1Chapter 12

Harry was woken up early the next morning by the few rays of sunshine that poured in through the windows, regardless of the harsh storm the previous night. As he looked around his oval shaped dormitory, he saw that everybody was still asleep. Seeing as his bags were packed and he had nothing else to do, he decided to go down to the common room and see if anyone else was up.

As Harry was leaving the room, he noticed a rolled up bit of parchment tied closed by a piece of ruby-red string. Curiously, he bent down and picked it up, examining the outer contents. Seeing nothing particularly strange about it, he opened it, yet still he reluctantly. It slowly unraveled into a vertically long piece of parchment, which read:

Ministry of Magic

Dear Professor Dumbledore,

As unfortunate is it is, it has reached my ears that this term, you were able to find a new Defense against the Dark Arts teacher since, to my dismay, Professor Umbridge has decided to retire. As such, I feel compelled to still keep the connection between Hogwarts and the Ministry very secure, as I am sure you do. Yet since there do not seem to be any positions open as professor, a connection seems quite hard to create. Be as this may, I have found a solution to this severe problem. I send to you Percy Weasley, one of the many sons of Arthur and Molly Weasley, whom I know you to be friends with. He has personally assured me that he is absolutely thrilled to come back to Hogwarts. His role there is quite simple. He wishes to accompany the 6th years on their trip to the foreign schools, and act as a representative for the Ministry. That way, if political issues arise, Percy can shoulder the responsibility of the issue, without you having to worry about taking the role as Mr. England. All of the necessities for the trip for Mr. Weasley have been taken care of by the Ministry, so if problems arise with supplies, Percy will not be an extra burden to carry. I have also told him that if you ask of him to act as an extra disciplinary, he should do so. He seemed very eager to help in any way possible. If there are any problems concerning Percy accompanying Hogwarts 6th years on this trip, please inform me before the trip departure begins. If I hear nothing from you, I shall assume that Percy has taken leave with your company, which would please me greatly

Hope you are well,

The Minister of Magic, Cornelius Fudge

Harry glanced at the back of the parchment to see if anything else was written, but there was nothing. For some odd reason, Harry felt inclined to hold onto the letter, so he silently pocketed it and left the dormitory.

When Harry got down, Crookshanks was playing with a ball of yarn as Hermione and Ron both watched laughing.

"Ron?" said Harry, surprised. "I thought you were upstairs sleeping?" Ron put on a dubious look on his face and shook his head no.

"You know," said Hermione, cutting in. "You really should get dressed Harry, I want to get to the lake early so we can get our luggage down more easily, without bumping into everybody."

Harry nodded, noticing Ron and Hermione were both already dressed, and hastily headed up to the dormitory to put on his robes. As he entered the room, Ron's bed was still lumped up, as if somebody was sleeping in it, just as Harry had thought before he went down to the common room.

Cautiously, Harry moved closer to the bed to see an enormous white Persian cat sleeping in Ron's bed. It's yellow eyes stared at Harry as if he had just disturbed it from something profoundly important.

"Her name is Boule, we found her in France," said Ron, walking into the room and seeing Harry awestruck by the appearance of the cat. "Mum just sent her yesterday, and she's been sleeping ever since."

Harry laughed as he rapidly pulled robes over his head and charmed his trunk to follow him wherever he went.

"Did Hermione say we were going down to the lake?" asked Harry curiously. "Why would we want to go there?"

Ron shrugged, obviously confused by Hermione's comment as well. Either way, Harry and his trunk as well as Ron and Boule all journeyed down to the common room where Hermione was waiting. Crookshanks and her trunk rested beside her.

"Ready to go down?" asked Hermione to Ron and Harry as they approached her from the bottom of the stairs. Harry and Ron both put on puzzled faces, as Hermione quickly understood the confusion. "We're going by ship, you know...to Beauxbatons...in France...how else would we get there? By train? We're traveling the same way Durmstrang got here in 4th year. Remember, they came by the lake, well, we're doing the same thing."

Harry and Ron both nodded their heads simultaneously to showing comprehension of what Hermione was saying. Together, with luggage and animals in hand, they hastened their way out of the common room and into the Great Hall.

Although it was early in the morning, the Hall was crowded with 6th years, all waiting patiently for Dumbledore to arrive. The rest of the school was in all likelihood, still asleep.

Harry took a seat across from Neville and Seamus, giving them a quick smile. Ron and Hermione proceeded to take their seats at both sides of Harry. Hermione was about to say something, but her attention was diverted by the presence of Professor McGonagall, standing up at the staff table.

"Could I have the attention of all sixth years immediately?" asked Professor McGonagall sharply, her loud voice echoing throughout the hall. The room fell silent. "Professor Dumbledore is outside and awaits the 6th years on the ship at the lake that will arrive firstly at Beauxbatons. Please bring all of your personal belongings with you, and have a safe trip."

And with that, she sat down and began to survey the mast of people standing up and heaving their trunks on their backs, or else magicking them to float alongside them.

Harry, Ron and Hermione all did the same as they headed to the door that lead outside. Regardless of getting up in advance, they still met the usual early-morning traffic and were bumping into people everywhere.

As Harry approached the lake, he became confused. There was no ship in site. All that could be seen was a small boat for four that Hagrid used to transport the first years across the lake, and Dumbledore standing there smiling beside it.

"Everybody ready?" he shouted to the 6th years. It seemed that Harry wasn't the only one who was confused.

Slowly, Dumbledore pulled out his wand and pointed it to the first-year-boat. He gave his wand an odd flick, and with all possible haste, it turned into a massive ship. Dumbledore smiling said:

"Welcome to the S.S. Hogwarts!"