CHAPTER 6 - Back to School Surprises
The ride to Hogwarts was filled with lots and lots of girls. Harry's girls, that is. The moment Harry stepped through the barrier, girls were already right at his face. They had to fight through the mob just to be able to enter the train. And the search for an empty compartment had been murder as well. They were lucky when Fred and George had some thingamabob with them that helped Harry and the rest to get past the fans. They got two compartments, both adjacent, right at the very end of the train. Draco sat with Harry, Hermione and Ron, much to Ron's disgust; but he caved in when Harry told him that it was either that or the fans all outside their box cart screaming their lungs out.
"Whew! That was close. I'm glad we got away from them before they tore our clothes into pieces. Honestly, you'd think that going to Hogwarts would've given them some dignity," Hermione said.
They were all so tired from all the girls that tried to grab them. Ron, who was sitting beside her, kept on huffing. His, and the rest's, breathing became normal after a few moments. He calmed down and looked at Harry, eying Draco ever so often.
Harry became aware of Ron's gaze at him. He probably wants the explanation right now. He looked at Draco who was sitting right beside him. Draco was trying to avoid Ron's gaze by looking out of the window and pretending that his mind was not fully aware of the tension inside the compartment. Harry nudged him and Draco jumped in surprise. He looked at Harry with an annoyed expression as he rubbed his arm. Harry gave him a look that simply meant: 'it's time for that talk I told you last night.' Draco gazed at the two Gryffindors sitting across from him and Harry. It was time for that thing that he never thought would ever happen.
Sirius had told him that it would be better if he would get along with them, and because he didn't want any troubles this year, Draco complied. He wanted to please his mother and his uncle. Yes, he knows that he might have been pretty much of a git before, but now, he wanted all of that to be left behind in the past. After his confrontation with Harry last night, it was time to face an even greater challenge: Harry's best friends.
"Ron," Harry began.
"Yes, I'm waiting," he said, matter of factly.
"I have something to say. Yes. And I am going to say it now," Draco said, looking up at Ron's face. "I know that you all practically hate me and my guts for being here...and in your home, but I have a good reason. I can't ramble words right now because I know that this is very, very difficult situation for me, so I'll just get on with it. I'm sorry...for everything that I have done. I know that I was a huge git. All I ever did was cause trouble for all for you and I'm sorry. I had a father who was important to me and I didn't want to disappoint him. I know that this is too much for me to ask, but I hope that you can forgive me."
There was complete silence. Harry watched the different changes of expressions that were occurring on Ron's face. Hermione wasn't showing much emotion though. He thought to himself that maybe they wouldn't agree on the idea, but he didn't want to make any conclusions just yet. It was too early for that, and he knew his best friends well enough not to do so. If he learned to forgive, they could too.
"Alright, Malfoy, we'll forgive you, but we have to agree first on some conditions," Ron finally said.
"What kind of conditions?" Harry asked, as if he was the one being interrogated.
"First: you are not to ever insult anyone ever again, especially not a Gryffindor."
"Second: you are not to suck up to Snape anymore," Hermione stated.
"Third: you cannot annoy any of us anymore."
"Fourth: you have to be friendly, not just to us, but also to our fellow students."
"And the fifth: you have to ask for Ron, George, and Fred's permission before you take Ginny out on a date."
"What?" Harry and Draco both asked shocked.
Harry and Draco's jaws dropped. Did Hermione just said what I thought she had said? Ron knows? How did he…? How can he possibly know! I never told him anything. I didn't say a word. Did Hermione…? No, I don't think so. She knows Ron's temper. But how did…? And did he just approve of it?
"Wa-wait a second, you guys. Did you just say: 'ask Ron, George, and Fred's permission'? Am I hearing this correctly, Ron? You approve of this?"
"I find it quite astounding, Harry. It's miraculous how two completely different people could ever fall for each other. Of course, I can't speak for Ginny. I just want to take my chance of you, and I think Ginny will too. I don't want them to end up like - what is that name of that book I read again, oh yeah - I wouldn't want them to end up likeRomeo and Juliet."
"Romeo and Juliet? Since when did you read about them? Rather, since when have you started to read books?"
"The point is, Harry, Ron and I have agreed to take this chance on Malfoy. We are willing to take the risk of being friends with him, if he follows our conditions; especially the last one. Although, we have to make further negotiations on some of the conditions, but, as of now, that'll do," Hermione said, interrupting in the conversation of Harry and Ron.
"I guess that will be enough. At least you guys are willing to forgive him. Well, Draco, what do you say?"
"Well, I can't say much. I just have to agree to everything then, and I do. Oh, and by the way, thanks- for doing this."
"It's no problem. Everybody deserves a second chance."
"Yes. You should be glad that Harry is a very persuasive person, lest we will not be very convinced."
"Yeah, I owe him a lot."
"So, Draco, now that you're one of us, first order of business: dating my little sister."
"Oh…um…I don't think this is the most appropriate place to…"
"Don't worry about it. All I'm going to say is that you have to ask her first before you ask me, and Fred and George, of course. Besides that, I want you to promise to never, ever hurt my sister, alright? I'm going to chop you into pieces if you ever do that."
"I promise. I swear under my grandparents' graves."
"Good."
The journey back to Hogwarts didn't seem so depressing that year. They felt more happy and enthusiastic because of the fact that they had finally made friends with their mortal enemy Draco Malfoy. After the conversation that they had, Harry and the gang pretty much didn't hear anymore about Harry's annoying fans. But before they got off the train, Hermione asked Harry to wear his Invisibility Cloak just in case his 'adoring' fans were waiting for him outside.
"This isn't exactly very comfortable, you guys," Harry said under the Invisibility Cloak.
He was walking in-between Ron and Draco while Hermione took the lead just to avoid any bumps on the way. They had agreed that Draco and Ron give Harry supports on his sides and Hermione would take the lead to check whether they'd be bumping into any of the crazy girls.
"Well, you just have to get used to it. If we're lucky, this will be your lifetime job," Ron told him. He and Draco had been feeling ridiculous at the whole set-up.
"This isn't as comfortable for us either, Harry. We look like total nincompoops," Draco said.
"Would you boys just stop that? People might wonder why you're talking to Harry when, clearly, he's not with us," Hermione ordered them.
The four followed the assembly of students going up the entrance of the school. They ran into Hagrid on the way up the stairs. He asked them where Harry was, and, surprisingly, he wasn't shocked to find him under the Invisibility Cloak. Hagrid said that if they were trying to hide from the girls, they need not to worry because the students were already inside the Great Hall; Harry just had to stay under his Cloak until Dumbledore makes the opening remarks.
"Welcome! Welcome to another year at Hogwarts!" everyone heard the familiar voice of Professor Dumble sore say. "Silence for a moment, please!"
Every single one of the students silenced themselves when they heard Dumbledore's words. Every year it's been the routine. Nobody would dare defy Dumbledore's words; that is, until the three trouble-making Gryffindors arrived at Hogwarts.
"I'd like to remind you all that the Forbidden Forest is still forbidden for all students to linger, hence the name Forbidden. All of you know that it has always been the rule of Hogwarts never to let any students scuttle about at the nightfall, but due to the recent events that had happened, we are now enforcing a 'twist' to the rule. Students are still not allowed to mingle at night, but, they could, if and only if, they come back at said curfew of 12 midnight. This rule will be enforced starting this very day, until the days of Hogwarts."
"I wonder why they had such a change of heart. Why would Professor Dumbledore let us walk about the school at night?" Hermione asked.
"Haven't you heard the news, Hermione?" Fred asked.
"What news is that?" Ron asked back.
"Durmstrang and Beauxbatons are coming to visit again," George answered.
"They are? Why? Is there going to be another Triwizard Tournament?" Harry asked.
"I don't think so. We heard that the Ministry of Magic invited the schools to visit Hogwarts for a grand celebration," said Fred.
"Celebration? You mean another party?"
"Yeah! And that means another ball. And we also heard that other magical schools are also coming. They're here to congratulate Harry for his victory."
"Victory? I don't want a party for my victory. I don't need it."
"You don't. But, apparently, the Ministry thinks it is only appropriate to have a grand celebration for the hero of the world. So, no matter what you do, you can't stop it."
"That's preposterous!"
"Well, you can't stop what's about to happen."
"Students of Hogwarts, in alignment with the recent defeat of Voldemort, the Ministry of Magic and the rest of the magical schools around the world had agreed to have a grand ball in honor of our victory, peace, and to the fine young man who had placed his life in the line to save us, our very own, Mr. Harry Potter. So, this year, please give another warm welcome to our friends from Durmstrang Institute, headed by their Headmaster Igor Karkaroff and from Beauxbatons Academy, headed by Madame Olympe Maxime! Plus, few more schools will be arriving to grace our school with their presence. Please welcome the wonderful young ladies of the Salem Witches' Institute with their Headmistress Miss Aurelia Wellington! The brooding gentlemen of Lexington Magical Academy accompanied by Sir Leonard Leving! And the magnificent students of Wardsworth Conservatory of Magic escorted by their fine Headmaster Professor Benjamin Fogens and Headmistress Professor Esmeralda Axins!"
Harry watched as a bunch of students entered through the big oak doors of the Great Hall. He had never seen so many students like this before. He was so fascinated at how huge the magical world seemed to be. He wanted to know more and more about his world. He carefully watched all the boys inside the Hall be entranced by the power of the ladies from Beauxbatons and Salem, while lots of girls seemed to be going gaga over the boys of Durmstrang and Lexington. The students from Wardsworth seemed to be more conservative because they arrived with their hoods over their heads, much to everyone's surprise.
"Ah, Albus, my dear friend, it's good to see you again after a very long time. And Minerva, dear, you look as splendid as usual," the man who must be Sir Leonard Leving said.
All the Headmasters and Headmistresses seemed to come together to hug all the staff members. It was quite a sight to see. The students kept on clapping and cheering. Harry saw the students of Wardsworth lower their hoods; they seemed a little shook up, but they looked just like ordinary students.
"'ello, Harry! Comment allez-vous?" asked a little girl Harry recognized as Gabrielle Delacour, Fleur's sister.
"Hello, Gabrielle. I'm sorry what did you say? I really don't have much background in French. I mean, I can't understand French," Harry answered.
"Oh, I'm zorry. I just asked 'ow you are doing."
"Oh, I'm doing just fine. Thank you for asking. How have you been?"
"I am doing fine. Je suis heureux vous ai défait Voldemort."
"Sorry, what was that?"
"I am glad zat you defeated Voldemort."
"Thanks."
"Well, I must be going now. It is nice to zee you gain. Goodbye!"
"Bye!" he called out to her before turning back towards Hermione and Ron. "That I understood."
The feast ended in a rather happy note this year. The students mingled with the guests like they knew each other already. Viktor came over as they were coming out of the Hall. He greeted the three of them with grace. He particularly looked at Hermione the whole time. Ron didn't seem to mind it, but Harry felt a twinge of something-something inside. He didn't know what was happening to him, so he just shrugged it away.
After their encounter with Viktor, the three of them continued their way back to their Common Room. They ran into Draco and said goodnight before walking towards the stairs. When they reached the Common Room, Harry and Ron sat down at the sofa. Both of them felt very tired. Just before they left the Hall, they had to make another run as the girls started to approach Harry again. Hermione didn't panic like them and just kept walking; but after nearly five minutes, she decided to run as to catch up with them.
"Harry, you have got to do something with those bloody fan club members of yours! They're driving me nuts! We can't keep running from them forever. I will not spend my first year without Voldemort by running and hiding around all the time," Ron stated.
Hermione sat down across from them and just looked at the two. She gave Harry a knowing look before looking back at Ron who was now yawning. Ron was right. They couldn't possibly keep running from the girls all the time. It was just the beginning of the year and they still had a number of months to go before school ended. They had to do something about it.
"Don't worry. I'll try to ask Professor Dumbledore tomorrow if he'd allow me to have a restraining order to those girls. At least at about 40 feet away," Harry answered, half joking.
"You do that. We better go to bed. Tomorrow will be murder again. We have to get a lot of energy for tomorrow. We have Double Potions first period with Slytherin," Hermione said.
Hermione stood up and walked up the stairs to the girls' dormitory. She looked back and bid the two of them a goodnight before continuing her way up. Ron sighed beside Harry and yawned.
"We better go to, mate. I'm as tired as a dog," he said.
They stood up and walked up to their dormitory. Harry looked back at the place where he last saw Hermione's figure before she disappeared. This is going to be one long year. Then he entered the door and bid goodnight to the dark.