AN: I do not own Harry Potter, that honor goes to J. K. Rowling.
Chapter 4: Another Year
Time flew by for Harry as he spent every waking moment reading, practicing spells, playing with Ron, eating, or learning from Mr. Weasley. Ginny was excited to go to Hogwarts but her earlier bouts of energy seemed to have been tempered by Mrs. Weasley's constant presence. Harry found it a little hard to breathe around the suffocating witch's presence as she hovered over all of them. He heard her confide in Mr. Weasley late one night how she was worried and couldn't bear the thought of being in the house alone while everyone was at school.
Percy's birthday was on August 22nd so Harry got the older boy a book on career paths of famous wizards in the Ministry of Magic. Mr. and Mrs. Weasley bought their son a new brass cauldron, Rune Charts, and Muggle Studies books for his N.E.W.T. preparation. Harry spent time flying with Hedwig one night after sneaking out of the house. He'd smuggled his broom back into his trunk by flying through Bill and Charlie's open window.
"The Disillusionment Charm inherently doesn't want to be found and is difficult to perform. I'm not proficient enough to make the car disappear for long periods of time," Arthur admitted with a wry smile. "Some of the Hit Wizards and Aurors could hide a wizard under your nose with minimal effort. Kingsley Shacklebolt is one Auror who could do it."
"Is it hard to become an Auror?" Harry asked as he watched Mr. Weasley poke the hood of the car with his wand.
"Very, only with top marks at Hogwarts can you be selected to tryout for an Auror position. Then, if you get accepted, you'll have another three years of specialized training after you graduate as well," Mr. Weasley answered as the hood propped itself up. He peered into the engine block and poked at the timing belt with his wand.
"What will we work on today?" Harry asked as he sat down on the little stool by the car.
"Bewitching Charms," Mr. Weasley said with a grin. "I heard from Ronald that you wanted to bewitch your cards… flash to display different information."
Harry grinned and nodded. "I know the theory from reading, but I haven't had a chance to practice it yet."
"Talk me through your theory," Arthur suggested as he cast spell after spell on the engine.
"The enchanting process would have to start with a variation spell for words. I could do the Copying Spell or a similar spell to copy from a master list but the Composition Charm, like the ones in the Self-Writing Quills, might be a better option. I would cast the Composition Charm multiple times on the parchment and have it activate with the Voicing Charm, like what the mirror in the bathroom has placed on it. When I talk to the mirror, it tells me how much I weigh."
"Interesting approach, continue," Mr. Weasley encouraged as he continued his work.
"Once I get the words to appear and the correct answer, I could tap the card with my wand, like we do in Potions on our cauldrons to finish the potion. The color-changing part might be harder to link with the questions so it might be better to keep all of the questions the same," Harry mused as he talked through his thought process.
"It sounds like you have a good idea of how to achieve your goal. There are two spells that will help you," Mr. Weasley said and stood up. He sat on the edge of the car and drummed his fingers on the metal. "Iungae and Locatiam are two older spells that link, or yoke, charms together and change the position of a spell. Locatiam is used in the office to place the importance of certain Muggle incidents on the top of our inboxes. Iungae I use a lot while bewitching the car. I yoke the Disillusionment Charm over and over to a switch on the dashboard. Without it, the parts would become invisible after casting my spell."
Harry nodded, eager to learn more. "So I could link my writing spell to the voice one and cause it to work at the same time. The positioning spell would make it…" he said before trailing off, trying to figure out how he would use the spell.
"Order, importance, or placing," Mr. Weasley hinted with a grin.
"Oh! Each of the questions is like a test. Each question would be one spell and the positioning spell could be activated with my wand!" Harry shouted and stood up.
"Easy, Harry. That is indeed one way to go about doing what you want. But, here is the best thing," Mr. Weasley said with a small grin. "Magic is adaptive and changing. I'm not the best wizard to ask the hows and whys of magic but I do know there are many different ways to achieve the same goal with magic."
"Thank you, Mr. Weasley!" Harry said and grinned. He was itching to go inside to start testing out his idea.
"Wait until you get back to Hogwarts, Harry. Molly told me you put out Ginny's fire without thinking. Be very careful, as the Trace is ever-present for underage wizards. My father tutored me before Hogwarts, even though I never listened, but Molly wants the children to learn at their own pace without pressure."
"Yes, Mr. Weasley," Harry mumbled.
Harry kept to his word and limited how much he practiced magic in his room. He still used his wand to read by wand-light. Ginny was a nervous wreck the night before they were to leave for Hogwarts. She seemed excited and scared for her first year at the wizarding school. Mrs. Weasley fussed over everyone as she made sure all their clothes were washed and their trunks packed. Ron took Harry's old trunk and lovingly placed his broom on the top of the pile of his belongings. Harry was surprised he didn't wedge the broom between his pillows to keep it safe.
"Everyone out to the car," Mrs. Weasley called through the house with her magically amplified voice.
Harry pulled his trunk down the stairs and heard Ron and Percy doing the same. Fred and George were smart and had their trunks already in the boot of the car. Everyone piled in and had plenty of leg-room to find a comfortable position in the back seat. Harry knew the Muggle Repelling Charm would keep anyone from looking in the magically enlarged interior of the car.
"This is much nicer than those Muggle cab drivers, Arthur," Mrs. Weasley said as she stretched out in the passenger seat. "I was almost afraid all Muggles had to deal with cramped legs during long car rides. Biscuit anyone?" she called as she opened a metal tin.
It was a long trip for Harry who had to keep from looking outside the window. While Mr. Weasley could operate the car, he couldn't drive it with any skill. Harry wondered if the Notice-Me-Not Charm was working too well as even the poor old lady Mr. Weasley cut off didn't honk her horn.
He spent the time talking to Ron about his plans for tryouts in a few weeks. His friend glowed with excitement as he described his detailed plan to remain in shape. Harry had to burst his bubble with one fact.
"Ron we will have five classes now instead of four. You won't be able to use the extra free time to practice," Harry said with a small shrug.
"What? Why not!?" Ron spluttered and looked to Fred and George.
"He's not joking," George said with a laugh.
"Was a right shock for us too," Fred finished with a grin. "We had this plan to prank people for that hour, only to find out we had Defense Against the Dark Arts."
"That's mental," Ron complained.
"Hermione will be on us about homework. Which, by the way, I'm glad you finished. Could you imagine the look on her face," Harry said and imitated his bushy-haired friend's angry face.
"Why do you think I did it, mate" Ron answered with a small shudder.
Mr. Weasley drove into oncoming traffic for a little bit, causing Harry to clench the book in his lap. He noticed cars moved over a lane far up the road.
"Uh, Mr. Weasley, I know how strong the charm is but you're going to cause an accident," Harry hissed to the middle-aged wizard.
"Right you are Harry," Arthur replied and cut back over into the other lane. A car slammed on their breaks as Mr. Weasley forced a hole for himself by magic.
"You all right, mate? You look awfully pale," George asked Harry with a smirk.
They were later arriving than they wanted because of London traffic so Mrs. Weasley took charge with practiced efficiency. "Boys, get your trunks out and help your sister with hers. Dear, you and Percy grab the trolleys."
Five minutes later, the entire group was led through the crowd by Mrs. Weasley's complaints about slow-moving Muggles. Passing families glared and muttered in the group's wake as Mrs. Weasley forced her way through the crowd. They made it to their platform in record time. A family crowded around a small boy with a large camera. Harry watched as the family went through the barrier with Muggles walking on either side of the barrier.
"Come, Ginny," Mrs. Weasley called and helped the young girl run through the barrier.
Percy, Fred, and George all went next with Mr. Weasley. Harry and Ron ran at the barrier a moment later. They crashed into the brick wall, causing Hedwig to screech as her cage fell off Harry's trunk. Harry's hand and foot hurt from where the trolley's handle bent and one of the wheels rolled over his foot
"Are we too late?" Ron asked as he helped Harry settle Hedwig.
"No idea," Harry muttered and pressed his hand against the brick wall. It didn't pass through but he didn't feel the rough texture of the brick.
"We've missed the train!" Ron cried as he pointed to a clock near the barrier.
"I'll send Hedwig to let the school know," Harry said and pushed his wobbling trolley towards the exit. "Let's go back to the car."
"Harry, you're brilliant! The car!" Ron yelled as he grabbed Harry's arm. "Dad mentioned the car could fly! We could take it to Hogwarts."
"Mate, I watched him renew those spells and even he was dubious about how long it could fly for. We could wait for Mr. and Mrs. Weasley at the car though."
Harry led them back to the car, leaving their trunks on the trolleys. Harry wrote a message to Professor McGonagall and tied it to Hedwig's foot. "Try to fly fast," he coaxed and fed her a biscuit.
Hedwig took off as a young girl gasped and waved to the owl disappearing into the morning. Her luminous, blue eyes blinked at Harry as she was pulled along by a haggard adult woman. Harry waved to the little girl who giggled at him and waved back.
"We could just take the car. Look, Dad left the keys," Ron tempted and jangled the keys in front of Harry.
"No way, mate. We wait for Hedwig or your parents. You think you or I could drive out of here without being seen? I'm not looking to get expelled over not waiting a few hours," Harry declared with a grim smile. "I'll probably get expelled for drowning Malfoy or something instead."
Ron was anxious and looking around for any sign of his parents as Harry stretched out on the back seat to read his Charms book. By Harry's estimation, Mr. Weasley turned up an hour after the train had left. He ambled up to the car and sat down in the driver's seat without noticing Ron or Harry.
"Uh," Ron said as he watched his father start the car.
"Merlin's beard!" Mr. Weasley shouted and looked around the car for the first time. "Ronald?! Harry? Didn't you board the train with the others?"
"The barrier was blocked," Harry answered as he sat up. "Someone put a shield or something in front of the barrier. Our trolleys hit the shield and we bounced off. I sent Hedwig off with a note to Professor McGonagall."
"Blocked?" Mr. Weasley echoed as he looked between the two boys. "One moment," he said and took out his wand. He looked around and took out a faded red coin the size of a Galleon. After tapping his wand on the face of the coin, he put it back in his pocket. "This requires a Ministry inspection. A Muggle may have tried to get on the train. We had a right scare one year when a squib found himself on the Hogwarts Express without understanding why he got there. We had to do Memory Charms on a lot of people when his parents declared him missing."
"Why would that have blocked the barrier?" Harry asked drumming his fingers on his book.
"The Ministry decided to block the barrier if the magic behind the barrier feels a Muggle going through. It's a bit like the Muggle-Repelling Charm. We'll get you off to Hogwarts shortly boys," Mr. Weasley said with a grin.
Five minutes later, two out-of-place men walked toward the car. One man wore a tweed canary yellow suit with a lavender hair-wig and the other, taller man wore tie-dye pants and a plaid flannel shirt. Harry spotted the wizards as soon as they walked out of the small alley near the car.
"I believe your friends are here, Mr. Weasley," Harry said, fighting not to laugh at the faces of the people around the two badly dressed wizards. "Wizards really don't understand Muggle clothing," he said with a laugh.
"Oh, I think I do all right," Mr. Weasley harrumphed as he got out of the car.
Harry and Ron watched Mr. Weasley talk to the two wizards a short ways away from the car. The three of them headed into King's Cross Station. Ron complained about getting a move on so they could get to Hogwarts faster but Harry ignored his friend and went back to his book. Mr. Weasley seemed worried about the prospect of a child on the Hogwarts Express. He felt a little sorry for whoever it was. They would see a magical new world only to learn they were denied learning or using magic because of something out of their control.
Mr. Weasley and the two wizards came back after thirty minutes. He poked his head into the car. "We're going to drive a ways into the country and meet Myles Clarke. We'll get you to Hogwarts via a Portkey."
"Really? Wicked!" Ron gasped and grinned at Harry. "You'll love taking a Portkey."
"I doubt it," Harry sighed, knowing how a Portkey worked. He'd made sure to read anything he could about wizard transportation options after his experience with the Floo Network.
"It'll be faster than driving back to the Burrow and taking the Floo," Mr. Weasley said as he got into the car.
"Did you find out what caused the platform to stop working?" Harry asked as Mr. Weasley pulled out of his parking space.
"House-elf magic," Mr. Weasley answered in a dark tone. "We brought in Rodge, a house-elf on staff, to check. Some house-elf tampered with the magic over the platform. If we find out whoever did it, or was ordered to tamper with the barrier, then there will be terrible consequences. If we hadn't checked and recast some of the spells, the Notice-Me-Not Charm may have failed at some point."
Harry had a sinking feeling in his stomach as he looked at Ron. He had no proof it was Dobby, but the house-elf was his chief suspect along with Mr. Malfoy. "Should we tell him?" Harry asked in a low voice to Ron.
"No, we might be wrong," Ron answered with a shrug. "It could have been any house-elf."
Half an hour later, Mr. Weasley drove into a gated orchard off the road. He told Harry and Ron about strategic locations all over Great Britain the Ministry could use for official business. The field had a thick copse of trees surrounding a large open field. "Hold on, Myles Clarke? Like Dominic Clarke's father?" Harry asked as he peered out of the window at the lone figure. He knew Dominic's last name was Clarke and had a father that worked with the Ministry of Magic.
"That sounds about right, his son is trying out for an Auror position," Mr. Weasley answered with a shrug.
"Harry Potter, my son told me about your scuffle with the troll. Impressive work with a Knockback Jinx in a desperate situation," Mr. Clarke said as he shook Harry's hand.
"Your son saved me as much as I saved him, sir," Harry answered with a shrug.
"Be that as it may, thank you. Dominic is trying out to be an Auror next week. I'm so excited for him."
Mr. Weasley had Harry and Ron hold their trunks in one hand in a tight grip. "Now, whatever you do, do not let go of your trunk or the Portkey. Myles cast the spell on a tire iron so you'll get a better grip. Each of you hold on to one side. Now, in a minute, you'll feel like your spinning around before being flung into the air. Just hold on as hard as you can and you'll be in Hogsmeade before you know it."
"Uh, thanks," Ron muttered as he gripped the tool with one hand and his trunk with the other.
"Right, have a…" Mr. Weasley said before his words were drowned out by a rush of wind and a flash of light.
Harry felt like he was spun around at incredible speeds as he started at Ron's wide eyes and soundless scream across from him. They shot into the air, still spinning faster and faster. Harry fought the urge to vomit as his world turned into a fuzzy mirage of color and nausea. The ground leaped up to meet him as he crashed into the hard earth. His body didn't hurt but his head spun and he felt sick. He heard Ron coughing and retching across from him.
"Welcome to Hogsmeade," a sonorous voice called as a large hand clapped itself on Harry's shoulder. "Take a deep breath, it will help."
Harry looked up to see an older, bald wizard wearing brown robes and a tie. "Thank you," he gasped and coughed.
"Ambrosius Flume is the name. I run Honeydukes Sweetshop here in Hogsmeade. The Ministry sent me a message to get you two up to the castle," the older wizard explained and helped Harry to his feet. He did the same for Ron a moment later.
It took a little bit for Harry's vision to stop swimming. Portkeys were not his preferred way to travel. "Locomotor Trunk," he muttered and pointed his wand at his and Ron's trunks. They levitated off the ground about an inch. "Ready when you are, Mr. Flume," he said with a strained smile.
Mr. Flume talked the entire way up to the castle. He praised Harry for his strong constitution after a long-distance Portkey. Ron looked pale and didn't talk. "Third year, sir? I'll have to come to visit you or have Fred or George buy some of your sweets," Harry said with a smile as Mr. Flume talked about all his available products.
"I would be delighted to have you, even if you weren't in your third year," the bald wizard said with a wink. "We're almost there. You alright Mr. Weasley?"
Ron stopped off the wide path to retch into the bushes. He didn't get sick but his face looked paler. "No," he gasped and stood straighter.
"Hospital Wing for both of you," a stern voice called from closer to the castle.
Hedwig flew overhead and landed on Harry's shoulder. She pecked at his ear and eyed him with one large eye. Harry got the feeling his owl was annoyed with him. "Sorry, Hedwig. It turned out Mr. Weasley got us here faster than I expected." He fished out a treat and passed it to Hedwig. She eyed him before taking the peace offering.
"Come along Mr. Potter, Mr. Weasley. Thank you Ambrosius for escorting them up to the castle," Professor McGonagall said and gently guided both pupils toward the castle.
Harry grinned as he walked into the Entrance Hall. It felt like he'd come home after a long holiday. His fingers itched to cast as many spells as he could manage without the gnawing fear of being caught. He watched as Peeves floated through a wall, cackling with laughter. Two ghosts followed in pursuit of the troublemaker. Seeing the Hospital Wing again made Harry feel uncomfortable. Madam Pomfrey greeted them as Professor McGonagall sat Ron down on the closest bed.
"The Ministry created the Hogwarts Express to stop long-distance Portkeys for a reason," the aging healer bemoaned as she waved her wand over Ron. "Disorientation, nausea, giddiness, broken bones, and a number of other possible problems involved," she continued as she muttered under her breath.
"Sorry, Madam Pomfrey. We missed the train because someone blocked the barrier to the platform," Harry explained and shrugged. He felt a little nauseous but otherwise felt fine.
"How about you, dear? You seem to be in order," Madam Pomfrey asked as she waved her wand in front of his body.
"I feel all right, not great, but I'll live," Harry answered with a grin.
"Humm, a Pepper-Up Potion for both of you," the healer prescribed.
After downing the sludge, Harry felt his ears warm and billow out warm steam. His entire body felt warm and invigorated. Ron's ears emitted two large clouds of steam as color returned to his face. "I don't want to do that again," Ron muttered as he scrubbed at his face. "This is dreadful."
"Did you just realize you won't have an apatite for the feast?" Harry asked with a laugh.
"I will always eat! Even if I have to get sick later," Ron declared and glared at Harry. They both burst out laughing as Madam Pomfrey reappeared in the Hospital Wing.
"Leave your trunks here, boys. There is about thirty minutes before the train arrives. We'll go down to the Great Hall together," the healer said with a small smile. "Harry, I've done some reading over the summer break. Would you like to see if any of the new spells work?"
Harry perked up and glanced at Ron. "I'd love to, Madam Pomfrey," he said after a moment. He had a suspicion Mrs. Weasley told or questioned Ron about the terrible burn on his shoulder and back.
"Come this way, dear," she ordered and led him behind a half-closed curtain. Harry was thankful for her unsaid offer of privacy. He pulled off his shirt and turned around to face the wall. His back tingled as he felt Madam Pomfrey's wand hover close to his skin. He felt his skin stretch and shape itself as he heard the healer chant behind him.
"Any luck?" Harry asked after a few minutes.
"Some," Madam Pomfrey admitted. "Dark Curses are very hard to counter as the exact wording of the curse causes different effects on the body. A Bone-Breaker Curse is relatively easy to cure by mending the bone itself, however, what if the curse liquefies or vanishes the bone? Skele-Gro would be the only solution to regrowing the bone. Magic is wonderful, powerful, and dangerous in the wrong hands."
Harry understood what the healer was trying to tell him. "I understand and thank you for trying," he said and pulled on his shirt.
"You may as well get into your robes, dear. It will be time to go down soon," Madam Pomfrey said with a small grin. "I will continue to research your burn. I might even heal it completely one day," she said with a laugh. "I haven't had a difficult project in a while."
Harry wasn't sure he liked the idea of visiting the Hospital Wing a lot over the course of the year and made a promise to himself to stay clear of the sterile room as much as possible. "Thank you," he muttered and went back to Ron.
They were the first students in the Great Hall. Ron chose a spot in the middle of the Gryffindor table, near where they normally sat. Harry sat down beside him and opened his book. "We keep mum about what happened as long as possible," he said with a grin. He knew his friends would be worried and shocked to see them arrive at Hogwarts first despite not being on the train.
"Harry! Ron!" Hermione gasped as she ran over to the Gryffindor table. "We looked for you all over the train. Where were you two?" she questioned, her eyes narrowing. "Were you hiding under your Cloak?" she asked in a low whisper.
"We've been sworn to secrecy, Hermione," Harry lied as he greeted his friend. Ron's face turned purple and he coughed into his cup of Pumpkin Juice.
"You'll have to show us how you got here so fast!" one twin greeted as they plopped down beside Harry.
"We were sure you'd missed the train until just a little bit ago," the other twin said with a laugh and sat beside Ron. "Budge up, you're taking up two spaces after eating so much."
"Oi!" Ron yelled and shoved his older brother off the bench.
Harry couldn't keep the smile off his face as he watched the other students file into the Great Hall. Even Malfoy and his two pet human-gorillas, Crabbe and Goyle, couldn't dampen his mood. He waved and talked to a number of fellow students he'd met the previous year. Snape sat at the High Table, glowering at everyone with his greasy hair covering part of his face. Professor Flitwick clambered up into his chair and beamed around the hall. Madam Pomfrey sat beside Professor McGonagall and spoke to her in a low voice.
"I can't wait for the food this year!" Ron muttered to himself.
"How was the rest of your summer, Harry?" Neville asked as he sat down beside Hermione. "Sorry Gran pulled me away so fast at Diagon Alley. I wanted to spend the day with you guys."
"It's alright, you just missed Draco getting his foot crushed by a bunch of books," Harry said with a laugh and explained the story.
"How much have you read," Hermione interrupted halfway through the story. She fidgeted in her seat as everyone looked at her.
Harry smirked and gave her a little shrug. "A decent bit. I can't wait for Charms Club this year!" he hedged and changed the subject. He wanted to surprise his friend with all the magic he'd learned over the summer. "How about you? Memorize the coursebooks yet?"
"You know I have!" Hermione huffed and grinned. "Gilderoy Lockhart's books are fascinating!"
Harry grimaced but kept his thoughts to himself on the subject. He hadn't been impressed by the books and wondered why Hermione hadn't picked up on the multiple inconsistencies between what they learned about Vampires in other books versus what Gilderoy said was true. One of the dueling books he bought captivated his attention as it talked about different dueling tactics and how to engage multiple opponents. "Study Club still going to be a thing?" Harry questioned as the last of the students filed into the hall and found seats at their House tables.
"Please!" Neville yelled and blushed. "Sorry, without your help Hermione I would have never done as well as I did."
Hermione's face flushed a little as she smiled. "Of course, Neville. I still want to use the library for some of the homework," she said and looked at Harry.
"I wouldn't dream of depriving you of your library time," Harry said with a laugh. "I'd like to sleep without worrying you'll stab me in my sleep for keeping you away from your books."
"Hush, you," Hermione scolded with a smirk.
Harry realized Professor McGonagall left the High Table at some point during their conversation and nudged Ron. "Your sister will get sorted soon," he said with a smirk. He knew Ron wished his sister would be sorted into another House.
A few minutes later Professor McGonagall appeared again and placed the Sorting Hat on a stool near the High Table. She left again only to reappear five minutes later with a number of first-years in tow. Ginny was in the middle of the group and looked around with wide, blazing eyes. He wondered if it was how he looked the first time he entered the Great Hall.
The Sorting Hat recited the same song he'd heard the year before. Colin Creevey was the small boy Harry had seen on the platform with his family before the barrier incident. The scrawny boy was the first name called and the first Gryffindor of the year.
Erin Doyle, a plump, dower girl was chosen for Hufflepuff. Her face split into a wide grin as she ran off to sit by her brother, Thomas Doyle who was in his sixth-year. Winter, a slim blonde girl was chosen for Gryffindor to tumultuous cheers.
"Lovegood, Luna," Professor McGonagall called. She peered down at a dirty blonde, pale girl with protruding, wide eyes that made her look surprised. Her straggly, waist-length hair bounced as she skipped up to the Sorting Hat and pulled it down over her entire head.
"Ravenclaw," the Sorting Hat yelled a moment later. Luna got off the stool and walked to the Ravenclaw table without taking the hat off. An older Ravenclaw boy took the hat off the odd girl and placed it back on the stool with a shake of his head.
"McDonald, Daria," Professor McGonagall called after the spectacle ended. A plain brunette girl walked to the stool on wobbling legs. She yelped when the Sorting Hat spoke to her and burst into tears when she was sorted into Hufflepuff. Daria ran to Erin and hugged the larger girl as other Hufflepuffs congratulated her on being sorted into their House.
"Mugridge, Harper," Professor McGonagall continued. A swarthy, pudgy boy ambled up to the Sorting Hat with a swagger reminiscent of Draco's walk. Harry had the feeling the sour-faced boy would be sorted into Slytherin. A moment later, the Sorting Hat agreed with Harry.
Aubrey Phillips became the next Ravenclaw and Penelope Stewart joined Gryffindor. Penelope giggled and jumped on Oliver Wood's back. The older boy laughed and set her down on the bench next to him. Ginny stood alone in the middle of the hall as she waited her turn. Harry saw the signs of her nervousness as she fidgeted with her robes.
"Weasley, Ginevra," Professor McGonagall called with a small smile.
"Another Weasley!?" someone cried from the Hufflepuff table to raucous laughter. Ginny shot the offending boy a disdainful look before primly sitting on the stool and putting the Sorting Hat over her head.
"Bet two Galleons she's in Gryffindor," a Hufflepuff boy said in a low voice.
"Don't take that bet," Harry called with a laugh to Ron's disappointed groan beside him.
"Gryffindor!" the Sorting Hat yelled. Ron muttered and cursed into his goblet while Hermione cheered and clapped for Ginny. The twins lifted their sister on their shoulders and carried her around the table.
Ginny sat beside Hermione and Neville, directly across from an irritated Ron. The Great Hall quieted down as Professor Dumbledore stood in his chair. He stepped up to the ornate podium in front of the High Table. "Before we tuck into our dinner, I have a few start-of-term announcements. You've had the summer to forget all the important information you learned last year. I welcome our new students. The Sorting Hat's song speaks of the unity of all four Houses to create the finest school in the wizarding world. First, the Forbidden Forest is off-limits to all students. This will not change any time in the future," he said to a round of chuckles and a chorus of groans from the twins. "Next, I wish to remind everyone that spells are not to be cast outside of class or in the corridors. Mr. Filch has a growing list of banned objects and substances. If you wish to peruse the list, they can be found on his office door. I wish to congratulate our new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher, Gilderoy Lockhart," the Headmaster said with a smile.
Lots of students gasped and shrieked, Hermione included, as the staff door at the side of the hall opened to reveal Gilderoy Lockhart, his flowing blonde hair waving in an invisible breeze. Harry groaned, hoping the revolting wizard's boast at Flourish and Blotts was a publicity stunt of some kind.
"Oh, I knew there were rumors!" Hermione gasped and stood up so she could see the handsome professor better.
"Hermione, you were at Flourish and Blotts when he announced it," Harry snorted in disgust.
"True, but I wasn't sure which position he would get. I heard the Muggle Studies professor resigned as well."
"I'm not sure dying counts as a resignation, but I suppose it does," Harry mused with a wry smile, thinking of Quirrell. He hoped Lockhart, or rather Professor Lockhart, wouldn't try to kill him this year.
"Gran hates him," Neville said with a small smile. "Says he's a liar and a thief for some reason."
"Oh? Why is that?" Ron asked as he turned his head away from the disgusting spectacle of Professor Lockhart posing and talking to Professor Dumbledore.
"She knew someone who he wrote one of his books about. She said he never saved that town from the werewolf."
"Really?" Harry asked but was shushed by Ginny and Hermione.
"He's starting a speech," they hissed at Harry.
"Now that everyone can see me! I wish to thank Dumbledore for inviting me to my favorite school. I was a Ravenclaw but don't let that make you think I'll play favorites, oh no, I didn't get rid of the Bandon Banshee by smiling at her. I will be showing you how I traveled with trolls, wandered with werewolves, went on holiday with a hag, and spent a year with a yeti! Yes, yes, hold your applause," Professor Lockhart said with a gleaming smile.
Harry noticed the professor said he would show them and not teach them how to do all of his achievements. From Hermione's huge smile, he thought she might not have noticed the word choice. He was honest with himself and wondered if he was giving the foppish wizard a bad name because of his photoshoot at Flourish and Blotts. "Can we eat already," he muttered.
"Here, here," Ron muttered back and drank from his ever-filling goblet of juice.
Harry tuned the rest of Gilderoy's speech out as he fingered his wand under the table. The holster Neville gave him was wrapped around his thigh so his wand was always at hand. Professor Dumbledore's voice woke him from his daydream about cursing Professor Lockhart.
"With that said, tuck in," the Headmaster called as food appeared on the table.
"About time!" Ron yelled as he started to pile a plate higher and higher with food.
Harry ate and talked with his friends, excited to begin the new year. Lee Jordan went on holiday to America to meet family of his. Angelina said her father got her tickets to all the Puddlemere United Quidditch games over the summer so she could see them play. Fred and George let slip Harry bought Ron and himself Nimbus 2001s. Ron turned pink under all the attention but he puffed out his chest and talked about his new broom.
"Now that we have all been fed and watered, I must ask each of you to strive to perform well in all of your endeavors this year. Off to bed!" the Headmaster ordered with a twinkle in his eye as he met Harry's raised eyebrow. Harry noticed the Headmaster hadn't led them in the school song, something he was thankful for.
Ginny wanted to follow her brothers and Harry up to the Gryffindor Common Room, but the new Prefect, Claire Turner, ordered her to follow her. The stocky, short-haired girl glared at anyone who dared to go against her wishes. "We'll see you shortly," Hermione consoled the narrow-eyed redhead. Harry noticed Ginny clutching her wand under her robe and staring hard at Turner.
"Claire might want to watch her back," Fred laughed as he watched Ginny stalk after the other first-years.
"Ginny has never liked to be told what she can and can't do, even with mum," George agreed.
"She just had to be in Gryffindor," Ron complained as they went up the marble staircase.
"All Weasleys have been in Gryffindor," the twins chorused with a laugh. "Percy should have gone to Ravenclaw, though," George said and laughed as his older brother glared at him.
"Home sweet home," Fred grinned as they walked into the common room. A small fire blazed in the fireplace. Several stuffed armchairs sat around the room with large comfortable pillows strewn across the common room. Games were stacked on the long table against one side of the circular room and two large alcoves were on either side of the fireplace.
"I'm headed to bed," Hermione called and went up the stairs by one of the alcoves with Lavender Brown.
"You'll have our old dorm, Harry," George said with a grin. "I hope you don't mind any presents we left for you."
"The house-elves would have cleaned it up," Harry answered and laughed. "You headed to bed Ron?"
"Yeah, mate. I want to make sure I'm rested for tomorrow! We're getting up early again?" Ron asked as he headed toward the downward staircase to the boy's dormitory.
"If you want I can wake you. I'll be up," Harry said with a smile.
"Yeah! I want to make sure I stay in shape," Ron shouted as he descended the stairs.
Harry agonized about going to their Study Classroom to start practicing his spells. It was the first night and he didn't want to get caught after curfew even if he used his Cloak. Annoyed and excited, he threw up his hands and followed Ron to the dormitory. He could at least read and work on the flashcard spells Mr. Weasley hinted at.
It was late into the night before Harry went to bed for the night. He got up at one point to pace the common room as he thought about the various ways to enchant the parchment to do what he wanted. Twenty-six discarded pieces of parchment sat on one table by the fire as he muttered to himself. After attempt thirty-five, he successfully enchanted a small bit of parchment to do what he wanted.
"Harry! You were supposed to wake me," Ron complained as Harry woke up with a start. He realized he'd overslept from his normal time but it was still thirty minutes before breakfast.
"Sorry, mate. I was up late," Harry apologized with a shrug.
"You and your bloody fascination with magic," Ron complained and slammed his trunk. It woke the other boys in the dormitory. They cursed and threw pillows at Ron.
"We'll do a quick exercise then grab a shower before breakfast, Ron," Harry said with a shrug. "We have a few weeks before tryouts."
"I want to be in the best shape possible!" Ron complained as he changed into an old shirt and shorts.
"How did you boys sleep?" Hermione asked as Ron and Harry sat down at the Gryffindor table an hour later. "They are about to give out the class schedules."
"We were supposed to get up early but Harry overslept," Ron muttered and glared at his friend.
"I was up late testing an idea," Harry blithely said with a shrug. He spotted Professor McGonagall at the High Table with seven stacks of parchment in front of her.
"Oh?" Hermione asked as she sat forward in her seat. Ginny perked up as she eyed Harry's robes.
"I'll show you later," Harry teased. He wanted to show off all the knowledge he'd gained over the summer at the same time after he renovated the Study Classroom again.
"Be that way then," Hermione huffed and turned back to her conversation with Ginny.
Harry noticed Ron's sister looked paler than normal. He turned to Neville and said, "you ready for the new year? I think we get to go into Greenhouse 2 for a lot of our Herbology classes."
"Oh yes! I couldn't sleep last night thinking about all the plants we'll get to work with. You came back in the dormitory around two in the morning, Harry," Neville accused with a laugh.
"Shh," Harry hissed, hoping Hermione hadn't heard Neville. "I have a surprise that you might like."
"You figure out how to enchant the flashcards then?" Neville asked with a small grin.
"Ugh!" Harry groaned and put his head in his hands. "Let me guess, you were awake."
"Mate, the only person who didn't wake up was Ron when you waltzed into the room chanting 'I did it, I did it,' I'm surprised Seamus or Dean didn't curse you for waking them."
Before Harry could say anything, parchments popped into existence above the tables and floated down to each student. Harry took his and raised an eyebrow. "Double Charms on Tuesday, double Potions on Wednesday, and double Transfiguration on Thursday. You think they are laying it on a little thick?" he asked with a smirk.
"I think it is the last year we have before our elective studies. Next year we'll have less time for the core classes," Hermione said to Harry's rhetorical question.
"Any idea what you might take?" Harry asked as he memorized the course schedule. Ron moaned and complained about the fifth class and his Quidditch workout times beside Harry.
"All of them?" Hermione answered in a small voice.
"You think you could keep up with the course work?" Harry questioned as he wrote in the margins around the spiraling layout of the schedule.
"Maybe? Yes? I know I want to try!" she declared and glared at Harry. "You think I couldn't do it?"
"I think you could do whatever you set your mind to. But…" he said before trailing off. He felt a smirk tug at the corner of his lips. "Like you could ever beat me," he challenged with a laugh.
"Please! You lost to me last year on the exams. Likeyoucould ever beat me!" Hermione spat with narrowed eyes.
The table became silent as Harry locked eyes with his friend. He saw her lips break into a smile. "Keep dreaming, you'll lose this year," Harry challenged with a large grin.
Ron and Neville groaned but Harry could see they weren't mad. "Double Potions with Professor Snape and the Slytherins after lunch," Neville muttered with a shudder. "At least Herbology is first today."
Pomona Sprout, the Herbology professor, greeted everyone with a wide smile. "Good morning, class. I hope you are ready to learn this year as we will be handling and learning about more difficult plants, fungi, and ingredients. I have spent the last four weeks preparing the lesson for today. Mandrakes are a sentient plant that has roots that look like a human baby. When a Mandrake is mature, its cry can be fatal to anyone who hears it. Potioneers, how have you used Mandrakes before in Potions?"
Hermione, Harry, Neville, and three other students all raised their hands. "Neville, go ahead," Professor Sprout called.
"Stewed Mandrake is used in the Wiggenweld Potion and Mandrake Restorative Draught."
"Very good, take five points for Gryffindor. Oh, yes, Hermione?" Professor Sprout asked when she turned back around.
"Stewed Mandrake is also used in Oculus Potion and Volubilis Potion," she answered and shot a triumphant smirk at Harry.
"Very good, take five more points to Gryffindor. Can anyone else provide information on Mandrakes?"
Harry rolled his eyes and raised his hand. Professor Sprout called on him with a small smile. "The most reliable way to use stewed Mandrake is to place the ingredients into the potion whole or cut up. Mandrakes or Mandragora is a magical offshoot of the nightshade family. It can be used as a pain killer and sedative in medical applications and was used in ancient times for surgery," he said and tried not to wince when Hermione stepped on his foot.
"Very good! Take five more points for Gryffindor. All pertinent information regarding Mandrakes. Today, we will re-pot the infant Mandrakes into new soil. Everyone grab their earmuffs," Professor Sprout ordered.
Harry enjoyed the hour-long class as he removed screaming plant-babies from one pot before shoving them into the soft soil of another. Thankfully, he couldn't hear the screaming Mandrakes or Neville's excited babble as he talked to himself during the re-potting process. While he liked his round-faced friend, Neville could talk their ears off when it came to the different types of plants, soil nutrition ratios, and how to care for each plant.
Professor McGonagall gave them all review material and collected the summer assignments as she walked around the class. She made them review all the coursework from the previous year to ensure no one had forgotten the basic principles of Transfiguration. Harry was bored but did as he was instructed, not wanting to upset the stern professor.
"You think she'll be in a better mood this year now that she holds the House Cup?" Harry whispered to Ron.
"Never," his friend shot back with a grin.