A/n: Update.
Kurt had been invited to the final Order of the Phoenix meeting by almost everybody in his age group at number twelve, and despite his insistence that he wouldn't feel right, here he was at the door. He knocked on the door with a false bravado, he knew that even though some people had asked him to be here they would rather he wasn't. Hermione had hypothesised that his prowess, when it came to dealing with conflict, was a result of his extraordinary ability to catalyse conflict, Kurt thought it was unfair to blame him for the missteps of others.
"Kurt's here," Fred and George beamed when they opened the door.
"You know you're the only person who actually knocks," Fred chortled as they ushered him into the house.
George shrugged, "Most people assume that by virtue of knowing that the house exists, they have a standing invitation."
"I was raised with manners," Kurt smiled politely.
"Really," Fred and George chorused, eyeing Kurt with a slew of trepidations.
"Yes, really," Kurt rolled his eyes, "I might not be the friendliest but my manners are impeccable."
"I can vouch for that," Tonks chuckled.
"I wasn't unfriendly at our meeting," Kurt squeaked defensively, "I was simply caught unawares."
"You looked at me like something the dog dragged in," Tonks shrugged as Kurt slipped into a seat between Harry and Hermione, "I thought maybe you made the connection to my less than savoury relatives."
"He's connected alright," Ron chuckled, earning a glare from Kurt. Ron raised his hands protectively, "You share a dorm room with Draco."
"Shared," Kurt bounced excitedly.
"What do you mean 'shared'?" Hermione nudged him hard.
"Ouch," Kurt's voice hit a note at the threshold of human hearing. He rubbed the spot of contact, "I'm a Slytherin prefect, I get a single room."
"That's not fair," Ron grumbled.
"We didn't get single rooms," Charlie protested.
"It's just a Slytherin thing, we never had them in Hufflepuff," Tonks shrugged.
"Nymphadora is partially correct," Kurt nodded, brushing off the glare he received from Tonks, "Ravenclaw awards single rooms to the top student, but it's generally a Slytherin prefect privilege."
"I'm top of our year and a prefect," Hermione shook her head, "but I'm still sharing."
"Because you guys are all friends," Kurt mocked them, "Yay Gryffindor!" Kurt clapped facetiously, "I'm sure yours is the only where the Quidditch Captain shares as well."
"He does," Charlie grumbled miserably.
"Cheer up Charles," Kurt supressed a smile, "I'm sure there are other perks to being in Gryffindor, you guys get to wear maroon."
"And we don't have to be afraid that we'll turn evil," Ron stuck his tongue out at Kurt.
"And if you do, you're welcome in Ron's bed," Kurt pursed his lips, "or was Pettigrew a special case."
"Ten points to Slytherin," Harry announced jovially.
Kurt placed a hand on his shoulder, "Slytherin and Ravenclaw prefects are the only students who can award points." Kurt pursed his lips, "fifty points to Slytherin."
"Head Prefects can also award points," Bill pointed out.
"Yes but due to the infrequency with which Gryffindor head prefects are selected," Kurt shrugged, "Before Percy it was you and before that… it might have been Professor McGonagall."
"My dad was Head boy," Harry said, almost as if he were gloating, "Both my parents actually."
"Yes," Kurt nodded, "I know, I didn't want to be indecorous."
"Kurt," Mrs Weasley called to him, "Both yours and Tonks's mothers were Head Prefects; yours the same year as Fabian." She was silent for a moment as Kurt gaped at her slack jawed, or at least a more elegant equivalent, "Come to think of it, I think all three of the Black girls were Head Prefects."
"Quite correct Molly," Sirius nodded, "Drove my mother insane, why can't you be more like Bella, Andy and Cissy?"
"They called Malfoy's mother Cissy," Ron chuckled.
"It's short for Narcissa," Kurt quipped before turning to Tonks, who was gaping at him, and shrugged, "surprise?"
Ron, who was nearest to her, gave her a quick rundown of the tale; Kurt knew he would have to reprimand the boy for his prowess at sharing the tale, how many people had he told? "The long and the short of it, Kurt's your cousin."
"I've never had a cousin," Tonks smiled nervously, "at least, not one I've met."
"You're not missing out on much," Sirius shook his head, "my cousins were all lunatics."
"Tonks is sitting right here," Hermione squeaked a rebuke.
"Anyone who would name their child Nymphadora is certifiable in my book," Tonks chuckled.
"It must be a familial thing," Kurt chuckled, "Your grandmother thought my name unsuitable and decided to rename me 'Rigel'."
"Maybe she heard you think you're the Queen of Sheba," Charlie quipped.
"Firstly, Re-jel not Regal, I'm not mispronouncing it. Secondly, I don't think I'm the Queen of Sheba," Kurt shook his head, "Hermione's the Queen of Sheba."
"No," she shook her head, "I'm the arbitrator of what is and isn't real."
"Really, I could have sworn-" Kurt gasped, "Maybe I am the Queen of Sheba."
"Please note that I said 'think'," Charlie tried to clarify.
"At least you're thinking," Ron flashed his brother a toothy grin, "it's a step in the right direction."
"Good evening all," Mr Weasley smiled cheerily as he strode into the kitchen, he kissed Mrs Weasley and settled into a seat at the head of the table.
"Not all," Kurt interjected, "Ginny is absent."
"Mum sent her to bed after dinner," Fred exclaimed.
"I suggested sending her to bed without dinner," George completed with equal cheer.
"Mum disagreed," they chorused, "we ended up being sent to meeting with no desert."
"There's still some of my sticky toffee cake if you'd like some Kurt," Mrs Weasley smiled.
Kurt shook his head, "I'm on a juice cleanse but Hermione loves toffee, she can have my slice."
"I also like toffee," Bill protested.
"I'm sorry," Kurt smiled politely, "But you must have me mistaken with somebody who cares."
"There's more than enough to go around," Mrs Weasley chuckled, glad for the attention.
"I think we're ready to begin," Sirius nodded to Remus.
"We can't leave it too late," George chuckled.
"Harry's got to go write in his journal," Fred snickered.
"Dear Diary," they chorused, "today was a very strange day."
"I don't quite understand what I saw Fred and George doing to each other," Kurt stared daggers at the pair.
"We'll get you," the pair glared back at him.
"It appears as though You-Know-Who has gone into hiding as he gathers a following," Remus explained, "we're not sure what his next move will be but the fact that people remain ignorant or obstinate to the facts of his return puts thousands in danger."
"Millions," Hermione interjected, "Muggles are in danger as well, if we disregard them then we're no better than those that we oppose."
"Yes," Mr Weasley nodded, "Hermione is quite right, the muggles are the most vulnerable."
"Azkaban," Kurt spoke up, "that will be his next conspicuous move."
"What makes you say that?" Sirius leaned forward curiously.
"His most loyal followers are the ones that braved Azkaban rather than deny him," Kurt explained, "he'll struggle to gather a following if he doesn't do right by those who were loyal to him even in death."
"Barty Crouch Jr is dead," Harry furrowed his brow, "So basically he's going to break the LeStranges out of prison."
"Along with a slew of other Death Eaters," Mr Weasley shuddered.
"Antonin Dolohov," Mrs Weasley stopped dead in her tracks.
Mr Weasley got up and stood beside her, "It'll be fine Molly."
"Will it?" she leaned up against her husband, "will it truly be fine?"
"Things will work out," Mr Weasley assured her.
Mrs Weasley took a step back, "You say things will work out but at what cost? When will this be over? What cost will we have to pay to end it? Will life ever be as it was?"
"Don't be irrational Molly," Sirius shook his head.
"I might be the only one being rational here," Mrs Weasley snapped before Sirius could say any more, "I have seven children to look out for, Harry and Hermione are as good as my children; all these people to worry about."
"Harry's is my ward," Sirius snapped.
Molly shook her head, "he's been in my charge longer than you've had your head screwed right way round."
"Oh Molly," Mr Weasley shook his head.
"What?" she snapped back at him, she followed his gaze- everyone did. Kurt tried to see what they were looking at but there was nothing spectacular behind him, "Oh dear."
As realisation dawned, Kurt raised a silencing finger, "it's fine, I'm not a child. I already have too many people trying to parent me anyway."
"It's just-"
"Water off a duck's back," Kurt dismissed her. He gave a soft smile, "You're perfectly right, the role we've decided to take in this war puts us at great risk."
"And that's why you shouldn't be going back to Hogwarts this year," Molly huffed.
"Not this again," Sirius rolled his eyes dramatically, "Hogwarts, with Dumbledore, is the safest place for them."
"Let's not go crazy there," Kurt shook his head, "there was a giant snake that kills by making eye contact in the basement for nearly a millennium. There was a three headed dog on the third floor, behind a door that could be opened by a first year."
"Don't forget the giant spiders," Ron shuddered.
"Acromantulas running wild in the forbidden forest," Kurt shook his head, "They had a man with a dark wizard on the back of his head teaching one year, a fool the next, a werewolf without any notice to the student body and a mad man teaching last year."
"Easy," Mad-eye Moody warned him.
"I wasn't even talking about you and your eccentricities," Kurt chuckled.
"What Kurt means is that saying Hogwarts is the safest place would be a tad misleading," Hermione explained with a small laugh.
"I don't mean to be rude," Kurt gave a tight lipped smile, "I'm sure Professor Lupin understands what I mean, having a student encounter him in his werewolf form would be a lot less disastrous if the student was aware of the possibility."
"But Professor Dumbledore-" Harry began but Kurt simply shook his head.
"Professor Dumbledore is part of the problem," there were hushed gasps all around, "he withholds information that could be crucial to the matter at hand."
"Kurt," Harry shook his head, "You're only saying that because the two of you had a falling out."
"And you're only saying that because you've canonised him like the rest of the wizarding world," Kurt pursed his lips, "Professor Dumbledore is a great, powerful and intelligent wizard but he's also flawed like everyone else."
"Wait," Ron gaped at him, "so you agree with mum?"
"Heavens no," Kurt guffawed at the thought, "what would we do all year if we didn't go back to Hogwarts? We won't get back into muggle schooling after a four-year sabbatical, we have OWLs and NEWTs to write; part of expecting this to be over at some point is carrying on with normal life as much as possible, we need to be in school so we can learn more magic that might help defeat the Dark Lord."
"But you said Hogwarts wasn't safe," Mrs Weasley huffed angrily.
"It isn't," Kurt shook his head.
"I'm confused," Tonks furrowed her brow.
"What Kurt means to communicate is that you can't assure mum that everything will be fine on an argument based on incorrect statements," Charlie spoke clearly and everyone strained to hear his soft gravelly voice, "You can't tell her that Hogwarts is the safest place when I can think of ten safer places off the top of my head, the truth is that in war there are no true safe spaces."
"Every safe space has its shortcomings," Hermione continued, "Trade-offs; not returning to Hogwarts means that we can't learn or do magic."
"And that doesn't help end this war," Harry nodded, "I doubt there'll be a conscription notice to fight Voldemort, it'll be like the last time; there won't be a battle field or any real battles, there'll be small conflicts and murders until a breaking point is reached."
"It'll be a war of fear," Hermione nodded, "by failing to return to Hogwarts we've let them win the first battle. Now is a time for tactic, self-preservation will come later."
"They're right Molly," Mr Weasley hugged her, "we can't start on the defensive this early."
"I just want to keep them safe," Mrs Weasley's voice shook as she spoke.
"It'll be fine," Ron smiled, "Kurt never lets us do anything fun."
"Let's not canonise me either," Kurt chuckled, "but speaking of destroying happiness, regulation haircuts all across the board; Boys, above the ear and collar; girls, bangs above your eyebrows and hair longer than shoulder length must be clipped back or worn up."
"You can't be serious," Ron chuckled.
Kurt narrowed his gaze, "clean, short nails. I will be docking points and handing out detentions on the Hogwarts Express for all of those who fail to comply."
Sirius shook his head, "let's get back to the matter at hand, Remus."
"We also believe that You-Know-Who is after something," Remus spoke in a whisper that was barely audible from their end of the table, "Something he didn't have before."
"A weapon?" Harry's eyes grew greedily wide.
Remus shrugged and turned to Sirius who took the baton, "In a manner of speaking-"
"That's enough," Mrs Weasley snapped. Kurt narrowed his gaze for a fraction of a moment, then he relaxed, "they're only children for Merlin's sake. If you tell them any more then you might as well induct them into the Order."
"If Voldemort is raising an army then I want to fight," Harry shot to his feet, "I want to be part of the Order."
"That's the spirit," Sirius smirked, "you have your father's moxy."
"Sit down and bring it back two levels," Kurt pulled the boy into his seat, "You have to consider whether you'll be an asset to the Order, don't let Sirius bate you."
"What do you mean?" Harry shrugged Kurt's hand off, "I want to fight."
"Even if it is an idea of your own creation, it's a bad one." Kurt let out a huffed breath, "You're fifteen, you can't do magic outside of school and you may be able to cast a powerful spell quite well but how many spells do you know?"
"I know one that can make all your internal organs explode," Harry grinned proudly.
Kurt shook his head, "no honey, that's me."
"by inducting you into the order they now have to take care of you," Hermione gave a gentle smile, "you become a liability."
"Besides," Ron gave a great guffaw, "do you want to be with all the old people?"
"You'd have to do old people things like sleep at four," George shuddered.
"And you miss out when we all go get tattoos," Fred chuckled.
"Ron's getting one that says 'Kurt'," the pair chuckled to the chagrin of their younger brother.
"No tattoos," Mrs Weasley half scolded, half giggled.
"And if one must hang out with old people, choose Oma," Kurt giggled, "She has pills and bourbon, and she doesn't complain when you hog the cocaine."
"I think it's time for bed," Mrs Weasley smiled, "early morning tomorrow."
Kurt said his goodbyes and made his way to the door, arm in arm with Hermione, "So are you going to tell me?"
"Tell you?" Kurt furrowed his brow.
Hermione crossed her arms indignantly, "you can feign ignorance to the ends of the earth but I know you know something."
"I'm not sure I understand," Kurt shook his head.
"She's talking about the way your whole body tensed up when Lupin mentioned the thing You-Know-Who is looking for," Charlie grinned at the pair from his seat on the stairs.
"Oh Charles," Kurt pursed his lips, "Do you often pay attention to my body?"
There was a pregnant pause, "you can distract Hipster Weasley with your body but I'm immune." Hermione crossed her arms angrily, "You have to tell me."
"I thought I knew where they were going with the conversation and one of my suspicions would be confirmed," Kurt shook his head, "that's all, I don't have a direct line to the Dark Lord's hideout- contrary to popular belief- he doesn't share his plans with me."
"I'm-" Hermione was quiet for a moment, "I see."
~0~
"Going back to Hogwarts baby," Finn crooned from the other end of the bench seat of his father's SUV, "Gonna get an education. Going back to Hogwarts baby, Gonna get educated!"
Harley giggled and clapped her hands, Kurt rolled his eyes, "I'm going to give you detention if you don't stop singing that crappy jingle."
"On what charge?" His father chuckled from the passenger's seat.
"Insubordination," Kurt smirked.
"Not a real word," Finn belted dramatically, tickling Harley, "why is Kurt making up words Harley Drew Hummel?"
"It's a real word sweetheart," Carole sighed as she reversed into a parking spot, "insubordination is an act of defiance to an authority."
"I will take the matter up with Hermione Jean Granger," Finn carried on singing, "till then I will hear no further argument from Kurt Elizabeth Hummel, Carole Hudson or Albert Bartholomew James Hummel." Finn took a deep breath, "Rigel Cygnus LeStrange, Velma Jade Hummel and Harley Drew Hummel are free to say more."
Kurt side-eyed him and said nothing as the boy loaded both their bags into a trolley and pushed it through the maze of Kings Cross Station, he fixed Harley to his hip, "Harley, don't let those two have any more kids."
"No kids," Harley nodded, "inheritance."
"Did that baby just say inheritance?" his father glared at the pair of them.
"Toddler," Harley growled.
"Oh hell no," his father leaned over and took the three-year-old from Kurt, "I don't need to raise you again, it was fun the first time but it's definitely one of those things you can only handle once in a lifetime."
"That's so sweet," Kurt smiled, "but I only see Harley a few months a year, I didn't teach her that."
Harley pulled her ash blonde hair into her mouth and chewed playfully, she set her sights on Velma, "fire."
"I'm sorry your honour but I choose not to answer so as not to incriminate myself," Kurt raised his hands in surrender. His father and he had a stare off, their attention was drawn from each other but Velma's crying.
"I don't know what's happened to her pacifier," Carole looked around her.
"Harley has it," Finn sang before melting off into a scat rendition A Million Love Songs.
"How did you get that?" his father crooned at Harley in his baby voice, gently pulling it from her lips.
"Want," Harley screamed, the pacifier returned to between her lips.
"Which one of you two is doing that?" Carole snapped as she tried to soothe a crying Velma.
"Wasn't me," Finn shook his head, disappearing onto platform nine and three quarters.
"I'm a Prefect now," Kurt spoke as they phased onto the platform, "It is my job to enforce the rules, not break them."
"Not another one," Burt shook his head, "you're telling me that in eight years I'm going to be back here? Doing this again? Have I not walked through enough walls?"
"You'll be like a hundred then," Finn chuckled, he got a reproachful look from Burt, "I'm going to go put our bags on the train."
"It'll be fine," Kurt smiled, "by then I'll be a full blown wizard and Finn can help you with all that."
"I really felt like that was going a different direction," Carole chuckled, "We have to go find a second pacifier because if we take that one from Harley, it'll start a screaming contest."
"We love you," his father hugged him tightly, "have fun prefecting those Slytherins into submission."
"I get to Prefect everyone into submission," Kurt grinned.
"Make something up to tell Finn we said," Carole smiled, "I think if we don't do something about this crying baby it might constitute child abuse."
Kurt waved them off, he turned to see Tracey Davis gaping at him, "You have got to be kidding me, Hummel? They made you a prefect?"
"It's an anagram for perfect," Kurt smiled, "what did you expect?"
"I'm not sure what I've done to deserve this," she stares at him impassively, "The gay muggleborn and the black half-blood, I can already here the affirmative action jokes."
"And I can hear the screams of fear when I set them on fire," Kurt let out a jovial sigh, "and you can't blame me for your failure to select better friends."
"Better?" Tracey gave a false chuckle, "please tell me you don't mean Weasley, Potter and the weird blonde girl, Granger I can stomach but I can't for the life of me think of how you stomach those misfits."
"That is a terrible thing to say about anyone's friends," Kurt gasped, "that should make me hate you but there's something likable about you."
"I know," she chuckled, it was real this time, "my dad says it's dead look I get in my eyes when I'm being truly awful."
"My dad says the crowd pleaser is the way I can look down on someone twice my height," Kurt giggled, "he says the true jewel is when I make people crumble with a single displeased glance."
"Once, Crabbe wouldn't leave his room because you gave him one of those looks," she chuckled again.
"I remember," Kurt had to cover his mouth because he was laughing so hard, "the confusing part was that I was in the room."
He and Tracey took deep breaths and regained their composure, "Never speak of it again?"
"Agreed," Kurt nodded and they went off in opposite directions. Kurt walked briskly, wanting to be seated before the train started moving. Kurt quickly found his friends, "Neville! Luna! How have you been my lovelies?"
"Everyone else gets so much more affection than I do," Ron grumbled.
"Nobody else gets to call me theirs," Kurt spoke over Neville's shoulder as they boy leaned forward to hug him, "You've grown and you have a regulation haircut."
"My gran insisted," Neville blushed, "she said it would begin to look like Mr Malfoy's if it got any longer."
"My gran insists I return her jewellery," Kurt chuckled, "I told her that wasn't happening."
"My gran's a lot more frightening than yours," Neville shrugged. His face lit up, "you want to see my Mimbulus Mimbletonia?"
"Rahr, I'd love to," Kurt smirked, the steam engine whistled loudly to announce their departure, "but Hermione, Ron and I have a prefects meeting to get to." Kurt grabbed Hermione's hand, "Another time."
"Another country," Neville chuckled.
"Everyone gets to say that but me," Ron huffed.
"Maybe in another time," Ginny grinned.
"Maybe in another country," Harry and Luna chorused, before melting into a fit of giggles.
"Detention for all of you," Ron grumbled.
"Remember when that was our thing," Kurt sighed.
Hermione shook her head, "that was so long ago."
"Where's Finn?" Ron furrowed his brow, "I haven't seen or heard from him since the letter telling everyone you weren't talking."
"He's with his friends," Kurt said dismissively, "mutually masturbating or whatever else they do."
"Not a prefect?" Ron shrugged.
"Just because they made you a prefect doesn't mean they were making just anyone a prefect," Kurt shook his head, "Finn doesn't have the discipline for leadership."
"I heard he was voted captain of the quidditch team by the Hufflepuffs," Hermione grinned.
"Real leadership," Kurt rolled his eyes. He suddenly stopped, "that means he'll be in Cedric's old room." Hermione laid a hand on his shoulder, "I wonder how he feels about that? Maybe that's why he didn't tell me. Wait, who'd you hear that from?"
"Anthony Ricket, on the platform"
Kurt opened the door into the prefect's compartment, it was full but managed to be spacious. Kurt recognised a few of the prefects; Terry Boot, Padma Petil, Hannah Abbot, Ernie Macmillan and Tracey Davis from their year; Gabriel Truman from Hufflepuff, Anthony Rickett who was probably asked to replace Cedric, seventh year Slytherin Christopher Bembridge, Head boy Thomas Kennedy of Ravenclaw and Head girl Angelina Johnson. Ron made his way over to the buffet of finger foods and made himself at home.
"Good Afternoon Hermione, Kurt," Terry took Kurt's hand and kissed it, "you look lovely."
"Oh Terrence, you're too kind," Kurt blushed, "this old one of a kind, vintage Yves Saint Laurent prototype; this is nothing, you're just being a charmer."
"Well, you and that lovely posterior of yours make nothing look like a million quid," he gave a terse laugh, "Are you well?"
"Exquisite," Kurt pursed his lips, "yourself? You still unbearably straight?"
"Less and less every time I see you," Terry purred.
"Stop it," Kurt chuckled, "with that charm, you could be the Marquis de Sainsbury."
"Does that mean connoisseur of fine bottoms?" the boy teased him, Kurt giggled like a school girl, "on that note, I must depart." Terry winked and left the two of them to return to his conversation with Padma.
"What was that?" Hermione giggled, "power flirting from the nineteenth century?"
"Don't question it," Kurt shrugged her off as they kept walking.
"Kurt, Hermione," Christopher gave them each a thousand-watt smile and a nod.
"Who was that?" Hermione's gaze followed the taller boy, "Do I know him?"
"Christopher Bembridge," Kurt grinned, "Bem's older brother, their family are import-export tycoons, he's the second string keeper and, if the trend continues, dux scholar."
"He's cute," Hermione grinned.
"And a lot more loquacious than Viktor," Kurt grinned. He nudged her toward the buffet where Christopher was standing next to Ron, who had made himself at home, "Go talk to him."
"He's a seventh year," Hermione blushed.
"A seventh year who was flirting with you," Kurt gave her another encouraging push, "it makes sense that he knows my name but you, that was him calling you out. Go flirt."
Hermione squared her shoulders and walked across to where the taller boy was standing waiting for her, Kurt didn't want to make Hermione feel uncomfortable and turned to speak to Ernie. The boy was in deep conversation with Anthony Ricket and Hannah Abbott, "Salutations to all, how were your respective summers?"
"As can be expected," Anthony nodded with his whole body, "But you know, you need to keep moving forward."
"Only thing you can do," Ernie agreed with the hulking seventh year.
"It was nice of you guys to Vote for Finn for Quidditch captain," Kurt smiled awkwardly, if there was one thing that had happened since he started speaking is that he got tired of exchanging stories about how they were all coping with Cedric's death. Kurt noted that this didn't jolt the conversation into gear, "I'd have thought you'd take the role Anthony, being a more senior member of the team and all."
"I'm leaving at the end of this year, I don't think my tenure would have had the impact the team needs in terms of finding a new blood," Anthony shook his head, "we all decided we needed someone who would stay the course and make decisions that would last beyond this year."
"That's a lot of thought to put into a sport," Kurt furrowed his brow.
"For some people it's more than just a sport," Anthony chuckled, "I got scouted by the Tutshill Tornados, it's kind of my career of choice."
"Congratulations," Kurt smiled more genuinely this time.
Ernie nodded his agreement, "Yes, when are you telling the team?"
"I'm waiting for the first practice," Anthony shrugged, "let Finn find his legs before stealing his thunder."
Kurt's attention was drawn away from their conversation by Thomas tapping a champagne glass with a teaspoon, "Winston," he turned to the sixth year Ravenclaw prefect, "Will you make sure everyone's glasses are charged."
With a quick wave of his wand everyone had a glass in their hands and the champagne bottles moved around filling the glasses, "done."
"Let's begin the year with a toast," Thomas flashed a smile that dazzled without being attractive, "To a year of cooperation and prosperity; by working together as a well organised unit we will implement a regime that leaves behind a legacy, one of an exemplary discipline record. By working together and consistently we will be able to root out disciplinary problems at their inception, you've all been given a copy of my five-year plan for disciplinary reform; read it, know it, live it. For now we toast a great year and a greater legacy." There was polite applause, "Angelina will assign you your duties for this evening, and give you a run-down of the expectations and privileges that come with being a prefect."
"Thank you. Duties for this evening are as follows," Angelina's tone was terse, "Fifth years are on First year duty; make sure they all find and follow Professor Grubbly-Plank to the boats, keep them quite and in order during the feast and sorting ceremony, and showing them to their dorms." Kurt nodded as he made mental note as to what needed to be done, "Sixth years; you're working the train and making sure that the luggage makes it up to the castle in an orderly fashion, you will oversee the process. Seventh years, keep order with the rest of the student body, be on the prowl for uniform infractions." Angelina nodded to herself, "Privileges include prefects' bathrooms, a prefects' lounge and extended visits to Hogsmead. Duty lists will be posted on all noticeboards and delivered to all your rooms. I suggest you all get changed as we'll be arriving soon."
"That's my line," Hermione whispered, having made her way to his side.
~0~
Kurt stepped off the train and began to corral the loitering students, "First years follow Professor Grubbly-Plank, second years follow the rest of the student body to the carriages." Kurt ushered groups of first years off the platform and onto the dock where the elderly substitute teacher was waiting for them.
A small boy with brown hair tugged on his robes, "I can't swim Mr Sir."
"You don't have to swim," Kurt smiled, "And it's Mr Hummel."
"How will I beat the giant squid if I don't swim?" the boy furrowed his brow.
"You don't have to defeat it," Kurt giggled, "you just have to sit in the boat to the other side."
The boy gazed up at Kurt in bewilderment, "How will I be put into a house?"
"An enchanted hat does that," Kurt smiled, "other than your inability to swim, how would you beat a giant squid? You don't know any magic."
The boy looked as though Kurt had blown his mind as he got into the boat, Kurt made his way back up to the train station entrance. Most of the students had cleared out with two carriages remaining, the one was populated by his fellow fifth year prefects and the other his friends, "Why are you loitering?" Kurt's voice was sharp as he reprimanded his friends.
"What are they?" Harry mumbled in bewilderment.
Kurt furrowed his brow, "I don't understand."
"Harry's lost his mind," Ginny shook her head, "Thinks there's something pulling the carriages."
Kurt turned to Harry in shock, "You couldn't see them all this time."
"You see them too?"
"Yes," Kurt furrowed his brow, "You can only see them if you've seen death."
"You're telling me I can see these things because I saw Cedric die," Harry's eyes grew wide.
"You're telling me you couldn't see them after you-" Kurt's voice trailed off, "what happened to Professor Quirrel?"
"I never saw Professor Quirrel die," Harry shook his head, "I passed out remember."
Kurt nodded, "I have to go meet the first years on the other side." Kurt shook his head this time, "Hermione and Ron'll have to ride with you guys, the other carriage is short one person and there's no sense in both carriages waiting for an argument that will ultimately result in me riding with my fellow prefects."
Harry looked around nervously, "okay?"
Kurt rolled his eyes and turned on his heels, he climbed into the nearly full carriage and they were off.
"Thank you for keeping us waiting whilst you were having a moment with the boy who lies," Tracey sneered from the seat opposite his, "it was what we all wanted."
"I was doing my job and asking them why they were loitering," Kurt pursed his lips, challenging her to say more.
There was an awkward silence for a while until Ernie decided to break it, "so, it looks like it might rain soon."
"Yes," Hannah nodded, "I hope it does, I love the rain."
"And now we might get caught in it because we waited forever and a day for Hummel," Tracey mumbled.
"I don't mind waiting for Kurt in the least," Terry leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees, "even if it means a little rain."
"I know you're well-meaning but please be quiet," Kurt flashed him a smile, he turned to Tracey, "the same goes for you. I kept you waiting, please do get over it."
"I think it would be easier for Tracey to move past this if you appeared a tad more apologetic," Padma suggested, barely turning to face them as she spoke- a testimony to her disinterest in the situation.
"You want me to get over it," Tracey arched a brow, "Tell us why Potter continues to lie about You-Know-Who's return? Does he feel his fame was starting to fade or is he covering the truth of Diggory's death?"
"I can't say," Kurt shrugged, "Given that I believe him about the Dark Lord's return and the murder of Cedric Diggory."
"You're supposed to be smart," Tracey scoffed.
The carriage was silent, everyone was listening; Kurt had to choose his words carefully because what he told these five would be what most people heard, "my choice to believe Harry Potter is a sign of my intelligence. Other than the fact that his story of what transpired that night was confirmed by the man who was pretending to be Professor Moody whilst he was under the influence of Veritaserum, Harry has nothing to gain from pretending Voldemort is back; on the coat tails of the Triwizard Tournament it only served to turn people against him." Kurt gave a small smile, "Let us also remember that it was because she was possessed by Voldemort, that Ginny Weasley opened the Chamber of Secrets, if he could do that while he was 'dead' then I believe he can return." Kurt knew this was an over simplification of the truth but it served the purpose, "I believe it because more and more evidence to support it will keep coming out of the wood work."
"Harry Potter I might have doubted but some of the smartest people we know believe him," Ernie shrugged, "that must count for something."
"If he is back," Padma cleared her throat, "what do we do about it?"
"There's not much to be done but stay vigilant and prepared," Kurt said with a nod.
"If you're muggleborn you should probably start thinking about what you'll do when things get bad," Hannah's voice was small and shaky.
"I'm not afraid," Kurt smiled, he might have been a pureblood but to the world he was still muggleborn and he had to show face so people knew that there was still hope, "things will get bad but it's always darkest before the dawn."
As they were disembarking Tracey grabbed his shoulder firmly, "you should be afraid, if you and Potter are correct then you've singled yourself out countless times as an enemy of his cause."
"Oh Tracey," Kurt shook his head condescendingly, "I'm terrified. I can't show it, I need to keep face so as to curb panic; I would be on the first flight out of this country if I hadn't inadvertently put myself in the thick of it by choosing the friends I did."
"Maybe you are smart," she gave him a small smile.
"I might spend my days with Gryffindors but I was put into Slytherin for a reason," Kurt smirked proudly, "and it's not my blood status." Kurt nodded his head in the direction of the door, "never speak of it again?"
"I'll have to get back to you on that one," she rolled her eyes, "you're kind of growing on me, like a fungus."
Kurt side-eyed her as they climbed the grand staircase, it was not the most flattering description but it was an accurate one of how they were coming to tolerate each other. They entered the great hall and took seats opposite each other at the Slytherin long table, no sooner were they seated that the first years were led into the great hall by Professor McGonagall. The tiny first years entered in single file, none of them were wet like Denis had been the previous year but they were all just as fascinated by the bewitched ceiling.
They filed into an ordered mass when they reached the front of the great hall, Kurt watched them bounce excitedly as the sorting hat sung his song. Kurt scoffed when the hat reached the part about Ravenclaw wanting to teach only the intelligent, he looked around the great hall and thought of how poor the enrolment would be if her wishes had been honoured but he also wondered if the curriculum would be better if that were so. Professor McGonagall called the first years one at a time, the first called was Owen Boot- who Kurt presumed to be Terry's younger brother. After sitting on the chair for less than a minute, he was placed in Slytherin which seemed to please. Kurt watched attentively as the students were called out in alphabetical order, his attention was piqued when the boy who'd spoken to him in the dock climbed the stairs; Gerard Runcorn.
The sorting hat seem to think deeply, mulling over whatever the frightened boy was made of and what he had to say about that, it seemed to take into careful consideration all that it had been presented with. Kurt overheard Draco behind him telling his friends that the boy would be in Slytherin because their fathers were friends; Kurt disagreed, a Slytherin wouldn't have been gullible enough to believe that they'd have to fight a giant squid, they would probably be at the root of such rumours- especially if they were pure-blood. The sorting hat announced that the boy was in Ravenclaw and relief seemed to wash over him, whether it was because he had received the house of his choosing or from being spared of having to tell his parents he was in Hufflepuff or Gryffindor.
Kurt watched the remainder of the sorting ceremony with mild interest, the only other sorting worth note was a hat stall by a little dark haired girl named Renée Van Diaz; she was sorted into Gryffindor and she rolled her eyes like Kurt wanted to. When the sorting ceremony was done Professor Dumbledore took the floor and Kurt actually rolled his eyes this time; it wasn't because he no longer respected the man, the respect they had for each other could not be broken no matter how they disagreed, it was because Kurt wasn't in the mood for half-truths.
"Good evening and welcome to another year at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry," Professor paused for applause, "To begin, a few changes in staff; Professor Grubbly-Plank will be filling in for Professor Hagrid as professor of Care for Magical Creatures whilst he takes a sabbatical to care for his health." He nodded, as if doing so affirmed the tale in everyone's mind, "Professor Umbridge will be taking the position of professor of Defence Against the Dark Arts, after Professor Moody's departure. We wish her luc-"
The squat toad like woman cleared her throat in a very conspicuous manner, when the headmaster turned to look at her, she took this as an invitation to take the floor, "Thank you Professor Dumbledore for those kind words of welcome, we at the ministry have an invested interest in Hogwarts school of Wizardry and Witchcraft." The woman gave a shrill voice that seemed to be amplified by her bright pink ensemble, "While every headmaster has brought with them an individual style of leadership, it is the ministry's job to preserve practices that ought to be preserved, prune practices that ought to be pruned and prohibit practices that ought to be prohibited."
"Thank you for that Professor Umbridge," Professor Dumbledore stared at her in bewilderment, "Whatever that was."
Hope you like it!