Author's note: I don't own Harry Potter or his universe. I just love toying with it. Thought I would put this here…for kicks.
Harry and the others walked quickly into the castle. Harry couldn't help but look around the entrance hall; he wanted to take it all in. Finally, Hermione pulled him away as Hagrid ushered in the first years. For a moment he remembered the first time he had walked into Hogwarts. He could remember the awe, fear, and automatic love that had filled him the minute he had seen the castle.
"Harry, we have to go," Hermione said calling from the doors that led into the great hall. Harry dashed up the steps as Professor McGonagall came slowly down the steps. She shot Harry a sharp look and he not only slowed down but for a moment stopped walking. When he finally reached the top of stairs and walked into the Great Hall slowly.
The Hall was decorated in dark majestic colors, that matched the clear night sky that the ceiling had been bewitched to look just as the outdoors. He could see the four tables that filled the hall: Slytherin, Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw, and Gryffindor. As his eyes glanced over the Ravenclaw table he caught the eye of Cho Chang-a very pretty seventh year. He smiled back and, for once didn't fell the slightest jump of the heart. Harry took his seat at the table between Ron and Hermione.
"I wonder where the new Defense against the Dark Arts teacher is," Hermione said as he glanced over the staff table. In the middle sat Dumbledore-he looked the same in his bright periwinkle robes and next to him was the empty chair for McGonagall. Harry saw the empty chair on his right, which belonged to the new teacher. Harry moved his eyes further down and noticed that Snape was not there.
"Where's Snape?" Harry blurted out. Hermione shot him a contemptuous look as several other students' began to mumble about the absence of Snape.
"Harry, I am pretty sure that Snape is one business," Hermione said with a slight amount of emphasis on business. Harry understood; Snape was doing things for the order. Ron was busy chatting to Seamus, there fellow sixth year, about the Chudley Cannon's.
"I am really hungry. I hope that the sorting doesn't take long," He heard Ron say. Harry wasn't listening, he was thinking about what had kept Snape away from Hogwarts and how long he would be away. Just then, the door to the front hall was gathering a great amount of attention. Every student seemed to be staring at it. Harry could see someone moving towards the staff table. They had dark auburn hair.
"Golly, that's Clow Reid," Hermione said behind closed teeth. The hair had moved close enough that Harry could now see the owner of it. The muffled cries became louder (Harry was sure he had heard Neville say infamous) as he walked past the Gryffindor. He was a young man, probably thirty by the look of him. His face was pale and weak. As his eyes flashed over the table, Harry noticed how shadowed and sunken they were; his eyes were oddly familiar. He had reached the table and was sitting down next to Dumbledore.
"Who is that Hermione," Harry asked as the murmurs began to die down. She turned to him with a quizzical look on her face.
"Harry, that's Clow Reid. He used to be in Azkaban, he was in for committing heinous crimes against the magical community. I think that he got out on testimony of Dumbledore. I read about it in Azkaban: A history," Hermione said as she stared over to the side door. Professor McGonagall had come out carrying a stool and an old tattered wizard's hat.
Harry didn't even look at it. His eyes had worked his way back to the front table. Harry understood for the first time as he saw his shadowed eyes; they looked so much like the dark eyes of Sirius Black. He had no time to think on it more, as McGonagall had placed the hat down on the stool. Harry could see the brim of the hat opening widely. A cherry voice came out and boomed through the hall:
Oh, very long time ago…before any of you were born
The four great wizards of the time came together;
With a noble view in sight
They would educate the young-teach them things unknown
The first was gracious Godric Gryffindor-
Who would teach those who were brave
Then there was sly Slytherin
Who said teach those who came from old homes
There was also radiant Rowena Ravenclaw
Who would teach those with the smartest minds
Finally, there was haughty Helga Hufflepuff
Who would take them all…
And, so to all those new, I must say one thing
Be not divided but united under these great stony walls
And, to the ones returning
I say Remember things I have already said
So come on up…put me over your ears
Just think your best
I'll do the rest...
The hall exploded with claps and laughter as the hat closed it brim. Professor McGonagall gave a severe look to the crowd and the whole hall became silent.
"Adams, Nathan," Professor McGonagall said in a strict voice as a young boy with brown-hair came out. He moved slowly and placed the hat on to his head. For a moment, there was a hush of silence-even Harry didn't look away from the chair.
"Ravenclaw," The hat screamed. The Ravenclaw table erupted in happiness as Nathan Adams joined them. The next student came up…and then the next…and then another. Harry eventually turned to staring at Clow Reid. He was looking intently at the hat on the stool as young mousy girl grabbed the hat and was placed into Slytherin. His dead eyes looked a bit lighter.
"Tonks, Gordon" Said Professor McGonagall as a young boy with bright blonde hair moved over to the hat. He stared at the hat with a smile on his face before placing it on his head. There was a long silence in which Harry looked at him. Could this boy be related to Tonk's?
"Gryffindor," The hat screamed out finally. Harry and the others around him applauded happily as the boy walked over to them. He tripped over his foot just as he was about to reach the table. He took a seat next to another first year and they began to chat softly.
At last, McGonagall called out the last student (Young, Timothy) and he was sorted into Hufflepuff. The hall filled with Silence as Dumbledore rose from his chair. His long beard twinkled like a star in the night.
"Welcome, all of our first years, and our returning students. May I remind you that the Hogsmeade village is off limits to all students below third year? Also, that the Forbidden Forest is off limits to all students," His bright eyes moved to Harry. "As well, Mr. Filch, our caretaker, has asked me to remind you that magic is off limits in the corridor and that he had added ninety-seven new items to the prohibited list. The full list can be seen on his office door. Now, I must say three more words: Po-Tee-Weet," Dumbledore took his seat and with that the plates filled with foods and the goblets with drink.
Harry was helping himself to a sausage when he noticed that there was a note next to his plate. He picked it up slowly and unfolded it:
Dear Harry,
After Dinner, please come to my office. There are things to be discussed.
Dumbledore
With that Harry closed the letter and returned to his food.
"Harry, who do you reckon will be the new Quidditch captain," Ron asked as he took another drink from his goblet.
"I don't know. We are going to need some new teammates. I mean, you, Ginny and I are the only ones left, other than Katie, Jack, and Andrew" Harry said slowly. Harry was looking forward to mounting his broomstick.
"I think that McGonagall chooses the captain. I read it in-"
"Hogwarts: A History," Ron and Harry said in unison. Hermione turned a bright shade of magenta and then began to laugh.
"Yes, well it says that traditionally, the heads of houses pick the new captain," Hermione said in a short voice. "I wonder if that boy is related to Tonks's."
"Hey," Ron called out. He sprayed juice all over Neville. "Sorry, Neville…Hey, Tonks."
The young boy looked down from the table to Ron. He got up and walked slowly over to Harry. He sat down between Harry and Ron.
"Yes," He said. His voice was soft and sounded like the ringing of bells. He was staring oddly at Ron, who seemed to have forgotten that he had called the boy.
"Are you the brother to Nymphadora Tonks?" Hermione asked the young man.
"Yes…I am." He said staring at her with a smile on his face. "Do you like my hair like this?" He asked. Hermione looked at him oddly; Harry was doing the same. He looked at them and then he shook his head violently. The blonde hair became dark brown.
"Oh, you're a metamorphmagus too," Hermione said in shock. Gordon turned to her slowly. His face was brighter and had slight more color to it.
"Yes, it runs in the family. Except for my dad, he's a muggle. How do you know my sister…Oh, you know her from the-" His voice became lower. "Order."
The rest of the dinner went by quick. Harry remained quiet; only speaking when asked a question. His mind kept going back to the note. There are things to be discussed. What things, he kept asking himself. Until, Dumbledore stood up and ended the dinner. The hall filled with commotion. There were first years spreading out all over the place; lost in the hustle of students. Harry began to walk to the door with Hermione and Ron. When they reached the stores he turned away.
"Harry, where are you going?" Ron asked from the stairs.
"I have to see Dumbledore," Harry answered as he walked backwards so that he could still see them.
"Come on, Ron. We have to tell everyone the new password," Hermione said looking down at Harry with worry all over her face. Harry turned around and began to walk straight as they disappeared up the stairs.
Harry walked slowly. He reached the top of the steps that went to the second floor corridor. He could see the Gargoyle. In front of the door was Dumbledore in his robes of bright periwinkle blue-so like his eyes. He was staring at Harry with a smile on his face. Harry reached the end of the hallway and Dumbledore turned slowly. Harry stopped and stood behind him.
"Mint Humbug," Dumbledore said in his light voice. The gargoyle jumped alive and began to twist and twirl. He ushered Harry onto the staircase and then joined him. They moved slowly upward. Harry was sure that Dumbledore was not looking him in the eye.
"Sit down, Harry," Dumbledore said as he sat down at his desk. Harry was staring around the large circular room. It was full of portraits. They were all snoring; Harry noticed that there was a frame on the floor. It was empty and had no name on the bottom. Harry sat down and looked up to Dumbledore. He looked immensely different. His eyes were drawn and had large bags around them. His face had lost some color. He didn't seem as youthful or vibrant. Harry could see every wrinkle on his face.
"Harry, do you have any questions?" Dumbledore said looking down at Harry's green eyes. A smile creped over his visage.
"Er…where is Voldemort?" He asked knowing at once that Dumbledore would not be able to answer.
"He is among his friends. I am sure that you heard about the prison outbreak off all the old death eaters. The Dementors just opened the doors and left with Voldemort," Dumbledore said still staring into Harry's eyes.
"You don't know where he is though, do you?" Harry asked.
"No," He said simply.
"What is he after now? Has he given up on the Prophecy?" Harry asked. Dumbledore smiled and moved his focus away from Harry's eyes.
"I expect that he still thinks of it. Although, he could only get the prophecy from the manufacturer now," Dumbledore said slyly. Harry thought about what he said. Did he mean…Professor Trelawney? "Now, Harry, I must ask you something. What did you see on the train?" His voice got lower. He sounded as though he didn't want anyone to hear.
"I saw Voldemort. He was torturing Lucius Malfoy. He said that he was finally paying Malfoy back for not trying to rescue him," Harry stopped for a moment. It was as if Hermione's face had come into his head, she screaming to ask him about the chamber. "Sir, may I ask you something?"
"Surely," Dumbledore said calmly from behind his table. His bright blue eyes still staring into Harry's green eyes.
"What about the Chamber of Secrets…" Harry stopped. He wondered if it would be odd to accuse Malfoy-even though he was sure that he had been guilty. "I mean when the chamber was opened hadn't Malfoy tried to rescue him." Dumbledore's eyes opened widely. He seemed to have learned something that had eluded him for years. His face was full of a triumphant look. "Why didn't he just tell him about the chamber?"
"Why, indeed," He said in his same cool tone. The look of wonder on his face had faded. He looked just as old and weary. "I believe that he didn't tell him for one reason: It would mean a great failure," He said this in a very odd final way. Harry decided not to say anything more.
"But, I thought that you couldn't lie to Voldemort," Harry said staring past Dumbledore. His eyes peered into the empty portrait on the floor. He could see a faint image burned on the canvas.
"There are many possibilities. The first-and most probable-is that Malfoy is an Occlumens and could cloud his mind to Voldemort. I must say that seems to be the most probable. Anymore questions Harry?"
"One more. What is that on the floor, sir," Harry asked. His eyes had wondered back down to the portrait. Dumbledore let out a hefty laugh. Harry noticed that he seemed younger; his bright eyes less shadowed.
"Harry, when you become Headmaster of Hogwarts you gain two things. That is one of them. It is a portrait that I have to imprint a bit of myself in. I was using it before you came in-can you see the imprint growing," He stared down at it, a smile on his face. His eyes twinkling behind his half-moon glasses.
"What is the other thing?" Harry asked. Dumbledore turned slowly and for a moment stared into Harry's eyes.
"That Harry is meant to be a secret. However, I will say this, it is better than this morbid portrait." Dumbledore said with a smile still on his face. "Now, Harry you must head back to Gryffindor tower. The password is veneficus lamia."
Harry got up from the chair and headed toward the stone gargoyle. He could hear a faint voice from behind him. It was the gruff voice of Phineas Nigellus.
"I am glad that you are done. That boy seems to be in here every day."
"I see no problem with it, Phiny." Answered the calm voice of Dumbledore.
Harry stood still for a moment at the front in front of the gargoyle. He wondered about what Dumbledore had just said. It would mean a great failure. What did he mean? And for a moment Harry wondered what the other thing a Headmaster receives. "Mint Humbug." Harry said to the gargoyle. It sprang to life and led him down the entrance. He couldn't wait to tell Ron and Hermione this.
"Veneficus lamia," Harry said to the portrait of the Fat Lady when he reached the common room. The portrait sung open and from afar Harry could hear the loud voices of Ron and Hermione. The common room had emptied.
"Ronald, why don't you just get over it," He could hear Hermione saying. She sounded fierce. Harry stopped; he didn't want to get in the middle of this argument.
"Get over it! How can I. You are getting letters from the guy. Well…," Ron screamed. Harry was sure that his face was scarlet red.
"Well. What?" Hermione asked from behind clenched teeth.
"Are you going to go visit him?" Ron asked in a clam tone.
"That is none of your business," Hermione said as she stormed off up the steps. The next thing Harry heard was Ron going up the steps as well. Harry walked slowly toward the common room. He could see a large bit of parchment on the floor. He picked it up off the floor. He knew instantly that it was the cause of the fight. It was a letter from Viktor Krum.
