Neither a Mudblood nor lonely any more
A/N: Hello people. I know that all of you are really frustrated that I haven't updated for a long time. I'm really very sorry to have kept you waiting this long. I was on vacation. I've enjoyed my vacation and I'm back! Hope you like this chapter.
Chapter6. Back to Hogwarts
Harry and the others had so much fun that they hardly realized that the days were passing so quickly, that September 1st had already arrived. The Zabinis, Weasleys and the Malfoys had come to see them off at King's Cross. After tearful good-byes and 'have a good term's they boarded the Hogwarts express which was its normal scarlet color.
The Gryffindors parted ways with the Slytherins. The Gryffindors then joined Neville and Luna in their compartment.
"I guess we'll have just a moment to stay here. The new heads and prefects have to meet the Headmaster in the Prefects' compartment," said Hermione, looking at her watch.
"Let's see," said Ginny, "You are the main head girl, Harry's the deputy head boy, Ron's the prefect and I'm sport's head. What about you two?"
"Well, Luna's the Ravenclaw prefect. But I am not a prefect or anything, so I guess, I'll have to sit alone," said Neville, sadly.
"Don't worry, Neville. We'll come back soon," said Luna, comfortingly.
"Yeah, mate. I'm sure that the meeting will be for only five minutes. After that, I swear that we'll not ditch you," said Ron.
"Ok, guys, go on. I'll be fine. I'll take care of your pets if you want," said Neville.
"Thanks, Neville. That's so sweet of you," said Hermione.
"Yeah. Go on, guys. Mcgonagall must be waiting for you," said Neville.
"See you soon, Neville," said Harry and they left the compartment and went straight ahead to the prefect's compartment which was right in front. On the way, several students popped out of their windows to have a look at the-boy-who-lived.
"Looks like you'll be famous throughout your life, Harry," said Ron, sniggering as they saw Romilda Vane amongst the girls who were fighting to have a glance at him.
Romilda Vane, a girl with long black hair and dark eyes, finally managed to come out of her compartment and she stood in their way, blocking it.
"Move over, Vane. Or else, I'll report you…" said Hermione.
"Oh for Merlin's sake, Granger. Stop interfering in our business for once," snapped Romilda.
Harry motioned to Hermione that he'd deal with her and turned to face to Romilda and asked her, "What do you want?"
"Hey, uhm, Harry, I heard that you and Weasley broke up. Do you think…" said Romilda but was cut off by an angry yell which was not from Ginny.
"Excuse me, Vane, how could you think of that? Harry is mine. You think I'll let you take him away from me? We're engaged," said Pansy Parkinson who appeared in front of them with Draco and Blaise behind her.
"Pardon me, Parkinson, but did I just hear that you and Harry are engaged?" said an enraged Romilda, fiercely.
"Yes, you did, Vane," answered Pansy, coldly.
Romilda looked at Harry, tears in her eyes and ran back to her compartment.
Pansy turned to Harry and said, "C'mon, Potter. McGonagall is waiting for you. She sent us to call you."
Saying this, they all went together to the Prefects' compartment.
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When they entered the compartment, they saw some few other students and right in front of them was Minerva McGonagall.
"Nice of you to join us, Mr. Potter, Weasley, and Ms. Granger, Weasley and Lovegood. I believe that you are, late," said McGonagall.
"Sorry, Professor," said Hermione, "I promise that we will never be late again."
"Sorry," the others echoed.
"Very well, you may sit."
They sat in their seats.
"Now, I believe that all of you know the prefect and head rules for this year, I presume?"
Everyone nodded.
"Very well, you may introduce yourselves to each other. Starting from the late comer, you've just got to tell the others your name, year and house."
"I'm Harry Potter" said Harry.
"We all know that," said Draco, lazily.
McGonagall gave him a sharp look and then turned back to Harry and said, "You may continue, Potter."
"Thanks, Professor. I'm Harry Potter, in my final year, Gryffindor house," said Harry.
"I'm Hermione Granger, seventh year, Gryffindor," said Hermione, confidently.
"I'm Ronald Weasley, final year, Gryffindor," said Ron, bored.
"I'm Ginevra Weasley, but I preferred to be called as Ginny. I'm in my seventh year," said Ginny, coolly.
"My name is Luna, Luna Lovegood. I'm in the same year as Ginny but in Ravenclaw," said Luna, in her soft misty voice.
"I'm Draco Malfoy, Slytherin, seventh year," said Draco, who looked bugged.
"My name's Pansy Parkinson, in Slytherin, seventh year," said Pansy.
"I'm Blaise Zabini, seventh year, Slytherin," said Blaise, grinning.
"My name's Ernie McMillian, Hufflepuff and in my seventh and final year at Hogwarts," said Ernie.
"I'm Hannah Abbot, Hufflepuff and in seventh year," said Hannah.
"I'm Anthony Goldstein, Ravenclaw, seventh year," said Anthony.
"I'm Parvati Patil, seventh year, Gryffindor," said the Patil twin.
"And I'm Daphne Greengrass, seventh year, Slytherin," said Daphne.
McGonagall took out a parchment and taking a glance at it, she said, "Now, I'll announce your heads and prefects, after which, you'll have to patrol the corridors for a few minutes and you may return to your compartment."
"I know that you have received your letters. But I'll announce the names. Order wise."
"The main head boy and girl for this year are Mr. Malfoy and Ms. Granger."
"The deputy head boy and girl for this year are Mr. Potter and Ms. Parkinson."
"The Sports head for this year is Ms. Weasley."
"The Gryffindor prefects for this year are Mr. Weasley and Ms. Patil."
"The Hufflepuff prefects for this year are Mr. McMillan and Ms. Abbot."
"The Ravenclaw prefects for this year are Mr. Goldstein and Ms. Lovegood."
"And lastly, the Slytherin prefects for this year are Mr. Zabini and Ms. Greengrass."
"You may leave. I'd like to meet the heads and the sports head after dinner. Have a pleasant journey."
They all left the compartment.
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Before parting ways, Harry told Pansy, "Thanks for saving us from that Romilda Vane earlier. I don't know how much I could thank you."
Pansy smirked and said, "You don't have to. I never knew that the boy-who-lived was scared of an ordinary girl."
"I wasn't scared of her," said Harry, "She's just too annoying for me to handle."
"Oooh…Potter cannot handle girls. Better send this to the Daily Prophet," said Draco, sniggering.
"Shut up, Malfoy," said Harry, "Ok, we'll see you at school."
"Bye," said Blaise.
"Bye," the others repeated.
They went back to the compartment and found Neville sitting by the window, waiting patiently for them.
"Oh, thank goodness you came back," said Neville, "I've some interesting news for you guys."
"What's that?" asked Ron, opening a chocolate frog box.
"Well, I won't tell you the Transfiguration teacher because he told me that it's a surprise for all of you, especially Harry. But our Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher is Professor Tonks. She just passed by with our Transfiguration teacher to say a 'hello'," explained Neville, grinning.
Hermione looked confused. "I think I may be knowing who is it. But…I don't think that's possible."
"Well?" asked Ginny, "Who do you think is it?"
"I won't tell you in case I'm wrong," said Hermione.
"Fine, keep that to yourself then," snapped Ron.
"Don't you dare you that tone with me, Ronald Weasley," said Hermione, harshly.
"Hey, will you two stop fighting?" asked Harry, glaring at both of them, "You are attracting attention, you know."
Hermione and Ron turned to the door and saw some students staring at them.
Ron glared at them and they passed their compartment.
"Sorry, Harry," said Hermione, "I guess they'll still stare at you, now that you've finally defeated Voldemort."
"It's alright, Hermione," said Harry.
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Soon after that, they reached Hogwarts. They had to go on the carriages pulled by thestrals which by now, all of them could see. They sat on a carriage and soon reached the castle.
"Welcome home," said Harry, grinning at his friends.
Hermione smiled at him. So did Neville and Ginny. Ron grinned back at him while Luna just looked around.
"C'mon, let's go to the Great Hall. I'm starving," said Ron, and the rest could hear a loud grumble from Ron's stomach.
"Yeah, ickle Ronnie-kinns can't stay a minute without food, can he?" taunted Ginny.
"I'm hungry," said Ron defensively.
"You always are," said Hermione, bored.
"Now don't start arguing again," said Harry who could sense an argument.
Then they entered the Great Hall which looked magnificent as usual.
They looked at the staff table and saw Tonks and Hagrid waving at them. Snape was sitting there too. McGonagall sat at the head table. Flitwick and Sprout were discussing about school work. But there was someone missing. And they all knew that it was the defense against the dark arts teacher.
Surprisingly the sorting ceremony got over earlier than before. Ron had already started hogging while Ginny and Harry sniggered at him. Hermione just rolled her eyes and mumbled something about 'only thinks of eating'.
McGonagall got up from the table and spoke, "Your attention please."
The Hall went silent after a few moments.
"I'd like to announce some changes in the staff. In your Hogwarts letters, I've been addressed as the Deputy Headmistress. But now, I'd like to say that since I've been selected by the Ministry to become your headmistress from now on, you have a vacant seat for the position for the Transfiguration professor. First of all, I'd like to say that your new defense against the dark arts teacher is Professor Nymphadora Tonks."
Tonks waved at everybody from the table but then accidently dropped her goblet down. Snape smirked at that while Tonks kept on apologizing to McGonagall.
When she came back she said, "And now, your new transfiguration professor is…"
She paused and turned behind to Tonks who gave her a 'thumbs up'.
She continued. "Your new transfiguration professor is, Professor Sirius Black."
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A/N: and that's where I end this chapter. I hope you liked it and continue sending your love and affection in the form of reviews. Thanks a lot for reviewing. In my next chapter, I promise to mention the names of all of you who have never left hope in me and have been with me from the beginning.
Au revoir…
Athena Black Malfoy