Chapter 10
"Everyone clear on the plan?" Harry asked
"Crystal" Hermione replied whilst the other two simply nodded.
"Ok guys let's get the ball rolling"
September 1st
Kings Cross station, always busy always packed to the brim full of people and always the place where hundreds of witches and wizards would fall through to get to the magical platform that is 9 and ¾
Harry and Hermione had arrived at the station at 9:30 in the morning so to kill a bit of time they were sat in the coffee shop where Hermione and Harry had met up a few weeks before.
"Hermione I seriously cannot believe that you got me hooked on coffee" Harry said as he drank his cappuccino.
"You love it" Hermione simply replied
Harry only smiled. They had tried to get Lupin and Tonks to try coffee but both were adamant that they would not risk the temptation of a new addiction.
45 Minutes later they stepped onto the platform. It was time to part ways with Lupin and Tonks.
"So you guys will write to us to let us know if there is any progress" Lupin said walking towards the train
"Of course wouldn't want to leave you out of anything now would we" Hermione smiled
Once Harry and Hermione's trunks were loaded onto the train Tonks hugged Hermione good bye and then Harry
"Oh and you two by the way, those trunks have been given special defence wards. Only you and you alone can gain access to them as they have been synched with your magic. Should anyone else try and get into them well let's just say they will get quite a nasty surprise" Lupin smiled as he hugged the two of them goodbye
"I see your embracing your inner marauder there Moony" Harry smiled
"What can I say it's genetics" Lupin replied
A few hugs later and Harry and Hermione were sat on the train. It was still only half past 10 so they were one of the first to get onto the train so had their pick of the compartments. They were sat next to each other reading and holding hands at the same time.
A large commotion outside signalled the arrival of the Weasley's 25 minutes later. Rushing as ever to get onto the train at the last minute
At 11 the train set off. Consistency was always a thing to be admired. Harry and Hermione were still sat in their compartment when a small knock signalled the arrival of Neville.
"Mind if I join you guys?" He asked
"Course not mate comes in. How's your summer been?" Harry asked
"Quite interesting Gran gave me my own green house and truth be told I've spent most of my time in there" He chuckled to himself
"Did you get mine and Hermione's letter?" Harry asked
"Yeah and everything is set up and ready to go"
"Good man" Harry smiled
Neville couldn't help but notice that the two of them were holding hands
"So have you two finally worked out what has been known by others for years now?" he asked smiling
"What do you mean?" Hermione said putting her book down
"Well I and Luna always said that you two were going to end up together, even the twins knew it was going to happen. The only ones who didn't seem to believe it were Ron and Ginny" Neville replied pulling out a herbology book
The three of them started laughing when the arrival of Luna calmed them
"Hello everyone" She said dreamily sitting down next to Neville
"Hey Luna did you have a nice summer?" Hermione asked
"Oh yes the nargle's kept me quite busy all summer" She replied
The three of them exchanged looks and then smiled before light conversation took over the compartment. This however was interrupted by the arrival of a rather angry red head
"Look who decided to show up to mingle with us lower beings" Ron said standing in front of the corridor
"What do you want Ron?" Harry asked not bothering to make eye contact
"Oh nothing really, just wanted to let you know that because of you my family is know is more financial trouble than ever before. You couldn't just leave well enough alone could you Potter you had to go and be a hero" He spat
This provoked a response not from Harry but from Hermione
"Well enough alone? Seriously Ronald is you completely stupid? The use of love potions and loyalty potions are against wizarding law. You're lucky that the three of you didn't end up in Azkaban for what you did" She snapped
Ron looked at Hermione as if she was a piece of dirt
"What would you know about wizarding law? You don't belong in the magical world. You're nothing but a little disgusting mudblood"
Harry snapped but Neville got there first and punched Ron in the stomach
"She is more a part of this world then you will ever be Weasley, now do yourself a favour and get out" Neville growled
Ron backed away but not before getting one last insult in
"This isn't over I will have the last laugh" He said before exiting the compartment and walking away still clutching his stomach. Neville closed the door and locked it. Hermione had tears in her eyes and Harry was comforting her
"I can't believe he called me that" She whimpered
"The actions of a coward Hermione, Remember what Hagrid said in second year? There isn't a spell around that you couldn't perform. Don't think on it. Don't think on it for a minute"
Hermione smiled and kissed Harry whispering a soft "Thank you"
Neville had sat back down again and was talking to Luna
"That was very brave of you Neville. Very brave" she said with a hint of admiration in her eyes
"Thanks Luna" Neville smiled whilst his stomach was doing back lips with joy
The rest of the train journey housed no exciting events. The four friends changed into their school robes and when the train pulled up the quickly exited the station and after a quick hello to Hagrid got onto one the carriages and were on their way to the castle.
The Great Hall was as magnificent as ever after the students were seated Professor McGonagall brought in the new first years. The sorting ceremony was taking placed but Harry and Hermione were not paying attention
"How are your Occlumency shields doing Hermione?" Harry asked
"Their fully up and reinforced, yours?"
"Ditto" He smiled.
Both of them couldn't help but notice the glares that were being shot of them not only from Ron and Ginny but from Dumbledore also.
"Is everything set in motion?" She asked.
"Yeah McGonagall said she would make the statement after the sorting"
The sorting finished with Ravenclaw gaining the most out of the new first years
Dumbledore was about to begin the feast when McGonagall asked if she could make a quick statement with a gentle nod she stood up to the podium
"Ladies and Gentlemen before we begin I have an announcement to make"
Flashback
"First thing we have to do is get Ron stripped of his prefect status, he could cause a lot of trouble for us if he had any kind of power at school" Harry said
"Well seeing how it is Professor McGonagall that decides the candidates for prefects she would have to be informed of what has been going on" Hermione replied
The drafted a detailed letter to Professor McGonagall explaining everything that had happened. This letter Harry and Hermione would answer all questions as to why she was being made to act in loco parentis for Harry and Hermione whilst they were at Hogwarts.
A few hours later they received a replied
Dear Mr Potter and Miss Granger,
I am shocked by the events of which you have told me and rest assured I will take action against the culprits responsible. They will not get away with their actions and I shall select a new prefect during the Opening feast
I hope you are both well and I look forward to seeing you both on September 1st
Minerva McGonagall
P.S. If you could both come to my office after the feast there is some information of which you need to be informed of
End Flashback
"It has recently been brought to my attention that the actions of certain wizards within my own house I'm ashamed to say have disgraced the name of Godric Gryffindor. Be warned I do not tolerate any kind of illegal behaviour at this school and action is going to taken. From this moment forward. Ronald Weasley is no longer a prefect. He will be stripped of his badge and all his privileges"
Ron yelled out in anger
"YOU CAN'T DO THAT!" he roared
"Yes Mr. Weasley I can this action cannot be undone by any member of staff not even the headmaster can reverse this decision"
Ron was going to protest more by his was pulled back down into his chair by Ginny who whispered something into his ear. He shut up after this
"The new prefect for Gryffindor is someone who deserves it more so than any other student in this school. He has saved the school on several occasions and has demonstrated more dedication and loyalty than any other person that I know. The new sixth year Prefect for Gryffindor is Mr Harry James Potter"
The Gryffindor, Ravenclaw and Hufflepuff tables burst into applause whilst the Slytherin table stayed quiet
Professor McGonagall sat back down and Dumbledore began the feast secretly kicking himself for allowing Minerva to speak
Authors Note:
Let the Weasley and Dumbledore bashing commence!
Keep those reviews coming guys!