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 and on this chapter, I will introduce you to a new character; Laura Springs. I hope you will like her in the coming chapters.
Chapter 4 A New Girl, Friend.
Harry's jaw dropped. He stared open mouthed at Angela, shocked; only to come back to his senses when Ginny nudged him. His eyes are now focused to the sorting ceremony. The hall was silent still as they stared at the hat, patched and frayed as it was placed on the stool next to Professor McGonagall who is holding a list of names. Suddenly, the brim of the hat split open and the hat began to sing.
At a time long past,
I was made to last,
When I was still new,
And Hogwarts was yet to be built,
By the founders four.
Though different they were,
They remained together,
To teach those precious magic.
Each founder strived to find,
Those who possess the qualities they favoured,
When differences took over,
A gap had started,
The founders four divided.
Godric Gryffindor,
The bravest of all,
Wanted those of daring, nerve and chivalry;
Helga Hufflepuff,
Just and loyal of the four,
Wanted those of just, patience and loyal,
But taught the rest just the same;
Rowena Ravenclaw,
Wisest and cleverest,
Wanted those of wit and learning;
And Salazar Slytherin,
Sly and cunning,
Wanted only those of purest.
Divided they were,
By those differences,
That had made them crumble.
The time is near, so use it wisely,
Darkness looms but light will shine through,
Time and tide waits for neither witch nor wizard,
As to now we face a great divide.
History seeks to repeat itself,
Stand united, stay together,
Or we will crumble from within.
Though I am condemned to split you,
I have brought you a dire warning,
Our Hogwarts is facing great danger,
From deadly foes that awaits us,
It is up to you to as to what to do,
For now, let us begin the Sorting.
There were scattered applause but students were whispering just like they did the year before. Harry knew what the hat was talking about and he needn't tell the others for they knew it too. Harry's attention was now on to the first years, who are sorted into their houses. Wobblesby, Summer became a Ravenclaw, Whisp, Cassie became a Slytherin, Bright, Brandon became a Hufflepuff, Smith, Dorothy became another Ravenclaw, Sparkle, Eleanor became the first Gryffindor and the list went on and on until at last, Bernard, Quentin became a Hufflepuff.
Dumbledore got up after the sorting was over to give his usual speech. "Welcome, to another year at Hogwarts. I have a few start of term announcements to make. First years please note, the Forbidden Forest is of course, strictly forbidden and some of our older students ought to know by now; Mr Filch has asked me to remind you for what he tells me is the two hundred and fifty two times that magic is not allowed in the corridors and a new list of forbidden things are now put up. Any student spotted with any of those listed things will have them confiscated. Those who wish view it may do it tomorrow morning. Last but not least, we have a new Defence Against the Dark Arts professor. May I introduce you, Professor Winter who will be with us for what I hope a long time. Well, it seems that I have said a few important points, so, let the feast begin!" Dumbledore resumed to his seat and ate while talking to Professor McGonagall. Snape, on the other hand, wasn't looking hard on Professor Winter. Instead, he was chatting animatedly with her as though she was a normal friend of his.
Harry, noticing the change, nudged Hermione to look at the staff table. She looked as shocked as Harry is and he saw that her jaw had dropped.
"What? That never happened before. Usually Snape would want that position, but he seemed nice to her. It's strange but I think this could be something good. You know, we do have to stand united," said Hermione.
"I don't know about you, Hermione, but I think there is something more to it than you think," said Harry.
"Oh, come on Harry. It doesn't have to be that bad. The sorting hat did give us a warning; stand united and stay together, right?" said Hermione.
"I suppose so," sighed Harry who is now halfway through his steak and kidney pie.
Finally, after the feast was over and the puddings have vanished, Dumbledore stood up once more. "It seems like you all are really tired now after that marvellous feast. But before you go to bed, I have an announcement to make. The inter-house quidditch tournament will be held this year. Anyone interested to tryout for their house team, please inform Madam Hooch. I think that is all. You lot ought to go to bed and clear your heads for your lessons first thing tomorrow. Now, off you trot!"
Everybody got up from their table and streamed out of the hall. Harry walked together with Ginny, Neville and Luna to the Gryffindor Tower and Luna went her way to the Ravenclaw common room. They had reached the Gryffindor tower at last.
"Password?" asked the Fat Lady. "Centelleo," said Ginny, remembering that Ron had told her earlier. They climbed through the portrait hole and went straight to their dormitories. They found their trunks by their beds and changed into their pyjamas instantaneously. Harry, having had his stomach too full, slumped into his bed and quickly drifted off to sleep.
====================
Lucius Malfoy had escaped Azkaban and wanted his son, Draco Malfoy to join the Dark Lord. Draco's face paled; "I do not want to join HIM! You can't make me, father!!" said Malfoy. Lucius Malfoy was furious at that. He grabbed Draco by the wrist and tried to force him to it, but Draco wriggled free and ran away as far as his legs could take him. He did not stop to rest until he was sure that he was not followed by his father.
A flash came and Harry saw that he was standing in a cold, dark, room with Voldemort by his side. "Thank you Harry Potter for joining me and helping me to come back to power; bow to me...and you will be spared," said Voldemort in his cold, hoarse voice. "What makes you think I would want to join you? I will never join you and I will keep my word to the end," spat Harry getting hotter by the moment. "Potter, Potter... so naïve... Looks like I would just have to torture you. If you had made the right choice, this could be prevented...CRUCIO!" said Voldemort. Harry gasped in pain and strained himself from screaming in agony. He would not let Voldemort have the satisfaction. So he grabbed his wand which he had dropped when he was hit by the crustacius curse. Before he had time to duck, Voldemort sent another crustacius curse at him. This time, Harry screamed with agony for he felt pain, beyond pain that never seemed to stop for Voldemort had not lifted his wand and watched Harry writhed on the ground with a satisfactory smile. At the same time, his scar seared with unbearable pain which had greatly increased since he was brought here. Everything went black after that and Harry knew no more.
==================
There came a voice; "I dunno what happened to him. I woke up after I heard him scream and I couldn't bear to look at him. I could see that he was in so much pain, so I called Hermione to help. It was scary; he fell of his bed clutching his scar." Harry recognised the voice as Ron's. "Ron woke me when he screamed on top of his lungs; I swear I could have lost my head. I went to their dorm and saw Harry writhing on the floor with blood rushing down from his scar and at the corner of his mouth. I tried to compress the wound but his scar was so hot, like I was touching the fire with my bare hands. But there is something really odd happened. Harry was like floating in mid air, having this bright white light surround him. Seriously, I thought he was going to die... I don't know." He suspected this as Hermione's voice. "Oh, Harry... Please, wake up. –I don't feel like I really want to- Wake up, Harry, -is that Ginny, or is it Dumbledore? - wake up..."
Harry had given in. His eyes fluttered open after struggling to open it for it had felt as if it were made of iron. His vision was blurred but someone came closer and put his glasses on and his vision became clearer. Harry's head was aching and he tried to move but found that he couldn't for it was too painful to even move a limb.
"Are you feeling alright Harry?" asked Dumbledore. Harry could see that Dumbledore had not had his twinkle in his eye and his face looked grave and concerned. "I'm fine. Just shaky, that's all," Harry replied untruthfully. "What happened, and how long was I here?" asked Harry. "Mr. Potter, you have in fact, been here for two days. We couldn't seem to wake you up," said Madam Pomfrey. "As to what had happened, I do not know. However, if you recall anything, you may find me in the Headmaster's Office," said Dumbledore and he was off without a word.
Madam Pomfrey had managed to get everyone out of the Hospital Wing and went to Harry's bed, fussing about how he had attracted so many troubles and injured himself in those many occasions so many times. She made Harry swallow a couple of potions and made him drink the draught of dreamless sleep.
After a few days spent at the Hospital Wing with Ron, Hermione and Ginny as visitors, he went back to his classes and finished the homework he had left out when he was out sick. It didn't really help the matter when Snape was being nastier than usual for he was one of the few Gryffindors taking Potions for NEWTs.
Ginny kept throwing glances at Harry and once in a while tried to start a conversation with him that night when he was sitting at the Gryffindor common room, finishing off a foot long essay that Professor Winter had given him; Explain a Patronus, it's use and how it works. Harry didn't feel like talking right now, so he rolled up his finished essay and went to bed, this time, fully aware and practiced Occlumency before closing his eyes.
The next morning, Harry was up early and went straight to the Great Hall and has his breakfast. The moment he had finished his toast, Ginny grabbed him by the shoulder and dragged him out of the hall. She practically dragged him down to the lawns until they had reached a girl. Ginny was the first to have spoken. "Harry, I would like you to meet Laura Springs. She's a new friend of mine, from Hufflepuff. I didn't quite notice her until recently," said Ginny. "Nice to meet you," said Harry extending his hand. "It is nice to meet you too. You don't have to introduce yourself. I've already know you," said Laura holding out her hand to shake his.
Harry was feeling a bit at ease for Ginny and Laura had put his mind off his troubles for a while. Even Hermione and Ron had noticed this. That night, Harry lay in bed thinking about the day. He had laughed more than he had in the last few months. Suddenly, he found himself thinking of Ginny, her flaming red hair, blown by the wind. She looked sweet and her looks were enough to have him mesmerised. She had certainly grown into a beautiful young lady and Harry found himself attracted to her. He rolled in his bed and couldn't stop thinking about her. 'Why am I thinking about her? She's my best friend's sister. Why am I not being able to sleep?' Harry asked himself. He could hear another voice telling him, 'because Harry, you are in love with her. Are you still questioning that?' At long last, the questions were answered. Harry Potter was able to drift into his sleep, thinking about Ginny and what he should tell her first thing in the morning.
Author's notes:
Centelleo means twinkle.
You may have noticed Laura Springs. She's a new character. Maybe there will be more about her in the next chapter.
Thanks for reading... if you like it, or want to give suggestions or point out some mistakes I may have made, please review. I will try to do my best to rectify my mistake.