The Potter Timeline
Chapter 23 - An Enlightening Journey
Mr. and Mrs. Granger were discussing their dental practice as they drove toward King's Cross station through the side streets of London. In the back seat, the two second-years quietly listened to the rather boring conversation as Hedwig softly cooed inside her cage by the window. Harry looked at Hermione who he noticed seemed apprehensive.
"What's wrong?" he asked.
She looked at him with a frown.
"After what happened yesterday, I have this feeling the car's going to break down any moment," she told him.
Harry chuckled.
"Don't worry. Dobby isn't going to stop us from getting to Hogwarts," he said.
"How do you know?" she asked puzzled.
"He showed up in my room last night, looking for something."
"Really? What?"
"I don't know. He wouldn't say. And he still wouldn't tell me what the terrible thing is that's to happen at school."
"So, how do you know he won't try to stop us?"
"Because I threatened him."
Hermione's face scrunched up in concern. Harry laughed.
"Not like that!" he exclaimed with amusement, "I told him Dumbledore knows about him. That if you and I don't make it to Hogwarts, Dumbledore would report him and his master to the ministry. Of course, I had to calm the poor creature after - he was shaking with fright. But I also told him we were his friends and that he could help us a different way."
"How?"
"With this."
Harry pulled a coin out of his pocket and handed it to her. She gazed over its surface curiously.
"A silver galleon? I've never heard of one before. Is it real?"
"I don't know. But I asked him if there was a way we could contact him if we were in trouble and he handed me that. He said to flip it twice and he would show up."
The girl stared at it another moment then handed it back to him.
"I wonder what the terrible thing is, though. And I wonder if Dobby's master is behind it."
"I don't know. Hopefully, Professor Dumbledore found out and can clear all this up."
"But if Dobby is warning us," Hermione continued, "he might be going against his master. If that's true, then the thing he's referring to could be really bad. It's not like House Elves to betray their masters so easily, from what I understand."
Harry frowned and moved closer to the girl to speak quietly. He threw a quick glance at her parents to note they were still engrossed in conversation and not paying attention to the youngsters.
"Well...even though Dobby wouldn't tell me what the thing was, he did mention a couple of other things about it."
"What's that?"
"He talked about the 'dark one' knowing. I can only guess he means Voldemort."
Hermione gave him a worried look. Harry continued.
"And he said that...you were in danger specifically."
Her eyes grew large.
"Me? Why?"
"Probably because of what happened last term. We know Voldemort wants to come back to life and eliminate me in the process. But since you were involved in what happened in the Hall of Reflection, he knows about you too. More than likely we're both targets now."
Hermione sighed.
"And I was hoping we would have a quiet second year," she stated sourly.
Harry chuckled.
"Me too. But we probably won't be rid of Voldemort until he's stopped permanently."
He took her hand and threw her a reassuring look. Hermione gazed at him softly.
"But like we talked about last year, we'll face this together. I won't let anything happen to you if I can possibly help it."
The girl nodded at him while squeezing his hand.
"We definitely need to work on those defensive spells McGonagall and Flitwick taught us. And perhaps even learn a few offensive ones too," Hermione said.
"Agreed. And in the meantime, keep our eyes peeled. But one thing's reassuring."
"What's that?"
"McGonagall and Dumbledore know about this. I'm sure they'll do everything in their power to prevent it."
Hermione smiled at Harry then leaned her head on his shoulder. He leaned his head on hers and the pair sat silently for the remainder of the ride to King's Cross.
After Mr. Granger parked the vehicle, he and Harry retrieved two trolleys and the four unloaded the boot. Harry and Hermione headed toward Platforms 9 and 10 with her parents behind them.
"You go first," Harry told the girl.
She nodded and oriented her cart toward the brick wall barrier. Moving briskly, Hermione passed right through. Harry then allowed her parents to follow. After the couple disappeared, Harry readied his trolley then plowed toward the barrier, careful not to knock Hedwig off her perch. Like the previous year, concerned he might smack into the wall headlong, Harry winced just before...disappearing through the barrier and arriving safely on Platform 9 3/4.
The hectic boarding scene he recalled from his first year played out before him once more. Parents and siblings of students boarding the Express were saying their goodbyes. Fellow House mates were reuniting and sharing tales of their summer break. He and Hermione recognized many faces among the students scrambling to get their things on board, some from different years and different Houses. They also noticed the throng of new faces among the crowd: first-year students, including the Weasleys' young daughter Ginny.
As Harry, Hermione, and her parents moved to the train, the entire Weasley clan waved at them as Fred, George, Percy, and Ron hauled their luggage inside one of the cars. When Ginny saw Harry, however, her eyes went wide, and she spun around quickly to talk to her mother. Harry chuckled, remembering what Ron told him in Diagon Alley.
"Harry! Hermione!" a familiar voice uttered from amongst the crowd gathered on the platform.
The second-years looked up to see Neville approaching. They smiled at him. Neville had grown taller than both of them. He was also thinner, and his hair was cut shorter, giving the boy a more mature appearance than the shy, uncertain first-year they remembered.
"Hey, Neville! How's it going?" Harry asked.
"Okay. My summer was fine."
"You look great, Neville!" Hermione commented. Longbottom frowned.
"My gran put me on a diet and made me eat lots of salads," he replied with a sour face, "so I'm really looking forward to regular meals at the school again."
Harry and Hermione laughed.
"How about you two?" Neville asked.
"I had a nice vacation in France with my parents, as well as catching up on some reading," Hermione answered cheerily before giving Harry a sad look, "Harry, however, didn't have such a good summer."
"But I survived thanks to this one here," Harry said with a smile at the girl. She smiled back.
"That's great! Dean and Seamus should be around here somewhere..."
"Hey guys!" Dean let out as he and his Irish pal bolted toward the three.
"Hey, Harry, Hermione!" Seamus chimed in with a toothy grin.
"Hey!" Harry responded while Hermione waved.
The five Gryffindors were elated to be together again.
"We secured a compartment in one of the cars like last time," Dean said.
"Perfect!" Harry responded, "hang on a minute and we'll help load our things."
He and Hermione said their goodbyes to her parents who had been caught in conversation once more with Arthur Weasley. The second-years then rejoined their friends.
The Express got under way and the five fell into cheery conversation about their break, though Harry didn't mention what happened at the Dursleys'. Hermione related the particulars of her vacation in France, Dean excitedly talked about playing football with his brothers and muggle friends, Seamus spent part of his summer with his cousins near the Wicklow Mountains, and Neville talked about the wizarding summer camp his grandmother made him attend in Wales. Harry then broke out the Knights & Dragons boardgame the boys had given him at Christmas. And just as on the train ride from last term, Hermione won again. The four boys congratulated her...sour-faced.
Afterwards, the five were conversing about the upcoming term when the compartment door opened. A thin girl with long, dirty-blond hair down to her waist, an impish face, and wide, sparkling gray eyes appeared to everyone's surprise. The girl, wearing a lime green dress, a bright purple sweater, red and white striped stockings, and a set of pink pointed shoes with the toes curled upward, opened the door, entered, and closed it behind her. She then plopped onto the seat next to Neville, forcing the three boys to scrunch up together. She gazed dreamily off into nothing, twirling a bit of her hair, and acting as though the five students weren't even there.
The second-years stared at one another slack jawed.
"Um...hello?" Dean asked with a furrowed brow from the other end of the seat. The girl looked at him lazily.
"Hello," she gave out in a high-pitched tone before gazing off into nothing again. The five threw each other odd looks.
"Can we...help you with something?" Hermione asked.
"No. I'm fine," the girl replied, twirling her hair some more.
Harry chuckled at the contorted looks on his friends faces and especially the red face of Neville whose eyes had gone wide when the girl sat so close to him their thighs touched.
"You're a first-year, aren't you?" Harry asked. The girl stopped twirling her hair and stared right at him with dreamy eyes and a slight smile.
"Yes. And you're Harry Potter."
He chuckled again.
"That I am. And you are?"
"Luna Lovegood," the girl said dreamily, not shifting her eyes from Harry in the slightest.
Harry and Hermione glanced at one another in amusement, Dean and Seamus both snickered while Neville remained frozen.
"Which compartment did you come from, Luna? This one is actually full," Seamus asked the girl.
"No compartment. All the rest were full too."
This drew more odd looks.
"You mean...you've been wandering among the cars this whole time?" Harry asked.
"Of course. Someone needed to make sure there were no Nargles hiding on board. They can be rather nasty this time of year, you know. But my feet were tired, so I decided to rest here."
The Gryffindors did everything they could to suppress an outright laugh. Even Neville smirked at the girl's dottiness. She went on.
"Of all the compartments on the train, this one has the brightest colors. Most seem greenish, one in the back looked very red, and a couple looked very black. I like this one the best!"
Luna then gazed off into nothing again, twirling her hair. Amused, the others eventually fell back into conversation, Luna keeping to herself, though Harry could tell she was listening in even if she didn't say anything. Occasionally, Neville would glance nervously at the girl as though wanting to ask her to shift over but too frightened to do so.
When the old lady came around with her trolley, Harry treated everyone to cauldron cakes and pumpkin pasties. He even bought a cake for Luna who promptly picked hers apart to make sure no Nargles were hiding inside before consuming it.
After a couple of hours, silence had come over the compartment. Dean and Seamus were poring over the latest edition of The Daily Prophet. Harry gazed out the window while Hermione rested her head on his shoulder with eyes closed. Harry then looked at Neville and chuckled. He nudged Hermione who, after glancing up at him, followed his gaze to an amusing sight. Luna was asleep, snoring lightly while leaning against Neville who himself had inadvertently dozed off with his head resting on hers. Harry and Hermione pointed this out to Dean and Seamus who joined the pair in quiet laughter.
Finally, the journey came to an end as Hogsmeade station appeared outside the window. The five students put on their school robes, secured their belongings, and Luna simply wandered off without a word. Harry made sure Hedwig was okay inside her cage, and they exited the train onto the darkened platform among the throng of other students.
"Firs' years! Firs' years, this way!" the voice of Hagrid called out near the engine of the Express.
Harry and Hermione waved at the giant who returned the same. Seeing the sight of Hagrid calling on the first-years, Harry remembered with fondness the happy trip they made on the boats with their big friend one year ago this day.
"I guess I'm to follow the others," Luna suddenly spoke, surprising the five Gryffindors from behind. She wore her own robe over top her gaudy outfit and her face exuded the same dreamy quality no matter what was happening as though the girl was sleepwalking through life. But before joining first-years, Luna gazed at Neville.
"Nice talking to you. See you at school!" she told him with a gleam in her eyes.
Neville's face turned beet red as the girl moved off.
"But I didn't...that is...we didn't..." he mumbled, mystified as to what she meant.
The other four laughed.
"You two looked cozy on the train, Neville," Seamus cracked at him through his laughter.
"Really?" the boy asked with embarrassment. The others were in stitches until Percy showed up.
"Okay, Gryffindors, move along to the carriages," he ordered flatly.
The five complied, following their fellow second-years and nearly everyone else off the platform, marching through an alleyway in between Madam Puddifoot's and Dervish and Banges. On the other side, a dirt road sat beyond the village. A tall road sign in the shape of a crooked arrow pointed in the direction of the darkened castle atop its perch over the Black Lake.
Hogwarts
1 and 2/3 Miles
But immediately, the second-years were struck by the sight of dozens of ornate, ancient-looking carriages along the dirt road into which students of every House and year were already entering.
"So, this is how we get to the castle from now on," Seamus commented as the five got in line behind several others to enter a carriage.
"Of course," Hermione said, "only the first-years go by boat."
"Wow! What are those things?" Harry asked gazing at what was driving the carriages.
They appeared to be reptilian-looking, skeletal horses with black skin that draped tightly over their bones as though the creatures were starving to death. They had dragon-like wings and when one stared directly at Harry, a chill went down his spine at its blank white eyes.
"They're called Thestrals. I read about them in Hogwarts, A History," Hermione informed the group, "supposedly, some students used to fly on them to the school before the Hogwarts Express was built."
Dean, Seamus, and Neville looked at each other in puzzlement.
"What are you two talking about?" Dean asked with a furrowed brow.
"Those creatures there, pulling the carriages," Harry answered casually.
"Now seeing them for real, they look rather creepy, I must say," Hermione said with a worried expression.
"What creatures?" Neville asked with a frightened look.
Harry and Hermione stared at one another.
"Those...dragon-like horses attached to the bridles," Harry stated, wondering if his friends had lost their marbles.
"We don't see anything attached to the carriages, Harry," Seamus said with a suspicious look at the boy.
"What?" Harry wondered immensely.
"So...the three of you don't see them at all?..." Hermione asked before throwing Harry a wide-eyed look and grabbing his sleeve.
"I forgot!" she uttered, "only certain people can actually see them!"
"What people?" Dean wondered. Hermione frowned.
"Those who have...witnessed death of some kind. Or at least that's what the book mentioned."
"You two have seen...death then?" Neville queried with even more fright.
Harry and Hermione exchanged looks.
"Yes, Neville. We have..." Harry muttered.
His thoughts quickly flashed back to last term and their harrowing experiences in the Hall of Reflection: Hermione witnessing the death of that cat at the hands of a younger Voldemort, Harry witnessing the future reflection of Hermione dying from the killing curse, Quirrell killed by Fluffy, and finally, Hermione thinking the spirit of Voldemort had killed Harry after passing right through him. These thoughts revived something of the emotional trauma the pair experienced from all those terrible events.
Harry reached over and took Hermione's hand, seeing the saddened expression on her face and realizing she was feeling it too. The girl squeezed his hand back and smiled weakly. Dean, Neville, and Seamus remained silent, however, recognizing but not prying into something that was clearly very personal to them both. But the next available carriage arrived and the five entered. After a few awkward moments of further silence, Dean finally broke it by mentioning some of the antics of Edel the House Elf from the comics section of The Daily Prophet he and Seamus had read. The pall of death and the creepy Thestrals vacated the kids minds as they all fell back into easy conversation for the remainder of the ride.
The carriages wound their way along the dirt path, twisted through dark woods, up several inclines, and finally through the grand gate of the school entrance which none of the second-years had seen before. Ancient-looking ironwork arched overhead, and the words "Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry" were welded into the arch with a colorful, metallic version of the school's emblem standing center over the words. Finally, the carriages arrived at the main entrance with its enormous, double doors of heavy oak. Torchlight illuminated the castle's entry hall which the second-years had been so awed by one year previous. A huge grin crested on Harry's face. Fond memories of his first year in the old place flashed through his mind.
It was good to be back home.
The throng of students made its way directly into the Great Hall this time, no need for a special greeting from McGonagall or any of the other professors. Upon entering the familiar space, the atmosphere felt exciting as students and staff moved about conversing with one another. Sir Nicholas and the other ghosts flew among the four tables welcoming the pupils back for another year. Harry and Hermione moved with their House mates toward the Gryffindor table and before sitting down, the boy looked up at the High Table.
Hagrid sat at his usual seat next to Dumbledore waving again at the two Gryffindor friends. Beside Hagrid sat Gilderoy Lockhart in the chair Professor Quirrell took the year before. Just the sight of the man made Harry cringe. But he wasn't the only one. Next to Lockhart, Professor Snape sat, his arms crossed, his face etched with a deep frown and a look of supreme annoyance. Gilderoy was explaining something to the greasy-haired man, his brilliant white teeth gleaming every time he opened his mouth. Harry chuckled. If anyone at Hogwarts would detest the new Defence Against the Dark Arts teacher, it would be Snape. Harry almost felt sorry for the man. Almost.
Harry's attention was then drawn to the headmaster standing and observing all the activity before him. The man looked directly at Harry, giving him a smile and nod. Harry smiled back at him, astonished to see the old wizard's beard had returned to its full length and his rectangular glasses were replaced once more by the half-moon spectacles.
The ceremony finally got underway as everyone sat down just as the doors to the Hall opened. In walked Professor McGonagall in her emerald robes followed by two dozen first-year students all gazing in wonder at the sights around them. Harry and Hermione exchanged smiles, recalling their first grand entrance into the Hall. It seemed strange to be on the other side of this ritual now, like they were experienced veterans.
The professor and the first-years moved to the front where the stool sat with the sorting hat on top. Among the group of youngsters, all of whom looked nervous, save one Luna Lovegood, was Ginny Weasley. Harry noticed Fred, George, and Percy at the Gryffindor table all glance at Ron. The lanky redhead sitting at the Hufflepuff table gave his brothers the same look of curiosity. Which house would their sister be sorted into? Harry now wondered himself.
McGonagall then went through the list of students, each taking their seat on the stool with the hat placed on their head. The hat sorted various kids into different Houses in no predictable way, it seemed, each House cheering in response, just like the year before.
"Lovegood, Luna," the professor uttered at one point in the sorting.
The quirky girl, twirling her yellowish hair, wandered to the stool with a smile as though traipsing through a field of daisies. Harry, Hermione, Dean, and Seamus looked at one another and chuckled. Sitting with both hands on the stool top, she gazed off dreamily when McGonagall placed the worn-out wizard's hat on her head.
"GRYFFINDOR!" it yelled out and the table of the lions erupted in applause. The five students who had sat with Luna on the train all clapped and then grinned at one another amusingly.
Several more students were sorted into each House before a familiar name was called.
"Weasley, Ginny," McGonagall stated.
The petite redhead, wide-eyed and equally red-faced marched to the stool and sat. Tense anticipation from her siblings followed the silence just before the hat's pronouncement.
"GRYFFINDOR!"
The lions roared again. The Weasleys all clapped and looked at one another with cheer, except Ron who seemed disappointed. But the twelve-year-old clapped for his sister, nevertheless. This entire episode, including Ron's sorting the year before, had Harry curious. He leaned across the table toward Percy who was applauding and welcoming his sister as she sat down in between Fred and George, grinning from ear to ear.
"Percy, how come everyone in your family was sorted in Gryffindor except Ron?" he queried. Hermione hearing this, moved in to listen. Percy leaned toward them both.
"We had a big family discussion about that over the summer. No one's sure exactly why Ron experienced a Hatstall."
"A what?" Harry asked. Hermione leaned in.
"A Hatstall occurs when the Sorting Hat can't decide immediately what House to put someone in," she stated.
Percy nodded at her.
"That's correct. But during one Prefects' meeting, someone asked Dumbledore how the hat determines which House a person gets sorted into. Beyond just the person's character, he said it can be based on the decisions someone has made as well as their associations. In other words, the type of friends you make can rub off on you and affect where the Hat sorts you."
Harry and Hermione both nodded in understanding. Percy went on.
"Ron was hoping Ginny would join him in Hufflepuff, so I'm sure he's not too happy about this. But, surprisingly, he's told us he's happy in his House. He's made lots of friends, including Sean who came and stayed at the Burrow for a couple of weeks this summer. And as you can imagine, Ron idolizes Cedric Diggory and hopes to join the Hufflepuff Quidditch team someday."
"That's great," Harry replied with a smile.
But before they knew what happened, the clinging of a glass by the headmaster signaled the end of the sorting ceremony. The wizard rose from his seat and gazed across the Hall.
"Welcome to another year at Hogwarts!" he uttered.
Claps and cheers erupted from the four tables. He went on.
"And, welcome to our new first-years. I hope your time here will be full of surprises and wonders. Now, before we begin the feast, I have a few announcements to make..."
The old wizard then rattled off several items similar to the previous year such as students being forbidden to enter the Forbidden Forest and various parts of the castle Filch determined were off-limits. Dumbledore then spoke of the latest addition to Hogwarts staff.
"This year, we have the pleasure of welcoming our newest faculty member, Mr. Gilderoy Lockhart, who will be assuming the post of Defence Against the Dark Arts teacher."
There was applause again from the students and most of the staff as Lockhart rose from his seat, smiling and waving. Nearly all the girls in the Hall clapped vigorously and sighed. Harry, Dean, and Seamus rolled their eyes. Dumbledore then attempted to continue.
"Now, I have a few words to say before..."
"Professor, if I may?" Lockhart interrupted, "I'd like to share a few words with our students myself."
The gleam of his super-white teeth could be seen from the furthest corner of the Hall as he threw the four Houses an enormous smile. Dumbledore stared at the wizard with an annoyed look before motioning to the man without a word.
"Thank you, headmaster."
Lockhart threw back a portion of his cape falling over his shoulder.
"My dear students, I was thrilled to be invited here to share my not inconsiderable experience with you in the hopes that you might gain a greater appreciation for the dangers lurking in our world, dangers which I, your intrepid new Dark Arts professor, have faced many times over during my illustrious career. During the course of the next year, as I acquaint you with the dark ways of evil wizards, witches, and creatures of a most pugnacious nature, you'll see how I built my reputation through much toil and not simply from having a charming personality. After all, I didn't banish the Bandon Banshee by...smiling at her..."
Lockhart no doubt expected laughter at this overused line. But only crickets could be heard inside the Great Hall. The eyes of the wavy-haired man went wide and he swallowed hard - the first time Harry had seen him flustered.
"Well...um...yes. I believe that's all for now," Lockhart fumbled before smiling again, "back to you, professor."
Gilderoy promptly sat back down. Professor Snape, sitting next to him, was rubbing his temples as though he had a headache just being in the vicinity of the new DADA teacher.
"Thank you, Mr. Lockhart. I'm sure our charges are looking forward to hearing all about your exploits in ridding our world of so much evil, your charming smile and personality notwithstanding," Dumbledore uttered wryly and snickers broke out among the students and a few staff, including Hagrid.
Harry chuckled, glad to see not everyone was mesmerized by the self-indulgent wizard. The headmaster went on.
"Now, where was I? Ah, yes! A few words before our feast begins..."
Dumbledore then uttered the same nonsensical words from the previous year before mounds of food materialized on the tables.
Harry Potter's second year at Hogwarts officially got underway...