Chapter 3: Catching up with Old Acquaintances

The next week the Hogwarts letters arrived and Harry, who was feeling much better after the potato incident, started discussing his O.W.L. results with Ron.

All things considered, Harry thought he did pretty well. He had gotten an E in Transfiguration, Charms, and Herbology, a P in Divination and History of Magic (not surprising), an A in Astronomy, and an O in Care of Magical Creatures, Potions, and Defense Against the Dark Arts.

"Yeah, I got an O in Potions too; weird, isn't it?" Ron commented. "I guess Snape not being around makes a difference. Look what I got in Divination though." Ron held up his letter.

Harry's eyes widened. "You got an E?"

"I know! I don't know how I made it through the entire exam. I didn't even expect to pass, especially after what happened with the crystal ball."

"So are you going to take the N.E.W.T. course?"

Ron shrugged. "I don't know. Mum's excited about the idea, but I just don't see the benefit of it. I was wanting to be an Auror."

Harry grinned. "I bet being able to See would have benefits in any job. Say, I bet Hermione probably got O's in everything. Where is she anyway?"

Ron's face changed. "Probably writing to that Viktor Krum."

"You two didn't have another row, did you?"

Ron threw his hands up in exasperation. "I just don't know what she sees in him!"

Harry studied his best friend for a minute. "Ron, why don't you just tell her?"

"Tell her what?"

"That you like her!"

"Well of course I like her! She's my friend!"

Harry rolled his eyes. "You know, for a future Seer, you're pretty thick. I mean as more than a friend."

Ron gaped at Harry as the information he just heard seemed to have finally sunk in. "Wha--? No..."

"Oh, come on Ron, don't tell me you have no idea about this! It's been obvious for years! You bicker constantly like a married couple, you rush to her defense when she's in trouble, you get jealous if she even looks at another guy..."

"I do not get jealous! Besides, she's your friend too! You act the same way!"

Harry shook his head. "Not like you. Plus, I don't care if she goes out with someone else. You do."

"I..." Ron buried his face in his hands. "This is absolutely ridiculous. I don't--" He took his hands off his face and stared at the ground looking very confused.

Harry watched Ron trying to sort everything out and pitied him. "So, what classes do you think you'll take this year?" he asked in an attempt to change the subject.

Ron just lifted his gaze from the floor and started staring at the wall in front of him. "Me--and Hermione?" he whispered weakly, as if trying to picture the possibility.

Ron was pretty quiet for the rest of the summer, especially when he was around Hermione. Hermione seemed very confused by this change in attitude and tried to ask Harry about it. Harry, however, would just shrug and try to change the subject as quickly as possible.

Preparations to go to King's Cross were as hectic as usual. Harry couldn't get Hedwig back in her cage, Ginny was trying frantically to find three books that seem to have disappeared, and Ron, finally breaking silence, yelled at Hermione when Crookshanks clawed up his leg. Harry wasn't sure, but it looked like Hermione was actually relieved as she yelled back.

Remus, Mad-Eye Moody, and Tonks arrived about fifteen minutes before the Ministry cars. "Wotcher, Harry!" Tonks said, giving Harry a big hug. "I can't wait for the school term to begin! I still can't believe I'll be teaching at Hogwarts this year!" The members of the Order had decided that one of them should teach Defense Against the Dark Arts and chose Tonks for the job. "I just wish it was going to be for more than one year."

You're leaving after a year?" Hermione asked in surprise. "Why?"

Tonks shrugged. "Apparently there's someone else that Dumbledore wants to give the position to," she answered, "but he's not ready. Not yet. We'll just see what happens."

"Yeah; I was supposed to be there for a year too, remember? Just watch your back, that's all I'm saying. Oh, and I'll be coming by periodically to check on you," Mad-Eye snarled at her. Harry smirked. Getting kidnapped and locked away in your own trunk for nine months cannot be a good experience.

The drive to King's Cross was quick and uneventful. When they got to the train, Ron and Hermione headed for the prefects' car while Harry and Ginny went to find a compartment.

"You know Ginny, I'm surprised you didn't get a prefect badge," Harry commented as they walked down the corridor.

"Yeah," Ginny said with a shrug. "I guess I spent too much time around Fred and George. It's probably better though. With Quidditch and O.W.L.s coming up, I could do without the added stress."

They found an empty compartment and put away their trunks. Soon, the lunch trolley came by and Harry and Ginny bought a pile of pumpkin pasties and Chocolate Frogs. As they began to eat, Dean Thomas, Seamus Finnigan, and Neville Longbottom arrived.

"Hi Ginny, how was your summer?" Dean asked as he sat down next to her and gave her a peck on the cheek.

"It was fine, thanks," she answered as she snuggled up against him.

"How are you doing?" Neville asked as he sat next to Harry.

Harry sighed and then smiled. "Better," he answered.

After a while Ron and Hermione caught up with them. Ron cast a wary eye at Ginny and Dean, who were sharing a pumpkin pasty, then grabbed a Chocolate Frog and plopped down in a nearby seat.

"So, is anything different now that everyone knows You-Know-Who is back?" Seamus asked.

Hermione shook her head as she reached for a pasty. "Dumbledore knew all along and took security measures last year. Nothing new now." She smirked. "One good thing, though. All of Umbridge's horrid decrees are gone."

"Are we still going to have the D.A.?" Neville asked.

Harry looked up at Ron and Hermione. He hadn't thought about that. "I dunno," he said. "The whole reason we did it was because Umbridge was such a horrible teacher. But now Dumbledore's back in charge and we've got a great teacher--"

"Yeah, Tonks is really cool, you'll like her," Ron put in. He thought a moment. "Maybe she'll want to get involved in the D.A."

"Oh, by the way Ron," Seamus said, grinning. "Great thing about your Dad. How's he doing, you know, being the new Minister of Magic and all?"

"It's great. He was a little nervous at first, but he'll be fine. He's finally getting the respect he deserves."

"It'll be interesting to see how bad he'll mess things up before everyone has the good sense to chuck him out," a drawling voice said from the compartment door.

Ron blinked for a moment, then sat back with a nonchalant air. "Malfoy," he said coolly without looking up.

Malfoy stepped into the compartment, followed closely by his two thuglike friends, Crabbe and Goyle. "So, did your Mum go into shock at the thought of actually having money to spend this year?" Hermione glanced nervously at Ron, ready to grab his arm to hold him back, but Ron just looked up at Malfoy with an arched eyebrow. "Say, maybe now your Dad can buy a net to attach to your broom so you can catch the Quaffle better."

"You know, I'm surprised your Dad hadn't bought you one of those nets," Harry commented. "Seeing as how you still have yet to catch the Snitch." Malfoy whirled around and glared at Harry. "How is your dear ole' Dad anyway? Enjoying his cell?"

Malfoy sneered. "He'll be out soon enough. Azkaban isn't what it used to be. They can't hold him there long."

"Don't be so sure." Everyone turned to see Ginny standing up to face him. "After all these years, he'll finally get what he deserves."

Gritting his teeth, Malfoy reached into his robes for his wand, but before he could get it out, seven wands were pointed straight at him. Glowering, he turned back to Harry. "You watch your back, Potter. I swear, I'm going to get you." And with another contemptuous glance at Ginny, he headed for the door.

"Can't wait," Harry said with a smirk as he watched Malfoy leave.