Here's the next chapter y'all.
"First years this way!" Harry heard his longtime friend Hagrid bellow from the other side of the platform. He smiled when he saw the giant surrounded by a bunch of nervous first years. Among the group of students was a very bored Jessica.
She caught Harry's eye and gave him a small smile; which Harry returned. Then he watched as Hagrid led the students toward the boats that would take them across the lake and to Hogwarts castle.
Harry climbed into the carriage after Ron, "Finally I'm back." He said smiling as he sat next to Neville Longbottom.
Harry, Hermione, Ron and Neville sat in silence for a few minutes as the carriage lurched forward in the direction of their school.
"How was your summer, Harry?" Neville asked breaking the silence.
Harry gave Neville a kind smile, "Just fine, how was yours, Neville?"
"Great, my Gran and I took a vacation." He beamed sitting straighter in his seat.
"Oh yeah, where too?" Ron asked with only half-hearted interest. Harry figured Ron's thoughts were on a certain spiky haired girl.
Neville, not noticing Ron's lack of enthusiasm, grinned broadly, "She'd been saving money for years and we had enough to take a trip to Hawaii. Not a very long one, mind you. But it was fun just the same. What did you do this summer?" he asked Harry.
Harry froze trying to think of a suitable answer; luckily, for him he didn't have, Hermione came through in a pinch.
"We all spent most of the summer together," she said casually, "Ron's family was kind enough to put up with us, right Ron?" she added elbowing her friend in the ribs.
"Ow! What? Oh yeah, right. Hermione was a bit of a bother to them though. She kept hitting everyone. Fred has a bump the size of an apple on his head."
Hermione went red in the face (Harry couldn't tell if she was more embarrassed then angry), "I do not hit people Ron!" she snapped hitting him on the back of the head. "Unless, of course, they deserve it."
Harry laughed, "Cut it out you two, we're nearing Hogwarts." And sure enough as soon as Harry had said it, the coach lurched to a stop and the four climbed out.
"I wonder who's teaching Defense against the Dark Arts this year." Hermione inquired as she, Harry and Ron entered the Great Hall and sat at the Gryffindor table.
As the Great Hall filled, Harry became increasingly uncomfortable. Ever since he had stepped off the train in Hogsmead Harry knew he was being watched. Almost every student was pointing and whispering at him, this annoyed Harry greatly but he couldn't blame them. Not after what happened the year before, with the end of the Triwizard Tournament and Cedric's death. But there was something weird about the way they looked at him.
"Why are they looking at me like that?" He asked his best friends shifting awkwardly in his chair.
Ron and Hermione exchanged glances, "Have you been reading the Daily Prophet this summer Harry?"
"No, why?"
Ron leaned closer while Hermione spoke, "It's Fudge, Harry. All through the summer, he's been lying about you using the paper. He says your crazy and Dumbledore is crazy for believing your story about what happened at the Triwizard Tournament. He's been denying you-know-who's return all summer, saying that you were just seeking attention."
Harry was outraged, "What? You mean everyone here thinks Dumbledore and I are nutters? Why didn't you tell me all this before!"
Ron grimaced, "Well you were hardly acting yourself and we figured more bad news would send you over the deep end. When we found out why you were acting weird we had forgotten all about Fudge and his stupid claims."
Harry sighed and dropped his head into his hands, "Great, so now everyone thinks I'm crazier then before, that's perfect that is." He mumbled something under his breath and emitted, what Ron and Hermione thought to be, a low growl.
Hermione grinned and laughed a little, "Well those at the Gryffindor table who didn't think you were crazy before certainly do now."
Harry went beet red, and then laughed too. "Oh, well, who cares what people think? If they don't like me that's their problem not mine."
Someone at the staff table caught Harry's eye, although his face remained expressionless, Harry was astounded. Greg Talon his Mystic Knight mentor was at the staff table talking animatedly with Professor Flitwick.
Hermione caught Harry's eyes, "What is it?"
"Nothing, I..."
He was cut off by the Great Hall doors bursting open, Professor McGonagall, head of Gryffindor house, strode in with a bunch of nervous first years behind her. Jessica followed at a distance behind them, her face said she was bored, but Harry could tell she was a little nervous.
After the sorting hat sang its opening song and all the first years were sorted Jessica sat on the stool.
Harry caught Jessica's eye and grinned, she returned the smile adding in the roll of her eyes for good measure.
The sorting hat took it's time before finally shouting out, "GRYFFINDOR!" Tremendous applause arose from the Gryffindor table as Jessica hopped off the stool and shot Harry a sly grin.
Taking a seat at the table Jessica looked to Dumbledore as the rest of the students were. He stood and smiled widely, "Then there is nothing left to say, except, Tuck in." Instantly the five long tables filled with food and everyone settled down for a brilliant feast.
Well, what do you think, should I continue? Sorry this chapter is so short. Your reviews keep this story going. Thanks for reading, Cheers!