Chapter 4: An Early Visit to Hogwarts
Harry grabbed Gin's hand and jumped into the Floo Network. "Hogwarts!" he shouted.
They tumbled out of the fireplace onto Snape. "Potter, what are you doing here?"
"Supposedly visiting Dumbledore. It's not like we purposely landed on you." snapped back Harry as he brushed ashes off his jeans. "I hope we didn't interrupt anything.
"Ok, well I believe it's time to go, Harry. Goodbye, Professor," Ginny said quickly worrying Harry would get into an argument.
"Yes, Potter, I believe you and your little girlfriend should run along."
Ginny grabbed Harry's hand before he could replay and yanked him out of the room.
"Why did you do that, Gin?"
"It's really not worth it to get into a fight with Snape even before school starts. The two of you really need to grow up."
"Come on. He started it like usual."
"Doesn't matter. We really need to go before mum begins to worry."
With that the two of them dashed up the stairs towards the infirmary.
"HARRY!" exclaimed Hermione darting out from the infirmary. "We were so worried when you didn't show up behind us. What happened?"
"Somehow we come out in Snape's office. It wasn't the most pleasant thing."
"Oh, Harry, please tell me you didn't get into a fight with him already."
"No, but I was very close. If only Gin didn't make me leave."
"Harry, Hermione," came Ron's voice from inside the infirmary, "Dumbledore is ready to see us."
As they walked in Harry realized he was actually nervous about seeing Dumbledore. Dumbledore had always seemed powerful and in control. What if that had all changed now that he became sick? Harry could sense Hermione felt the same way as she seemed to tense up when they walked into the room.
"Hello students." said Dumbledore from the hospital bed.
Harry thought he looked almost content. With a slight twinkle in his eye Dumbledore nodded to each of them. Harry sighed with relief. Dumbledore was alright.
"Hi professor. Ready for school to start again?" asked Harry who couldn't think of anything else more important to say.
"Yes, Harry, actually I am. It will be great to see the students again. They mean so much to me. Hopefully you have been behaving over the summer. No inappropriate magic or actions might I presume?" Dumbledore questioned with a slight smile.
"You could say I have been really 'clean' professor. Just had a little run in with some disguised Death Eaters. Nothing really new or exciting."
Dumbledore laughed at this causing the mood in the room to lighten. The conversation took off from there. The adults talking with Dumbledore about many things but not really discussing anything important about the Order in front of the children. Slowly the sun out of the window went down and they soon found themselves having to say goodbye. Finally they took off walking to the fireplace.
Harry, Ginny, Ron, and Hermione were supposed to go to McGonagall's office to use her fireplace connected to the floo network. Walking down the steps they ran into a woman they never saw before.
"Oh my gosh! I am terribly sorry!" exclaimed the woman as she dumped water she was carrying onto Harry's robes. "Wait, you are Harry Potter aren't you?"
"Yeah," he replied not liking how everyone knew who he was.
"Nice to meet you, Harry." she said her eyes lingering on his scar. "My name is Kailey Gill. I am the new Defense against Dark Arts teacher for this year. I just got here from the United States and am busy getting settled so I better go. Sorry I couldn't stay and chat."
Harry could say think of nothing to say but a soft 'bye'. He was too tongued tied at Kailey's beauty to respond. She had long blonde hair, blue eyes, and a very good tan. Her slim figure only helped her look more gorgeous.
"Wow!" exclaimed Ron as she walked off, "I think Defense will be my favorite class this year!"
With a smack from both Ginny and Ron they headed off toward Mcgonagall's again. Although the rest were carrying on a conversation Harry had his mind elsewhere. Something about Kailey struck him as odd. She was just too something. He couldn't quite place it. His thoughts were interrupted as Ginny grabbed his hand and jumped into the fireplace shouting out 'Grimmuald Place!'