By Sunday evening, the trio was both exhausted and anxious. There was no point in trying to figure out anything else. They simply could not concentrate.
They'd just come from another meeting with Moody and learned that guards had been stationed near Hermione's home and at her parents' dental practice and that Ron's family had moved into Order headquarters at Grimmauld Place shortly after their last briefing. The Order was taking no unnecessary chances.
Mr. and Mrs. Weasley, Fred, George and Ginny, fresh from her trip to France, were already in residence. Fred and George had three Order guards masquerading as staff at their joke shop. Mr. Weasley had protection to and from work at the Ministry, as well. Bill and Fleur would join them later; they had opted to spend time with Fleur's parents in France before returning. And Charlie, when not on long distance Order assignments, would be there, too.
Percy, of course, had proven to be uncooperative. While he couldn't be trusted with the location of Order headquarters, he had been offered other shelter and protection. He'd refused all of it. Mr. Weasley and Kingsley had argued every rational point to convince him otherwise, but Percy was more obstinate than ever. He went so far as to point out that he hadn't considered himself a Weasley in some years and that You-Know-Who and his Death Eaters would be foolish to think otherwise. Mr. Weasley had been deeply hurt by this and Mrs. Weasley was beside herself with worry. Ginny had made one last attempt to get through to him, but her pleas also fell on deaf ears. The siblings were simultaneously furious and frightened for their idiotic brother.
And now, sitting restlessly with his friends in the common room and going over everything in his head, Harry had begun to feel responsible for the Weasley family riff. As silly as it sounded, he'd convinced himself that Ron and his family would have been better off if they had never become friends. He glanced across at Ron, who met his gaze, and it seemed, read his thoughts.
"Don't even go there, Harry," he said firmly. "This isn't even remotely about you. Percy's been a prat since the day he was born. He always thought he was better than the rest of us, and he was always going to find some excuse to distance himself."
"Even if that's true, you can't deny you are all potential targets because of me, can you?" said Harry.
"Harry, Voldemort's killed countless people, and I'm quite certain, most of them had absolutely no connection to you," interjected Hermione. "He was a danger to everyone for decades, and he is again, now."
"I know you're right, but it doesn't stop me from worrying," replied Harry.
"Worry all you want, just stop blaming yourself," ordered Ron. "You're not responsible for Voldemort or anything he does."
What could have been an awkward silence was interrupted by the sudden appearance of Dobby, levitating a large pile of books beside him.
"Good evening, Harry Potter, sir. Good evening, miss and sir," he said in greeting.
"Hi Dobby," they said together.
"Headmistress asked that I bring your school books to you. They arrived days ago, but Headmistress was busy and forgot about them," explained the house-elf as he magically set the books down on a nearby table.
"Thanks, Dobby," said Hermione.
"Miss is most welcome. I have to go now. House-elves are very busy getting ready for tomorrow. Bye," he said and as always, vanished as quickly as he'd appeared.
"Oh no," said Hermione. "I can't believe we didn't even think to open our Hogwarts letters. How could I have forgotten?"
"Oh, I don't know," said Ron sarcastically. "Maybe because we just spent a whole month looking through dusty and moldy old books. Why in the world would we want to worry about new ones?"
Hermione gave him a withering look and summoned her letter from upstairs. She ripped it open and dumped out the sheets of paper and read through them quickly. Frowning, she turned the envelope upside down and shook it.
Ron howled with laughter.
"Oh, now I get it," he said teasingly. "Harry, she's looking for the Head Girl badge."
"Shut up, Ronald," she said. "Where are your letters?"
Before either of them could answer, she'd summoned both of theirs, as well.
"You don't need mine," said Harry.
Hermione wasn't listening. She tore open both envelopes anyway and found them as empty of badges as her own. She looked totally perplexed.
"I suppose McGonagall could have chosen someone from Ravenclaw or even Hufflepuff," she said, sounding completely unconvinced.
Ron, trying very hard not to roll out of his seat with laughter, said, "Hermione, does it really matter? We're still Prefects and we've got more than enough to do, don't you think?"
She was quiet for several seconds before saying, "Yes, of course, you're right."
Hermione made a big production of tossing the letters carelessly aside, but Harry and Ron knew she was disappointed, nonetheless.
Bouts of disappointment and amusement gave way to worry once more as the night wore on. There was a lot at stake tomorrow. When there was nothing left to say or do, they reluctantly rose and went upstairs to bed.
Harry awoke from an uneasy sleep in the middle of the night when he felt something soft brush his forehead. He opened his eyes to a blurred sheet of long red hair illuminated by wand light. Ginny was leaning over him.
"Ginny," he said quietly as he sat up, "when did you get here?"
"Hi, Harry," she whispered back. "I just arrived a little while ago. I went straight to Hermione's room and she said you and Ron had been really worried."
"Yeah, we all were. I'm glad you got here safely."
"Thanks. I tried to wake Sleeping Beauty over there but he wouldn't budge," she said, pointing at Ron in the next bed.
Harry laughed softly and said, "I'll wake him in the morning and let him know you got here. How was your holiday with the Delacours?"
"It was wonderful," said Ginny on a small yawn. "I'll tell you all about it in the morning. Go back to sleep."
"Okay. Good night, Ginny," he said and watched her leave the dormitory.
Harry felt as though a huge weight had been lifted. There was much more to worry about, but at least Ginny was safe for now, and that meant more to him than he could possibly express.
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
On the morning of September 1st, the sun was shining brightly in a clear blue sky. Harry silently hoped it was a good sign. He, Ron, Hermione and Ginny were enjoying a leisurely breakfast in the common room. It would be late afternoon or early evening before the other students began arriving. Ron had peered from a tower window earlier and seen Professors Sinistra and Trelawney already on the grounds.
Moody was around somewhere, but they hadn't spotted him; however, McGonagall had stopped by to check on them. She'd been extremely tense and strongly suggested they stay in Gryffindor Tower until later today. Not wishing to add to her anxieties, they readily complied with her wishes.
Ginny spent hours telling them all about her holiday in France. She'd had a wonderful time and looked relaxed and happy. Hermione had visited France with her parents some years earlier, and she and Ginny relished the opportunity to compare and share their experiences. Harry and Ron were happy just to witness their excitement.
Dobby delivered a light lunch mid afternoon and was in and out of the common room faster than they'd ever witnessed. He returned again shortly after four o'clock and seemed to be in an agitated state. Apparently, everyone in the castle knew how precarious today could turn out to be.
"Good afternoon, Harry Potter, sir, misses and sir," he began. "Dobby is to tell you that Headmistress will send word when you may come down to the Great Hall."
"Have students started arriving?" asked Hermione.
"Not yet, miss. The professors are all in the entrance hall and Dobby heard Headmistress telling Professor Flitwick the train was due into Hogsmeade at any moment," said Dobby, with his eyes wide with concern.
"Okay, thanks Dobby," said Harry and waved as the house-elf made his usual exit.
They sat in relative silence for close to an hour, each imaging all sorts of things.
"Well, we should probably change into our robes, don't you think," interjected Ginny into the silence as she got to her feet.
Harry, Ron and Hermione each nodded and followed Ginny towards the staircases.
They were robed and walking nervously around the common room when Moody's head suddenly appeared in the fireplace. It was nearly six o'clock.
"You four can come downstairs, now," he said, sounding and looking tired, with his face otherwise unreadable.
"Did everything go okay?" asked Harry.
"The students are here. We can discuss the rest later," he replied and his head disappeared from sight.
The four made their way hurriedly down the marble staircase and skidded to a halt just inside the Great Hall. The house tables were once more assembled across the room, with the still empty staff table at the top. Practically every student was engaged in lively and whispered conversations, so much so, that Harry, Ron, Hermione and Ginny were able to make their way across the hall to the Gryffindor table relatively unnoticed.
Neville, on the look out for them, waved them over to the seats he'd been saving for them.
"There you are. We were wondering what happened to you," he said, peering over his shoulder to Luna at the Ravenclaw table.
They waved at her as they took their seats and turned their attention back to Neville and the rest of the Gryffindor table. Seamus and Dean were seated further down the table, opposite Lavender Brown. The Creevey brothers were present and Colin was so engrossed in conversation with a fellow sixth-year, he hadn't yet noticed Harry.
"How are you, Neville?" asked Harry.
"I'm fine," replied Neville and he colored slightly before continuing. "Umh, Harry, thanks a lot for the birthday gift. It's incredible. I would've sent a note back with Hedwig, but she took off before I'd even opened the package."
"A note wasn't necessary," said Harry. "I'm just glad you like it."
"I really do," added Neville. "It's the best mortar and pestle set I've ever seen. And Gram nearly lost her head with excitement when I told her it was from you. She didn't want me to bring it back to school because she thinks I'll lose it or break it; but I insisted and I can't wait to start using it tomorrow."
"Well, I got it for you and not your grandmother, so you should be using it. Besides, I don't think you could possibly break it, Neville," replied Harry.
Harry looked across the table at Ginny to find her smiling softly and nodding at him. Hermione, seated next to him, squeezed his hand under the table and Ron, seated on Ginny's other side, gave him a discreet thumbs-up. They too, hadn't known Harry sent anything to Neville, but they were each pleased that he'd made such a gesture to their mutual and often time, overlooked friend.
"Where's Parvati?" asked Hermione, both in effort to change the subject and out of concern as she scanned the table for her dormitory mates.
"She and Padma aren't coming back," said Neville. "We didn't see either of them on the train, so we thought their parents might be bringing them. Seamus and Lavender weren't on the train either, but they were waiting with their parents in Hogsmeade when we arrived. Anyway, that's when we heard from Lavender that Mr. and Mrs. Patil had refused to allow either of their daughters to return. It turns out Padma didn't really want to come back, but Lavender said Parvati was really upset."
"Wow," said Ron. "Are there a lot of students not returning?"
"Not as many as we first thought. Luna, Seamus, Lavender, Dean and I were on the first Knight Bus transport, and a lot more have shown up since I first arrived. So, you all came to Hogsmeade with Ron and Ginny's parents, then?" asked Neville.
"Umh, yeah," fibbed Ginny. "Hey, is it just me or does anyone else think the Slytherin table looks oddly empty?" she asked as she glanced over her shoulder and across the room.
Harry looked over and saw what Ginny meant. He didn't know every Slytherin student by name, but even he could point out some noticeable absences. Obviously, no one was expecting to see Malfoy; but Crabbe, Goyle and Nott were missing, along with at least two or three fifth and sixth-years.
"That's weird," said Ron. "If any Hogwarts students wouldn't be afraid to return, you think it'd be the Slytherins."
Blaise Zabini and Pansy Parkinson were back and they looked most unhappy. They were sharing their own whispered conversation when Pansy looked up and spotted Harry. Her face took on a more sour expression than usual, causing Blaise to glance up, as well. They both glared at Harry with open hostility, but Harry couldn't have cared any less about either one of them. Just to annoy them even more, Harry winked at them before returning his attention to his friends.
"Neville, how was the train ride?" asked Harry.
"It was strange," said Neville. "Platform 9 and ¾ was crawling with Aurors. Even Minister Scrimgeour was there. Once we got through the barrier, there was a new, second one erected before you could get near the train. Parents could go no further than through the first barrier. The Aurors searched each of us and our luggage before letting us on the train."
"Wow," said Ron. "I guess that explains all the serious conversations going on in here."
"And we could only board the train through one door. We had to fill up one car at a time and then an Auror closed it, conjured a chair, and sat guard outside each car for the entire ride. We couldn't leave our cars for anything except the bathroom, and another Auror would escort you down the corridors."
Harry was impressed with the described security tactics. Moody, Lupin, and Kingsley and the Ministry had planned well. He had to grudgingly admit, he was also surprised to hear Scrimgeour had actually been present. He really was a far sight better than Fudge, but Harry still wasn't interested in playing poster-boy for the Ministry.
"Did you go through the same thing when you pulled into Hogsmeade?" asked Hermione.
"Well, Luna and I were in the first car and the Auror outside our car signaled us to get up; but then there was a loud noise and a whole lot of running footsteps on the platform. Our Auror was standing with his wand drawn and his back tight against our car door, so we couldn't see past him to the corridor window."
"Did you hear anything else?" asked Ginny.
"No, not really. We ended up waiting over half an hour before the Auror opened our car door and escorted us out. Other Aurors were waiting to march us from the platform to the waiting Knight Bus. There were about six Aurors on our bus transport. I'm glad it was such a short trip, because the Aurors didn't look too happy," explained Neville.
Harry, Ron, Ginny and Hermione exchanged furtive glances. They remembered Moody's brief appearance in the common room fireplace. Had something happened?
"And Harry, this conductor, Stan something or other, asked about you," added Neville.
"Really, Stan Shunpike?" said Harry.
"Yeah, that's it. He said he knew you."
"We've met," said Harry.
So, the Ministry had finally come around and faced what he, Dumbledore and others had known all along, Stan was in no way connected to Voldemort or his Death Eaters. How much time had he lost locked away in Azkaban?
Before they could think of anything else to ask Neville, a noise on the far side of the room drew everyone's attention. The door to an antechamber opened and in filed the teachers, tiny Professor Flitwick leading the way, followed by Professors Sprout, Vector, Sinistra, Slughorn and Hagrid. From their spot at the Gryffindor table, they could not see the others teachers who were following in Hagrid's wake.
Harry was about to stand for a better look when the double oak doors opened to reveal Professor McGonagall, ready to escort the first years into the Great Hall. So, she had decided to keep that responsibility. The headmistress waited until all the teachers were seated and then walked forward with two lines of first-years trailing nervously behind her.
"I'm not kidding, they really do get smaller and smaller every year," said Ron.
"No, you just keep getting bigger and bigger," said Ginny smartly.
There had always been about forty or fifty first-years at the start of each term, but not this time. Harry counted twenty-eight new students. When Professor McGonagall had lined them up, she conjured a stool and placed it front and center. With a wave of her wand, the Sorting Hat appeared in her open palm and she set it atop the stool. The first-years looked even more frightened, but the rest of the students and teachers were focused on the hat and were rewarded when it twitched and its mouth formed from a tear at its center and it began to sing:
"The axis tilts and darkness looms
Larger than ever before;
Founders' souls weep for what
May be lost forever more.
Discard the petty, the unimportant
And all that is mundane;
For surely only camaraderie will
Help keep you sane.
Roar loud and strong, brave Gryffindors,
Hold fast and true, dutiful Hufflepuffs,
Reason well and keenly, brilliant Ravenclaws,
And choose wisely and rightly, sly Slytherins;
For only united can the good really win.
A beacon of hope dwells within us all, likely
To shine brightest when all seems lost;
Sadly, such destiny is not without great cost.
To restore balance and order to ourWorld and return to ashes an evil
That should never have been,
One will have to search and find
The true source of power within.
When strength and hope appear to have waned
The heart will seek what must be attained,
Heed well always to these words
And remember to look heavenwards.
I am the Hogwarts' Sorting Hat
With greetings from he who upon the
Scarlet throne, last sat!"
There wasn't one single clap at the conclusion of this year's song. The entire room was stunned silent. The Sorting Hat had given them a warning before, but never anything as dark as this one.
A number of students, especially the younger ones, seemed afraid. Others just looked confused as they struggled to unravel some of the odd lyrics still fresh in their minds.
Harry's eyes, and those of many others, had turned to Dumbledore's scarlet and gold chair, which still sat empty at the center of the teachers' table. A length of black fabric was laid across its high back. Apparently, McGonagall had no intention of sitting in it, quite yet.
Had part of this year's message really come from Dumbledore? They couldn't believe it. Even McGonagall was staring at the ornate chair as if she expected Dumbledore to materialize and sit in it once more. When nothing more happened, she cleared her throat, picked up the Sorting Hat and asked the first student to step forward and sit on the well-worn stool.
Harry couldn't tell you where the first several students were sorted because he simply wasn't paying attention. He was too busy trying to remember the lyrics to this year's song. As depressing as it had been, he felt driven to memorize it, if for no other reason than out of respect for the man and wizard he had admired most in the world.
He was finally alert enough to hear Romulus Burns sorted into Ravenclaw. Ron had sat up straighter to get a better look at the first-year. He'd been so intent on his ever growing list for so long, that the initials must have popped out at him.
Hermione laughed among the applause and whispered across at Ron, "Don't worry, I think he's a bit too young to make the cut."
When it was all said and done, there were five new Slytherins, seven Hufflepuffs, and eight Gryffindors and Ravenclaws.
Professor McGonagall took the podium and addressed them.
"Welcome," she said. "Before we start this year's feast, there are a number of announcements that must be made. Unless you have been living under a rock, you are all well aware that the darkest wizard of all time is back among us and intent on inflicting incalculable harm and damage. He has already wounded this school more deeply than I can say," she added with a glance over her shoulder at Dumbledore's chair.
"It took a tremendous effort to have this school reopened following last year's attack. You are here because we are determined to provide the best possible magical education to those who seek it. Your parents allowed you to be here because they believe in that education and because they believe you are safer here than you would be at home."
Professor McGonagall paused to make sure she had all their attention.
"To that end, we will be adhering to even stricter security measures than ever before. There will be no day trips to Hogsmeade. Students must be in their houses by half past eight every night. And regrettably, I have decided that it is in the best interest of everyone's safety to cancel Quidditch season this year."
There were sighs and moans from all over the hall. Harry was a bit disappointed, but not surprised. He already knew he wouldn't be wearing his Quidditch robes this year. McGonagall waited for the protests to die down.
"Make no mistake, this is going to be a year unlike any we have ever had. I am sure you've noticed that some of your former classmates are missing. In most cases, that was a decision reached by them or their parents. For some others however, that decision was made for them by myself and the school governors, and upheld by the Ministry."
Looks of shock and confusion met McGonagall's beady stare.
"Students whose immediate family members have known ties to the Dark Lord and his Death Eaters were not invited to return," she said clearly.
McGonagall was looking straight ahead as she spoke, but every Gryffindor, Ravenclaw and Hufflepuff student looked over at the Slytherin table. Up at the teachers' table, Professor Slughorn had colored noticeably and reached for his goblet of water.
Well, that explained why Malfoy's little gang was missing. Harry silently wished they'd done that last year. Maybe Dumbledore would still be with them.
"Pay close attention, for I am only going to say this once," continued McGonagall. "If we discover any remaining students in direct support of, or collaboration with any know Dark wizards, you will not only face immediate expulsion from Hogwarts, but you will face imprisonment at the hands of the Ministry. Do I make myself clear?"
"Yes, Headmistress," came hundreds of mingled voices.
"Very well. That concludes this evening's unpleasant business, so let us move on," she began and smiled ever so slightly.
"You should note that we will still be awarding the house cup at the end of term, so please do all you can to earn points for your respective houses. As much of the room can probably see, we have two new teachers with us this year. Please join me in welcoming them."
"Taking over my former duties in Transfiguration, please welcome Professor Nymphadora Tonks," said McGonagall.
Harry, Ron, Hermione and Ginny looked blankly at each other for a long moment and then broke out into applause along with the other students. Tonks rose from her hidden seat beside Hagrid. She was still sporting the strawberry blond hair color, although she'd opted for a shorter, modestly spiked and moussed hairdo. She smiled and waved out at the students. Her eyes took in the Gryffindor table and she winked furtively at the foursome before sitting back down.
"And last, but not least, please say hello to our new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher, Professor Jillian Grayson."
If they were shocked to see Tonks, it was nothing compared to the jolt they received when Kingsley's sister stood, bowed and waved to the assembled students. They clapped automatically with the others, but each of the four friends looked thunderstruck. They were obviously shocked to learn she'd be their teacher, but why in the world was she using a different last name.
Tonks sat forward in her seat and caught Ginny's eye, who kicked each of the trio under the table to get their attention. She whispered "Tonks," under the applause and they saw Tonks discreetly place her finger against her lips to note they should remain silent for the time being. Fortunately, their odd expressions had gone pretty well unnoticed because most of the students, the boys in particular, were too busy admiring their attractive new teachers.
McGonagall faced forward once more.
"And finally, as I know you are all starving, I'd like to take a short moment to announce this year's Head Girl and Head Boy. These are students who have contributed a great deal to the school over the last six years and I expect nothing less from them this year. They will be reporting directly to me, and the other Prefects will be under their direction. Please congratulate Ms. Hermione Granger and Mr. Harry Potter."
The Gryffindor table erupted into a very long and loud round of applause and cheers. Nearly Headless Nick, who'd been at the opposite end near the first-years, rose in mid air and began turning excited spirals. Their fellow housemates were giving them a standing ovation, no one louder than Ron. Many of the Ravenclaws, Hufflepuffs and teachers had joined in. Hagrid was smiling brightly behind his bushy beard. The younger Slytherins were also applauding politely, but not a single one of the sixth or remaining seventh-years. In fact, Pansy looked like she wag going to start crying at any moment and Blaise simply looked ill.
Harry had encountered a great number of surprising things over the last few months, and this one ranked right up there. How could he have possibly been made Head Boy? He'd never even been Prefect. Then again, neither had his father and Hagrid had told him years ago that both his parents had been Head Boy and Girl.
He looked at Hermione sitting beside him with tears of relief swimming in her eyes. Ron, Ginny and Neville were beaming at them from across the table. Luna was standing up on the bench at her seat at the Ravenclaw table.
When the noise died down to a dull roar, McGonagall broke in again.
"Let the feast begin," she said and platters and tureens of every food imaginable appeared on each table.
Harry had only eaten once serving. He was still trying to process everything swimming through his head. He looked up and caught Ron smirking at him.
"What?" he said.
"Nothing. I'm just glad for both of you," said Ron earnestly. "We knew Hermione was a shoe in, but I was pulling for you."
"Why? It never even occurred to me as a possibility," said Harry.
"That's exactly why," said Ron. "Come on, who else could it have been?"
"It could have been you," said Harry simply.
"Yeah, it could have been; but it should have been you," said Ron. "Honestly, everyone was stunned when you didn't make Prefect for our year. There was no way they were not going to pick you for Head Boy."
That conversation ended as students began coming over to congratulate him and Hermione. Luna was one of the first to make her way over.
"Hi, everyone," she said in greeting. "Congratulations. They chose well this year."
"Thanks, Luna," said Harry. "How were your holidays?"
"Oh, wonderful. I was traveling on assignment with my father," she said.
"And what wonderful new creature have we uncovered this year?" joked Ron, but Luna answered sincerely.
"I can't possibly tell you that, yet," she said. "You'll just have to wait and read about in the November issue. I'll go preorder you a copy, now," she said happily as she floated away from them.
Ron looked like he was still trying to work out what had just happened. Ginny and Hermione giggled and Harry hid a laugh behind his glass of pumpkin juice.
When everyone was stuffed and sleepy, McGonagall rose from her seat and directed the Prefects to start escorting the other students to their houses. Ron and Hermione rose to help shepherd the first and second-years. Harry got up to follow behind them, but McGonagall called for him and Hermione to remain behind.
"We'll see you in a bit," he said to Ron, Ginny and Neville as they got in line to exit the Great Hall. The other teachers had exited through the antechamber door, as well.
McGonagall made her way over to them and when the last student had exited, she closed the heavy oak doors with a flick from her wand and sat across from them.
"Well now, we've certainly had an exciting day," she began. "I know you have lots of questions, but you are going to have to be satisfied with the short version of today's activities, because quite frankly, I am exhausted and so are the others."
"Yes, Professor," they replied.
"First, there was an incident in Hogsmeade, near the train station. I am told about a half dozen or so Death Eaters managed to get within a few blocks of the station. They were apparently newer members, and so, weren't immediately identified. Aurors and Order members were on hand and handled the situation. Two Death Eaters were captured and one was killed. The others scattered and escaped. We sustained some injuries, including one Auror who was severely wounded." explained McGonagall.
"Are Lupin and the others all right?" asked Harry.
"Yes, Potter, they are," she said. "And now, let me congratulate you both again. I cannot think of more deserving students," she added.
"Thank you," they replied.
"We can discuss details sometime tomorrow. For now, please know that each Prefect is under your direct supervision. You are the only students for whom curfew does not apply. I assume that should prove helpful for whatever extracurricular projects you currently have going," she added with a raised brow.
"Yes, it definitely will," said Hermione.
"Good, now here are your badges," she said, and pulled two silver pins from her robes and handed one to each of them.
"Well, I am going to retire. Please make sure you check the corridors on your way upstairs. We shall talk more tomorrow. Good night."
"Good night, Headmistress," they replied.