Disclaimer – I don't own Harry Potter. It belongs to J.K Rowling.
This is one of the longer chapters, since someone asked so nicely! : ) Thank you to all the reviewers, and enjoy!
Harry climbed into a carriage, slightly less unnerved than last year by the thestrals. Ron followed Harry's gaze and shuddered involuntarily.
"Creepy things, those are." Ron said darkly. Hermione said nothing, she was still reading. They were joined again by Neville, Ginny, and Luna. The ride up to the castle was filled with chatter. The skies overhead were rumbling, and just as the carriages arrived at the entrance hall, thunder crashed and heavy rain poured out of the skies. There was a mad rush to run inside, and once they reached the Great Hall, McGonagall was waiting for them.
"Please be seated." She said in her stiff way. She was still leaning on her cane, due to the attack she'd suffered by Umbridge. The Professor stepped past them to go and greet the first years, while everyone else hurried to sit at their respect table. Harry sat in between Ron and Hermione, and stared anxiously at his plate. He was hungry, and was wishing the food would come. Ron was nearly salivating over his plate.
"I can't wait till the food come! Mmm...mashed potatoes, chicken and rice and peas. And dessert! Pudding, and ice cream, and cookies, and cake!" Ron moaned with longing. Hermione glared haughtily at him.
"Honestly Ron, you are so one minded!" She sniffed. Harry grinned and nudged Ron.
"Let's just get past the first course, all right?" Ron smirked at Harry. Suddenly, the first years trooped into the hall. Harry felt bad at seeing the pathetically frightened faces, but felt worse for himself when his stomach grumbled. The Sorting Hat sang it's song and sorted the new students into the houses. Dumbledore stood up and clapped his hands, calling everyone to attention.
"Welcome back to Hogwarts!" He called out, his blue eyes staring out warmly at the students. Harry felt bad for smashing all those instruments in Dumbledore's office suddenly. "I know some of you are extremely famished," Dumbledore continued, staring at a few students pointedly with a small smile (this group included Ron) "So my final message, enjoy the food." Dumbledore concluded, clapping his hands again. Suddenly, large portions of food filled the table. Ron gave an excited yelp and began reaching for numerous bowls. A loud, lively chatter filled the Great Hall as everyone greeted old and new friends.
"Oy, Harry! How was your summer, mate?" Dean called from down the table. Harry grinned at Dean over his fork and gave a thumbs up. Dean laughed and returned his attention to his food. Someone poked his shoulder. Harry turned to see Cho standing behind him, her dark hair hanging like a shield in her face.
"Hi Harry." She said shyly. Harry nodded.
"Hi Cho." He replied coolly. Cho turned red.
"Good summer?" She asked.
"Better than last." Harry answered grimly. She nodded.
"That's good." She looked uncomfortable. "Well, see you, Harry." She said, walking away. Harry nodded too.
"Bye Cho." He returned to eating. Hermione snorted into her fork which was full of rice.
"What?" Ron mumbled through a mouthful of fried chicken. Hermione looked disgustedly at him.
"She's sorry now Harry."
"Whadd'ya mean?" Ron muttered through his chicken.
"Her old boyfriend, the one Ginny dumped, what was his name?"
"Michael, wasn't it?" Ron said darkly. Hermione shrugged.
"I guess so. Well anyway, he dumped Cho on the train. Turns out he has this correspondence with someone at Beauxbatons that he's really interested in." Harry looked at Hermione incredulously.
"How'd you find out so quick? No one told you on the train, and you've been with us the whole night! I heard nothing!" Harry wondered. Hermione grinned.
"Parvati told me on our way in." Ron rolled his eyes at Hermione.
"Girls." He mumbled to Harry. Hermione glared at Ron, and seemed to be considering throwing her spoon at him.
"Watch it mate, we're surrounded." Harry hissed. Indeed, every girl sitting around them (Lavender, Parvati, a first year named Andrea and a third year named Chelsea) was glaring openly at him. Ron shrank in his seat, his face glowing red. When dessert came, Ron stuffed his face up until the very second Hermione pulled him to his feet and insisted they show the first years to their dorm.
"First years! Come on! Follow us, and don't get left behind!" Hermione instructed.
"Little 'uns!" Ron called through a mouthful of food. Hermione glared at him, but the first years were already assembling.
"Comin' Harry?" Ron called.
"In a minute!" Harry called in return. Ron nodded and disappeared. Harry lagged along behind, and was when he found himself outside the Fat Lady's portrait, he had no idea what the password is. She stared at him sternly while he stuttered and mumbled, trying to think up a password that would be plausible. Suddenly, the portrait hole swung open and Hermione peered out.
"Oh Harry, there you are. The password is 'pixie dust'." She told him before pulling him into the common room. The room was empty except for the three of them, seeing as no one else had come from dinner, and all the first years had filtered up into their rooms.
"I kind of miss the chaos Fred and George brought." Ron remarked dryly from his seat in front of the fire. Harry flopped down into a chair while Hermione stretched out on the floor in front of the fire.
"It's a bit late to try tanning now." Ron joked. Hermione (whose eyes had been closed) opened one eye to glare at him.
"I'm not tanning. It's just nice and warm right here." She said, her voice a bit muffled since she was lying her head in her arms.
"Harry, how were the Dursley's this summer?" Ron asked Harry with a grin. Harry smiled back.
"The same as usual. Worse than last year, but not too bad. Since Tonks and Moody and Lupin threatened them all." Harry remembered fondly.
"Did you send THEM letters?" Hermione said with a note of fierceness in her muffled voice.
"Yeah, one every three days. But they only said 'I'm okay' or 'Fine' or something like that. It wasn't an actual conversation letter." Harry amended.
"How's Percy, Ron?" All of Ron's letters had conveniently not mentioned Percy.
"He's fine. He's been welcome back into the fold at least. But Mum still gets teary eyed looking at him, and Dad is a bit tense around him. And he barely acts like he's sorry." Ron muttered angrily. Harry nodded sympathetically. Suddenly, there was loud knocking on the walls.
"WHAT'S THE PASSWORD?" Neville was shouting. Hermione got up quickly, turning red.
"I forgot to tell them the password!" She gasped, running to the portrait and opening it. "Sorry! It's 'pixie dust'!" She said apologetically as nearly every Gryffindor filed in. Finally, Ron, Harry and Hermione drifted up to their rooms and fell asleep.
In the morning, everyone received their schedules in the Great Hall, just after the mail owls swooped in. To Harry's surprise, Hedwig fluttered down softly in front of him. She leaned forward with a letter in her beak.
"Hey, what's that Harry?" Ron asked through his mouthful of toast. Harry frowned, puzzled. There was no return address, or name on it. Just 'Harry Potter, Great Hall'. He opened it quickly.
Dear Harry,
I'm going to arrange stopping by for a visit with Headmaster Dumbledore. I'd like to speak with you in private.
Remus Lupin
"It's from Lupin. Says he's coming to visit." Harry informed his two friends in a low voice. Ron looked at it curiously.
"Wonder why. Hey, maybe he needs you to do something for the Order!" Ron suggested in an excited whisper. Hermione scoffed at Ron's idea.
"He's probably just checking up on Harry. Harry isn't allowed to do anything for...the you know what!" Hermione finished, looking around in case anyone was listening in. Harry pocketed the letter.
"Great. More people checking up on me." He said glumly. Ron thumped his back cheerfully.
"Don't think of it in a bad way. Just imagine that....well...maybe...nevermind." Ron said, giving up. "Oh, I know! You get your position as Seeker back! That's good!" Ron said happily. Harry grinned stupidly and reached up to rumple his hair. He froze suddenly, realizing what he'd just done.
"What?" Ron asked, puzzled. Harry slowly returned to eating his own breakfast.
"Nothing. It's just...my dad...nothing." Harry finished. Hermione sighed and continued eating. Suddenly, McGonagall reached them, handing them their schedules silently. Hermione studied hers with a slight smile. Ron groaned and dropped his head down on the table.
"Ugh. We have Potions tomorrow." Harry stared glumly at his Time Table.
"Hey, we have Defense Against the Dark Arts first. Dumbledore didn't introduce anyone knew!" Harry said in surprise. Hermione and Ron nodded incredulously.
"So who's the teacher? Maybe they're arriving today." Hermione said.
"Or maybe Snape's pulling double duties." Ron complain. Hermione shot him a withering look.
"Don't be thick Ron. Snape looked just as angry as ever last night. He didn't get the job yet." Ron brightened.
"Yeah. At least there's that." Harry said gratefully.
Everyone was settled down at their desk, eagerly awaiting seeing the new teacher. The door opened, and the class held it's breath. To everyone's surprise, Dumbledore walked in.
"Good morning everyone." Dumbledore greeted, his blue eyes warm and roving over the class. "Seeing as no new replacement teacher has been found, I am going to teach until such a person can be summoned up." Dumbledore told them. Everyone grinned at each other, happy with the new arrangement. "Now, please open your books to page 26." A few groans came from around the room. Harry even felt a surge of disappointment at the prospect of only reading. Dumbledore was smiling broadly, and Harry felt some hope rekindle.
"Be sure to lay out your wand. You'll be reading about Sirens, and we're going to practice the correct defense on those songbirds." Dumbledore announced, indicting to a couple of large, feathery white songbirds. Ron shot Harry a thumbs up. The first lesson was definitely a good start.
The next day in Potions however, was a disaster. Everyone was seated quietly when Snape entered the dungeon briskly.
"Take out your parchment and copy down this formula." He said, flicking his wand and filling three blackboards with a highly complicated formula. "We're going to be making a Stealth Potion." Snape said silkily, his speech slowing as his eyes fixed on Harry, who was glaring savagely at Snape.
"Five points from Gryffindor, Mr. Potter." No one even dared groan. But Harry's glare was un-relentless. He killed Sirius. He killed Sirius. He should have pulled me aside and told me. He killed Sirius. The words pounded like loud angry drums in his head.
"Another five points." Harry's glare was unceasing. "See me after class, Mr. Potter." He said softly, in a dangerous voice. Harry nodded once, picked up his quill, and began to copy the formula.
Please review!
This is one of the longer chapters, since someone asked so nicely! : ) Thank you to all the reviewers, and enjoy!
Harry climbed into a carriage, slightly less unnerved than last year by the thestrals. Ron followed Harry's gaze and shuddered involuntarily.
"Creepy things, those are." Ron said darkly. Hermione said nothing, she was still reading. They were joined again by Neville, Ginny, and Luna. The ride up to the castle was filled with chatter. The skies overhead were rumbling, and just as the carriages arrived at the entrance hall, thunder crashed and heavy rain poured out of the skies. There was a mad rush to run inside, and once they reached the Great Hall, McGonagall was waiting for them.
"Please be seated." She said in her stiff way. She was still leaning on her cane, due to the attack she'd suffered by Umbridge. The Professor stepped past them to go and greet the first years, while everyone else hurried to sit at their respect table. Harry sat in between Ron and Hermione, and stared anxiously at his plate. He was hungry, and was wishing the food would come. Ron was nearly salivating over his plate.
"I can't wait till the food come! Mmm...mashed potatoes, chicken and rice and peas. And dessert! Pudding, and ice cream, and cookies, and cake!" Ron moaned with longing. Hermione glared haughtily at him.
"Honestly Ron, you are so one minded!" She sniffed. Harry grinned and nudged Ron.
"Let's just get past the first course, all right?" Ron smirked at Harry. Suddenly, the first years trooped into the hall. Harry felt bad at seeing the pathetically frightened faces, but felt worse for himself when his stomach grumbled. The Sorting Hat sang it's song and sorted the new students into the houses. Dumbledore stood up and clapped his hands, calling everyone to attention.
"Welcome back to Hogwarts!" He called out, his blue eyes staring out warmly at the students. Harry felt bad for smashing all those instruments in Dumbledore's office suddenly. "I know some of you are extremely famished," Dumbledore continued, staring at a few students pointedly with a small smile (this group included Ron) "So my final message, enjoy the food." Dumbledore concluded, clapping his hands again. Suddenly, large portions of food filled the table. Ron gave an excited yelp and began reaching for numerous bowls. A loud, lively chatter filled the Great Hall as everyone greeted old and new friends.
"Oy, Harry! How was your summer, mate?" Dean called from down the table. Harry grinned at Dean over his fork and gave a thumbs up. Dean laughed and returned his attention to his food. Someone poked his shoulder. Harry turned to see Cho standing behind him, her dark hair hanging like a shield in her face.
"Hi Harry." She said shyly. Harry nodded.
"Hi Cho." He replied coolly. Cho turned red.
"Good summer?" She asked.
"Better than last." Harry answered grimly. She nodded.
"That's good." She looked uncomfortable. "Well, see you, Harry." She said, walking away. Harry nodded too.
"Bye Cho." He returned to eating. Hermione snorted into her fork which was full of rice.
"What?" Ron mumbled through a mouthful of fried chicken. Hermione looked disgustedly at him.
"She's sorry now Harry."
"Whadd'ya mean?" Ron muttered through his chicken.
"Her old boyfriend, the one Ginny dumped, what was his name?"
"Michael, wasn't it?" Ron said darkly. Hermione shrugged.
"I guess so. Well anyway, he dumped Cho on the train. Turns out he has this correspondence with someone at Beauxbatons that he's really interested in." Harry looked at Hermione incredulously.
"How'd you find out so quick? No one told you on the train, and you've been with us the whole night! I heard nothing!" Harry wondered. Hermione grinned.
"Parvati told me on our way in." Ron rolled his eyes at Hermione.
"Girls." He mumbled to Harry. Hermione glared at Ron, and seemed to be considering throwing her spoon at him.
"Watch it mate, we're surrounded." Harry hissed. Indeed, every girl sitting around them (Lavender, Parvati, a first year named Andrea and a third year named Chelsea) was glaring openly at him. Ron shrank in his seat, his face glowing red. When dessert came, Ron stuffed his face up until the very second Hermione pulled him to his feet and insisted they show the first years to their dorm.
"First years! Come on! Follow us, and don't get left behind!" Hermione instructed.
"Little 'uns!" Ron called through a mouthful of food. Hermione glared at him, but the first years were already assembling.
"Comin' Harry?" Ron called.
"In a minute!" Harry called in return. Ron nodded and disappeared. Harry lagged along behind, and was when he found himself outside the Fat Lady's portrait, he had no idea what the password is. She stared at him sternly while he stuttered and mumbled, trying to think up a password that would be plausible. Suddenly, the portrait hole swung open and Hermione peered out.
"Oh Harry, there you are. The password is 'pixie dust'." She told him before pulling him into the common room. The room was empty except for the three of them, seeing as no one else had come from dinner, and all the first years had filtered up into their rooms.
"I kind of miss the chaos Fred and George brought." Ron remarked dryly from his seat in front of the fire. Harry flopped down into a chair while Hermione stretched out on the floor in front of the fire.
"It's a bit late to try tanning now." Ron joked. Hermione (whose eyes had been closed) opened one eye to glare at him.
"I'm not tanning. It's just nice and warm right here." She said, her voice a bit muffled since she was lying her head in her arms.
"Harry, how were the Dursley's this summer?" Ron asked Harry with a grin. Harry smiled back.
"The same as usual. Worse than last year, but not too bad. Since Tonks and Moody and Lupin threatened them all." Harry remembered fondly.
"Did you send THEM letters?" Hermione said with a note of fierceness in her muffled voice.
"Yeah, one every three days. But they only said 'I'm okay' or 'Fine' or something like that. It wasn't an actual conversation letter." Harry amended.
"How's Percy, Ron?" All of Ron's letters had conveniently not mentioned Percy.
"He's fine. He's been welcome back into the fold at least. But Mum still gets teary eyed looking at him, and Dad is a bit tense around him. And he barely acts like he's sorry." Ron muttered angrily. Harry nodded sympathetically. Suddenly, there was loud knocking on the walls.
"WHAT'S THE PASSWORD?" Neville was shouting. Hermione got up quickly, turning red.
"I forgot to tell them the password!" She gasped, running to the portrait and opening it. "Sorry! It's 'pixie dust'!" She said apologetically as nearly every Gryffindor filed in. Finally, Ron, Harry and Hermione drifted up to their rooms and fell asleep.
In the morning, everyone received their schedules in the Great Hall, just after the mail owls swooped in. To Harry's surprise, Hedwig fluttered down softly in front of him. She leaned forward with a letter in her beak.
"Hey, what's that Harry?" Ron asked through his mouthful of toast. Harry frowned, puzzled. There was no return address, or name on it. Just 'Harry Potter, Great Hall'. He opened it quickly.
Dear Harry,
I'm going to arrange stopping by for a visit with Headmaster Dumbledore. I'd like to speak with you in private.
Remus Lupin
"It's from Lupin. Says he's coming to visit." Harry informed his two friends in a low voice. Ron looked at it curiously.
"Wonder why. Hey, maybe he needs you to do something for the Order!" Ron suggested in an excited whisper. Hermione scoffed at Ron's idea.
"He's probably just checking up on Harry. Harry isn't allowed to do anything for...the you know what!" Hermione finished, looking around in case anyone was listening in. Harry pocketed the letter.
"Great. More people checking up on me." He said glumly. Ron thumped his back cheerfully.
"Don't think of it in a bad way. Just imagine that....well...maybe...nevermind." Ron said, giving up. "Oh, I know! You get your position as Seeker back! That's good!" Ron said happily. Harry grinned stupidly and reached up to rumple his hair. He froze suddenly, realizing what he'd just done.
"What?" Ron asked, puzzled. Harry slowly returned to eating his own breakfast.
"Nothing. It's just...my dad...nothing." Harry finished. Hermione sighed and continued eating. Suddenly, McGonagall reached them, handing them their schedules silently. Hermione studied hers with a slight smile. Ron groaned and dropped his head down on the table.
"Ugh. We have Potions tomorrow." Harry stared glumly at his Time Table.
"Hey, we have Defense Against the Dark Arts first. Dumbledore didn't introduce anyone knew!" Harry said in surprise. Hermione and Ron nodded incredulously.
"So who's the teacher? Maybe they're arriving today." Hermione said.
"Or maybe Snape's pulling double duties." Ron complain. Hermione shot him a withering look.
"Don't be thick Ron. Snape looked just as angry as ever last night. He didn't get the job yet." Ron brightened.
"Yeah. At least there's that." Harry said gratefully.
Everyone was settled down at their desk, eagerly awaiting seeing the new teacher. The door opened, and the class held it's breath. To everyone's surprise, Dumbledore walked in.
"Good morning everyone." Dumbledore greeted, his blue eyes warm and roving over the class. "Seeing as no new replacement teacher has been found, I am going to teach until such a person can be summoned up." Dumbledore told them. Everyone grinned at each other, happy with the new arrangement. "Now, please open your books to page 26." A few groans came from around the room. Harry even felt a surge of disappointment at the prospect of only reading. Dumbledore was smiling broadly, and Harry felt some hope rekindle.
"Be sure to lay out your wand. You'll be reading about Sirens, and we're going to practice the correct defense on those songbirds." Dumbledore announced, indicting to a couple of large, feathery white songbirds. Ron shot Harry a thumbs up. The first lesson was definitely a good start.
The next day in Potions however, was a disaster. Everyone was seated quietly when Snape entered the dungeon briskly.
"Take out your parchment and copy down this formula." He said, flicking his wand and filling three blackboards with a highly complicated formula. "We're going to be making a Stealth Potion." Snape said silkily, his speech slowing as his eyes fixed on Harry, who was glaring savagely at Snape.
"Five points from Gryffindor, Mr. Potter." No one even dared groan. But Harry's glare was un-relentless. He killed Sirius. He killed Sirius. He should have pulled me aside and told me. He killed Sirius. The words pounded like loud angry drums in his head.
"Another five points." Harry's glare was unceasing. "See me after class, Mr. Potter." He said softly, in a dangerous voice. Harry nodded once, picked up his quill, and began to copy the formula.
Please review!