Chapter 2
The joys of a train ride
Alas, for the time being the three should get no opportunity for their private talk. Unfortunately, the crowd didn't part for them when they boarded the train. Amidst the scrimmage it wasn't easy to squeeze through the narrow corridor. However, they had obviously got in on the wrong side of the train; all compartments were already full. Only in the very last waggon they found seats in a compartment occupied by Parvati and Lavender. Harry had a feeling of déjà-vu again when he noticed a sleeping figure covered by a dark cloak slumped in the window seat.
"These already taken?" Ron asked in desperation, pointing to the empty seats. After wandering from one end of the train to the other Ron was slowly but surely losing hope.
"Come in," Lavender invited. "I don't think he'd mind," she added, nodding in the direction of the cloaked figure.
"Who is that?" Harry wondered.
"No idea, he was already asleep when we came in," Parvati informed. "There's no house badge on his cloak, but he's not in Ravenclaw, or Padma would have mentioned him. He's exactly her type."
"Maybe he's an exchange student from Beauxbatons!" Lavender cried. "That would be fitting..." She signed, swooning. "Tall, dark and mysterious... with a fitting name that has a nice ring to it... hmm... something like Pierre Aurel. Or Raoul..."
She was turned towards Ron, but seemed to be looking right through him.
"Oh yes," Parvati chimed in, "just look at his posture, he must be an excellent Quidditch player. And his hazel coloured eyes with the golden specks that can only be seen when the light hits his face in exactly the right angle."
Ron frowned. Were that supposed to be qualities of exchange students in general or of French exchange students in particular?
"The only "exchange student" Hogwarts has had in centuries is Viktor Krum, and he was not exactly good looking. Right, Hermione?"
Hermione ignored the question, rolling her eyes, and looked the person over sceptically. They couldn't see of the boy's face. He had dark hair and was wearing a standard black cloak that covered the rest of his clothing completely. It had no house badge on it so they didn't have the slightest clue as to his identity.
"I'm not sure," Hermione said, lost in thought. "I think we have a class together, but I can't remember his name."
"You know him?" Ron, Lavender and Parvati cried in shock, even though for different reasons.
"How about we get the luggage out of the way first," Harry tried to change topics before Ron could start arguing with Hermione. Luck seemed to be with him this time; Ron actually did change topics while Parvati and Lavender were alternately giving Hermione surprised and jealous looks.
"So, what was your dream about?" Ron asked eagerly, shoving his trunk into a corner. Harry sighed and Ron made himself comfortable in his seat. Obviously Harry had to prepare himself for a long story.
Parvati and Lavender were instantly hooked and leaned forward inquisitively. Maybe Harry didn't have as much luck as he'd thought.
"Uhm...," he began, throwing a nervous glance at the gossip-greedy girls. "I think I should finish my homework before I tell you the whole story..."
"Harry!" Hermione was aghast. "You can't be serious!"
"Call us when you're finished, maybe we can help you figure out the meaning of your dreams later." And with that they said their goodbyes and went to visit Padma and some of their friends.
Harry sighed in relief. "Well... were was I?"
Ron grinned, and Hermione sank into her seat, relieved. "And for moment I really thought you hadn't finished."
Harry's cheeks coloured slightly. "Yeah, well, you know... uhm... That wasn't, well, that wasn't exactly completely made up..." He smiled somewhat nervously, expecting a lecture. But Hermione disappointed him.
Her face merely took on a resigned expression. "You two really are unbelievable." She snorted and took a book out of her bag.
Ron was scandalised. "Hey, what did I do?"
While Ron and Hermione were engaged in their verbal sparring, Harry was pondering the right place to start his story. At last, he decided that the first thing to do was to make sure that it hadn't been a prophetic dream of some sort - however weird.
"Hermione?"
"Mhm?" She looked up from the book that she was currently reading as background information in her free time.
"Have you seen Malfoy today?"
Hermione only looked on in askance. "He was at the train station." She gave Harry a suspicious look. "Just like every year when school starts," she added extra slowly.
"And?"
"And? The usual." Hermione's face spoke volumes as she remembered the encounter. "He used Crabbe and Goyle as battering rams to clear his way to the train! He's just unbelievable! He-"
Harry had planned on steering the conversation in the right direction in an inconspicuous way, but obviously only the mallet method would work here.
"How did he look?"
"I'm sorry?" Hermione seemed to be lost for a second.
"Do you think he was somehow... different? Look-wise?"
Hermione looked confused and Ron, who was chewing on a sandwich that his mother had prepared him - very much to his dismay - swallowed the wrong way and needed ten minutes and a vast quantity of water to be able to breathe properly again.
Suddenly it seemed to dawn on Hermione.
"Harry..." A small smile played around the edges of Hermione's lips. "Why didn't you ever say anything?" Her smile changed into a frown. "I should talk to Ginny... But Malfoy?"Sie leaned forward and put a hand on Harry's forehead.
"Huh?" Now Harry was lost.
"Malfoy?" Ron squeaked. "Harry, did the Dursleys brainwash you? And since when are you..." Apparently Ron could not say it out loud - whatever "it" was - so he gestured wildly to show Harry what he meant.
Harry still sat there, blinking and confused. "I just wanted to know if..." He paused and his eyes widened.
"Ron! Why would I... him of all people, I mean if I would at all... well, thank you for your good opinion!" Harry was sure the heat radiating off his face added quite a bit to the melting of the polar caps.
Ron relaxed, obviously relieved.
But Hermione was confused again. "But if you didn't ask because of that, then what is it you want to know?"
"What I meant was... Do you find him attractive?"
"Well, Crabbe and Goyle are most definitely worse to look at, but that doesn't mean all that much, does it? So what if his looks are passable? His mean smirk distorts his features so much that there's nothing left of his face that would be worth a second thought," Hermione answered, her tone of voice suggesting that she was lost in thought. She shot Ron a cautious sideways glance.
"Sounds like you've thought an awful lot about it," Ron said extra casually. The foreboding undertone would have been lost on most people, but Hermione noticed the warning signals.
"Ron, everybody who has eyes will tell you that Crabbe and Goyle are the epitome off unattraciveness. That Malfoy stands out in comparison to them doesn't make him good looking. Besides, even if someone actually found him good looking - I suppose Pansy Parkinson must see something in him - that still wouldn't mean that he is attractive. That takes a lot more. Any questions, Ron?"
"Yeah, actually I do have a question!" Ron looked horrified. "Harry, what exactly happened in your dream? It must have been terrible...," he added with a glance at Hermione.
Harry nodded and began to retell his experiences in the terrifying dreamworld in detail.
"Was this the first time you had such a dream?" Ron asked. "You know, dreams are said to show you your secret wishes... Didn't Trelawny say so. once?"Now that he knew that Harry was not secretly pining after Malfoy he found the whole thing rather funny and didn't waste any time in teasing Harry.
"Oh, of course, Ron! You really think Harry would want me to bleach my brain and you to go through evolution backwards? I doubt it," Hermione bit back.
Harry couldn't help but agree with Hermione. He could hardly imagine that this dream could have possibly brought his secret desires to life. At least, he hoped so...
"Harry, Ron and I have to meet the other prefects now. We'll talk later. Come on, Ron, we'll be late."
Harry sighed deeply. He seemed to do that a lot today. Since he hadn't much else to do, he got started on his transfiguration essay.
The farther north they travelled the colder it became. The stifling heat from the morning had all but vanished. When Harry glanced out the window sometime during the afternoon it was slowly getting dark already. Well, maybe the heavy clouds in the sky were blocking the light out. Just what was taking Ron and Hermione taking so long? Their stupid meeting couldn't be all that boring if they needed hours to return. A quick glance at the person sitting at the window confirmed that the guy was still sleeping. Bored out of his skull Harry leaned back in his seat. If only that essay were a little less uninteresting...
ooOOoo
Harry jumped as a door was slammed shut somewhere. Confused and sleepy he looked around. He must have leaned his head against the adjoining seat, because that was where he found himself now.
Ron and Hermione were back. But something was not quite right. Hermione was permanently smiling in bliss, whereas Ron was frowning. That couldn't be good.
"Hey, are you finished already?" Harry asked good naturedly. But it didn't help much, the tension in the compartment could have been cut with a knife.
Hermione seemed to be in ecstasy.
"Harry, guess what happened!" she cried excitedly. Before Harry could answer she was already babbling on.
"I'm head girl! I never thought that was possible! Professor McGonagall didn't mention it in the letter with the book list, but there was an extra envelope with a note pinned to it: Open on 1st September. The girl that was supposed to be head girl this year has vanished somehow. And since I have the best grades any sixth year has had in the last 264 years, I was chosen to take her place. That's such an honour! Harry, say something!"
But Harry found that he couldn't. He was completely dumbfounded and just sat there gaping like a fish. Hermione was head girl? How was that even possible? As far as he knew there had never been a head girl that was not yet in her last year of school. But he was afraid that Hermione wouldn't appreciate it if he asked why Professor Dumbledore relied on such an unconventional solution. Luckily, he was spared the dilemma of having to answer, because Ron decided to contribute to the conversation at that moment.
"That's not even the half of it, Harry. Is it, Hermione?" Ron sounded distinctly angry. What could it be that provoked such an ungracious reaction from Ron?
"Do you want to tell him, Hermione, or should I do it?"
Hermione's joy was gone in the blink of an eye.
"I actually forgot about that for a minute."
"Impressing achievement," Ron went on. "Malfoy is head boy. Can you believe that?"
Now that was something Harry could indeed not quite believe. That had to be a mistake. For what reason would Dumbledore ever do that?
"Dumbledore wants to make use of the special situation to improve the inter house relationships and boost the students' sense of "togetherness". Don't make me laugh." Ron gave a bitter laugh. "But that isn't even the best of it. It seems the ministry has decided that Hogwarts is getting run-down. They say that it's too dangerous for the students; Hogwarts has to be renovated." Ron snorted derisively. "Just another harassment to bother Dumbledore if you ask me. Renovate? That castle is surrounded by a plethora of protective spells, but Fudge is afraid that someone might get entombed in a corridor? Oh, please..."
"What's that got to with Hermione?" Harry wondered. By now it was all Greek to him.
"Oh, yeah, that." Ron snorted again. "The letter said something else. I quote:
I'm sorry to inform you that some unexpected awkward circumstances necessitate that you share your room with the head boy. Even though a separate room is usually part of the head girl's privileges, the school won't be able to provide one. Thus you will be able to discuss any problems that might arise associated to your duties as representatives of the school without delay. The spacial proximity will hopefully lead to more unity on other levels as well.
Sincerely and with the best of wishes,
A. Dumbledore, etc...
"THAT'S JUST UNBELIEVABLE!" Ron's voice had constantly risen in the course of his speech, by now he was shouting so loud the windows were rattling.
"Calm down, Ron!" Hermione screamed. Harry flinched.
"Malfoy may be an idiot, but maybe he betters himself when he's made head boy. You know, some people grow with their duties!" she yelled.
"DON'T TELL ME THE WHOLE THING DOESN'T BOTHER YOU AT ALL! ARE YOU INSANE?"
Harry would have loved to interfere, but he was still mulling over the fact that Hogwarts - with its hundreds of spare rooms - had to resort to making people share a bed. He was jerked from his thoughts by a shrill scream.
"Perhaps he is not all that bad! His father is in Azkaban! Maybe - without Lucius' influence - he'll start thinking for himself and stop parroting everything that's drummed into him at home."
Ron was stunned. "OH, NOW IT'S DRACO? WHEN'S THE WEDDING? OH, GO TO YOUR DRACO AND BE HAPPY WITH HIM!"
Harry's head was starting to throb. This was absurd, even for Ron and Hermione. He was about to say something to get them both to come around when Hermione burst into tears all of a sudden and bolted out the door.
"I thought you were my friends," she sobbed. "I never would've thought you'd give me the cold shoulder because of something like this..." The compartment door slammed shut with a bang.
"Harry!" Ron paused, bemused. "What's going on here?" Ron was obviously perplexed.
"Sorry," said Hermione who suddenly appeared to Harry's right. "There was a wind gust; I lost my grip on the door handle. Harry?" Hermine sounded confused, too. Harry opened his eyes fully and realised why that was.
The dark haired boy who had occupied the window seat was half leaning over him with his right hand slightly raised as if to hit him. Harry was so taken by surprise that he could do nothing but one thing: scream.
The dark haired boy in turn was so taken aback that he also screamed and jumped back.
He raised both hands in a placating gesture. "Sorry! I just wanted to wake you up. You were murmuring in your sleep and tossing your head so wildly that I thought you'd get a whiplash."
"Um... thanks... I think," Harry mumbled. So it had been a dream? Ron and Hermione had returned just now? What a day.
"Um, excuse me..."
"Yeah?" the dark haired boy said.
"What did I say?" Harry asked cautiously.
The grin that followed this question was more than ominous. Harry blanched. Where were Parvarti and Lavender? Hopefully far enough away...
"Well... It was about the head boy or something."
Harry breathed a sigh of relief. "That was all?"
The dark haired boy's grin broadened. Harry swallowed. "After that you just moaned and babbled about Malf..."
"What!" Harry, Hermione and Ron shouted simultaneously.
Meanwhile, the boy in the window seat was roaring with laughter. "Just kidding...," he managed to gasp.
"Just great, at least one of us is having fun here," Harry grumbled.
Hermione adopted her thoughtful expression once again. She looked as if she was supremely occupied with figuring out a great mystery.
"I've been meaning to ask you, do we have Arithmancy together?"
"Ancient Runes," the dark haired boy answered, smiling. "Frederick Kensington." He stuck out his hand, still smiling.
Ron flushed and grumbled: "Great, another Fred, what a nightmare..." But whereas Harry didn't miss that, Hermione didn't seem to notice at all.
"Oh, right. You're in Hufflepuff, aren't you?"
Harry raised his brows. Hufflepuff? No wonder Lavender and Parvati hadn't recognised him. They always claimed that Hufflepuffs didn't meet their demands; they didn't have enough esprit and were therefore under their potential-boyfriend-radar.
Harry suppressed a grin and shook his head.
"Are you taking Ancient Runes this year, too?" Hermione asked.
"Yes, of course. I don't understand why so many people find ancients scripts boring. It's fascinating to imagine that I can recite the very same spells that the first wizards ever have already used. In consideration of such a long history one feels so small, don't you think? Almost like looking at the stars and realising that you're nothing but an ant in comparison."
Hermione's eyes were shining when she realised that there was actually someone who could really get into something like Ancient Runes.
"Do you think that the meaning of Harry's dreams is written in some "ancient script"?" Ron muttered morosely.
"It was just a dream, nothing more!" Harry waved his arms about to emphasise his point. It was probably nothing, just his hyperactive imagination. All the stress last year. He didn't even want to start thinking about that again; he'd done enough thinking over the summer.
Hermione's attention was instantaneously focused on the problem at hand again, her Hufflepuff soul mate forgotten. She looked a little sheepish, because she had let herself get carried away.
"Your dreams seem to be rather vivid today, Harry. Are you sure that it's nothing?" She glanced almost imperceptibly at his forehead so Frederick wouldn't ask any questions. Harry got the hint and shook his head tiredly. He narrowly suppressed a yawn.
" You-know-who must be behind this!" Ron exclaimed.
Harry frowned skeptically and looked out the window. "You think Voldemort is sending me dreams about Malfoy?" Harry raised an eyebrow and turned to Ron. "Why would he do that?"
"Well, maybe he wants to drive you insane! And when you start thinking that you're interested in Malfoy because of all those lifelike dreams, then Malfoy can easily persuade you to help the dark side!"
Harry and Hermione looked at Ron with an expression of utmost mystification.
"Ron...," Harry began. "That's just... so..."
"Plausible?" Ron suggested.
"Actually, I was going for something along the lines of half-witted," Harry corrected. He was having serious problems and that was all his best friend had to say on the matter...
Hermione seemed to be momentarily dumbstruck.
"No, listen, Harry!" Obviously, Ron didn't want to desist from his theory that easily. "If you think about it, it's not that unlikely."
But no matter how long Ron tried to convince Harry and Hermione, he couldn't argue them out of finding it not very probable.
ooOOoo
When they were stowing away their luggage in the dormitory that evening and Harry shook the remains of the strange glittering powder out of his cloak, he had long since started to studiously ignore Ron as much as possible.
Ron sneezed.
"Hey, watch where you're tossing that stuff! What is it anyway?"
Harry watched in amusement as Ron tried to shake himself dog-style to get rid of the glittery powder in his hair. Not very successfully.
"Dunno. The driver of the Hogwarts-Express poured it over my head this morning. That was before you and Hermione arrived. I thought I could try and board the train already, but no, of course not."
Harry shrugged.
"Don't worry, Ron. That stuff really becomes you." He smirked. "You look like Parvati when she's wearing her "festive day make-up"."
At lightening speed Harry – still laughing - ducked Ron's blow and pulled his blanket over his head. He could only hope that this night he'd get at least a little recreative sleep for a change.