Author's Note:

Aldebaran Vipertooth: Dang, how could I have forgotten? Thanks for pointing that out to me.

Just so the rest of you know the one who was killed in the first opening was Moaning Myrtle so it couldn't possibly have been Rose Evans. Thank you Aldebaran Vipertooth for pointing out my mistake.

Chapter 5: Back to School

Harry and the Weasleys arrived at the station much after Neville had. Almost half an hour. They arrive on platform 9 ¾ with but a couple of minutes to spare. Harry was always amazed at the fact that ever since the Weasleys had started attending Hogwarts even Charlie and Bill, never had they missed the train. Except for in his second year Ron had missed the train after Dobby sealed the gate on him but you couldn't really count that.

"Now all of you behave this year, I don't want any repeats of last year," she said giving the twins a nasty look.

"Don't worry mom, we'll be fine. Besides we don't have any exams this year so we won't get caught up in our work." Said Ron.

"Lucky," mumbled Ginny.

Ron stuck his tongue out at her and rushed off through the gate. Harry followed with Ginny then Hermione behind him. By the looks of it they where the last ones to arrive at the station since there was no sign of anyone else anywhere except for the people on the train.

"We'd best hurry," said Hermione.

The other three followed her onto the train. They where headed for a compartment that they saw open near the back when Harry heard someone call his name. He looked and saw Neville sitting in a compartment with Luna Lovegood. Neville motioned them over and Harry and his friends piled in. Once they where in Neville got up and closed the door behind them, locked it then took out his wand and placed two locking charms and several silencing charms.

Harry noticed something different about his friend since he had last seen him at the department of mysteries last year. He seemed surer of himself, more confident. Harry couldn't quite put his finger on it but he knew that it was something.

When Neville had taken his seat again he reached into his trunk and pulled out a squarish shape wrapped in newspaper. He took it off to reveal a dusty old book. It was rather plain, covered with blue cloth. But as soon as Harry saw the spine where the title of the book was written he knew that this was something big.

"This book," said Neville, whose voice was little more than a whisper, "Is 'The Longbottom Files'. Its contents have not been read in over a decade."

"Yeah, so," said Ron, "Neither had 'Hogwarts a History' until Hermione came along." Said Ron.

But as soon as he caught sight of the title his expression changed from comical to serious. Hermione, Ginny and Luna also recognized the importance of the book that Neville held.

"That book could be the key to beating Voldemort!" said Luna.

"Very possibly so," agreed Neville, "If in the right hands. If it should somehow fall into the wrong hands…"

"That bad eh?" asked Harry.

"No, worse. Inside are the techniques that Voldemort and his death eaters employ. Their spells, formations, mindset, everything! As soon as we get to Hogwarts I'm going to give it to Dumbledore. I'm not going to read a word of it until he tells me that it's all right," said Neville seriously.

When he was done he waved his wand at the door and the charms where removed. The rest of the ride passed for the most part uneventfully.

Ron, Hermione and Ginny left for the prefect's car and returned a few minutes later all looking a little bit more serious.

Harry and Ron played a few more matched of wizard's chess. Harry had gotten Ron down to his king and a castle while he still had his king, queen and a castle but somehow Ron managed a comeback.

"I may as well try to understand why grass is green," said Harry in annoyance after loosing his fifth match of the day.

"Someday you'll beat me," said Ron reassuringly, "Next time I've just been through double potions. Oh, wait. I'm not in Potions!" said Ron before pointing at Harry and laughing his head off.

Harry also contemplated telling Neville and Luna about the prophecy but decided to do it when nobody else was around.

Ginny, Hermione and Luna sat to one side talking excitedly in whispers, no doubt having some of their 'girl talks'. Ron, who had been woken up entirely too early by his standards slept and gave Harry a chance to talk with Neville.

"You seem different since I last saw you Neville," said Harry, "You seem just more, confident."

Neville went on to give him a brief summary of what had befallen him the last week and Harry was very surprised but at the same time not. He had always known that Neville was pure of heart and that he was more than he seemed.

"You don't seem quite the same yourself there Harry," said Neville looking Harry up and down.

Then it was Harry's turn to reveal how he had gotten his newfound powers. He gave a slightly modified and less heroic version of what had really happened and left out the part about him needing to have a strong feeling of love.

"Wow, Harry," said Neville as he looked at Harry in awe, "And I though that my story was interesting!"

And what trip on the Hogwarts Express would be complete without a visit from Malfoy and his goons. They showed up just before the food cart reached the them. Malfoy threw open the door and looked at them all with a smirk on his face.

"I suppose you all think you're pretty clever don't you? After all you did get my father thrown in jail. But he has friends in high places Potter. And I would suggest that you do the same," said Malfoy giving Ron and Ginny a glance which made them both turn red with anger.

"Get out Malfoy, we have no use of sniveling jerks," said Harry.

"We, shall see, Potter. For the time nears," said Malfoy in a whisper. When he had finished he let a sinister grin play across his features before signaling to Crabbe and Goyle to leave.

"Good day," he said before closing the door again with a slam.

The six of them sat in silence until the food cart came around and Harry graciously bought everyone more candy than you'd need for months. The six of them continued to make small talk until the train arrived at the Hogsmeade station. As they all made their way to the castle in thestral-drawn carriages Harry watched the lake on which he could see the lanterns of many boats containing a bunch of no doubt, very nervous first years.

Harry smiled in recollection. It seemed like just a few short days ago that he had ridden in one of those boats himself across that very lake. And now he was a year and ten months away from leaving Hogwarts forever.

As they entered the great hall they noticed that the house banners had all been taken down and replaced with the Hogwarts crest and underneath them, much smaller than before where the house banners. Harry supposed that this was another one of Dumbledore's attempts to bring the houses closer together.

Soon everyone was in their seats chattering amiably amongst themselves.

"What do you suppose Malfoy meant?" asked Hermione to Ron and Harry.

"Who knows Malfoy can be very odd someti- no, wait, all the time. So maybe he was just trying to scare us," suggested Ron.

"No, that's not like him. Last year he said something about," he swallowed, "Sirius, and now I'm more than certain that he knew darn well what he was saying," said Harry firmly.

"Hmm, perhaps," said Ron thoughtfully before his stomach grumbled audibly, "I'm starved, let's get us some chow here!"

Hermione looked like she was going to say something but shook her head and turned to watch as the first years made their way hesitantly into the great hall.

"Look how puny they are," said Ron pointing at a particularly short first year.

"More like 'look how tall you are'," said Ginny pointing at Ron.

Hermione shushed them then waited as Professor McGonagall sat the sorting hat down on a stool in front of the head table and the hat began it's yearly song:

For many a year

Have I sorted the new

I put them in the house in which

I think good they will do

But never before have I seen

A time so dark and cold

The time has come

For young and old

To work together

To achieve what's right

Much will be needed

In this time of plight

So pick up the slack

Pull it taught

For if you fail to cooperate

Succeed you shall not

Step up now

And sorted you shall be

Put me on your head

And then we'll see

The hall was engulfed in polite applause for the sorting hat at the poems completion. Then Professor McGonagall stepped forward and unrolled a piece of parchment that she had drawn from within her robes.

"Anthony Adesford! Please come have a seat on the stool," she said as she removed the hat from the chair and plopped it on top of poor Anthony's head. No sooner had the hat come to rest then it shouted out "Hufflepuff!" Cheers rose from the Hufflepuff table as Anthony hurried over, anxious to be out of the spotlight.

The list continued on…and on… and on. It seemed to be taking forever. Harry felt like he was ready to pass out and he looked over at hollow legs to see if he'd died of hunger yet. Surprisingly Ron was still sitting in his chair, looking at the bare table in front of him. Harry could have laughed but he didn't want the first years to think that he was laughing at them.

Finally the list came to an end with Hilary Wolfric, Ravenclaw. Then Dumbledore rose. As he did so Harry completely forgot that he had not checked the table to find out who the new defense teacher was. The only person he saw who was new to the staff was a bald old man who wore glasses on the very tip of his nose and looked like the could fall off if you blew on them.

Ron followed Harry's gaze, "That's the new defense teacher? That old bloke could be my grandfather, no, my dad's grandfather!"

"Looks can be deceiving Ron," said Hermione, "You shouldn't judge someone like that. You've never even seen him before a few seconds ago."

"I don't care who you talk to, that old guy couldn't be a good teacher," said Ron.

"Then why do you suppose Dumbledore hired him?" asked Hermione, with a smug look on her face.

Luckily for Ron Dumbledore choose that moment to commence his speech, "Welcome to another year at Hogwarts. As many of you know, these times are not pleasant ones. Come back, our enemy has. You must learn to work together and to do what's right. It is for this reason that quidditch this year will be played quite differently. Each team will consist of the seven basic players along with one alternate seeker, keeper and beater and two alternate chasers. Each team will consist of three members of each house. There will be six teams. You will be notified when captain's tryouts will be held. Only students who are 5th years or above may tryout for captain. Then tryouts will be held for each of the four positions and captains choose whom they like."

There was mumbling heard about the hall, the new quidditch system was clearly not a popular one. But it soon calmed down as Dumbledore started once more, "Also Mr. Filch has informed me that fake octopus repellant, automatic snow, smacking canes and all products made by the newly founded 'Weasley's Wizard Wheezes' are now on the list of items that will be confiscated from students." He smiled at the mention of Weasley's Wizard Wheezes.

"Also I would like to welcome the newest member of our staff, Professor Verplank."

Everyone clapped politely for the old teacher who stood up with more zest than Harry thought he was capable of and waved to the students.

"Thank, you professor," said Dumbledore once Professor Verplank had taken his seat once more, "Professor Verplank will be teaching potions."

"What?" asked Harry, "Potions? Then what about Snape? Did he-" Harry stopped as realization sunk in.

"Bloody hell!" exclaimed Ron, "Snape teaching Defense! I though I'd seen the last of him!"

Hermione and Ginny just sat there in shock as Dumbledore continued on, "Professor Snape has kindly agreed to teach Defense against the Dark Arts. The Forbidden Forest was given its name for a reason and no students should enter it at any time. Now without further ado, tuck in."

Ron stuck his hands out into the open table and a plate filled with chicken appeared right where his hands where and he snatched it and started eating before anyone even knew what happened. A good while later a very full Harry along with Neville walked up to Dumbledore. Hermione, Ron and Ginny had prefect's duties to attend to.

"Good evening gentlemen," said Dumbledore as Harry and Neville approached him, "Can I help you?"

"Sir, I've got something I'd like to show you, in private," said Neville confidently.

"Of course, this way please," replied Dumbledore motioning for them to follow. They walked all the way to the entrance to the Headmaster's office. Dumbledore walked up to it the gargoyle and opened his mouth. The staircase started to revolve and Harry and Neville followed him into his office.

When they arrived in the room Dumbledore was already sitting behind his desk. Harry glanced around at the multitude of paintings that adorned the walls. He also noticed that his tables seemed just as cluttered as they had last year before he had trashed the place. And he also recognized the silver instrument that he had thrown across the room. He smiled sheepishly at the headmaster.

"You have something you wish to show me?" asked Dumbledore.

"Yes, sir, this book, sir." Replied Neville holding out 'The Longbottom Files' to Dumbledore.

Dumbledore's eyes widened slightly upon seeing the book, "Can it be?" he whispered taking the book and flipping through the pages, "Neville Longbottom, you have just provided the Order of the Phoenix the kind of boost it needs! Have you any idea what this is?"

"Yes, it's 'The Longbottom Files' sir."

"Yes, this was the only documentation kept by the order during the first rise of Voldemort. It contains everything we need to know. I will read through it myself then call an order meeting. Neville, I believe that you have merited a place in the Order."

"Thank you very much, professor."

"Now off you go."

Harry and Neville rose to go when the headmaster spoke.

"Harry, there is something I wish to discuss with you. Actually you too Neville."

"Oh, sure," said Harry retaking his seat, "What is it Albus?"

"I would like to discuss your training."

"My training… Albus?" asked Neville using the headmaster's given name after hearing Harry do so.

"Yes, your power level is much greater than it was two months ago, as is yours Harry. And I believe without proper training your power will turn destructive. Professor Moody will be your mentor. One of your spares will be spent with him. Another will be spent with Professor Verplank who will get your bodies in shape.

Harry seriously doubted that the old guy could even lift his cane let alone be in shape but he let it slide.

"Also Harry you will have one class with Professor Snape in Occlumency."

Harry groaned but the headmaster seemed oblivious.

"I believe that that is all I have to say, I bid you good night!"

Harry and Neville got up and made their way to Gryffindor tower.

"Let's not share this with anyone, I don't want to be treated like I'm special or anything," said Neville to Harry once they where out of the headmaster's office.

"Yeah, sure, not until I see how it is first. But did he actually say that Professor Verplank would be keeping our bodies in form or something like that."

"I think so but I can't imagine it. Perhaps Dumbledore made a mistake. Maybe he owled the wrong Mr. Verplank."

"Not likely, Dumbledore's ever only made a couple mistakes that I'm aware of and they weren't dumb mistakes like that either."

"Perhaps. Hey, are you continuing on with the DA this year?"

"I haven't thought about it much recently, why?"

"Because I always felt that I would excel in defense and now that I've gotten my powers back I think that I'll be able to become one of the best duelists of our time." He said this with such passion that Harry hardly doubted him.

"If I want to be able to beat Voldemort I guess that I've got to hope that I can as well." Harry supposed that Neville would find out about the prophecy anyways and he'd rather do it now while he was alone.

"Huh?" asked Neville, "I mean, I want Voldemort taken out as much as the next guy but I wouldn't take it upon myself to do it single-handedly especially at such a young age."

Harry then went on and gave him a brief recounting of the entire prophecy and what it said.

"Blimey! I'm glad I don't even wear the same brand of shoes as you! I don't envy you one bit Harry. But I'll wish you the best. It's all I can really do for the moment."

The two walked on towards the sixth year boy's dormitory. Unfortunately for Harry he had forgotten one very important thing when he had told Neville of the prophecy: He was in the wizarding world.

Jasper Yakovich watched the two boys walk away down the hall. He had heard all that he wanted to hear. If only he was still amongst the living he would have gone to his master himself but he would have to disclose this information to a trustworthy follower of the Dark Lord. But who? There was that Malfoy boy. But he seemed to fail far too often. Of course! It was obvious, Severus Snape. He was a death eater as well.

He was so very glad that he had been moved from the house that he had been in when the owners of the house had been living. He was however unable to do anything about it being a portrait. But the moment he had been hung up in the school he had started working at his master's noble deeds.

He went to Severus that night and told him. He was of course unaware of the fact that Severus was the Order's spy. Later that night the portrait of Jasper Yakovich was burned. But Dumbledore vowed to be more careful from now on and he would tell Harry to do the same. For they had almost lost the upper hand that night. Had Jasper gone to Malfoy rather than Snape, the Dark Lord would have learned the full contents of the prophecy, spelling possible desaster for the wizarding world.

The next morning at breakfast Professor McGonagall handed out timestables to all of Gryffindor's students. Harry looked his over. In the morning he had Defense then double astronomy followed by defense with Mad-Eye then Physical wellness with Professor Verplank.

Ron and Hermione would be with him for Defense but after that he was on his own.

Harry walked into the defense against the dark arts room and took a seat near the back beside Ron, who was beside Hermione. When the rest of the class had settled down Snape walked in to the room robes billowing behind him.

"I trust you've all had a good summer, now it's time to get cracking. You may think that since this year you are not taking any large exams you will have less homework. That assumption couldn't be further from the truth. Now if you'd all turn your books to page 12 we'll get started," instructed Snape coolly.

The research was mostly about defensive and shield charms. After the theory part of the lesson they where all asked to come down and try their shield charms out against one of Snape's expelliarmus spells. It was quite apparent that Snape was not trying his hardest until it came to Neville's turn.

Neville walked up to the front of the class boldly and stood before Snape. In the blink of an eye Snape cast the most powerful expelliarmus that Harry had ever seen him do. Neville crossed his arms so that each of his hands touched the opposite shoulder and flicked his wand slightly. The curse evaporated harmlessly against his protective wall.

"Very good, Longbottom," sneered Snape, obviously hoping that Neville wouldn't have been able to block the spell, "Potter!"

Harry waked past Neville, to whom he nodded slightly and walked up to the front to square off against Snape's expelliarmus.

"EXPELLIARMUS!" Cried Snape, with a vehemence that Harry had never seen in him before.

Snape had not given Harry time to get his wand out. Without giving it much thought Harry thrust his two hands forward and then spread them to either side and he watched as a green shimmering wall came into existence. Snape's spell hit it with great force but rather than evaporate it rebounded upon it's caster, Snape.

When Snape had gathered himself up off of the floor and collected his fallen wand he whirled on Harry.

"I don't believe I asked for a demonstration of a reflective charm, or am I mistaken?"

"No, sir," replied Harry, "No mistake sir."

"Take your seat."

Harry turned and sighed in relief as he walked back to his chair.

"But that won't stop me from taking twenty-five points from Gryffindor."

Hermione scowled at Harry as he returned to his seat while Ron gave him a slap on the back.

"That was priceless mate. I wish Collin would have been here to get a picture of that."

The rest of the class passed without incident and he went on to his astronomy class, which he could tell would easily be his least favorite class.

He ate lunch in the great hall with his friends as they discussed their first classes of the year. And then he was off to Defense with Mad-Eye.

As he entered the room which was a small room with nothing but a window Moody walked in behind him.

"Quick! Draw your wand." He barked.

Harry quickly reached into his robes and withdrew his wand and pointed it towards Mad-Eye.

"You fail! F-! First off, you've got to have your wand at the ready in a split second! And secondly you're holding your wand all wrong!" snarled Mad-Eye, then his eye did a full rotation of the room, "Now where's that Longbottom kid?"

"Here, Professor Moody, sir," panted Neville as he ran into the room, "I've never been to this room before."

The he went through the same thing that he had with Harry with much the same results.

"Now," said Mad-Eye once he was through tormenting Neville, "I'm going to teach you where to keep your wands and how do hold them. There are four places you can place your wands for quick and easy access, the fast four. On is just down your back kept in place by one of these," he held out a small, round, skin colored device, "It's like a magnet for wands, observe," he placed the small thing on his arm and it seemingly vanished. Then he took his wand and placed it against his arm where it stuck, even when he turned his wand upside-down.

He went on to show them the other three places, which were your forearm, your calf and surprisingly, behind your ear. Harry finally understood why Luna always did it now. Then he went on to show them proper wand holding. Finally the class was over.

"Good work today boys, but be prepared for some real work on Wednesday! Besides Harry, you don't really need all this wand holding stuff anyways." And with that Mad-Eye left the room.

Neville and Harry made their way down to the school gym, which wasn't very frequently used at a wizarding school where they met Professor Verplank.

"Alright boys, today I'm going to start teaching you the basics of an excersise program to keep you in tip-top shape."

Harry couldn't help but sustain a small chuckle at seeing the old man tell them that he was going to get them in shape. His baggy clothes seemed like they would trip him if he wasn't too careful.

"Is something the matter Harry?" he asked.

"No, sir, nothing is the matter."

"Then perhaps you'd like to test your skills as a martial artist against mine. Hmm?"

Harry was sure that if he so much as tapped the guy he'd faint, "Maybe we shouldn't-"

"Afraid you'll loose to someone who's seventy-eight? Come on, show me what you've got!"

Reluctantly Harry stood up off the floor and turned himself sideways and crouched low. He knew absolutely nothing about martial arts but he wanted to make it look like he did.

Professor Verplank did the same and they waited, Harry made the first move and went to punch Verplank lightly in the stomach but before he could his wrist was caught in a tight grip and thrust to the side then he was hit forcefully by a left jab. He didn't fall over but he wheeled back for a moment before crouching low again. This time he'd take the defensive.

Verplank looked at him a moment then said, "This may be harder than you thought." And then he removed the baggy coat and pants he always wore to reveal a muscle shirt and shorts. Usually on an old guy that looks disgusting but when Harry saw the size of this guys muscles he nearly fainted. Verplank smiled at his reaction, "Surprised?"

And then he came at him he threw a left hook which Harry managed to block but then he was on the floor swiping Harry's feet from under him.

Verplank backed off as Harry got back to his feet, eyes wide. Then he started again. Right hook, left jab. Harry blocked both, then another right hook which he blocked but the second he did Verplank vanished, just vanished.

"Behind you," Verplank said softly. When Harry looked behind himself he briefly saw Verplank standing there but then he was gone again. But then he felt his skull rattle as he felt a blow against his stomach as Verplank thrust his knee into Harry's gut. Harry doubled up in pain.

"That's enough torture for one day. Go to your dormitory." Professor Verplank ordered. Harry did not argue as he made his way painfully to the door, "And when you are back tomorrow, make sure that you bring a more open mind with you, Hmm?"

Harry nodded and left for his dormitory where he collapsed on his bed. He certainly would be wary of that man from now on.