reached the castle the students made their way into the Great Hall, and Harry and Padma were lead aside by Professor Flitwick.

"Welcome back Mr. Potter and Miss Patil. Congratulations on being named the new Heads, it is quite an honor. As you may have heard, Professor Dumbledore won't be returning as Headmaster this year. Due to this we've had to make a few changes.
Professor Snape and myself will be serving as deputy Headmasters, and Professor McGonagall will be serving as Headmistress. I'm going to be responsible for the Prefects and Heads this year, so if you have any questions don't hesitate to come to me," the short man said happily. "As the Heads you have some special privileges such as, there will be no curfew placed upon you, and each of you will have your own private room in your house. Miss Patil is familiar with the Prefects' lounge I'm sure. You two will now also have access to the Heads' study, the password is 'Unwavering fairness'. Your first prefect meeting will be tomorrow night at seven, I'll send you an owl tomorrow at breakfast with instructions."

As Harry and Padma walked into the Great Hall, Harry felt a feeling of surreal ness run through his veins. It felt so strange without Dumbledore. Professor Snape was leading in the first year, and Harry couldn't help but notice that they seemed more terrified than he had ever seen first years look.

"Are you going to tease them?" Lavender Brown called over to Ron and Ginny.

"Tease them, they look like their about to wet themselves already," Ron replied with a smirk.

"Well, if Snape had escorted you into the sorting ceremony you'd probably look just as terrified," Ginny said sharply.
She turned to the entering first years, "It doesn't hurt much," she whispered over to one.

"When I call your names, step forward," Snape said viciously as the corners of his mouth tugged at the shaking first years.

Harry raised his eyebrows wondering if Snape had forgotten the Sorting Hat likes to sing a little tune before the actually sorting.

"Professor Snape, the Sorting Hat's introduction," Professor McGonagall hinted, nodding towards the tattered old hat.

"Oh yes, how forgetful of me," Snape muttered, rolling his scroll back up.

The old hat stirred and gave a great yawn.

"Oh how quickly time does travel,
When your merely just a hat.
So tattered, worn and ragged and nothing more than that.
Each year I greet the new ones, and tell them of my cause.
Three years now I've been preaching, but my words all still quite lost.

I remember back to old days, when the founders made me proud.
Fool hearted was the lot of them, a mistake, myself I found.
Each year I do divide you, each one I give a fate.
Three years now I've been telling you, that sorting is a mistake.

I divide you into houses and I marvel at my work.
For no other hat could do the task, my duties such a perk.

The founder proud, had their traits
Each one they did select.
Created me, to see, you see
Four houses I did erect.

Brave Gryffindor had a heart of steel.
A courageous kindly gent.
Slytherin was sly and mean,
Witty students he did select.

Sweet Hufflepuff was awfully kind,
And turned not one away.
And Ravenclaw had smarts untold,
True knowledge was her trait.

The one thing that these founders could never really get.
Dividing students amongst each other, went against what Hogwarts meant.

So this year I have decided, that my talk seems awfully cheap.
What needed is some action, that action starts with me.

I will not sort, divide you.
I will not do my job.
Sorting you into houses, I repeat is truly wrong.

Sorry to disappoint you.
Sorry for my choice.
But as all things good must come to an end,
The end I now rejoice.

So turned me into ashes, let the fires burn and roar.
For this old hat, is now just that and will not sort no more.