Chapter Five - Back to Hogwarts
When Ron, Ginny and Harry arrived on platform nine and three quarters, they saw that the platform was much more crowded than in any of their previous years. Ron searched until he found Hermione, and went over to greet her, and talk with her parents. Neville and his grandmother were chatting with Luna and her father, Xenophilius. Mr. and Mrs. Weasley had said their good-byes this morning after breakfast, both of them having busy days today.
Since September first was a Tuesday this year, Harry had been surprised at just how many parents were there, but then he supposed that since it was the first time for the parents to be apart from their kids since the war ended, that it really shouldn't have been unexpected. As Harry looked around, he spotted Draco Malfoy, with a small group of Slytherins around him. He could see there were changes in the other young Wizard. He still held his head high, with an aristocratic air, and he was the center of attention for his group, but the sneering expression of contempt that had always been on his face was now gone, and his eyes were haunted, affected by the torment, and loss of friends and family that he had endured.
Harry may not have liked any of those people, but he did understand how Draco felt about those losses – he'd certainly had enough of his own to be able to relate. When their eyes met for a brief moment, Harry nodded to one side, motioning for Draco to meet him at the side of the platform. When Harry was sure nobody could see, he pulled Draco's wand out and handed it to him.
"I wanted you to have this back. I doubt we'll ever be friends, but I'm sure we don't have to be enemies anymore either." Draco looked at him a bit surprised, nodded his agreement, and then left Harry to get on the train with his friends.
Ginny had gone off to see some of her girlfriends, and was soon surrounded by a giggling group of girls. For some reason, Harry felt very uncomfortable at the sound of them, and especially because of the furtive glances that some of those girls made in his direction. That had him pretty sure he didn't want to know what they were talking about.
Harry loaded his and Ginny's trunks on the train, and found a compartment for them. Neville, Luna, and Ginny caught up with him just before the train was ready to pull out of the station. Ron and Hermione stopped by to drop their trunks off, but then left to attend to their Prefect and Head Girl duties. The two couples talked together, as the train got underway. Harry ignored the stares from other students who walked by, looking in just to get a peek at him.
He reminded himself about how the press had first hounded him at the end of the war, until they finally realized that he wasn't going to give them the juicy sound-bytes they wanted, and moved on to greener pastures. Everywhere he went in the Wizarding World, there were the stares and whispers he had become so used to, but people, for the most part, thankfully left him alone. Harry and the others ordered from the snack trolley when it came around, and Harry made sure to get extra for when Ron and Hermione could join them later.
When they arrived at Hogwarts, They gathered their trunks and got off the train. Harry waved at Hagrid when he saw him, and he winked back.
"A'right now, first years follow me," he called out to the newest Hogwarts students, and Harry smiled as he watched the large group of young kids gather around Hagrid.
Hermione went with Hagrid to help with the much bigger than usual first year class. The rest of the students got in line for the carriages. Harry heard Ron, Ginny, and quite a few other older students gasp, seeing the Thestrals for the first time. Harry, Neville, and Luna smiled in understanding, but in a way it was very sad that so many of their friends could now see the magical creatures.
They rode in the carriages to the school entrance, everyone excitedly getting re-acquainted with friends they hadn't seen over the holidays. When they arrived at the school, each carriage load of students went into the Great Hall, knowing their belongings would be taken to their dormitories for them.
Harry, Ginny, Ron, Neville, and Luna were all together as they went into the hall, and as he was walking along the Gryffindor table, Harry nodded greetings to other students he saw who were already seated. When he saw Dennis Creevey, he put a hand on his shoulder, speaking softly to him for a moment, before moving further down the table. The other students around Dennis looked at him, impressed, and Harry smiled to himself.
He sat near the front with the rest of the seventh year Gryffindors, and there was loud chatter throughout the hall, until the doors opened and the first year students entered the Great Hall, nervously waiting to be sorted. Hermione came and sat with Ron once they were lined up at the front. The noise in the hall quieted as Professor McGonagall stood.
"Welcome, new and returning students of Hogwarts," she announced, and Harry couldn't help but feel a pang of loss. For him, this was the first time that Professor Dumbledore wasn't up there welcoming the students back to school and giving them the usual instructions. Looking down at the new first year students, Professor McGonagall continued.
"For those of you who don't yet know me, I am Professor McGonagall, Headmistress of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry." Pausing for a moment, she looked out over the hall. "We will begin with the sorting. Professor Tonks, if you would, please."
Harry swung his head around in surprise, noticing for the first time that Andromeda Tonks was standing near the doors the first year students had come through with the sorting hat and stool in her hands. She hadn't told him a thing about coming to teach here! He looked over at Hermione, who was grinning at him now. If she hadn't known about this before, she'd obviously found out when Andromeda met the first year students in the entrance hall. Andromeda walked to the front of the Great Hall, and setting the stool down, she carefully placed the hat on the seat of the stool. The hat began to move, and then it sang out it's welcoming song.
The war is ended
And light has won!
As the houses four
Came together as one
So to you all I say 'Cheers'
And remind you again
If we work with each other
We'll accomplish great things!
When the hat finished it's song, Andromeda - Professor Tonks, began calling the new students up to be sorted. With such a large group this year, Harry had time to look around the hall to see what else was going on. While the Ravenclaw, Hufflepuff, and Gryffindor tables all seemed to be filled nearly to normal, he saw that there were many fewer students at the Slytherin table.
Pansy, Gregory, and Blaise had returned with Draco for their NEWT year. Harry knew that a few Slytherin students had been killed by Voldemort to punish their parents, and Crabbe and others had died in the fighting, but seeing the empty seating somehow made that knowledge more real. He again felt a wave of sadness, thinking about how much the war had cost both sides. As the sorting was concluded, Professor McGonagall again stood.
"Please be sure to welcome these students warmly into their new Houses," she asked of the older students. She looked around again before continuing, a rare smile on her face. "Before I begin the announcements, and we get on with the feast, I would like everyone here - Professors and students - who fought in the final battle for Hogwarts to please stand."
Harry watched with pride as his Professors, friends, and fellow students stood. There was even a surprising number of Slytherins who had stayed and fought beside Professor Slughorn. Ginny pulled him to his feet beside her, trying not to laugh at the fact that her boyfriend somehow managed to forget that his role in the Battle gave him the right to stand with his friends too.
"Please take a moment to show your appreciation to these brave Witches and Wizards," Professor McGonagall said, and there was immediately a loud applause that echoed through the hall, lasting for several minutes. When that moving show of appreciation tapered off, Professor McGonagall spoke again.
"If you would please remain standing, I would now like everyone who lost loved ones in the war - family or friends - to join those standing." It was a sobering sight, as nearly every single student stood up. Professor McGonagall looked around sadly.
"That nearly every one of us has suffered personal loss shows just how terrible the war was," she told her mostly young audience. Harry could now see tears in the eyes of many of the students. Taking a parchment from her robe, Professor McGonagall continued. "I will now read the names of those from Hogwarts who lost their lives in that terrible battle." Harry listened as the names were called out.
"Headmaster Severus Snape, former Professor and student Remus Lupin, Ministry Auror, and former student Nymphadora Tonks…"
Harry held Ginny's hand as they listened to Professor McGonagall, and the list went on and on. They heard Fred's name called out, then later, Colin Creevey. There were current and former students lost from every house. When Professor McGonagall reached the end of the list, she paused to give everyone another moment for remembrance.
"We are all here today, free of the tyranny that Lord Voldemort tried to impose on us, because of the sacrifices of these Hogwarts students, and the surviving fighters. What each of us chooses to do with our lives will determine if those sacrifices were worthwhile." She looked around again, and motioned for everyone to be seated.
Harry sat with everyone else, heaving a quiet sigh of relief that McGonagall would not be singling him out for any unwanted recognition. Ginny squeezed his hand, understanding the reason for the soft exhale of breath she'd heard from him as they'd taken their seats again. Professor McGonagall resumed speaking, and Harry brought his attention back to the front of the hall.
"I have only a few announcements this evening," Professor McGonagall said. "First, I would like to welcome Professor Tonks to the faculty. She will be teaching our Transfiguration classes this year." Andromeda smiled at Harry, a twinkle of amusement in her eyes. "Professor Williamson will be teaching Defense Against the Dark Arts," McGonagall continued.
Harry looked at the man with the long ponytail, recognizing him as the Auror who had been with Fudge and Dawlish when they came to try to arrest Dumbledore. He seemed to have a ready smile, and there were quite a few girls that sat up and took notice of him around the hall, straightening robes and patting their hair. Ginny looked at Harry, smiled, and rolled her eyes, which spoke volumes about what she thought of those girls. Professor McGonagall introduced the other new Professors, and then wrapped up her announcements.
"Mr. Filch has asked me to remind students that there is a complete ban on any joke items purchased from Weasley's Wizarding Wheezes. The forbidden forest is strictly off limits to all students, unless during class study with Professor Hagrid. I am confident that we will have a wonderful and exciting year, so let us begin with the feast!"
The tables filled with platters and bowls of food, and the house ghosts entered the hall. Harry heard Ron say 'Finally!', and watched him dig in. Everyone ate until they were stuffed, and then Ron and Hermione led the new Gryffindors to the Common Room and helped them settle in. The older students stayed in the common room for a while before heading to their dormitories to unpack and get ready for bed, still finding lots to talk about with their friends, and not yet ready to go get some sleep.
Ginny, Harry, Ron and Hermione sat near one of the fires. Harry was thinking to himself that this was the first time that nothing crazy had happened to him coming to Hogwarts. No half-giants breaking down doors and telling him for the first time that he was a Wizard; no Dementors trying to take his soul; no crazy car rides, fights, or anything. Hermione caught him smiling as he thought about that.
"You look pretty pleased, Harry. What's got you smiling like that?" He told her what he'd been thinking, and she nodded in understanding. Ginny yawned, stood up, and leaned over to share a very sweet good night kiss with Harry.
"I'm heading to the dorms - big day tomorrow," she told him. "See you all in the morning." Hermione decided to go to her private quarters, the only real perk for being Head Girl. With the girls gone, it wasn't much longer before Ron and Harry went up to their room and settled in for the night too.
In the morning, they all met in the Great Hall for breakfast. When they received their schedules, Harry was happy to find out Ginny would be in his DADA, Charms, Potions, and Transfiguration classes this year. Because there were so many students coming back for seventh year, combined with the students like Ginny and Luna who finished their sixth year in the summer, there were two Herbology classes. Ginny was in the other class to fit her schedule. Harry thought that it was looking like they were going to have the best year ever! Ron, Neville, and Harry headed for their Herbology class after breakfast, while Hermione and Ginny met with Luna to go to their Arithmancy class.
They spent the next few weeks settling back into school life. The students all liked their new Professors. Professor Tonks was a lot like McGonagall. She was demanding, but always had a ready smile, and was free with her praise when a student did well. Professor Williamson was friendly, and he did a great job teaching DADA so that everyone could understand the lessons, quickly becoming most of the student's favourite Professor. There seemed to be a number of girls in the school who had crushes on the younger, good-looking, pony-tailed man.
Harry found that he was doing well in all of his classes. It seemed that he could actually be a decent student when he wasn't in constant danger. He would get posts once or twice a week from Mrs. Weasley, and from Fleur, with updates on everything they were doing, and he was pretty happy with what they were doing.
Ron set up Quidditch tryouts on the second weekend into the school year. They had a crisp clear morning for tryouts and Ron gathered everyone together at center pitch to explain how he was going to do the tryouts this year. The first thing he did was to test everyone's flying skill. More than half of those who had signed up were quickly eliminated, not being able to fly very well at all. He then conducted the tryouts for Beaters.
Ritchie Coote and Jimmy Peakes - the Beaters from two seasons ago, were by far the best, and kept their positions. When the Chaser tryout started, Ginny easily outperformed everyone else, since she was the only one flying a Firebolt, and earned the first spot on the team. Seamus, Dean, and Demelza were the only other real contenders among the rest of the Gryffindors that were trying out for Chaser. Demelza was the best of the three at dodging the bludgers, but Ron decided to go with the better scoring power that the much improved Seamus and Dean showed.
Many of the Gryffindors started to leave, assuming that nobody would be competing against Harry for the Seeker job. Dennis Creevey, however, had quietly stepped forward when Ron called for the Seeker tryouts. Harry smiled encouragingly to him, and they got on their brooms. Ron released the snitch, and the two were off. Harry had planned on taking it easy on Dennis, but soon realized that the younger boy was really good, and he was in a real battle to keep his spot on the team. After about a half hour, Harry finally beat Dennis to the snitch, and they returned to the ground to the cheers of the others who had stayed to watch. Harry shook Dennis' hand.
"That was a great ride, Dennis. If we were both on Firebolts, I'm not sure who would've won." Ginny walked up to them and laughed at Harry's comment.
"No problem, Harry. I could lend him mine, and you guys could go back up and find out," she suggested with a teasing look on her face. Dennis was beaming at the praise from Harry. Ron announced that Harry would be Seeker, and then he came over to Dennis.
"You know, after watching you play, I want to try something new this year. I'm going to set up a Gryffindor reserve team that our team can practice against, and give us backup players if there are any injuries during the season. How would you like to lead that team and be their Seeker?" he asked Dennis, who smiled happily, and immediately accepted.
"Since you were watching the whole practice, I'll leave it up to you to pick your Beaters, Chasers, and Keeper," Ron added, and Dennis nodded excitedly.
Once everyone else had left except the new team members, Ron congratulated everyone for making the team, and set up the first practice. He was getting ready to end the meeting when Harry got his attention. He grabbed a large bag and walked up beside Ron.
"I think this is going to be the best season we've ever had," Harry told them. "There's been lots of times that I didn't agree with things that Slytherins do, but some of us remember the year they all got Nimbus 2001's, and what an advantage that gave their team." Seamus, Dean, Ginny and Ron all nodded.
"Well, I hope none of you are concerned about us taking that idea from them," he told them. Opening the bag, he began pulling out brand new Firebolts, and handed them to Ron, Seamus, Dean, Ritchie, and Jimmy. They all gaped at him, and started shouting in excitement. Harry smiled, and Ginny gave him a hug.
"This was a great idea," she whispered to him.
"What's the point of being rich if not to have fun with your friends?" he murmured back.
Harry tried to spend at least a little time with Teddy every day. When Professor Tonks was in class, there were House Elves who would look after the baby. Harry would read him stories, or he and Ginny might take him for walks around the school or by the lake. It was amazing watching him grow and discover new things, and Harry thought that this must be how Sirius felt when he himself had been a baby. That understanding made him feel even closer to his own Godfather.
Grandma Andromeda, er, Professor Tonks (that mistake in class one day cost Harry and Gryffindor 5 points, some embarrassment, and a lot of laughter from the class), was so loving toward Teddy that it sometimes made Harry's eyes fill with tears as he watched them, seeing the sadness in her eyes as she tenderly cared for her grandson. Teddy looked so much like Nymphadora that Andromeda would be reminded of her daughter every time she looked at him. She adored the baby, but Harry was sure that sometimes it was still hard for her to deal with it all.
The following week, at the first Gryffindor Quidditch team practice, Dennis arrived with the team he had picked. Harry waved a hand to Demelza in greeting, and she smiled, and waved back. The others were all second, third, and fourth years that Harry had only seen around the Common Room. They all gathered around Ron.
"Dennis has put the practice team together, and will be their team Captain," he told everyone, smiling at Dennis. "After seeing how he gave Harry a run for his money at tryouts, I can see him being Gryffindor's Seeker and Captain next year if he keeps playing like that all year." He looked at each of the practice team members before continuing.
"I think practicing like this will help my team get better to play against the other Houses, and you will each get better too and hopefully be part of future Gryffindor teams," he told them.
Harry had talked to Ron about creating a little incentive for the practice team to work hard this year. He had actually purchased seven new Firebolts and had two left. Ron deferred to him for the first part of what they had planned next.
"We want to make sure that everyone on the practice squad tries their hardest," Harry told them. He opened the bag he had with him and pulled out one of the Firebolts. "Dennis, as Captain and Seeker of the practice team, this Firebolt is for you," he continued, handing Dennis the sleek, gleaming broom.
Dennis and the other team members all looked shocked. Ron then took over again, as Harry took the other broom out of his bag and handed it to him. Everyone's attention was now on Ron, and on the broom in his hand.
"This Firebolt will stay with me," Ron told everyone. "At the end of the season, the seven of us on the House team will decide which member of the practice team is the most deserving, and that person will win this broom."
To say that the practice team was now fired up would have been a ridiculous understatement. To make practices for everyone as difficult as possible, the House team Beaters played with Ron as Keeper against the House team Chasers and Harry. The practice team Keeper and Beaters played with Harry, Ginny, Seamus, and Dean, while the practice team Chasers, with Dennis as their Seeker, played with Ron, Jimmy, and Ritchie. By the end of every practice, they were always exhausted, but they all knew that everyone was getting much better too. The other House teams were going to be in for a surprise when the Quidditch season got started.
The first Hogwarts weekend in Hogsmeade arrived. Harry and Ginny headed there with plans to spend the day wandering around on their own. When they got to town, however, they heard a big commotion from the main street, and it seemed nearly all of the kids were trying to get into one store. They walked over to see what was going on, and Harry laughed.
Weasley's Wizarding Wheezes had finally opened the Hogsmeade store that Fred and George had talked about starting for the past few years. They waited in line to get into the crowded store, and when they finally made it inside, they looked around in amazement. George came over to them, smiling brightly, hugged Ginny and shook Harry's hand.
"Thanks for stopping in for our grand opening!" he told them, and Ginny gave George another hug.
"Nobody told us you were going to start a store here," she told him, and George shrugged.
"We wanted it to be a surprise for everyone. Looks like it's going to be a big success too."
"How are you going to keep up with two stores, George?" Harry asked.
"I'm only going to be here on Hogwarts weekends to help out," George told them. "I've taken on a couple of new partners to run this store." He pointed to the counter and Harry saw that Lee Jordan and Cho Chang were there ringing up sales as fast as they could. "Lee was Fred's and my best mate since we started at Hogwarts, and he's been like a rock for me since, well, you know. He and Cho have kinda gotten together now too, and she was still deciding what she was going to do, so it all just kinda fell in to place." Ginny left the two boys to go looking around at the displays. George, Lee, and Cho had done a wonderful job setting up this new store.
"How'd you finally find this place?" Harry asked.
"Well," George said, "it turns out my Mum works for this guy that owns some property, and she made me a good deal in exchange for a long-term lease. You better watch out, Harry, I might decide to hire her away from you someday."
"Not a chance, mate," Harry told him with a laugh. "I'm sure she'll be happy to hear any offers from you when it comes time to negotiate raises with me, though."
George laughed too, thumping Harry good-naturedly on the back, and then went back to work while Harry went to catch up with Ginny. She had picked out some Pygmy Puff toys, although Harry had never actually seen Arnold do anything except cuddle and look cute and fuzzy, some make-up, and a few of George's more harmless, but hilarious practical jokes. They paid for her things, talked with Lee and Cho for just a minute and congratulating them on the success of their new store before leaving to go wandering through some of the other shops.
They picked up some sweets from Honeydukes, and some quills and inks from Scrivenshaft's. There were stops for Potions supplies, parchment, and a few other personal purchases. Harry talked Ginny into letting him get her a soft, very huggable sweater she'd admired at Gladrags, before they went to have lunch at the Three Broomsticks, meeting up with Ron and Hermione. After eating, the two couples walked back to Hogwarts, with plans to spend the afternoon in the Common Room doing homework. Harry had to admit that part of the reason he liked homework so much more this year was that he often got to cuddle with Ginny while they worked. He could study for hours!
Harry and his friends kept busy into October, each falling into a routine. He, Ginny, and Ron had Quidditch practice nearly every day, either during spares, or after classes. They would do homework until dinnertime, and then Harry would visit with Teddy until his bedtime. He'd then return to the Common Room or the library to study with Ron, Hermione, and Ginny. It seemed every day was a good one, and while they were all working hard, they were having a lot of fun too.
Hermione, with her Head girl duties, was much busier than the rest of them, and Ron was occasionally overheard grumbling about the lack of 'quality time' they had together. Considering Ron's obsession with everything Quidditch, Harry didn't really think he had any reason to complain. Of course, since Harry could spend time with Ginny at their practices, his perspective just might have been a bit suspect. There was another weekend in Hogsmeade, and the Halloween feast at the end of October. Apparently time does fly when you're having fun.
The first game of the Quidditch season for Gryffindor was against Slytherin on the first Saturday in November. Draco was their team Captain this year, and, except for Goyle, he had a completely new team. The stands were filled with excited students, Professors, and visitors, and they had a pretty great day for the game.
Everyone there expected to see the usual tough match between the two rival teams. When the match started, it was soon apparent that the inexperienced Slytherin team was completely overmatched. The Gryffindor Chasers could score whenever they wanted against their inexperienced Keeper. The Gryffindor players were so much faster on their Firebolts than the Slytherin Beaters, that not one of them were even so much as touched by a bludger all game.
Ron easily saved the few feeble shots made by the Slytherin Chasers. Draco could hardly even concentrate on finding the snitch, since as team Captain, he had to constantly give direction to his team mates. The Gryffindor Beaters knocked two of the Slytherin Chasers, and one of the Beaters out cold, and their team was down to four players before Harry caught the snitch and mercifully ended the game. The celebration in the Gryffindor common room was loud, and went late into the night.
The rest of November sped by. They were all busy with their studies. Though Hermione pushed them hard, they all still made some time for a little fun when they could manage it. Since Ginny and Hermione were taking more NEWTS than Ron and Harry, the boys were occasionally happy to oblige when the girls would snuggle in their arms while studying for those other subjects.
On the last weekend of November, Ron made the whole team go to the Quidditch game between Hufflepuff and Ravenclaw. They still had to play both of these teams, and he wanted them all to get a good first look at all of the players they would be facing. Both House teams were pretty good this year, and it was a long, hard-fought match. Hufflepuff was leading by fifty points when Ravenclaw's Seeker caught the snitch to end the game, and giving Ravenclaw the come from behind win.
With that last weekend of November, the first three months of school came to an end, and there were just weeks left until the Christmas holidays. There was going to be a lot going on in December, and for Harry, the holiday season was going to get off to a great start right from the first.