Harry Potter & The Door of Dimensions.

Chapter 4:
Which Is Longer Than All The Rest

Students clogged the platform at Hogsmead. Students of every shape and size jostled Harry about in a rather unpleasant manner, causing Harry to, a few times, loose his balance and fall over. Luckily there were so many students that every time this happened Harry was simply caught by a large group of skinny First Years, or one large Seventh Year, or a mish-mash of both. Harry found it hard to recall another year when things were so congested and he began to wander if another spell was afoot.

Of course there was, for out of the mass of tall, thin wizard with salt and pepper hair came forewords, elbowing kids right, left and center. Leaving a path of bruised and confused students, the Wizard came foreword and stopped just in front of Harry, looking down his slender nose at him. The man did not look particularly old, or young for that matter. He simply was of an age that Harry knew he could not possibly meddle with. His fearsome, hawkish and dark eyes scrutinized him a moment. Harry could have sworn he'd seen this man somewhere before, or at least a relative of the man, but he couldn't place face.

Instead he just stared blankly, wondering why none of the students seem to give him a second glance.

As if reading Harry's thoughts the Wizard let out an airy, irritated sigh, "There's a spell on me you silly boy. They won't see us as long as I'm around you. So just stop thinking so blatantly and follow me, Dumbledore wants to see you immediately." The Wizard took Harry by the arm, each of the man's iron fingers digging into Harry's muscle.

Harry tried not to complain too loudly and followed, whistling for Hedwig. She swooped down and landed on the back of Harry's luggage, hooting with a non-plussed tone. Apparently Hedwig wasn't enjoying the sandwich of humans ruffling her feathers.

"It's alright, Hedwig... We'll be out of this-Erf!" Harry was jerked violently to one side as someone ran directly into him. His bag went sprawling and Hedwig screeched, soaring into the air to avoid the kafuffle.

Harry had been liberated from the Wizard's iron grip, but he was still there, hovering over Harry with the gloomiest expression had seen on anyone's face. It was topped only by Snape's sour look. He watched as the older Wizard simply stood there, looking off into space, waiting for Harry to stand.

"So, Potter, still being babysat by Wizards everyday? You must really relish in being treated like an incapable mudblood invalid."

That was when Harry realized the older Wizard wasn't looking into Space, but in fact the space that was inhabited by a certain unruly Slytherin student.

"Always know how to make a complete ass of yourself, don't you Draco?" Harry said acidly, getting to his feet smoothly.

The Wizard beside Harry took a step back, seeing that the boy was going to try and settle this on his own, and would surely like to be completely visible for the occasion.

Draco snorted and flipped his hair off his forehead with one hand, "It was a bit tough to make you out in this mess. Go figure you'd hide like a coward in the crowd. It's a good thing Voldemort chose to pick on the pussy Gryffindor." He grinned with a little.

Harry's temper flared, his glass green eyes shining with hatred for the blonde brat. Draco had no inkling what it felt like to be hunted for your entire life. He had no idea what it was like to fear for your friends and companions on a constant basis. He had lived his life in luxury and silver spoon in his mouth since the day of his birth. It just made him all the more insufferable that Draco boasted to Harry regularly about his family and parents, something Harry had never known.

"And what was that I heard about not leaving your wretched home all summer long? Were those filthy muggles just that good to you? That'd they lock you up like the animal you are..." Draco burst out laughing, and Harry noted with some interest that he was completely alone, aside the fact the platform was filled with people, Draco's lackeys were no where to be found. He was reminded of the night at the Quidditch cup when Draco had tripped him.

Draco wasn't even paying attention to Harry now, he was simply reveling in his own ingenious as the dust and debris around Harry's feet swirled about into a mini tornado.

Harry took a few large strides and was in front of Draco within seconds, one hand on his neck. Draco blinked and looked at him, his pale face blanked at Harry's actions. He obviously expected Harry to limp off home. A few people stopped to watch the fight that was happening.

"Sorry to disappoint you, Draco." Harry could feel his hand tighten with not only his own strength, but that of his magic, increasing it by double. Draco tried to speak but was quickly cut off as he struggled to get away from Harry, "I will kill you..." Harry hissed quietly, feeling his grip tighten again.

He heard voices and shouts and screams, but ignored them. What was the big deal, all he was doing was threatening Draco, it's not like Draco didn't do that to them every day at Hogwarts. HE wasn't actually trying to hurt him, anyways. But shouts continued and he even felt a few hands pull at his arms.

Something kicked Harry's ankle and he looked down a little.

It was Draco's feet, dangling almost a foot on the ground. Harry looked back up at Draco's face, which was now a lovely shade of puce, slowly turning a tone of mud green. Harry released him suddenly and Draco collapsed to his knees, coughing and sputtering pathetically, and quite indecently.

Some students rushed towards Draco, but didn't touch him. A few looked at him with horror; in those faces Harry saw Hermione and Ron, who were clearly astonished he had done that. Not because they were shocked he stood up to Draco, but because he lifted a boy bigger than himself clear off the ground with apparently no effort at all.

Harry took a half step back, looking down at the boy who had tortured him since the day he arrived. He couldn't quite discern if he was disgusted by what he had just done to him, or if he actually enjoyed it.

The thought began make him nauseated and he quickly turned and left, picking his bags up and hurrying over to the tall Wizard, who had stood there placidly there the entire time, watching with calm eyes.

"Harry...! What were you doing?" He heard Hermione say, but quickly blocked her out.

Without saying another word the Wizard led him away down the platform, leaving the crumpled form of Draco and the circle of bewildered students, his friends included, who continued to call after him. He kept walking, as quickly as his legs would carry him. Soon he out matched the lanky Wizard who was leading him.

He was escorted into a carriage, just like the year before, and pulled towards the castle. He could hear the footsteps of the great, silky, black beasts that carried it, and he sat back against the satin cushions of the carriage, looking at his hands.

They looked ordinary enough... How could they have...? How could he have done that? So easily. He didn't even feel Draco's weight beneath his palm. It all seemed so unreal. He had even threatened to kill Draco. Although he had thought about it many times, he would never actually commit such a crime. Not even to Draco.

A small voice Harry's head chimed, it's too good to be true, but Harry smothered it, ashamed of such a conscience. He rubbed his forehead, leaning on the window frame and gazing out at the school, which loomed through the fog, becoming larger and larger. Little golden flames made the windows dance about like candles in the night, and the great hall was already lit up in preparation for the coming festivities. Harry craned his neck and looked up at the tallest spire, where Sirius had been held prisoner while awaiting the kiss of Death. The light was out, and Harry could almost hear the chains that held him rattle. He sighed.

"Quite a sight, isn't it?" Came an all too familiar voice from beside him.

Harry jumped in his seat and whipped his head around to see who was there. In all his thinking he completely overlooked that there was someone else in the carriage with him, "M-Markl!" He exclaimed, his voice sounding more and more exasperated.

"Indeed!" Markl chimed happily, sitting at the other window, looking at the same sight as Harry, but not for the same reasons, "Hogwarts is truly a magnificent school. To imagine that so many students gather here every year. The thought is mind boggling, I'm used to one on one teaching..." He smiled cheerily which made Harry loath him even more.

He leaned away from Markl, resting his chin in his hand, "Yeah. Lucky you, I guess." Harry said in a board tone.

Then he remembered what he had meant to ask the kid before he mysteriously disappeared earlier.

"Hey! What was that float--...ing..." he trailed off as the carriage began to slow, but as it did the mist to their left swirled and swallowed out from it he could see the rough image of the castle land on the grounds, it's feet taking root in the earth and its wings melting into the heaving sides. Harry gaped, but before he could be any more shocked than he already was the castle took a few hulking steps, and then gained speed and quickly vanished into the hilly mountains that surrounded he Hogsmead valley. The Castle had moved with such ease and grace for its size and bulk. Harry was soon sitting, staring into absolutely nothing.

The carriage jolted to a stop and Harry was jerked back into reality. He looked at Markl who was already making his way to the trunk for his bags. He glanced back at where the castle had landed in the Forest and saw that there was nothing there now but a grove of mist and Hagrids somewhat bedraggled hut.

"... Bother!" He shouted, getting out.

"What was that, Harry?" Markl said, poking his head around the side of the carriage's rump, blinking a little.

"I said BOTHER! What is that blasted caslte!" He shouted again.

Markl blinked a few times rapidly before raising an eyebrow and shrugging his shoulders, "It's just Hogwarts, you should know better than me." Markl sounded a little sympathetic, and then added, "You should go straight to bed, Harry. You're in a terrible mood."

"I am NOT! Just shut up! Let's go." Harry hadn't forgotten that he said he would show Markl around, but he figured showing the annoyingly cheerful thing to the Great Hall would be enough. After that he intended to avoid him like the plague.

It was then he remembered that Dumbledore wanted to see him...

Bother that too, Harry thought, he could see Dumbledore after he made his speech to the school.

He quickly stumped up the steps and tried to avoid being seen by Ron or Hermione, or anyone else who would try to make jolly conversation.

"What house are you in?" Harry asked Markl, once they entered the hall.

"House?" Markl looked a little confused, but then a look of comprehension spread over his features, "Ooooh...! I don't know. Guess I don't much care. Frankly, I'll go with anything as long as it isn't Hufflepuff." At this, he grinned his fantastic charming grin again.

Harry groaned and sat down, groaning again silently when Markl sat beside him. The remaining students filed in and took their seats. First years, second, third and fourths. Every year was soon filling the grand hall and Harry was thankful he had taken a seat amongst the Seventh year students, only a few of which he actually communicated with.

It was then that McGonagall took the podium, clearing her throat loudly. There was no need for a voice amplification spell on her, she could make even the deafest and dumbest of student hear her banchee cry.

"As you all know, the Dark Lord has once again risen to power. He has been reborn and we, as the staff of Hogwarts, cannot stress enough to you how dangerous the world has no become. There will be a new set of regulation and rules that will be sent to every Common Room and be announced by ever House Leader. These are to be followed with the utmost accuracy and fortitude. To ensure our school stays open and safe for all Witches and Wizards, I know you will all understand why we are being so very vigilant."

Harry could hear whispers all over the great hall, and especially from the Slytherin table, at which a pale and parched looking Draco sat sulkily, rubbing his throat. He scowled at Harry before leaning towards Blaise, whispering something in his ear. The two of them then joined together in a combine glare, first towards McGonagall and then towards Harry.

Harry liked to think he was ignoring them.

"So without further ado. Welcome to those students who have just enrolled at our and school, and Welcome back to everyone who has been here before. We are, as always, thrilled to be running yet another, which is sure to be exhilarating, term at Hogwarts. Let the feast begin!" MacGonagall spread her arms, and with the flick of her wand food spread over the plates, steam and scents rising from the boiled and brewed concoctions, each more succulent than the last.

Harry wasn't hungry, he stared sullenly at his plate and then up at the Staff Table, where Dumbledore's seat was still empty. He noted that Snape was there, however, and tried not watch with uneasy weariness.

Snape caught Harry's eye and glowered between the twin curtains of greasy hair. Harry looked back at his plate. He was sure he would be reprimanded for injuring Draco earlier.

But that was furthest from his mind at the moment. What he kept wondering was where the real Headmaster was, and why McGonagall was taking Dumbledore's place. No one else seemed to even be concerned about his absence…