Hogwarts feast
Just as Madam Pomfrey had said, the potion had worked and Harry's bruises were almost fully healed the next day. He could walk without the constant aching, and was allowed to leave for the Gryffindor common room the next day (to Ginny's contentment.) The only problem was, he was not sure if he should stay or leave Hogwarts. He admitted to himself that he had to keep on searching for the Horncruxes, but he would like to talk to Dumbledore. That is to say the portrait of Dumbledore. Perhaps the real Dumbledore allowed memories into his portrait. He needed to know.
It would only be a short visit, short meaning a term or two. But if he stayed he could plan his next moves cautiously, he had been extremely lucky the first few times. He had to admit, Voldemort had been protecting some Horcruxes more than others, perhaps he was saving out for a big finish, Harry thought to his dismay. McGonagall would surely understand if he had to leave for a week to find and destroy a Horcrux.
So that night Harry; sat beside the fire on the floor, Ginny beside him, leaning back on her arms; and Ron and Hermione opposite. He had seen a break in Ron, Hermione and his relationship. Or though he wouldn't admit it to himself, they spent more time with each other than with him; even though it gave him more alone time with Ginny, which he loved.
Harry stared into the flames, which were crackling merrily, the flames dancing upward, and he made a decision,
"I think, we should stay at Hogwarts for another year," he said frowning,
"Why?" said Ron sitting up, Harry explained to them,
"Yeah," said Hermione, after he had finished, "you could also find out more about the history of the Horcrux, and the founders history also. Harry nodded,
"So what do you think?" He said turning to Ginny, she nodded.
"Good," he said, with a small smile, Ginny's opinion meant a lot.
"The start of school feast is in a week or something, if anyone asks why you were here early, don't answer, or just make up an excuse."
"But Harry, we didn't bring our books… our robes!" Said Hermione,
"It's fine; I'll ask McGonagall for the lists and we will go tomorrow, we can apparate to the Burrow to pick up our stuff, then the Dursley's I left my robes at their house under the floorboards. Then we can go to Hermione's," Harry looked at his watch, it was late. He sighed, staring into the fire,
"Can we do all of that in one day?" Asked Hermione,
"If we are quick,"
"Get Dobby to get our robes," said Ron, Hermione gave him a glare,
"What about S.P.E.W?"
"I already told you I am not backing you on spew, even if you are my girlfriend," Ginny looked at Harry and rolled her eyes, Harry laughed. Hermione glared and ran off to the girls dormitories,
"I'll go talk to her," said Ginny, running after Hermione, Ron sighed dramatically,
"So… call him," said Ron, Harry shrugged,
"Dobby!" he called, the elf came in front of him, wearing what looked like a Scottish skirt, he wore the jumper Ron had given him the previous year, and one of the socks, and one Harry had given him, one of the knitted hats Hermione had made sat on his head and prescription glasses stood on his nose, without lenses. He bowed, the glasses slipping down his nose. Then stood up gleaming,
"Hey Dobby, I was wondering if you could do a favour,"
"Anything!" He said gleefully,
"Can you get our robes and old books from our houses?" Dobby practically bounced off the walls. He nodded and disappeared,
"That is an odd elf," said Ron shaking his head,
"I'll give him a galleon, maybe that'll make Hermione relax," said Harry, getting up,
"Well I am going to bed," he said standing up,
"Yeah me too," said Ron. They walked up the stairs, Harry and Ron got changed, and slipped into the beds, Hermione came to the door,
"I'm sorry Ron," she said,
"S'ok 'Mione," he said with a small smile, Hermione smiled back, and went over to her bed. Ginny came over to Harry,
"Nice job," he said quietly,
"I know! Aren't I fabulous?" She said with a laugh, and closed the curtains around her to get changed. Harry laid back on his pillow, so he was going back to Hogwarts, a part of him was full of excitement of doing something…. Well, 'normal,' wasn't really the word; but more normal than searching for pieces of soul hidden inside objects. An hour later the room was quiet, Harry was still awake, but he was sure Ron and Hermione were.
Ginny got slowly out of bed, and walked over to his, she closed the curtains around them and kissed Harry passionately. Harry bound her in his arms and pulled her in harder. Ginny slipped off her pants and pushed off his, she straddled him and pushed harder and harder, Ginny bit her lip to contain her moan. Harry heard a rustle of sheets to his left, Ginny looked at Harry and got off him, pulling up her pants, she opened the curtains a crack and went into her bed, closing her eyes, pretending to be asleep.
Ron opened Harry's curtains, Harry closed his eyes. He felt Ron's eyes boring into him, before the curtain was shut. Lucky, Harry thought, that was really weird.
The Before School Feast was upon them faster than Harry had expected. His new books lay in his trunk. His robes, which Dobby had delivered, successfully, (apparently the Dursley's has already made his room a second bedroom for Dudley.) Harry had gotten dressed in his robes; and the train was to arrive in fifteen minutes or so. He combed his hair, trying to make it sit, of course it didn't work. Ginny came over and mess his hair up again,
"Leave it, it won't work," she said laughing her head off. Harry smirked, she was right. Hermione and Ginny had moved out of the boy's dormitory and moved into the girl's dormitory (which upset Ron and Harry.)
They all left the Gryffindor tower when it was time, walking down the stairs, they heard the talking and movement below. They all ran into the crowd, of excited people entering the Great Hall.
"Harry!" Yelled Neville, "I didn't see you on the train,"
"Yeah, my house was attacked by a herd of chickens without heads, we thought we better stay here, because you know... with the chickens and all," laughed Ginny, Harry snorted, Neville frowned, confused. They took a seat at the Gryffindor table. A bunch of first years came out; the number was much smaller than it was the years before, but they all looked equally scared.
The Sorting Hat was placed on the stool, its mouth opened and it broke into song.
For again I have warned you,
But you listened to me not,
You know I am truthful,
But my message you forgot.
We have been quartered,
Into separate houses four,
Hufflepuff, Gryffindor,
Slytherin and Ravenclaw.
I have watched the years,
Go past before my eyes.
The good the bad,
The truth and the lies.
We must unite my dear students!
Listen to what I say,
If you ignore me,
This schools future will be grey.
I told you to unite years ago,
But you ignored me all the same,
Now where is our Headmaster?
His death has been proclaimed.
So take this as a sign!
Take this in your stride.
You should come together,
Stand side by side.
For we are one school,
Yet you continue to fight!
Are you not under the same roof?
You could cut the tension with a knife.
So bind together,
Become a school once more!
We will work much better then,
I am right for sure.
The sorting hat finished its song and lay limp on the stool, the school broke out in applause. Ron leaned into Harry,
"Another way to say 'I told you so,'" Harry smirked. He looked up at the staff table for the new Defence against the Dark Arts teacher. A plump witch sat there, her smile lit up the room. Harry nudged Ginny and Ron and pointed up to her,
"Well… she doesn't seem too bad," said Ginny raising her eyebrows. Professor McGonagall stood up, pulling a list from her robes.
"Jeremy Jenkins?" She called, a beefy looking child stood up, furrowing his brow. He did not look one bit scared; he looked like a younger Goyle.
"Three guesses what house he is in!" Said Ron, Harry agreed, it was obvious. The sorting hat was placed on his head and it immediately yelled,
"SLYTHERIN!"
"Yep," said Harry nodding, the sorting when for a while, a few were sorted into Gryffindor, with cheers. Harry knew that the more sorted into Gryffindor he had, the more he had for Quittich tryouts. He sighed, thinking of the job before him. Finally McGonagall stood up,
"Welcome to another year at Hogwarts, we were sad to see the passing of our Headmaster Dumbledore." A few people looked at Harry,
"I would like to tell the first years that the grounds are out of bounds for all students after dark. I would like to welcome our new Defence against the Dark Arts teacher Professor Karin Silimon." The school broke out in applause; she stood up and smiled at everyone. Then took a seat,
"Wonder how McGonagall got her to take the job," said Harry to Ron,
"No idea," he said frowning. Professor Silimon sat down,
"Now, I am sure we are all hungry after the long journey," she said, looking in Harry's direction with a smile. "So eat up!" She said sitting down, the plates immediately filled.
Hope you like! Again… a small chapter. Please Read and Review, Oh and to the person who asked, Fawke's actually came back, Harry went into McGonagall's office and Fawkes was back… check if you want.
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