Harry Potter and the Gem of the Oracle
KyleGranger342
Chapter 2
McGonagall's Message
Harry stared at her for a moment.
"Your house?"
"Yeah," Hermione said. "I do have a home you know?" She giggled.
"I know," he said, "but I'd never expect one of the port keys to lead me here."
"Dumbledore's idea. He said Voldemort would never think to find you here," Hermione explained.
"I see," Harry said.
"Oh, come in, come in," she said. "Don't want to be out there. Personally, it gives me the creeps at night. It seems so dead." Harry laughed as he entered the large house. He walked through the foyer into a large room with a staircase leading up the second level. The walls were covered with dull pink wallpaper and a large chandelier hung from the ceiling above.
"Stay right here," she said, "I'm going to go get my mum and dad." She exited to Harry's left and Harry set down his trunk, which Hedwig was now making herself comfortable on the handle. Hermione soon entered the room along with her parents.
"Harry," Mr. Granger began, "it's so good to see you once again."
"Hello Sir," Harry said shaking his hand.
"Oh Harry, no need to be so formal," Mrs. Granger said, "I'm so happy that you are going to be staying with us for the remainder of the summer."
"Thank you for having me," Harry said.
"Come on Harry!" Hermione said excitedly. "I'll show you your room." Hedwig hopped onto one of Harry's arms while he used to other one to pick up his weightless trunk and began following Hermione up the staircase. They walked down the dark hallway till they reached the last bedroom on the right. She opened the door to reveal a small room with a bed, a dresser, and a small television set. The moonlight from the window behind the bedside table revealed noticeable dents and marks on the walls.
"Sorry about the mess," she said. "This is the room I practice my magic in."
"Oh that's okay," Harry said. He walked into the room and placed his trunk on the bed. Hedwig flew over to the pillow on the bed and sat down on it.
"I'll let you unpack. I'll be in my room it's down the hall. Call me when your done, we have a lot of catching up to do," Hermione said exiting the room.
Harry began to enlarge the items inside his trunk. He left things he didn't need like his bed and such because he didn't need it. He only brought those things because this time he was serious about never going back to the Dursley's no matter what Dumbledore says.
Once he was done he called Hermione into his room. With her, she brought to envelopes.
"They're our Hogwarts letters," she explained ripping hers open.
Dear Mr. Potter
Please note that the new school year will begin on September the first. The Hogwarts Express will leave from King's Cross Station, platform nine and three-quarters, at eleven o'clock.
As a sixth year, you are entitled to take a course in Apparation. If you so choose to take this course, a signed permission slip that is enclosed will have to be filled out and signed by a parent or guardian.
You are also entitled to begin training as an Animagi if your spirit animal is read to find you. If you or your parents or guardian so choose that you should not receive lessons in being an Animagi, they will have to sign the form enclosed. A reminder: sign if you do not with to become an Animagi.
A list of books for next year is enclosed as well.
Yours Sincerely,
Professor M. McGonagall
Deputy Headmistress
Harry looked down excitedly at the piece of parchment."Learn to Apparate and become an Animagi?" Hermione smiled. "How exciting!"
"Well, I guess I can always looks forward to the Animagus part," Harry said sadly. "It's the only one I don't need a signature for."
"What are you talking about? Oh. Well maybe we can have Lupin, Moody, or the Weasleys talk to professor Dumbledore."
"I can't do that. Professor McGonagall has already informed me about having to have a guardian sign it and no one else," Harry said. Hermione lowered her head. "I wish Sirius was still alive," he said as a tear began running down his cheek. Hermione had also began to sob when Harry had brought him up. She walked over and sat next to Harry on the bed and began rubbing his back.
"It'll be okay, Harry," she said calmly. Harry wiped away the tear and grinned.
"Harry?" Mrs. Granger called from down the hall. Harry and Hermione quickly went to the railing and peered down at Hermione's mother. "Did you get anything to eat dear?" she asked.
"No, but I'm not very hungry right now," he said kindly.
"Well . . . alright. But tell me when you are. Don't be afraid to," she said walking back into the kitchen. Harry and Hermione walked back down the hall into Hermione's room. The pink wallpaper from the room the stairway was in extended into her room. Gryffindor posters and banner were hanging all around the room.
"Cool room," Harry said kindly, "very Gryffindory." He laughed.
"I know," she laughed. Harry got up and walked around the room looking at some of the pictures on her dressers. Some were of her and her family when she was very young and some were of her, Harry, Ron, and some with Ginny. The ones that he was in moved.
Harry laughed at the sight of the picture of them chasing Ron because he stole Hermione's books in their second year. The picture was taken by Colin Creevey.
"So," Hermione began, "what did they do to you?"
"Who?" Harry asked. He sat down next to her on her bed and looked at her oddly.
"Your aunt and uncle and cousin," she said faintly. Harry frowned at the thought of them.
"Well Uncle Vernon started beating me after he broke his arm and started staying home from work. They took my wand and hid it right when I got home," Harry began. He told her the whole story about his summer at the Dursleys.
"Sounds awful," she said.
"It was," he said.
"Hermione! Harry!" Mrs. Granger called from the stairway. "Can you come down here please?" Harry and Hermione exited the room. Mrs. Granger looked horror struck.
"Mum?" Hermione said softly, "What is it?"
"Th-There's a h-head in-n the f-f-fireplace," she stuttered and walked slowly into the living room. Harry and Hermione darted down the stairs. There was a head in the fire indeed. It was Professor McGonagall.
"Professor?" Hermione said. "Don't worry, mum. It's okay. This is my Transfiguration professor."
"What is it Professor?" Harry asked.
"The headmaster asked that I check and see if everything is okay," she said softly.
"Everything's okay now," Harry said. "Let's just say it's been a tough summer."
"I see," she said peering through her glasses. "I would also like to ask your parents, Hermione, if it is okay that you and Harry come to Headquarters for a few days this week. We just need to check something, plus I'm sure you two will need to buy things for the school year." Hermione turned to her mother.
"Yes that would be okay, Ms. McGonagall," Mrs. Granger said from the corner.
"Professor," Harry began, "what do you need to check?"
"Never you mind that now. Don't need to know unless we find something." Harry squinted slightly.
"I see. I was also wondering . . . about this whole Apparation thing."
"Mr. Potter, I must tell you that I told Professor Dumbledore that you will ask about it. But he still says that you need to have a guardian's signature and I cannot let that slide. He also thinks it is a good idea that you don't become an Apparator because he feels that it will keep you safe and he wont have to worry about you," she said strictly.
"I understand," Harry said frowning.
"Be happy that he will let me see if your spirit animal is ready for you and train you if it is," she said. Harry nodded. "Well I must be going. I'm beginning to think I've said too much while in the Floo Network. See you in September first," she said. Harry and Hermione said their goodbyes as the head faded with the flames.
"I think Dumbledore is right, Harry. You shouldn't become an Apparator. At least not yet. You really need to be careful now that Voldemort is back," Hermione explained.
I hope you are enjoying reading this as much as I am enjoying writing it. I would like to say that this story is Harry's sixth year and it will contain spoilers. I would also like to say that I do not own Harry Potter or any of its characters. I like hearing what people have to say. Please Review.
