Chapter 8: Journey without a friend
It was finally time to go back to school and still no sign of Harry. It was a solemn group of people that were gathered at Kings Cross station just outside the barrier of platform nine and three quarters. Everyone had their eyes peeled still hoping to see the messy black hair and spectacle in the large crowd at the station. Even after they'd all made it though the barrier everyone was still hoping they'd see him running through the barrier at any moment, but it was not to be. The train ride back to school was a very sad one. Ron, Hermione, and Ginny found an empty cart along with Neville and Luna. After they stashed their things Hermione, Ron and Ginny went up front to the prefect's car telling the others that they would explain to Neville and Luna about Harry's absence when they got back. When the prefects returned they found Neville in a reading a herbology book and Luna reading the Quibbler upside down as usual. Once inside they started talking about what could have happened to Harry.
"You mean to tell me that no one has heard from him all summer?" Neville asked.
"Well" Hermione replied "we did hear from him the first few days and then on the fifth day we received letters from him saying he was going away to sort things out and that was it."
"Yeah" added Ron "just said he'd found out some things about himself last year and he needed to sort them out."
Just then the door to their car opened. "Well, well, well if it isn't the weasels, the mud blood and the garden slug" it was Malfoy and his goons Crabbe and Goyle. "So where is the potty? I heard he went and got himself killed serves him right. I'm only sorry that I wasn't around to see it happened I would have paid to see potty get his."
Before the others could draw their wands the saw Malfoy doubled over as if he'd been kicked in the stomach. When he looked up everyone started laughing Malfoy's face and hands were covered with puss filled boils and he had slugs coming out of his mouth. Crabbe and Goyle grabbed a hold of their fallen leader and took off running. Everyone turned around to see Neville standing with his wand out and a very satisfied look on his face. "No one talks about Harry like that." He stated firmly. Everyone was quiet they had never seen Neville like this before. It was Ron who broke the silence patting him on the back. "Good show Neville you sure showed that slimy git, I bet he'll think twice about shooting off his trap around you. They were still talking about Harry and what Neville did to Malfoy when Hermione announced that they were almost at the castle and that they should get into their school robes.
Soon they were back at Hogwarts, back home but for some reason it just didn't seem the same without Harry. The five friends found an empty carriage and they sat in silence each deep in thought about the times they had spent with him and how this year was going to be one of the longest they would have to endure. Suddenly Hogwarts wasn't such a happy place anymore. The atmosphere inside the great hall was very subdued. Everyone knew something was wrong but they didn't know what it was. Professor Dumbledore looked as if he'd aged immensely and he didn't have the usual twinkle in his eyes. The rest of the staff looked very sad all except Professor Snape who wore is customary sneer.
Everyone's attention was on Professor Dumbledore when he rose.
"Welcome back everyone, I know you are all looking forward to another year and you are all very anxious to get started. But before we do that let us get our new first years sorted into their respected houses." Hermione noticed how Professor Dumbledore seemed to slump in his chair. He seemed so defeated. Harry was like a grandson to him and Hermione could tell he was taking his disappearance very hard. Before Hermione had a chance to think about the headmasters health the door to the great hall opened and in walked Professor McGonagall carrying the sorting hat and a small stool and being fallowed by a bunch of terrified looking first years. She sat the sorting hat on the stool and turned to the frightened first years.
"This is the sorting hat when I say your name you will sit on the stool and I will place the hat on your head and it will sort you into your respected houses." At that point the sorting hat started to sing.
"Years have come and years have past.
And now the most powerful and wisest will be awaken at last.
Now is the time for prophecies to be revealed,
And unlock the doors that once where sealed.
Now four friends will once again come together,
Now that the lion, and the legend have been joined together.
So come on, come on and let's get started,
Step forward to be sorted."
"I wonder what the sorting hat is talking about" Hermione thought out loud.
"Well if you ask me it gets battier every year." Replied Ron rolling his eyes.
"Don't be ridiculous Ronald, of course it means something, if you would just think past the obvious for once you'd see that it is trying to tell us something." Neville, who was poking Ron in the ribs and nodding his head toward the front of the hall, interrupted their argument. They looked up to see Professor McGonagall staring at them crossly. Both Ron and Hermione gulped visibly under the disappointment in their head of house eyes. Professor McGonagall gave them one last stern look and went back to reading the names off on her list "Iggleton, Penelope" Hufflepuff cried the sorting hat everyone applauded as she was welcomed by her house mates. The sorting continued for about another five minutes but the friends weren't paying much attention they were too wrapped up in their own thoughts. It wasn't until Professor Dumbledore stood once again that they were brought back to the present. The headmaster held out his arms but before he could say anything the doors to the Great hall flew open crashing into the walls. There was total silence as two hooded figures enter the Great hall. One was tall wearing scarlet and gold robes with a sword attached at his hip. The other was slightly shorter and wearing royal purple robes and carrying a wooden staff. If the headmaster didn't know better, he would have sworn he was looking at Merlin and Godric Gryffindor. To their right stood a black jaguar with golden eyes and to their left sat a white tiger with green eyes. On their shoulders sat a majestic brown falcon, a king phoenix, and surprisingly Hedwig.
Suddenly Ginny screams "Harry"