AN:Wow! Just Wow! I can't believe how many people have been following and favoriting. As of right now, I have 128 followers and 94 favorites. Think we can bring the favorite number up to 100? Also, apparently I've been added to six communities, so thanks to all of those. Thanks to reviewers anthony37, LadyLombax (wooh! Shout-out!), The Good Child, serialkeller, A Lady of Time, Mimi, serenityselena, wolfish-willow, thunder18, and Kairan1979. Now, I know that some of you want Harry to go to Dumbledore, and some of you don't particularly enjoy the headmaster. So, let me know in a review how you feel, and majority rules. Next update will be either tomorrow or the day after. Final word count before author's note: 1,828.
Disclaimer: I don't own the Harry Potter franchise.
Percy dropped by their compartment later on.
"Aren't you supposed to be patrolling?" Angelina asked him.
"I am. I'm making sure that Hogwarts' biggest pranksters don't blow up the train. No one else wanted to volunteer," Percy explained.
"Wait, you mean we've had prefects-"
"-watching us every train ride?"
"We feel honored!"
Rolling his eyes at the twins' antics, Oliver asked eagerly "What did you get on your O.W.L.s?
"Nine Outstandings and one Exceeds Expectations," Percy said disappointedly. "And you?"
"One Acceptable, One Outstanding, and seven Exceeds Expectations. I thought I did pretty good, but you just about blew me out of the water. You're probably upset about the one E, too," Oliver said glumly.
Percy nodded sheepishly. "But still, you did great. And it's not like you'll need all of these for Quidditch," Percy reassured him.
Oliver shrugged. "What'd you get an E in anyway?"
"Herbology," Percy muttered angrily.
"What are O.W.L.s?" Harry asked.
"Ordinary Wizarding Levels. They're exams that students take at the end of fifth year. The results determine what N.E.W.T. classes you get into, or Nastily Exhausting Wizarding Tests. Different teachers have different requirements for their N.E.W.T. level classes. The amount of N.E.W.T.s you earn determines what job you get," Hermione lectured.
"Snape only accepts Outstandings, which means I don't have to take Potions this year," Oliver said cheerfully.
"But Binns has really low expectations, which means you'll be sitting in there with me," Percy smirked.
"Speaking of Hogwarts professors, can you believe that Gilderoy Lockhart is going to be teaching us?" Katie gushed.
Lee groaned. "It'll be torture. The bloody idiot can't even tell which side of a wand to use."
"Don't say things like that!" Alicia admonished him. "Think of all the great things he's done."
"All the great things he says he's done," Ron muttered, irritated.
"Hang on, where's Ginny?" Percy asked suddenly.
"She threw a fit because she didn't want to be in the same compartment as Harry Potter. Not sure why, seeing as how a week ago she wouldn't stop fawning over him," Ron said.
"Harry, did you ever find anything out about that house elf?" Hermione asked.
"No. Just that he's property of the Malfoys," Harry said disgustedly.
"Speaking of which," Ron said with a grin, "There's a certain story we should tell."
The Weasleys, Harry, and Hermione filled in the others about the fight at Flourish and Blotts.
"Your dad got in a fight with Lucius Malfoy?" Angelina gasped.
"He would've won too, if Hagrid hadn't broken it up," Percy said. Everyone looked at him in shock. "What?"
"Are you, Perfect Prefect Percy, actually upset that the fight was broken up?" Katie asked.
Percy turned pink and quickly changed the subject. "You should've seen Lockhart's face," He said. "He was smiling, like he was happy about it."
"I heard him talk to that photographer, wondering if he could use it for publicity," Ron said heatedly.
"He wouldn't do that!" Hermione said disbelievingly.
"So do you think Malfoy will do something to get you back?" Alicia asked worriedly.
"Nah. He's too chicken," The twins said together.
Harry figured that now would be a good time to mention the diary, but something held him back. He wanted to look at the diary first himself. What did Lucius Malfoy think he would accomplish by dumping it into Ginny's cauldron? Harry was certain that it couldn't have been anything good. No, he decided. He would keep it to look at later and then turn it in.
As it turned out, Harry didn't have to wait very long to see school again. Second years and up were taken to Hogwarts by way of carriage. Nothing except magic seemed to be pulling it, which was a very strange concept for Harry to grasp. Weirder still was the thought that he left his luggage on the train for someone to pick up, and he wasn't even sure who it was!
Only six people were allowed per carriage. The twins, Lee, and the Gryffindor chasers went in one with Percy, Oliver, Ron, Harry, Hermione, and Neville Longbottom in another. The slightly nervous boy was clutching his toad tightly and glancing at the older boys fearfully.
"How was your summer, Neville?" Hermione said conversationally.
Neville jumped. "Oh um, I suppose it was alright. I mainly worked in the greenhouse with my Aunt May."
"You're Neville Longbottom, right?" Percy checked.
Neville started at being addressed by a sixth year and nodded anxiously.
"I'm Percy Weasley and this is Oliver Wood."
"I know who you are. You're a prefect and he's Quidditch Captain." Neville ducked his head and flushed.
"Well, don't I feel famous?" Oliver joked. Neville smiled nervously in response.
"Are you excited for a new year?" Harry asked, hoping to put the boy at ease.
"Er yeah, I guess so. Gran wasn't too happy with my practical results on exams." Neville winced.
"What kind of wand are you using?" Percy asked.
"Erm, well, it's my dad's old one."
Both Percy and Oliver frowned.
"That's not really a good idea," Oliver told him. "The wand should really pick you. Just because it worked for your father doesn't mean it will work for you. A wizard needs his own wand."
Neville visibly brightened at the thought of getting a new wand. "I'll tell Gran straight away," he promised.
Ron stared glumly at his own wand, unicorn hair poking out. Harry avoided looking at him or Percy, and instead pulled out the book Hermione had given him for his birthday.
"There are many wizards and witches out there who claim to be either light or dark, but no one can be one or the other. Everyone has a little of each inside, just as each spell does. For example, Lumos is often used to light one's way in the dark. However, if cast by an extremely powerful wizard and shone directly into the eyes of an opponent, it could permanently damage vision.
At the opposite side of the spectrum, a slicing hex is often used to injured opponents in battle, and is generally thought of as dark. However, say this spell is used for a mundane task, such as chopping vegetables. Is the slicing hex still considered dark? Why or why not? This book provides the answer to these questions, as well as give many basic and detailed defense tactics."
Harry was broken out of his concentration by a girly squeal. The only female in the carriage was Hermione though, and she simply didn't do things like that. When he looked up to find her smiling widely at him, he was more than a bit confused.
"You're reading it!" She shrieked. "You're actually reading it. No one ever reads the books I give them, but I don't know what else to get."
"It's a good book," Harry said awkwardly.
"Oh no, Neville! We've lost Harry to the dark side!" Ron moaned.
"Harry, mate, you've got to come back. Think of Quidditch!" Oliver pleaded.
"Don't listen to him, Harry!" Percy exclaimed. "Oliver can't read anything that doesn't mention Quidditch!"
"What happened to me being smart?" Oliver asked incredulously.
"Fine. Name your favorite book that doesn't have any Quidditch in it," Percy challenged.
"Uh, well…" Oliver strained to see the title of Harry's book, but Percy blocked his view.
"Okay, fine, I don't have a favorite book that doesn't include Quidditch. Happy?"
"Very," Percy smiled triumphantly.
After their banter, conversation in the carriage was a lot easier. Neville seemed to be sitting taller every time someone addressed him, and by the time the carriage pulled up to Hogwarts, he appeared to be taller than Ron.
Harry had never seen a sorting before when he wasn't the one being sorted. He was wondering if any of the first years would see him, would point and whisper "that's Harry Potter!" He decided to sit behind Dean Thomas so that no first year would be able to see him.
He was so worried that one would catch sight of him that he didn't peer around Dean until the C's.
"Creevey, Colin!" Professor McGonagall called.
A short boy with mousy brown hair ran up to the stool, practically vibrating with excitement. The hat was on his head for less than five seconds before it shouted "Gryffindor!"
Harry's table went up in cheers and Colin Creevey came racing towards them.
"Hey! Aren't you-"He pointed to Harry.
"Shh!" Everyone around the boy hissed.
"Oops," Colin whispered and finally sat down. Harry smiled at the boy.
Harry, watching the sorting, felt so much older than the first years. They had no idea what kind of fantastic things they'd be experiencing. They all looked so small and afraid. Harry wondered if he'd looked like that last year. Probably.
Finally, "Weasley, Ginevra!" was called, and a girl with red hair carefully made her way to the stool. The hat stayed on her head for quite a while. Across from Harry, Ron held his breath. Harry was starting to wonder what was taking so long when the hat shouted "Gryffindor!"
The house table leapt up and cheered. She smiled and walked towards them, but her look soured upon finding Harry there. Eventually she just sat next to Colin.
Dumbledore rose from the head table. "Welcome, students, staff, and ghosts, to another year at Hogwarts. I am delighted to see all of you. First, I would like to introduce Professor Gilderoy Lockhart, who will be teaching Defence Against the Dark Arts."
Lockhart rose from his seat and flashed everyone a wide smile, seemingly trying to show every single tooth in his mouth. As if on cue, every female in the room swooned. Oliver rolled his eyes.
"Yes, well," Dumbledore cleared his throat. Snape glared daggers at Lockhart as the blonde sat down.
"In other news, the Forbidden Forest is still forbidden, contrary to what some rule-breakers may believe." His eyes twinkled. "Also, Mr. Filch has asked me to inform you that 17 more items have been banned from school grounds. The complete list is posted on the door of Mr. Filch's office. And now, as I think we are all getting a bit hungry, tuck in." The food appeared on the table and all the first years gasped. Ron let out a whoop of appreciation.
Conversation started all around Harry, and he tried to pay attention to everyone. Seamus was talking to Dean about Quidditch and Dean was talking to Seamus about football. Oliver and Percy were comparing their O.W.L. scores with the other sixth years. Hermione, Katie, and some other girls were talking about Lockhart. Fred, George, and Lee were discussing pranking ideas. Listening to it all made Harry's head hurt, so he just focused on his food.
"What about you Harry?" Percy asked.
"Er, yeah, sure," Harry said, trying not to show that he hadn't been listening.
"Great, let's go!" Percy jumped up.
"Wait, what?"
And that was how Harry Potter was tricked into guiding the first year Gryffindors to the Common Room.