(A/N: Parts of this story come straight from the Harry Potter books by J K Rowling and I do not take credit for them.)

Malfoy couldn't believe his eyes when he saw Harry sitting on the Gryffindor table. It didn't seem like he had been caught by Filch.

At the Gryffindor table, Ron thought that meeting the three-headed dog had been an excellent adventure and he was quite keen to have another one. Harry wasn't listening to Ron's wonders on the adventure. Instead he filled Hermione in about the package that seemed to have been moved from Gringotts to Hogwarts.

Then, owls flooded into the Great Hall. Twelve particular owls caught everyone's attention. They had two packages, six owls holding each one. In front of them was Hedwig, as if she was leading them. The two packages landed in front of Harry and Hermione. One letter dropped in front of them. They decided to read the letter first.

DO NOT OPEN THESE TWO PARCELS AT THE TABLE.

It contains both of your new Nimbus Two Thousands, but I don't want everybody knowing you've got a broomstick or they'll all want one. Oliver Wood has changed the time of his practise and wants to meet you tonight at the Quidditch pitch at seven o'clock for your first training session.

Professor M. McGonagall

Both of them could hardly wait, so before they even finished their breakfast, they rushed outside the Great Hall. But soon they found Malfoy blocking the doorway. He grabbed Harry's package.

"That's a broomstick," he said. He spotted Professor McGonagall approaching. "Professor, Potter's been sent a broomstick."

"I know. It's for special circumstances. I suggest you return to the Great Hall, Mr Malfoy," Professor McGonagall replied.

Harry and Hermione rushed into Harry's dormitory and unwrapped both of the packages. Their broomsticks laid there. Neither of them had experience with brooms, but they could tell that their brooms were wonderful. Sleek and shiny, with a mahogany handle, it had a long tail of neat, straight twigs and Nimbus Two Thousand written in gold near the top.

Seven o'clock grew nearer, so Harry and Hermione set off for the pitch together. Both were too eager to wait for Wood, so they both mounted their brooms and set off. When Wood got there, Harry and Hermione were racing.

"Potter, Granger, you can come down now!" Wood shouted. Both landed next to him gracefully. He was grinning. "I can see why Professor McGonagall chose you two. You're both a natural! I think this year, the cup will have 'Gryffindor' written on it," he said.

Wood went through the rules of Quidditch very quickly since both of them knew the rules from reading Quidditch through the Ages. Soon, Harry was catching golf balls and Hermione was swerving around floating cones.

"That's it for tonight. You'll join team practises three times a week. You're both amazing, so I'm not at all worried about you," Wood said, collecting all the equipment they had been using. Both of them went to their common room happily, satisfied with their work.

Dumbledore was trying to reason with the Auror.

"You can't take me to Azkaban! I am Albus Dumbledore! I am not guilty of any crimes!"

"Tell that to the Ministry. You probably won't go to Azkaban, though. All we're asking for is a nice, friendly talk with the Ministry. If you really are not guilty of any crimes, then this will be very easy. Now come with me," said the Auror, dragging Dumbledore to the fireplace. Dumbledore clapped his hands, and waited for Fawkes who was sitting on his perch to rescue him. However, Fawkes knew that Dumbledore was guilty, so he left Dumbledore to go with the Auror. When Fawkes didn't go to Dumbledore, Dumbledore was furious and tried hitting the Phoenix with a Confundus charm. However, Dumbledore forgot that controlling spells didn't work on fully grown Phoenixes, since he was getting flustered and desperate. Fawkes flew away when Dumbledore hit him with a spell, deciding that he no longer wanted to Dumbledore's familiar anymore. He searched for a new master, finding one in the Gryffindor's boys' dormitory two months later on Halloween.

With three Quidditch practises a week and all the homework Harry and Hermione had to do, time slipped by very quickly. Harry and Hermione couldn't believe that they had been at Hogwarts for two months. Hogwarts was becoming a home for Harry, since Harry couldn't call Privet Drive 'home'. Also, the whole school were wondering where Dumbledore had gone. In his absence, Professor McGonagall had taken his place.

Albus Dumbledore had been taken to the courtroom in the Ministry.

"Professor Albus Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledore, Headmaster of Hogwarts, Grand Sorcerer, Supreme Mugwump, Chief Warlock of the Wizengamot, you have been accused of casting unfriendly spells on students. How do you plead?"

"Not guilty," Dumbledore answered quickly. Whispers spread amongst the courtroom.

"Silence! First piece of evidence, Madame Bones."

Madame Bones brought up a very old book with thousands of names in it.

"Albus, this is our tracking book for the ministry. A spell was cast on every member of the ministry when they joined to track the things they do. When they defy the ministry or use dark magic or go against ministry or their job's rules, their name will appear in this book. We have found your name a lot of times in this book and have never noticed it before until this incident as this book is rarely checked. Every single one of your names in this book have been on casting spells on students. The only reason we have found you out now is because of the amount of power released by one of the students, bringing our attention to that book. Who were the two students that you cast spells on?"

"I cannot tell you," Dumbledore said gravely. If the power was coming from Harry Potter, the ministry could not know how much power the boy had. He had to be used to defeat Voldemort.

"Why not?" the judge asked.

"You have no other evidence that I have done this," Dumbledore answered simply.

The judge was about to reply when the doors opened and the Minister of Magic came in.

"What is happening here?" Fudge asked, surprised when seeing Dumbledore.

"He is accused of casting spells on students."

"That's preposterous! Dumbledore would never do anything bad. He helps me and helped defeat the dark lord!" Fudge said.

"Cornelius, Voldemort will return. You cannot deny it, he will come again soon."

"Nonsense! Now Dumbledore, you may leave and I'd like a word with the judge."

Dumbledore quickly left before Fudge changed his mind, relieved that he had been saved.

On Halloween morning, everyone woke up to the delicious smell of pumpkin, sweets and chocolate. However, Harry woke up to a phoenix on his bed. Harry was confused. Everyone else had already gone downstairs to the common room.

"Hello. Aren't you Dumbledore's phoenix? What are you doing here?" said Harry. Harry heard Fawkes' voice in his head.

Can you hear me in your thoughts Harry Potter? I am Fawkes.

"Yes, I can," Harry said, a little freaked out.

It's okay. You're not going mad. This just means I am your true familiar and you are the master that was chosen for me especially.

"What about Dumbledore?" asked Harry.

He put a spell on me when I was a baby and weak. The spell made me his true familiar. But when he tried to fire a Confundus charm on me, all the spells he put on me as a baby were cancelled. I now can realise my true master.

"Where is Dumbledore?"

He went with an Auror to the Ministry of Magic. He had put spells on both you and Hermione Granger. I can relieve those memories for you now, if you want.

"Yes please," Harry answered.

Fawkes brought back Harry's memories and when Harry remembered what happened, he was surprised.

"Why would Dumbledore do that? Ron goes on and on about how good the man is, but he did that to me and Hermione?"

I know. I'm sorry.

"I'm okay, Fawkes," said Harry. Then he remembered Hermione. "Can you help Hermione too?" he asked.

For some reason, I can. It seems you share some kind of bond with her which is starting to grow. That makes me her familiar as well.

"Bond?" asked Harry. "What bond?"

I'm not sure. Tell Hermione to come here and tell her everything.

Harry called Hermione to come to him. When Hermione came in, she gasped at the sight of the phoenix.

"Harry, is that a phoenix? Where did you get it from?" she said, stunned. Harry explained everything to her. Hermione got her memories back and she too was surprised.

Hermione, can you hear me in you're thoughts? This is Fawkes.

"Yes," Hermione said. Harry could hear Fawkes' voice too, even though Fawkes was directing his speech to Hermione. Hermione and Fawkes chatted for a bit until Hermione got up and conjured a stand for Fawkes. She then disillusioned the perch and Fawkes so no one else could see Fawkes.

Thank you.

Harry realised the time.

"Hermione, we've got to go! We still have to have breakfast!" Harry said, getting everything he needed.

"Bye, Fawkes," said Hermione, before following Harry downstairs.

Harry and Hermione both found it weird that Fawkes was both their familiars and that they shared some kind of special bond. However, they didn't mention it that morning.

During their Charms lesson, Professor Flitwick taught the first years how to make objects fly. Harry was paired with Hermione. Hermione had got the spell right the first time and after two tries and Hermione's encouragement, Harry was able to perfect the spell too.

They were having the Halloween feast in the Great Hall. The Great Hall was decorated beautifully. A thousand live bats fluttered from the walls and ceiling while a thousand more swooped over the tables in low black clouds, making the candles in the pumpkins stutter. The ceiling looked like grey, thunderstorm clouds and the tables were covered in all kind of sweets and food. Hermione left to go to the bathroom in the middle of the feast, leaving Harry alone in the Great Hall. Harry was helping himself to a jacket potato when Professor Quirrell came sprinting into the Hall, his turban askew and terror on his face. Everyone stared as he ran up to the Headmaster's chair.

"Troll- in the dungeons- thought you ought to know," he gasped, then sank to the floor in a dead faint. Harry dropped his fork. Then he remembered Hermione.

"Prefects! Lead you houses back to the dormitories immediately!" shouted Dumbledore, who had returned from the Ministry.

Harry turned to the boy next to him.

"Excuse me, my friend is in the bathroom. Could you tell the Prefect that I've gone to get her?" he asked.

"I'm Neville Longbottom. I'll come with you. You might need some help," Neville said. Before Harry could protest, Neville shot him a 'be quiet' look and Harry led the way to the girls' bathroom. He didn't notice that Ron had seen them leave. As Harry took a last glance to the Great Hall and saw Professor Quirrell get up, unharmed. Professor Quirrell looked around him then headed for the third floor. Harry forgot about this when he saw the troll enter the girls' bathroom. A few seconds later, Harry and Neville heard a scream. Together, they ran into the bathroom and saw Hermione cowering under the sinks. Harry jumped unto the troll and as he did, Neville shouted the first spell he could think of.

"Wingardium…" Neville started, but was pushed aside by Ron who had just entered.

"Move out of the way, Longbottom," Ron sneered. "You wouldn't be able to perform the spell even if you wanted to." Neville looked a bit hurt. "WINGARDIUM LEVIOSA!"

The troll's cub was lifted up and dropped on the troll's head. The troll swayed on the spot then fell down to the ground. Ron, Harry and Neville went to Hermione.

"Hermione, please can we be friends? I just saved your life," Ron said. Hermione looked unsure.

"Well… alright," replied Hermione. Ron pumped his fist in the air, victorious. Just then, Professor McGonagall, Snape and Quirrell came rushing in. Quirrell took one look at the troll and let out a small whimper.

"What on earth were you thinking of?" said Professor McGonagall, looking angry. Her eyes swivelled between Harry, Ron, Hermione and Neville. Harry's heart sank and looked at the floor. A small voice came from behind him.

"Please, Professor McGonagall- they were looking for me," said Hermione.

"Miss Granger!"

"I went looking for the troll because I thought I could deal with it on my own- you know, because I've read about them."

Harry tried to turn his face away from the professors so that they couldn't see his eyes widening. Hermione Granger, telling a lie to the teacher?

"Well- in that case… five points from Gryffindor for being so foolish, Miss Granger," said Professor McGonagall. Hermione hung her head. Professor McGonagall turned to Ron, Harry and Neville. "That was very lucky that you didn't die from the troll, but not many first years could take on a full-grown mountain troll. Therefore, you each win Gryffindor five points. You may go."

Ron and Hermione went ahead, discussing the troll. Harry slowed down his walk and joined Neville.

"What's the matter, Neville? You've been very quiet since Ron got here," said Harry.

"I'm fine, Harry. I'm just wondering if I could be your friend," said Neville.

"Of course, you can. You could have left me to go by myself and got a prefect, but instead, you came with me and helped me. I consider you a friend," answered Harry.

"Thanks, Harry. I just… don't really trust Ron. I was listening to Ron after charms…"

*Flashback*

The first years left their charms class.

"I can't see how Harry can stand Hermione. She's a nightmare, honestly. She was just bossing everyone about," said Ron to Dean and Thomas. Neville leaned closer.

"Look at her," Ron pointed to Hermione who was talking to Harry. "Harry's her only friend and that's probably only because he feels sorry for her. She's just a bushy-haired, bucktoothed mudblood know-it-all."

Neville frowned and turned away.

*End of flashback*

Harry listened to all of this, his anger rising.

"I'll think about it, Neville. If he tries to hurt Hermione, he'll wish he'd never been born," said Harry. Neville nodded.

"I just wanted you to know about this. Also, you might need to tell Hermione about the meaning about 'mudblood' since if she hears about it for the first time, she might be really hurt," said Neville.

"Good idea," replied Harry. Together, they caught up with Ron and Hermione who were discussing Quidditch.

Ron quietly got out of bed early in the morning for a meeting with Dumbledore.

"Ron, have you done what I asked?" Dumbledore asked.

"Yes, I finally managed to become friends with Potter and Granger," Ron said proudly.

"Good! You'll find 500 galleons going to your vault today. Anyway, your mother gave me this potion for you to give to Miss Granger. She didn't tell me what it was, but she did say it would make Miss Granger like you even more," Dumbledore lied, not telling Ron what it was in case he wouldn't use it. "You must pour a tiny bit of this potion everyday into Miss Granger's daily morning pumpkin juice and it will take into affect after a few days. Also, your next task is to try to separate Harry and Miss Granger from Mr Longbottom." He knew it was useless trying to break up Harry and Hermione, but it would be better if they weren't friends with Neville in case he told Harry about the Ancient and Noble house of Potter.

Ron beamed and rushed to the dining room. He quickly set up Harry and Hermione's plates next to him, pouring them both some pumpkin juice. He poured some of the potion into Hermione's juice and sat down to eat.

Harry and Hermione entered the Great Hall, surprised when realising Ron had set up their space for them. As they sat down, they told Ron about the Quidditch team. To anyone who was watching, they would have seen Ron spit out all the food he was eating (which was a lot).

"You're what?" shouted Ron.

"Honestly, Ron. Be quiet!" scolded Hermione. She drank out of her cup, and then shuddered. "Why does this pumpkin juice taste weird?"

"I don't know. Anyway… you two are the youngest Quidditch players in a century!" whispered Ron.

"We know," said Harry. He carefully studied Ron's face and could tell that he was jealous.

"Don't tell anyone. Wood wants to keep it a secret from everyone else," Hermione said. "Only you and Neville know about this, so be quiet."

"Why does Longbottom know this?" sneered Ron.

"He's our friend," Hermione replied simply, not noticing the annoyed look on Ron's face.

"Listen, you two. You can't be friends with Neville. It's just not right!" Ron exclaimed.

"Why?" asked Hermione.

"It'll ruin your reputation," Ron tried to explain. "Also, he's so stupid! I mean, have you seen him in all our classes? I wonder how he got into Gryffindor. He should have gone to Hufflepuff, since every time I see him, he's scared."

During this speech, both Hermione and Harry were getting angrier.

"That's our friend you're talking about, you…" Harry was cut off by Hermione.

"Weasley. I refuse to speak to you until you can figure out what things to say around us. Goodbye," Hermione said. She got up and walked out of the Great Hall, with Harry following her.