AN: I do not own Harry Potter, that honor goes to J. K. Rowling.

Chapter 13: Gossip

Harry watched Hermione walk off toward the adults standing at the bottom of the stairs. He knew he sounded like a small child, worried and afraid, but his thoughts slipped out. Hermione had a way of making him talk about things he'd rather keep quiet about.

"Is everything alright? With you two," Sirius questioned in a low voice as he watched Mrs. Weasley ascend the stairs with Hermione.

"We're fine," Harry said, cutting off his godfather's question. "She's just worried about... something or another," he lied.

Sirius fixed him with a scowl. Then the older wizard barked out a laugh and shook his head. "Witches always worry," he mused with a knowing nod. "We'll get to the platform via the Floo tomorrow. I'll go across with you. Just to be on the safe side, ask Hedwig to fly to Hogwarts ahead of you tonight or early tomorrow morning. I want as little disturbance as possible while moving you through the Floo tomorrow."

"Kingsley mentioned someone could get abducted from inside the network somehow," Harry commented as he followed his godfather up to the second floor.

"It's possible and rather easy to do if you know the wizard's destination and the time they'll depart from the Floo."

"I know you said you wanted to stay in Hogsmede for the year, but won't that be boring?"

Sirius paused on the top of the stairs, a complex expression replacing his boyish grin. "I hadn't thought that bit through," he admitted. "No, I won't be staying within Hogsmede. There is a place I could camp out if things somehow go sideways, which I don't think they will," he hastened to add. "There are a few projects I need to work on while you're at school. Peter is one of them."

Harry glanced down the hallway as Hermione and Mrs. Weasley went into the sitting room where Ginny and Hermione slept. "Are you going to chase after him?" he questioned, remembering how well that went for his godfather the last time.

"No, but I need to be prepared if he decides to scout around Britain. I'm sure he remembers a lot of our old tricks, so I'll need to come up with something new. Maybe I can get lucky and catch him without really trying," Sirius muttered to himself. "Right, I meant to tell you before. Dumbledore dropped by again late last night. You and the others had already gone to bed, so we didn't wake you."

"I was wondering when he'd get around to checking on us," Harry grumbled. Sirus and Lupin promised that the headmaster would drop by to ask him a few questions about his dreams and the World Cup. So far, he hadn't seen the aging professor.

"He's got something going on in the Ministry, and the preparations for the... thing... are taking up most of his days. He only stayed for about twenty minutes. It was barely enough time to update him on anything new."

"What did he say?"

Sirius blew out a breath and looked Harry in the eyes. "He promised to do everything in his power to ensure your safety. Harry, I want you to trust him, but I also want you to take this threat seriously. It's time you shifted your focus from Ministry-regulated coursework to practicing defensive magics. Remus and I have laid the groundwork over the summer, but it's time you made it your priority," he urged in a calm voice.

"Hermione won't like that," Harry commented with a smirk. He agreed with his godfather but didn't want to come right out and say it.

"This isn't about her," Sirius growled. "I want you to promise me you will. Remus has a list of things he wants you to work on. He and I will be sending you books and notes too. Harry, we can't be in the school with you, but you have the mirror and, if necessary, you know we can get into the school. It might even be fun to sneak in for the weekend."

"Dumbledore will know the moment you enter the grounds. He has the Map."

"Not anymore," his godfather stated with a grin. From a back pocket, he withdrew the Mauraders Map and passed it to Harry. "The old man knows he won't be in the school the entire year. Use this as much as possible to keep an eye out for anything strange. If I can get back in the castle, you know Peter will be able to."

"Then why don't you keep it? You could monitor the school from anywhere."

"If something were to happen, I wouldn't be in a position to help or warn you. No, you need to keep it and use it often."

"Do you really think he'll try for while I'm in the school?"

"Not really," Sirius admitted. "It would be much easier to snatch you while you're in transit to and from the school or Hogsmede. Peter knows all the secret entrances and exits too. He could wait for you in the basement of Honey Dukes or inside the tunnel under the Whomping Willow. Dumbledore mentioned that he'd set wards and alarms, so I wouldn't try to sneak out this year."

"I wasn't planning on going out much anyway," Harry replied with a hollow laugh. "If you're giving me work on top of whatever Professor McGonagall will give me, then I'll be anchored to the library or a table for the foreseeable future."

"There is... one more thing that you need to know before arriving tomorrow," Sirius said, his voice halting as if he wasn't sure how best to broach the subject. "I know you and Mad-Eye haven't seen... eye-to-eye," he snickered before his face resumed a serious expression. "He'll be the new Defense professor this year."

Harry groaned and wished he could just leave Hogwarts for good. "Let me guess, Dumbledore," he complained.

"Dumbledore," his godfather confirmed in a firm voice. "It's a good choice too," he continued in a firm tone. "Moody will head up a Dueling Club of sorts. For reasons that will become obvious soon enough. Go to them," he urged. "There isn't a better wizard to learn how to defend yourself from. If I didn't know better, I'd have guessed Moody offered his services to Dumbledore for your sake."

Harry wasn't sure that was a comforting statement to hear. "You know how I feel about him," he finally got out.

"Even if you decide to ignore everything Remus and I send with you, please learn everything you can from Mad-Eye. Yes, you might not like him, but he is wands-down the best dark wizard catcher in recent times. He could have taken on the group of Death Eaters at the Cup and come out alive, all alone. If anything, the old grizzled war-carpet has gotten better. His skills are sharper than ever."

Harry pursed his lips. "There is a story there," he commented.

Sirius looked, if anything, sheepish. "You aren't the only one who needs to learn things. Azkaban took a lot out of me," he admitted. "Moody and my cousin, Tonks, worked with Remus and me once or twice over the summer. There are some pretty fun challenges Mad-Eye came up with. Anyway, I got my wand handed to me more than once."

"I would have loved to see that."

"I'm sure you would," Sirius grumbled. "I won't ask for a promise because I know it isn't fair for me to do so, but for me, could you at least try?"

Harry mulled over his options. He didn't like Moody, but he couldn't ignore how good the ex-Auror was or his godfather's honest plea. "I'll try," he found himself saying.

"Thank you," Sirius said with an exhalation of breath. "Now, try to get some sleep. We'll be up early tomorrow and I've got a few going-away presents for you."

The next morning was chaos incarnate. All the Weasley children ignored their mother's warning about packing to return to school. While they'd only been at Grimmauld Place for a few days, it took a considerable amount of time to gather up their belongings. Ginny took the longest to get ready.

"Right, Harry, you'll come across with me first. No one will expect that," Sirius instructed as he nodded to Remus.

"We'll be along behind you," Mrs. Weasley said with a smile. She glanced at Arthur before turning back. "Have a good term and try to stay out of trouble." Harry felt like laughing as Sirius led him through the green flames and into the Floo Network.

The bright green flames obscured Harry's vision for a moment as he stepped onto the decorative concrete of the platform. A billowing puff of acrid white smoke obscured several figures of different sizes in long robes. He took his first step in time with Sirius beside him.

They were at the end of the Hogwarts Express. Dark wood, accented with red trim, passenger cars connected in a long line to a bright red steam engine. "Look alive," his godfather growled under his breath as he strode toward the middle of the train.

It took Harry a moment to realize what was wrong. Whenever a group of witches and wizards saw him and his godfather, they stopped and stared. A ripple of hushed conversation followed in their wake as Sirius led the way. "That isn't ominous," Harry grumbled.

"Infamy," his godfather noted. Harry thought he could hear a bitter sadness in his voice.

"I say, you there, are you, Sirius Black?" a masculine voice called from the crowd.

"This will have to do," Sirius whispered and gently directed Harry toward the closest stairs up between two passenger cars. "Have a good term and don't forget to use the mirror whenever you want to talk. I'll always have time for you," he finished with a rush as he turned to greet the wizard who'd spoken to him.

Harry sighed and made his way toward the front of the train. He knew Ron, Hermione, and Ginny would find him before long. Once he'd found an empty compartment, he closed the door behind him and called, "Dobby."

His house-elf appeared in the middle of the compartment. "Master Harry Potter, sir," he greeted. "I have your things." With a snap of his diminutive fingers, two trunks and an empty owl cage appeared in front of him.

"Thanks, Dobby," Harry said with a smile. "I don't know what I'd do without you."

"It is a pleasure!" Dobby squeaked before disapparating away again.

Harry flicked his wrist, summoning his wand to his hand. "Pack," he intoned as he waved his wand over his trunks. His luggage rose in the air and seated themselves on the overhead rack a moment later.

"Blimey, mate. This is nuts," Ron complained as he pushed his way into the compartment a few minutes later, Ginny hot on his heels. "They keep asking questions about you to Sirius."

Harry grunted and glanced at the window. He'd pulled the shade down to block anyone seeing into his compartment from the platform. "Professor Lupin thought I'd have some issues," Harry said into the silence as Ginny pushed her battered trunk into the overhead rack. Her stomach was almost in his face, so he had to lean around her to continue talking to Ron. "Where did the twins run off to?"

"Oh, Angelina and Alicia were discussing their O.W.L. scores with them a few cars up."

"I'll bet they'll want to see you," Ginny prophesied as she took her seat across from Harry.

Before he could answer, the door slid open to reveal Hermione. "Harry, you might want to get under your Cloak," she hissed as she dragged her trunk into the compartment.

Harry didn't waste any time and withdrew his Cloak from inside his robes. Hermione hadn't finished stowing her luggage when the door opened again. "I thought Harry Potter was in here," a small boy with straw-colored hair squeaked as his dark eyes flicked around.

"Dennis," a familiar voice called as another head, his light hair reflecting in the sunlight, popped his head into the compartment. Colin Creevy was a year younger than Harry. The boisterous Griffindor headed up a small group of nosy students that worked on the school paper. Not many people read the two-page newspaper every weekend, but Colin did enough business to keep his dream afloat. "Hello, Ginny," he greeted with a wave. "This is my brother," he said to everyone with a wider smile.

"Nice to meet you all!" Dennis called before ducking back out of the door.

Harry sighed once Colin closed the door behind them. "I hadn't realized we'd have to deal with two bundles of energy," he complained.

"Colin is alright," Ginny scolded. Her scowl faded when she giggled.

"Thanks for the warning," Harry said to Hermione as she opened a tome on her lap. He couldn't read the title, but he could see European Ancient Runes covering the pages.

"Oh, it wasn't Colin and his brother I was worried about," she answered with a smirk.

Ginny leaned over and whispered something in her friend's ear as the two witches laughed. The door banged open a moment later. "Where. Is. He?" an authoritative voice demanded. Daphne Greengrass stood in the doorway, her sister Astora peeking in around the corner. The older of the two witches' eyes swept across the compartment before landing on Ron. "Where?" she repeated with a glower.

Ron shrunk back and looked across at his sister and Hermione. "Uh, he was here a few minutes ago," he hedged.

"Harry Potter, show yourself," Daphne ordered with a manic gleam in her eye.

Knowing better than to answer, Harry held his breath. Daphne glared around the compartment for another half minute before she turned and slammed the door behind her. "Blimey, she's angry with you," Ron muttered.

"I don't know why," Harry whispered back, just in case Daphne decided to enter the compartment again.

"It might be because you didn't write her all summer," Ginny giggled. Harry could tell the fiery redhead was enjoying herself.

"Ah... well... I was busy," he tried.

Hermione huffed and shook her head. "You know, you really should have written her at least once," she scolded. Her eyes, staring at a spot a foot from where Harry cowered, glittered with suppressed laughter.

"Was," Ron tried to say before the door crashed open again. Angelina, Alicia, and Katie all piled into the compartment, beaming.

"Where's Harry? I have to hug him!" Angelina said as she looked around. "Huh, I thought Fred said he was in here."

"He certainly is popular today," Ron grumbled. "Did Dumbledore give you the Captain's Badge?" he asked Angelina.

"No, which is weird," Alicia complained. "Katie didn't get it either. You obviously didn't get it. What's that ancient wizard playing at?"

Katie crossed her arms and glared at the shade covering the window. She seemed to see something no one else did. "I hope... oh, no," she spluttered, her face going pale.

"What?" everyone asked at the same time. Harry was glad no one heard his outburst.

"Oh, well... that means no one is the Captain," she explained.

An uncomfortable silence descended on the compartment. "That... can't be right," Ron said haltingly. "There has to be Quidditch."

Hermione shot a look toward the corner Harry was hiding in but didn't say anything. "Maybe it's just an oversite," Alicia tried. Harry thought her voice sounded weak.

"Well... if you see Harry, tell him we thank him so much for his flashcards and help last term. We nailed the O.W.L.s," she said as she threw an arm around Alicia.

"We'll be sure to tell him," Ginny promised with what could almost be called a straight face. Her nose scrunched up a little, causing her freckles to stand out more.

Once everyone left, Harry spoke. "You know, I think I'll just hang out under here for the trip," he mumbled. If this was his welcome, he didn't want to think about what his next several months at Hogwarts would be like.

It didn't take long for Neville to arrive with his trunk. "Sorry, Gran took forever to get ready," he apologized as he floated his trunk up to the upper rack. Hermione shot him a withering look.

"You cheated," Ginny complained with a smile. "Oh, don't sit there," she instructed with a wave toward Harry. "Someone is hiding from his fans," she joked.

"Harry?" Neville questioned with raised eyebrows. He squinted toward the seat beside Ron. "Hey," he greeted with a wave as he closed the door behind him.

"Hey, Neville," Harry grumbled as he slouched back into his seat. "I'm just going to hang out here for a bit."

"I heard quite a bit on my way down the train," Neville said as he took a seat beside Ron. "Apparently, Harry's done a disappearing act. More proof of his dark intentions," he joked.

Ginny sat bolt upright with a fierce look on her face. "You're kidding," she demanded. Everyone looked at her until her face flushed a deep red. "Right?" she pressed in a quiet voice.

"No, I'm serious. I was asking if anyone had seen you guys. Daphne was pretty pissed looking for him earlier. It got out that he'd disappeared from the train entirely. Harry, I think she checked every single compartment if the rumors are right."

Harry groaned and put his head in his hands. He was glad the others couldn't see him. Hermione laughed quietly to herself, but Ginny giggled. "She's right to be mad," the firey redhead scolded with a smirk.

"Anyway, I got it from Angelina that you'd disappeared too. She said to let her know if I found you. She really wants to give you a hug, Harry. There are a few others who are more than a little happy to catch up with you. Malfoy being one of them."

"What does that git want?" Ron demanded.

"Probably to gloat or something. Zoe said to not worry about it. She went off with Daphne and her sister for a while. She said we'd meet back up at Hogwarts."

"How is that going?" Hermione questioned as she closed her book. The penetrating stare she leveled at Neville made Harry feel sorry for his friend.

"Uh... good," the round-faced boy answered, his face going red. Ginny and Hermione shared a look before smiling secretive smiles at one other.

"Aw, leave him alone," Ron complained as he drew out a well-worn deck of Exploding Snap. "Come on, Neville. Let's play since Harry is going to hide the entire trip.

It was a while before Harry woke from his nap, still hidden under the Cloak. He hadn't slept much the night before. At the time, his mind wouldn't let him sleep. The formula for his next experimental potion gnawed at the corners of his thoughts. A male voice, familiar and distant, roused him to full wakefulness.

"...ar... th..." the voice said from somewhere in his robes.

It took Harry a moment to realize what he was hearing. "Sirius?" he said aloud, forgetting he was hidden under the Cloak.

"Who said that?" a feminine voice asked.

Harry looked up to see Luna Lovegood, her bulging eyes fixated on where he sat. Without answering, he fished out the mirror and looked into his godfather's face reflected on the silvery glass. "Yes?" he asked, a little miffed that he'd been woken up.

"You left the train?" Sirius questioned in a rush, his eyes flicking back and forth.

Harry had the feeling Sirius was trying to reassure himself that Harry was alive and well. "No? I'm still in my compartment. What's going on?" he asked as a knot of tension settled into his stomach. "Are you okay? Professor Lupin?"

"I'm fine, Remus is fine, it's you we were worried about. I just got word you hadn't been spotted on the train in hours!" Sirius shouted. "Someone came by to check your compartment. All your friends were there, but you weren't."

"I'm under my Cloak," Harry answered with a shrug. "I got a rather... exuberant welcome and decided to just lay low until I got to Hogwarts."

Sirius blew out a breath, causing the reflection to shake. His visible hand shook as he brushed his long hair out off his face. "Sorry, with... well everything. I got scared."

Harry felt bad for worrying his godfather. He looked up to see everyone staring at where he sat invisible. Hermione had a perplexed expression on her face. "Sorry everyone," he called as he pulled off the Cloak.

"Oh, hello, Harry," Luna greeted with a brilliant smile. "So, I was saying," she continued as she turned back to Ginny.

"I'll let them know you're safe," Sirius called from the mirror. A moment later, he was gone.

"Blimey, you scared us," Ron complained but shrugged it off. He turned back to Neville. "So, when Krum feinted with Levski, I got the idea we should try a Chaser-Seeker switch in our next match," he said with a broad grin. "It would be so easy to do too! They'd never see it coming."

"Everyone watched the Cup. They'll see it coming," Neville scoffed.

"Somone did stop by earlier," Hermione whispered to Harry.

"I fell asleep," he explained.

"We guessed as much by your snores," Ginny remarked with a giggle.

Five minutes later, an older wizard in a dark jumpsuit, his conductor's hat askew, opened the door to the compartment. His eyes flicked to Harry. He froze for a moment before closing the door and stalking off down the corridor.

"Well, that was friendly," Neville commented with a wry smile.

No one bothered the group of friends until the train stopped at Hogsmeade Station. "First y'ers, first y'ers, this way," a booming voice called. Harry could almost hear the smile in Hagrid's voice.

"There you are," Angelina greeted as she came into the compartment.

Harry hadn't heard her enter in the bustle of everyone gathering up their trunks for the Hogwarts house-elves to take up to the castle. "Hey," he tried to say but was interrupted as the muscular witch cannoned into him with a hug.

"I owe you so much," she hissed in his ear as she squeezed him tight.

"You did all the work," Harry managed to get out. He was uncomfortably aware of Angelina's smell and her body pressed up to him. "I ju.. rst," he coughed as his voice broke. "I just provided you with a means to study a different way."

Angelina pulled back and eyed Harry. A slow, knowing smile stretched her mouth, making her full lips look inviting. "Oh, this is going to be a great year," she remarked with a twinkle in her eyes.

Angelina wasn't the only person to stop Harry as he disembarked the train. She, however, was the only person to greet him with such exuberance.

"It's him!" a lanky boy in Hufflepuff robes hissed to his friend as he tried to shove three people into an open compartment.

"Potter," Seamus Finnigan greeted with a wary nod as he tried to edge away from Harry on the platform. Dean Thomas also gave Harry speculative looks but didn't comment.

"My sister is going to flay you alive," a familiar young voice said as she stepped up beside him. While the first-years got to ride small rickety boats to the castle. The rest of the students rode in, what most believed, to be horseless carriages. Harry knew that a Thestral, a Magical Creature that looked like a skeletal horse, drew the carriage but they could only be seen by those who'd witnessed death.

"I realized that when she stalked into our compartment earlier," he remarked, as he patted Neville on his shoulder. His friend looked shaken and upset. Harry understood why and wanted to support Neville any way he could.

"Why didn't you write? She was waiting all summer?"

"I honestly forgot. I've been beyond busy."

"She's... not going to like that answer," Astoria mused with an impish grin. "O well, what would you like for flowers at your funeral?"

"They'll never find his body," a cool voice answered her sister.

Harry turned to look Daphne Greengrass in the eyes. "Hello," he tried. He got slapped for his trouble. It didn't hurt, but the shock of it made him yelp.

"You... didn't... write," she hissed as she closed in on him. Once she was face to face with him, she glared into his eyes.

"Listen," he tried again.

"You, listen," Daphne growled in a deep and savage voice. It promised pain beyond measure. "I waited all summer," she whispered. "I worried all summer. Then I hear, some git visits our Charms Hall. Grinning and happy. How do you think I felt?"

"Uh... confused?" he tried.

"Angry," Daphne corrected. "How hard would it have been to send Hedwig with a letter? A two-sentence letter. Saying something like, oh, I don't know. I'm doing well. I hope you are too," she remarked as if discussing the weather.

"Uh," Harry mumbled. Daphne waited, obviously expecting him to answer. "Not hard?" he tried.

"Not... bloody... hard," the witch agreed in a hiss that sounded like it came from a boiling kettle. Harry wondered if he could attempt a Disapperation Charm here. Possible splinching seemed like a preferable outcome to this confrontation. In a shocking turn, Daphne ran her hand over Harry's forearm, where he'd been burned in the Ministry before turning away. "Come," she ordered her sister. Astoria shot Harry a wink before bounding off with her sister.

"Well," Ron commented.

"That bloody blonde-haired trollup," Ginny hissed, her eyes narrowed as she fingered her wand. Hermione didn't say anything as she placed a hand on Ginny's arm.

"Our turn next," Neville called as he stared straight ahead. Harry wondered if he'd seen the confrontation. It looked like everyone else in the immediate area had. Whispers and muffled laughter echoed around him from the other students.

Harry piled in with the others. The carriage, jet black and open-aired, comfortably fit six. "Mate, you sure know how to pick them," Ron commented with a smirk as he stared into the distance, careful not to look directly at him.

"You seemed awful close," Hermione mused with a smile of her own.

"A little too close," Harry grumbled. He thought they'd just been friends. For the life of him, he couldn't figure out why Daphne acted as she did.

The Thestral kept pace with the carriage ahead of them. Neville kept glancing at the visually disturbing creatures. Harry leaned back and stared at the darkening sky overhead as he made his way along the Hogsmede path toward a place he didn't want to be.

"It always looks so beautiful at night," Ginny commented. She pointed at something behind Harry as he looked up from his musings. He glanced around to see the first glimpses of the Hogwarts Castle through the tree canopy. Tall towers, windows glowing with light, and imposing thick stone walls broke the darkening skyline. Just as he turned away, a thick droplet of rain slapped against the wood beside his hand.

"Oh, no," Hermione complained as she glared toward the sky.

Harry and Hermione shared a look before both going for their wands. "Bullas," Neville intoned as he pointed at the center of the carriage. A massive clear bubble appeared around the carriage just in time as a light torrent of rain cascaded down.

"Well done," Harry said with a smile. He was going to use a different charm but the Bubble Charm worked just as well.

Shrieks and curses came to them from the surrounding carriages. It was obvious many of the other students either didn't know the spell or hadn't practiced it enough to save themselves from getting wet. Twenty minutes later, the carriage came to a halt in a line near the Entrance Hall of the castle.

"I don't want to get wet," Ginny murmured as she tapped her wand against her chest. A smaller, human-sized bubble appeared around her before she stepped off the carriage. Neville's conjured bubble allowed her to pass with some resistance, but she maintained her spell so it didn't break.

"I'm kind of proud of them," Harry commented to Hermione as they strode with the others toward the massive double doors.

"You should be," she whispered back. "The only ones who don't know that charm are Fred and George, I think, and you're the one that taught them all to cast it."

Ginny and Luna's luck didn't last until they were safely inside the school. Someone popped both of their bubbles. While they weren't drenched like most of the school, their soggy robes squelched as they caught up to Harry and Hermione.

"I'll murder them," Ginny hissed as she tried to rake her fingers through her long fiery hair.

"Use the Air Drying Charm," Harry supplied as he let his own charm go. Unlike the others, he'd gone with a variation to Elemental Magics to keep himself and his clothes dry. The rain simply slid off him as he walked.

"Oh... how... do I do that one again?" Ginny asked in a halting voice.

Stopping, Harry turned and helped Ron's sister perform the spell to dry her clothes and hair off. It wasn't perfect, but he struggled to concentrate with so many eyes on him. It seemed he'd made a larger, if subtler, entrance than he'd realized by simply remaining dry. Ginny, in turn, helped Luna dry off before everyone moved toward the Great Hall.

Thousands of candles hovered in the air over four long tables. The enormous room stretched from near the large double doors all the way until the platform at the back of the room. The High Table, where the professors sat, had ornate carvings worked into the cherry wood. Several empty seats where professors should be drew his eye as he walked with his friends toward the Gryffindor table.

"Back again!" Nearly Headless Nick greeted Harry with a smile. The ancient ghost was headless now, partly due to Harry's mistake over a year before. Nick's long curly hair hung down to his knees as he spoke from the crook of his arm.

"I'm glad to see you're doing better," Harry said with a smile. The entire last term, Nick hadn't appeared very often to the students. He was still trying to solidify himself as a ghost after being petrified by the Basilisk and beheaded by Harry.

"Oh, I'm in fine form! This year, I'll be able to participate in the Headless Hunt. You should come see it during Halloween. It'll be a treat, I promise."

"I might do just that," Harry answered without much sincerity. For people who were still alive, a ghost party was not something he wanted to attend.

"Attention, attention," Dumbledore called a short time later after everyone got settled into their house tables. He stood on a small box behind the ornate podium in front of the High Table. "Our first-years," he greeted with a smile.

Professor McGonagall stepped into Great Hall from a side door. Behind her, a small train of sodden students trooped in after her. Harry thought he could see Dennis Creevy near the back of the line. A chorus of squelches and splats accompanied the first-years as they made their way into the center pathway, between the Hufflepuff and Ravenclaw tables.

The stern professor conjured a four-legged stool with her wand and set an extremely old, dirty, patched wizard's hat. Everyone stared at it. For a moment, there was silence. The hat seemed to shift as a long tear near the brim opened wide like a mouth as the hat broke into song:

A thousand years or more ago,

When I was newly swen,

There lived four wizards of renown,

Whose names are still well known;

Bold Gryffindor, from wild moor,

Fair Ravenclaw, from glen,

Sweet Hufflepuff, from valley broad,

Shrewd Slytherin, from fen.

They shared a wish, a hope, a dream,

They hatched a daring plan

To educate young sorcerers.

Thus Hogwarts School began.

Now each of these four founders

Formed their own House, for each

Did value different virtues,

In the ones they had to teach.

By Griffindor, the bravest were prized far beyond the rest;

For Ravenclaw, the cleverest, Would always be the best;

For Hufflepuff, hard workers were, Most worthy of admission;

And power-hungry Slytherin

Loved those of great ambition.

While still alive they did divide

Their favorites from the throng,

Yet how to pick the worthy ones

When they were dead and gone?

'Twas Gryffindor who found the way,

He whipped me off his head

The founders put some brains in me

So I could choose instead!

Now slip me snug about your ears,

I've never yet been wrong,

I'll have a look inside your mind

And tell you where you belong!

Everyone in the Great Hall thundered their applause once the Sorting Hat finished. Harry watched in silence as Professor McGonagall helped the first-years get sorted into their respective houses.

"You know, that wasn't the song the Hat sang in our first year," he mused as Dennis Creevy ran to the stool and cram the hat over his head.

"That's right," Hermione mused as she eyed him. "You've missed the last two sorting ceremonies."

"It sings a different song each year," Neville said as the Sorting Hat bellowed, "Gryffindor!" Everyone cheered as Dennis ran over to his brother, crying. The students at the farther end of the table welcomed their new comrade as Laura Madley became a Hufflepuff.

Harry let the ceremony wash over him as he stared at the empty plate in front of him. The Sorting Hat claimed that it was never wrong in sorting the students. However, he couldn't help but wonder if that was entirely true. People changed as they grew older, experienced different new things, and adapted to the world around them. It takes seven years to graduate from Hogwarts. Who's to say a person who can fit into Hufflepuff when they're eleven still has the qualities of the House when they graduate.

His musings were interrupted by Hermione. "Are you okay?" she questioned in a low voice. The last first-year, Kevin Whitby, ran toward the Hufflepuff table, ending the Sorting Ceremony.

"Yeah, I was just thinking," he answered as Professor McGonagall collected the Sorting Hat and vanished the stool.

Professor Dumbledore stood from behind the High Table. "I have only two words to say," he called to the assembled students. "Tuck in."

Food, cooked in the kitchens beneath the floor by house-elves, appeared on the plates. Ron made a guttural sound as he grabbed his knife and fork. As his redheaded friend tore into his food, Hermione stared at her plate with a complex expression. He started to say something, but Fred and George pulled out a familiar red box up from a few seats away.

"Lee, you're going to love this," one of the twins claimed as he opened the box and used his body to block the view of anyone at the High Table.

"Fainting Nougat?" Lee questioned, his eyebrows climbing up his forehead. "Acromanutla's Escape?"

"Don't try that one here, but these will get you out of class. Take the box, and check it out later tonight in the Common Room. Trust me, you'll love them," the other twin coaxed.

"Uh, Harry," Hermione said in a low voice.

"Yes?"

"I've never thought about it before. I mean, I know you did detention in the kitchens, but..." she muttered in a low voice. Harry realized she hadn't touched her food. Tears gathered at the corners of her eyes. "Harry, we're eating the work of slave labor."

It was an uncomfortable topic. Harry knew how Hermione felt about Dobby and house-elves in general. He had to be careful about how he answered. "Until we know more, we can at least assume Dumbledore won't treat the Hogwarts House-elves like slaves. If their general disposition is similar to Dobby's, then they enjoy their work. We'll go down first thing in the morning to ask if you want."

Hermione considered his words. She'd discussed her issues with Dobby cooking for everyone at Grimmauld Place, but he hadn't considered a potential issue at Hogwarts. Now that he did, he could understand her reluctance. "I won't tell you to eat, but if you don't eat, you won't survive long. I don't know how much in the way of cooking you've done before," he joked.

His attempt at humor fell on deaf ears as Hermione stared at her plate. "Could we cook for ourselves?" she questioned as she looked up at him.

"Well... sure. The only problem is that it will cut into our already busy schedule if we keep up the same pace as we have. Where is our time best spent? Cooking or using the resources already provided while you build your case for better treatment for house-elves?" Hermione's face scrunched up as if she'd eaten a lemon. "We could always bully a first-year into cooking for us," he joked. That earned him a withering look.

"You wouldn't do that anyway," she argued without any heat in her voice. "You're right," she allowed.

"I promised that I'd help you, and I will, but we need to figure out where to start. Frankly, it'll be an uphill battle."

"That doesn't mean it isn't necessary!"

"I agree with what your dreams are. You know that. I'm just stating a fact."

Hermione sighed and picked up a fork. "I don't have to like this," she muttered.

"The option to cook for ourselves is there. The house-elves will give us ingredients to cook with, I'm sure of that, but is it worth it? More importantly, could you eat your own cooking?" he teased.

"Hush you," she glowered as she took a small bite of mashed potatoes. It looked like it took a tremendous effort of will for her to do so.

Harry ate everything within reach. Recently, he couldn't eat enough to sate his hunger. He thought Dobby cooked better than the Hogwarts house-elves but thought it wise to keep quiet about any house-elf for the foreseeable future. After the last of the deserts disappeared into the smiling students, Albus Dumbledore stood to his full height at the High Table. He slowly made his way to the podium and placed both hands on the decorative wooden slope.

"Now that we're all fed and watered," the headmaster called, bringing the entire hall to silence in moments. "Mr. Filch, the caretaker, has asked me to tell you that the list of forbidden objects inside the castle has grown to include Screaming Yo-yos, Fanged Frisbees, and Ever-Bashing Boomerangs. As always, the full list of some four hundred and thirty-seven items can be viewed on Mr. Filch's office door."

A low laugh came from up the table where Fred and George sat as they stroked a familiar green box in front of them. Harry wondered if every item in the box would eventually be added to the caretaker's banned list.

"If you will," Dumbledore called to quell the smattering of laughter and quiet chatter that sprung up around the hall. After the students fell silent, he continued, "It is my painful duty to inform you that the Inter-House Quidditch Cup will not take place this year."

Ron gasped and sagged lower in his seat. It looked like someone magically removed all the bones in his body. "You're joking?!" Fred and George bellowed at the same time.

"I assure you, I am not," the headmaster replied in an even tone. "This is due to an event that will start in October, and continuing throughout the school year, taking up much of the teachers' time and energy. I have a feeling everyone will enjoy this event immensely. I have the great pleasure to announce that this year at Hogwarts, we will host the Triwizard Tournament!"

A hushed silence fell over the hall as the headmaster's eyes swept over the assembled students. "The Triwizard Tournament was established over seven hundred years ago as a friendly competition between the largest three European schools of wizardry: Hogwarts, Beauxbatons, and Durmstrang. A champion is selected to represent each school and will compete against each other in three magical tasks. The schools took it in turns to host the tournament once every five years. It was generally agreed to be a most excellent way of establishing ties between young witches and wizards of different nationalities. That was until the death toll mounted so high that the tournament was discontinued. There have been several attempts over the centuries to reinstate the tournament," Dumbledore stated with a strained smile.

"Death toll?" Ginny muttered across from Harry. He ignored her and the other whispered chatter that sprung up around the hall.

"Our own Department of International Magical Cooperation and Magical Games and Sports have decided it is time for another attempt. We've worked hard over the last several months to ensure no champion will find themselves in mortal danger.

The Heads of Beauxbatons and Durmstrang will arrive with their shortlisted hopefuls in October, and the selection of the three champions will take place at the Halloween feast. An impartial, magical judge will decide which students are most worthy of the honor to compete for the Triwizard Cup and the glory for their school and country. The winner will also receive a thousand Galleons personal prize money."

That sparked a bonfire of talk amongst the students. Dumbledore had to set off fireworks to settle the students once more. "Eager though I know all of you are, the Heads of the participating schools, along with the Ministry of Magic, have agreed to impose an age restriction on the contenders this year. Only students who are of age, that is to say, seventeen or older will be allowed to put their names forward." The room exploded with mutters and raised voices among the students. "This is a measure we feel is necessary to ensure the safety of all contestants. The challenges will be hard and magically complex. It is unlikely any student below the sixth and seventh year will be able to cope with them. I will personally ensure no underage student hoodwinks our impartial judge into making them Hogwarts champions. Therefore, I beg you to not waste your time submitting yourself if you are under seventeen."

Fred and George exchanged looks before their faces split into identical grins. They nodded to each other. The headmaster noticed the exchange and shook his head slightly. "The delegations from Durmstrang and Beauxbatons will arrive in October and remain with us for the greater part of the year. I know everyone will extend every courtesy to our foreign guests while they are with us and will give your whole-hearted support to the Hogwarts champion when they are selected. Thank you for listening to an old man's waffle, but it is late. Tomorrow is Friday, and you'll have your first lessons bright and early. Bedtime! Chop chop."

Harry rose with the others only to stop, mid-stride, as he glanced back at the High Table. Mad-Eye Moody stomped into the Great Hall from a side door, his mess of dark hair plastered to his face.

"One last word," Dumbledore called out above the general noise. Everyone turned to look toward the High Table. "This is Alastor Moody or Professor Moody. He will join our staff as your new Defense Against the Dark Arts Professor."

Harry half-heartedly joined the scattered applause. He followed the other Gryffindors up to the Gryffindors Common Room, wondering how his school year would go. If Professor McGonagall and the other professors would be busy throughout the school year, he wondered if she'd have time to give him the school work she'd promised to provide.

Early the next morning, Lee Jordan struggled to get out of bed. The twins asked Harry to look their friend over in the common room after a long night of testing out their various sweets for skiving off lessons. "He's dehydrated and needs meat to replenish his blood... I think," Harry mused as he slowly worked his wand over Lee's chest.

"Bugger me, I slept horribly," the dark-skinned wizard complained as he rubbed his forehead and eyes.

"I blame the twins for feeding you so many experimental sweets in the space of an hour," Harry mused as he eyed his friends, who were trying to look like the picture of innocence.

"Mr. Potter, Ms. Granger," a stern voice called from the portrait hole. Harry turned to see Professor McGonagall standing in the corridor with a frown. "Why are you waving your wand over Mr. Jordan?" she questioned with an arched eyebrow.

"He's just checking me over, Professor," Lee answered with a slightly punch-drunk giggle. "I'll be right as ra... rain in a few."

"You'll report to the Hospital Wing," the aging professor ordered with a glare. "Your friends will escort you and explain what they might or might not have done to you since last night," she continued with a piercing stare at the twins.

"Right-o, Professor," the twins chorused as they scooped Lee up between them. Giggling slightly, Lee's feet drug between Fred and George, held up by his armpits.

"Use a bloody Hover Charm," Harry called after them when Lee's foot smacked loudly against the wall as they tried to round the corner.

"Language, Potter," the professor scolded, but she struggled to hold in a smile. "What did those two do to him?" she mused.

"I have no idea," Harry answered with a straight face. The professor turned to him with pursed lips but didn't press him for more. "What were you doing?" she questioned a moment later. "When I came in."

"What little healing and diagnosis magics that I know," he answered with a shrug. Hermione joined him, an excited expression on her face as she clutched a stack of parchments the size of a large tome.

"I see you're ready, Ms. Granger. Mr. Potter?"

Harry closed his eyes and visualized what he needed. Moments later, a similarly sized stack of parchments appeared on the table near the portrait hole. "I'm ready," he said.

"Follow me," she instructed as she led the way out into the corridor.

Ten minutes later, Harry found himself outside the professor's office. He went inside after Hermione and closed the door behind him. "Have a seat, you two," Professor McGonagall instructed as she conjured a second chair for Harry.

"We did everything you gave us," Hermione said with a smile as she set her parchments on the desk. Harry followed suit and took a seat beside his friend.

The professor stared at the stacks with a complex expression. Harry wondered if she regretted giving them so much work because she'd need to grade and give feedback on it all. "As you heard last night, the school will host the Triwizard Tournament. I can't express how difficult it will be for the professors to take on new charges. While it wasn't mentioned, certain students from both visiting schools will be able to join our classes. It is in hopes that a mutual learning environment will help solidify bonds between young students."

"You won't be able to provide us with extra work this year," Harry guessed, voicing his thoughts from the previous night.

The professor's face contorted as if she'd bitten into a lemon. "That is not... entirely true, Mr. Potter," she hedged.

"It's really okay, professor," Hermione said into the silence. "Harry and I both have projects we can work on. Remus Lupin gave Harry a number of subjects to work on."

Harry glanced at his friend. It wasn't the response he expected from her. "I do," he agreed.

If anything, Professor McGonagall's expression looked worse. Maybe she'd gotten ahold of Fred's Dung-flavored Toffee. He still didn't understand why the twins had come up with that... delightful treat. "What I was going to say is that I will still try to provide you with material I feel you should learn. The only problem is that I will not have the time to ensure you are safe while attempting these difficult subjects. I am more proud of you two than I have been of any student in many years. You both are well on your way to learning entry-level N.E.W.T. topics. That being said, the danger in miscalculations, especially in Transfiguration, could be catastrophic without an able instructor."

"What would you like us to do?" Hermione asked with a scowl.

The professor sat at her desk, clearly waring with herself on the best possible course of action. Harry started to say something but stopped himself. "I cannot, in good conscience, give you practical material like Human Transfiguration, even the basics, without being there to ensure you remain safe. You've seen some of the academic examples of the dangerous subject already. What I and the other professors can provide, is theoretical knowledge and reading material for both of you. There will be... limited grading. We simply won't have the time. I'm sorry," she finished with a small sigh.

"That's okay, professor," Harry said, and Hermione nodded beside him.

"I would like to... see what Remus has given you to work on. After October, the entire school and nation will focus on the Triwizard Tournament. Should... How best to say this... Harry, you realize there are certain rumors about you?"

"Yes," he answered with a glare.

"Glaring at me will not make the matter go away. If it is found you are working on... questionable material, however useful it might be, it might be used as a way to attack you once more. I understand you want to learn and wish you could instill a similar drive to your fellow students, but," the professor said as she broke off.

Harry had the distinct impression the professor felt uncomfortable talking about the subject. Another thought struck him. She might just be uncomfortable talking to him. "I'll show you what Professor Lupin gave me," he said, knowing full well he wouldn't share everything.

"Thank you," Professor McGonagall breathed with a small nod. "I have some good news at least," she continued with a strained smile. "Your decision to move into Arithmancy and Ancient Runes has been accepted. Here are your course schedules," she said as she slid two parchments across the desk to them. "I, for one, am happy you chose them. Both subjects have far-reaching opportunities if you decide to continue your studies into N.E.W.T. lessons."

"Thank you, professor," Harry muttered as he read over his class schedules. Hermione did the same beside him with a small smile.

"Would I be allowed to talk to the house-elves?" his friend asked in a soft voice.

Professor McGonagall blinked and stared at Hermione. "Excuse me, Ms. Granger?" she questioned as her eyes flicked to Harry. He wasn't going to explain and took some small satisfaction in the awkward conversation he knew would play out in front of him.

"The house-elves within the castle," Hermione pressed. "I'd like to ask them a few questions, if I may."

"I... don't know, Ms. Granger. What is this about?"

"Oh, about their enslavement. How they feel about it, and what could be done to make their lives better."

Professor McGonagall was speechless. Her mouth fell open for a moment before she closed it with a snap. "Enslavement?" she goggled as she pointedly looked to Harry for clarification. He didn't oblige her.

"Yes, by the Magical Community as a whole. I wish to question the house-elves," Hermione said in a clear, friendly voice.

"I... well... I'll need to speak to the Headmaster, but... well, I don't see... I'll have to talk to Dumbledore."

"Please do, and let me know what he thinks," Hermione replied as she rose.

Harry led the way out, trying not to laugh, as the professor just stared at Hermione. "I think you broke her," he whispered once they got out into the corridor and closed the door.

Hermione suppressed a laugh before her expression turned serious. "I really do want to talk to them though. What right did she have to ask to see whatever Lupin gave you to work on? I mean honestly," she hissed.

A warm feeling rose in Harry's chest as he side-hugged Hermione. She blinked and stared at him for a moment before returning his hug. "Let's get breakfast," he said with a laugh. She cocked her head at him as if studying an odd specimen in a glass jar before nodding.