FYI: Quick Note Hey, sorry it took so long. Hope you've enjoyed it so far. Thank you everyone who reads and especially everyone who reviews. Well, enjoy.
-SavagePrincess
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Chapter4: Explosions and Potions
A mushroom-like cloud erupted from behind them, sending the "horses" galloping toward
the castle. "What in bloody hell was that?" Hermione said. Harry and Ron just shrugged, not
even noticing that the "Golden girl" Hermione had just cursed. As soon as they arrived to the
castle, Professor McGonagall ushered them all towards the Great Hall without a word, even
though people were asking a questions from every direction.
"Professor Dumbledore will answer all of your questions the best he can." McGonagall
finally said after they arrived at the door of the Great Hall, and with that she led them to their
tables. The Great Hall was ravishingly decorated with yellows and blues, reds and greens. Silver
and gold tableclothes lay flawlessly upon the four house tables, all lined with gold plates and
goblets.
Sitting down, Harry, Ron, and Hermione looked up to the staff table. All the usuals were
there, McGonagall, Flitwick, Sprout, , Hoach, and Harry's least favorite, Snape. Snape looked
devilishly happy for some reason. At the end, however, a very young looking woman sat gazing
out across the tables. She flipped her glossy ebony hair and stared out into the crowd with cat-
like green eyes. Also, Hagrid mysteriously wasn't there.
With a creak, the Great Hall doors opened and McGonagall stepped throught it with
Hagrid, and some very shaken, scared looking first years. "Hagrid, Minerva. If you will please
inform me of the problem." Dumbledore said, waving them up to the table. "Stay there"
Professor McGonagall said to the scared first years. Hagrid and McGonagall went up to the
staff table, talking in hushed voices to Dumbledore, as the students(and other teachers) tried to
listen in. Finally, after several minutes of silence, Dumbledore stood up. Although complete
silence had already been achieved, it seemed to get still quieter as he stood.
"Professors McGonagall and Hagrid have informed me of the explosion you witnessed
earlier this evening. They have notified me of the cause and I will tell you in due time. Right now,
however, we must attend to the sorting ceremony and dinner." Dumbledore said. Moans and
grumbling filled the room.
After the sorting, Abertson to Yemen, Dinner appeared magically in front of everyone.
Everything from Duck to Quail was in front of them. Chicken Pot Pie, Fish and chips, and
Turkish Delight, lay out in front of them. "Dig in" was all that Dumbledore had to say. Not many
people were eating as heartedly as they could though. Many just picked at their food, talking
and eagerly waiting for news of what happened. Desserts from Strawberry Shortcake to Pies of
every flavor lay out in front of everyone now, but still they were too excited to wait. After what
seemed like hours, a slight tink came from a glass in the middle of the staff table, evidently from
Dumbledore. Dumbledore stood in front of the whole staff and student body. "Now to the news
you've been waiting for.' Dumbledore said with a slight smile, which quickly turned to a serious
look, a look not often seen. "I regret to inform you that you will not be able to return to home at
Christmas by the train." "Also you will not be able to return to Hogsmeade, 3rd years and up, of
course, until further notice, due to the accident. I am sad to inform you that our dear Hogwarts
Express, in use for 150 years, has been destroyed. The explosion you saw earlier was the effect
of its destruction. Further details will be given as the Ministry investigates." Dumbledore paused
for a minute, letting the news sink in ." Now if you will all go back to your dormatries. The
Prefects will lead you. Also, if I could, may I see Ms. Hermione Granger and Mr. Draco Malfoy
for a moment. That is all"
With that, all the students and teachers departed, with the exception of Hermione, Draco
and Professor Dumbledore. "What's going on then, eh?" Draco said, sneering as he approached
the Staff table and Dumbledore. "What's going on is that I am telling you, and Ms. Granger, that
I congratulate you both in becoming on Head Boy and Girl. You have been chosen to take up
this task because you two show the most promise in your future. Now if you will, please go see
Professor McGonagall, who will give you instructions as to your duties, accomadations, and give
you your badges. Go on now, run along." Said Dumbledore, a hint of affection in his voice and
the sparkle in his eye.
Dumbledore then ushered them down a long passageway near the Gryffindor tower, to a
statue of a rather large stone cat. "If you will, please stay there. Wouldn't want you to hear the
password" Dumbledore said cheerfully. Although Hermione couldn't fully hear it sounded oddly
like "Muddled Muggles" or something of the sort. The cat jumped aside however, and revealed
a bright tidy room which included a desk, bed, and many books of all shapes and sizes. "Well
there you are. What took you so long? You would have thought you were both turned into
flesh-eating slugs at the rate your going." Came a slightly annoyed, yet loving voice from inside.
At the desk, sat Professor McGonagall, her hair swept back in a stern bun, but a smile on her
aging face. "Well come in then." She said, impatiently.
Draco and Hermione stepped in almost apprehensively, and sat in chairs in front of the
professor's desk. "Now that you're all settled, I'd like to congratulate you for making Head
Boy and Girl. You will be setting examples for the new first-years, as well as your junior
classmates. Therefore, there will be no funny business." As she said this, she shot an unpleasant
look at Malfoy, who seemed suddenly interested in the floor. "You will also have to help the
new prefects organize dances, trips to Hogsmeade(if available), and a party for the Quidditch
cup winner. Here are your badges." She said handing them each a shiny metal badge each which
had Head Boy/Head Girl and their name ingraved in it. "One last thing is that you will be sharing
a dormitory on the west side of the castle. Mr. Malfoy, your room is to the left when you enter
and your things have been brought up for you. Ms. Granger, the same to the right. You also
share a common room and sadly, a bathroom. Now I believe that is all and the curfew is almost
here,so if you will, go find your room. It is behind a picture of a little girl in red and black. Go
now." McGonagall said, and pushed them out the door without another word."
"Well this is going to be very interesting,isnt' it?" Malfoy said, a smile spread on his lips. Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Their trip to the common room went uneventful however. Draco and Hermione went to their separate rooms and fell asleep before either of their heads hit the pillow,dreaming within a few minutes.
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Well What do you think? Good? Bad? In between? Anyway, hope you enjoyed. I'll get to the next chapter pronto. Please R/R. Until then.
- SavagePrincess