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Harry Potter and the Last Stand

Chapter Two

Harry sighed as he placed his trunk into the boot of his uncle's car. He had insisted that he would be staying at his aunt and uncle's this year. He had told his friends that it was because he would be safer in the Muggle community but in reality it was safer for them if he just stayed out of their way. He did miss having somebody to talk to, though. Harry sighed again as he sat down in the backseat of the car, placing Hedwig's cage carefully next to him. He pulled his seatbelt across himself, though he didn't know why he bothered.

Harry looked up as his Uncle Vernon and Dudley headed out toward the car. Dudley had decided that he wanted to see London, and as that was where Harry was going his uncle had decided to make a day out of it which is why they were leaving a good four hours earlier tan was necessary. Harry was tempted to hold them up when they got into the city so that they would miss the train but he knew that McGonagall would find a way to get the teen to Hogwarts.

'Ready to go then?' Uncle Vernon boomed cheerfully. Harry flinched slightly at the sound of his uncle's cheerful voice, knowing that he was only glad to be getting rid of Harry again. He nodded at his uncle silently.

On the journey, Harry twirled his wand absent-mindedly, staring out of the window blankly. He didn't even notice the slightly scared looks of his uncle and cousin as they eyed his wand warily. They both knew full well that Harry was not allowed to use magic outside of the school until he graduated, but they also knew that Harry had a growing disregard for the rules. They hadn't noticed at first. It had started right after Cedric's death. By the following summer this disregard was slightly more obvious. And now it was painfully so.

Harry only just noticed that Uncle Vernon had stopped the car and turned the engine off. They were parked in the car park for King's Cross Railway Station. Harry knew that this was deliberately done to cause as little embarrassment as possible to the Dursley family. Harry stepped out of the car, ignoring the cool breeze that swept across his face as he looked around at the bustling station. Harry sighed again and slid his wand into his trousers pocket and out of view of the bustling crowd that were going about their daily business like nothing else mattered. If only they knew...Harry thought, almost laughing to himself as pictures of terrified Muggles swam into the view of his minds eye.

Harry silently followed his uncle and cousin as they explored the sights and shops within range of the station, hearing his uncle promise that they would see more after Harry had left. Harry didn't even have to try to block out his only families voices as he watched the crowds around them, smiling and laughing. This was not the only time that Harry had wished that he could be just another face in the crowd.

Harry sighed as the station came back into view. He looked at his watch and saw that he had half an hour to catch the train.

'Well,' Uncle Vernon said happily as they reached the entrance. 'I guess we'll be seeing you next summer, then.'

'I wouldn't count on it,' Harry told him bitterly and walked away before Uncle Vernon could reply, if, indeed, he was going to. All the Dursleys could do was watch as Harry strode into the station, looking like he had the weight of the world resting on his shoulders, which, by the way, was exactly how Harry felt.

Harry stopped suddenly at a wall seperating platforms eight and ten. He took a deep breath. Somehow he knew that the second he got onto that train, nothing would ever be the same for the boy who lived. He took another deep breath then, glancing around to make sure no one saw him, walked straight through the wall and onto the very busy platform nine and three quarters. He barely even glanced at the other students and their families as he walked past them and boarded the train to Hogwarts. He entered the first empty compartment he found, hoping that his friends wouldn't find him. No such luck.

'Hi, Harry,' Hermione Granger beamed as she entered, followed closely by Ron, Ginny and Neville Longbottom. Harry's four friends sat down in the compartment, sitting on the opposite side so that they could watch their friend.

Harry sighed, grumbled a quick hello, and then stared out of the window. He ignored his friends catching up on their summers as the train started to head away from the station. Harry was silently willing for something to happen that would mean that he didn't have to go back to school. Not too long ago, Harry had decided that he wanted to become an Auror. That job didn't seem so appealing to him anymore. He didn't want to spend his life being the boy who lived, wether he beat Voldermort or not. Quietly, he pulled his potions book out of his bag and began to read. Ginny was silently delighted that Harry liked his birthday present, though she didn't voice her thoughts.

After what had seemed like an eternity to Harry, the train pulled to a stop in Hogsmeade. Harry was visibly releaved as he grabbed his trunk and headed to the carriages drawn by horses that only those that had seen death could see. Which, in this small group, meant only himself and Neville, who had been with his grandfather when he had passed away. Out of the corner of his eye, Harry saw the icy blond hair that could only belong to Draco Malfoy. He was about to go for him when something made him stop. What was it? He couldn't place it for a second, but then he realised. There was no booming shout of 'Firs' years! This way! Follow me!' like there usually was. Harry turned around and saw Professor McGonagall quickly making the newer students follow her to the boats that would take them up to the school. Harry frowned. Where was Hagrid? Why was McGonagall doing his job?

Obviously, Hermione and Ron had noticed too, because they had equally concerned faces as they stepped up into their carriage. 'Have you heard off Hagrid this summer, Harry?' Hermione asked, looking very confused as to what was going on with their favourite half giant.

'No,' Harry replied, obviously worried about his oldest friend, though, it seemed, more so than the two Gryffindors that were sitting across from him. The five friends stayed silent as they headed up to the school and remained so as they entered. As they went through the big double doors of the Great Hall, Harry looked up at the teachers table. Snape, of course, was missing. In his place sat a young looking witch who could only be the new Potions Professor. Most of the seats remained the same. Harry noticed that Proffessor Flitwick, the Charms Professor, now sat in the deputy heads seat. McGonagall was the headmistress now, of course, but she hadn't yet arrived. But there was another new addition to the cast of teachers. In what should have been Hagrid's seat, sat a slightly too thin young man. He looked like he was a very kind young man, but didn't seem to possess a lot of strength.

Harry's worry grew at this sight, because it meant that Hagrid was no longer teaching Care of Magical Creatures. This made Harry slightly uneasy. McGonagall wouldn't have sacked Hagrid, would she? Harry put these thoughts to the back of his mind as the new students entered, led by the headmistress herself. Harry looked at the Sorting hat, which sat on a stool at the front of the Great Hall. This was the hat that would decide which house the new students would be in: Gryffindor, Ravenclaw, Hufflepuff or Slytherin. But this was not the reason Harry and the other students watched the hat. The hat also gave a little speech at the beginning of each year. The school listened closely as the hat began to speak.

This is a year full of darkness

This is a year full of fear

This is the year that will bring to light

The answers we all need to hear

This is the year that will bring them together

Two enemies fighting as one

This will be the last and the first

Of the great things that are to come

The year will bring end to darkness

And within the ashes shall be hope

Death shall linger throughout

Which will bring forth the light

We will lose the one we hold most dear

But find them again in the night

The hat went back to sitting silently in front of the school. This was the most graphic that the hat had ever been and the whole school was shocked, even the teachers. Harry tuned out as the Sorting began, but clapped politely whenever the rest of his house did. He glared across the room at Malfoy who, it seemed, wasn't paying attention to the Sorting either, instead fiddling with his robes and staring at the table in front of him.

After the Sorting, McGonagall stood, ready to begin the back to school speech. She rattled off the usual rules for the benefit of the new students and then stood quietly for a second. 'As you know, this is my first year as headmistress. I will not attempt to fill the gap left by the death of Albus Dumbledore because I know it cannot possibly be filled. But he is not the only teacher we must say goodbye to, I'm afraid. This morning we received news that we had been dreading. Our Care of Magical Creatures Professor was found underneath the Dark Mark late last night. We had already appointed a temporary replacement for Hagrid as we knew he would not be returning to us for the beginning of the year. Now we know he will not be returning to us at all.' McGonagall bowed her head, obviously upset at this news.

Harry blanked out the rest of the speech and ignored his dinner when it arrived. He was deep in thought. He had known. He should have taken his dream more seriously. Maybe something could have been done to save his friend. Harry was scared. His first dream had come true. After the feast, he left his friends behind as he headed up to Gryffindor Tower, went straight up to his dorm room, and buried himself into his covers, crying.

A.N Please review!