Harry Potter and the Secret Squib!
Chapter Sixteen: Meeting with McGonagall
Harry got up sleepily the next morning; he had only had a few hours sleep and wasn't in the mood for his first day of school
"C'mon Harry!" Ron sighed "I've been ready for ten minutes"
"That's a first" laughed Harry as slowly buttoned up his shirt and looked out of the murky window; it was still raining outside and looked like it had rained all through the night
"Yeah Ron, Harry's right, that is a first" agreed Dean
Their laughs were suddenly interrupted as Hermione entered the room
"Aren't you boys ready yet? I've been waiting for five minutes!"
"I've been waiting for ten, and anyway, I'm ready, I'm just waiting for this Flobberworm" said Ron nodding in Harry's direction
After a few more tedious minutes Harry and finally finished getting ready
"Finally" sighed Ron "So, can we go now?"
"I wouldn't be surprised if all the food was gone; some of those new first years are right little fat -"
"Dean!" interrupted Hermione quickly "It's not their fault they're a little over weight"
"Yeah, and it's not our fault if they eat all the food!"
Harry, Ron, Seamus and Neville all broke into laughter while Hermione's face looked stern
After a few more minutes the six friends started to head down to the Common Room
"I don't believe it!" said Hermione sounding astonished
"What? What's a matter?" asked Ron looking confused
"Look, over there!" said Hermione as she pointed to the notice board, which had a large new fancy piece of parchment in the middle of it covering the rest.
Weasleys' Wizarding Wheezes!
Too much money to know what to do with?
Bored with plain old Zonko's products?
Then contact Fred and George Weasley now!
If you wish to order a product please send an owl to number ninety-three, Diagon Alley.
(Weasleys' Wizarding Wheezes shall not be held accountable for the consumer's actions with the product.)
"How – How did Fred and George get this up?" asked Dean
"I dunno… maybe they got an owl to bring it" replied Ron
"Yeah, but an owl wouldn't be able to pin it up!" said Hermione
"Maybe they got McGonagall to put it up this morning, you know, so the first years would see" said Harry
The groups pondering was interrupted by Ginny's arrival
"Oh Hey Gin" said Ron
"Hi, I thought I missed you Hermione, you weren't in you room"
"Hey look!" said Seamus happily "The first Hogsmeade date is up"
"Oh yeah" said Dean acknowledgeable "First weekend in October, should be cool"
Ron noticed that Hermione was still staring at Fred and George's poster
"Um, Hermione, you aren't going to take that down are you?"
"Well…" started Hermione
"They haven't broken any rules – they're just selling things, they're not asking for testers again, so, what's the harm?"
"Well, if you'd let me finish" said Hermione coldly "There is no harm, that's the thing, nothing in the school rules says that you can't order practical jokes by owl"
"So Fred and George are actually sticking to the rules?" Ron said amazed
"It looks that way…" replied Hermione
"Will you two stop flirting and hurry up?" said Seamus as he climbed through the portrait hole
"But – we – weren't" Ron stuttered as he climbed through after Seamus
Hermione rolled her eyes as she too climbed through the portrait hole with the rest of the group
"So, Harry, what's the matter? You look kind of pale this morning" asked Ginny as they walked down a flight of stairs
"Oh, its just, well, I didn't get too much sleep last night"
"Oh, did you have the dream again?" replied Ginny
Harry paused before he spoke; he never remembered mentioning his dream to Ginny; just Ron and Hermione
"No, it was – it was something else"
Ginny opened her mouth to inquire further but Ron shot her a look telling her that she shouldn't.
They reached the bottom of the marble staircase after another few quite minutes; Harry noticed a few nervous first years slowly making their way into the hall while quiet obviously whispering about him. As Harry made his way into the Great Hall his eyes focused on the staff table; he watched as the teachers chatted happily to each other
"Well it looks like the first years didn't eat all the food" laughed Dean as he sat down next to Parvati Patil and Lavender Brown
"Yeah" Ron snorted as he straight away started to fill his plate with toast, bacon and eggs "So Harry, when are you going to start recruiting?"
"Um, dunno, I'll probably just put up a notice in the common room; New Beaters and Chaser required"
"Yeah, I wonder if any of them from last year have improved" Seamus said
"Hope so, they'll have more experience from any new people, they did play last year after all" replied Harry
The group's conversation was once again interrupted by the clattering sound of hundreds of owls soaring into the Great Hall through the upper windows. They descended all over the large Hall, dropping letters and packages in front of their owners while also soaking them with droplets of water; it was clear that it was still raining heavily outside. Harry wasn't surprised that he hadn't received any mail; the only people who'd be writing to him were with him at Hogwarts. Hermione, however, had to once again make way for the large damp barn owl that had just landed in front of her with a soggy Daily Prophet clutched in its beak.
"Is there anything about Fudge in there Hermione" asked Ron as Hermione placed a Knut into the leather pouch on the owl's leg and watched as it took off while once again soaking them
"What?" Harry said loudly while sounding hurt "Why do you what to know about him for?" Harry's voice seemed to get more dangerous as he talked about Fudge
"I don't want to know about him the way your thinking mate" said Ron quickly "I want to know if he's be kicked out of office yet, that's all"
Harry looked away and went back to eating his breakfast
"It hasn't said anything about Fudge yet" Hermione said while trying to restart the conversation "Just the usual bit about more Death Eaters surfacing to fight along side Voldemort – Oh Ron, you really should start using his name, Fear of the name just increases -"
"Fear of the object it self – yes Hermione, I know, but still, it's different if you grow up in a pure-blood family" finished Ron
"Guys, can we not talk about Who-Know-Who while we're eating please?" asked Seamus politely "It kinda' puts me off me food"
"Oh, sorry Seamus'" said Ron as he piled yet more food onto his already filled plate
Instead of finishing her food Hermione once again disappeared behind the Daily Prophet. After a few more Voldemort less minutes Professor McGonagall moved quickly along the table handing out small pieces of parchment.
"What? Professor what's this?" asked Ron rudely
"That, Mr. Weasley, is your appointment time to come and see me to discuss this years classes"
"So Professor, we don't have any classes today?" asked Dean excitedly
"That is correct Mr. Thomas"
Smiles appeared on all the sixth years' faces, except Hermione's
"Hermione, what's the matter?" asked Ginny
"No – no classes! I was really hoping to get a good start today…" Hermione said miserably
Ron rolled his eyes away from Hermione and towards the others
"So, Harry, what time you got?"
"What?" Harry said while looking dazed "Oh, ten past two"
"That's after me" said Parvati "I'm at two"
"Well, I've got mine at ten so I'll tell you what its like" said Lavender happily
"Wish I had the whole day off" Ginny said glumly "I expect that all this weeks lessons are just going to be lectures about how important the O.W.L's are"
Ron laughed.
"You're expecting right Gin, but at least you anit got Umbridge giving your lectures!" laughed Ron
"Yeah, you're right; Tonks should be cool, she is an Auror after all" replied Ginny
"I bet she'll be practical too" said Ron happily "After all she does now work with Professor Lupin; he's bound to give her some pointers"
"Wait, she knows Lupin?" Seamus asked
"Yeah, and Mad-Eye and loads more" laughed Harry
"You know, you guys hang around with the weirdest people…" Lavender said jokily
"That's rich coming from the girl who idealises Trelawney" Ron said coldly
"I wonder how many people dropped Defence Against the Dark Arts…" Dean said
"Probably loads because of Umbridge" laughed Harry
"D'ya think all the Slytherins will drop it?" Seamus asked
"Well, even if they do become Death Eaters when their older they'll still need to know how to defend, so, to be honest, I have no idea" answered Hermione
The group's conversation about Death Eaters was yet again interrupted by Professor McGonagall moving up the table handing out even more pieces of parchment.
"I was wondering if I was going to get my timetable" Ginny said as she received her piece of parchment
"What classes you got today? Any good ones?" Ron asked eagerly
"Well, yeah, I guess so" Ginny said as she looked down at her timetable "Double Charms, Herbology, Divination and double Defence Against the Dark Arts"
"Better than ours last year anyway" laughed Harry
"Yeah… Well, I better be off guys, bye"
"See ya Gin" Ron said as he watched as Ginny walked away from the tables with the others sixth-year less students
"Should we go back to the Common Room then?" asked Neville as he picked up his bag from under the table
"Might as well, it's not like we can go outside in this weather" said Harry gloomily as he got up from his chair
"Yeah, trust us lot to get a free day when it's pouring down outside…" agreed Ron as he as well stood up
"Harry would you mind if I took a look at that book Bill got you for your birthday?" asked Hermione as the group began to leave the Great Hall
"Yeah sure" said Harry happily to Hermione's delight "I'll probably take a look through the D.A.D.A book Kingsley got me -"
"Yeah, we could all try out some of the spells on each other" interrupted Ron eagerly
"It'll be like the DA again" said Neville excitedly
"Yeah Harry, d'ya mind if we all take a look aswell?" asked Seamus
"Nah, it's a great idea! I flicked through it over the summer and there was a protection spell I wanted to try out"
"What's the book like? Does it give a good explanation of the spells?" asked Parvati
"Yeah, well good ones, shows you how to use it, where to aim, and what the result will be like" answered Harry
As the group reached the entrance to the Gryffindor Common Room they noticed that The Fat Lady had company
"Who's this?" said Ron as he nodded at the handsome Victorian-looking curly-haired man sitting besides The Fat Lady
"Why aren't you in your – oh – Sixth years – Password?"
"Pad -"
"No wait Hermione – so – who's this then?" interrupted Ron as he was again nodded towards the portraits company
"I, am Sir Hugo De'Lamontre" said the Victorian-looking portrait
"No, I mean, are you her" Ron snorted "You know"
"Can't two portraits have a simple chat anymore without being classed lovers?" said The Fat Lady sounding rather agitated
"Nope" Ron replied cheerily
"Oh, Ron, leave them alone – Padfoot"
"Correct" said the grumpy portrait coldly as it swung open rather faster than usual and almost hit Dean in the face as it did so
"Core, touchy!" said Dean as he jumped out of the way just in time
The eight sixth-year friends all climbed into the scarlet and gold Common Room and sat down in their usual seats
"They feel exactly like the old ones" said Ron as he happily relaxed in his favourite chair
"That's because they are" laughed Hermione "Professor McGonagall told me this morning; she was putting the new Hogsmeade visit dates up when I came down; I asked her if they were new and she told me she just used a repairing charm on them"
"Oh, cool" said Dean who as well was admiring the new looking chairs
"So Hermione, you wanted the code breaking book yeah?" asked Harry
"Yeah, but that is only if you don't mind me reading it"
"Hermione, it's no problem, honest" Harry said cheerfully as he raised his wand into the air "Accio Books"
As Harry finished the spell the two books came soaring into the room gracefully
"Thanks Harry" said Hermione who immediately started reading the book
"So, where'd you want to start? Disarming? Protection? Attacking?" asked Harry
"Attacking sounds good" said Neville encouragingly
"Alright" said Harry as he turned to page thirty-two "The Blinding Charm"
After twenty minutes of practicing the hex, silvery-white streaks of light were starting to shoot across the room; Harry had quiet easily mastered the charm on his first try so he was now helping Neville with his aim
"Err – Harry, how long does this blinding charm last for again" asked Seamus nervously as he rubbed his now silvery-white eyes
Harry laughed
"Who hit you?"
"Me" said Ron as he scratched his head coolly
"Could you hurry an' answer me question please; all I can see is white" said Seamus sounding agitated
"Oh, well it says the time depends on how much effort and feeling the person put into the hex" Harry said as he read from the book "So, it depends really how much Ron wanted to hex you"
"Well – Well anit there an counter-charm?" Seamus said while sounding even more nervous
"Well" said Harry flicking through the book "There's not one that I can see so far"
"You should go down and see Madam Pomfrey" said Hermione as she looked up from The Key to Spell Breaking by Feltic Twaller
"Yeah, I bet she could fix it" said Parvati as she looked up form her exploding snap game against Lavender
"Yeah, Madam Promfrey can fix anything" Lavender said lovingly
"Well, can one of you give me a hand down there? Considering the fact that I can't see!" Seamus was clearly starting to get even more agitated
"I'll take you" said Dean "That way it'll stop me being hit"
Dean led Seamus down to the hospital while Harry turned back to Ron and Neville
"Well, I think that's enough for now" Harry said as he closed the large book "Is it me or is it really cold in here"
"S'not you mate" said Ron as he pulled on his Hogwarts jumper
"Well why do you just light the fire then?" said Hermione as she once again peered over he book
"Good thinking Hermione" Harry said as he pointed his wand at the fire "Incendio"
A roaring fire broke out in the fire place as Harry finished the spell; He, Ron and Neville all immediately moved next to the fire
After twenty more warm minutes Lavender bid farewell to her friends and left for her appointment with Professor McGonagall
"I wonder…" said Hermione as she closed the book for the first time in an hour
"You wonder what?" asked Ron
"Well, Ronald if you let me finish I could tell you" said Hermione coldly "I was going to say I wonder if she'll continue with Divination -"
"Oh course she will!" snapped Parvati instantly "Why wouldn't she?"
"Well, because Firenze is going to be teaching Divination isn't he -"
"Says who!" Parvati snapped back, her voice made her answer sound more like a come back than a question
"Well Firenze can't go back to the Forbidden Forest can he? And I expect Dumbledore will want to put his Centaur knowledge to use" replied Hermione
"Yeah but it doesn't prove that we won't be taught by Professor Trelawney; Professor Firenze might teach the first, second, third and fourth years, and Professor Trelawney will teach the N.E.W.T -"
"Fat chance!" interrupted Ron "Firenze himself said Trelawney was a superstitious fraud, you can't beat the Centaurs at their own game Parvati"
Parvati looked completely hurt
"But – he – can't – Centaurs are stupid anyway!" Parvati said as she stormed from the Common Room while knocking over the Exploding Snap game which landed on the floor with a large sequence of bangs
"Well done Ron" said Hermione spitefully
"What? But you started it!"
"You know she idolises Professor Trelawney, so why go and upset her like that"
"S'pose, so… where'd you think she's gone?" asked Ron
"Probably to go and wait for Lavender" Neville said
"Yeah, that or she's gone to see Trelawney" laughed Harry
A few minutes later Dean climbed back through the Portrait hole
"Hey" said Dean as he walked to rejoin the group
"Hey, where's Seamus?" asked Ron
"Oh, well Madam Pomfrey can't find a counter-curse either so she sent me back up here to ask if she could borrow the book quickly" replied Dean
"Oh, yeah sure" said Harry as he handed the book over "Ron how much feeling did you put into that spell?"
"Well, I was kinda' angry that I couldn't really do it right, so I guess, quite a lot" laughed Ron innocently
"Well, see you, I'll come back up later with Seamus" Dean said as he waved them goodbye and set off through the portrait hole
"D'you reckon he's still with Ginny" Harry asked
"What!" Ron said loudly
"Oh, yeah she is" said Hermione "They owl'd each other all summer -"
"WHAT" Ron shouted
"Oh Ron, shut up" snapped Hermione "Ginny told you last year that she was going out with Dean"
"Yeah but – but I didn't think they were together together!" replied Ron
"Ginny isn't a little girl anymore Ron, she has grown up from the little sister you used to protect, she is a young woman now and can look after her -"
"Hermione, she still is my LITTLE sister, which means I get to look out for her" interrupted Ron
"Oh, Ron" sighed Hermione "Sometimes you can be so sweet but still so wrong, Bill, Charlie, Per – Fred and George all get that she has grown up, why can't you?"
Ron didn't answer back; his mind has gone blank since her heard Hermione call him 'sweet'
"But – she – Ginny – … you really think I'm sweet?" said Ron looking extremely happy
Hermione rolled her eyes affectionately away from Ron and muttered "Boys"
"Well, I'm bored" Harry sighed "I'm going for a walk"
"What? Why?" Hermione asked
"Dunno', just feel like going for a walk" Harry laughed as he made his way across the Common Room
"Hey wait up mate, I'll come with -"
"No!" Harry said quickly "It's – um – alright, Ron, you stay here, I'll be alright"
"Oh – err – see ya then" said Ron stunned
Harry quickly made his way out of the Common Room without an idea of where he was going
"Nice one Harry" Harry thought to himself "Make Ron think you hate him and wonder of without a clue of where you going – real smart"
"Harry!" shouted Lavender as she came hurrying towards him while interrupting his thoughts
"Oh, hi Lavender" said Harry surprised to see anyone else around
"Hi, err – is everyone still in the Common Room?" Lavender asked
"Um… yeah, everyone 'cept me, Seamus, Dean and Parvati" Harry answered
"Oh, do you know where Parvati's gone?" Lavender inquired
"Nah, sorry" said Harry dully
"Oh, well, see you Harry" said Lavender as she turned to leave
"Bye"
Harry continued walking as Lavender run off until he noticed the window to his side, he turned to it and stared outside; in front of him through the pouring rain and dark clouds sat the huge oval Quidditch pitch; Harry watched as the Gryffindor flag flapped furiously in the cold, strong wind.
Harry sighed. He wanted more than anything to be able to go outside and relax with a hot sun beating down on him. However, Harry's eyes suddenly snapped out of their dazedly view as he heard a rustle of footsteps behind him, he turned around quickly to see where the noise had come from
"Hello? Is – Is anyone there?" Harry asked
Several seconds passed without any reply
"I know someone's there… I saw you run around the corner" Harry said loudly
No one answered; in fact, there was no sound around Harry at all
Harry sprinted away from his spot near the window and run to the Common Room
"Hey Harry -" started Ron as Harry entered
"Can't talk – need map" Harry said and he continued to sprint up the spiral staircase
When Harry reached his room he quickly moved towards his trunk at the bottom of his bed and started rummaging through it hastily
"C'mon, where is it… Got it!" said Harry as he pulled out an old looking piece of Parchment "I solemnly swear I am up to no good"
The old piece of parchment started to reveal the entire grounds of Hogwarts; one by one the student's names started to appear on the map
"C'mon, where have you gone" Harry said to himself as he searched the map of the area he was in before "Wait… the Quidditch Pitch?"
Harry turned his head towards the window and tried to spot the Quidditch Pitch through all the heavy rain and fog
"It's no use, I'm going to have to go down there" Harry thought to himself as he sprinted from the dorm and back into the Common Rom
"Where you off to -" started Ron once again
"Can't talk – can't waste time" Harry said as he sprinted through The Fat Lady's portrait
"Slow down you young'on!" said The Fat Lady's guest grumpily as Harry continued to sprint away
After a few more minutes Harry reached the vast oak doors and burst through them and ran out into the heavily pouring rain; he tore down the stone steps (almost slipping over as he did so), across the waterlogged grass, along the wet gravel path, and, then finally, headed for the stadium.
His mouth was completely dry as he continued to run, he found it hard to fight off his stitch and manage to breathe at the same time as he hurtled past the changing rooms and into the stadium.
Harry's jaw dropped; the stadium was completely empty
"What?" Harry said as he raised the map to his eyes and struggled to see it through the rain which was now coming down even more heavily on top of him
His eyes widened; as he stared down at the soaked map he watched as a small black dot labelled Harry Potter slowly walked a few centimetres forward
"Where have they -" Harry stopped mid sentence as his eyes homed in on a certain black dot moving speedily up the Gryffindor stand "gone…"
Harry shot his head towards the stands to try and find the mysterious person; his head switched positions so many times it was like he was trying to spot the Golden Snitch
"It's impossible from down here" Harry thought angrily as he held out his palm face up and placed his wand carefully in the centre with the tip pointing north "Locate"
Harry's wand spun furiously in his hand's palm
"C'mon, hurry up" Harry thought to himself irritably "… Yes!"
The wand had sharply stopped spinning in Harry's hand and had raised into a sixty degree angle pointing up towards the Gryffindor stands
"Got you" Harry said happily as he took the wand from his hand and raised it into the air "Accio Firebolt"
Harry's broom suddenly came into view as it soared through the large oak doors and entered the murky fog and torrential rain outside as it made its way to its caller. Harry threw his leg over the broom as soon as it reached him and kicked off from the muddy ground and flew speedily into the sky
"Where – Where are" Harry paused. It was hard to breath being so high with the wind slamming into his face and unsteadying him from his broom, not only that but it was extremely hard to see through all the rain
"Impervius" Harry said with his arm covering his mouth so he could talk. The rain which had already set on his glasses began to run down the lens' and bounce off "Look, I know you're here" Harry paused once again to catch his breath "Show – Show yourself"
"Please, leave, just leave me alone" said a small and faint voice from somewhere in the stands
Harry was surprised to hear a plea instead of a threat
"I won't – I won't hurt you; I just want to – to talk to you -"
"No, just – just please go away!" said the small whimpering voice once again
As far as Harry was concerned he had not gotten completely soaking wet to just go back to the Common Room; he was determined to find out who the person was so he flew closer to the flooded stands and landed in the wet front row
"Please, just let me – let me talk to you" Harry said loudly so he could be heard through the thunderous wind
No one answered. The only sound around Harry was the wind as it slammed into the stands
"Let me talk to you, please" Harry said louder so he could be heard
Once again no one answered. Harry frantically through the map in front of his eyes; there was only one dot in the whole Quidditch stadium; that dot was labelled 'Harry Potter'
Harry gloomily and confusedly mounted his broom once more and shot off from the flooded stand and flew steadily to the muddy ground below. As Harry trotted across the waterlogged pitch his mind raced with names; he just couldn't place the name he saw on the map with anyone he had seen enter. After a few more moments Harry had arrived at the Gryffindor changing room door, not wanting to go back to the Common Room yet, he went inside and sat down.
Harry just sat there with his head leant backwards on the wall; he could not believe how the mysterious person had managed to get past him, the Marauders Map and a Location charm. Harry pulled his head forward slowly and looked down towards the magical map; Seamus must have fully regained his sight because he was now out of the Hospital wing and having his meeting with Professor McGonagall. Harry gave a quick look at the Gryffindor Common Room (Ron and Neville were both still where they were when Harry left, but Hermione was pacing up and down in the girls dormitories; Harry guessed she must be getting ready to go to her meeting next). He pulled out his wand one last time, tapped the middle of the map and said "Mischief Managed". The Marauders map started to retract all the different lines that made up the 2D hallways and classrooms. Harry once again let his head drift backwards and land softly onto the changing room walls, as he closed his eyes he felt himself start to drift asleep.
"Harry! Harry!" said Ron as he shook Harry awake an hour later. Ron was only slightly wet and looked like he had only been out in the rain for a few seconds
"W – What? Ron? What's a ma -"
"Your meeting! You're late for your meeting!" said Ron frantically "Professor McGonagall sent me, Hermione and Neville to find you"
"What? I'm late!" Harry said as he jumped up and grabbed his Firebolt and the Marauders Map
"Hey Hermione, over here, I found him!" Ron shouted
"Oh, there you are Ha – Why are you soaking wet?" Hermione asked confused as she came in front the rain outside, she too was only slightly wet
"Long story – I'll tell you about it later" Harry said as he broke into a run
"Harry wait, me and Ron will take those for you" Hermione said as she gestured to his broomstick and the map
"Oh, thanks" said Harry as he threw them to Ron "I'll see you in the Common Room later"
"See ya mate" said Ron as he picked himself up off the floor
"Bye Harry" Hermione said as she started to help Ron get up off the floor
Harry burst threw the changing room doors and once again ran out into the freezing cold pouring rain; he sprinted along the wet gravel path, across the waterlogged grass, and straight up the stone steps (once again almost slipping as he did so) and finally he reached the large oak doors which opened up slowly as he approached.
"Please don't be too late" Harry muttered to himself "Please don't be too late. Please don't be -"
"Mr. Potter" came a stern and posh voice from Harry's side
Harry stopped immediately
"I'm sorry I'm late Professor, I – err – fell asleep in the -"
"We don't need a full explanation now Mr. Potter; you've wasted quiet enough time as it is, now please, follow me" said Professor McGonagall harshly as she lead Harry to her office.
A few moments later, after they had only walked about ten steps, Professor McGonagall stopped suddenly
"Mr. Potter, do you have to make such an awful squelching sound?"
"What?" Harry said sounding confused as he looked down at his soaking and muddy shoes "Oh, sorry Professor"
"How in Merlin did you get so wet if you were just sleeping?" inquired Professor McGonagall
"Well, it's a long story" said Harry as he looked back at the muddy trail he had caused
"Indeed. Well, there's no point having you walking around the school drenched from head to toe" said Professor McGonagall as she pulled out her wand and gave it a shape flick towards Harry
Harry felt a beautifully warm sensation come over him; it felt very much the opposite of having the disillusionment charm put on him. As Harry checked his robes he realised that he was perfectly dry
"Come along now Mr. Potter" said Professor McGonagall who had already started walking again
"Professor, what about all the mud, shouldn't we -"
"I'll let Argus get that, it is his job after all" said Professor McGonagall coldly. Harry was sure that she still hadn't forgiven him for siding with Professor Umbridge the year previous
After a few more minutes they reached the marble staircase leading to Professor McGonagall's office
"I trust you know the intention of this meeting" asked Professor McGonagall as she began to walk up the staircase
"Yeah, it's to decide on this years classes" answered Harry as he ran to catch up with Professor McGonagall
"That is correct, but I'd also like to discuss the matter of your captainship of the Gryffindor Quidditch team" replied Professor McGonagall as she began to walk down the hall way leading to her office
"My captainship? Have I done something wrong?" Harry asked
"Oh no, I just want to make sure you captain us to another year with the House Cup" Professor McGonagall said happily as she approached her door "Tabby Cat". The two stone lion's on either side of her door roared with approval; they began to spin around slowly and pull the door open. As Harry followed her inside he couldn't remember the last time he was here; he looked around the tidy square tartan office; in front of him sat a large oak desk which was neatly filled with parchment and quills. As he continued to look around the room his eyes were drawn to the large glass cabinet on his left hand side; inside the cabinet the House Cup sparkled against his glasses.
"Please, Mr. Potter, take a seat" Professor McGonagall said as she conjured up a rather uncomfortable looking chair
"Thanks" Harry said as he took the seat
"So, Mr. Potter" Professor McGonagall said as she sat down in her chair "Is it still your wish to become an Auror?"
"Yeah!" Harry said quickly "But, I don't think I can…"
"Why do you think that?" inquired Professor McGonagall
"Well, because I only got an A in my Potion's exam, and you said that Professor Snape only accepts people who get over an E" Harry answered
"Ah, well, Professor Dumbledore thought you might ask that question, so he asked Professor Snape to take you on as a favour for him" Professor McGonagall said with a smile
Harry sat there with his mouth open; he couldn't believe he would be able to train for an Auror
"So" said Professor McGonagall as she pushed a piece of parchment and a quill towards Harry "Please mark off the subjects you wish to continue"
Harry looked down at the list; he instantly grabbed the quill and put a tick next to Defence Against the Dark Arts, Transfiguration, Charms, Herbology, Care of Magical Creations and, which Harry had thought about long and hard about, Potions.
"So" Professor McGonagall said as she took the paper back "You have decided to drop Astronomy, Divination, and History of Magic, is that correct?"
Harry nodded.
"Very well then" Professor McGonagall said as she made a square in the air with her wand "Here is your new timetable Mr. Potter"
Harry watched as the air drawn square started to materialise into a square piece of parchment which floated neatly down to Harry
"As you can see Mr. Potter, I have also included Occlumency by special request from Professor Dumbledore"
"Oh, but Professor, what's this?" Harry asked pointing to the parchment
"That, Mr. Potter, is another special requested class from professor Dumbledore" answered Professor McGonagall
"Advanced Defence Against the Dark Art? But why do I need -"
"Professor Dumbledore thought after your talk last year that you would benefit from far more advanced defence classes than you are currently taking"
Harry was speechless; being taught Defence Against the Dark Arts by an Auror and the only person Voldemort has ever feared would be amazing
"Now Mr. Potter, I would like to speak to you about this years coming Quidditch season" Professor McGonagall started "I take it you know how to reserve the Quidditch pitch for tryouts and training, yes?"
"Well, err – no" Harry said nervously
"Oh, well to reserve the pitch you must speak with Madam Hooch, as you may know it is first come first serve"
Harry nodded encouragingly
"What are you plan's on recruiting a new team this year Mr. Potter?" Professor McGonagall asked
"Well, err – I was going to put up a notice in the Common Room, and ask last years players if they would like to re-tryout" answered Harry
"Very well Mr. Potter, you may go" Professor McGonagall said as she stood up
"Thanks Professor" replied Harry as he stood up and made his way over to the door "Oh, Professor, there was something I wanted to ask you"
"Go ahead Mr. Potter"
"Well, have you still got the list of names from the sorting?"
"The sorting? Oh my no, once we have sorted the pupils there is no need for such list; why do you ask?"
"Oh, well – err – I was – err – wondering if I could have a copy of it for err – Quidditch, yeah, Quidditch"
"Oh" said Professor McGonagall sounding suspicious "Well, there is a way that you could once again hear the full contents of the list"
"Really? How" Harry said a bit too enthusiastically
"The Sorting Hat, Mr. Potter"
"Harry" said Ron loudly five minutes as Harry's climbed through the portrait hole. The whole group from that morning were there, all except Dean.
"Hey" replied Harry as he walked up to the group
"How'd it go?" Ron asked
"Pretty well" answered Harry
"Harry, can I see your timetable?" Hermione asked
"Yeah, sure" Harry said as he handed her the small piece of parchment
"You dropped history of magic!" Hermione said sounding horrified
"Of course I did" replied Harry coolly
"Harry, how comes you got two lots of Defence Against the Dark Arts?" Ron asked looking puzzled
"One's normal, and one's special advanced classes from Dumbledore"
"You're being taught by Dumbledore…" Neville said sounding amazed
"Yeah"
"So they're making you take Occlumency again? That's good" said Hermione cheerfully
"You might think so, Snape is such a -"
"Haven't you looked at your timetable? You're being taught by Dumbledore this year, not Snape…" said Hermione showing Harry the parchment
"You're joking…" Harry said sounding bewildered
"Nope" said Hermione happily
"So, Harry, what'd McGonagall say about you O.W.L results?" asked Ron
Harry knew what Ron meant by 'O.W.L results'; Harry knew he was asking whether he could begin to train as an Auror even though he barely passed Potions
"Well, she said that they were good enough for me to qualify as an Auror"
"That's great mate!" Ron said happily
"But, I thought Snape only took people above an E" asked Hermione
"He does, but Dumbledore 'persuaded' him to let me in" Harry laughed
"You didn't drop Care of Magical Creatures did ya?" asked Ron
"Course not!" Harry said quickly "Ron, when have you got your meeting anyway?" Harry asked
"In about three hours" laughed Ron "I can't wait to drop Potions!"
Harry shot an angry look at Ron
"It's not like I wouldn't like to be an Auror Harry, but well, you know, I'm hopeless at Potions" Ron said
"You're not worse than me" Neville said glumly "But in my meeting Professor McGonagall said that if you are good enough in Herbology you don't really need Potions, so if I do decide to train as an Auror -"
"You want to be an Auror!" Seamus said loudly
"Well, I'd really like to be a Herbologist, but Gran says I should be an Auror like my parents were" replied Neville proudly
This was the first time that Harry had ever heard Neville talk so freely and proudly about his Parents
"So, Seamus, what do YOU want to do when you're older then?" asked Dean who seemed to have just entered
"Well – err – I dunno! I wouldn't mind bein' a Dragon Tamer or somethin'" answered Seamus
Ron laughed.
"You – a Dragon Tamer! You couldn't even handle the Blast-Ended Skrewts in our fourth year!"
"Yeah I could!" argued Seamus
"Trust me Seamus; Dragon's are hard" said Harry who knew perfectly well how hard it was to handle a dragon when in his fourth year he was made to defend himself against one during his first task of The Triwizard Tournament
"It was only an idea! What do you want to be then Dean?" Seamus said sounding slightly annoyed
"Well, I was thinking about becoming an Artist, you know, for the Daily Prophet or something"
"An artist? Like the Muggles have? What kind of a borin' job is that?"
"Suit your self" shrugged Dean
"So Harry, what was so important earlier?" Ron asked
"Oh, err – I err – thought I saw – um – someone on the Quidditch Pitch – and I – err – wanted to see who it was, you know, maybe recruit them if they were Gryffindor"
"Cool, were they?" Dean asked
"Dunno', I didn't see them when I got down there, I probably missed them" replied Harry
"But who'd be practicing Quidditch in that weather" Ron asked as he gestured towards the window
"No idea, but who ever they were they were moving quiet fast" Harry replied
"You think they were on a Firebolt?" Neville asked
"Not that fast; maybe a Nimbus two thousand or two thousand and one" answered Harry
"Harry, fancy a game of Wizard's Chess?" Ron asked
"Go on then" Harry replied cheerfully as Ron began to run up to the dorms and get the chess pieces
"Neville, wanna' game of exploding snap?" Dean asked
"Can't, I have to go and show Professor Sprout my Mimbulus Mimbletonia so she can check up on it" Neville said as he checked his watch and began to run up the spiral staircase
"Seamus, wanna' play?" Dean asked
"Yeah, alright" Seamus said happily
"Well, you boys have fun playing around" Hermione said as she got up to leave
"Where're you off to?" Ron asked as he came down as saw Hermione walking towards the door
"The Library, I need to catch up on -"
"But we haven't even had any classes yet Hermione, how can you have homework?" Ron asked confusedly
"I wasn't going to say homework Ronald, if you'd just let me finish I could tell you" Hermione shot
Ron rolled his eyes
"What then?"
"S.P.E.W"
Ron let out a large sigh as Hermione walked towards the portrait
"Will she ever learn that the House-Elf's like being treated as slaves?"
"Probably not" laughed Harry as he made sure Hermione's was gone
Hermione's PoV:
"S.P.E.W"
Hermione heard as Ron let out a huge sigh as she walked towards the portrait
"Those boys" she thought as she climbed through the portrait hole "They must think I'm completely deaf!"
"Well, well, well, if it isn't Potties friend, Gangrene, out of class are we?" chuckled Peeves five minutes later as Hermione walked down the fifth floor
"Why now" Hermione thought
"Please go away Peeves, I'm busy" replied Hermione as she tried to ignore the childish poltergeist
"Don't look too busy to me" Peeves said sweetly as she floated slowly after her
"Why now, why now" Hermione thought
"Well I would be if you left me alone" said Hermione sounding slightly irritated
"Spoilsport" Peeves said as he blew a raspberry and floated away
"Good, he listened for once" Hermione thought as she continued walking
After several Peeves-less minutes Hermione made it to the Library entrance
"Hi Hermione!" shouted a pretty Ravenclaw girl from across the hall
"Shh!" Madam Prince, the Librarian, hissed
"Sorry!" said the Ravenclaw quietly
"Hi Alice" Hermione said quietly to the girl as she sat down next to here "What're you doing here?"
"Oh you know, just reading" Alice said quietly while showing Hermione the front of the book (Veritaserum: The Truth Behind The Potion by Milfreed Winester) "All the boys are having a party in the Common Room, I can't get any reading done with them racketing on"
"I know what you mean, there were only a few of us in our Common Room and there still was loads of noise; honestly, who ever invented Exploding Snap had no respect for other people's feelings" Hermione agreed quietly
Alice giggled
"So, what are you doing down here anyway?"
"Oh, I'm working on S.P.E.W" Hermione replied
"But Hermione, the House-Elves like working for us" Alice replied
"I know, that's why I have changed the principals from last year" Hermione said happily "I'm no longer trying to set them free, I'm just telling them what freedom offers, and then maybe they can make their own choice"
By the time Dinner rolled around the whole group had met back up in the Great Hall
"So, how was your day Gin?" Ron asked
"Terrible, all we did was get lectured about the O.W.L's, we barely even got to do anything practical"
Ron laughed
"Just wait a few more months Gin; it'll get a lot worse"
"Harry!" shouted a pretty blonde seventh year girl as she came hurrying towards Harry
"Oh, hi Katie" said Harry as he turned around
"Hi, I was just wondering about the Quidditch team"
"What about it?" Harry replied
"Well, if I could join as Chaser again" said Katie hopefully
"'Course you can!" Harry said quickly "We're really going to need you this year"
"Oh, thanks Harry!" Katie said as she leaned down and gave Harry a small kiss of the check and walked off
"Still can't keep 'em off you ay' Harry" Tonks laughed. She had just walked into The Great Hall and witnessed Harry being kissed. She looked very much like a proper Wizard in some areas now; but her hair was now blue and Harry could of swore he saw a Weird Sister's t-shirt under her light and dark blue robes
"Tonks you have the worst timing, you know that?" Harry replied jokily
"Worst for you, best for me" laughed Tonks as she walked over to the staff table
After a few more minutes The Great Hall started to fill with students; old and new
"So, Hermione, is it true you met Peeves on your way to the Library?" Dean asked
"What? How did you know about that?" Hermione asked bewildered
"He came in the Common Room, bragging" Ron answered
"Figures, he is so -"
But Hermione's sentence was quickly interrupted as Peeves poured a bucket of Pumpkin Juice over her head
"PEEVES!" roared Hermione
"Serves you right" chuckled Peeves as he floated off happily. The Slytherins were obviously delighted with what Peeves had done by the sounds of their hysteric laughter
"I'm soaked" Hermione said angrily through gritted teeth "Would you guys mind bringing me up some food later? I'm going to take a bath and I'll probably miss dinner"
"Yeah, sure" Ron said quickly as Hermione left The Great Hall
"Wonder why Peeves' so angry" Ginny asked
"What d'ya mean? Angry?" Seamus asked
"Well, usually if someone tells him to get lost he doesn't go and soak them does he?" answered Ginny
"I reckon that he misses Fred n' George if you ask me" Ron said "He used to help them plan pranks"
Harry laughed
"Oh about time!" Ron said greedily as the food magically appeared in front of them "I'm starving!"
"Me too" Harry said as he helped himself to a Chicken leg
"No wonder, after running around the school for half the day I don't blame you" Neville laughed
"D'you reckon we should tell Professor McGonagall about Peeves?" Ginny asked
"No point; she saw it all" Harry answered
"What? But why didn't she do anything?" Ginny replied
"Because Professor McGonagall knows that it would just embarrass Hermione more" Ron said "Not everyone saw it, but if McGonagall walked up to her and drew attention to it"
"Yeah I guess" Ginny sighed
"Gin, stop worrying about Hermione and just eat" Ron said as he pushed some Chicken towards his sister
"I wonder how much Hermione will want" Ginny said as she began putting pieces of Chicken onto a napkin
"Well, anything she don't eat the hover will" Dean laughed as he gestured to Ron
"Shupt ub" Ron said with his mouth full of food
"So, Neville how'd the talk with Sprout go?" Harry asked
"Oh really well, she took a little sample from my Mimbulus Mimbletonia to try and bread it early"
"How can you take a sample of a plant?" Seamus asked sounding confused
"Well, we used some of its Stinksap" Neville said happily
Harry remembered his year previous when he and Neville were both completely drenched with the gooey liquid
After another forty-five minutes the well fed occupant's started to leave The Great Hall and make their to their dorms
"So, shall we go?" asked Ginny as she stood up
"Yeah, might as well, I bet Hermione'll be hungry" Harry said
"She probably will, last time she eat was at Breakfast I think, I didn't see her at lunch" Ron said as he too stood up and began to leave the hall
"I wonder where Peeves went after he'd -"
But Dean's sentence was soon interrupted as a crying Hufflepuff third-year sped around the corner and past them covered in cream
"Huh?" Ron said "What happened to her?"
"Let's go find out" Harry said as he ran around the corner
"Wait up mate!" Ron said as he and the others sped after Harry
As the group rounded the corner they were met with Peeves' chuckling laughter
"Oh look, it's potty and weasel"
"Get lost Peeves" Ron said angrily
"Pop goes the weasel!" Peeves sung as he threw some sort of magical banger at Ron's feet
"Oi! I'm a Prefect, you can't do -"
But Ron's sentence was drowned on account of Peeves stuffing a cake into his mouth
"STUPEFY" Harry yelled as he wiped out his wand a pointed it at Peeves, who managed to easily dodge the red sparks
"Potties gone potty! Potties gone potty" Peeves laughed as he floated around happily
"PEEVES!" came a familiar strict voice
"Yes Minny?" Peeves said sweetly as Professor McGonagall came out of The Great Hall
"What is the meaning of this?" she said while throwing her hand at the girl who was still covered in cream
"Not me Minny" Peeves chuckled sweetly while floating around on his back
"Well we'll see what The Bloody Baron thinks of that" Professor McGonagall said with a smirk
Peeves childish smile had instantly turned into a worried look
"Mr. Thomas, could you please go and alert The Bloody Baron that he is needed? I believe he is currently down in the dungeons"
Dean nodded and started to walk down to the dungeons, but didn't even take four steps before Peeves had dove through the floor headfirst
"Such childish behaviour" Professor McGonagall said as she turned back towards the third year girl "Scourgify"
The girl's completely covered robes and face became perfectly cream free
"Shouldn't you be in a zoo if you want to eat like that Mr. Weasley?" Snape said cruelly. He had come out with Professor McGonagall and Professor Flitwick to see what Peeves was up to
"That poltergeist has got problems" Ron said grumpily as he through the cake on the floor after he made sure Snape was out of view
"Told you he was angry about something didn't I" Ginny said smugly as he began to climb the stairs to the Gryffindor Common Room
"Yeah, looks like he isn't angry about Fred an' George then"
After several more minutes of discussion about the pesky poltergeist the group reached the entrance to the Gryffindor Common Room
"Padfoot" Harry said proudly
"Correct" The Fat Lady said as her portrait swung open
"Oh good you're back" Hermione said as the group began to climb through the hole
"Yeah, and we brought you some food, but it's kinda' cold" Ginny said as she handed Hermione the napkin containing the food
"Thanks" Hermione said as he took the napkin and laid it out on the table "Firio"
Hermione's cold Chicken started to sizzle and pop and it become hotter
"Perfect" Hermione said as she raised her wand away and the Chicken instantly stopped sizzling
"So, Hermione, how'd the bath go? Get all the Pumpkin Juice out?" Ginny asked
"The bath was lovely, and I had a really interesting chat with Reina, you know, the mermaid" Hermione shot Harry a smug look
"What'd you talk about?" Harry said innocently
"You…" Hermione replied casually
"Me?" Harry said even more innocently
"Yeah and how you and you're Golden Egg got on in your fourth year" Hermione laughed
"Oh… that" Harry replied gloomily
"Err – Hermione, she didn't – err – say anything about me did she?" Ron asked nervously
"Not today she didn't" Hermione answered
"Oh, good" Ron said "– Wait – what d'ya mean not today!"
Hermione laughed
"So what did you guys -"
"PROFESSOR LUPIN!" Seamus yelled loudly as he interrupted Ginny
"Seamus what are you – Ahh!" Dean screamed
Harry instantly searched the room for any sign of why Seamus and Dean had screamed; Harry's mouth completely dropped when he saw the scared face of Lupin sitting in the fireplace
"Harry" Lupin nodded
"Err – Hi – Professor, what are you doing here?" Harry asked
"I need to talk to you, but I can see you have company" said Lupin "Can you be at this fire around twelve o'clock tonight?"
"Err – yeah – why?" Harry answered
"I'll tell you at twelve, and make sure you're the only one by the fire, we don't want people hearing things they don't need to (Lupin gave a quick look to Ron), well, see you then Harry"
And with a tiny pop Lupin's head vanished from the flames
"What d'you think he wants you for Harry?" Ginny asked
"Dunno" Harry said honestly
"It was a bit risky, wasn't it, appearing in the fire when half the ministry is still looking for him" Hermione said worriedly
"What? Why would the ministry still be looking for him?" Harry asked, stunned
"Because he hasn't checked in with the ministry for over a year now" Hermione answered
"Why would he need to check in?" Ron asked
"Didn't you pay attention when Snape made us right that Werewolf essay in our third year? All Werewolf's have to check in with the ministry once a month to make sure they aren't, well, wild"
"So, just because he hasn't checked in they're declaring him some sort of rabid animal?"
"Sadly, yes"
"Well that's stupid" Dean said loudly "Professor Lupin wouldn't hurt any of us if he had the choice"
"Yes, and that's precisely why; he doesn't have the choice when he transforms, he loses all of himself and becomes a – a monster" Hermione replied
"Harry you better tell us what Lupin says" Ron said as he tried to change the subject
"Ron, I think if Lupin wanted you to know what he was on about he would have asked to talk to you as well!" Hermione said sternly
Harry's mind was racing; in just four hours he would be talking to Lupin about something that he didn't even have the faintest idea about
At quarter to twelve Harry, who had only been in his bed for an hour, pulled back the red velvet curtains and put his Hogwarts robes to cover his pyjamas. As Harry made his way down the spiral staircase he couldn't hear anything voices from down in the Common Room, it sounded like Ron and Hermione had done as Lupin and Harry had asked and kept everyone out of the Common Room. Harry sat down in his favourite arm chair opposite the fire and watched the flames dance around until Lupin's head once again popped up in the middle of the flames
"Hi Professor" Harry said
"Good evening Harry" Professor Lupin nodded "I take it we're alone?"
"Yeah, I think so"
"Good, now down to business" Lupin paused "As you now know, Tonks is now your new Defence Professor, but that isn't her only post there"
"What – what d'ya mean"
"Well, Harry, Tonks is there to protect someone -"
"You mean me?" Harry interrupted
"Well, yes, and no, you see, this year at Hogwarts there is someone there who shouldn't really be there"
Harry mind was racing; could Professor Lupin be talking about the person Harry was chasing earlier?
"I wish I could tell you more Harry, but Dumbledore believes it would be better if you knew as little as possible, because for once this doesn't really concern you"
"Why tell me then?" Harry said while sounding slightly annoyed
"Because you have quiet a habit of finding out things that you don't need to know -"
"Name one"
"I can do more than that Harry; The Philosopher's Stone, The Chamber of Secrets, Sirius being your godfather, The First Task of The Triwizard Tournament, and The Department of Mysteries"
Harry's stomach did a flip; all that information had been private, and Harry had always found a way to find it out
Harry's thoughts were interrupted by a hooded figurer walking through the Gryffindor Common Room
"Hope I'm not too late Remus"
"Oh, no, you're fine Tonks, I was just telling Harry about Hogwarts' guest this year" Lupin said as Tonks took the seat next to Harry
"So, as I was saying Harry, I want you to keep alert this year, because this guest may bring some unwanted attention to you and themselves"
"What kind of unwanted attention?" Harry asked
"Well, Death Eater's are our best guess at the moment"
"Death Eaters – at Hogwarts? But, wouldn't they be afraid of Dumbledore?" Harry asked again sounding nervous
"Well, that's one of the problems; because Dumbledore is once again the Chief Warlock of the Wizengamot and Chairman of the International Confederation of Wizards, he will be away from Hogwarts very regularly"
"But" Harry said "He never used to be away when he had his titles before"
"Yeah, but that was before everyone knew Voldemort was back, many Wizard's and Witches are panicking now; like they did all those years before" Lupin answered
"So you're saying because Dumbledore will be away from Hogwarts Death Eaters are going to try and kill this mystery person and maybe me as well?"
"Yep" answered Tonks cheerily "And that's why I've been put here, not so much for you're protection, but for – there's"
"Right" Harry nodded "So just a usual year at Hogwarts then, and I thought this year would be easy"
Lupin laughed
"Well, I better be going; I believe Molly wants to have a quick word with you before you go Harry"
Harry gave a smile a Mrs. Weasley's head appeared in the fire
"Oh Harry dear, I hope everything is all right? The reason why Dumbledore let this – well you know – person in the school I will never know"
Harry laughed
"Please dear, if you ever need something feel free to talk to me about anything"
Harry nodded
"I do hope your goodness will rub off on Ron, sooner or later. That boy has no idea what to do with his life, but if he follows his O.W.L's I'm confident he'll do just fine"
Harry smiled; Mrs. Weasley always made such a fuss over Harry, more some than her own children
"Well, I don't want to keep you up dear, have a nice sleep and have a good day tomorrow, oh and please give Ronnikins my love"
And with a small pop Mrs. Weasley was gone and the fire returned to normal
"Well, best follow her orders and get to bed eh'" said Tonks as she stood up from the comfortable scarlet chair "Don't be late tomorrow Mr. Potter, I have something very interesting planned"
"Yeah, alright Ton – Professor Tonks" replied Harry
"If only me mum could see me now; a Professor at Hogwarts" Tonks said proudly
"Why can't she? Is she –"
"Oh no she isn't dead; she's just on holiday in France and I'm pretty sure she can't see me from there" Tonks laughed as she made her way to the portrait hole
"Night Harry"
"Night Professor"
Harry started to make his way across the Gryffindor Common Room and up the spiral staircase; as Harry entered his dorm at the highest point of the tower he saw Ron sitting up in his bed with his hangings pulled open
"Been waiting for me?" Harry asked jokily
"Nah, I've been waiting for a hair cut – of course I have!"
As Harry moved over to his bed he noticed that Hermione sitting up eagerly on it; she too had obviously been waiting for Harry
"Make your self at home why don't you" Harry said sarcastically as he sat down on the edge of his bed
"Sorry, but we weren't sure how long you was going to take" Hermione reasoned
"So, how'd it go?" asked Ron
"Well, pretty well… I think" Harry answered
"What'd he want to talk to you about?" Ron asked
"Well, he started by telling me that this year at Hogwarts will be pretty much like the last five –"
"Some one's trying to kill you?" said Hermione fretfully
"Yep" Harry answered casually
"What! But Dumbledore surely won't let anyone get near you" Hermione was sounding more and more worried
"He can't help me if he's not here" Harry said "Because he's got cleared of being a fraud he's the Chief of the Wizengamot again and has to serve at the Death Eaters' trials"
"So, you're saying that someone is once again trying to kill you and once again Dumbledore can't really help out till the last minute" Ron said stunned
"Kinda, yeah"
"So they didn't talk to you about anything else?" Hermione asked still sounding worried
"Well, they did say about something else…"
"What?" Ron asked eagerly
Harry's mind began to race with the question of whether he should he tell them about the mysterious person that Lupin warned him about? He instantly knew that Hermione would start researching in books for what kind of person isn't allowed at Hogwarts and how they could be there. Harry's mind then started to process Ron's answer; he would just shrug it off and complain about them not being the Quidditch player Harry said he had witnessed
"Well?" Ron said interrupting Harry thoughts
"Oh, well, they said about how much your mum misses her ickle Ronnikins and how much she loves him" Harry laughed as he purposely decided not to inform them about the visitor
"Can't she go one day without telling me?" Ron sighed
"Well, I'm going to go abed now guys, I'll see you in the morning" Hermione said as she got out of Harry's bed and made her way down the spiral staircase and into the Girls dormitories
"Ron… Ron… RON!" Harry shouted
"What? What's a matter?" Ron said dazedly
"You're gazing at her again"
"At who?"
"The Fat Lady! Who'd you think?"
"What? The Fat –"
"Hermione, you were gazing at Hermione" Harry sighed
"I weren't gazing at her… I was just watching her beautifully gliding across the room"
"Whatever Romeo, I'm going asleep. Night." Harry said as he through his robes to the end of his bed and climbed inside his covers
"Night" Ron replied as the two boys both pulled their velvet hangings shut around them