Chapter 6

Back To School At Last

As Ron expected, Remus owled his parents the moment after Snape had left and everything had been explained. Surprisingly, Molly said it would be best if her youngest son just stayed at Grimmuald Place until they arrived in a few weeks. The Burrow was much too crowded and she didn't want to have to worry about Ron flying home on his own.

Time passed quickly and soon the house was alive with about fifteen different people at any given time, most of which were red headed Weasleys. Harry and Hermione joined them two weeks before the start if term. The three spent most of their time trying to eaves drop on secret meetings and forget the events of the past year. They did, however, talk about the success the twins joke shop had become, what they had done over the summer months, as well as the classes they planned to take during their sixth year. Of course, Hermione planned on taking every possible class she could without overlapping the time frames. Then there was Ron and Harry who would be taking a few classes they could.

Ron never mentioned anything about his encounter with Snape to Harry or Hermione. He thought they would either tease him endlessly or tell him how wrong it was for him to think that way. As the start of term approached the youngest Weasley boy began to get both nervous and excited.

Finally, the day for school shopping had arrived and the large group of wizards made their way towards Diagon Alley. The mass of strangle looking people made their way to the nearest train station and soon arrived at the entrance to the hidden alleyway. Once safely behind the barrier they all went their separate ways in search of books, supplies, and any other purchases they found interesting enough to sneak back to school.

"Mum said we aren't allowed to buy anything from their shop, but she never said we couldn't look." Ron said as Harry, Hermione, and himself left the previous shop. "And she never you couldn't buy anything, Harry."

"Oh don't be ridiculous, Ron, we don't need anything your brothers have in that store and you know it.." Hermione spat out before Harry had a chance to register the conversation they were having.

"You never know, Hermione. One of those nosebleed candies would do well to get us out of Snapes class." Of course, Harry knew his statement was probably wrong but it was the best argument he could think of at the moment.

"You, Harry Potter, are so immature sometimes. We have no reason to need to avoid his class if you could just pay attention and do what is expected of you, like I do." The female Gryffindor retorted as she crossed her arms.

"You're being rather quiet. Is there something wrong, Ron?" Potter asked as they neared the small building the twins owned trying to avoid another speech from Hermione about how unorganized he was.

"Huh… Oh, no I'm fine just don't feel like starting another debate over how out methods of studying are wrong." Ron blushed slightly trying to hide that he was really thinking about the many dreams he has been having about his potions teacher.

The trio entered the shop and glanced around to be sure there was nothing waiting to attack them or something like that. Knowing the twins anything could be a possibility. After taking in every corner of the small store the three of them headed to the counter where the owners were standing quite satisfied with themselves.

"This is amazing." Harry said as he stepped up in front of the twins.

Hermione, who had been examining a few random items on the counter only gave a displeased look.

Harry glanced over at Hermione then turned his attention to Fred…or George, he wasn't sure which was who. "So, how is business anyway?"

"It's great." The two said in unison. "We've had loads of students in here just today." Fred continued. "I can't wait to start getting owls from upset teachers."

"Well, go on look around. Nothing in here that's going to bite you." George said with an expression that made the three doubt it was truth.

Hermione looked up from a cage that appeared to have some sort of creature running around inside of it and gasped. "We have to go or we'll miss the train." She quickly grabbed both Harry and Ron by the sleeve and dragged them from the store. "It was nice seeing you two again." Was her parting comment.

"That was rude. We didn't even buy anything." Ron said as they hurried down the street.

"Yes, I know but we haven't got the time. We'll probably barely make it on time now. Would you have rather walked to Hogwarts?" She said still dragging them.

They arrived at Kings Cross just in time to get on the express before it departed. The two youngest Weasleys, Hermione, Harry and Luna shared the only empty cabin left on the train. Most of the long ride was spent talking about events that had taken place over the summer, what new things each student had for the school term, and who was whose latest boyfriend or girlfriend.

Ron stayed quiet most of the time except for an occasional comment about how wrong a couple might be. His mind kept drifting back to the dreams he had about Snape and he shuddered slightly. It wasn't from the visions but from what his potions class would be like now. How would he be able to sit through that class knowing how his professor thought of him? The rest of the night was a haze of conversations and laughter until it was time for sleep. Ron curled up on his bed in the boys dorm hoping he would have a dreamless sleep.