Chapter 6: One Last Time

'Get up you two! We only have enough time to pack and eat!' Mrs. Weasley shouted up the stairs. Harry and Ron grabbed their trunks and cages for their owls and immediately ran downstairs. They began eating their breakfast.

About fifteen minutes later the family had apparated to King's Cross, Ginny doing Side-Along Apparation with her mother. They walked down the familiar train station, but they didn't see to many people from school. It turned out that people either didn't come to school in fear of another attack like the year before, or they all got on the train. Harry and the Weasleys walked to the large brick wall and ran at it, going into the Platform 9 and 3/4ths. Sitting there was the Hogwarts Express packed with students from what Harry could see.

Walking to the train, Harry, Ginny, Ron and Hermione moved their stuff into the compartment. They placed their trunks on the top and the four leaned out of their window to see the remaining Weasleys. Mrs. Weasley approached the window and looked up.

'Ron, I expect to hear that you four got to Hogwarts safely! I don't want to be worried you know?' Mrs. Weasley whispered strictly to Ron, who was rolling his eyes. The twins laughed at this and Mrs. Weasley turned around and gave them "The Glare". They stopped instantly.

'Don't worry mum, nothing is going to happen to us. You-Know-Who wouldn't attack the Hogwarts Express.' Ron muttered.

Mrs. Weasley was about to reply to this when a crashing sound was heard and a yell. Tonks ran into the platform up to Mr. Weasley and Harry heard something about an attack by Death Eaters. He immediately jumped out of the open window and ran through the barrier. Standing there were four Death Eaters, as well as Moody and Dawlish. Mr. Weasley ran out after Harry and saw them standing there.

'It wooks wike baby Potter has come to pway' said a childish voice which Harry knew was Belatrix Lestrange, cousin of his late Godfather, Sirius Black.

'You killed him and I finally get my chance for revenge!' Harry shouted, drawing his wand from his right pocket.

Pops were heard and aurors appeared, standing in front of Harry, looking at the four Death Eaters.

'People please, there is only four of us and what, ten of you? We are outnumbered, don't make it any worse than it - Stupify!' shouted Lucius Malfoy, or someone who sounded like him in Harry's opinion.

The stun spell his Dawlish and Harry was visible again to the Death Eaters. Harry raised his wand and shouted out 'Petrificus Totalus!' hitting one of the people he didn't know. Harry began to do a leg lock spell but was stunned from behind.

'Foolish boy. Are you trying to get yourself killed? You need to get to school.' a man said that was fading away as Harry passed out.

Harry woke up, opening his eyes to a message saying that they were close to Hogwarts and would have to change into his robes. Harry still was laying on one of the seats in their compartment, across from Ron and Hermione, as well as Ginny. Harry jumped up and drew his wand, but smacked his head on the rack above his head. He immediately fell back down holding onto his head. He sat up slowly making sure he wouldn't hit his head again and looked outside. The train came to a stop and a man he knew walked right by the train.

'Yeh all right there Harry?' Hagrid said, looking into the window where Harry just had gotten up, 'You lot best be getting into your robes soon.'

'Yeah, we will, we only have what, a few minutes till Hogwarts right Hermione?' asked Ron, reaching up for his trunk.

'I heard you got in a fight Harry? Don' be goin around getting yourselves hurt. That isn't what Professor Dumbledore would of wanted.' Hagrid said, looking saddened at the loss of Dumbledore, 'First years! First Years! All First years over here!'

Harry saw Hagrid move all the first years down a road as the rest of his group grabbed their trunks. A few minutes later, they entered the school of Hogwarts Witchcraft and Wizardry, and were greeted by none other than Professor McGonagall. 'This way. The sorting will begin in fifteen minutes. Until then, chat.'

Everybody took their seats in the Great Hall and Harry sat next to Ron and Hermione. Across from Harry was Neville, and to Neville's right was Ginny.

'So, what happened until I woke up?' Harry asked, still rubbing his head.

'Well there was that crash right, and you jumped out and ran out. Mrs. Weasley yelled at Mr. Weasley to go out there and help and a few minutes later you were carried into the train by Fred and George. I did my Head Girl duties and Ron monitored a bit. We came back and talked for a bit. Eventually you came to and we reached Hogsmeade.' Hermione explained quickly.

The remainder of the fifteen minutes was spent talking about who the new Defence and Transfiguration teachers would be, as well as Quiddich. It seems a lot of people wanted to join the team. Finally, Professor Lupin walked into the hall and took a seat, followed by Hagrid, leading the First years. This year there was only two new Slytherins, two new Griffindors, seven Ravenclaws, and five Hufflepuffs. None of the seven years from Griffindor, Hufflepuff, or Ravenclaw left but Crabbe, Goyle, and Pansy Parkinson had not returned. They finished eating and then Professor McGonagall stood up. She tapped her glass three times and the hall suddenly became quiet.

'Welcome to Hogwarts, and for our older students, welcome back! I am pretty sure all of you have heard about last year's incident and how I have been appointed to Headmistress. We lost our Defence Against The Dark Arts teacher, but quickly gained a new one. Please welcome back Professor Lupin.' McGonagall said cheerfully, as Lupin nodded his head, 'And recently got a new Transfiguration Teacher, who is somewhat late. I guess he wants to make some kind of an entrance. But as for more changes, Professor Slughorn is the new head of Slytherin house, taking back his old position from over seventeen years ago. As for Griffindor House, the new person in charge is none other than Professor Lupin. Oh, here is the new Transfiguration teacher.'

Aberforth Dumbledore walked into the great hall and sat down at the teacher's lounge not paying attention to any of the students.

'Here he is, Professor Aberforth Dumbledore. Now, I just realised that I forgot to mention one more thing. The forest is dangerous and will not be entered unless you wish a painful death from either Acromantulas, or even some snakes not to mention many other creatures that you will eventually learn about in Professor Hagrid's classes. Now everybody, off to bed. Prefects, go to your head of house and get the passwords and lead the first years off. Head Boy and Head Girl, come and have a word with me.' McGonagall said as Ron ran down to Lupin. Harry stood up and walked towards the Headmistress.

'Potter, you and Granger are to go through the halls making sure nobody is out after hours. You should get your map first before going out though.' McGonagall said casually as Harry looked in shock. 'Yes Potter, I know about the map. Get to work.'

Harry and Hermione walked into the corridors and Harry pulled out a piece of parchment. He quickly said 'I solemly swear that I'm up to no good.' The map opened and he looked on it, Ron had lead the first years to the common room and everyone was in bed except Ron, Dean, Seamus, and Neville who were all by the fireplace. He looked around the maps and noticed a Slytherin who Harry believed to be from the sixth year was walking around. Harry walked up behind him and then coughed like Umbridge would. The Slytherin jumped and turned around.

'Get back to your Common Room and go off to bed or I'll take ten points from Slytherin.' Harry said, with a smirk on his face.

'You - You can't do that! Only teachers can!' the boy told Harry.

'I know, but Lupin or McGonagall can. I don't think Professor Slughorn would be happy if you cost the house ten points before the term even started.' Harry said strictly to the Slytherin who began to curse under his breath and walk away. As soon as he entered the common room, Harry and Hermione left to their common room. They reached the portrait of the Fat Lady and she was awake, awaiting them to come.

'Password?' she asked.

'Phoenix Tail' Hermione told the Fat Lady. She nodded and opened up to the common room. Entering, Harry saw Ron was the only person awake now.

'Hey mate, what have you, Seamus, Dean, and Neville been doing?' asked Harry curiously.

'Talking about Quiddich mainly. Then they brought up Malfoy. I had no idea of what to say so I said he would get something coming to him eventually. I mean, if you attempted to kill Dumbledore, something bad is bound to happen right?' Ron asked, as Hermione went off to bed.

'Yeah, I suppose, but we really need to get some sleep. Classes start tomorrow.' Harry said while yawning.

Ron stood up and both of them walked up and entered their dormitory. Ron got into his four poster bed and fell asleep. Harry went to climb into his but saw a note on it.

Harry,

Since I am the new head of house, please pay me a visit. I have to talk to you.

Remus Lupin.

Harry looked at the note and placed it on his bedside table before drifting into a deep sleep.