Thanks a ton to Annax3 for reviewing! Props go to her and the rest of you? Get with the program and start reviewing! audience stares ooookay.
Gotta write this before I read the sixth and find out how wrong I was!
Going to New Mexico next week tomorrow cuz my grandpa has cancer ( so it'll be a little bit before I update.
Any who's
This part of the fic is in the past. See, the story switches from past to present with Voldemort and…
Random viewer: just get with the program!
'K! here's chap three!
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
That summer progressed normally with Harry playing Quidditch with Ron, Ginny, and his brothers (when they came). Hermione occasionally watched but usually buried herself in her school books Mrs. Weasley had bought them in Diagon Alley. Harry barely noticed how much time Hermione was also spending with Ron, being preoccupied with other things and all. He seemed the only one out of the trio who bothered to worry about Lord Voldemort as always but his feelings of worry drifted away as summer at the Burrow went on.
Soon it was time to leave on the Hogwarts Express.
The day had gone smoothly enough, even with the daily morning hassles of getting ready. The Ministry had let them borrow cars that year (the Ministry had tried being nicer to them ever since Voldemort had come) and the trip to the train station went fine with only four kids going this year.
On the train, Harry had to find his own compartment since Ron and Hermione were Prefects. While looking for an empty one, he heard his name called.
"Hey Harry!" Neville's voice rang out. "Over here!" Harry hurried over to Neville, avoiding the heads sticking out to see where the voice came from.
"Hello Neville," said Harry upon reaching him. He saw Luna and Ginny had sat with him as well like last year. After saying hello to them too, he sat next to Neville. He, Luna, Ginny, Neville, Ron, and Hermione seemed closer since last summer.
"Luna's just been telling us the history of the kernack," Ginny said, suppressing giggles as she pointed to Luna reading the Quibbler again.
"Yes, I was just through explaining its uses for sore throats and sneezing fits when I was rudely interrupted." She looked at Neville but didn't look annoyed at all. In fact, Luna almost looked bored.
After that, she buried herself in her father's magazine while Ginny, Harry, and Neville talked about their summers (Harry already knowing Ginny's of course) until Ron and Hermione came up.
Luna looked up at Ron, not looking at Hermione as they complained about Malfoy again.
"Still here," Ron muttered. "You'd think after his father was captured he'd have enough sense not to return."
"I wonder if they really captured him," Hermione whispered. "Was Fudge dumb enough to put him and the Death Eaters in Azkaban? I mean, with the Dementors on Voldemort's side, who knows how long it would take 'till they escape!"
"My father thinks Fudge wants them to escape," said Luna, engaging in the conversation. "He knew all along Fudge was in cahoots with you-know-who!"
Neville snorted. "Fudge? With you-know-who? When he was trying to forget about him? Well, the good news is Gran says his term is almost up as Minister."
Then the six of them talked about who should be the next Minister of Magic and bought a few chocolates from the trolley. Dumbledore's, Remus's, even Mr. Weasley's name was brought up. It was after Luna suggested her father's name and Neville burst out laughing was when she retreated back to her magazine.
Hermione checked her watch. "It's about ten minutes 'til we arrive at Hogwarts. We should change." At that, they pulled out their robes and got into them. Then the train came to a screeching halt and a turmoil of students came out.
"'Arry! Ron! 'Ermione!" Hagrid's thunderous voice came down as the trio beamed at him. "Nice ter see yous!"
"Nice to see you too, Hagrid!" they responded.
"Well, gotta lead these firs' years ter Hogwarts! See yeh soon!" And he left with the shaking first years to the lake.
Harry and the others found an empty carriage pulled by what they now knew as therestrals towards the castle. A few minutes later they found themselves up at the door of Hogwarts.
The huge body of students went inside and sat down at their house tables, awaiting the feast and the words of Dumbledore. After the Sorting Hat's song and the sorting, they began to eat.
"Ah, the food of Hogwarts!" Ron grinned as he grabbed a large chicken wing and bit a large chunk of it. "This is one of the things I always miss at this place!"
"Are you saying this food's better than your mum's?" (A/N: it's just weird spelling mom that way! Okay that's it!) Harry inquired.
"No, well…,"stammered Ron. He started looking a little uncomfortable. After laughs from Harry and Hermione, he loosened up a bit.
After he had finished eating, Harry looked at the staff table and saw all the normal teachers. What he was looking for was the new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher since Umbridge had finally left. Hermione spotted her before he did, nudged Harry and Ron, and pointed excitedly.
"Look!" she cried but she needn't of. Ron and Harry's mouths dropped open. There, sitting next to Professor McGonagall, was none other than Tonks!
When they caught her eye, she smiled, waved, pointed to herself, and mouthed the words, "I'm a teacher!" Before they could say anything, she pointed to Dumbledore and they all paid rapt attention to him.
Since the feast was over, he stood up to speak a few words. Everyone quieted down immediately when they saw him. "Ah, now a few quick announcements!
"First off, for first years, the Forbidden Forest is off limits to everyone! And Filch has reminded me again to remind you of his rules on his office. Look there to find the list of what not to do." The twinkle in his eyes was more there than ever. "And everyone here will be safe from the Dark Lord Voldemort and his Death Eaters." There was an outbreak of whispers, especially at the Slytherin table. Harry looked in Malfoy's direction and noticed him speaking hurriedly to Crabbe and Goyle, probably missing his dad.
The hall quieted again at Dumbledore's next words. "I see no reason to fear him when we all have each other. Now on a further note, here is our new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher!" He pointed to Tonks and there was a big applause. There was one for here: cool. All of the other teachers were dressed very formally, but not Tonks. She had her signature pink hair and a long black cloak around her Celestina shirt and jeans. Some people gave reproving looks at her choice of clothes.
"Also, Quidditch practices are next Saturday-" Dumbledore made a few more notices then finally, the students were dismissed.
The new and old Gryffindors journeyed to their common room to the Fat Lady.
"Password?" she asked lazily.
"Non timete mal," said Hermione. The portrait swung open and the students rushed, some to get settled and some for bed.
Ron and Harry went upstairs to find Neville and Dean up there.
"Where's Seamus?" Ron asked, looking at Neville and Dean.
Dean didn't say anything. He just looked at his pillow hard.
"Er, Seamus isn't coming this year," Neville said quietly, nervously looking at Dean. "His family went into hiding."
"Why?" Ron and Harry asked together.
"His dad was killed by a Death Eater," said Dean before Neville could continue. "Seamus's mum didn't want to chance another family member being killed."
"But isn't Hogwarts supposed to be the safest place at the moment?" questioned Harry.
Dean continued, "Well Seamus's mum hasn't always been on the best terms with Dumbledore, hasn't she? But he wrote to me and told me he's going to try and persuade her so that's one good thing." He gave a lout and a little exaggerated yawn. "Think I'll go to bed now."
Soon all the other's did the same. Harry went to bed thinking about what he'd do this year and hoped in vain nothing bad would happen…….
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
'k tell me what you think?
Off to read half blood prince now! toodles!