A/N: Thanks to JokittyEmiMousey for reviewing!
Disclaimer: Not enough money to buy the rights, but my uncle has the Tom Riddle's diary from CoS!
Chap 5
Harry looked questioningly at the potion but before he could ask anything a loud CRACK resounded through the high ceilinged room.
"Well, hello there Harry!" Elias had just apparated in the middle of the floor. "Sillas, I have some, um, good and bad news for you."
Sillas raised a single eyebrow, "Oh?"
"Yes, I spoke to Albus Dumbledore, the headmaster at Hogwarts, and uh, he says you are welcome at Hogwarts, but..."
"But?"
"Well, after going over your transcripts, he noticed that, although you are VERY advanced in potions and Defense Against the Dark Arts, your marks in Herbology, History of Magic, and Transfiguration are a bit below seventh year level. If you are to go to Hogwarts, you'll have to enter sixth year." Elias waited for the bomb to fall.
"WHAT? ARE YOU NUTS? Just because the curriculums are a little different? Damn it, this isn't fair."
"Look, I'm sorry, but that was Dumbledore's stipulation."
Sillas was taking in deep, calming breaths, "Fine. Fine. I guess I have to finish my, uh, "education"."
"Well, I just stopped by to drop off this packet of information for you. I'll be home late, so order out if you want. Harry, it was nice seeing you again." He turned to go, "Oh, Harry I never really introduced my self. I'm Elias Solaris, Sillas' guardian. Just call me Elias." He held out his have for Harry to shake. "OK, I've gotta get back to work, Kingsley, is still showing me the ropes. Bye," and with another CRACK, he was gone.
Harry looked at Sillas, who seemed ready to attack.
"We'll be in the same year," Harry tried to cheer her up.
"Yeah, well..."
"So, er, does it say what house you'll be in?"
Sillas flipped through the packet, "Let's see...ah, here's a note, 'After reviewing your information and speaking with your previous headmaster, and speaking with our resources on this end, it is our conclusion that you would best be suited for Gryffindor. Enclosed is various information you will need for your upcoming year of education. Congratulations and welcome to Hogwarts.' Gryffindor...that's your house, isn't it?"
Harry grinned, "That's right, the best house at Hogwarts."
"I just can't believe that I have repeat a year."
Harry couldn't think of anything to say.
"Well, nothing I can do about it now." She brightened, "At least I'll be ahead is a few classes."
"Well, I'd better go back home, if I stay out too long Uncle Vernon will be even worse than this morning."
"Oh, ok, I'll see ya around, I've got work on these potions anyway."
Sillas walked Harry to the door and waved goodbye. As Harry walked through the Dursley's front door he could smell tofu baking in the oven. Sighing at the unappealing smell that was permeating the house, Harry slowly made his way upstairs.
When he walked into his room the first thing he noticed was Hedwig sitting on his bed and looking rather pleased with herself.
"Well, that was quick"
She ruffled her feathers and flew out the window.
"Huh, well ok then"
Harry picked up the letter Hedwig had deposited on his pillow and recognized Hermione's neat print. Opening the letter, Harry read:
Dear Harry,
I can't believe you have never heard of the Solaris clan. I read all about them in "Which Witch Families of the UK and US". The Solaris' held substantial power in the 1800's when Albernain Solaris was the fifth one in his family to hold the title of Minister of Magic. His sister Adalain and his wife Caroline were very important figures for witches all over. Anyway, it's a long list to where Sillas Solaris is, but she is mentioned in various books. In "Probable Potions and Curious Concoctions", Sillas has a whole chapter. Her potions are VERY famous in the US, especially the protection potions. They are so advanced that the only way to learn them in school is to take 7th NEWTS potions. I, of course, have tried a few myself, and I almost got them right. Professor Dumbledore says that she will be joining our year. I am very excited to meet her! Oh, Harry, maybe you can get her to tutor you. It would be a great experience for you!
Love from Hermione
P.S. Ron and I can't wait to see you again. Don't let your aunt and uncle get you down!
Harry sighed; it was just like Hermione to think of nothing but school work. But...but, why hadn't Sillas mentioned this? Harry grabbed his potions book from his desk a looked in the table of contents.
"There"
Harry found the name. Solaris, Sillas-inventor-Protess Potion. From the looks of it this was a very complex potion, much more difficult than the Polyjuice Potion. Harry tossed the book aside and stretched out on his bed. It had been a weird day; the first day he had not thought about Sirius and cried. Sighing Harry turned onto his side and stared at the wall. He had a lot to talk to Sillas about tomorrow.
"Boy, are you coming down here or not?" Uncle Vernon's voice traveled up from down stairs.
"Alright, alright," Harry mutter to himself as he got up.
Walking into the kitchen, Harry was met once again with the smell of tofu. Dudley was eying his plate with such a look of contempt that Harry found it difficult not to laugh.
"Well, boy, have fun with your weirdo friends?" Uncle Vernon asked as his mustache twitched in anger.
"Well, yeah, I did actually. Sillas is great and her uncle is very nice."
"Hmph, from a broken home, then, is she? And what kind of name is Sillas?"
Harry was trying very hard not to be goaded, but it wasn't working.
"Yeah, that's right she's just like me."
This was apparently not the correct thing to say because Uncle Vernon slammed his fist on the table.
Aunt Petunia sniffed, "Well, this neighborhood must be declining. I'm shocked that anyone can just move in here."
Dudley smirked and kicked Harry under the table.
Without another word, Harry stood up and stalked out of the kitchen.
A/N: And with that chap 5 comes to a close! R&R please!
