Disclaimer – I do not own Harry Potter; that right belongs to J.K. Rowling and all the publishers of the series. I do not own the lyrics present in this chapter; they are property of The Cure and Something Corporate respectively. Please don't suit me, I'm not making any money off of this and if anything I'm just giving free promotion.
Chapter 8 – The Times, They Are A'Changing
The elation regarding Fudge's deposal would have continued through the rest of the week had Voldemort not decided to make clear his displeasure. A number of muggle neighborhoods were attacked, including Mayfair, mere kilometers away from Hermione's residence. The Granger's street was mercifully left alone from the carnage that the British muggle media was calling the worst set of terrorist attacks since 1980, which just so happened to be the very height of Voldemort's last rise to power. All in all, about ten muggles were killed, and near one hundred were left wounded by massive explosions.
Mr. And Mrs. Granger, in response to the newest sets of attacks, gave permission for their daughter to remain at 7 King Street for the rest of the summer. They also accepted what protection Dumbledore and the Order could give them, which, unfortunately, was not much. Dumbledore had his hands tied up in the organization of the new ministry, which was going to be headed by Amelia Bones at Dumbledore's, and the Wizengamot's, suggestion. Madam Bones' hired Alastor "Mad-Eye" Moody as head of Magical Law Enforcement, a job that he was more than happy to take.
One of the first moves that Madam Bones made as interim Minister of Magic was to extend the wizarding world's apologies to those whom Umbridge campaigned against and immediately called for the Wizengamot to abolish several of Umbridge's racist laws. There were many other critical changes made within the first forty-eight hours of her inauguration including the removal of the dementors as the guards of Azkaban, an emergency call for aurors and an accompanying increased auror training pace, and authorization of the use of deadly force, and the unforgivables, in all skirmishes against assumed Death Eaters.
In addition to these overall changes, Moody managed to use his rather increased influence to secure higher penalties for all crimes for the time of war. Simple muggle baiting, which had carried a two month sentence, now carried a sentence of one year. Moody was also given permission, rather unofficially, to hold those captured in battle and suspected of being Death Eaters without access to a lawyer and the ability to dose them with Veritaserum to gain information. Needless to say, Moody was rather excited by the prospect and he did nothing but speak about it when he came to Potter Place for the many Order meetings that succeeded the vote of 'no-confidence.'
Arthur Weasley also got a promotion due to the rise of Madam Bones as Minister of Magic. Because of his competence in dealing with muggles and the frequency of which he had to do so in regards to his job Madam Bones saw fit to promote him to the official envoy to British Prime Minister for the magical government. He was working in tandem with a select group of muggles who knew about both worlds and were well versed in muggle technology. Mr. Weasley and his taskforce of muggles were granted high clearance levels regarding British spy satellites and public video feed.
At Potter Place, activity picked up substantially. In addition to more frequent Order meetings, there were, at any given time, up to six people receiving instruction in combat. Bill, Charlie, Fred, and George, all joined in on some of the lessons that both Harry and Hermione were getting. Ron and Ginny also attempted to join in on the training, but both fell back out due to the amount that they were behind, knowledge wise, and the amount that they were willing, or in this case not willing, to work. Due to the increased number of trainees, Tonks spent many of the lessons emphasizing fighting uneven odds and fighting as a team.
Dumbledore kept his appointments with Hermione and Harry between the three of them in order to better prepare them for what lay ahead. Both Hermione and Harry learned substantially more and more dangerous curses from the older wizard as they proceeded. Frequently Dumbledore would summon a book that had belonged in the Black library and was unquestionably about dark magic in order to show the two students what a text had to say about the spell. As the two continued Hermione found that she had ever increasing problems mastering spells, while Harry didn't seem to slow down at all.
When Harry confronted her about it she explained it away with a sad smile. "Harry, I told you once that you were really something special and that I was all just books and cleverness. It is at this level that it really makes a difference. What Dumbledore is teaching us now stretches the limit of my magical power. You on the other hand, your magical reserves can handle much more."
Harry immediately apologized for asking, but she brushed it away saying that there was no way he could have known. Dumbledore, for his part, supported what Hermione stated citing Harry's ability to perform the Patronus Charm at such a young age.
Medimagic training also went on, and Madam Pomfrey managed to secure the two a couple visits to St. Mungo's, where they worked with some of the less serious wounds that people showed up for. It was in this way that Harry and Hermione managed to put some of their theory on broken bones to the test, and both performed admirably. The Head Healer of St. Mungo's commended each of them for their work with a number of patients and eagerly encouraged them to take the NEWT level medimagic course that Hogwarts would be offering in the upcoming semester.
The only activity that Ron partook in with Harry was the weight lifting equipment, and that was because Harry told him it would benefit his quidditch, which it would. Ron, of course, was a bit miffed when Harry demonstrated at fifty kilograms and Ron was unable to lift that much, but Harry told him that he had only achieved that number recently, and had been doing those exercises every day for over a month now. Pacified, Ron started out at a modest forty-two kilograms.
Though Harry was more than excited at being able to spend time with his best mate and the other Weasley's, he sorely missed his time alone with Hermione. Since the Weasley's had come the two were seldom together apart from the others. In fact, their lessons with Dumbledore were one of the few times that Ron and Ginny did not accompany them everywhere. The only other alone time they had was Harry's regular piano lesson with Hermione. After allowing Ron and Ginny to come in once, Hermione had very literally thrown the two out of the room when they refused to quiet down. Ron had been rather vociferous in his calls to do something more interesting, and Ginny frequently echoed them, or worse, giggled whenever Harry did something well, or when he made a mistake. And so it was during one lesson that Hermione announced she was taking Harry out on his second muggle outing, a little more than two weeks after his birthday. He was excited at the prospect of spending some real quality time with her again.
It was a beautiful Saturday morning for London. The sun shone in the sky and there were only a few clouds to be seen, which was quite rare at any time of the year. Hermione led Harry out of the house after saying good-bye to everyone there for the day and dragged him north along Charring Cross Road, right onto Oxford Street, and north again on Gower Street. The entire journey took all of twenty-five minutes and the result was that the two were standing in front of an enormous building with a broad colonnade. There were hundreds of people milling about in front of the building, most of them off to either side of the main path where stone benches accommodated those who watched their children chase the pigeons.
"What is this place?" Harry asked, wonder evident on his face.
"This Harry, is the British museum, where we will be spending the rest of our afternoon," she answered, and so they did.
The British Museum is one of, if not the, premier museum of the world. At one point in time the British Empire was the vastest in the world. Within its maws were hundreds of lands and cultures, perhaps the most prominent being Egypt. It is said that England raped Egypt of everything of worth before that country gained its independence, and seeing the multitude of rooms dedicated to the ancient Egyptians within the library, Harry was inclined to agree. The museum also housed thousands of artifacts from the Assyrian and Sumerian cultures, taken from the Middle East.
Hermione took Harry through much of the museum, which had exhibits ranging from human prehistory (Harry thought that many of the 'tools' they had on display were in actuality nothing more than some strangely shaped stones) to the modern day. They spent ten minutes standing in front of the Rosetta Stone, which Hermione explained was the key to understanding Ancient Egyptian hieroglyphics. A further ten were spent at the two Inuit totem polls, each towering over the people standing beneath, and the stone monolith from Easter Island. Hermione briefly explained why Easter Island held such mystery to Harry, who had never heard of the place before.
Overall, they had made great time in exploring the museum, Hermione had stopped them at relatively few of the exhibits to explain in detail what they were, and Harry thought that they would be out of the museum by three in the afternoon, that was until Hermione took him back into the main room and into a gift shop there. The path to the restrooms were located within these gift shops, a trap for all those who had to use them, and Hermione led him down them before stopping right outside the entrance to the W.C.s.
"Umm Hermione?" Harry started, obviously confused.
"Shh," Hermione cautioned before looking down the hall both ways to make sure that nobody was coming. "Alright, it's like platform nine and three-quarters. Lets go." With that Hermione pulled Harry straight into the wall ahead of them, but it appeared that there was no wall in actuality. Instead, Harry was surprised to see another lobby, smaller than the one above them but impressive nonetheless.
"What is this?" Harry asked, still confused.
"This is the wizarding section of the library. I haven't had the chance to see it myself yet so it should be rather interesting," she answered before leading Harry through one set of doors and to the exhibits beyond. As was expected there were even more Egyptian exhibits, a few with full tombs displaced to their current location. There was a detailed description of curse-breaking and the dangers faced while excavating ancient Egyptian tombs. Both students found new respect for Bill and what he did for a living.
There were also numerous exhibits involving creatures and peoples long extinct or missing. Records of human-like elves existed from far back in human history, but no such elf had been in contact with the human world for more than ten millennia, what little was known about the species was archived there in Britain. The same went for the Dwarves, an underground dwelling race that disappeared near seven millennia prior.
There were exhibits chronicling the advance of magic from its original tribal ritualistic forms into what it currently was today, and the decline of magic since its height in the High Middle Ages. Many muggle historians regarded this period of time as the Dark Ages due to the uncharacteristically low number of historically significant documents drawn up during these years. In actuality, during this period of time magic was quite commonly known about. Muggles and Wizards coexisted. As such, most documents of any importance dealt in some way, shape, or form with magic. It was because of this that these documents were kept out of the hands of muggle historians. Magic survived as a myth, a fairy tale for children. Muggle historians have difficulty to this day explaining how society seemed to somewhat degrade and yet great progress was made.
Harry continued to let Hermione lead until they were forced to depart at closing. The constant walking and the numerous staircases that had been climbed had worn the two out, and so it was with great relief that Harry sat down to dinner with Hermione at a muggle restaurant where they spent the next hour talking over roast beef and boiled potatoes.
Finally it was time for the two to return to Potter Place and it was with regret that they retraced their earlier steps through the streets of London and returned to a waiting Ron and Ginny.
"So, what did you two do?" Ron asked, he had pleaded earlier to be allowed to come but Hermione had put her foot down, literally on his, and told him firmly that it was Harry's birthday present, and that she would not have him ruin it.
"We went to a museum, had lunch and dinner," Hermione said knowing full well that while the prospect of two meals in there would entice Ron, the thought of a museum would halt any further questions from his end. Harry nodded his agreement and life returned to normal, well somewhat, life could never be called normal with the all Weasley's in the house.
Bill and Charlie continued to take Tonk's lesson with Harry and Hermione, and the four often dueled both in and outside of class. Each team, the two Weasleys usually faced off against the students, would challenge the other once they found a new spell that they wanted to test in a dueling situation. Even Fred and George would jump into a provisional duel (no one ever knew which side they would be on) to hone their skills.
Ron and Ginny stayed out of the duels, and most of the study time in general. Ginny could often be seen reading the latest edition of Witch Weekly, which had decided to name Harry most eligible bachelor who was not yet a legal adult much to Harry's chagrin, or writing letters to her friends from Hogwarts. Ron spent much of his time facing off against a Chessmaster chess set that Harry saw fit to purchase in order to keep his mate occupied. The boy was steadily improving against the computer, which came out on top more often than not.
The study time that Harry and Hermione spent was often with a number of books from the Black family library. Ever since Dumbledore had begun using them in his lessons the two teens had seen that these somewhat 'darker' spells were far more effective and vowed to study them while they could here at the house. In addition to learning new spells, the two, namely Hermione, were making fantastic progress on the color-changing charm getting through the third arithmancy equation. Surprisingly, it had been Fred and George who had helped most with this progress.
The Weasley twins frequently had to make their own spells for use in their products in order to avoid personal and Ministry copyrights. Each had taken Arithmancy in school, both got Outstandings on their O.W.L.s, and agreed to help Harry and Hermione with the project, provided of course that they could use the result in some products after the war was over. Both students readily agreed and the twins became nearly as fervent as Hermione in working on the product.
When Harry approached them about it they each clapped him on the back.
"Harry, there is something that you should know about us -" Fred started.
"- and that is that we are very dedicated and serious people -" George cut in.
"- as long as there is some benefit for us."
"Namely profit," George clarified.
"Though we are not averse to helping out our sole investor every once in a while," Fred chimed in with a trademarked Weasley Twin's grin.
Harry cocked an eyebrow. "Well thanks then guys. Anyway, how's the shop coming along? I don't seem to recall you going off to work very often."
"Uh, well you see Harry, George and I thought that it may be a better use of our skills -"
"- for the moment at least -"
"- to help out the Order with some rather unique inventions."
"So right now," Fred shrugged, "the shop is closed. We plan to open it for a couple weekends before everybody goes off to school again to make some galleons, but after school starts up business will slow down enough that it won't matter if the shop is open."
"Well that is what we predict at least," George said. "So instead, we've whored ourselves -"
"Now George, I don't know if 'whored' is the right word there," Fred chastised.
"Well I think it is," came the counter. "We agreed to stop making jokes to make weapons, I'd call that whoring out to the highest bidder, except well, we wouldn't have whored out to ole You-Know-Who." George gave a knowing nudge to Harry.
"Happy to hear that George," Harry said with a smile. "After all, if Voldemort had you two on his team, the shit would hit the fan for sure!"
"Merlin!" exclaimed Fred. "Did Harry Potter -"
"Boy-Who-Lived and Savior of the Wizarding World -"
"Just swear!"
"Oh come off it guys, you know I'm not a perfect law-abiding kid," Harry said laughing.
Fred and George gave each other a high five. "We taught him well brother," exclaimed one.
"Yes we did!" answered the other.
"You'll have to start doing that more often Harry," George said seriously, Fred started nodding his head. "You know, swearing is an essential skill. The right swear word can bring much more meaning to what you say, or it can bring much more humor."
"Oh sod off you two." Harry said, chuckling, as he turned to head up the stairs and to the muggle room.
"He did it again!" exclaimed one of the twins below.
.:oOoOoOo:.
It was Saturday, August 24th and Potter Place was a madhouse of activity due to a number of reasons. The first being that earlier that week the students had received their Hogwarts letters and made their course selections and now they needed to visit Diagon Alley. Harry had opted for NEWT Charms, NEWT DADA, NEWT Transfiguration, NEWT Medimagic, and a few NEWT Independent study courses (namely potions, occlumency, and spell creation). He knew that he would be adding the Dueling Association once it was announced at Hogwarts.
Hermione took many of the same courses, except was taking Snape's NEWT Potions class and NEWT Arithmancy. Ron, with his nine O.W.L.s, chose NEWT DADA, NEWT Transfiguration, NEWT CoMC, Advanced Divination, Advanced Charms (he only received an acceptable on this O.W.L), and joined the Hogwart's Chess Club as an elective.
Secondly, Fred or George, Molly didn't know which one she had caught in the act, had set off three fireworks. Of course, when she had tried to banish the offending objects they multiplied ten-fold tearing through the house making a god-awful racket. The first of course was the impetus for the second. Fred and George were not returning to Hogwarts despite their mother's best pleas, but they felt that it was their duty to tag along in order to provide protection. Ron, of course, had heard their announcement of this and offered to call in Lucius Malfoy instead as their bodyguard.
This sparked an argument over who would be the best suited for the job (the twins or Lucius) that was only ended when the combined yells of Ginny, Mrs. Weasley, and Hermione silenced it. Ron muttered apologies, mostly to Hermione, but the twins remained steadfastly stoic; though they did take turns sticking their tongues out at Ron when their mother wasn't looking.
Finally, after a few more confrontations the troupe made it to Diagon Alley, the premier destination for all things wizard in the United Kingdom and arguably Europe. The twins immediately took off towards their shop to open it for business, leaving the students with Molly Weasley, who decided that the first stop for everyone was to be Gringott's. Harry, having not visited the alley in several years, was short of coinage as well and so went along with no protests.
It wasn't long before the five stood before the columns at Gringott's entrance. Harry gave a small shiver as he read the warning to all would-be thieves while walking into the gigantic entrance hall. Molly quickly found a few open tellers and each split off to be helped.
"Yes?" asked one of the goblin tellers as Harry approached.
"I wish to access my vault," Harry replied calmly.
"Do you have your key?" Harry handed it to the goblin who took it and spun it over in his fingers. Harry was moderately surprised when the goblin looked at his forehead for the telltale scar. "Mr. Potter, Gringott's has some… business… with you."
Harry swallowed nervously. 'Do I owe money? Has my vault come under ministry control?' A million similar impossible situations flooded his mind before he spoke. "What sort of business sir?"
"You have been named in the will of a certain someone. I gather you know who?" the goblin asked quietly as to not attract attention. Harry merely nodded. "Very good, that simplifies things. If you would then, Mr. Potter, in order to complete it Gringott's will require your presence in the Will Room. If you have time, it could be accomplished relatively quickly right now."
"Umm," Harry looked over towards Hermione and the Weasley's who seemed to be waiting on him. "let me just tell them," Harry gestured towards the group and the goblin nodded.
Five minutes later found Harry in a room that reminded him strongly of the prophecy room in the Department of Mysteries. Harry was led down several paths, aside which sat hundreds of small glass orbs on numbered shelves. The goblin seemed focused as he went forward, Harry in tow. Finally he stopped and lifted one glass globe from the shelf in front of him before throwing it to the floor. Harry flinched as it shattered.
And then, just like with the prophecy a ghostly figure emerged from the broken shards. Its features were for the most part not discernable, but Harry knew it to be Sirius. Sure enough, the once handsome man's voice, rang through the mist:
"I, Sirius Orion Black, testify today, April 22nd, 1980, that I am in sound mental condition as I dictate this will, though my heart is heavy at having to do so. Unfortunately, in this world fraught with danger there is need to keep things such as this ready. I can only hope that I went out fighting. Lily, James, you have a beautiful little boy. Raise him well. Continue the fight so that he won't have to. Never forget all the good times that we had together, I know that if the situation was reversed you'd wish the same of me. Please do not mourn excessively. You know that I don't like to see either of you unhappy, especially you Lily Flower.
"Now don't look like that James, I can compliment your wife whenever I want, she told me so. Anyway, down to the specifics. I know that you have enough money James and that you may hate that at times, but I'm about to give you more. I bequeath upon you the contents of vault 21, the vault of the Most Pure and Noble House of Black. Its contents as of this date are roughly equivalent to eight million galleons in coinage. The deeds to three properties are also included, I personally recommend the Castle Noir; young Harry should enjoy the many secret passages and the subsequent opportunities for mischief.
"I do have one request, that some of the money be used to help those victims of this war. I was unfortunately too busy to set this up myself, but I hope that in a world where You-Know-Who is gone you will have the time. Also, you do not need to worry, I have also provided Remus and Peter with ample amounts of money, vaults 89 and 237 respectively. The contents of Vault 711 are to be given to St. Mungo's in order to help find a cure for Lycanthropy and those suffering from the aftereffects of the Cruciatus.
"Anyway, I wish you and Lily the best the world can offer. With any luck you'll be able to enjoy it sometime soon. This is Captain Black signing off. Never forget I love you both."
And with that the pale form of Sirius Black dispersed, the magic binding the image and voice dissipating. Harry could do nothing but stare at the spot where the image had stood. Shock overwhelmed him as the words replayed in his mind. From that one monologue, he had learned volumes about the man who should have been his guardian. He felt the love he was capable of before Azkaban had destroyed him, and was moved by Sirius' one-sided conversation with his long dead parents. It was perhaps the best thing that could have happened, and yet, there was something lacking.
It stung that Sirius wasn't able to update his will while being a convict. Sirius had no parting words for him, Sirius couldn't imagine that his end would have come after that of his parents. Sirius hadn't even known that Peter was the traitor, even leaving him something. And so it was that Harry stood standing still, tears coming from his eyes and something akin to a grin on his face. It wasn't exactly what he needed to hear, but it was enough. With a silent 'goodbye' to Sirius he turned to the goblin who was waiting to be addressed.
"Sir?" Harry asked, doubting that the goblin needed to hear the full question. He was correct.
"You are the sole inheritor in the wills of your parents and thus Mr. Black's will is transferred to you. As Peter Pettigrew is deceased and left no will, his portion was split between yourself and Mr. Remus J. Lupin. I am sorry that his will was so outdated Mr. Potter," said the goblin in a truly apologetic tone and for a moment Harry thought that the goblin was commenting on his loss. "Because of this his estimates are quite a bit off. The Black Family Household was a key investor in Gringott's many years ago and has since the first fall of Tom Riddle accrued a truly staggering amount of interest. Vault 21 now holds twenty million galleons coin. Your share of Vault 237 is another four million galleons coin."
As much as he wanted to break down and cry, Harry knew that he couldn't, enough tears had been spilt over Sirius, and so after a few deep breathes he thanked the goblin and returned back to the lobby where he found a goblin cart ready to take him down to his vault.
"Please be seated sir," the goblin requested, and Harry, remembering how turbulent the ride could be acquiesced.
It wasn't long later that Harry returned to the main floor of Gringott's with a full pouch of coins. He met up with Hermione and the Weasleys there; they assured him they were not waiting long. When they asked what he was needed for he told them that Sirius' will needed to be validated. They didn't say anything else on the matter to Harry's relief, and Mrs. Weasley announced that she had to take Ginny to get some new robes and so the three older students were free to do their own shopping.
The next few hours were spent in a variety of stores around the alley. Of course the trio needed their textbooks, which they bought at Flourish and Blott's, Hermione and Harry needed their potion's ingredients from the apothecary, Ron and Harry spent time browsing Quality Quidditch Supplies, the trio dropped in to say "hello" to Fred and George at WWW, and Harry stopped by Junk and Trunks as his old trunk was woefully inadequate to hold his belongings nowadays. He purchased a three-compartment trunk for himself and the other three students knowing that each was in the same situation as him. Ron and Hermione had protested somewhat, but Harry calmly informed them of what Sirius had left him and they fell mute. The trunks were pretty standard, the first two compartments being roughly three times the size of what they should have been, and the third being about seven times larger.
All the shopping done, the three students met back up with Mrs. Weasley and Ginny for a late lunch, after which Harry returned to Diagon Alley alone, he told the others that there was something that he needed to take care of in relation to Sirius' will. His only stop was Quality Quidditch Supplies. During their short visit earlier Ron had said something that had really made Harry think. Those students on the Gryffindor and Slytherin teams had all the best brooms, and that is why they always seemed to end up doing the best. Hufflepuff had talented players, they really did, but they were all riding old Cleansweeps and Comets. Harry walked out of the store twenty minutes later wearing a smile, several hundred thousand galleons poorer, and leaving a store manager who had fallen over his feet in astonishment at Harry's request.
.:oOoOoOo:.
Saturday, August 31st, the day before the term was to start. The previous week was spent training and planning. After much debate between the two students Ron and Ginny were informed of Harry and Hermione's teaching status at Hogwarts and took it as well as could be expected. Ron of course pointed out the possibilities of tormenting Draco Malfoy and his two goons but the other two vetoed the idea saying that they didn't plan on abusing their privileges. Harry told Ron later though that if Draco overstepped his bounds then Harry planned to punish him in the fullest he was able to.
Most of the day was spent planning Dueling Association classes with Ron and Ginny but when four o' clock rolled around Harry excused himself so that he could get ready for his final outing with Hermione. True to form she had still not told him where they were going, but had told him to dress casually.
At five o' clock the two set out of the house and Hermione led him ever west. It took about forty-five minutes to reach their destination, Hyde Park, and a further ten to cross to where they needed to be. As the two students approached Harry was somewhat startled to see a large stage set up on the grass around the lake and by the dress of the people milling about. Almost to a man they were all wearing black and many had long hair for muggles.
Hermione led him up towards the stage and the two finally settled on standing about fifty feet off and a bit towards the side to avoid the veritable sea of people waiting for something to appear on stage. Harry didn't have to wait long to find out what was happening as soon after they arrived a number of people with many tattoos began carting equipment up onto the stage. Microphones, speakers, amplifiers, and a drum set were the first giveaways.
"A concert?" Harry asked Hermione, who nodded smiling.
"You'll never guess who," she intoned when it looked as if he was going to ask.
It turned out that he didn't need to, for one of the next things brought up to the stage was a large banner that was strung up at the back behind the drum sets, it read 'The Cure.' Harry raised an eyebrow at Hermione who simply responded, "You'll like them, trust me."
At 6:30 a great cry rang out as the five band members of the cure ran on stage. Harry found himself nearly laughing at the lead singer's hair but his mirth was halted as the band struck its first cord. A half hour later Harry found himself moving with the music as he listened to the often dark lyrics. He felt himself identifying with many of the covered topics and wanted to sing along, though he didn't know the words.
And then the music changed, and Harry felt himself changing along with it.
Whenever I'm alone with you
you make me feel like I am home again
whenever I'm alone with you
you make me feel like I am whole again
Whenever I'm alone with you
you make me feel like I am young again
whenever I'm alone with you
you make me feel like I am fun again
Hermione put her arm around his waist and leaned slightly into him as the music played, and both found themselves swaying with the beat.
However far away
I will always love you
however long I stay
I will always love you
whatever words I say
I will always love you
I will always love you
Whenever I'm alone with you
you make me feel like I am free again
whenever I'm alone with you
you make me feel like I am clean again
However far away
I will always love you
however long I stay
I will always love you
whatever words I say
I will always love you
I will always love you
As the song ended and the crowd cheered Harry found his own arm around Hermione's waist in turn and he blushed slightly, but kept it in place when Hermione kept hers. In his effort to not appear as nervous as he felt Harry looked up towards the stage to see the band as they prepared for the next song.
"This is our last song tonight," the lead singer called out, "and it's a soft one too. So cuddle up with the one you are here with 'cause this one's for you." With the announcement done the music started up soft and melodic, just as the song before had been. When the lyrics started Harry found himself staring down at Hermione, and she up at him.
"Show me, show me, show me how you do that trick
The one that makes me scream" she said
"The one that makes me laugh" she said
And threw her arms around my neck
"Show me how you do it and I promise you
I promise that I'll run away with you
I'll run away with you"
Spinning on that dizzy edge
I kissed her face and kissed her head
And dreamed of all the different ways I had
To make her glow
"Why are you so far away?" she said
"Why won't you ever know that I'm in love with you?
That I'm in love with you?"
You
Soft and only
You
Lost and lonely
You
Strange as angels
Dancing in the deepest oceans
Twisting in the water
You're just like a dream...
You're just like a dream…
Daylight licked me into shape
I must have been asleep for days
And moving lips to breathe her name
I opened up my eyes
And found myself alone
Alone
Alone above a raging sea
That stole the only girl I loved
And drowned her deep inside of me
You
Soft and only
You
Lost and lonely
You
Just like heaven
Their eyes never left each other's for the entirety of the song and with the closing lyrics Hermione took the initiative and leaned forward, cocking her head somewhat to the side.
Looking back on the moment days later Harry reflected that it should have been the most romantic seconds of his life, his first kiss with Hermione at the end of Just Like Heaven played live by The Cure, but what happened instead was almost comical. Harry was, with reason, very nervous as Hermione's lips came closer to his own. This was his best friend, a friend that he didn't want to lose, and a friend he couldn't afford to lose. In a kiss there was risk, the risk of pain and betrayal, and Harry contemplated every possible outcome of the coming kiss as Hermione advanced.
Of course, this preoccupation took a toll on Harry's concentration and as he cocked his head to meet Hermione's lips he leaned the wrong way. What should have been their first kiss ended up being their first, and hopefully only, bumping of noses. Harry, in retrospect, didn't know to whether to be relieved that the kiss hadn't gone through or disappointed, because after the two finished laughing neither pressed forward to try again. Harry kept telling himself that Hermione had only been lost in the moment, and that she didn't really want what that would-have-been kiss had been promising.
.:oOoOoOo:.
Everything was rushed, as was usual on the morning before heading off to King's Cross Station. Harry was still doing some last minute packing and was being helped by Hermione, who had, of course, finished her packing the night before after the concert. Packing wouldn't normally have been a problem, and Harry could have handled it on his own except for a notion that he had had just minutes before. Immediately he called for Hermione who agreed with him, and now, fifteen minutes till departure, found Harry scrambling up the stairs with his newly lightened trunk to the fourth floor where he immediately began to throw books from the Black family library into his trunk. Hermione, for her part, was doing the same in the Potter family library. It was a shame that Ron and Ginny had each insisted in having no part on smuggling books into school for their two housemates.
Harry, while madly going through books, thanked whatever being it was that had possessed him to buy his new trunk this summer, and similarly buy one for the others, namely Hermione, as well.
"Harry!" came Remus' yell from downstairs. "We have to leave right now if you want to make it to the train on time!"
"Alright!" came the yell back from upstairs. Harry managed to fight through his weariness and was able to throw five more books into his trunk before locking it up, and dragging it down the stairs to a waiting Remus and Tonks. Seconds later Hermione appeared from the back of the first floor dragging her trunk along and sweating from the effort.
Remus gave each of them a look clearly asking what they were doing before shrugging his shoulders, casting a feather light charm on Hermione's trunk ("I should have thought of that," she had muttered) and leading the four returning students outside to a waiting car and a waiting Kingsley. The car reminded Harry very much of his uncle's black Mercedes, as it was also black and nondescript. It was, however, not a Mercedes, but an Audi, and somewhat smaller than his uncle's car. Well, on the outside that is.
To any muggle looking on it must have seemed strange; and not unlike many car commercials, to see all four students load their trunks into the boot of the car, and then climb into the back along with Remus, Tonks, and Mrs. Weasley.
Harry, who had stepped in first, was still very surprised though he had expected to see an enhanced car. The inside was not unlike that of a muggle limo, which he had seen on T.V. once when his cousin was watching some Movie Awards. There was a couch like seat facing towards the back of the car, one facing towards the front, and one covering a whole side. Being the first in Harry slid towards the front of the car and to the opposite side. Hermione slid in with Crookshanks next to him. Ginny appeared next followed closely by Ron. The adults slid in to the seat facing the students.
Kingsley had let himself into the driver's seat and turning around spoke to the four in the back. "Remember to fasten yourselves in, it's been a while since I've done this."
That of course did nothing but arise fear in both Harry and Hermione, who knew the dangers on the road, which Remus was quick to quell.
"Don't worry, this car has so many charms on it I doubt that Kingsley here could hit a building if he had wanted to."
Fears alleviated a bit the students watched out the window as the car left King Street, taking a right onto Garrick Street.
"So," Tonks began, successfully capturing the attention of the teenagers. "Dumbledore has informed me that you will be continuing the DA this year?" Both Harry and Hermione nodded their heads in the affirmative.
"Yes Tonks, but this year it is going to be a little different," Harry said. "Dumbledore is allowing kids to take the class, which is going to the called the Dueling Association, for credit."
Both Tonks' and Mrs. Weasley's eyebrows furled. "How did he manage that? Surely you are not a professor, you are too young."
Hermione cut in, "Actually, we will be part time professors. I think that Dumbledore can do so because Harry got such a high score on the DADA O.W.L. that they gave him an Exceeds Expectations N.E.W.T grade, so technically he is allowed to teach that subject."
Mrs. Weasley gasped in disbelief. "How come I have heard nothing about this? Surely it would have made the Prophet?"
"Dumbledore hasn't told anybody yet Mrs. Weasley," Harry intoned. "In fact the only people that Hermione and I have told are Remus, Ron, Ginny, Tonks and you now."
Mrs. Weasley was still mumbling when suddenly Tonks asked, "Remus, you are teaching at Hogwarts this year again aren't you?" Remus flashed the metamorphmagus a glare that clearly said 'they weren't supposed to know,' but answered anyway.
"Yes, I will be teaching first through fourth years DADA this year. Dumbledore managed to convince me to come back, despite my ailment."
"Only first through fourth?" the four students asked simultaneously. They were clearly disappointed in not having their favorite teacher back.
Remus smiled, "Yes, but don't worry, I'm sure that you will like your defense teacher as well."
"Who is it?" Ron asked, and both Remus grinned at his curiosity.
"Well, I'm not allowed to tell. But don't worry, you'll find out later tonight at the feast." He gave them a wink.
"And you Tonks?" Ginny asked. "Are you going to be at Hogwarts this year?"
She waved him off. "No time, I still am employed with the aurors, and though I may get to help guard the school at some point in time I just can't get away for now."
Harry glanced out the window and after a few seconds located the street sign tacked to the side of a building, Bloomsbury Way.
Harry idly pulled his wand out of his back pocket and began to toy around with it, spinning it in his palm and twirling it around his fingers. It was a habit he had developed over the years, though he found it especially entertaining in History of Magic and Divination. He watched out the window as the car passed pedestrians who were walking on the sidewalk. He saw a woman talking in her cell phone as they passed her red compact and a man hurrying along the sidewalk in a business suit.
"James used to do that too."
The comment from Remus brought Harry out of his reverie and he looked at Remus questioningly.
"That," Remus said, pointing to Harry still spinning wand. Harry hadn't even realized he was doing it. "He was quite good at it if I remember correctly. Always was astounding the number of ways he found to amuse himself in Transfiguration... much to Professor McGonagall's chagrin," he added smiling. "He always was naturally talented in that subject and never had to apply himself much to get his class work done."
"So a lot like Hermione then, except not in every subject?" Harry asked, hoping to goad a reaction out of his best friend. He wasn't disappointed.
"I'll have you know Harry James Potter," Harry knew he was going to get it, "that I work very hard for my grades and my ability to do class work. The only reason that you find it difficult at all is that you put absolutely zero effort into any class but defense!"
By now Harry had his hands up in a defensive position and before Hermione could continue with her rant Harry stopped her saying, "Hey, hey. Down tiger! I was just trying to get a rise out of you Hermione. I know how hard you work. Merlin knows how much time you spend in the library. Not that that is a bad thing mind you," he added as he saw Hermione starting up again.
The other occupants of the car looked amused at Harry trying to calm Hermione down. It took a few minutes, mercifully Ron didn't start arguing with her, but he finally placated her and the two had moved onto discussing who they thought the new DADA teacher would be, and what the first DA lesson would be covering. They both decided that a bit of review couldn't hurt and depending on how much the members had retained there may be need for a few review sessions.
Remus, for his part was now staring out the window and noticed that they were turning from Woburn Place onto Tavistock Place. They were nearing the station.
Sure enough, after a quick left and a quicker right they were closing in on the drop-off point for King's Cross Station, which was positioned next to St. Pancras Station. The neo-gothic architecture of the giant building never ceased to amaze him. Finished in 1865, the structure had been among the largest in the world at the time and one of the more history friendly buildings in London from the Industrial Revolution. Remus noticed the many carved dragons in the walls as they approached closer.
Upon parking it didn't take long for the four in the back seat of the car to exit and remove Harry's trunk and owl cage, which was this time devoid of Hedwig, who at the moment was delivering a letter. With the help of Remus and Tonks, the students managed to drag all their belongings to the barrier between platforms 9 and 10. Ron and Ginny walked through first and Harry and Hermione followed, stepping through the barrier together. Harry's slight flinch went unnoticed by Hermione, for which he was grateful. Ever since the events of his second year he was hesitant to walk into the barrier for fear that he would once again run into it.
Seconds later Remus and Tonks appeared through the barrier and Harry and Hermione shared good-byes and 'thank-you's with Tonks for all of her help over the summer. Tonks returned the goodbyes and 'don't mention it's' and told the two to remember all of her advice from their summer sessions. They both thanked Tonks once again before boarding the Hogwarts Express with Remus who parted with them almost immediately saying that he had a patrol duty to get to.
Both Harry and Hermione dragged their trunks down to their usual train cart to find Ron and Ginny already seated. Now all they had to do was to wait for Neville and Luna to show up. They didn't have to wait long. Neville stepped into the compartment five minutes later, followed by Ms. Lovegood.
"Hello Neville, Luna," Harry greeted the two with a smile. "How were your summers?"
This prompted a quick discussion about everybody's summers and though there were some inquiries into Harry and Hermione's the two of them didn't let much out, just that they had done a lot of studying. Neville gave Harry a sympathetic pat on the shoulder, a move that had become quite often over the past month.
"Well don't worry Harry," he began, "that hell is all over now."
Hermione 'hmphed indignantly and Harry decided to act and forestall the coming argument. "Actually Neville, the studying was quite enjoyable. Hermione here taught me how much there is to learn from a bit of studying." Everybody but Luna looked horrorstruck.
"So, did you find the Snorcaks Luna?" Harry asked her, forestalling the 'Who are you and where is Harry Potter' comments that were coming. Hermione rolled her eyes.
"No we didn't, but we were close. I had to come home to make it to Hogwarts. Disappointing really, we were tracking one when I had to leave. Father is still out there. He says that he is going to capture it and prove that the Crumple-Horned Snorcaks exist." Harry could only wonder how Luna felt so confidant in an impossible search and briefly wished that he could have some of that confidence for his impossible battle.
The six sat in the compartment and talked for another hour before the trolley cart lady came in. As he had many years before Harry bought out her stock for the compartment, despite the protests, and insisted that everyone dig in. They all did.
Ron was in the middle of a chocolate frog and Harry and Neville were in the middle of a game of exploding snap when the inevitable occurred. The door opened and Malfoy strode in, his two goons in tow.
Harry looked up, "Oh hello Malfoy. You're late."
Malfoy gave him a look that clearly stated, 'What are you talking about?'
"I expected you here near half hour ago. I simply thought that you'd need to deliver poorly constructed insults that you no doubt spent all summer working on. Do you have any worthwhile ones to deliver this year? Because if you don't then you might as well get lost, we've heard all your old ones many times before."
Draco looked infuriated, "Potter, you -"
"- are going to get it from the Dark Lord. He is going to hunt you and your friends down and kill them all," Harry finished. "Really Draco, I told you if you don't have new material to get lost."
When Malfoy didn't move Ron started. "You heard him Malfoy, your presence is unwanted."
"Shut up Weasel," Malfoy responded. "I see your -"
"- financial situation hasn't improved. Haven't they given your father a pay raise yet?" finished Harry once again. "Malfoy, I told you, come up with new ones or get the hell out."
"Yeah Malfoy," this time it was Neville, who was fingering his wand.
"Do you really want a repeat of last year Malfoy?" Ginny said, clearly displaying that her wand was ready to be drawn and used.
Malfoy gave a sneer at this, but gave a hand movement that signaled to Crabbe and Goyle that they were to back out.
Just before he left though Harry spoke up, "Oh, Malfoy." The blonde turned around. "Do try to behave yourself at the opening feast," Harry stated with a cryptic smile.
Malfoy parted with a final sneer and Harry closed the door. Luna chose this time to break into peals of laughter. The laughter was contagious and the six quickly spoke about the incident and forgot of it completely.
.:oOoOoOo:.
"First Yer's, first yer's this way!"
"Hagrid!" came the yell from Harry, Hermione, and Ron.
"Why 'ello there you three," Hagrid said smiling.
"Its nice to see you here the first day Hagrid, it felt so odd without you here last year," Hermione said.
"Well thank you 'ermione. I 'eard you all had good summers, and that you two," he said this looking at Harry and Hermione, "had a very productive summer."
"Yes, yes we did Hagrid," Harry replied with a smile. "Well, we will let you get back to your duties and we'll see you at the feast."
"Alright you three, make sure that you come to visit me down at the hut."
"We will Hagrid," came the agreement.
With that the trio found the other three and approached the carriage. Their progress slowed as they came closer, and it was Neville who finally voiced everyone's thoughts. "Harry, are those the -" He left the question unfinished.
"Yes," came the delayed response. "Those are the thestrals." There was a sigh. "I. I was hoping that you wouldn't be able to see them. Wishing, however slight, that you wouldn't be able to see them because that would mean that Sirus was still alive." He had ended slowly.
He was enveloped in a hug, one that he had come to recognize during the last few months. "Thanks Hermione." Harry noticed Ginny shooting daggers at his best friend before she too latched onto him. "Uhh, you too Ginny."
"Thanks Harry," came the happy reply.
"It's going to be okay Harry," Hermione said softly.
"I know. It's just that sometimes; sometimes I can't see that happy ending. Part of it died with Sirius," he almost whispered. It was only Hermione that heard him and she slightly tightened her embrace to let him know that she was there.
Ron was, needless to say, surprised, when Hermione had embraced Harry. 'Is this something that happened during the summer?' he thought to himself somewhat envious. 'Are Hermione and Harry seeing each other?' He didn't want to think that they were. Ron had come to realize over the summer that he harbored some real feelings for Hermione and since telling her had not been told by her if similar feelings from her end existed.
Harry pulled himself out of Hermione's embrace and stepped into the carriage. The other five students followed him and soon the carriage door was shut and the six felt the lurch that indicated the movement of the coach. It was fifteen minutes to the unloading point and the passage passed in silence. Harry did, however, notice that Ron stared at him and Hermione and looked a little green but passed it off as nothing.
The six entered the entrance hall and headed for the Great Hall along with the rest of the students. Harry, Ron, Hermione, Ginny, and Neville took their usual seats at the Gryffindor table while Luna headed towards her place at the Ravenclaw table and they waited for the first years, escorted as was usual by McGonagall, to arrive. The wait wasn't long, and Harry made small talk with Dean Thomas and Seamus Finniganasking about their summers and telling them that the DA was going to continue. After that short conversation Harry walked up to the Head table and quietly spoke with Remus. The move caught some attention from not only his friends, but a few others as well. Harry could only hope that his actual intentions for walking away from his table would not be discovered.
When he returned to his seat he was asked by Hermione what was going on, and he simply gave her a 'just wait and see' smile.
Finally the first years entered and they were all nervously looking around. Harry swore that he heard one of them ask where the troll was and had to stifle a laugh.
It is my rather dull and boring job
To sort you into a house
So put me on you sorry sobs
And I'll tell you where to go you louse
Perhaps you are noble Gryffindor
Brave, often rash and bold
Or secretive Slytherin
Cunning, selective, sometimes cold
Perhaps you belong in Ravenclaw
Where knowledge is revered
Or in the House of Hufflepuff
In which loyalty's held dear
But no matter where you belong,
Or where you think you do,
Do not limit your horizons
To a simple selected few.
I call once again for unity,
For in these times you must remain strong
For an end to house rivalry
Before it can do more wrong.
This school was founded
With one intent in mind,
That is to educate, nothing else,
Do not let prejudice render you blind
To the assets of each other,
Not the faults should you only see
I call for you to stand together
To become what Hogwarts was meant to be.
"So I'm thinking that the sorting hat doesn't usually insult the students its about to sort," Harry mumbled to Ron.
"Yeah," came the reply, "but you have to admit that it was bloody brilliant."
Professor McGonagall looked somewhat shocked at the Sorting Hat's song, but continued with the sorting ceremony.
"Abbot, Adam."
And so it began. The sorting ceremony ended with a final count of eleven to Gryffindor, ten to Ravenclaw, eleven to Hufflepuff, and nine to Slytherin. That was, all in all, not unusual.
Harry laughed at this as Dumbledore stood. "I have but one thing to say, quoted from the exceptional man Michel de Montaigne, 'The art of dining no slight art, the pleasure not a slight pleasure.' Tuck in."
And so began a round of much stuffing of food into the face, getting as much on the cheeks as in the mouth. Well, at least for - "RONALD WEASLEY!" yelled a horrified Hermione Granger. Ron, for his part looked up (he was bent over his plate) mouth full, cheeks puffed out. He looked not unlike a mouse that was storing food in its cheeks for transport.
"What do you think you are doing?"
It took Ron a few more seconds to actually get the rest of the food in his mouth down his throat when he offered a simple one-word explanation. "Eating."
With that he bent back over his plate and once again began to shove food into his mouth at a speed that rivaled most packing machines. Harry and Neville could do nothing but laugh at the display and Hermione continued to stare on in utter shock at the gross display of masculine eating habits.
"Don't worry Hermione," Dean began with a wink. "We aren't all as crude as Mr. Weasley here."
And indignant grunt was heard coming from Ron, as well as what was assumed to be some choice words, though they were unintelligible. This earned Ron another set of laughter and his face turned a brilliant shade of red. He was quite embarrassed.
"Don't worry Ron," Harry said slapping him on the back, and earning a grunt in return. "We won't tell your mother."
A look of fear crossed Ron's face at the thought of his mother discovering the way he was currently eating but it passed in relief at Harry's promise.
"Ron," Ginny began with an evil grin. "I made no such promise." With that she took a picture of him, face bent over his plate, mouth full, and hand currently trying to shove a cornbread muffin in as well. It was the third round of laughter that he had earned that evening and Ron, after some desperate pleading with Ginny, agreed to lighten up on the food. He hadn't done anything to warrant such punishment.
After everybody had finished their meals, yes, even Ron, Dumbledore clapped his hands and the dishes disappeared. The food stains on Ron's robes however, did not. Dumbledore then began his customary speech.
"Welcome, one and all, to another year here at Hogwarts. I have a few announcements, the first and foremost being that due to the recognized return of Lord Voldemort," there were flinches across the room, "there will be the occasional auror team here to insure safety and make routine inspections. Also, the Forbidden Forest, as the name suggests, is off grounds for all students without the accompaniment of a teacher. There are some who would do well to try to remember that this year." He gave a look towards the Gryffindor table and was met with innocent smiles.
"There have been fifty-five items added to the forbidden items list. The full list is present in Mr. Filch's office. Mr. and Mrs. Weasley," he said addressing Ron and Ginny, "Please do congratulate your brothers for me, they made possible this largest ever amendment in one year to Argus's list. I expect that they would be quite honored." Ron nodded and smiled, along with most of the Hogwarts population. Only the first years seemed confused. "Finally, in conjunction with the aurors patrols, there has been a new wing added to the castle for their use. Any student caught in this wing will be subjected to the harshest of penalties. Do not attempt to enter this wing without the accompaniment of either one of the aurors or myself." Dumbledore looked out to the crowd of students to make sure that everybody understood explicitly that that announcement in particular was not to be ignored.
"Those unpleasantries out of the way," started Dumbledore again, "I have an announcement that I believe will be well received. Last year there was a slightly illegal group formed in order to study Defense Against the Dark Arts." A number of students began to smile. "The participants of this group had the highest DADA scores in the history of Hogwarts. Congratulations. Due to the overwhelming success of this group I have decided to sanction its continuance." There were a number of cheers from the DA members. "The DA, as it was so cleverly called will be going through a slight purpose and name change. It will now be called the Dueling Association and will be offered for credit. The professors for the class will be Harry Potter and Hermione Granger and the class will be held twice a week in the evenings."
Deafening silence met this announcement and Dumbledore's eyes held far more twinkles than they normally did. Snape was sputtering in protest and looked as if he was about to burst an artery, Draco looked much the same. McGonagall seemed to not know whether to look scandalized or proud and so settled for an odd combination of both. Flitwick appeared in much the same situation. Suddenly though, and growing like a wave coming to crest, a cheer ripped through the crowd of students. All the past DA members rose to their feet and applauded the two students heavily, much to their embarrassment. Only the Slytherins were seated still by the time Dumbledore regained control of the Great Hall.
"That announcement through I would also like to introduce the new DADA teachers. Remus Lupin will be returning to us as the DADA teacher for the first through fourth years." Disappointed 'ahhs,' were heard from the older students while the fourth years cheered madly, they had had him their first year at Hogwarts. Dumbledore continued after the noise died down. "The professor for the upper years will be Mr. Kingsley Shaklebolt, an auror until I hired him for the job."
Harry, Hermione, Ron, and Ginny cheered madly for their new teacher, knowing that he would be far superior to most DADA professors that they had had before and many others followed their lead. A few from the Slytherin table, namely Malfoy's following, looked affronted that a black man had gotten the job and Harry found himself sickened by their racism, but he managed to hold himself back from commenting knowing that Draco's comeuppance was coming.
"Now let us now sing," Dumbledore announced bringing Harry's attention back to the Headmaster. Suddenly the words to the official Hogwarts song materialized and everybody took off at their own pace. Harry found himself missing Fred and George's funeral march. He himself had finished the song as fast as he could, set to a rock beat.
"One final note," Dumbledore said as if he had just thought of it. "I would encourage everybody to take in the Sorting Hat's advice this year. It would be highly beneficial to stand together in these times.
It was then that Draco spoke up. Harry had been waiting all night for the Slytherin to disobey his warning. "Right, like I'm going to associate myself with the mudbloods that have infested the other houses of Hogwarts."
McGonagall, hearing the comment, stood looking furious, but anything she was about to say was cut off by the music that began to play. She looked quite confused but sat down at Remus' urging, who said that the situation was about to take care of itself.
A quick drumbeat started the song and a few of the muggleborns recognized the wound of the electric guitar now emanating from the hall.
I have a story, a bitter anthem for everyone to hear,
about this kid who just don't like me and that's a solid fact.
They say he's hunting me and as you see I'm all swelled up with fear
'cause I can't get him off my back.
Whispering began to break out. Somebody from Hufflepuff obviously had recognized the song and was now telling what it was.
If you see Draco, if you see Draco,
He makes me sick, he makes me sick
fifth year's over, fifth year's over
and you still won't quit.
If there had been whispering before, it had just turned into heated discussion. People began to look over at Draco and laugh. Harry could see fingers pointing with hands covering mouths for secret conversations. This was his moment.
You tried to fight me down out by the lake; and man I think that's great.
You nearly cried and said "to hell with you," like you do at all the girls.
Then you flew back real quick, did you make it in time to masturbate?
There's one too many of you in this world.
Peals of laughter broke out at the latest verse and Draco had turned decidedly red with embarrassment. He was sending death glares at Harry who in turn was doing anything to not look at Draco. Hermione had obviously deduced by now who was behind the prank and began to whisper questions to Harry and warned him of the possible punishments.
If you see Draco, if you see Draco,
He makes me sick, he makes me sick
fifth year's over, fifth year's over
and you still won't quit.
"Harry, you can't let this go on for much longer. Snape will have your blood," Hermione warned him. Harry fixed her with stare.
"I don't know what you are talking about Hermione. If you think I did this, then you are sorely mistaken." With that he left his friend quite flustered, but gave her a reassuring wink. It was meant to reassure her that she was quite correct in her assertions, but that he had covered his tracks quite thoroughly.
You say its hatred, but its jealousy that led us to this song.
Won't play it often just at least until you're gone.
You'll stop at nothing but the real thing and everything up to that's pretend.
You tried to brainwash all my friends.
By now, Snape was bellowing at Dumbledore to have Harry expelled, though he had yet to give proof that Harry was behind the prank. McGonagall and Flitwick were both madly working on a countercharm and Dumbledore could do nothing but sit back and enjoy the show, eyes twinkling madly.
Harry knew that he would never be able to convince the old wizard that it wasn't him, but Dumbledore would not be able to find enough proof to implicate him in the prank. Of that he was sure.
If you see Draco, if you see Draco,
He makes me sick, he makes me sick
fifth year's over, fifth year's over
and you still won't quit.
As the chorus started again there were whispers questioning what would come next. The Hufflepuff boy seemed to know, but he wasn't about to tell anybody. Instead, Harry could see anticipation of the next verse.
Fuck you Draco, fuck you Draco,
You make me sick, you make me sick
fifth year's over, fifth year's over
I don't care if you dye your hair,
You'll always be a little blonde-haired bitch
If the laughter had been loud before, it just became deafening. It seemed that everybody wanted Draco to be put in his place for once.
It was, however, the final straw for Snape and Draco. The former began to walk towards the Gryffindor table, no doubt about to wring Harry's neck when he was halted by a command from Dumbledore. Draco, however, had grabbed his wand and threw a hex at Harry who had anticipated the move and through up a protego shield to block it.
Unfortunately for Draco, or more accurately his pride, the hex rebounded off the shield directly back at him and took him full in the chest. Seconds later boils began to pop up all over his skin and equally quickly they began to pop, puss spilling out. Draco began to scream in pain and was quickly rushed by Madam Pomfrey to the hospital wing.
Snape immediately began to yell at Harry from his standing position in front of the head table threatening expulsion at least five or six times before being quieted by Dumbledore. Everybody else was quieted as well when Dumbledore sent a shower of sparks into the air to gather attention.
"That was decidedly amusing," began Dumbledore much to the shock of Snape and McGonagall. "It was however, inappropriate. And therefore, when the offender is caught, there will be punishments." At this he looked over at Harry, who gave an innocent shrug.
"Now that the excitement is finished however, you must be getting off to your common rooms."
With that dismissal everybody stood and walked out of the hall. Immediately the talk turned once again to the prank, which Harry decided would go down as one of the best memories of his times at Hogwarts, and definitely a memory that could be used to call forth a Patronus.
On the trip up the common room, Harry could see Ron bursting with questions that he wanted to ask. But Harry fixed him with a stare that clearly said 'later.' Ron seemed to accept this and for his part proved completely useless in leading the first years to the Gryffindor common room. He was completely lost in the conversation he was having with Dean Thomas about the prank just played.
Hermione, though upset at this, could not deny the effectiveness of the prank, or that she too would be discussing it if it weren't for her prefect duties.
Harry, for his part, made some small talk with a new first year Gryffindor, Melissa Cook, who had recently come into the wizarding world. The young girl had heard his name before, but was completely clueless as to who he was or what he did. That had somehow comforted Harry and made the process of getting to know her easier as she wasn't constantly looking for his scar or asking him about Voldemort. Harry eased her fears about the wizarding world and about making friends.
Once in the common room Hermione, without Ron's help as he was still discussing with Dean, explained where the boy and girl's dorms were and the consequences for attempting to enter the opposite sex's rooms.
Once her prefect duties there were done though, she dismissed the younger years to their dorms and sat down with Harry, Ron, Neville, Dean, and Seamus in the common room.
"So Harry," began Dean in a calm manner. "What did you think of the prank?"
"Oh, I don't know Dean. I thought it was bloody brilliant. I'm up for it any time somebody wants to put Malfoy in his place."
"You know what he meant Harry," Ron cut in. "Did you do it?"
"Ron, that you would even suggest such a thing!" He gave everybody present a large wink . "Of course I didn't. As if I would know how to do such a spell anyway. McGonagall and Flitwick were both trying to stop it and they couldn't. Why, according to that, I'd say the best candidate would have been Hermione. I don't know of anybody else that clever."
Hermione ruffled up, "Harry James Potter, I most certainly did not do that prank. That you would even say such a thing. You of all people should know just how much -"
"- you enjoy breaking rules 'mione? I seem to recall several circumstances where rules seemed unimportant." Everybody present got a good laugh at Hermione's expense and she was about to excuse herself when Harry apologized.
"I'm sorry Hermione. I shouldn't have said that. Someone might think that I was serious. After all, these walls do have ears." At that, he gave a look to each one of his classmates signaling the real reason he couldn't tell them outright that he had been the one responsible for the prank, as much as he longed too.
.:oOoOoOo:.
Back in his office Dumbledore chuckled at the latest revelation. "Very clever Harry, very clever indeed," he said to himself. The old wizard and the present teachers had been unable to connect the prank to any student. Apparently, the charm had been triggered by an impetus. Thus, Dumbledore had resorted to using the paintings to spy on Harry for an admission of guilt. The boy was learning though, and for that Albus was proud. It was because of this that he ceased his eavesdropping and decided that the issue was dealt with, and that the perpetrator could not be found. He notified Severus immediately that his search using the paintings of the castle was unsuccessful in finding out the truth. Severus had been livid to say the least and insisted that he be allowed to interrogate 'Potter' with use of Veritaserum.
Needless to say, Dumbledore was amused, but unyielding. Snape left the headmaster's office swearing to Merlin that he would make the boy pay.
Dumbledore was thoroughly pleased at Harry's spellwork, and decided that after he let the boy know he was 'in the clear' so to speak, he would ask exactly what the impetus that triggered the ingenious prank was. 'Yes, that is exactly what I shall do. Always knew that young Harry was a clever one,' he thought as he popped a lemon drop into his mouth, lips slightly puckering at the sour taste.
.:oOoOoOo:.
(A/N: Okay, I have some serious notes to put here, I only hope I get them all. First off, thanks to all the reviewers, especially PK Fan and old-crow (for their constructive criticism). I hope I got it better this time PK.
The British Museum. What I have described in this story is accurate (except of course for the wizarding section) as of last summer when I visited the place. The main lobby, if you haven't seen it, is absolutely gigantic. In the middle of it sits an entire library structure and it is easily five stories tall. The exhibits I described were really there. If you ever get the chance, I really do recommend that you visit it. I'm pretty sure the instructions I gave on how to get there are correct.
The Wizarding Section. Don't worry, or don't get your hopes up, (either way) I'm not introducing elves and dwarves into this story. I simply thought that a museum of such repute would have any information on the creatures if there was any. As to the Dark Ages, I made most of that up. I'm not even sure when the Dark Ages were (I was too lazy to find out) and relied on what I heard my history professor say one time to gauge the years (for some reason I think they were earlier than what I put them at here).
Chessmaster is a chess set that plays against you by use of computers that calculate hundreds of thousands of moves per second in order to make, conceivably, the best move. They usually have several difficulty levels.
Fred and George's repartee with Harry was adapted from Monty Python's Search for the Holy Grail. Kudos to anyone who caught that.
I apologize to those who wanted me to continue in detail the rest of the summer, but I couldn't do it. I tried, honestly. Thus the product is the time warps that had this chapter include the entire last month of staying at Potter Place.
The Trio have chosen their classes based on their O.W.L. results. Both Harry and Hermione had better results than Ron and will be in a few different classes. However, most of these are their independent study classes so there will be plenty of classes with professors that Ron will be attending with the other two, don't fret.
Sirius' Will. I have read hundreds (maybe) of stories that have Sirius somehow know that Harry would be blaming himself for his death and in which Sirius basically holds dialogue with our hero. I decided to switch it up a bit and show what Harry considers a 'lost' side to Sirius. I hope that you all liked the result.
Shopping. Again, I have read hundreds (maybe) of stories that have Harry go on some sort of huge shopping spree, maybe spawned by RossWrock's excellent story Power of Time, maybe not, but I decided to forgo this scene. Also, what was Harry doing in Quality Quidditch Supplies? I would credit it to someone, but I honestly forgot who I read it from. I'm very sorry and I hope you can forgive me if you are reading this. And if anyone knows what is going to happen and knows where I got the idea please tell me so I can credit it ASAP. It's not a big deal to the story, but I do feel bad about it.
Cure Concert. So what did everybody think? The Cure actually did go on a world tour in 1996 and did stop in Britain, but as far as I can tell it was in December, not August. Oh well. If you don't know who The Cure are then go get some of their music and listen to it, I recommend the two songs I took the lyrics from. Again, those lyrics do not belong to me.
I'd also like to apologize for any possible mistakes made in the last half of this chapter. That section of this chapter was written months ago, literally, and I've gone trough it a couple times to attempt to make sure that everything fits in place. Ron and Ginny were originally not staying at Potter Place and so I apologize if the leaving to King's Cross station seems to leave them out a bit much, but I was having a hard time editing them in, along with Mrs. Weasley.
Sorting Hat song. I really think that this is mine, but I could be wrong. If it is not mine then would someone please tell me so I can credit it? Again, it was put in here months ago and I can only remember not wanting to write a sorting hat song, but I think I did eventually do this one.
Prank on Draco. The song used was iF yoU C Jordan by Something Corporate. This song, unlike the other two in this chapter, was not in existence at this time but I couldn't pass up the opportunity for this prank, it is actually what inspired me to write this entire story. That said, what did everybody think of it?
Okay. This is officially the longest chapter and the longest set of author's notes I've ever written. Thanks for sticking with it and I hope it didn't disappoint. Please Review. Also, I have an idea for another story, which I probably won't write for some time. It is in my profile. The story title would be Harry Potter: Incurably Criminal Boy, read the description and tell me what you think. Also, feel free to use the idea if you want, consider it a challenge.)