Chapter 5

September 1st

I dont own any characters from HP

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Harry had finally asked Ron about the article in Daily Prophet.

"Oh that mate" Ron started, "Don't worry too much about it, not worth it. We all know none of it is true especially after last year with that Skeeter woman. Would never have believed she was a beetle until Hermione showed us, really Harry I over reacted in that letter."

He didn't know if he should pursue the conversation or move on to something else, all he could do was nod his head and continue with his packing. He should have known that if it had been really serious Ron would have told him as he had been living in the Burrow for over a month now.

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Harry couldn't believe it was August 31st so soon. Tomorrow he would be going back to Hogwarts, seeing all his friends again, playing Quidditch, getting ready for his O.W.L's and of course seeing Cho.

He felt the heat rush to his cheeks the minute he thought of her. Would she even talk to him after last year? Would he get the chance to tell her how he felt or would it be too soon after Cedric? Did she blame him for what happened, would she ever let him explain that it wasn't his fault. He had tried to do the right thing and not be the hero this time, hadn't he?

"And then I said, yes Draco, I do fancy you."

Ron's voice was heard through Harry's thoughts.

"What!" Harry blinked, "You fancy Malfoy?"

"Finally, at least that got your attention" Ron said, "You've haven't listened to one thing I've said. You alright mate? You looked completely out of it for a moment; your eyes were all glazed over and out of focus."

Yeah, I'm fine" Harry lied, "What were you saying before that?"

As the boys continued to pack Ron retold Harry what he had missed. Hermione appeared at the door, she had been staying in the Burrow since Harry's birthday, and she had her cat Crookshanks in her hand. Before Ron would have gone mental seeing Hermione's cat, but due to Ron's rat Scabbers turning out to be Peter Pettigrew and running away he didn't mind the cat anymore.

"Aren't you two ready yet?" she asked "and they say girls take ages trying to decide what to bring" she laughed.

Harry and Ron just glared at her and she took the hint leaving the boys to continue packing. Ron sighed and shook his head.

Ron and Hermione had been selected as Prefects for the school. Harry was delighted for the two of them. He wasn't at all jealous because he had no interest in being a prefect. Ron was shocked when he had opened his letter. He had tried to feel sorry for Harry for not being selected but he couldn't hide the fact that he was happy to have been chosen. Fred and George were disgusted with Ron and they had even threatened to disown him and gladly have Harry take his place in the family.

"You'd better not become the next Percy" George had demanded.

"The shame" said Fred shaking his head, "We thought you of all people Ron would have taken after us, but you're just like the rest of them. Shame, shame, shame"

"It's a sad day," said George as he pretended to wipe his eyes, "sad day."

Percy was beaming from ear to ear, "I remember when I got my badge, happiest day of my life Ronald."

Ron cringed and tried to get Harry to rescue him, but Harry was having too much fun and only encouraged Percy by saying,

"Percy, Ron was asking the other day what did you use to polish your badge? So his can look like yours did"

Ron's face was enough for Harry, the sheer look of shock was priceless, and before Harry exploded with the laughter Percy said,

"I think I have some upstairs, come on Ron I'll show you what you need and how to get the badge streak free!"

Ron tried to stutter something but Percy wasn't listening; he was discussing polish and cloths. Ron was missing most of the evening and when he had finally got away from Percy's clutches he was very hot and bothered and refused to speak to Harry.

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They had gone to Diagon Alley the week before and bought all their school supplies. Ron got new dress robes as promised from Fred and George. Harry hadn't grown at all compared to Ron. His old robes would have been fine except for the big tear down one arm, he rubbed his right arm without even realising he was rubbing it and he felt new robes were needed, too many memories with the other ones.

As the two boys were being measured, Draco Malfoy had entered the shop with his father. Ron curled his fist into a ball as soon as he saw them enter.

Draco sneered at Harry and said "My, my Potter, need new robes? Something wrong with your old ones, you haven't grown, so must be some other reason." Raising an eyebrow he said "Has Saint Potter been giving blood to the needy?"

"Draco, leave Mr. Potter alone, you know how shy he is when it comes to his charitable ways," Lucius Malfoy laughed.

"Ouch!" yelled Harry

"Well you have to stop moving dear, now standstill while I continue to pin these robes up for you" said the shop assistant. "Hate this time of year," she continued mumbling to herself. "Kids haven't one bit of manners today, how am I expected to pin robes if they can't stand still for more than a few seconds…oh really will you stand still"

"Sorry" Harry blushed, he had wanted to go over and thump Malfoy for what he had said. Malfoy had also deliberately picked out the dearest material and had loudly said in Ron's direction,

"What about these Father, the material is elegant and smooth not like those other one's," turning to the rail that Ron had picked his material from.

When Ron and Harry had paid for their robes, Ron turned to Malfoy

"Yes that material is very good, but I wouldn't go for that colour, maybe a grey to go with your eyes…..don't move now, she might just prick…."

"Ouch! Woman" Draco snapped

"You" Ron continued, laughing with Harry as they left the shop.

All afternoon the three friends had spent shopping and after everything on their lists has been bought with a few extras thrown in they headed to the Leaky Cauldron to meet up with the rest of the Weasley family.

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September 1st was always a busy day in every student's home, and the Weasleys were exactly the same. Arthur had arranged for three cars to arrive and collect everyone to bring them to Kingcross Station. They needed to be on the platform before eleven or the train would have left without them just like it had done when Ron and Harry were just starting Second Year.

The entrance had blocked itself and Ron and Harry had missed the train. There were both nearly expelled from Hogwarts because Ron thought driving his father's car was the answer, but Ron forgot that Muggles weren't accustomed to seeing a flying car. If they had both been in Slytherin they would have been expelled for sure but thankfully Professor McGongall had decided otherwise.

Harry looked at his watch; he had to replace his old one when it had stopped working last year.

"Waterproof" he moaned, "The blasted thing wasn't waterproof"

Hermione intervened "It's only waterproof from splashes, rain or very little water; you were at the bottom of the sea for almost an hour. What did you expect?"

"It's almost 10:35, we have to get going" he replied desperately.

Twice they had gone back because George forgot his cauldron, and then Ginny forgot her broomstick.

"Anything else?" a cross Molly Weasley asked before everyone scrambled back into the cars.

As soon as Harry arrived he got a trolley for all his belongings and for Hedwig's cage. Then hugging Mr. & Mrs. Weasley and thanking them for everything he took a deep breath and ran towards the wall that blocked off the platform for 9 ¾

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They found their usual compartment down the back of the train. It wasn't long before Neville Longbottom, Seamus Finnegan and Dean Thomas joined them and before long everyone was telling each other about their Summer and what they all got up to. Half way through the journey the trolley lady arrived and soon everyone in the compartment was munching on chocolate frogs, dragon snaps and fire mints (these were very strong mints that had to be eaten one at a time)

As night fell everyone changed into his or her school robes. Hermione and Ron both pinned their Prefect's badges on and everyone in the carriage gave them a round of applause. Just as the cheers came to an end Malfoy, Crabbe and Goyle opened the compartment door and everyone stopped. Their hanging on Malfoy's robes was also a shiny letter "P."

"They made you a prefect Malfoy?" Ginny snorted

"Of course, you don't think Dumbledore wouldn't pick the best to run this school now would he?"

Looking to Harry "Why Potter no badge for you, not special enough to be part of the gang? I doubt anyone in this whole carriage got one" he sneered.

"Is that a fact?" Hermione stood quite proudly showing Malfoy her badge.

"Yeah, is that a fact?" repeated Ron who for the first time since getting the badge looked very proud of having it, even if Fred and George had been disgusted Ron stood there with pride. Harry was very proud of his two best friends standing he said,

"It seems you are once again incorrect, now if you would please leave we are about to arrive in the station and we would like to continue getting ready"

Before leaving Crabbe spoke which wasn't very common because usually Malfoy didn't give them permission to speak, "Just wait, there's no way Gryffindor will win the house cup this year, the amount of house points we'll I mean Draco will take away"

"Oh! Really!" Hermione looked down her nose, "You do realise that only teachers can take away house points, not students!"

Malfoy quickly grabbed Crabbe out of the way and all that was heard down the corridor was "I didn't know Draco, I didn't"

The train slowed down into the station and Harry gave a slight grin "I'm home" he whispered.

Hagrid was waiting to take the new First Years on to their boats to bring them up to the castle. Harry saw the carriages that the older students took to bring them, and turned to Ron,

"I wonder what will happen this year Ron, do you think it will be a normal school year?"

Ron laughed "With Harry Potter in the school," he said noticing a group of Second Years Hufflepuffs giggling behind their hands and pointing to Harry, "Yeah perfectly normal"

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When everyone was seated in the Great Hall, Harry looked around the room and up to the head table to see what teachers were there. Professor Flitwick (Head of Ravenclaw house and Charms professor) was at the end of the row. The seat beside that was empty, "maybe for Hagrid" (Care of Magical Creatures Professor) Harry thought, then there was Professor Sprout (Head of Hufflepuff house and Herbology Professor) and next to her was another space, "probably for Professor McGongall" (Vice Principal, Head of Gryffindor house and Transfiguration Professor). Professor Dumbledore (Headmaster) was in the middle in deep conversation with someone with greasy black hair, Professor Snape, Harry's most hated teacher. Snape taught one of Harry's worst subjects Potions and was also head of Slytherin house.

Beside Snape looking a little scared was a new teacher, "Must be the new Defence against the Dark Arts Professor" Harry thought. He was only starting Fifth Year and within four years he had had four different teachers for that subject. Professor Lupin, who he had in Third Year, was the only one who hadn't tried to either obliviate his memories, kill him or hand him over to Voldermort, Lupin had turned out to be a warewolf so he had decided that he needed to resign due to complaints from parents.

Harry had become very fond of Lupin, he had never learned so much from one teacher. Apart from school related issues, he had helped Harry fight the Dementors and Harry had learned that Lupin was friends with his parents.

He wondered if this new teacher would be working for Voldermort aswell or would he be like Lupin.

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Harry continued to look around the room. At every table students were talking, laughing, looking around or waving at other friends who they hadn't seen since June. As Harry scanned the table he came across the Ravenclaw table, and there she was Cho Chang. Harry's stomach flipped, he didn't mean to stop and stare at her for so long but he was wondering if she would ever notice him. Cho continued to talk and laugh with her roommates and every so often flicking her hair over her shoulder as it fell forward.

Harry was brought back to his senses by Ron saying, "I wish McGongall would hurry up with the First Years, I'm starving. The quicker the sorting is done, the quicker we get to eat."

Ron was interrupted because the doors of the Great Hall were opened and Professor McGongall entered the large room with a queue of people behind her. The new First Years looked tired and scared. Harry couldn't believe how young and small they looked. He remembered his own sorting ceremony, where the hat wanted to place him in Slytherin but Harry had told the hat "Not Slytherin!" So he was placed in Gryffindor and that was where Harry belonged like his Father before him.

Professor McGongall reached the top of the hall and told the new students to gather round and wait to be called. She placed the three-legged stool on to the floor and placed the old shabby hat on top of it. A hush spread across the room and everyone waited for the Sorting Hat to begin his rhyme for the new school year.

Harry nudged Ron "He's about to start"

"Hope it's not too long" Ron groaned

"Shh!" spat Hermione "he's starting."

"Four houses remain,

Where four founders once stood,

Each founder unique,

Yet united in good.

Badger, Eagle, Lion and Snake,

Each one outstanding Wizard's make,

Up you come and take a seat

You are in for an amazing treat.

Whether you are good, bad, cruel or kind,

I will find it in your mind

The house that I place you in,

Will be your house for the coming years,

It's where you will meet your friends,

Your allies and your peers.

Within each house from each other draws strength,

Go the distance, no matter the length,

Each four houses together as one,

A powerful school that's second to none.

So listen now as I warn you all,

United we stand, Divided we fall.

When the Sorting Hat finished the whole school applauded and Professor McGongall raised her hand for silence.

"Now when I call your name, step forward and you will be sorted into your houses. Anderson Sarah"

A small blond girl walked forward and sat on the stool. Harry noticed not a lot of people were listening or paying attention to the ceremony. Ron had started to play with his spoon by trying to balance it on the end of his nose. Seamus sat opposite to Ron and started to count to see how long Ron was able to balance it for. Fred and George were huddled over a piece of parchment and whispering, even Hermione was staring into space her eyes were unfocused. She jumped slightly when she heard the hat shout "GRYFFINDOR!" and the table suddenly erupted into applause to welcome their new room mate. Harry had no idea what the boy's name was who had joined the table, he had also tuned out but like the others he joined in with the clapping and welcomed his new house mate.

"That took ages" Ron complained afterwards "I thought they would never reach the end of the alphabet. I'm certain I saw some students nodding off"

Harry felt really tired too after their long train journey; he nodded in agreement to Ron and yawned into his hand.

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Dumbledore stood up and again silence fell around the hall.

"Welcome to a new school year at Hogwarts. It is great to see the old faces once more and to see so many new ones; you First Years are very welcome. Before our great feast commences as I know some of you are very eager to get started" he said glancing down to Ron which made Ron's cheeks turn red.

"I will just introduce our new teacher and then after we eat I will give you a few school notices. This is becoming a bit of a tradition" Dumbledore continued laughing slightly. "Students I'd like to introduce you to our new Defence against the Dark Arts teacher, Professor C. Fox. Professor Fox has joined us unfortunately during very dark times and I know he will help you in everything you will need to know regarding the Dark Arts. So please make him feel welcome.

Now before Ron Weasley practically faints due to hunger I ask all of you to eat and drink."

Everyone clapped and cheered when the food appeared on their tables.

As soon as everyone had finished and all the plates had disappeared Dumbledore stood again.

"I won't keep you for long but I do have a couple of things to say. Firstly I would like to introduce you all to our new school Prefects. These students have been specially selected to represent the school, to work with the teachers and the Head Boy and Girl. So everyone knows who you are especially the younger years, I will call out your name and if you could stand up and show yourself.

From Hufflepuff Hannah Abbot and Susan Bones, from Ravenclaw Justin Flinch-Fletchy and Michael Corner, form Slytherin Draco Malfoy and Blaise Zambini and last but not least from Gryffindor Hermione Granger and Ron Weasley."

As the eight people stood up everyone in the hall clapped and cheered for their new Prefects.

"If you need anything" Dumbledore continued "Please go to your house representatives and if for some reason you cant find them or are out of your common room at a particular time then don't hesitate to go to any Prefect." Dumbledore waited for the Prefects to return to their seats before he spoke again,

"Please note that the Forbidden Forest is out of bounds to all students, it has been named the Forbidden Forest for a reason and as Mr. Filch has reminded me the Third Floor is out of bounds too. Also his list of banned items is now over two pages long but will be pinned to his door and will remain there all year.

Finally, I warn you, last June as you all know Voldermort decided to rise once more, unfortunately in doing so he took one of our students. Cedric Diggory was a very intelligent, caring student and also represented his house on their Quidditch team as a very talented seeker. He will be missed by his fellow students and teachers, and I ask that you all to work together and be there for each other in these dark times.

Be true to your houses, we are blessed with students who are Brave, Loyal, Clever and Cunning, if we join these four main elements then Voldermort will never succeed. I bid you all a goodnight and a happy safe school year."

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