A/N: How on earth can you people possibly find what I'm writing interesting? You're truly amazing, guys. I want you to know that. I really do appreciate you lot sticking with it. I love you!
Harry unwittingly clung to Ginny's hand as a lifeline when the group trudged into the Great Hall. Harry looked back and saw that Hermione and Ron also had very tight grips on one another's waist. None of them knew what to expect, and Harry wasn't sure he could handle seeing McGonagall sitting in Dumbledore's usual seat. What would it be like not to see the wise wizard taking his post and offering his usual strange comments before the feast.
"Harry, let's keep walking," Ginny whispered, pulling him forward with a tight grip on his hand.
Harry couldn't look up at the staff table. He wanted to be sitting down first; he wasn't sure he could be trusted to keep his legs under him. He heard Hermione whispering to Ron in an excited voice, but could not make out what she said. Ginny was focused on Harry, and hadn't glanced at the staff table either. He plopped down next to Ginny, hand still firmly clasped together, and across from Ron and Hermione. They were talking excitedly and Harry felt compelled to look up. His heart gave a warm tug as he saw Lupin sitting in the chair that had been occupied by Snape the year before, but he didn't recognize the middle-aged woman with a mop of curly blond hair piled on top of her head sitting in what had once been Slughorn's seat. Harry was so pleased to see Lupin that he had entirely overlooked the fact that Dumbledore's seat was still empty. It was only then that Harry realized extra chairs had been added so that Dumbledore's chair could remain empty.
"I'm so glad Professor Lupin is back," Hermione said in a relieved tone, "That way we're still in contact with someone in the Order."
"McGonagall's in the Order," Ron said.
"Yeah, but we can talk to Lupin," Harry injected, seeing where Hermione's relief was coming from.
"Wait," Ginny said, "Wasn't Slughorn supposed to take over as head of Slytherin? Who's going to take it now? Surely that woman wasn't a Slytherin."
The group watched as the woman pulled a quill right out of her tussle of hair with a puzzled expression and a giggle that they couldn't hear from their seats. She was gesturing with Professor Sprout and it seemed increasingly unlikely that the woman was a Slytherin. It seemed she already knew Professor Sprout, and, in fact, there was a resemblance between them.
"Haven't you noticed? There are only six Slytherins here," Hermione whispered.
Harry looked around and, sure enough, only six Slytherins sat at the Slytherin table. Five girls and one boy. They all looked to be in their second year or so. Harry continued his sweep of the room and saw only a dozen Ravenclaws and a handful of Hufflepuffs had returned. The Gryffindor table was the most populated with nearly all of the returning students from last year.
"It looks as though not many parents wanted their kids to come back, doesn't it?" Ginny said.
"Yeah, but look how many Gryffindors there are compared to the rest," Ron put in.
"I wonder how many first years there will be," Harry said, "And I wonder if Hagrid's here."
"Why wouldn't he be?" Hermione asked.
"Well, he wasn't too pleased with the idea of staying on after…well, you know," Harry trailed off, watching the doors through which, in happier times, Hagrid would have marched through with a large group of first years. He couldn't bring himself to think of losing both Dumbledore and Hagrid. Ginny gave his hand a squeeze, and just then, the doors opened, and the massive shape of Hagrid walked through them.
Harry let out an audible sigh of relief and Hermione managed to stifle the strangled cry of welcome when Ron shushed her. Only three first years followed Hagrid. Not even enough to fill one boat in the crossing over the lake. Two boys and a girl, looking more frightened than any first years Harry had ever seen. Hagrid left the first years at the front of the hall, and, perhaps in attempts to be inconspicuous (a very difficult task for the massive form), he circled behind the tables and reached Harry and the rest.
"Hagrid, we're so glad you're here," Hermione whispered as McGonagall began to bring out the Sorting Hat and brought forth the stool to place it on.
Hagrid's eyes wrinkled as the mouth underneath mountains of furry beard curled into a smile. He spoke softly.
"Thanks, Hermione. It's good ter see you lot too. Glad you stayed out of trouble this summer. But not too much trouble, eh?" Hagrid wiggled his eyebrow suggestively at Ron and Hermione, joined by Ron's arm around her waist and Harry and Ginny's joined hands.
"Figured it out then, Ron? Hermione? Took ye long enough. Listen, Harry, I need to talk to ye for a mo'. Outside, if you would."
Hagrid walked quickly away and towards the doors to the entrance hall. Harry shrugged and he wandered outside just as McGonagall was explaining the hat, and it opened its mouth to sing. Harry wondered what this was about. He found Hagrid standing at the foot of the stairs, wringing his hands.
"What's going on, Hagrid?" Harry asked as he approached his massive friend. He really was glad to see him.
"Well, it's like this, Harry. I came back this year ter keep an eye on you lot. Ye tend to get into trouble and the like. But I need ter know now if yer planning something later on this year."
Harry must have looked shocked because Hagrid smiled, "Ye don't think I know ye well enough to know that ye've got summat up yer sleeve? I figured on you not even comin' back, to be honest."
Hagrid laid a hand on Harry shoulder, causing his knees to buckle. Harry straightened and decided to tell Hagrid of his plans. He thought he might as well have someone in on this. He would probably end up spilling to Lupin as well. Harry opened his mouth, and with the shrill sound of the Sorting Hat's inaudible song in the background, told Hagrid the entire plan.
When Harry had exhausted all the words he had on the matter of the trip to Godric's Hollow, Hagrid sighed deeply and pulled Harry into an emotional, bone-crushing hug only pulling away when Harry managed a strangled sound that alerted Hagrid to Harry's lack of oxygen.
"Right," Hagrid said with a note of finality, "you should be getting' back. I told Professor McGonagall I'd take ye out fer a minute."
Harry smiled and said, "Hagrid, I'm glad you're here."
"Me too, Harry, me too," Hagrid said with a wave of his hand, "Now get back in there!"
Harry smiled to himself, thinking that perhaps, with Hagrid here, the next couple of moths wouldn't be so bad. They would be leaving soon, but for now, they had Hagrid, and it appeared that they had Lupin as well. Harry could live with that, and he took his seat at the Gryffindor table next to Ginny. The Sorting Hat had been put away and one boy sat at the Gryffindor table while the other boy and girl sat with the small number of Ravenclaws. McGonagall was talking, so Harry just gave Ginny's hand a reassuring squeeze as she looked at him with questioning eyes. She seemed content to leave the matter alone and Ron saw the look and did not question. Harry noted that Hermione was listening intently to what McGonagall was saying, and did not even look up at Harry's return. This had to mean that McGonagall was saying something important. Harry tuned in.
"And so, our new teacher, Professor Jenkins is to be treated with the utmost respect. She is doing us a great favor. I would also caution you, perhaps unnecessarily that the world we are living in is not safe. For anyone. Be on your guard at all times. Though you are most likely safer here than anywhere else, do not be lulled into a false sense of security. With that said, I think it is time for us to enjoy our feast. Do not allow the hard times to take all the enjoyment out of life. Being cautious does not mean that you can not have as good a time with your school mates as before. Eat, and live life well."
The sparkling plates filled with food as they had done every year. Harry looked up, "Well, that was a heavy message." He laughed a bit.
"Harry, what was that about? With Hagrid?" Ginny asked.
"He knew we were up to something. I didn't see the point in lying to him, so I told him what we're planning to do after exams. I think we should tell Lupin as well."
Hermione and Ron nodded their agreement.
"He could help us," Hermione said, "And telling Hagrid was good too. I'd hate to feel like I was lying to Hagrid."
"So, did the Hat say anything interesting?" Harry asked. He rather regretted not hearing the song, but knew that Hermione had picked up on every nuance of every word, so he needn't have been there.
"It gave its respects to Dumbledore, advised us to unite once more, basically the same things it always says," Hermione answered.
"Yeah, and the new professor," Ron shoveled some food into his mouth at this and was unable to finish his thought.
"Honestly, Ron! Why would you begin a statement and then put so much food in your mouth that you can't finish it?" Hermione said, disgusted.
Ron gave a huge gulp and swallowed his food. He gave a broad grin, and put his free arm—the one not handling his fork—around Hermione's shoulder and planted a huge kiss on her cheek.
"You can nag all you want, Hermione, but this is the best chicken I have ever had, and you can't bring me down. Anyway," he said, as a smile threatened to overtake Hermione's frown of disapproval, "the new professor is Sprout's cousin. She was in Hufflepuff, and she was the only one who would take the position. Lupin, of course, wouldn't really think anything of the dangers. I guess his work with the other werewolves didn't work out, so he's here."
"What about the Slytherin head of house?" Harry asked.
"They don't have one," Ginny said.
"What do you mean?" Harry was shocked.
"Well, there are only six of them, so McGonagall said that discipline will be administered by herself. She said that, seeing as she's the Headmistress, she could handle it," Ginny said.
"So, she's the Headmistress, Transfiguration teacher, Head of Gryffindor, and the substitute Head of Slytherin?" Harry asked, incredulous.
"It does sound like rather a lot, doesn't it?" Hermione said, "But I think she can handle it."
The rest of the meal was spent in pleasant conversation. They were joined by Neville and Dean, Seamus and a few others later on. Harry was held back from feeling content to merely talk and enjoy himself with his friends by glancing periodically up at the chair wrapped in black silk where the Headmaster had once sat. Ginny kept her hand in his the whole way through the evening, and, though it drew many a dirty look from Dean, it gave Harry an unsurpassed level of comfort.
Harry only recognized how late it was when he felt his eyelids droop. He looked across the table to see Hermione falling asleep in the crook of Ron's arm. Ron wore the look of love that made him look so ridiculous and yet, it was clearly envied by many. Harry wondered if he looked the same way when he watched Ginny. She was, in fact, watching him. When Harry's eyes met hers, she smiled. Harry thought that there couldn't possibly be anything better than having beautiful, fiery Ginny Weasley choose to look at him that way. Harry watched Ron plant a gentle kiss on Hermione's forehead. Hermione shifted slightly, a smile on her face as McGonagall stood up to dismiss them to their rooms. Harry and Ginny stood up, hands still linked. Ron gently woke Hermione, and helped her from the room. By the time they reached the portrait, Hermione had woken up a bit. Harry made a sudden realization as they stood at the Fat Lady.
"Hermione! Are you Head Girl? Ron? What about you?" he asked.
Hermione shook her head in a melancholy manner, "No, I declined. I knew we would be leaving, so I wrote to Professor McGonagall and said I didn't believe I could handle the responsibility."
Ron snorted, "Oh, yeah, and I'm sure she bought that. No offense, Hermione, you could handle anything. It's a pretty weak lie."
Hermione smiled and snuggled into Ron's chest, "There was a compliment mixed in there somewhere, Ron Weasley, whether or not you meant to insult me or not. So, thank you."
"But, if you're not Head Girl, who is?" Ginny asked.
"Hannah, I believe," she said, "And Ernie's Head Boy."
"That's probably as much glory as Hufflepuff's had since…." Harry trailed off thinking of Cedric.
Ginny quickly got the conversation rolling again, "So, we have to rely on the Prefects from my year, then."
"Yeah, why weren't you made prefect, Ginny?" Harry asked.
Ron laughed, "I expect all of those Bat Bogey hexes probably played a part in that, eh?"
"Shut up, Ron," Ginny said.
Not half a second later, Colin Creevey came pushing through the crowd with a prefect badge attached to his chest. He panted, "Birthday cake, the password is birthday cake!"
"Very good," the Fat Lady sniffed as she swung open on her hinges.
"Lookit, Harry, I'm a prefect! Dad was so pleased! He bought me a new camera."
Harry was introduced to Colin's new camera as the bulbs flashed in his face. He knew he had to escape now, or he would have to listen to Colin for over an hour.
"Listen, Colin, I'm really tired, and I'm going to bed, so I'll see you tomorrow."
As Harry gave Ginny a kiss goodnight, he could hear her laughing through their joined lips.
"Thanks, Ginny, really, I appreciate your support," Harry murmured.
"No problem," Ginny said, pulling back, "Goodnight, Harry."
Harry watched her glide up the steps to the girl's dormitory, and he turned to walk up his own staircase, moving past Ron and Hermione, also kissing goodnight.
"Goodnight, Hermione," Harry said.
Hermione raised a hand in farewell, but did not pull away from Ron to speak, or bid Harry a good night, or to breathe. Harry was pretty sure that both she and Ron were going to run out of it soon, but he figured there was nothing he could do to save them, and headed up to change.
Harry marveled at the fact that, though half the school was gone, his entire dormitory had decided to return. He bid Neville, Dean, and Seamus goodnight, and climbed back into the four poster he thought he was never to sleep in again. He was drifting off to sleep as Ron came in, and the lights went off.
Jolting awake, Harry knew that someone was in the room: someone who shouldn't be there. He peeked through the hangings on his bed, wand at the ready when he saw a bushy head and the body attached to it push open the hangings to Ron's bed. Harry watched Hermione sit at the end of Ron's bed and poke him awake with her forefinger. Harry was shocked. Hermione was breaking clear rules, not to mention moral codes. Just as Harry made the decision that he didn't want to witness whatever was about to happen, he saw the moonlight catch a tear running down Hermione's face. Ron, apparently, noticed it as well. He sat straight up, immediately awaken by Hermione's distressed condition.
"What's happened?" Ron asked loudly.
"Shhh! Don't wake up the others," Hermione said in a shaky whisper.
Harry thought that perhaps he should climb out to help, but Hermione's next statement made his mind up that this was between her and Ron.
"She's horrible, Ron! Absolutely horrible!" Hermione hissed.
Ron pulled her into his arms, wiping her cheeks with his thumb. Turning her to rest her back against her chest, Ron whispered back, "Who, Hermione? Tell me what happened."
"It's Lavender."
Ron apparently had the same problem Harry did. He could barely control his laughter. Harry, fortunately, had a pillow to stifle the snort of amusement. Ron turned his into a soft cough. Hermione was upset enough that she didn't notice.
"None of the other girls came back, Ron. She has no one else to take her anger out on. She's making my life terrible!"
"Hermione, we've only been back at school for a few hours. How terrible can it be?"
"You wouldn't understand! It's girl stuff. I never understood why girls had to be so hateful. But she is wretched. Little pranks. Ridiculous. Can't stand her!"
"Listen, Hermione, would it help if I talked to her? Told her to lay off you?"
"No, no. I'll fix this. Just not now. Tomorrow."
Ron stroked her hair, and kissed her soundly.
"Better?" he asked.
"Yeah, thanks," she sighed, "I just have to wait and be sure she's asleep before I go back."
"Why didn't you go to Ginny? Just wondering. You can always come to me, but wouldn't Ginny understand this?"
Hermione let out a soft chuckle, "I think she's having enough trouble with girls at the moment: Romilda Vane in particular."
"Oh, no," Ron laughed as well.
Settling against Ron, Hermione closed her eyes.
"Shhh. I really don't need people waking up right now."
Funnily enough, Seamus began to stir. Hermione was evidently too busy settling in that she didn't hear it. Ron didn't either, but sure enough, the light turned on, jolting everyone awake. Hermione jolted, but Ron, held her to him. He seemed to think the danger was more along the lines of an intruder and not that one of his classmates was about to discover something he shouldn't. Ron had whipped out his wand, and secured his arm more tightly around Hermione.
"Oi! Ron. Oh, so sorry, mate," Seamus said with a suggestive laugh, "Didn't mean to interrupt."
Realizing that the danger was non-existent, Ron lowered his wand. But the damage was done, and instead of springing apart, as was her initial reaction, Hermione clung to Ron in horror. Neville and Dean surfaced from their beds now. Neville shrugged and went back to bed. Dean laughed much the same way as Seamus.
"It's late, and I'm tired, Ron, but remind me to give you a high-five in the morning, mate. So sorry we ruined your fun, Hermione," Dean said.
"No, that's not, I mean, that isn't what I-hmph," Hermione said angrily, getting up and storming to the door. She turned around and said, "You are disgusting, Dean, Seamus. Nothing was going on! But why would you ever believe that? Men are apes!"
She flung open the door and Ron, hiding a smile-wisely-, he shouted, "I love you too, Hermione. Sleep well!"
The door slammed shut.
"Sorry again, mate, I thought someone had snuck in here, but I never dreamed it would be Hermione. Doesn't seem the type, you know," Seamus said with a yawn.
"Really, though, nothing was happening. I'd love to tell you it was, but she was just upset," Ron said with a trace of regret.
"Even sorrier, then that we interrupted what could have turned into something if you played your cards right," Dean said.
"No, really, she's not like that," Ron said angrily, "So don't start that going around. You get me?"
Ron really did sound menacing.
"Yeah, mate, we're just having some fun," Seamus said apologetically.
"Sorry, Ron, we know Hermione. We know she's not one to, well, you know," Dean said.
"Well, just remember that then!" Ron turned on his side, drawing his hangings closed.
Harry drew the small gap in his closed and thought to himself as the light went out once more that this year was going to be very different; even at Hogwarts.
A/N: Ok, this one's nice and long. I really hope you liked it. I had lots of fun with it. Heehee. I love Ron. I love R/Hr! Sorry, tangent. So, please review! Please, Please, Please!