I am really sorry for my lateness. I am too busy studying basic algebra I just lost track of time. Anyways, just read this chapter and tell me what you think about it. I hope you all will like it. I made some improvements before submitting this chapter.

Disclaimer – Harry Potter and its other characters are not mine. I don't own them. It is J.K. Rowling's copyright. On the other hand, I do own Angela Winter. I'll make her interesting.

Chapter 3

Another surprise

The next day was dedicated to their studies. Harry and Ron had eaten their breakfast earlier as an Order meeting will be held and they still aren't allowed to attend. Just as he was headed to the library, Harry saw a woman deep in conversation with Lupin and Tonks. She had curly brown hair, which is so long it almost touched her ankles and happens to be a tall person. Harry was awed but suddenly realised that he was still mid way up the stairs. He shook his head and went upstairs, but Lupin had noticed him staring at her. So, he called Harry and introduced her to him.

"Hello. You're Harry, are you? I'm Angela Winter. Lupin's told me so much about you," said Angela. "Nice to meet you," she added.

"Hello to you, too and yes, I'm Harry. I could see that you're well informed," said Harry.

"Well, Dumbledore's told me something of great importance before meeting you. As of the start of your next term, I will be tutoring you Occlumency and Legimency. Mind you, I will be prepared if I were you, because I'm an Occlumens master myself. I'm also a great Legimens, which by the way, was taught by Dumbledore himself," said Angela.

"What happened to Snape? Isn't he the one to tutor me?" asked Harry.

"Circumstances do change, Harry. Professor Snape has some business that involves the Order to attend to," said Angela.

"I understand," was Harry's reply.

"You know, I think we'll meet each other at Hogwarts quite often. You'll see what I mean once you get there," said Angela with a twinkle in her eyes which suggest that she knows something that he doesn't.

"Well, we better hurry. Meeting's about to start," interrupted Lupin.

After a hurried goodbye, Lupin and Angela walked into the kitchen. It seemed that Mrs. Weasley had invited Hermione to come over for the remainder of the summer because she appeared in their room moments later. Ron was the first to notice her entering the room and Ginny walked over to welcome her. Ron walked over to her in three strides and kissed on the cheek. Harry, on the other hand, did not notice her for he was too absorbed with his reading. Hermione looked around and smiled when she saw Harry reading 'The Art of Defence Against the Dark Arts: Expect the Unexpected' at the corner of the room. Hermione slowly went over to Harry.

"Hi, Harry. I see you've been reading the book I gave you," said Hermione, trying to break the silence.

"Yeah, you could see that. I've just started. It really keeps my mind off things," said Harry.

"That's what I always think. But sometimes, it can't. You know, you really don't have the need to keep everything from us. I'm your friend, we are, Ron and Ginny is too," said Hermione.

"I just need time to think about it. Come on, let's talk about something else," said Harry trying to avoid mentioning the prophecy. He was afraid of how they might react if they ever knew the truth. Hermione seemed to forget about their talk after a while for she had herself deeply immersed in their conversation about quidditch. She seemed to have taken a liking to quidditch which surprised them most.

It was a great relief for Harry to be in bed after another day of study. All in all, it was worth it for he could memorise the contents of his school books. Anybody who asked him would be greatly surprised when he answers them. Hermione's arrival made the air in the house more cheerful than it had been. He could hear Ron's snores and finally managed to close his ayes and drifted into a dreamless sleep.

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First September, come and go. They weren't rushing as they usually did, for they had packed their trunks the night before. Once everything was ready, they went off to King's Cross. Only this time, they went by car drove by Fred. Although Mrs. Weasley was not all too pleased with the renovations they had made to the car, she agreed to go with them in one condition – they won't fly the car. Otherwise, it would be very suspicious indeed and they would surely get into trouble if Fudge finds out about it.

They arrived at King's Cross station with twenty minutes to spare. They went through the barrier and found themselves at Platform nine and three quarters. Lupin and the others made them promise not to search for trouble before they clambered on to the train. They heaved their trunks on to the train and Harry and Ginny find themselves a compartment. They were joined shortly by Neville and Luna. Ron and Hermione went to the prefects' carriage. The whistle sounded and the train began to move. Mrs. Weasley and the others waved at them. Harry collapsed on to a seat and the others did the same.

"Hello, Neville. How was your summer?" asked Harry in the hope of starting a conversation.

"It was okay. Luna came over to my place and we talked," said Neville.

"And? Anything happened between you two? I could see that something obviously happened between you two," said Harry.

"Yeah, I saw it too," piped Ginny. "You may not notice it, but we kind of saw you two holding hands. You might want to be a little bit more careful if I were you if you really want to keep it a secret."

"Well, I wouldn't put into conclusions that quick," said Luna dreamily."But I wouldn't deny that we're together," added Luna.

Their conversation was ended by the arrival of the witch with the tea trolley. Ron and Hermione returned soon after. They slumped on to the seat and Ron grabbed a Chocolate Frog. Ron was red in the ear and Hermione was blushing furiously that her cheek turned crimson red.

"Ron, what happened back there?" asked Harry although he knew too well what had happened between the two of them.

"Nothing, really," answered Ron, now redder than he had been.

"Oh, well. You don't have to tell me. I think I've got figured out; and trust me, I'll keep it a secret," said Harry.

"Are you okay with that, I mean, after what happened with me and Hermione?" asked Ron.

"Yeah, why wouldn't I be? I don't mind it at all," said Harry. "And what really happen back there anyway?" asked Harry.

"Well, I kind of turned around when she was about to turn too; not that I know that was coming. We accidentally kissed. It felt really weird. We came here before anything bad happens," said Ron.

"I feel like the fifth wheel. Everybody's got their own girlfriend, whereas I don't," said Harry frowning slightly.

"Harry, don't be. I bet you'll find someone once we get to Hogwarts. Girls are bound to pick you," said Ron, trying to comfort him.

"Maybe you're right; but I won't get my hopes up," said Harry

"Hey, did Malfoy come with his usual cronies; Crabbe and Goyle?" asked Ron.

"Come to think about it; no, they don't. It's kind of weird. I don't think they would want to pass the opportunity to get us into trouble. But either way, I'm not worried. It feels peaceful without them dangling around, trying to get me," said Harry, who is checking his watch. They are about to arrive at Hogsmeade Station shortly. So, Harry and the others changed into their school robes. The girls, of course; were changing in a different compartment.

All too soon, the train came to a halt. They had arrived at Hogsmeade station at last. They stepped down and saw Hagrid calling the first years. Harry hadn't had the chance to call up to Hagrid for he was dragged by other students. Ginny grabbed him by the wrist and pulled him towards them. She had got them a carriage. The journey was uneventful; not unless you counted the time Ginny pecked Harry on the cheek and Ron not being able to stifle his laugh, only to stop when Hermione glared a death look at him.

At long last, the carriage pulled up. They stepped off and walked to the Great Hall. All other students were streaming into the Great Hall, too. Harry sat at the Gryffindor table and waited for the sorting for Ron had been greatly annoying because felt extremely hungry. He didn't have to wait for long, though because the doors were opened and the first years flooded into the Great Hall headed by Professor McGonagall. Harry's eyes wandered to the staff table and he saw someone sitting next to Snape – the seat that's always taken by Defence Against the Dark Arts professor. They always have to change, do they? It seems like it really is jinxed. Let's hope not. He was curious to know who that person is. After a moment, Harry was suddenly hit by realisation. He now knew who had filled the vacant position of Defence Against the Dark Arts. The person is none other than ...... Angela Winter.

Author's notes:

Professor Angela Winter- no disrespect, she's teaching. I guess with some exception with what's that people call him? Oh yeah, that slimy git, Snape.

Sorry for adding characters. I can't help it. I hope you like the new character, though.