I have never been so disappointed. To open up my account and see absolutely no reviews left for chapter 4. But to have 853 hits for Phoenix Blaze. Am I doing anything wrong or is it not worth the time to review? Well anyway I shouldn't be doing this, but I didn't expect chapter five to be so long. It's almost like rewarding you for nothing.
By the way, I had to change the rating for the sake of future chapters and the ending. T seems to be best suited for this story. Especially since the Goblet of Fire movie got a PG-13 rating.
Anyway on with the story.
Chapter 5: The Almost Foiled Attack
By: Tojot
Harry made his way back to Gryffindor tower three hours later feeling drained and absolutely exhausted. It had taken all the restraint Harry had to ignore Snapes taunts about the current states of Sirius and Harry's Father, James. At one point, Harry contemplated hexing the potions master until Snape resembled nothing more than a slug or a Flobberworm. The task Snape had him do was even worse. Harry had to scrub the dried on remains of pickled newt eyes, bats tongue and salamander blood off all the tables and the stone floor… without magic. By the time he was done his muscles were screaming, the headache he had throbbed, and his back was killing him. His bed was calling out to him. A nice hot bath or shower was also really tempting given his current state of feeling absolutely filthy and sore.
He soon found himself in front of the Fat Lady's Portrait. He muttered a quick 'Wifflefiffle,' and was soon met with sounds of a party going on inside. It was exactly what Harry didn't need, feeling as he was this noise was going to make the headache that he had worse. He swore under his breath. He quickly made his way over to the boy's staircase in hopes to not be seen. But he was. No sooner had he climbed the second step he heard Hermione say his name. Swearing under his breath again he quickened his pace and continued up the steps.
He was halfway across the circular dormitory heading straight to the bathroom when he heard a voice behind him.
"What is the matter Harry?" Said a slightly anxious voice coming from the door he had just come through. It was Hermione. Apparently she had followed him up when he didn't stop. She had gotten worried. "Why didn't you stay in the common room?"
"I really didn't feel like attending another party." Harry sigh still not facing her. His head was throbbing from the headache he was suffering from. "Not with how I am feeling at the moment anyway."
"I am sorry Harry," Hermione said quietly, "I didn't mean to intrude, I'll go."
"No wait, Hermione you don't need to go." Harry said as he whipped around and grabbed her wrist so she wouldn't. It was then he saw that she was wearing the Gryffindor Quidditch robes.
"Hermione! Why are you… when did you…" Harry said gaping at her in complete surprise. Somehow his ability to form complete sentences had been stolen from him.
"… Get onto the quidditch team?" Hermione finished for him. Harry nodded dimly. "I tried out tonight, taking your advice about flying to heart. It worked but I just barely made it over all the others who tried out for the position of Chaser. I just wanted to say thank you." She told him with a nervous smile.
"Hermione, I didn't think you liked quidditch all that much?" Harry asked confused.
"I really don't mind it, and it isn't my most favorite thing to do, but the first match of last year made me realize something."
"What is that?"
"That I hate being left behind." She confessed. Harry already knew Hermione had that complex, he had discovered it when they were looking for something in the Dark Forest to transport them to the Ministry last year. Harry could associate it with her greatest fear. The fear of Failure wasn't something Hermione Granger took very well. "I felt awkward and unsure sitting there alone. In the past I always sat with Ron. And I sat with you when you were banned from playing. I knew it was wrong of me to think it but I was secretly happy that you were."
"Even though I was miserable the whole time?" Harry asked. Last year he would have blown up at this confession, but now he was perfectly calm.
"Yes."
"So you're a Chaser?" Harry asked.
"They were the only positions, besides Beater, available since Angelina and Alicia left last year. Ginny got the other."
"So what was Ron's reaction when you showed up for tryouts?"
"He fell off his broomstick in disbelief." Hermione chuckled. Harry burst out laughing making his head hurt worse. "He thought since I was afraid of heights I wouldn't join. He also thought that I wouldn't be able to play well."
"From the looks of it you played better than the others who tried out." Harry said as he scanned her image. Hermione shivered slightly.
"Yes." She said. "The team also got two new Beaters."
"We did?"
"Yes. Ron discharged the two morons when he saw the twins in action." Hermione said.
"Twins?" Harry said in a surprised tone.
"Jerry and Davvy Williams, they are a pair of muggle-born second year twins."
"Are they very good?"
"I do believe that Ron said that they could give Fred and George a run for their money." Hermione stated.
"I wish I could've seen it." Harry said sadly.
"How did detention go?"
"I don't who's worse, Snape or Umbridge."
"What did he have you do?"
"Scrub the tables and floor as he taunted me about Padfoot and Prongs." Harry felt the lump in his throat get bigger.
"Oh no," Hermione gasped, "I am sorry Harry." And she put her arms around him. Due to being so overwhelmed, Harry broke down then and there on her shoulder.
"It's okay Harry, you can cry. No one's here to watch us." Hermione said softly.
"Why? WHY? Why must I be so helpless?" Harry sobbed into her shoulder.
"No one is perfect Harry. It's what makes us human." She wisely told him as she rubbed his back soothingly. After a while his crying subsided as he rested his head on her shoulder.
"Thank you Hermione." Harry said as he dried his tears with the back of his hand. His head was still throbbing, but it was worse than before.
"You're welcome. Everyone needs a shoulder to cry on once and a while." She smiled at him gently. "Now I must go change out of these robes and do my rounds before Hannah wonders were I am. Will you be coming down to the party Harry?"
"No, I think I'll go to bed." Harry told her. "My detention was just as physically exhausting as well as emotionally draining."
"Well then, goodnight Harry." She smiled reassuringly. "I'll see you in the morning for Quidditch Practice." She soon left. He showered off the sweat and grime and quickly dressed into pajamas. He was settling into bed when Ron came in.
"Hermione said you were up here. Did she already tell you the news?" Ron said.
"The news that she's on the team now?" Harry asked. Ron nodded. "Yeah she's already told me. Was she any good?"
"She's good," Ron said. "But she's really nervous about falling off a broom. But Hermione had the determination to counter that. So, apparently, you gave her a few pointers on flying."
"I did. But I didn't know she was actually going to use them." Harry confessed.
"They worked mate." Ron told him. "Got Hermione onto a broom and had her sending quaffles at me like no tomorrow. She definitely has talent as well as a good aim." Ron rubbed at a purple lump on his forehead. "But there is one thing I want you to do for me?"
"What?"
"Help Hermione get over her fear of flying. If you can do that our team will be unstoppable this year."
"What makes you think I can do it?" Said Harry skeptically.
"It was your advice that got her on a broom to try out in the first place." Said Ron, "And you are the best flyer I know."
"Hermione told me that too. Okay I'll do it." Harry chuckled. "She also told me that you fell off your broom when she showed up for tryouts." Ron's ears went red.
"Well, I wasn't expecting her to come. It sorta startled me."
"Ron, is it okay if I go to bed now." Harry yawned, " Snape worked me pretty hard in detention this evening." Somehow he didn't even want to tell Ron about what happened at detention like he did Hermione.
"Yeah mate." Ron told him. "Goodnight." And he went out the door to go rejoin the party that was happening down in the common room.
Harry woke the next morning slightly excited due to quidditch practice. He had missed it greatly when Umbridge had given him the ban. Now that it was lifted, Harry was in good spirits. Harry wondered how well Ron would be as captain and Hermione as a chaser. He told himself that he would find out today. When he rolled over in his bed, Ron had already gotten up. 'must be excited.' Harry thought.
He met Ron and Hermione at the Gryffindor table for breakfast. Hermione seemed slightly nervous as she was reading her Daily Prophet and munching on a bit of toast. Ron was inhaling a bowl of porridge not paying much attention to anything else and was completely silent and his face had a slight pale tint to it. Harry looked up at the staff table. Snape looked to be in a really foul mood. Harry looked to find the DADA professor's chair empty.
"She's isn't there." Hermione said from behind her newspaper. Somehow, she knew Harry was going to look. It startled Harry that he dropped his knife in the marmalade with a clunk.
"Huh?" Harry said dully.
"She went to Diagon Alley, remember." Hermione replied as she folded up her paper.
"Oh yeah. Right." Harry said weakly.
"Harry," Ron said as he looked up from his bowl, "Remember what you promised me last night?" he nodded his head slightly towards Hermione. Harry understood Ron and nodded. Hermione looked at them quizzically.
"Make sure no Slytherins are there. Or it might be highly embarrassing for her as it was me." Ron replied. Hermione's eyes narrowed.
"I wasn't planning on starting her on the pitch because of that." Harry whispered in Ron's ear quickly. Harry finished his toast and got up.
"If you need it I'll make a diversion for them." Ron said. "Don't be late for practice at the pitch."
"The diversion would be greatly appreciated." Harry grinned nervously. "Come on Hermione, we are going to the library." Harry said normally so the Slytherins wouldn't get suspicious. Nobody would think twice if they saw Hermione in or around the library. Hermione seemed to catch on to how Harry used the word library and followed him out of the Great Hall, since she didn't ask any questions when they went to Gryffindor tower instead.
"So Ron put you up to training me on flying, did he." Hermione said in slight annoyance once inside the empty common room.
"He did. But please don't be angry with us, he only wants you to not have the same experience he did his first match." Harry said quickly.
"I know. So where are you planning on taking me to train? And what broom am I going to use."
"We'll use my broom for the time being, until we can get you set up with a decent broom. As for the place, it is for me to know and you to find out." Said Harry mischievously as he went up the stairs to get his Firebolt.
Harry brought her to a small clearing that was across the lake. It was secluded and no one except Harry, and now Hermione, knew of it. It overlooked the lake with a magnificent view. Hermione said it was breathtaking. They had to get there underneath the invisibility cloak. They passed by Ron's Malfoy diversion. He contracted several people to help him, one of which was Ginny, whom of which seemed to be enjoying what she was doing.
The first thing Harry did was ask Hermione to fly on her own so he could see her progression and help her were she went wrong. Harry noted that her flying wasn't bad for one who didn't do it very often. She did her best not to damage his broom. She learned fairly quickly how to gain speed, how to pull up out of a dive, and how to quickly slow down to avoid collision with either players or bludgers. Last thing Harry wanted to see was Hermione hurt.
As they neared the end of the training session, Hermione fell from the Firebolt. It was a fall from ten feet. Harry panicked a little as he ran up to see if she was okay.
"Hermione are you okay?" He asked as he knelt over her. She was lying in the soft grass, laughing. It struck Harry as odd somehow.
"I'm fine Harry." She said as her laughing subsided as she saw Harry's worried expression. Harry grinned in relief. Then something hit him, she was lying there, looking at him with this odd expression that he could not quite place. Her brown eyes were glittering in the light coming from overhead. It gave him a weird sensation in his stomach and Chest. It wasn't an unpleasant sensation… it was just weird. He had to find something to distract himself. He pulled out his pocket watch to look at the time. They had missed lunch, though Harry didn't feel remotely hungry. But it was time for practice at the pitch and they were late.
"We're late!" Harry said as he pulled Hermione to her feet. "Ron is going to skin us alive." He quickly gathered the Invisibility Cloak, stuffing it into Hermione's arms. He then picked up his Firebolt, climbed on and took off. He caught Hermione around the waist and held onto her tightly as he flew over the lake. Hermione didn't whimper as he flew at top speed. Though he swore he saw her close her eyes. She still couldn't take on the full speed of the Firebolt.
The Pitch came into sight. Harry quickly flew them down to the locker room. It looked as if the rest of the team was out on the pitch, since the dressing rooms were empty. Hermione started to hand back his cloak.
"No you keep it with you until we can get back into Gryffindor tower." Harry told her quietly directing her towards the girls dressing rooms. "Now, go get changed and I'll see you on the pitch. The team broomsticks are over there." He finished as he pointed towards the rack.
"Harry, I have no clue as to which broom would be decent for me, I am going to need your help." She said.
"Oh." He said as he went into the boy's dressing rooms. "Go get changed and we'll find one in a minute."
A note was found in Harry's locker written in Ron's scrawl.
Harry,
Whatever you do please don't bring Hermione or yourself onto the pitch. Malfoy has been watching from the stands and won't leave. I don't want him finding out about the last new addition to the team. I want them to remain in the dark about her. You're exempt from coming to practice today. Don't worry.
Ron
Harry was upset at this news. But at least Ron had a reason and that he wasn't off the team.
"Hermione?" He called as he walked out of the boy's changing rooms.
"Hmm?" she came out still in street clothes.
"Ron doesn't want us at practice today." Harry said handing her the note.
"I see." She said as she scanned the note, "He's worried about me."
"Yeah."
"Well, I guess we have a little free time on our hands." She said. "Come on, I now exactly what to do."
"More flying?" Harry asked.
"No, something else that is linked with something we both have to do tonight." Hermione hedged. Harry thought, what was going on that night? Hermione rolled her eyes when Harry didn't come up with an answer.
"Animagus." She whispered in his ear. He got the point. They had Animagus lessons with McGonagall that night. Harry had totally forgotten all about it.
"Oh. I guess it's a trip to the library, then." Harry sighed, Hermione grinned. "Ahh…" he hissed as put a hand to his forehead when the pain his scar started to feel like it was going to crack his skull. The pain was so much that his legs couldn't hold him up anymore and he fell.
"Harry! Are you okay?" said Hermione anxiously.
"No! I'll explain later." Harry gasped, "Go get the Invisibility Cloak. We need to see Dumbledore now! It's urgent." Hermione ran into the Girls dressing room and came back out seconds later with the cloak in her hands. She didn't ask questions.
"Come on, Harry." Hermione said as she helped him up and pulled the cloak over them both. Harry was amazed with how much strength Hermione had in that thin form of hers. Harry's legs couldn't gather the strength enough to stand or walk; thus he had to rely on her strength.
"Ice Mice." Hermione said to the stone griffin. It sprung to life to let them onto the spiral staircase.
"Thank you Hermione." Harry whispered weakly.
"It's okay. I really don't mind." She said as she knocked twice on the door to Dumbledore's office. They entered when no one answered. She sat Harry in one of the chairs in front of the desk. Three minutes later the fireplace roared green and out stepped a man with a great silver beard. He was startled to see them both there. But the pale look on Harry's face probably gave him a clue what it was about.
"You have something to tell me?" the Headmaster said calmly as he sat in his chair behind the desk.
"Diagon Alley was attacked by deatheaters." Harry said with out missing a beat. Hermione gasped. Dumbledore tensed slightly.
"Is Voldemort happy or unhappy?" Dumbledore asked quietly.
"Unhappy. Due to the fact that the attack was mostly flubbed up. They weren't able to get what they came for. We imprisoned his most experienced Deatheaters in Azkaban last year in the Ministry." Harry said closing his eyes trying to remember the voices he had heard when his scar burst with pain. "It was pure chaos. I have a feeling that Fred and George was behind that chaos.
"And perhaps one other order member." Dumbledore said. "Chaos is her specialty, in some ways."
"Do you mean Professor Gryphon?" Hermione mentioned. Dumbledore nodded.
"Professor did you already know about this?" Harry asked.
"The Order had no clue that Voldemort was going to attack Diagon Alley." Dumbledore sighed sadly. "It was just a lucky decision on my part."
"I agree 'tis very lucky indeed." A calm voice said behind them that made them jump. Harry and Hermione shot around to see Gryphon standing there with a nasty cut on her cheek. She was no longer dressed in armor, she was now in cobalt blue robes with embroidered silver stars. She was still wearing that thick fur belt that she had been wearing with her armor. Under her arm she carried a small chest. She didn't look as tired now as she did the night before. "Ye are bleeding from thy scar dear lad." She said as she took in Harry's appearance.
"You are too." Harry stated as he pointed to her cheek. Gryphon grinned, her slightly pointed canine teeth showing.
"Touché." She said.
"I do wish you would warn us before you do that Avi." Dumbledore said with a chuckle.
"Ye can ne'er be too careful, Albus." She said. "In addition, ye already knew I came to be there."
"Would you care to tell us what happened?"
"Nay. I would not mind." She replied. "'Twas the mischievous Weasley twins who caused most of the disorder. I merely helped them along. Several Deatheater's met a fate of capture. Though I wonder how they did it all with their ingenious inventions. The Weasley's tend not to be very well to do in dowry and riches. From whence did the money come?"
"They have a silent financial backer." Dumbledore said with a glance at Harry. Harry could have sworn he saw the old man throw a quick smile at him.
"So I see." Gryphon added with a mischievous grin, making her catlike features look downright dangerous but it faded as soon as it had come up. "Though we have a problem." She said grimly.
"What is it?" Hermione said.
"Mr. Ollivander has turned up missing. All the wands in his shop are just as gone as he is. All the wands except for these." Gryphon replied as she set the small ornate chest on Dumbledore's desk. "Of which, I found in the same place I hid them before I left."
"I see." Dumbledore said as he glanced at the chest. "It seems as though the attack was a diversion then."
"Apparently." Gryphon agreed. "Let's just hope that Voldemort doesn't have him." Dumbledore nodded, Harry and Hermione followed suit.
"Were Misters' Fred and George Weasley unharmed?" Dumbledore questioned.
"Other than a few self-induced bloody noses and a couple of bumps and bruises, they were in riotous laughter from whence I left Diagon Alley." She then added with a sigh. "Are ye sure we can trust Snape?"
"Yes. Avi you know the reasons why."
"Those reasons do not seem good enough in my opinion, but since ye are Headmaster I will hold thee to thy word and never question thee until he does something out of order." She said as she looked at the head master angrily. She looked at Harry again, "We must get young Potter to the hospital wing. He looks to be ill."
"He is feeling the effects of Voldemorts anger." Dumbledore said knowledgeably. "His scar burns when Voldemort is near or feeling powerful anger or happiness."
Gryphon's eyes went wide then her brow furrowed into a painful expression. "That be a terrible fate. But that must mean that they have a connection between them through that scar." She finished as she pointed to Harry's lighting bolt-shaped scar.
"They do indeed." Dumbledore said gravely.
"Damn." She swore. "Ye know that could be very compromising to the Order."
"I am well aware of that, Avi." Dumbledore said, "But it would be best if we got Mr. Potter to the Hospital wing before he passes out, or Poppy will be down our throats."
With a quick nod to Dumbledore, Gryphon helped Harry out of the chair. His legs were numb, so walking properly was out of the question. Hermione gathered the Invisibility Cloak and stuffed it into her bag and seized Harry's Firebolt and followed them out of the room. Most of the way was clear from prying eyes. Harry would have been fine if they hadn't run into anyone, Of all people in Hogwarts, why did they have to run into Malfoy and his goon squad.
"T'would be best if ye would remove thyselves from our path, Good sirs. Our business is pressing, and would be best not delayed." Professor Gryphon told them in a brisk and businesslike tone. The unfortunate thing was, Gryphon didn't look much older or taller than Harry. Malfoy did not heed her words. He ignored her. He probably thought that Gryphon was another student.
"A new friend of yours, Potter. Did the Weasel abandon you." Malfoy taunted with a sneer.
"Ye are a Slytherin, Correct?" Gryphon asked irritably.
"That's right." Malfoy said pompously.
"Tis a good thirty points from Slytherin then." Gryphon said quickly as she pulled out her wand and with a quick jerk she stuck Malfoy, Crabbe, and Goyle to the ceiling. "I expect ye to stay there for a while. I shall return to bring ye down when I think ye have been punished enough."
"Who are you!" Malfoy shouted from the high ceiling of the corridor. If Harry weren't in so much pain he would have laughed at the predicament that Malfoy was in. but it was too much to do.
"I am Professor Gryphon, I shall be teaching Defense against the Dark Arts."
"You won't last a year." Malfoy spat. "None of the other's that taught us that subject did."
"Ye say so do ye." Gryphon said dangerously. "I'll take that to mind when I am teaching thee next year. I shall return, please rethink thy words said in my presence, whilst I am away." With that Gryphon continued on with Harry to get him settled in the Hospital wing. Hermione stayed with him to keep him company. Ron came in two hours later with a wide grin on his face.
"Have you heard the news." He said quietly so not to have the school nurse, Madam Pomfrey, down his throat.
"What news?" Hermione whispered back.
"The news that Malfoy and his goons had a run in with the new professor and ended up stuck to the ceiling." Ron said with satisfaction.
"We were there when it happened." Harry told him. "They wouldn't get out of our way when she brought me here. Are they still there?"
"Yep. I passed them on my way here and the fact has already spread through school."
"Ron do you know why Harry is here in the first place." Hermione asked.
"McGonagall told me that there was a failed attack on Diagon Alley and that Harry is feeling the effects of You-Know-Who's anger through his scar."
"Well at least you know." Hermione sighed tiredly.
"Speaking of McGonagall, she said she would be by later on to speak with you both." Madam Pomfrey said as she passed by Harry's bed.
"About what?" Hermione asked quickly.
"She didn't say." The nurse replied as she disappeared into her office.
"I can't believe Professor Gryphon doesn't trust Professor Snape." Hermione said.
"What?" Ron said in surprise.
"She questioned Dumbledore's motives for trusting him. She said it wasn't good enough."
"I guess this proves that we may need to be more cautious around Snape. Since Gryphon seems to now what she is talking about." Harry suggested and the other two nodded in agreement.
"So how was practice?" Harry asked.
"I was okay, but we were missing two crucial members of the team. Malfoy and the Slytherin team wouldn't leave. Did you know that Malfoy was picked as Captain of their team?"
"You're kidding!" Hermione moaned.
"No." Ron said. "I am not going to repeat that stuff he said about you Harry. I still wish I could've knocked his blinking block off, but then I would lose captaincy for bad sportsmanship." He finished with a sigh.
A soft rumbling could be heard.
"My stomach's complaining from the lack of food." Ron said. "I'll see you tomorrow, Harry. Are you coming Hermione?"
"No, I need to talk to Harry about the Potions essay Snape set." Hermione lied, "You go on without me." Ron left looking slightly disappointed.
"So McGonagall wants to talk to us. What about?" Harry pondered.
"I have hunch that it is about our nightly lessons with her." Hermione said quietly in her chair beside his bed.
"I still have no clue what your animal should be." Harry whispered.
"Well, I could give you a tip." Hermione said with a smile. "Think of the characteristics and personality that a person has and find an animal that would match those traits."
In Harry's opinion this information helped considerably. Since they had some time before McGonagall's arrival, Harry put it to good use. He thought about Hermione's characteristics: Intelligent, clever, kind, studious, protective, hard-working, tidy, brave, bossy if need be, fierce at times, and beautiful inside and out. The last surprised Harry, not because he thought of it, but because he knew it was true. What animal fit these personalities? The Otter? Too monotonous. It was her Patronus and all too easy. Hermione would want something more clever and thought out. The first animal that kept coming into Harry's buzzing mind was a lion. He had heard somewhere that the lioness was the hunter instead of the male. Hermione usually hunted for the great deal of information that saved his life or helped with the DA last year. Cats are usually considered clever in many peoples' eyes. In a pride, all mothers took care of each other's cubs and are very protective of the young. The lioness seemed to fit well with Hermione.
"Harry, are you okay?" She said as she caught him staring at her.
"I'm fine. I think I just came up with an animal for you."
"That quickly?" Hermione asked, the look on her face was incredulous.
"It kept pouncing on me, mauling me and wouldn't leave me alone." Harry told her with a grin. Hermione giggled at Harry's choice of words. McGonagall came in at that moment.
"Good evening, Professor McGonagall." Hermione said attentively.
"Good evening, Miss Granger… Mr. Potter." McGonagall said with a brisk nod.
"Is Malfoy, Crabbe and Goyle still stuck to the ceiling?" Harry asked.
"No, to Professor Gryphon's dismay." McGonagall commented. "She seems to dislike Mr. Malfoy. Says there is a malicious glint to his eye. Avi usually is a very good judge of character. At least her methods of punishment doesn't harm anyone, it just humiliates and scares them witless when she brings them down."
"Where did she learn to do that?" Hermione asked.
"Here apparently, from what Professor Dumbledore told me." The professor answered.
"Are you saying you didn't teach her?" Said Hermione suspiciously. Harry wondered why Hermione said that. But McGonagall didn't answer the question.
"The reason why I am here is to have your Animagus lesson. Madam Pomfrey already knows just incase something went wrong. Professor Dumbledore doesn't want to take too many risks at this time." McGonagall said to change the subject.
"Have you both found the creatures the other will be turning into as well as the reasons?" She continued. Both Harry and Hermione nodded in agreement.
"Mr. Potter would you like to say what animal fit Miss Granger?"
"A Lioness, ma'am." Harry said as a questioning smile flitted across Hermione's face. " The lioness is very protective, which Hermione is. They hunt for food instead of the male; I can attribute this to her amazing research skills. The Lioness just seems to fit her."
"I see, you may have chosen wisely Mr. Potter. Now Miss Granger, let's hear what you chose for Mr. Potter."
"I chose the Panther for Harry, Professor." Hermione looked rather nervous as she said this, "The panther is a mysterious animal and I have always thought that Harry was very mysterious. The rest of my reasons are rather a personal nature, professor, so please excuse me if I do not say more."
"Yes, that matter does come up. The animal can fit you personally in nature. As you have both chosen animals from the feline group, Cats have been generally worshiped throughout the ages or associated with great superstition and loathing. The Panthers have mysterious qualities and demeanor as Potter does. The Lion, the symbol of Gryffindor house, can symbolize bravery or nobility." McGonagall explained. The lesson went well and McGonagall told them before she left with Hermione that they would start doing practical work the next lesson. Madam Pomfrey gave Harry a Pain Elixir and a Sleeping potion and he went straight into a dreamless sleep.
Harry was let out of the hospital wing in the afternoon of the next day seeing as he slept till noon. The first week back at Hogwarts seemed to have gone by slowly. He found Ron and Hermione in the Common Room. Hermione was curled up on the couch, reading New Theory of Numerology and stroking Crookshanks on her lap Ron was playing a game of Wizards Chess against the double-teaming of Neville and Ginny. Ginny cheated whenever Ron was distracted from the board. Ginny had obviously asked Parvati and Lavender to distract her older brother with an array of odd tactics. One of which included very loud and off key singing. It seemed to be working because it threw him off his concentration.
"What's being bet?" Harry asked Hermione as he sat down across from her.
"Five Chocolate Frogs or a Sickle to the winner." Hermione said without looking up from her book.
"Check." Ron said loudly. Neville paled.
"Are you sure?" Ginny said mischievously, "take a closer look, Ronald."
"I don't believe it! How did you…? When did you…? You're cheating!" Ron spluttered.
"Au Contraire, Messier Ronald." Ginny said in a good imitation of Fleur Delacour. He had definitely put them into check but they had him in checkmate when he moved his bishop to do so. "Coup de tat! Ze King 'as been overthrown! I do believe you owe us five Chocolate Frogs." Ginny added. Ron reluctantly handed them the said Chocolate Frogs with a frustrated groan. He came over to sit by Harry and Hermione.
"I wish Fleur never taught Ginny how to speak French. It's getting annoying." Ron complained.
"Well she is Bill's wife. Care to play another game?" Harry asked, then added teasingly, "Oh great Mastermind?"
"Oh, shut up." Ron muttered. But did take Harry up on his offer. No betting took place, of course. It turned out to be such a spectacular game that Hermione had put her book down to come watch the action. Others gathered around too. Harry, the underdog in this area, had done quite well. The highlight of the game consisted of an incredible battle of brave pawn and castle against Ron's queen. Though Ron lost her, he still won.
"You're getting better, Harry." Ron noticed as they gathered their pieces. "Have you been practicing?"
"No. Do you honestly believe that the Dursley's would play wizard's chess?" Harry commented.
"Well, then." Ron cast around for a topic change. "I guess ze 'King' 'as reclaimed 'is title." Ron said in a bad imitation of Fleur.
"Oh dear." Hermione said, "I do believe we've created a monster, Harry."
"Are you calling me a monster?" Ron shot.
"Oh no. Would I ever do that, Harry?" Hermione asked innocently as she shot a mischievous wink in Harry's direction. Harry rolled his eyes and then looked at the time of his pocket watch.
"What time is it?" Ron asked Harry. This silver pocket watch that Hermione had given Harry was very peculiar, to Harry it was very important. Not only did it have hands that told him the time, but it was similar to Mrs. Weasley's Clock, telling him the current states and whereabouts of those he added to it: Ron, Hermione, Hagrid and Dumbledore. His was newer though, so it was more specific on the locations, like if one had to go use the Loo, it would show up on Harry's pocket watch. Harry knew that this watch had to be quite pricey. It had a gold lightning bolt inlay on the casing. Hermione had given him this when Harry had expressed his worry over his friends' safety due to danger of the prophecy.
"I do believe it is time for dinner." Harry said as he pocketed the watch.
"I'm anxious to see the school's reaction to the new Professor." Hermione said eagerly as she followed Harry and Ron out of the Portrait Hole. "She's being introduced today."
Author's Note:
I was going to save this spot for answering questions I got in the reviews. But seeing as I no one bothered, I can't divulge what I know. Pity.
As for Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince, Let's just say I have a lot of theories about whom R.A.B. is and why Hermione lost her backbone.
The next chapter is Chapter Six: The DA Additions. Hope you review.
-Tojot
