Hello, I know, you're like *Ohmygosh she FINALLY updated! I have been, absolutely, waiting SOOOO long, I'm gonna kill her...* I know, I apologize, but I'm afraid it's gonna be like this for a while. I keep on feeling like writing, and I sit down, and then something I have to desperately do pops up. Argh!
I will be including Ron bashing (i don't like his temper), Lucius bashing and Narcissa will be a nice mother. I know, totally unplanned. :D Oh and btw this does not go with the epilogue. Full. Stop. ALSO! DUMBLEDORE DID NOT DIE! The stupid Death Eater's curse sent the stair's roof down and Draco was thrown back. I really like Draco, so he's not gonna be picked on in this fic. Much.
Disclaimer: J.K. Rowling owns it all. I am simply using the characters.
I'm gonna stop blabbing now, I can see you all rolling your eyes. l;d
The train finally ground to a halt at the Hogwarts station. Harry sighed in relief. He stood up and went to retrieve his luggage, not wanting to be the last one out. He reached up and hauled his trunk down. Whereas 2 years ago he would have teetered and needed help from his friends, he had grown and was no longer a thin boy with uncontrollable hair and sellotaped glasses. (Okay, maybe not the hair bit, but he had gotten some new glasses).
Planting his trunk firmly to ensure that it wouldn't roll away, he carefuly placed Hedwig's cage on top. She hooted in appreciation, lifting her head from under her wing briefly before covering it up again to take a nap. Harry moved out of the way so that Ron, who was impatiently tapping his foot, could retrieve his luggage. This is going to be a very interesting year, he thought, watching as Hermione explained how important the NEWTs were to Neville.
He waited for his friends to get ready then turned and headed out of the compartment. Ron quickly followed, mumbling something about how he was starving, pretending not to see the disbelieving look he got from Hermione. She raised an eyebrow at his attitude bafore heading after him, looking back to check that Neville was following her. The doors slid shut behind them soundlessly.
Harry ignored the admiring stares and glares he received from other students (of course they were Slytherin) and made his way toward the front of the train. Familiar faces could be seen here and there, Lavender Brown, engaged in conversation with Ginny Weasly, Parvati Patil listening intently, Luna Lovegood heading towards the Thestrals with Padma Patil and, Merlin help him, Draco Malfoy with Blaise, Pansy and Goyle climbing into the carriage in front of the one he was about to go in. The famous Malfoy smirk was sent his way as Draco leered at him knowingly. Harry narrowed his eyes at him and pointedly turned away and quickly went into the carriage before an irritated Ron could hex him into oblivion.
It was slightly cramped in the carriage with Neville squashed between his trunk and Harry with Hedwig balanced precariously on top of Harry's trunk. Hermione frowned when she squawked, startled when the Thestrals started moving and she was thrown against the side of the cage.
"Why don't you use a balancing spell, Harry?" Hermione suggested quickly before the cage could be tipped out into the lake.
"Good idea," he replied, taking out his wand. "Statera!"
Hedwig visibly relaxed when the cage righted itself and she could settle down. She almost glared at Harry with disdain as she shuffled into a more comfortable position. He smiled apolagetically and looked out at the sparkling lake when something caught his attention. Below, as Hagrid led the First years on boats to the castle, a small figure of a girl was leaning dangerously close to the edge of the boat. She was waving to her friends and pointing excitedly to something in the water. She reached out to touch the sparkling water and leaned out further. One little sway, and she would fall in.
In fact, she did fall in. He could hear an ear-splitting shriek as she unbalanced and plummeted toward the water. Her companions grabbed at her desperately, clinging onto thin air. Shouts rang out, clearly heard by the surprised boy with ruffled black hair. Hagrid, hearing the commotion, turned around and ignored the dangerous groans the protesting timber emmited. He gripped his pink umbrella tightly, knowing that he could not use it to help. He yelled something which was supposed to calm the startled students down, but only made them panic and scream louder and edge away from the side of the boat. One side sank deep into the lake, the other sticking up. A flailing figure splashing water everywhere brought his attention. Harry mentally cursed himself for not acting sooner, and hastily took out his wand.
His mind blanked. Think, Harry, you idiot, think! What was that spell again? Something starting with Wing... Wingardium... Ah! Wingardium Leviosa! That was it. Harry aimed his wand at the now desperate girl floundering in the water. The Thestrals flew quickly, but he had had lots of practise. He concentrated hard and frowned.
"Wingardium Leviosa!" He scrunched up his nose (like he always did when something was hard) and slowly directed the sopping wet and trembling girl onto the boat. He thought about the next spell he would use for a moment. She was trembling and gasping and everyone on her boat was crowding around her, so he had to use an amplifying spell on his voice. "Magna" he pointed the wand at himself. Cringing and bracing himself for what was to come, he almost whispered, "Stand back, the people on the boat!"
Except it came out like a shout. Thankfully, since he was whispering and his voice was directed towards the bunch of children below, nobody else was disturbed much. The kids, startled, jumped back again for the second time that night. The girl looked up and gasped when he saw the Boy-Who-Lived pointing his wand at her. He ignored the stares that were directed at him and quickly whispered and even softer "Finite." Glad that his voice was back to normal again, he rubbed his sore throat and directed his wand once more at the dripping mess below.
"Calida," he murmured, sending a warming spell her way. Considering that her clothes were still damp, he cast a quick "Siccum," and a "Scourgify," just to be on the safe side. Waving to acknowledge the thanks that must have been shouted his way, although the soon to be First Years didn't know the Magna spell, so he didn't hear it, he withdrew his head before the wind whipped it off his neck. He quickly explained what had happened to a very worried-looking Hermione, a disgruntled Ron rubbing his ears and Neville, who was stroking Hedwig.
"Well, you're off to save people for the rest of your life, it seems!" Neville grinned, nudging Ron. He looked up quickly and, seeing that Harry' voice wasn't a danger to his health anymore, uncovered his ears.
He patted Harry on the back."Well, mate, looks like Neville's right there!" he teased.
"Why are you suddenly in such a good mood, Ron?" Hermione asked, curious.
Ron smiled and replied, "It's almost time for the feast! And remember? Ferret mentioned a surprise ! Just for us Seventh Years!"
All three of them shook their heads at Ron. Typical of him to say something like that. Harry was about to point out that what Malfoy said didn't exactly mean sunshine and rainbows, A.K.A. good news, but the carriage suddenly slowed and stopped. The wide oak doors of Hogwarts school of Witchcraft and Wizardry, came into view. Ron immediately scrambled out of the door,his trunk dragged behind him like it weighed nothing at all. After taking a few steps into the great hall, he stopped himself. Blushing almost as red as his hair, he hastily retraced his footsteps and heaved his trunk back up into the carriage he had just left moments ago.
"Eager, eh?" Harry chuckled as he strode towards the Great Hall before Malfoy and his gang could come out. Catching the hint, his friends quickly followed, Ron almost skipping into the Great Hall. When he saw Dumbledore sitting at the head of the staff table, he quickly composed himself and walked in all serious-like toward the Gryffindor table.
Harry took a seat beside him, while Hermione sat with Ginny in front of them. Neville nervously sat beside Harry, obviously praying that he wouldn't smash the plates like last year. Harry, sensing his discomfort, nudged him reassuringly.
Hagrid led the First years into the hall. The sorting hat was sitting on a chair. As soon as everyone was inside, a little flap opened up and it began it's song. Many first years gasped and jumped back for the third time that night. Harry smiled. When the hat finished it's song, Dumbledore stood and began reading from a long list of names.
"Harriet Anderson!"
A familiar girl stumbled forward hesitantly and sat down, placing the hat onto her head. It fell, covering her eyes. A few moments of tension lingered in the air before the hat opened it's flap once more.
"Gryffindor!"
Relieved, the girl almost ran towards the Gryffindor table. As head of house, Harry and Hermione stood up and greeted her warmly. When she saw Harry, she blushed and mumbled a 'thank you' and a 'hello' to Hermione. She anxiously watched her friends when they had their turn. "Gryffindor!" "Gryffindor!" and "Gryffindor!" was called. Relieved, she led her friends to an empty spot and eagerly sat down. Harry smiled again. I must have been like that when I was younger, he thought. Once the sorting was finished, he and Hermione quickly returned to their seats. Chatter started again.
The Great Hall quieted down when Dumbledore cleared his throat. He began his speech.
"Welcome, students, to all those old ones who are returning and those new ones who are starting their first year here today!" His eyes had a familiar twinkle to them when he continued, "The very best of evenings to you all! Before the feast commences, let us sing the school song."
The whole Great Hall was filled with the sound of merry, sad, happy and opra singing as the students sang in their different tunes.
"Hogwarts, Hogwarts, hoggy warty Hogwarts, teach us something please, whether we be old and bald, or young with scabby knees, our heads could do with filling, with some interesting stuff, for now they're bare and full of air, dead flies and bits of fluff, so teach us things worth knowing, bring back what we forgot!"
A bunch of Gryffindor second years sang high-pitched, some groups of Ravenclaws and Hufflepuffs cried all whiny-like, the Slytherins over-exaggerated a variety of posh accents and the Seventh years scowled at the silliness and sang the proper tune. Together, they sounded quite an earful. (a.n: I know theres no such thing. dont complain.)
When the awful chorus quieted down, Dumbledore snapped his fingers and a mouth-watering food appeared on shining white plates. Ron immediately reached for a delicious looking chicken leg lying on a platter directly in front of him. He quickly wrenched off a leg and began chewing contently. After dinner and dessert was served, Dumbledore stood up again. The hall abrubtly quietened down again.
"I hope you have enjoyed your meal as much as I have. Starting school always is an exciting you also might have noticed, this year there are Head Boy and Girls for each house. This is to ensure that all students are safe, as many Death Eaters are still on the loose. But, despite that, I'm sure you'll all enjoy this year." He winked at the new students. "But as you might know, the war has changed many people's lives. It is a terribly tradgedy for all of us. Many people where targeted when they where alone, thus help arriving too late, or the authorities not informed. So that is why a new law was passed." The students were on the edge of their benches, left hanging.
"The new law says that every sixth and seventh year will be paired with another student. For all the other years below that, you will be under constant supervision. Since there are not enough teachers to handle all of you, I hope the higher years will be responsible enough to take care of themselves. Each pair will live together in the same quarters, and their magic will be joined together. They will be able to hear each other's thoughts at times when needed. This will ensure your safety and strengthen your magic greatly, if you work together. That means that every Sixth and Seventh year, please come up. The Sorting Hat will choose your respective partners."
The heads and prefects stood up first, leading the other hesitant students. Harry took a deep breath, and, despite the stares, walked as calmly as he could manage up to the hat. I've been through worse. I can survive. It can't be that bad, can it? He lifted the hat and placed it on his head. It barely covered his eyebrows, but he could still hear it's voice.
"Ah, Harry, back again?"
Yes, please choose someone I will get along with.Oh well.Last time you gave me a sword. I should be glad I'm not still fighting Voldemort, right? I shouldn't worry.
"Hmmm... Let me think for a minute..." Something bad is going to happen. I can feel it.
Not Slytherin, please, not slytherin... A Ravenclaw! What about Hufflepuff? There are plenty of people I could get paired with!
"It will do you good, I promise..."
What?! It's a Slytherin?! Please, no! he pleaded desperately. Anything but a Slytherin. Gods, what if he got Malfoy?
"DRACO MALFOY!" Speak of the devil.
A deafening silence settled into the room. Whispering erupted from all four tables, students anticipating the argument that was surely to come. It didn't. Dumbledore clapped his hand once, and the voices quietened down.
The world stopped spinning. This was bad, very bad. It was terrible. He looked up and saw Malfoy clenching his fists like he was trying to crush his own hand. His icy grey eyes glared at shocked green ones. Almost trembling, Harry stood up shakily. He handed the hat to Hermione who was watching his reaction, and walked swiftly to Malfoy. He was only an inch or two shorter than the blond, and for that he was thankful. He stared blankly at his friends as they got their partners, Hermione with Ron, Neville with Luna and, sadly, the rest of his friends weren't so lucky. Padma was paired with Pansy, and Dean paired with Daphne. All of them had slightly more luck than he had. But he wouldn't survive this, he knew. He was only acting as a good head. Living with Malfoy? Merlin help him!
When all the partners were chosen, the teachers took the pair away to their living quarters, one by one. Malfoy walked stiffly beside him, his arms held tight against his body almost as if Harry would bite. Because they were the first pair, Dumbledore took them himself. They reached a wooden door with a statue of a silver dragon curled over a large emerald. It blinked up at them and yawned a hello. It was actually pretty impressive, as tall as Harry and about two feet long. It's tail curled around it's front claws and it looked at them expectantly. Harry stroked it's head and it leaned towards him, opening it's jaws and letting out a puff of red and gold sparks. He jumped back and flinched when one of them touched his hand, but felt foolish when the spark did not burn him. Insteady, it exploded into smaller sparkles, almost glitter like, and settled on his hand.
"The password is Dragon Emerald. I expect you not to fight at all during this year. A new class will be fitted into your timetable. A teacher will come in and help you bind your magic together and strengthen it twice a week. For now, good night." And with a whirl of robes, Dumbledore was gone.
"Dragon Emerald!" Malfoy snapped at the dragon, startling it. Huffing in annoyance, it blew some sparks onto the door and it swung open. It looked back at Harry. It opened it's jaws and Harry was more than startled with what came next.
"Hello, Harry. My name is Claw."
His eyes widened. "You can speak Parseltongue?"
"Yes, of course I can. I learnt it from my friend, the snake."
Harry looked around. The dragon was right. There was a statue of a snake guarding a nearby door, but it was coiled up and asleep. "Oh. I never noticed."
"Don't worry, maybe I can introduce you one day when he's awake."
"Thank you! How did you know my name, though?"
"The students speak of you all the time. They call you The Savior, The Boy Who Lived and apparently the defeater of Voldemort?"
"Yes, that is correct."
"Goodbye, for now, Harry. Your companion, Draco, I believe, is getting rather impatient."
That was true, Harry hadn't noticed Malfoy glaring at him, tapping his foot impatiently. He rolled his eyes and muttered a quick bye to the dragon before walking into their shared rooms. This was going to be a long year.
Yay! I've finally finished another chapter. I apoligize, this took me a whole week to write. Assesments are not over, thankfully. I was, like, so frustrated because I did a lot and then I clicked save but it said Server unable to do something or other? It was soooo annoying! The website (documents) were off for two whole days! 1/9/15 - 3/9/15 I was so ticked off! And by the way, I have gotten a beta! So from now on, if my chapters are all nice and grammatically correct, thank divergentlover090 and I'm also excited because I have a birthday party coming up, and I'm getting all sorts of popular series like Divergent, Hunger Games, Tomorrowland, Maze Runner and Range's Apprentice or something. Ah well, one can never read too much, don't you agree?
I will start or post the next chapter once I get some more reviews. If I get 2 I will start, if I get 3 I will post when I'm finished. Question: Do you want long chapters every 2 weeks or so or short chapters every week or so? When I say SHORT I mean short. That's about 1000 words. Long chapters, like this one, is 3000 words. Make your choice. PM me or review me, a or b.