Title: Harry Potter and the Staff of Merlin
Author: Legolas-gurl88
Disclaimer: I think you should all know by now that this is J.K. Rowling's book, not mine.
Author Note: Hi
More Important Author Note: Might I beg, plead, pray, beseech, request, ask, order, command, etc. for you to keep your reviews polite? Not that I don't mind criticism ('cause I asked for it in the 1st chapter) but keep it polite! No flames, please… if you can't stand my story, I beg you to kindly leave silently, because no one is forcing you to stay and read more. Not that I'm trying to drive anyone away, but do you know what flames can do to a person's ego?!?! Once again, keep the criticism short, sweet and to the point (like most are, I thank those people) and as I have said before, there is a difference between good criticism, mean criticism, and flames… try to stay down in the 'good criticism' department, I ask you.
Another Author Note: Alright… I may have PG rated on my story, but I'm terrible at these ratings and it may rise to PG-13 at some point, but will never go past that. I don't write R. If you think it should be risen to PG-13, let me know and I will be the final judge of that. The reason I ask this is because I love writing on and I would cry an ocean of tears if I were to be cut off. Thank you.
Story time!
7. The Hogwarts Express
Finally, the morning of September 1st came around and Harry woke up early again to make sure he had packed everything, then hauled his things down the stairs and set it by the front door. After that, he wiped away the sweat that had formed on his forehead and walked into the kitchen. No one was awake yet, so he sat at the table and folded his arms, thinking about his return to Hogwarts. Suddenly, his scar gave him a jolt of pain and he clapped a hand to his forehead, then rubbed it to make it feel better. Forgetting about it, he stood up and rummaged around the kitchen for the teabags to make himself a cup of tea. When he finally dipped the teabag into steaming water, Fleur walked in.
"'Ello, 'Arry," she said, smiling. Her hair was tied in a knot on the back of her head and she was wearing the teacher's Hogwarts uniform. "Are you at all nervous about your new job?"
"A little," Harry responded, taking a sip of his tea, "You?"
"Terrified. Zis will be my first time teaching students."
"I'm sure you'll do alright." said Harry.
"Remember, eef you can't do it, I will help you."
"Thanks, Fleur," Harry said, his heart warming up with gratitude.
"It is strange, een a way, zat just two years ago, I only knew zat Cedric Diggory was dead and zat you had brought him back for his parents. But now, I know more. I know zat ze Death Eaters are loose and I know who zey are. I feel more eenvolved een everysing zan I did."
"Time can do that," Harry said. Fleur smiled.
"I'm taking ze 'Ogwarts Express. Will you allow me to sit with you and your friends?"
"Yeah… yeah sure," Harry said.
It was a wonderful feeling when Harry stepped out of Mr. Weasley's new car (which had been magically expanded without Mrs. Weasley's consent) and onto the pavement of Kings Cross. Ron and Hermione came out after him and the three of them went to get their trunks. Within another five minutes, they were rolling their trolleys to Platform Nine and Three-Quarters.
"Hurry!" Mrs. Weasley said, "It ten fifty-eight and we have to get five of you settled!"
Everyone's paces went a little faster and wider apart. Without a second glance at each other, Ron, Harry and Hermione ran at the wall between Platforms Nine and Ten. The rest came right after them. Harry instantly caught sight of the scarlet train that would take him home. Skimming the surroundings of the train, Harry saw a few students rushing to pull their trunks on and a few first years kissing their parents goodbye.
Harry, Ron and Hermione all helped heave their trunks on and found a compartment. Fleur came after them, panting as she brought her trunk full of books and teacher's uniforms on. Ginny then came on and no sooner than they fell into seats in an empty compartment, did the train start to move. They all stuck their heads out of the window to wave goodbye to everyone and everyone waved back. Then, everyone that was not on the train Dissaparated.
"Ron," said Hermione, standing up, "We'd better go to the front of the train."
"What? Why?" Ron asked.
"Oh Ron, how could you forget! We're Prefects! Ginny, you can come with us."
"Oh-- yeah." Ron said halfheartedly standing up too. "See you later Harry." And he stumped out of the compartment after Hermione, who was walking briskly towards the front of the train already.
"Bye," Ginny said, waving merrily before she stepped out and closed the compartment door behind her.
The only two left were Harry and Fleur.
"Well, I 'ave never ridden ze 'Ogwarts Express before," Fleur said to Harry, while she looked around.
"How do you like it?" Harry asked, not really knowing what he was saying, but instead, looked out the train window to see different things go by the window.
"Eet ees very different zan ze Beauxbatons Carriage."
"I figured just as much." answered Harry mindlessly.
"Well, I 'ave to go to ze front of ze train for a little while," Fleur said, standing up.
"Why?"
"Being a new teacher, I must speak with ze prefects about my standards and zings."
"Oh… well… 'bye then." Harry said and Fleur nodded and walked out of the compartment, sliding the door closed behind her. Harry sat back in his seat and watched rain clouds gather ahead as cattle grazed by the train tracks. It took Harry a while to notice that someone had poked their head in the compartment, silently calling to him.
"Harry?"
"Wha--?" asked Harry, turning his head to face Cho Chang as she closed the compartment door behind her and sitting down in the seat opposite him.
"Where are Ron and Hermione?" she asked.
"Front of the train," Harry answered coldly.
"Why?"
"Prefects."
"Oh-- right." said Cho. She sighed at the lack of participation she was getting from Harry, who turned to look out the window again. "Did-- did you get my letter?"
"Yeah." said Harry, keeping his eyes focused now on Cho's reflection in the window as she watched him.
"Harry, please look at me," pleaded Cho. Harry turned his head to look at her, feeling slightly bashful at facing her, but determined not to look away. "I-- I'm really sorry for the way I acted last year. I was just sad about Cedric--"
"Is that what you came here for?" Harry said, his anger rising, "To talk about dear old Cedric again?"
"No." said Cho shortly. "I just said that I was sad about it. And I had a right to be, didn't I?"
"Not enough right to talk to me one minute and then snap at me the next," Harry said, forgetting his determination at keeping eye contact at Cho and turning his head to face the window again, settling his back against the cushion. Cho sighed again.
"I'm really sorry about that." Cho stopped, seeing if she could get a 'that's okay, Cho. Hey, you still want to be friends?' from Harry. Harry, however, said nothing, only pushed his back deeper into the cushion out of anger. "Did you think about my letter?"
"Not really," said Harry coldly, regretting, at once, how rude and childish he was sounding.
"Oh," Cho replied, looking downcast. "Well, can you think about it now? Do you want to go to Hogsmede together? We don't have to go to Madam Puddifoot's if you don't want to. I don't think you liked it very much. We could go to The Three Broomsticks."
It took Harry a long time to answer.
"Sure."
"Really?" Cho blurted, sounding shocked that Harry had actually agreed. "You-- you want to?"
"Sure." repeated Harry, his insides beginning to get the familiar churning sensation in his stomach that he used to get when talking to Cho.
"Alright," Cho said, standing up and smiling, her face turning red, "Well, I-- I'll see you around school then and-- and next Hogsmede trip, we-- we can go to the Three Broomsticks."
"Right." Harry answered. Cho turned to leave. As her hand reached for the door, she paused and turned around to face Harry. With one swift movement, she rushed to him and kissed him softly on the cheek and gave him a hug. Then, without another word, she left.
Harry sat there for a while, stunned. What had just happened was so weird. One minute he had been angry with Cho, the next he had been slightly happy…
Over the course of the next hour and a half, Ron and Hermione hadn't made themselves present and neither had Fleur. Several people had arrived in his compartment asking whether the D.A. Meetings would be back on again this year.
"I don't think so. The only reason we had D.A. meetings was because of Umbridge and she's not here anymore." Harry would answer to everyone. Dennis Creevy especially looked downcast at the news that their hero wouldn't be teaching them again. Some people even turned in their coins that Hermione had distributed the last year; the coins in which heated up when Harry had a date set for the next D.A. meetings, but Harry only returned them.
"You never know," he would say. Most people smiled weakly and left and others would just take back the coins and leave.
It was past noon when Ron and Hermione finally showed up. Harry had bought them snacks as the snack cart had already gone by. Ron fell into his seat and took the Pumpkin Pasty Harry handed him and pushed the whole thing into his mouth.
"Wha' a day." Ron said, his mouth full as Harry handed Hermione her Pumpkin Pasty. He swallowed and said, "We had to talk to the new Prefects about the stuff they have to do and none would listen. Too bad you weren't there, Harry."
"Why?" Harry asked.
"Because Creevy is a Prefect."
"Colin or Dennis?"
"Colin, of course!" Ron said. "Dennis is just a little guy; not old enough to be a Prefect."
"What did you do while we were gone?" Hermione asked, getting Ron's attention off Dennis and Colin.
"Er-- Cho came in for a bit." Harry said hesitantly.
"Have another affair, did you?" Ron asked, shoving another Pumpkin Pasty in his mouth.
"No," Harry replied shortly. "She just wanted to know if I wanted to go to the Three Broomsticks with her on the first Hogsmede trip."
"What did you say?" Hermione asked, sitting up a little more straightly in her chair.
"Er-- well-- I said yes but--" Harry was cut off by a huge guffaw from Ron.
"Shut up, Ron," Hermione said. "Go on, Harry."
"But I wasn't sure if she wanted you to come along or not."
"Well, of course we wouldn't!" Hermione said indignantly. "It's your date!"
"Besides, we don't want to see any kissing."
"Shut up, Ron." Harry mumbled, feeling the heat rise in his face.
"Ron!" Hermione said angrily turning to Ron, "When will you grow up!?"
"Depends," Ron said, taking a bite out of a chocolate frog while looking at the card. "Dumbledore again! Blimey, how many of these stupid wizard cards have Dumbledore on them!"
Hermione said, turning back to Harry. Harry continued.
"Well, while I was at the Dursleys' house, she sent a letter and said she didn't mind if you two came along or not."
"Well, I don't want to bother you two while your mending things up," Hermione said while Ron giggled silently.
"Can I tell you guys something?" Harry asked an hour later, sitting up a little straighter in his chair.
"Of course," Hermione said.
"As long as it doesn't involve you and Cho." Ron said.
"Ron!" Hermione said, "You are so tactless! Go on, Harry,"
"Well, you know that night I-- passed out?" Harry said. Hermione nodded, not talking, "Well, I-- I didn't say what the whole dream was…"
And he was off, telling them of what Voldemort said to Wormtail and what he had ordered Wormtail to do. When he finished, Hermione had tears in her eyes and Ron's mouth was open, exposing chewed up Pumpkin Pasty.
"Oh, Harry, that's completely awful!" Hermione said.
"Why didn't you tell Lupin and Dad and the others?" Ron asked, closing his mouth.
"Well-- I didn't really want anyone to worry--"
"Harry, if there was anything worth worrying about, it would be that!" Hermione said.
"Yeah… still… I've told you, but you've got to keep it secret, do you swear?"
"Harry, you should tell someone… like--"
"If you say Dumbledore, I swear, Hermione, I'll--"
"Well, it's better than just leaving everyone clueless as to what Voldemort's doing!" Hermione said, and Ron whimpered, "Oh, Ron, stop being so-- so pitiful!"
"Hey, I've just had a thought, Harry," Ron said grinning, "Get all chummy with Malfoy, then You-Know-Who'd think he's hurting you by killing Malfoy off!"
"That's not funny, Ron," Hermione said.
"Sure it is!" Ron said, laughing as Harry grinned weakly, "Anyway, it'd get him off our tail!"
"But, Ron, you're not seeing the actual problem!" Hermione said.
"You guys, don't worry about it," Harry said, breaking up another argument, "Just promise me one thing."
"And what's that?" Ron said.
"Watch over yourselves." said Harry darkly.
"Firs' years this way! Firs' years!" Hagrid's bellowing could be heard all around the train station. "Firs' years! Alrigh' Harry? Ron? Hermione?"
"Hey Hagrid," Harry, Ron and Hermione all said at once as they exited the Hogwarts Express. Hagrid grinned at them and then went on his way to gather up the first years to take them on the traditional boat ride over the lake to Hogwarts. The other students, however, made their ways to the horseless carriages. Only Harry and maybe a few others knew what really pulled them. The thestrals glared at him with their milky white eyes and sharp fangs bared. Harry directed his gaze elsewhere, finally resting on the sky. It was a dark, cloudy, starless night. Harry could see his and everyone else's breaths form in misty clouds around him. He pulled the hood of his cloak up well over his ears to keep his head from freezing.
Soon enough, Hogwarts came into view, almost every window glowing yellow in the distance. Harry, Ron and Hermione got out of the carriage and walked up the remainder of the steps into the entrance hall. The minute Harry stepped inside, Professor McGonagall came walking toward him from out of a corner. He just lowered his hood when she spoke.
"Potter," she said sharply, her eyes peering through her square spectacles, "I wish to talk to you. In private." She added, looking at Ron and Hermione. They shrugged and left for the Great Hall. McGonagall, however, lead Harry to her office. Once there, she sat behind her desk, folding her hands. Harry stood in front of her, his arms hanging at his sides stupidly.
"Sit down, Potter." McGonagall said and Harry sat in the chair just a little ways to his left. "You probably already know why you are here."
"Does it have anything to do with the Defense Against the Dark Arts classes?" Harry asked dully.
"Yes, it does." McGonagall said, her lips thinning. She reached into a drawer of her desk and pulled out some parchments. "I have talked it over with Professor Dumbledore and he has chosen two weeks worth of class things for you to have the students study. As you have seen on your schedule, you teach Gryffindor and Ravenclaw Sixth years on Monday. Tuesday, you teach Hufflepuff and Slytherin Sixth years. Then, on Wednesday, you teach Hufflepuff and Slytherin again, then on Thursday, you teach Gryffindor and Ravenclaw."
"Okay," said Harry, not knowing what else to say. Without hesitating, McGonagall continued.
"As you also saw, you will miss History of Magic on Tuesdays and Transfiguration on Wednesdays. I daresay you will have to ask Miss. Granger for her notes on those classes to keep up."
"Okay," repeated Harry, his stomach starting to squirm nervously at the prospect of teaching the whole of the Sixth years Defense Against the Dark Arts.
"That means," McGonagall said, "you will only have Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays to practice for Quidditch along with correcting homework, doing your own and saving one to two hours at the end of the day on Saturday for Occlumency with Professor Snape and--"
"Wait," Harry cut in, sitting up straighter in his chair, "I still have to take Occlumency lessons?"
"Yes, Potter. Lupin informed me of what happened to weeks ago and we decided that as You-Know-Who is even more powerful, there is an even bigger chance of his taking over your mind than there was even last year. And also, to finish what I had been saying before I was interrupted; you will have to save time for Occlumency Lessons on Saturday and on Sunday, you will need to meet me here for an hour for your Auror Training--""WHAT!?" yelled Harry, jumping completely out of his seat and crashing to the floor.
"Just as I said, Potter." McGonagall said, her glasses flashing as Harry made to crawl back into his chair.
"But-- but no one ever said anything about Auror Training."
"I did, in fact, last year."
"When?"
"At your career advice meeting last year--" McGonagall broke, staring at the corner in which Umbridge had sat in, scribbling notes during Harry's meeting, as though she thought Umbridge was still there. When her eyes returned to Harry, she continued, "--I told you I would make sure you became an Auror even if I had to coach you nightly."
"I didn't think you actually meant it!" Harry said.
"When have I ever not taken anything seriously, Potter?"
"I--"
"It is as I said," McGonagall said, standing up. "I must return to the feast. I suggest you look up more things to study. Dumbledore may have given you ideas for what to study for the next two weeks, but after that, you are quite alone in that field. Good day to you, Potter." And with that, she left the room.
Harry sat stunned for a minute. He thought he would be able handle being a teacher, but this was too much. Now, on his schedule, he would have to teach Defense Against the Dark Arts, correct homework, do his own homework, read Hermione's long notes to keep up in History of Magic and Transfiguration, have Quidditch practice for three hours on Friday, Saturday and Sunday as he had heard Ron planning, have Occlumency Lessons with Professor Snape and Auror training with Professor McGonagall.
Silently, he stood up and left the room, walking to the feast. It was in a few minutes that Peeves caught up with him.
"Potty Wee Potter!" Peeves shrieked happily, zooming past Harry, kicking Harry's ear as he went by.
"Go away, Peeves," Harry said quietly, rubbing his ear.
"Ooh!" Peeves cackled, "Potty is still mad! Mad are we, Potty?"
"Leave me alone." said Harry dangerously.
"Now we're scared! It's Potty Wee Potter! RUN!!" Peeves shrieked.
"Leave me ALONE!" Harry yelled, taking a swipe at Peeves and missing.
"Potty's loosing his touch, he is!" Peeves yelled, "They're going to kick him off the Quidditch Field with his own broom, they are!" Then, Peeves broke into the familiar song in which he had composed last year;
"Oh most think he's barking, the Potty wee lad,
But some are more kindly and think he's just sad,
But Peevesy knows better and says that he's mad,
He's been off Quidditch, so he'll be bad,
Cranky crackpot Potty is very, very mad!"
Before Harry could yell at Peeves, or take another swipe at the Poltergeist, Peeves blew a raspberry in his face and zoomed off happily, knocking over several suits of armor on his way. Angrily, Harry straitened his robes and walked into the Great Hall.
The benches were filled with people all in black robes. Some turned their heads to see Harry in the doorway, but most were engrossed in a talk with someone else to notice him. This was just fine with Harry, so he made his way down the walkway until he saw Ron and Hermione. He slipped into the gap between them in which they had saved for him just as Dumbledore stood up to make his annual speech.
"Welcome to you all!" Dumbledore said, "Welcome to those whom were here last year and to those who are starting!"
Many of the students at the Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw and Gryffindor tables cheered while they laughed.
"Thank you, thank you," Dumbledore said, "Now, please sit and I would like to give a few announcements that are of most importance."
Everyone went quiet.
"First of all, I would like to ask you to welcome warmly your new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher, Fleur Weasley!"
There was an uneven amount of applause between the boys and girls at every house table as Fleur stood up and flashed her shiny teeth at everyone. The boys in particular applauded loudly. Only those who had remembered Fleur from the Triwizard Tournament laughed as they heard the new last name. Many turned to stare at Ron, who went red at the ears and hunched his shoulders to avoid being seen. Matters didn't help when Fleur waved at them excitedly. The Slytherins in particular were being the worst bearers of the news; they kept making kissing noises.
"Yes, yes," Dumbledore said, "Welcome to you, Professor Weasley. Now, second of all, you'll notice that I sent your schedules to you over the summer instead of tomorrow at breakfast."
Many people nodded, taking their schedules out and looking at them.
"Yes." said Dumbledore again, "The reason there are more classes than others and the times have changed is due to your new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher!"
Many eyes flicked to Fleur but Dumbledore smiled and shook his head.
"No, not Fleur." he said, "There is a special teacher for the Sixth years only. He is very good and experienced at the Dark Arts, having met so many dark things in his life. I feel no reluctance in introducing your new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher, Sixth years. Please give a round of applause to H--"
He stopped there as Harry shook his head violently, causing several to look at him, so he started rubbing his neck and stretching it, whispering "I've got a crick in my neck." Dumbledore, however, merely nodded and continued on.
"I have forgotten that he wishes to surprise his students with his identity. Excuse me."
Several students laughed as though they thought it was a joke.
"However, the reason your schedules are-- uneven, shall we say-- is due to the fact that this teacher is very busy himself and has to work around classes, so you'll excuse it please. Well," said Dumbledore, clapping his hands together, "That is all I have to say! Dig in!"
And the plates filled with food.
Harry let out a sigh of relief; that had been close. He couldn't imagine what the Slytherins could have said had they known.
"What was that about?" Ron asked.
After about a minute, Dumbledore waved his hands around, begging for quiet.
"Yes, yes!" he said once the echoes in the hall subsided, "and I have wasted enough wind for now, so I must ask that the sorting is started!"
At these words, McGonagall came into the hall, carrying the three-legged stool in which the Sorting Hat was perches.
Harry's eyes darted to the first years who were looking fearfully at the Sorting Hat and some whispered to each other. Harry's gaze was broken as McGonagall walked by the first years. As she set the stool down, the Sorting Hat opened the gap near the brim almost eagerly, and it began it's song;
"As I sat upon this stool,
In times when fear was absent,
I never dream that Hogwarts School,
Might cease to be present.
A dark and dreary end is near,
In which was stowed upon a shelf,
And a silent growing fear,
Is spreading amongst yourselves.
The four wizard who began us,
Slytherin, Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw, Gryffindor,
Wished for us to upon each other have trust,
Therefore, friendship must broaden more!
Our time is getting short,
And though it seems unright,
Pleadingly, I ought to report;
We must hasten to unite!
Now that that is said,
All I ask of these younglings,
Is to place me upon your head,
And from you, greatness shall spring!
Though four houses reside,
Only one is where you belong,
Give me but a minute and I,
Shall find your house; I am never wrong!
Before that part of my song begins,
I must surely give,
A short little introduction,
On how our founders lived.
First of all of the above,
Is Slytherin, whom all did adore,
Not exactly the most loved,
But thought 'Greatest of Hogwarts Four.'
Early on, he left the school,
To pursue things for which he agreed,
Leaving Hogwarts to the others' rule,
And built a chamber; there was no key.
I must admit to you all,
I have been there in late,
To deliver a sword in order to stall
The Dark Lord from becoming great.
One young boy found the way,
As I could see in his head,
He sought to see that Hogwarts stay,
Did he survive? But only by a thread.
And next of all I move,
To talk about someone sweet,
Dear old Helga Hufflepuff, who strove
To teach students who had no character to meet.
A terribly great loss,
Hufflepuffs have lately suffered.
And at a great cost,
For all have heard (but wish not to believe) The Dark Lord had returned.
Next, upon whom I call,
To introduce to you in awe,
The wisest of them all,
The great Rowena Ravenclaw.
Of the wisest students,
She picked from the lot, who,
Rowena taught to be prudent,
In all the work they do.
Though the four thought it best,
To teach only the smart,
Ravenclaw taught the smartest,
And took their thought to heart.
Later did she leave the school,
After her and Gryffindor's affair,
Leaving it under just two more founders' rule,
The only two left were the only ones to share.
And let's not forget,
Of these four founders,
The most valiant yet,
Gryffindor, where the bravest were sure.
In his house today resides
A young man of Gryffindors' own character,
The one who couldn't be more on our side;
Hogwarts' young Harry Potter.
Though all doubted him,
And called him a liar,
Always out on a whim,
He'd save Hogwarts when her need was dire.
My song may not have been
More about the sorting,
But in times of great need,
Even a hat can give warning!
For only one can save us from this doom,
Harry Potter you must hurry!
Because closer is where the danger looms,
Now, on with our ever-fateful sorting!"
The last few words echoed in the hall, reverberating on the walls, then died away. It was the loudest silence Harry had ever known, apart from when his name had been called from the Goblet of Fire two years before. Every eye had turned to him and he could almost feel Draco Malfoy's hot sneering breath on his neck.
Harry looked up at the Staff Table. Hagrid was looking down at him, his mouth open wide to catch the flies. Over by the Sorting Hat, McGonagall had dropped the list of the first year's names she had been holding. Even Dumbledore looked slightly shocked, but then recovered and stood up.
"Professor McGonagall, I am rather hungry, perhaps we should get on with the sorting so we can dig in!"
McGonagall jumped as though Dumbledore had shouted in her ear, leaned over to pick up the scroll, then turned to the First Years.
"When I call your name, please walk up and sit down. I will put the Sorting Hat on your head and it will sort you. Then sit down at the table in which is your House Table."
She unrolled the scroll and said loudly;
"Airey, Anne!"
A girl that was taller than most of the first years walked up and sat on the stool. It didn't take long for the Sorting Hat to decide;
"RAVENCLAW!"
"Hey, Harry," Harry heard his name and he turned to face Ron as 'Beach, Anna' was called up to the Sorting Hat and quickly placed in Ravenclaw.
"What?" Harry asked.
"What was that Sorting Song about?" Ron asked.
"Bowie, Tina!" McGonagall called.
"The Sorting Hat's never singled anyone out in it's songs ever before--" whispered Hermione, but the rest of her sentence was drowned out by the Sorting Hat.
"RAVENCLAW!"
"What I meant to say," Hermione continued as 'Byrne, Samuel' was called up, "that's odd that the Sorting Hat mentioned you--"
"GRYFFINDOR!"
"--Why would it?"
"Don't you see, Hermione?" Ron asked as Peter Calvert was called up and immediately placed in Ravenclaw along with his twin, Daniel, "It's trying to get Harry in the spotlight again!"
"But the Sorting Hat would never do that--"
"Drop it," said Harry, attempting to stop what looked like another argument brewing between Ron and Hermione. They fell silent and watched as Harmony Dubin and Emma Edgewood were both placed in Gryffindor. Harry, Ron and Hermione clapped with the rest of the Gryffindor house, failing dismally to drown out boos from Slytherins.
"Evans, Mark!" McGonagall called.
Harry did a double-take.
Mark Evans? Mark Evans, who lived only a few blocks away from himself, a wizard? Harry watched as the familiar boy with reddish-blondish hair and was incredibly lanky sidled out of the line of First Years and up to the Sorting Hat. What struck Harry was that he was the boy he had seen in Weasley's Wizard Wheezes only a few days ago… how-- how could he have not recognized him? Harry nudged Ron in the ribs.
"Eh?" Ron asked.
"That kid lives only a few blocks away from me!" hissed Harry.
"The Evans Kid?" Ron asked and Harry nodded.
"He's been beaten up my cousin loads of times!"
"Weird! I wonder why he never told you he was a wizard." said Ron thoughtfully.
"Well-- maybe he's Muggle-born."
"Probably…"
It took several minutes for the Sorting Hat to decide where Mark Evans should be placed.
"GRYFFINDOR!"
The Gryffindors cheered and the Slytherins booed. Mark stepped away from the stool and ran towards the Gryffindor table, smiling.
"Garden, Rose!" McGonagall read.
"HUFFLEPUFF!"
"Finally!" Ron said, "Something else other than Gryffindor and Ravenclaw!"
"Green, Michael!"
"RAVENCLAW!"
Ron groaned.
It wasn't for another half-an-hour that 'Wye, Hector' was placed into Slytherin, that all the First Years were placed into their houses.
"Finally!" exclaimed Ron as Dumbledore stood up and told them to eat plenty until their bellies rumbled no longer, "I almost forgot was food tasted like!"
Suddenly, the plates filled with food and Harry could actually hear the gasps of the First Years. Harry was so hungry that he just grabbed some of the things closest to him and started to eat, but not before Ron had already had seconds on mashed potatoes. And it didn't seem that long after that the desserts had vanished and Dumbledore stood up.
"Now that we have all eaten and our stomachs are full, bedtime! First Years will follow the Prefects to their houses…"
And everyone stood up.
"First years follow us please! First years for Gryffindor follow us…" Hermione started, waving to all the scared looking First years and they walked tentatively to her.
"Harry, come and walk with us--" Ron started, but Harry stood up and shook his head.
"What do you think I am, a First Year?" Harry said, trying to lighten the mood that had come upon everyone when the Sorting Hat had mentioned his name. In truth, he just wanted to think and he knew he wouldn't be able to do that in the noisy common room or in the Boy's Dormitory.
"Harry--" Ron said, frowning.
"No, look, I was only jesting, Ron. But you need to lead the First Years."
"Hermione can do that--"
"No, you go." Harry said.
"If you're sure--"
"Yes, Ron!" Harry said, "Listen, what's the password?"
"Fribbergibbit," said Ron looking put down, "But Harry--"
"Ron!" called Hermione, "Ron! Come on! We have to show the First Years around!"
Ron gave Harry one last meaningful look before walking towards Hermione. All the First Years were looking at Harry, so he decided to go around the table and go the other way. And while he walked, he thought about what the next day would bring. There was so much to do, but the thing that loomed in Harry's mind the most was the prospect of what his friends' faces would look like after they realized he was the new Sixth Year Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher.
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Whew! I got so bored with this chapter and you could probably tell it got a bit choppy at the end, but I just wanted to finish with the chapter. I apologize for how bad this chapter is. But it's getting pretty late and I'm tired, but I didn't want to not finish the chapter because I knew I would never finish if I didn't finish it tonight. I'm not sure, but I think it's the longest chapter so far-- 18 pages on my computer-- so that's good. And I must thank you all for your reviews, because I'm getting more for this story than I have for any other story! Review time!
Vicster- Thanks a bunch… yeah, I don't use British terms because I'm not British, so I don't know all of them… but I use as many as I know! I'm glad Fleur being DADA teacher surprised you, because I'm going for surprising people! Thanks for the review!
Huggiebear- Cute name! Thanks for all the reviews! Yeah, Dumbledore was kinda evil, but I figured if anyone had the authority to have Kreature beheaded, it would be Dumbledore, and I didn't want Kreature to be in my story, because he's really hard to write… not that I don't like challenges, but I figured now that Kreature's masters are all gone, he'd go to Narcissa and I didn't want that! Hm, I've never read that Hermione didn't like heights… where was that in the books? It was Neville who was afraid of heights. Smiles mischievously There is a reason for Harry not telling them about the Dragon Eggs! Thanks for understanding that I'm only human! Lol! Talk to you later!
Facil Glow- I know when someone is joking and when someone is actually serious (Sirius! NO!) and I'm glad you enjoyed the chappie!
Lady Aioria- Okay, I don't your personalities attacking me viciously! I love Orlando too! I've got 29 posters of him pinned up in my room and I have his actual autograph! I also have over 200 teensy-weensy pictures of him all over everything! There isn't any more room for pictures in my room! I'm glad I have someone to obsess over him with!
Snow-angel222- I can't really say whether I live on the East Coast or the West Coast, so sorry! But I have been to both coasts and I love them both for different reasons! I think about the mom killing me thing in the third book (what you were talking about) is when Harry blows up Aunt Marge and Ron says '"Famous Harry Potter and all that. I'd hate to see what the Ministry'd do to me if I blew up an aunt. Mind you, they'd have to dig me up first, because Mum would've killed me…"' And yes, there is a reason Harry didn't tell them about the Dragon Eggs… everything has a reason… unless it's a mistake! Glad you enjoyed the chappie!
Pipaluga- No, it's fine! I knew you were kidding! Oh, you read Taa's review, did you? I wasn't really trying to put the spotlight on her… oh well… what's done is done and I've said what I wanted to in the most polite way I could. DON'T WORRY! I KNEW YOU WERE KIDDING!!! : )
Larna Mandrea- Thanks!
Starsmiles- Thanks! To be completely honest, I'm not sure who Voldemort's gonna get first… I've gotten to that part where I know I'll have to wipe someone out, but I don't want to, because everyone is so special! Eleanor Roosevelt said that… I always liked that saying and it made me feel better… thanks! What I did to get the review out of my head was I wrote down all the things I would have LIKED to say to the reviewer, and then once I calmed down, rewrote it in a polite way and it really helped!
Ellen- My 4th was awesome! I had a great time! I looked for you on the Allegra float, but I assumed you were on the other side! I'm always on the wrong side of you… EVERY STINKIN' YEAR! I checked out your website and thought it was awesome! Keep it up!
Pops- Thanks a bunch for the review and the suggestions! They really helped! That nickname is really cool!
MalusMagus- Thanks a bunch!
Fuji the Hobbit- That sounds really cool! I would have liked to go to a historical museum! I love my family history! My grandpa is looking stuff up about our history and so far he's found out that we came to America in 1635 and before that, my Great-something Grandfather was King Henry the 8th's advisor! That's a bad thing… but my great-something grandfather on my grandma's side met Abe Lincoln!
Ariana Dumbledore- Thanks for trying to help out with his History of Magic grade, but Harry fell asleep during the last question, so he could have done pretty well in the other questions. Thanks for the review!
Panther28- Thanks!
The Forest Ranger- I was smiling when I read your review! It made me feel great about myself! Yeah, I love to write! My best subject is English and I've written a few stories in which I hope to get published someday!
Well, that's all the reviews… I think! But I'm in a hurry! I've got to go to work, so if I missed your review, I'm really sorry… let me know and I won't forget next time! I hope you guys liked the chappie! Ta ta!
May broomsticks be in your dreams!
Luv,
Legolas-gurl88