I don't own Harry Potter.

Chapter nine

Harry turned to Ron and motioned him to stay quiet. Things would be less painful if they allowed Sirius to handle everything for them... that is until McGonagall showed up to save them. She was really good for that. Harry then looked his Potions' professor in the eye.

Snape was finally done sneering. He still glared at them but at least he was talking as well.

"Well, what do we have here? I don't believe that the three of you are allowed to be in out here. IN fact, Black, I don't think you are allowed to be here at all. The Headmaster will surely hear of this." Snape was sneering again. Harry began to wonder if he had any other expressions. After six years of knowing him, he didn't believe that he did.

"I was just dropping the boys off. It seems the barrier wouldn't let them through. I'm so sorry that I was late. Now just let them eat." Sirius was acting rather calmly.

"There will be punishment for their delay. That and the fact we have received no letter explaining that they wouldn't be on the train. I would have to say..."

That's right snake-boy sneer away. I'll get my say. I wonder how much shampoo I'll need. It has been twenty years since it was last washed. Harry couldn't help but think that.

Just then, McGonagall walked into the Entrance Hall. She had Hedwig on her shoulder. Harry glared at his pet. That bird was so unpredictable.

"Ah, Severus, the Headmaster wishes to see you." Snape just stood where he was. "I had just received your letter Mr. Potter. Care to tell me what happened at the station. Severus, you are wanted in the Great Hall. I suggest that you hurry along." She smiled sweetly at him. Harry tried his hardest not to laugh.

Harry told McGonagall what happened at the station. She listened to them as they explained nearly everything. She really didn't need to know about the side trips that they took. They were almost done when Dumbledore walked out of the Great Hall. Harry frowned at him. He was starting to get hungry. And he told the headmaster just that.

"Sir, I am sure that Professor McGonagall can tell you what we told her. Right now, I would like to have something to eat. At this rate, we would only get crumbs from the bottom of the dessert dishes. May we please go into the Hall?" Harry sounded really irritated.

"I must also get going. I have Remus alone at home and I can risk him trying to cook himself some dinner. It's a wonder how the man ever survived on his own for ten years." Sirius ruffled Harry's hair, as he had grown fond of doing. "I'll see you soon kiddo." Then he was gone.

Once again, Dumbledore interfered. Harry was getting annoyed at this point.

"I don't think that it would be a good idea for those two to go in now. Go up to your Common Room and there will be a plate of sandwiches for you." Harry knew that this was a power play but he was willing to let this one slid, though he wasn't happy about it. And apparently, neither was Ron.

"Oh, Professor McGonagall, can I talk to you tomorrow after lessons. I haven't gotten mail over the summer and didn't get you letter that you promised me." Harry grinned when she glared at the headmaster. She really didn't trust him anymore. Harry could use that as an advantage.

When they reached the Gryffindor Tower, they realized that they didn't know the password. Neither one of them were willing to go back down stairs since it was seven floors down. Hedwig had also flown off for the Owlery. They sat down in front of the Fat Lady and waited.

The new Fifth Year Prefects were surprised to see them there was an understatement. They were even more surprised when the two hungry boys dashed into the Common Room.

Hermione found them before they took their first bites.

"What happened? Why weren't you two on the train? Snape wouldn't stop staring at the door until Professors McGonagall and Dumbledore came back in the Great Hall." Hermione was always the demanding one of the trio.

"Tell you later. Must eat now." Ron spoke without even chewing all of his food.

Harry may have been hungry but at least he was nice about it. He actually swallowed before he answered Hermione.

"'Mi it's late. When were done eating Ron and I are going to bed. We'll tell you what happened in the morning." Harry picked up another sandwich and ate it.

Hermione was a bit put out but knew that everyone needed their sleep. After all, they did have lessons in the morning and it wouldn't be a good thing if they fell asleep in the middle of them. She then sighed at the two boys and went up to her dorm.

Breakfast was peaceful the next morning. Since they didn't steal the car, Mrs. Weasley didn't send Ron a Howler. But Errol did have a rather tear stained letter saying that Mrs. Weasley was extremely worried about the two of them. Percy had sent a letter saying that neither Ron nor Harry was on the train and Ginny was in tears when she couldn't find them.

A real shock for Harry was the fact that Luna Lovegood was sitting at the Gryffindor table. Well that wasn't the shock the shock was the fact she was wearing Gryffindor colors. He must have really made an impression on her last fall. She wasn't talking to anyone. She just had her usual dreamy smile on her face. That girl will always be unpredictable.

Herbology was the Second Year Gryffindors first Class. It was with the Hufflepuffs as it was the year before. Harry left the castle early to avoid Professor (and Harry used that term loosely) Lockhart. But it was fate (or the fact Lockhart was stalking him) that they met. Well, at least Professor Sprout wasn't annoyed at everything. Plus there was the fact that she didn't have to miss breakfast to tend to a battered Whomping Willow.

"Harry, Harry, Harry, I want you to know that I don't hold your Godfather's behavior towards me against you. It's obvious that his stay in Azkaban prevented him from know all the amazing things that I did. Just tell where I send post to him so I can share it with him." Harry couldn't stop staring at the man's teeth.

"I can't give you my address. And even if I could, I wouldn't. I don't even know you at all and my Godfather doesn't trust you. I trust my Godfather so until you can prove yourself to me I don't trust you. Do you understand or do I have to break things down for you?" He was still staring at Lockhart's overwhelming teeth. It was weird that he could show every single tooth.

"Harry, Harry, Harry, don't let one man, who's mind is likely addled, to determine what you believe. I have many published works that show that I am a great and powerful wizard. After a decade in prison, well im surprised that he even knows how to hold a wand." Harry glared at the man.

"Wouldn't you think that because he survived Azkaban he would have to be extremely powerful? The best way to earn my trust isn't to insult my family. Now, I have class to get to so please excuse me so I can actually learn something useful." How stupid could that man be?

Harry enjoyed the lesson on Mandrakes. He even managed to answer one of Professor Sprout's questions before Hermione did. He had a little problem with his plant but that was only because it was so fat.

Transfiguration was a lot easier than it had the first time. He just put a quick Immobulus charm on the beetle and had no trouble after that. He just had to make sure no one saw him do the spell. He had a small problem though; all of his buttons were turning red instead of staying black like they were supposed to. But of course, Harry was awarded for taking the spell a step further than they had to. Then she told him that his father was also good in Transfiguration. He already knew this but it was always nice to hear people talk about his parents, except for Snape that is.

Ron was having a hard time. Harry, however, was glad that Ron's wand wasn't blowing things up or making noises. Hermione, like Harry, had a handful of buttons. Hers were black or grey.

Harry stayed behind for a few minutes to talk about what happened in Dumbledore's office after the whole Dursley incident. He however didn't mention that it was Dobby who was stopping his mail.

He didn't go outside after lunch because he knew that Colin Creevey would follow him out there. He really didn't like having his personal stalker.

But that didn't stop Lockhart. It was as though he had a tracking charm place on Harry. Harry tried to escape by saying that he forgot a book. Lockhart followed him to the Common Room. Harry put up a Impervious charm between them when he said the password. He would have kept it up but he didn't to know when to nod his head. Then he started to bash werewolves. That mad Harry one angry kid.

"You know that werewolves aren't all bad. And most are blood-thirsty for one night. No one chooses to be a werewolf, so they shouldn't be persecuted like they have been." Harry fumed as they approached the classroom.

"Harry, Harry, Harry, I believe that I know a tad more about werewolves than you do. They are monsters all the time. Any one of them would love to bite you and make you just as hideous as they are."

"Why are they hideous for something they can't control? It's only one night a month and that one night doesn't mean anything the rest of the month. And how do you define monster? I think that someone who intentionally hurts others for no reason but personal gain are the monsters. The werewolves who lock themselves up are no different from anyone else." Harry was in full rant mode. But fortunately for Lockhart, class was about to begin.

Harry refused to take the fifty-four question 'quiz' seriously. He just made up some very rude remarks on it.

When he revealed the Cornish pixies, Harry took his wand out. In less than thirty seconds the pixies were frozen. When all of the pests were back in their cage, Harry left the classroom muttering about incompetent idiots that needed to get a clue.

A/N Please review.