CHAPTER SIX: Not The Best Way To Start Off The School Year
On the first morning of classes, Harry walked into a Great Hall alive with excited chatter – at least until he entered. It wasn't that no one had been talking about him when he had first arrived, but thanks to Dumbledore's traditional beginning of the school year speech all eyes seemed to land on him when he entered a room, and the chattering turned into hushed anxious whispering. At first, he thought he might be reading too much into it, but when he would look over at another table, the students would quickly avert their eyes. It was only the first day and it was already this bad.
"Honestly, you think they'd be rushing over here to thank you," said Hermione loud enough for a group of whispering fourth year girls at the Hufflepuff table to hear. "All you did was tell the truth all last year, and now that everyone knows Voldemort is back they're acting the exact same way as before." She ignored the pained look Ron gave her for saying Voldemort's name loud enough for half the Great Hall hear.
"Forget it, Hermione. I don't care," he said to her. He had learned a long time ago that once people got an idea in their head it was extremely hard to change that opinion.
The only table that wasn't whispering behind their hands or giving him fearful looks was the Slytherin one. That was only because Malfoy, with his newly healed nose, and his band of followers were too busy throwing him threatening looks every time he turned their way.
He looked over at the staff table, giving a small wave to Hagrid before his eyes fell on Dumbledore, who was presently locked in conversation with McGonagall. Somehow the Headmaster seemed to know he was looking at him, for he turned and met Harry's gaze though the packed hall of students. Unlike so many times in the past, Dumbledore did not offer him a kind or gentle smile. It was the same expression that he had looked down at Harry with back in June – sympathy and deep regret. Harry quickly tore his gaze away. He couldn't feel sorry for the old Headmaster, and if he was looking for some sort of forgiveness from Harry he wasn't going to get it.
He could recall Dumbledore's speech from the previous night clearly. He had not sugar coated the details of Voldemort's return and said that despite what the Daily Prophet was reporting, there had been little Death Eater activity since June and Voldemort's whereabouts remained unknown. He neither confirmed nor denied that the Dementors were now in league with Voldemort. He did express that it was extremely likely as it had happened during Voldemort's original reign to power. Harry didn't know how much was reiterated from his end of the school year speech in June because he had skipped the feast in hopes of avoiding the accusing looks being sent in his direction, as if he had a hand in helping restore Voldemort to power.
The Headmaster's speech had been even more severe than when he had been warning them about the Dementor's protecting the school back in Harry's third year. No student was allowed outside after dark, and all Quidditch practices had to be conducted under the watchful eye of a teacher. If anyone was caught wandering the halls after curfew would find themselves in the same amount of trouble as if they had caught entering the Forbidden Forrest. He had also told them that per the orders of the Ministry, Aurors would be stationed indefinitely at the school. He didn't inform them of where or how many there would be. The tone in which Dumbledore had spoke had been grave, completely devoid of any humour and gentleness that was so typical of his speeches.
Dumbledore's words had the effect of making everything seem that much more serious. If Aurors were patrolling the school then the threat of Voldemort was very real. So on top of the fearful looks Harry was getting, people were looking at him as if these new rules were his fault, and if it weren't for him there would be no need for the Aurors. He noticed the only people that weren't looking at him any differently were those in his own house and everyone who had been a part of the DA.
Not feeling all that hungry to begin with, Harry joined the other Gryffindors at his table in rechecking and comparing timetables. Harry had not given much thought to what his course load would be like over the summer, other then when he had received his O.W.L.s. He had received "Exceeds Expectation" in Defense Against the Dark Arts, Charms and Transfiguration. The most shocking of all his marks was he had somehow managed to scrape "Outstanding" in Potions. Based on his marks a course listing had been sent to the Dursley's outlining the different career options available to him. The two options that seemed the most exciting to him were a Curse Breaker for Gringotts (though he would have to start taking Arithmancy for that), and an Auror. Unfortunately, for either of those options he still needed Potions. In her letters, Hermione had all but begged him to take Arithmancy, saying she would give him all the tutoring he needed. She had added in that it would also open up more career options if he decided curse breaking or being an Auror wasn't for him. At the time he had just wanted to get her off his back and had finally wrote back saying he would, which was quickly followed by a letter from Ron telling him he was mental for letting Hermione talk him in to taking it. Now, seeing on his schedule that he had to take it three times a week, with the final lesson of the week being a class for those students who had never taken Arithmancy before to help them catch up, he was already regretting giving into her nagging so easily.
Since he needed Potions, Defense Against the Dark Arts, Transfiguration and Charms, he was left with one other course to pick. If he wanted to be a Curse Breaker, he was required to take Ancient Runes. Curse Breakers spent a lot of time traveling through jungles and uncharted territories, picking their way through tombs and ancient structures that were guarded by centuries old magic. He was disappointed he would not be able to take Care of Magical Creatures this year and have Hagrid as a teacher, but he was sure the groundskeeper would understand. Hermione on the other hand was ecstatic that she would finally have someone to talk about Ancient Runes and Arithmancy with.
The two of them shared the exact same schedule, since Hermione had received "Exceeds Expectation" in everything. He and Ron had everything but Arithmancy and Ancient Runes together. Ron had never said what his O.W.L. marks were, but they must have been pretty good in order for him to get into McGonagall and Snape's classes.
He and Ron were currently pouring over their schedules together. Though sixth years were only required to take six classes because of the heightened level of difficulty, their timetables appeared quite full. Not to mention that they had the worst class possible to start off the new year with.
"Double potions on the first day?" Ron moaned. "If that's not a bad omen for the year I don't know what is."
"Maybe he'll be in a good mood because he doesn't have to give me Occlumency lessons anymore," said Harry, remaining hopeful.
"I doubt it," Ron grumbled.
"Defense Against the Dark Arts should more than make up for it," Hermione spoke up.
"Why?" They both asked in unison. On their schedule the professor's name said 'to be announced', even stranger then that was their first class was not scheduled until the following week.
"I heard that Dumbledore hired an Auror he knew personally to teach it."
"Really?" Ron said excitedly.
"That's just what I heard. It does make sense though, doesn't it? Considering the Aurors here at the school," she said before going back to her breakfast.
Ron gave up any hope of engaging her in further conversation, and turned to Harry. "That would be something, wouldn't it, Harry? Imagine what he could teach us." He heard Hermione snicker under her breath and shot her a look. "What's so funny?"
"You, excited about learning. I didn't think it was possible," she said genuinely surprised. "And don't assume it's a he. There are quite a few female Aurors, you know."
Ron's ears went red. "I thought you weren't talking to me," he said, in an effort to hide his embarrassment.
"I'm not," she said evenly.
Ron snorted. "Could have fooled me."
She flattened her palms on the table and stood up. "I'm going to the library before class." She threw her schoolbag over her shoulder and walked off without another word.
"Have a good time," Ron called after her.
"You're just making things worse, you know that, don't you?" Harry said when he turned back around.
"She's going to be mad at me no matter what I say, so I might as well make the most of it," said Ron, as Ginny flopped down on the bench beside him. "Hey, Gin," he greeted her. She just glared at him and looked away. "Good morning to you too," he grumbled and she ignored him. "What the hell is everyone's problem this morning?" He said to no one in particular.
Harry didn't have an answer for him. His eyes wandered around the Great Hall and before long his gaze fell on the Ravenclaw table. Cho was laughing at something one of the girls beside her had said. She caught Harry staring at her and gave him a quick smile before turning back to her friends. His face reddened and he looked down at his empty plate. He hadn't meant for her to catch him staring like that. Now Ron was looking at him and he felt extremely foolish.
"Let's get to class," he said before Ron could say anything. They still had fifteen minutes before class started but he didn't feel like sitting around there anymore.
Surprisingly, Ron followed him without protest, even when the last thing they both wanted was to get to Snape's class early. Harry was starting to wonder if Ron's omen about Potions was right. But it was the first day, how bad could it be?
Hermione was already in class waiting for them when they arrived. She deliberately avoided eye contact with Ron, and Harry thought he would be smart enough to not sit near her, but either he was completely oblivious or looking to start another row with her because he sat down on the bench beside her. He thought about squeezing in between them, but if they weren't mature enough to get along on their own he wasn't about to baby-sit them.
"What do you think Ginny's problem was?" Ron asked him.
"Maybe she didn't get a lot of sleep," Harry responded with a shrug.
Hermione opened her mouth as if to speak, then thought better of it and closed it.
"For someone who's supposed to be giving me the silent treatment you sure are interested in talking," noted Ron.
"I just think that you should talk to Ginny if you're really concerned."
Ron eyed her carefully. "Why? What do you know?"
"Ron, you really should ask her – "
"I'm asking you," he said, putting heavy emphasis on the 'you'.
Hermione looked ready to tell him off, but thought better of it and said instead, "I overheard some fifth years at breakfast saying that Dean was seeing someone else during the summer, but I don't know if it's true," she added quickly, seeing his face darken and his eyes blazing with fury.
At that precise moment Dean and Seamus walked in, with Neville trailing helplessly behind them, looking positively fearful at the prospect of another year of Potions.
Gazing around at the number of desks provided, the class was considerably smaller then in previous years. However, there was still a large enough number to note that many of the career options must have required Potions because Harry seriously doubted this many people would take Snape's class if given a choice. It came as no surprise to see Malfoy sitting at the back of the class with Pansy Parkinson beside him. They both smirked evilly at Harry before he looked away. The only consolation was Crabbe and Coyle were nowhere to be seen. As dumb as Crabbe and Goyle were, Harry figured Malfoy wouldn't have many classes together with his goons.
"Hey, Thomas, what happened with you and my sister?" Ron asked when the two Gryffindors seated themselves in front of them. He shook off Hermione on his elbow, trying to keep him from making a scene.
"Look, Ron, it's nothing. We just had a row is all," said Dean dismissively.
"About another girl," Seamus muttered, but it was loud enough for Ron to hear.
Dean punched him hard in the arm. "Thanks a lot, mate."
"How could you do that to Ginny?" Ron snarled.
"We weren't even really together for the summer. I mean, things didn't really start 'til school ended and you know how it is."
Hermione could see Ron was struggling to refrain from tackling the other boy and beating him mercilessly. "Ron, you're already in enough trouble. Please don't make things worse," she urged him.
While Ron spent that moment contemplating her words, thinking about what would happen if he got in two fights before the school year had even officially started, someone else's fist lined up and hit Dean square on the jaw. He stumbled back into the desk from the force of the blow, staring at his attacker in astonishment. Ron did the same. He had not been prepared for Harry to be the one to hit him.
Now all eyes in the class were on Harry and the room was silent. His fist had connected with Dean's face before he had even realized what he was doing. Ron was staring at him in awe, and he couldn't quite figure out what the look on Hermione's face meant, but was sure it was somewhere along the lines of severe disapproval.
"Potter!" A greasy voice boomed. "Ten points from Gryffindor and detention with me tonight at eight," Snape snapped at him as he came to stand in front of the class. "As a matter of fact," he continued, his face taking on a look of feigned contemplation, "I don't think I want to take the chance of you disrupting my class any further. Pack your things and get out of my sight."
Harry did as he was told, packing his things up in a hurry. He ignored the snide looks he was getting from Malfoy and the rest of the Slytherin side of the room as he departed the classroom. Once he was out in the hall, Snape slammed the door shut behind him. Harry flung his schoolbag down in a state of fury. He must have set some sort of a record getting kicked out of class before it was even five minutes in. To top everything off he'd have to endure Snape again tonight. He should have just let Ron hit Dean.
"So how bad was it?" Ron asked Harry when he returned around ten thirty from his detention.
Harry sank wearily onto the empty chair beside him. "I had to re-organize his ingredient cabinet and wash out all the school cauldrons. And the stupid git is making me write a four foot essay on the need for proper cauldron cleaning techniques."
"You got off easy compared to me," Ron said to him. "You know how McGonagall kept me behind after Transfiguration? I've got detention with her every Saturday morning for the next month. She says I'm on probation for what happened with Malfoy. I step out of line again and I lose the prefect badge."
"Did you tell Hermione?"
"Are you mad? I just got one lecture from McGonagall. I'm not looking forward to hearing another one."
Harry suddenly clued in to what his friend had said about Saturday morning detentions. "The pitch is booked for Gryffindor every Saturday morning. The season starts first week of October this year. You'd be missing all the practices. Katie's not going be happy, especially since the first two practices she's holding tryouts for a new Chaser."
"There's not much I can do about it. I didn't even get the satisfaction of seeing Malfoy's broken nose," he scowled, wishing for once that Madame Pomfrey couldn't heal people so easily.
"Maybe Katie can talk to McGonagall," Harry said, thinking quickly. "She has to understand that Gryffindor needs their keeper in top form if we want to make a good run at the cup."
"You're starting to sound like Oliver Wood," Ron said in all seriousness. "But you know McGonagall won't budge on this. She doesn't want to show favouritism."
Hermione came storming down the girl's staircase then, looking flustered as she walked over to where they were seated. The source of her distress was quickly revealed as Lavender and Parvati hurried into the common room, looking like they had been following her all along.
"Come on, Hermione," Lavender was saying. "Just give us five minutes."
"It is for academic reasons after all," Parvati added, as if that could convince her.
"I said I'd think about it," she told them. "I'm sure you could find someone much more interesting to include."
"I told you we need an interview with all the sixth year Gryffindors," Lavender explained.
"What's going on?" Harry asked when she joined them at their table.
"We're doing a documentary on Gryffindor," Parvati said before Hermione could answer. "It's for our muggle studies class. Everyone was given an assignment for the semester to do based on Muggle life. We have to create a muggle documentary using the students of Gryffindor as potential interviewees."
"What kinds of questions are you going to be asking?" Ron asked them, imagining they would probably all be along the lines of boys and make up.
"About their background, what it means to be a Gryffindor, you know, stuff like that," Parvati answered.
"Maybe a personal question or two," Lavender added in. "Whether you like it or not you're all going to be interviewed," she said as if that decided the matter. Then she and Parvati walked off to an empty table, talking feverishly about what the theme would be for their project.
"Nutters," Ron muttered, shaking his head.
"They're not interviewing me," stated Harry. "I've read enough about my life in the Prophet without having everyone watch a video about it."
Hermione turned to Ron. "So what did McGonagall want with you?"
Ron's face took on a look of mild panic, but he recovered quickly. "Nothing, really. Just wanted to see if I had been practicing over the summer. A keeper needs to be in top form."
Hermione looked to Harry to confirm his story, and he nodded meekly. Hermione wasn't daft, but even though she knew he was covering for Ron for whatever reason she didn't call him on it. Perhaps it was her way of calling a truce with Ron, but Harry had a feeling that if she found out he was on probation, that truce would quickly dissolve.
