Author's notes - I'm sorry the last chapter was so short but I was tiered
and it seemed like a good place to stop. To tell you the truth the last
chapter was meant to be about 100 words but I got a bit carried away. I
know that some people, cough Yasmeen cough, are not going to like the
chapter of the house Dudley ends up in. But it's important, as you'll see
later. I do promise that Dudley will be making a fool of himself, but I'm
not mean so don't except me to push him off a cliff or anything!
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~ *~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
-Chapter Six-
First Years
A pillow hit Harry squarely in the face. "Oi! Harry, we need to go," said Ron's voice from the other side of the room. "They're back, mum keeps saying we are going to miss the train."
Harry opened his eyes, put his glasses on. The room swam into focus. "I know, I was awake when they got back." He said, swinging his legs to the floor.
"Do you know where they were?" said Ron, rapidly undoing the work of the previous night in a frantic search for socks.
"No they didn't tell me. Lupin just said the they were all ok, except for Moody who's in St. Mungo's. Then your mum sent me back to bed." Harry said. He was trying to remember what had woken him up in the first place. He was sure it hadn't been the members of the Order. If they had been making enough noise to wake him on the second floor, then they would have woken Mrs Black up as well.
"Got everything?" Harry said from the doorway.
"Yeah, let's go and see what they were up to." Ron said as he finished pulling on a pair on socks.
It took them quite a long time to get their trunks down. In the end the twins had to help them. When they entered the kitchen they were all out of breath. Tonks was sitting at the table, reading the Daily Prophet. She was running her hand distractedly through her hair, which was long, curly, and blond. She had huge bags under her eyes. Mrs Weasley was trying to cook breakfast. Lupin was trying to talk to Mr Weasley, who had fallen asleep on his plate. A few of people were sitting around the table staring into space, as if hoping the floor would open and swallow them so they could get some sleep.
"Wotcher," said Tonks looking up whilst trying unsuccessfully to suppress a yawn.
"Where were you all last night?" Said Ginny looking around the room with interest.
Mrs Weasley turned round and opened he mouth about to say something. Lupin abandoned his conversion with Mr Weasley, to give Mrs Weasley a worried look.
"They'll find out anyway, it's in the paper." Supplied Tonks, waving the paper in the air. Mrs Weasley closed her mouth and sighed.
"There was an attack on Hogsmead," Lupin said after a moment. "but we were luckily warned so we could prevent any serious danger." There was finality in his voice that warned against further questions.
Harry and Ron exchanged glances and sat down, with a great effect they restrained themselves inquiring farther. A muttering Mrs Weasley slid about a dozen sausages on to Harry's plate, before putting just as many on Ron's plate. After a very large silent breakfast they carried their trunks outside to wait for the cars, which Mundungus Fletcher was arranging for them. No one asked where he was getting them. Lupin stayed very close to Harry all the time. There was a little confession as they were getting in. Harry, Ron and Hermoine were automatically getting into one together, when Lupin grabbed Harry.
"Oh no you don't, you'll see them on the train." He said. As he pushed him into the other car that stood waiting, the members of the Order followed him in.
Harry turned in his seat to see the crest fallen expressions on Ron, Hermione and Ginny's faces as they got in with Mrs Weasley. Harry sighed wondering if he would be allowed to go to the bathroom on his own this year.
The ride to King's Cross was uneventful, and soon they were all clambering out. In no time at all they were standing on platform nine and three- quarters.
"Lets find somewhere to dump our stuff, before we have to report to the head boy and girl." Said Hermione looking around.
"Yeah, come on. I want to find Neville to sit with, while you're off doing your perfect stuff." Harry said, trying to smile it was going to be even worse this year with Ginny being a perfect as well as the other two. Not that Harry wanted to be a prefect or anything!
Ron found an empty compartment, they stowed their stuff in the baggage rack, then got of the train to say good bye.
"See ya," smiled Tonks giving Ginny an extra hug.
"Keep in touch Harry." Lupin said smilingly. "Let me know if anything is bugging you."
"I will. See you soon I hope?" Harry said looking hopefully up at Lupin.
"We'll see," answered Lupin, with a wink.
Mrs Weasley was pressing sandwiches on them all.
"Have a good term." She said giving Ron a corned beef one.
"We'll be waiting for the toilet seats," grinned George.
"George, really!" Bellowed Mrs Weasley, attempting to hit him with her basket that had contained to sandwiches.
"And don't forget to..." Started Fred, but the rest of his words were lost as the train started to move.
"We'd better be going see you later Harry." Hermione said as she started of down the train.
"Ya, later." Harry said, turned around and started looking for someone he could spend the time with. He didn't have far to go, he found Neville almost at once. Well found isn't the right word, fell over would be better.
"Hi Neville." He said picking himself up then helping Neville up. Neville was clutching his toad in one hand. "What where you doing down there?"
"Hi, Harry. Looking for Trevor." He said, sounding a little flustered. They had been walking as they talked and had now reached to empty compartment, Harry pushed the door open only to see it was not empty any longer. Luna Lovegood was sitting in the corner reading the Quibbler as usual.
"Hello Luna, how was your summer?" Harry asked, but regretted the moment he said it. She looked at him with dreamy eyes as he took the seat opposite her.
"Quite good, Daddy and I saw ever so many Crumple-Horned Snorkacks, but we didn't manage to catch one."
Harry tried to look concerned, Neville wasn't helping he was sniggering from behind his hand.
"Oh that's a pity Luna, but it sounds like you had fun." Harry said, glaring at Neville.
"You'll never guess what I saw before I got on the train." Said Neville excitedly. "There was a really fat kid trying to walk through the wrong ticket box."
Harry started to laugh before he realised who it must have been. Instead of making him feel sorry for Dudley it only made him laugh harder. A peal of laugher came from behind the Quibbler, but they ignored it.
"He must been a muggleborn, maybe he thought that you could get on to the platform from any ticket box." Neville said happily, it wasn't often Neville got a laugh at someone else's expense.
"Was he with a horse-faced women and a bloke with a moustache?" Harry hardly needed to ask, there could only be one person who'd try to get on to the platform through the wrong ticket box.
"I think so, why do you ask?" Neville said looking at him oddly.
"Well it sounds like my cousin, he's starting at Hogwarts this year." Harry said feeling slightly embarrassed.
"Oh yeah. I remember reading about it." Neville said hopefully, Harry however changed the subject. He cast around for something to talk about and his mind rested on Neville's broken wand.
"Have you got a new wand yet?" He said.
"Yes I have," Neville said proudly, with drawing something from his pocket. "12 inches, willow, dragon heart string."
They chattered on about this and that until Ron, Hermione and Ginny entered. Ron slumped down next to Harry.
"Boy, am I starving." He said rubbing his stomach.
"Well, eat the sandwiches your mum gave us." Said Hermione sitting down. "Hi Neville, Hi Luna."
"No thank you, I'd rather starve. Oh hi." Ron said, spotting Neville and Luna. Neville waved in way on a greeting. Luna, however didn't seem to notice.
"Well then, don't complain." Retorted Hermione.
"What, now I'm not allowed to be hungry?" Ron said angrily.
Harry, who knew that they could go on indefinitely tried to distracted them.
"Neville, saw Dudley trying to get on to the platform." Harry said, although it pained him to talk about Dudley it was better then listening to Ron and Hermione bicker.
*
Some time after the lady with the lunch trolley had come round, it started to rain. The compartment seemed full of D.A members. Who all of whom wanted to know if the D.A was continuing that year.
"Well I don't know." Harry said uneasily. "I haven't really thought about it, to tell you the truth. And we won't really need it if we have a half decent teacher this year."
"Oh come on Harry." Said Dean. "I thought the point of the D.A was so we could fight You-Know-Who and the Deatheaters."
There was a murmur of assent.
"Yes, and we'll need to be able to do that more than ever now." Piped up Dennis, who looked just as tiny as ever.
"Yes, and we" Ginny said looking around at the fifth years in the room. "want to get Outstandings for our Defence Against the Dark Arts O.W.L."
"Yeah it's not fair that you lot got to do it in your O.W.Ls year and we don't." Said Colin.
"Ok, ok! I'll think about it." Harry said, he could not help from smiling. He had secretly wanted to reform the D.A but he was not sure if they would want to carry on with it.
*
It was still raining when the train stopped at Hogsmead Station. Harry was holding both Pig and Hedwigs' cages as he waited for his friends to rejoin him. Neville was standing next to him hold a spitting Crookshanks in his basket, Luna was on his other side holding Ginny's new barn owl Tristan, Tris for short. It was only then that Harry noticed that there were lots more adults on the platform then normal.
Hagrid was there as usual, "Firs'-years! Firs'-years over 'ere", but there were about a dozen other people who were not students. They standing around the student body protectively. Harry turned around and almost dropped Pig and Hedwig in surprise. Standing next to him was the same wizard who had apparated in Privet Drive. Harry stared at him opened mouthed. A carriage, drawn by Thestrals came up to them. The Little man pushed a protesting Harry inside. Neville and Luna followed.
Harry looked out of the window, to see most of the group of adults walking along side. Luna looked like she was enjoying the special attention, Neville looked scared. They were the first to arrive at the castle. As soon as the carriage stopped Harry was pulled out and pushed up the stone steps. He felt very self-conscious as he as Neville sat down at the empty Gryffindor table. He turned his eyes on the top table searching for a new face. There was Snape looking as sour as very, Harry wondered how he had taken Harry Outstanding in potions. Dumbledore was there, but not in the center of the table as was normal, but there was something different about him. (A/N I bet you've guessed it now.) Harry took off his glasses and rubbed them on his robes, to clear the rain from them. He put them back on and returned to his scrutiny of the teachers' table. He stared. It wasn't Dumbledore. Dumbledore was sitting in his normal place, but if it wasn't Dumbledore then who was he. He was the old man from the twins' shop, the man who was buying socks for his brother who he hadn't seen for awhile.
"Neville, look!" Harry pointed up to the top table. "It's Dumbledore's brother, Aberforth. I'll bet anything his the new Defence Against the Dark Arts teacher."
The rest of the students were filtering into the hall. Ron and Hermione sank into seats opposite Harry and Neville.
"Why didn't you wait for us?" Ron demanded, shaking the water out of his ears.
"It looks like the Ord..." Harry started to say until Hermione kicked him under to table and threw him a meaningful look. "What did you. Oh! I'll explain to you later. Look I think Dumbledore's brother is the new Defence Against the Dark Arts teacher."
By this time most of the school had entered the hall, and were waiting for the sorting to take place.
"That's so cool! Well... if he is anything like Dumbledore that is." Ron exclaimed.
As interesting as Harry found the prospect of have a half-decent teacher for a change, he couldn't help thinking that Dudley was about to arrive. He had had five wonderful Dursley-free school years and now Dudley was about to arrive. When he had first found out that Dudley was going to Hogwarts he had considered it amusing, but now that he was confronted with Dudley's imminent arrival he couldn't help himself feeling that things were going back to how they had been.
"What's up Harry?"
Harry looked up to see who had spoken. It was Hermione.
"Oh nothing really. It just Dudley being here I guess." He didn't feel like going into it.
Soon they were discussing which house Dudley would be in. Ron thought he would be a Slytherin, Hermione and Harry on the other hand thought he'd make a better Hufflepuff. They were still arguing the subject when Professor McGonagall entered the hall leading a group of very scared looking first year up the hall. The rest of the students burst into laughter at the sight of them. In the very center was possibly the largest boy who had ever entered the school. He positively dwarfed those around him. It wasn't just the size of the boy, which captured the humour of the school, on his face he had an expression of absolute horror.
Professor McGonagall placed the sorting hat on the three-legged stool; everyone stared at it for a moment before it burst into song.
This year you must listen with open minds to what I have to say,
Or our beloved Hogwarts school will dearly have to pay,
Not today of course, but before the year is out,
So if you do not listen I will hold no clout,
I know that I have no choice, and must quarter every year,
But I feel it in my very brim that the end is drawing near.
So if you feel the house I chose is not the one for you
Remember I have inside knowledge and can't give you a clue
If I put you into Syitherin and you think you're not a snake
Just be aware the sorting hat seldom makes a mistake!
Griffindor is another one, you may think that I'm wrong
But whatever you think, I know that you are so brave and strong
Ravenclaw, oh no, you think, that surely is a pity
But know that it's a compliment to be so funny and witty!
So if Hufflepuff is my choice be gracious, please, my friend
Important things rest on being just and loyal `til the end
So if in spite of my soul searching I haven't chosen right
And May, the month I'm dreading ends in total night
So ashamed I'll be of the error of my ways, on the twelfth
Of May, dear friends, I shall eat myself!
The school clapped as the hat finished its song. They were not as shocked at the warning as they had been given one last year too.
Professor McGonagall unrolled a long piece of parchment.
"Adam, Katie."
A little girl with dark plaits sat down nervously on the stool.
"Hufflepuff" The hat yelled after a moment.
"Adam, May."
Katie's twin had the same dark hair, only it was shorter.
"Hufflepuff!"
"Bennett, Elizabeth."
"Slyrtherin!"
"Bulmer, Rosalind."
"Ravenclaw!"
Harry could see Dudley moving uneasily from one foot to the other.
"Creevey, Emma."
'There's another one?'
Harry looked around in surprise at Colin and raiseded one eyebrow, Colin only smiled back. (A/N Something I've always wanted to do, raise one eyebrow that is not smiling back!.)
"Gryffindor!"
Harry could see Colin and Dennis clapping their little sister loudly.
"Oh dear, that's the last thing we needed." He said to Ron. "Another one."
"Dursley, Dudley."
As Dudley waddled over to the stool, the hall started to mutter.
"Dursley did she say?"
"It's him! That's Harry Potter's cousin?"
"You mean the one who used to stand him in the toilet?"
Dudley sat down on the stool, just before McGonagall put the hat on his head the stool gave way beneath him. The hall erupted into laughter. Harry laughed along with the rest, after ten years of suffering because of Dudley it was nice to have the tables turned. Dudley stood up his face turned bright red. McGonagall repaired the stool with a wave of her wand, before glaring at the school until there was silence.
"You'd better stand." she said, the school stopped laughing at last.
As the hat was placed on his head the school started it's angry muttering again. McGonagall was glaring around at the school again, her lips a tight line. Harry had never seen the school treat someone like this before, unless he counted himself. That wasn't all he had never seen. The hat was taking hours to decide where to put Dudley. It kept opening its mouth and then closing it again. At long last it opened its mouth and bellowed,
"Gryffindor!"
There was a stunned silence. Not one Gryffindor clapped, Dumbledore clapped once but stopped as soon as his hands touched. The single clap rang out into the silence, which was now palpable. Dudley walked over to the silent Gryffindor table and sat down, then bench snagging under his weight. McGonagall recovered first.
"Evans, Mark."
Harry could not believe it. Firstly Dudley was in Gryffindor and secondly Mark Evans was a wizard.
"Gryffindor!"
After the sorting was over McGonagall round up her list picked up the sorting hat and left the Great Hall. Dumbledore stood up, the hall fell silent again.
"I would like to welcome the new pupils to Hogwarts and welcome the old back again, I hope you will allow me a few words after the feast, but for now tuck in!"
With that he sat down and reached for a plate of potatoes. Harry packed his plate with all his favorite foods. Ron on the other hand wasn't waiting to get the food on his plate. One hand was piling food on to his plate the other was cramming his mouth. When all the food had faded from the plates Dumbledore stood up again.
"Now we are all digesting the marvelous feast I will had out the start of term notices. All first years should note that the forest in the grounds is forbidden. Mr Filch, the caretaker, has asked me to remind you that no magic is allowed in the corridors. The list has been extended again this year to include Skiving Snackboxes and Weasleys' Wildfire Whiz-bangs," the school groaned at this.
"I understand there was some trouble with them last year." Dumbledore smiled. "The entire list may be viewed on Mr Filch's office door. House Quiddicth teams tryouts will take place on Friday. If you are interested in playing for your house contact Madam Hooch. Lastly I would like to introduce my brother Aberforth Dumbledore as our new Defence Against the Dark Arts teacher." The headmaster turned and smiled at his brother, the applause was followed was a little patchy, but those who did clap, clapped hard. It seemed to Harry that Aberforth's reputation preceded him.
"That's all for tonight, so off you go to bed." The headmaster sat down and started talking to Professor Snape.
"Well this should be interesting," said Ron as he got to his feet, he and Hermione lead the group of first years off to Gryffindor tower. Harry followed at same distance. He could see the huge figure of Dudley towering over the younger first years.
"Password?" The Fat Lady asked as the group reached her.
"Listen up everyone the password is Penanggalan." Hermione said.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~ *~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
A/N oh my word I have never written such a long chapter... Thanks to the people who have reviewed. I'll post again soon maybe Monday, if I'm lucky.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~ *~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
-Chapter Six-
First Years
A pillow hit Harry squarely in the face. "Oi! Harry, we need to go," said Ron's voice from the other side of the room. "They're back, mum keeps saying we are going to miss the train."
Harry opened his eyes, put his glasses on. The room swam into focus. "I know, I was awake when they got back." He said, swinging his legs to the floor.
"Do you know where they were?" said Ron, rapidly undoing the work of the previous night in a frantic search for socks.
"No they didn't tell me. Lupin just said the they were all ok, except for Moody who's in St. Mungo's. Then your mum sent me back to bed." Harry said. He was trying to remember what had woken him up in the first place. He was sure it hadn't been the members of the Order. If they had been making enough noise to wake him on the second floor, then they would have woken Mrs Black up as well.
"Got everything?" Harry said from the doorway.
"Yeah, let's go and see what they were up to." Ron said as he finished pulling on a pair on socks.
It took them quite a long time to get their trunks down. In the end the twins had to help them. When they entered the kitchen they were all out of breath. Tonks was sitting at the table, reading the Daily Prophet. She was running her hand distractedly through her hair, which was long, curly, and blond. She had huge bags under her eyes. Mrs Weasley was trying to cook breakfast. Lupin was trying to talk to Mr Weasley, who had fallen asleep on his plate. A few of people were sitting around the table staring into space, as if hoping the floor would open and swallow them so they could get some sleep.
"Wotcher," said Tonks looking up whilst trying unsuccessfully to suppress a yawn.
"Where were you all last night?" Said Ginny looking around the room with interest.
Mrs Weasley turned round and opened he mouth about to say something. Lupin abandoned his conversion with Mr Weasley, to give Mrs Weasley a worried look.
"They'll find out anyway, it's in the paper." Supplied Tonks, waving the paper in the air. Mrs Weasley closed her mouth and sighed.
"There was an attack on Hogsmead," Lupin said after a moment. "but we were luckily warned so we could prevent any serious danger." There was finality in his voice that warned against further questions.
Harry and Ron exchanged glances and sat down, with a great effect they restrained themselves inquiring farther. A muttering Mrs Weasley slid about a dozen sausages on to Harry's plate, before putting just as many on Ron's plate. After a very large silent breakfast they carried their trunks outside to wait for the cars, which Mundungus Fletcher was arranging for them. No one asked where he was getting them. Lupin stayed very close to Harry all the time. There was a little confession as they were getting in. Harry, Ron and Hermoine were automatically getting into one together, when Lupin grabbed Harry.
"Oh no you don't, you'll see them on the train." He said. As he pushed him into the other car that stood waiting, the members of the Order followed him in.
Harry turned in his seat to see the crest fallen expressions on Ron, Hermione and Ginny's faces as they got in with Mrs Weasley. Harry sighed wondering if he would be allowed to go to the bathroom on his own this year.
The ride to King's Cross was uneventful, and soon they were all clambering out. In no time at all they were standing on platform nine and three- quarters.
"Lets find somewhere to dump our stuff, before we have to report to the head boy and girl." Said Hermione looking around.
"Yeah, come on. I want to find Neville to sit with, while you're off doing your perfect stuff." Harry said, trying to smile it was going to be even worse this year with Ginny being a perfect as well as the other two. Not that Harry wanted to be a prefect or anything!
Ron found an empty compartment, they stowed their stuff in the baggage rack, then got of the train to say good bye.
"See ya," smiled Tonks giving Ginny an extra hug.
"Keep in touch Harry." Lupin said smilingly. "Let me know if anything is bugging you."
"I will. See you soon I hope?" Harry said looking hopefully up at Lupin.
"We'll see," answered Lupin, with a wink.
Mrs Weasley was pressing sandwiches on them all.
"Have a good term." She said giving Ron a corned beef one.
"We'll be waiting for the toilet seats," grinned George.
"George, really!" Bellowed Mrs Weasley, attempting to hit him with her basket that had contained to sandwiches.
"And don't forget to..." Started Fred, but the rest of his words were lost as the train started to move.
"We'd better be going see you later Harry." Hermione said as she started of down the train.
"Ya, later." Harry said, turned around and started looking for someone he could spend the time with. He didn't have far to go, he found Neville almost at once. Well found isn't the right word, fell over would be better.
"Hi Neville." He said picking himself up then helping Neville up. Neville was clutching his toad in one hand. "What where you doing down there?"
"Hi, Harry. Looking for Trevor." He said, sounding a little flustered. They had been walking as they talked and had now reached to empty compartment, Harry pushed the door open only to see it was not empty any longer. Luna Lovegood was sitting in the corner reading the Quibbler as usual.
"Hello Luna, how was your summer?" Harry asked, but regretted the moment he said it. She looked at him with dreamy eyes as he took the seat opposite her.
"Quite good, Daddy and I saw ever so many Crumple-Horned Snorkacks, but we didn't manage to catch one."
Harry tried to look concerned, Neville wasn't helping he was sniggering from behind his hand.
"Oh that's a pity Luna, but it sounds like you had fun." Harry said, glaring at Neville.
"You'll never guess what I saw before I got on the train." Said Neville excitedly. "There was a really fat kid trying to walk through the wrong ticket box."
Harry started to laugh before he realised who it must have been. Instead of making him feel sorry for Dudley it only made him laugh harder. A peal of laugher came from behind the Quibbler, but they ignored it.
"He must been a muggleborn, maybe he thought that you could get on to the platform from any ticket box." Neville said happily, it wasn't often Neville got a laugh at someone else's expense.
"Was he with a horse-faced women and a bloke with a moustache?" Harry hardly needed to ask, there could only be one person who'd try to get on to the platform through the wrong ticket box.
"I think so, why do you ask?" Neville said looking at him oddly.
"Well it sounds like my cousin, he's starting at Hogwarts this year." Harry said feeling slightly embarrassed.
"Oh yeah. I remember reading about it." Neville said hopefully, Harry however changed the subject. He cast around for something to talk about and his mind rested on Neville's broken wand.
"Have you got a new wand yet?" He said.
"Yes I have," Neville said proudly, with drawing something from his pocket. "12 inches, willow, dragon heart string."
They chattered on about this and that until Ron, Hermione and Ginny entered. Ron slumped down next to Harry.
"Boy, am I starving." He said rubbing his stomach.
"Well, eat the sandwiches your mum gave us." Said Hermione sitting down. "Hi Neville, Hi Luna."
"No thank you, I'd rather starve. Oh hi." Ron said, spotting Neville and Luna. Neville waved in way on a greeting. Luna, however didn't seem to notice.
"Well then, don't complain." Retorted Hermione.
"What, now I'm not allowed to be hungry?" Ron said angrily.
Harry, who knew that they could go on indefinitely tried to distracted them.
"Neville, saw Dudley trying to get on to the platform." Harry said, although it pained him to talk about Dudley it was better then listening to Ron and Hermione bicker.
*
Some time after the lady with the lunch trolley had come round, it started to rain. The compartment seemed full of D.A members. Who all of whom wanted to know if the D.A was continuing that year.
"Well I don't know." Harry said uneasily. "I haven't really thought about it, to tell you the truth. And we won't really need it if we have a half decent teacher this year."
"Oh come on Harry." Said Dean. "I thought the point of the D.A was so we could fight You-Know-Who and the Deatheaters."
There was a murmur of assent.
"Yes, and we'll need to be able to do that more than ever now." Piped up Dennis, who looked just as tiny as ever.
"Yes, and we" Ginny said looking around at the fifth years in the room. "want to get Outstandings for our Defence Against the Dark Arts O.W.L."
"Yeah it's not fair that you lot got to do it in your O.W.Ls year and we don't." Said Colin.
"Ok, ok! I'll think about it." Harry said, he could not help from smiling. He had secretly wanted to reform the D.A but he was not sure if they would want to carry on with it.
*
It was still raining when the train stopped at Hogsmead Station. Harry was holding both Pig and Hedwigs' cages as he waited for his friends to rejoin him. Neville was standing next to him hold a spitting Crookshanks in his basket, Luna was on his other side holding Ginny's new barn owl Tristan, Tris for short. It was only then that Harry noticed that there were lots more adults on the platform then normal.
Hagrid was there as usual, "Firs'-years! Firs'-years over 'ere", but there were about a dozen other people who were not students. They standing around the student body protectively. Harry turned around and almost dropped Pig and Hedwig in surprise. Standing next to him was the same wizard who had apparated in Privet Drive. Harry stared at him opened mouthed. A carriage, drawn by Thestrals came up to them. The Little man pushed a protesting Harry inside. Neville and Luna followed.
Harry looked out of the window, to see most of the group of adults walking along side. Luna looked like she was enjoying the special attention, Neville looked scared. They were the first to arrive at the castle. As soon as the carriage stopped Harry was pulled out and pushed up the stone steps. He felt very self-conscious as he as Neville sat down at the empty Gryffindor table. He turned his eyes on the top table searching for a new face. There was Snape looking as sour as very, Harry wondered how he had taken Harry Outstanding in potions. Dumbledore was there, but not in the center of the table as was normal, but there was something different about him. (A/N I bet you've guessed it now.) Harry took off his glasses and rubbed them on his robes, to clear the rain from them. He put them back on and returned to his scrutiny of the teachers' table. He stared. It wasn't Dumbledore. Dumbledore was sitting in his normal place, but if it wasn't Dumbledore then who was he. He was the old man from the twins' shop, the man who was buying socks for his brother who he hadn't seen for awhile.
"Neville, look!" Harry pointed up to the top table. "It's Dumbledore's brother, Aberforth. I'll bet anything his the new Defence Against the Dark Arts teacher."
The rest of the students were filtering into the hall. Ron and Hermione sank into seats opposite Harry and Neville.
"Why didn't you wait for us?" Ron demanded, shaking the water out of his ears.
"It looks like the Ord..." Harry started to say until Hermione kicked him under to table and threw him a meaningful look. "What did you. Oh! I'll explain to you later. Look I think Dumbledore's brother is the new Defence Against the Dark Arts teacher."
By this time most of the school had entered the hall, and were waiting for the sorting to take place.
"That's so cool! Well... if he is anything like Dumbledore that is." Ron exclaimed.
As interesting as Harry found the prospect of have a half-decent teacher for a change, he couldn't help thinking that Dudley was about to arrive. He had had five wonderful Dursley-free school years and now Dudley was about to arrive. When he had first found out that Dudley was going to Hogwarts he had considered it amusing, but now that he was confronted with Dudley's imminent arrival he couldn't help himself feeling that things were going back to how they had been.
"What's up Harry?"
Harry looked up to see who had spoken. It was Hermione.
"Oh nothing really. It just Dudley being here I guess." He didn't feel like going into it.
Soon they were discussing which house Dudley would be in. Ron thought he would be a Slytherin, Hermione and Harry on the other hand thought he'd make a better Hufflepuff. They were still arguing the subject when Professor McGonagall entered the hall leading a group of very scared looking first year up the hall. The rest of the students burst into laughter at the sight of them. In the very center was possibly the largest boy who had ever entered the school. He positively dwarfed those around him. It wasn't just the size of the boy, which captured the humour of the school, on his face he had an expression of absolute horror.
Professor McGonagall placed the sorting hat on the three-legged stool; everyone stared at it for a moment before it burst into song.
This year you must listen with open minds to what I have to say,
Or our beloved Hogwarts school will dearly have to pay,
Not today of course, but before the year is out,
So if you do not listen I will hold no clout,
I know that I have no choice, and must quarter every year,
But I feel it in my very brim that the end is drawing near.
So if you feel the house I chose is not the one for you
Remember I have inside knowledge and can't give you a clue
If I put you into Syitherin and you think you're not a snake
Just be aware the sorting hat seldom makes a mistake!
Griffindor is another one, you may think that I'm wrong
But whatever you think, I know that you are so brave and strong
Ravenclaw, oh no, you think, that surely is a pity
But know that it's a compliment to be so funny and witty!
So if Hufflepuff is my choice be gracious, please, my friend
Important things rest on being just and loyal `til the end
So if in spite of my soul searching I haven't chosen right
And May, the month I'm dreading ends in total night
So ashamed I'll be of the error of my ways, on the twelfth
Of May, dear friends, I shall eat myself!
The school clapped as the hat finished its song. They were not as shocked at the warning as they had been given one last year too.
Professor McGonagall unrolled a long piece of parchment.
"Adam, Katie."
A little girl with dark plaits sat down nervously on the stool.
"Hufflepuff" The hat yelled after a moment.
"Adam, May."
Katie's twin had the same dark hair, only it was shorter.
"Hufflepuff!"
"Bennett, Elizabeth."
"Slyrtherin!"
"Bulmer, Rosalind."
"Ravenclaw!"
Harry could see Dudley moving uneasily from one foot to the other.
"Creevey, Emma."
'There's another one?'
Harry looked around in surprise at Colin and raiseded one eyebrow, Colin only smiled back. (A/N Something I've always wanted to do, raise one eyebrow that is not smiling back!.)
"Gryffindor!"
Harry could see Colin and Dennis clapping their little sister loudly.
"Oh dear, that's the last thing we needed." He said to Ron. "Another one."
"Dursley, Dudley."
As Dudley waddled over to the stool, the hall started to mutter.
"Dursley did she say?"
"It's him! That's Harry Potter's cousin?"
"You mean the one who used to stand him in the toilet?"
Dudley sat down on the stool, just before McGonagall put the hat on his head the stool gave way beneath him. The hall erupted into laughter. Harry laughed along with the rest, after ten years of suffering because of Dudley it was nice to have the tables turned. Dudley stood up his face turned bright red. McGonagall repaired the stool with a wave of her wand, before glaring at the school until there was silence.
"You'd better stand." she said, the school stopped laughing at last.
As the hat was placed on his head the school started it's angry muttering again. McGonagall was glaring around at the school again, her lips a tight line. Harry had never seen the school treat someone like this before, unless he counted himself. That wasn't all he had never seen. The hat was taking hours to decide where to put Dudley. It kept opening its mouth and then closing it again. At long last it opened its mouth and bellowed,
"Gryffindor!"
There was a stunned silence. Not one Gryffindor clapped, Dumbledore clapped once but stopped as soon as his hands touched. The single clap rang out into the silence, which was now palpable. Dudley walked over to the silent Gryffindor table and sat down, then bench snagging under his weight. McGonagall recovered first.
"Evans, Mark."
Harry could not believe it. Firstly Dudley was in Gryffindor and secondly Mark Evans was a wizard.
"Gryffindor!"
After the sorting was over McGonagall round up her list picked up the sorting hat and left the Great Hall. Dumbledore stood up, the hall fell silent again.
"I would like to welcome the new pupils to Hogwarts and welcome the old back again, I hope you will allow me a few words after the feast, but for now tuck in!"
With that he sat down and reached for a plate of potatoes. Harry packed his plate with all his favorite foods. Ron on the other hand wasn't waiting to get the food on his plate. One hand was piling food on to his plate the other was cramming his mouth. When all the food had faded from the plates Dumbledore stood up again.
"Now we are all digesting the marvelous feast I will had out the start of term notices. All first years should note that the forest in the grounds is forbidden. Mr Filch, the caretaker, has asked me to remind you that no magic is allowed in the corridors. The list has been extended again this year to include Skiving Snackboxes and Weasleys' Wildfire Whiz-bangs," the school groaned at this.
"I understand there was some trouble with them last year." Dumbledore smiled. "The entire list may be viewed on Mr Filch's office door. House Quiddicth teams tryouts will take place on Friday. If you are interested in playing for your house contact Madam Hooch. Lastly I would like to introduce my brother Aberforth Dumbledore as our new Defence Against the Dark Arts teacher." The headmaster turned and smiled at his brother, the applause was followed was a little patchy, but those who did clap, clapped hard. It seemed to Harry that Aberforth's reputation preceded him.
"That's all for tonight, so off you go to bed." The headmaster sat down and started talking to Professor Snape.
"Well this should be interesting," said Ron as he got to his feet, he and Hermione lead the group of first years off to Gryffindor tower. Harry followed at same distance. He could see the huge figure of Dudley towering over the younger first years.
"Password?" The Fat Lady asked as the group reached her.
"Listen up everyone the password is Penanggalan." Hermione said.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~ *~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
A/N oh my word I have never written such a long chapter... Thanks to the people who have reviewed. I'll post again soon maybe Monday, if I'm lucky.