Chapter four

Back to Hogwarts

Harry woke up the next morning to his father this time. "Harry get up we need to go, we're leaving early so get up, and get ready." "Alright, I'm up" he said groggily. "Alright Harry, I'll meet you downstairs" he smiled and left the room. Harry got dressed quickly, and met his parents in the kitchen. His mother wearing a pair of dark purple robes, she smiled when he walked in "good morning" she said happily. "Good morning" he said back to her happily.

They finished breakfast and left the house with their trunks, and Hedwig of course and walked down to get Colleen, Sirius, and Serena. They then walked to Grimmauld. Ron, Hermione, and Ginny were sitting at the table in the kitchen half asleep, not talking just drowsily eating breakfast. "Harry, Malfoy's going to be so angry that Snape can't take points from your not so bad potions, and that your dad's alive, and that his is in Azkaban!" said Ron excitedly. "Malfoy?" James asked curiously. "Lucius Malfoy's son, James" said Sirius. "Ah, this should be a very fun experience!" said James excitedly.

Harry was very happy the rest of that morning, thinking about how Malfoy was going to react to Harry's parents being there. "Alright we'd better get going" said Serena happily. They all nodded and said goodbye to everyone and left for the train station on foot. They walked quickly talking about Ginny's new Barn owl "Zeus" and about Colleen's Barmonagus (who was now a dog strolling along side of Colleen).

Finally they got to King's Cross Station and went strait to platform 9 ¾ even though it was only 10:30, half an hour before the train left. "Well, I wanted to get a good seat" said Serena explaining why she had wanted to leave so early. Hermione and Ron ran strait onto the platform, Colleen and Harry did the same. They waited for every one else before going onto the train.

They saw Empty compartment after Empty compartment looking for one large enough to fit all nine of them. "Found it" said Sirius walking into one of the compartments.

They all sat down and started to talk. "I can't wait until tonight!" said James happily. "Me too" said Sirius looking out the window of the train onto the Platform and the few people that were there. Serena nodded and started talking to Lily "I wonder if Binns is still there" she said. "Yeah, he's been there for so long, like twenty years before we even got into school!" said Lily gazing at James who was talking to Harry but when he herd Binns's name he turned and said "he's still at Hogwarts." Lily smiled and said "is he still really boring?" she asked. "YEAH!" said Ron quickly. "Like able to make you want to fall asleep in the first ten minutes boring?" Sirius asked turning his head toward them. Harry, Ron, and Ginny nodded their heads but Hermione shook in disapproval.

They had a very pleasant wait for the train to start, talking about the teachers at Hogwarts and how they teach. Then finally Ron, Hermione, and Ginny left for the prefect meeting.

They started to talk about when Sirius, James, Serena, and Lily where in school. "Do you remember when you used to hate me?" James asked Lily smugly. "Oh yeah, how could I possibly forget?" she said smiling. "You used to try so hard, and she would just get madder and madder at you" said Sirius Smugly. "Until one day she fell in love!" said Serena dreamily. Lily smirked and said "those were the days."

Colleen smiled at Harry and he smiled back. "I'm kind of nervous" she said finally. "Don't be, it's school, you're smarter than I am probably" he answered. "And besides, Snape doesn't hate you, and make your life a living hell" he added. She rolled her eyes and said "don't worry he can't really do anything to you anymore" she smiled. "Yeah, I guess you're right" he grinned slightly.

"Who exactly is this Malfoy kid?" he asked after a slight moment of silence. "This horrible Slytherin guy who thinks he's pure-blood" he said but at the second she heard this word her curious look turned to a mad look. "I hate that word, hate it, every one thinks that I should be in Slytherin just because of my blood, it's so dumb, I'm even more pure-blood than him probably, and I can never do a blessed thing about it!" she said loudly, rolled her eyes toward the window so that he couldn't see the look on her face, but he knew she was furious.

He understood why she was mad; people calling her pure blood that would make her like the Malfoy's and other horrible people (mainly death eaters). She turned around finally with a small smile on her face. "It's not like being able to speak parseltongue and people thinking you're the heir of Slytherin" he said trying to comfort her but her eyes narrowed. "What exactly makes you think that I can't speak parseltongue?" she said angrily "did Voldemort not try to kill me too?" she asked. "Well I never consid-" she cut him off. "I have just as many traits that you have of his" she roared.

The next second Malfoy burst into the compartment. "You are disturbing other people on the train four weeks deten-" he started but Sirius cut him off. "You have no right bursting into compartments in which teachers reside, when they are engaging in privet conversations with there children" Sirius said sounding very intelligent. Malfoy seemed stunned at the fact that four dead people sat before him very much alive. "GET OUT!" said James coldly pointing out at the hall way. Malfoy walked out of the compartment.

"So that's Malfoy?" said James happy once again. "Yeah" said Harry turning to face him. "He looks exactly like his father!" said James in awe. "I really can't wait now" said Sirius anxiously. "Me neither" said Lily a second later.

"He's the worst seeker I have ever seen" said Harry looking out of the compartment into the hall way. "He's a seeker?" said James in disbelief. "Yeah, he bought his way onto the Slytherin team in our second year" said Harry explaining to his father. "Second year, isn't that kind of early to be on a house team?" James asked Harry. Harry smiled and said simply "I got on in my first year." "Really? That's terrific!" said James happily.

Colleen smiled and asked "first year, that so early, you must be really good." "I guess, I've never really thought about it" said Harry. They talked about Quidditch until the lady with the food trolley came around, they bought a very large stack of Cauldron Cakes and nine chocolate frogs (one for each of them).

Finally, about five minutes later, Ron, Hermione, and Ginny came back from the prefect meeting. "Guess who the new boy Gryffindor prefect is?" Ron asked Harry. "Who?" Harry asked curiously. "Colin Creevy" said Hermione happily looking out the window. "Really? That's weird, I never thought of him as the type to be a prefect" said Harry curiously, handing Ron a Chocolate frog.

Colleen opened her chocolate frog and stuffed it into her mouth. She finished the frog, and then looked at the card, and her jaw dropped. She swallowed hard and turned to Harry, her eyes wide. "What?" he asked her curiously. "This" she said as she handed him the card. He looked down and his jaw dropped to, because two scarlet red eyes peered back at him, he read the bottom of the card LORD VOLDEMORT was neatly written beneath a picture of Lord Voldemort.

"This has got to be a joke, a stupid prank a death eater pulled to make us scared" said Harry in awe. "What?" said Sirius pulling the card out of his hand to look at it, and, like Harry and Colleen, his jaw dropped. "This unbelievable" he said in amazement. James looked at the card and his eyes narrowed in disgust. Lily and Serena, at the same time, looked at the card and anger appeared on their faces.

"What?" said Ron nervously. "This" Sirius flipped the card over for Ron, Hermione, and Ginny to see. "Who is that?" said Ginny seeming very confused. "That's him? Oh my god why is he-?" said Hermione, her eyes widening. "Who?" asked Ron very confused squinting to see the name, but was unsuccessful. "Lord Voldemort" said Harry angrily. "Oh" said Ron opening his eyes wider in awe.

Harry grabbed his own Chocolate frog and opened it. He pulled out the card, and his eyes widened. "I don't believe it, I really don't believe it" he said starring at the card in disbelief. "It's the same card!" he said still starring at the card.

For about an hour they talked about the card and how strange it was then they started talking about how Slytherins never change no matter what. Then, Harry and Colleen started talking about what happened in his fourth year.

"What happened to you when you were in your fourth year, like at the end, I guess when Voldemort came back to power?" she asked "My scar burned so violently I really thought my head was going to split open." "When I got to where Voldemort was I felt the same thing" he said in awe.

Finally they got to Hogsmeade Station, after a very strange and long ride. They unloaded the train slowly, as usual, onto the warm platform. They made their way up to the carriages, which of course were drawn by Thestrals, creatures that only people who have seen death can see.

"Thestrals" she said softly "wonderful creatures, you know, truly magnificent." He eyed her suspiciously "You don't believe their bad luck?" he asked. She snorted slightly with laughter shifting her school trunk in her hands, with her cage under her arm. "Are you kidding?" she asked still giggling slightly. He turned his head in curiosity then said "what?" "I'm a freaking Black, we don't believe in superstitions. Hasn't the fact that both me and my father can turn into Grims show that we don't care about superstitions?" He shrugged and they both headed into an empty carriage.

He smiled at her and she raised an eyebrow in interest and shrugged and petted her Barmonagus (who was now an owl). "What is it's name?" he asked. "Athena" she answered quickly "named after the goddess of Wisdom, What's your owl's name?" she asked sweetly. "Hedwig" he answered quickly. "She's beautiful, I love owls" she said admiring Hedwig.

Harry had just noticed they were alone in the carriage when it started to move. "I'm getting really nervous" she said after a brief moment of silence. He smiled to reassure her that their was nothing to worry about.

They finally reached the castle after a rather quiet ride. He got out first and pulled his trunk and Hedwig's cage to the ground. Then he helped Colleen down from the carriage, something he had never done for any other girl. She pulled her trunk and cage down on the ground as well.

They dragged their things up to the castle were they sat them down finally next to every one else's things, and left for the great hall. They found Ron and Hermione at the almost empty Gryffindor table. "Oy, where were you two?" Ron asked with a slightly amused tone of voice. "We couldn't find you, so we got a carriage of our own" said Colleen quickly.

They sat down across the table from Ron and Hermione. Harry looked up at the staff table. James sat next to Dumbledore and was talking to Sirius on his other side. Harry turned back around to face Ron.

The seats filled in slowly. Then the great oak doors opened one more time and the first years emerged. "Oh great, the little people" said Ron rather irritated. Hermione slapped him on the shoulder out of annoyance for what he just said about the first years. They all gapped at Harry then at Colleen because they didn't know there was a girl with "the scar" and for that matter the other Gryffindors did too.

The first years looked terrified as they did every year. Starring around at all the other students the first years looked horrified. Finally Professor McGonagall walked out with a three legged stool and placed it on the floor in front of the first years. Then she put the old hat on top of it and almost immediately the rip in the hat's brim opened wide and the hat broke into song:

One thousand or so years ago,
When Hogwarts was still so young,
There lived four witches and wizards true,
Each with own ideas and ways,
Through it this school was formed.
Fearless Gryffindor,
In which courage knew too well.
Clever Ravenclaw,
In which astuteness knew so well.
Sweet Hufflepuff,
In which compassion knew no better.
Wise Slytherin,
In which Cunning knew to well.
These four great people had there own ideas
Gryffindor to only teach the brave at heart,
Ravenclaw to only teach the smartest,
Slytherin to only teach the blood so pure,
Hufflepuff to teach all the rest.
Now I am here to chose your one true place,
If it's Slytherin, Hufflepuff, Gryffindor, or Ravenclaw.
Let me have a look in side your mind
And I'll tell where you belong!

"Really short this year" said Hermione while clapping along with every one else. "That's because last year it was so long" said Harry happily.

"Aikerman, Ellen" called Professor McGonagall over the applause. A very terrified looking first year sat down on the stool and the hat was placed on her head "HUFFLEPUFF!" the hat roared and she sunk into the chair in relief. The Hufflepuff table clapped happily greeting there new arrival.

"Bishop, Anne!" called Professor McGonagall. "Whoa!" said Colleen her eyes opening at the name. Hermione looked the same way. "What?" asked Ron curiously. "Do you ever read?" said Hermione slightly frustrated. "There is only one magic Bishop family" started Colleen "the first witch ever to be burnt at the stake in America, Bridget Bishop." "GRYFFINDOR!" the sorting hat roared, and the Gryffindor table broke into applause.

The sorting finished around forty five minutes later with "Zacker, Brian" ("Slytherin"). Professor Dumbledore stood up and said slowly "Let's eat!" The plates filled with food. They all shoveled food onto their plates and started to eat.

Colleen greeted all of her fellow Gryffindors happily. "How'd you get that?" asked Neville nervously pointing at her scar. She smiled and swallowed the remaining food in her mouth and said "Voldemort." At the sound of the word some of the people listening to the conversation went silent. "When I was a baby, Voldemort tried to kill me" she finished. The Gryffindor table went silent for a second, then there was a round of questions.

Finally Dumbledore stood to speak. "I have a few start of term announcements to make" said Dumbledore happily. "First, we have a large amount of new teachers to introduce, five" at this Harry raised an eyebrow and looked at Ron who mouthed "five?" Harry shrugged and looked back to Dumbledore.

"Let me introduce them to you" he said folding his hands. "Lily Potter, will be assisting Professor Flitwick in Charms Class" he said and she smiled happily, many people's jaws dropped open. "Serena Black, will assist her brother Professor Snape in Potions" she smiled and Dumbledore went on. "I know you might find this one as a shock, Sirius Black" the hall fell silent no one moved, except for of course, the people who knew he was innocent. "Sirius Black has had all charges lifted and is of course a free man, and will be teaching Defense against the dark arts" Sirius smiled triumphantly. "James Potter will also be teaching defense against the Dark arts" most of the Slytherins had a look of sheer horror on their faces.

"Finally" said Dumbledore looking around at the staff table and said "former Gryffindor Quidditch captain" Harry looked at Ron his mouth open just like his own. "Oliver Wood" at the sound of his name the entire Gryffindor table broke into applause. "He will be taking the place of Madam Hooch who has retired this summer" he finished finally and the door behind the staff table swung open and Wood walked out smiling.

"I know the announcement that there are teachers that died years ago may have come as a shock to you" started Dumbledore, and the little color that was in Colleen's face drained. "But I'm sure that some of you might have put it together by now that a resurrector is among you. She is a student at Hogwarts." At the sound of this Colleen sunk into her seat. Dumbledore saw this and decided it would be better to keep the students guessing instead, because he went onto the subject of why they needed dress robes.

"I'm sure every year fifth year and above is wondering why you need dress robes?" he said. "Well this year Hogwarts is holding end of term formal, well at the end of each term, the first one will be held on Halloween, no one is required to attend" said Dumbledore happily. Dumbledore sat down and everyone began to talk once again.

"I wonder who the resurrector is" said Harry playfully but Ron didn't catch it fast enough. "What do you mean Harry we kno-" but Hermione stomped on his foot, hard, before he could finish. Thankfully no one heard what he was saying.

"Ron" said Hermione happily "we've got to go" said Hermione standing up. "Right" said Ron swallowing the last bite of food on his plate. "Umm are you related to the two Blacks?" Seamus asked Colleen happily. "My mum and dad" she said in reply. "So you're related to Snape?" he asked with a sudden pitch of nervousness in his voice. "Yeah, don't really know him though" she answered.

"Do you wana go?" Colleen asked. "Alright" Harry answered and they both got up and left the great hall. "Harry, just the man I wanted to see" said the familiar voice of Oliver Wood. "And why exactly did you want to see me?" he asked playfully. "Because you are the new Quidditch captain, because Katie would rather not be the captain" Wood explained. "Terrific!" said Harry happily. "Well you are going to need to schedule a time for the try outs for the chaser position, I suggest this Friday" he said happily. Harry nodded that that day would be fine "alright, tell the team and post a bulletin about the time" he said turning the corner that they had just come from.

They got to the portrait of the fat lady and Harry said "Damn, I forgot to ask Ron or Hermione the password!" They waited for about two minutes when they heard Ron's voice from around a corner "Keep up now midgets." They came around the corner and they came face to face with Ron and Hermione. "What's wrong, Harry?" Hermione asked suspiciously. "Forgot to ask you the password" Colleen answered before Harry could say a word.

"Gillyweed" said Ron and the portrait swung open and they walked into the common room which was completely empty. Harry and Colleen went over to some empty seats and sat down. Harry got out a piece of parchment and a quill and scribbled something on the parchment and went over to the message board and posted the message then walked back to Colleen.

"Message posted about the Quidditch try outs, now I've just got to notify the team" said Harry happily looking at the portrait hole hopefully. About ten minutes later the entire Gryffindor Quidditch team had assembled in the common room.

"Why are we here?" asked Jack Slopper crankily. "I want you to know my ban from the Quidditch team is off" said Harry happily. Everyone cheered at the sound of this. "I am the new captain and there are Chaser try outs on Friday at 5 o'clock, I want the whole team there, the only reason you be there is if you have detention, or you are to sick to mount a broom" Harry said sternly.

The group of Quidditch players went their own ways. Neville came up to Harry when he was talking to Colleen about how many times he had fought Voldemort and she told him how many times she had fought him. "Harry?" said Neville tapping him on his shoulder. "Yeah, Neville" he answered quickly. "Are there going to be any D.A. meetings this year?" he asked. "No, my dad and Sirius are very good Defense teachers" he answered happily. "D.A.?" Colleen asked curiously. "Dumbledore's army" said Ginny and Ron giggling slightly. "A defense class I taught last year, because we had a really horrible defense against the dark arts teacher" Harry explained. "Oh" she said laughing sweetly.

"Hermione, can you show me where I sleep, I kind of want to go to bed" Colleen asked and Hermione nodded. "Night" she said happily to Ron and Harry and followed Hermione up to the sixth year girl's dormitory. "Harry?" said Ron after a minute. "Yeah?" he asked. "You're drooling" said Ron laughing loudly. Harry wiped his mouth and said good night to Ron and went to bed.