A/N: I am sorry that it took so long to update. Not much happens in this chapter but it was necessary. So I am introducing my first original character here. Don't worry, he is not a super hero or something and has some role in the story. He is not a main character.

I decided to make this a H/Hr story, so this character is not for Hermione. I want to thank everyone that reviewed.

Oh and I disclaim everything besides the plot.

Chapter 4: Dumbledore?

The next day, there was chaos at Burrow. Harry and Ron didn't pack their belongings till last minute and therefore got scolded by Mrs. Weasley. She was running around the house with panic and was ready to explode to anyone. She was saying that they were late every 5 minute and forced them to hurry.

"Everyone out" screamed Mrs. Weasley after everyone got ready. "Ministry cars are here"

Hermione tried not to meet Mrs. Weasley's or any Order members eyes, as she left her room. She knew that Mrs. Weasley told them about the howler and she didn't want to talk about the Bellatrix incident yet. This is why it was the first time that she left the room since yesterday. Relived that no one asked any questions, she followed Harry, Ron, Ginny and a fully healed Lupin to the car.

The ride went much smoother than last time. Harry and Ron's owls were in their cages and Crookshanks was safely in his box. So they reached Kings Cross timely for the first time. First Lupin and Harry entered the platform, followed by Hermione who was escorted by a grim looking auror. Then other kids entered the platform, which allowed entrance to the train to Hogwarts, each escorted with at least one adult.

All of them couldn't help but smile at the sight of the train. Hermione missed the school very much. She wanted to go as soon as possible, where no one would ask her intimidating questions. But the main reason why she wanted to go to Hogwarts as fast as possible was Dumbledore's promise to answer her questions. In her eyes the fact that he delayed answering was a proof that it was something important and made her wonder even more.

After saying goodbye to her own children, Mrs. Weasley turned to the other two:

"Be careful you two" she said nicely. "You are of course invited for Christmas. I am waiting if nothing unusual happens"

"I would like that" said Harry sincerely. But Hermione, who felt guilty because she didn't spend much time with her parents only smiled.

"Thanks for everything Mrs. Weasley" said Hermione instead of answering.

"No problem love. You should be careful as well. You know what I mean" said the woman. "Now hurry or you will miss the train"

Kids quickly talked with Arthur and Remus and boarded the train. Hermione and Ron quitted being prefects last year, mainly to accompany Harry. This is why they found an empty platform with Harry, while their replacement Ginny went to do her prefects duties alongside Dean. She glared at Ron and Hermione before she left them.

"We should find a platform" said Ron. "Or else we will have nowhere to sit or worse, we will have to sit with Malfoy"

The other two nodded and started searching. In each compartment, people kept staring at Harry like they saw a Blast Ended Screwt.

"Ronald! Harry! Hermione! Over here"

They saw Luna calling them and went to her compartment. It was empty, except for Luna and a boy who was looking out of the window.

"Hi Luna. How are you" asked Hermione.

"I am okay I guess. It was a little boring without DA. But still not bad" said Luna with her usual dreamy voice. Then she turned to the other boy. "I didn't introduce you, did I? This is Nathan. New at school. And these are Harry Potter, Hermione Granger and Ronald Weasley"

The boy turned to them and smiled. He had dark brown hair and a thin, handsome face. He was a little longer than Harry and Hermione but shorter than Ron. He was already wearing his robes. But the most remarkable aspect were his eyes.

His eyes were blood red. At first it reminded Harry of Voldemort but after he looked carefully, he noticed that it was not the case. He didn't know if it was the same color but his eyes were warmer and he was smiling sincerely.

"Hi" said Nathan. "My father said a lot about you three"

"Your father?" asked Ron.

"It is better if I don't say it for now" answered Nathan. Hermione thought that he didn't trust them.

"Nathan is new and he is a 6th year" said Luna.

"Yeah, my father was teaching me since I was 7" said Nathan. "But I never came to school for safety reasons. I always wanted to come, because I was kind of isolated at home. I will be at the sorting today" he explained to them.

"How nice. I hope you will be in Gryffindor" said Hermione.

"Or Rewanclaw" said Luna with a hint of anger in her voice.

"Not to offense anyone but I am okay with anything besides Slytherin" said Nathan grinning.

"What happened to your eyes" asked Harry not holding back any longer.

"What? Oh, you mean that" he answered. "My parents were murdered by Death Eaters when I was a baby"

"I am sorry" said Hermione.

"But then…" started Ron.

"Yeah, my father adopted me after that incident. He saved me after my parents died. But my eyes were damaged with a dark curse. Well, actually more than damaged, they were totally destroyed. Dad tried to heal them but he couldn't. So he used a different spell and gave me these eyes. I am actually happy about it, they even have some abilities"

"I am sorry that I asked" said Harry. "It is just…"

"It is just my eyes reminded you of Voldemort" said Nathan, surprising all of them. It was a surprise that he noticed this similarity and was still smiling. But the real surprise was how easy he used Voldemort's name. Harry and Hermione were the only ones from their age that used his name.

"Aren't you scared of using Voldemort's name" asked Hermione curiously.

"You don't seem to be scared as well" grinned Nathan. "Why should I be scared? If you fear some ones name, you will fear the real thing even more"

That was pretty familiar to Harry but he didn't comment on that. They kept talking all the way to Hogwarts and quickly liked Nathan. He was obviously smart and looked like a decent guy.

After they arrived at Hogwarts (Now all of them had their robes on) they got out of the train. Luna left but Nathan stayed with them. As they entered one of the cars, Hermione heard Hagrid calling for the first years, as he always did. She cheerfully waved to the half giant. Hermione still couldn't see the Thestrals that drew the cars, but from the look on his face, Nathan could see them.

"My neighbor" said Nathan, who knew what she was thinking. "They got killed by Death Eaters when I was 5"

Hermione didn't say anything. There was too much noise to have a conversation. She noticed that some cars had only 2 passengers. "The parents don't trust the school anymore" she thought sadly.

It was pretty cold, even if it wasn't raining. They gratefully entered the warm school. Nathan apologized to them and went to Professor McGonagall. The others sat down at the Gryffindor table.

"I hope Dumbledore will keep it short, I am starving" said Ron.

"There is still the sorting so you have to starve a little longer" said Nearly Headless Nick to the redhead.

"Where do you think Nathan will be sorted" asked Hermione worriedly.

"I don't know, but he looks okay. So we can probably eliminate Slytherin" answered Harry. He also liked Nathan and hoped for him to become a Gryffindor.

The sorting of the first years had already started.

"Blair, Klaus"

A small boy came forward and hastily put the hat on.

"GRYFFINDOR"

The boy walked to their table with obvious relive. The sorting went on and finally, McGonagall read the last name.

"Dumbledore, Nathan"

There was a long silence at the great hall. Everyone looked at Nathan, who looked pretty uncomfortable. Harry, Hermione and Ron were still in shock.

"Well, it looks like his father was Dumbledore" said Harry.

"That would explain a lot of things" said Hermione, but she still didn't seem convinced. Then Dumbledore stood up and walked to Nathan, who looked pretty intimidate by everyone staring at him.

"I know that it can be a little surprising" said Dumbledore smiling. "Nathan is my godson and he wasn't at Hogwarts until today. But he is talented so I would think twice before messing with him. He will be a 6th year. I am sure you will welcome him warmly"

Everyone still looked at him like he was an alien of some sort and Nathan was starting to get angry. He gave a last, apologizing look to Hermione and the others then put the ancient hat on.

The golden trio waited for nearly a whole minute before the hat finally screamed:

"GRYFFINDOR"

Relieved Nathan walked to his new table. Harry, Ron and Hermione started clapping excitedly. Luna, who looked a little unhappy, clapped as well. Everyone else looked still dumbfounded.

"You are also a Gryffindor" said Hermione excitedly.

"Yes" said Nathan. "I confess I was really scared"

"You didn't tell us that your godfather was Dumbledore" said Ron, but he didn't look angry.

"My father said that I shouldn't tell anyone until he gives the necessary explanation" he said shrugging. "Actually, he is not my godfather. He said it to avoid unnecessary questions"

"If you are Dumbledore's son than you must be really strong" interrupted Dean. Dumbledore stood up again before anyone could say anything.

"There are things I have to say but they can wait for now. Tuck in"

Everyone started eating. Ron and Harry (who barely ate anything that day) were eating to fast to do anything else. Meanwhile, Hermione introduced the staff to Nathan.

"The woman next to Professor Dumbledore is McGonagall. She teaches transfiguration. A little strict but mostly fair. The short man next to her is Professor Flitchwick, charms teacher. Next to him is the potion teacher Snape"

"I know him" interrupted Nathan. "Actually, I met the ones from the order. I can't say that I liked him that much"

"Wou'r aight'o ot ayk im" started Ron, his mouth still full. Nathan looked at him with a confused look on his face, while Hermione looked disgusted.

"He says that you are right to not like him. Don't worry, soon you will get used to Ron's caveman language" Hermione said looking at the redhead. Nathan and Harry laughed while Ron gave her a sharp look. Hermione ignored him and turned to the others.

"Do you think Dumbledore found a new teacher" she asked the them.

"There is no one new at the table" said Neville.

The food vanished much to Ron's dislike and Dumbledore stood up again. The hall went silent.

"I want to welcome all our new students. Old students: hello again. First, I want to tell our new students that the Forbidden Forest is forbidden to everyone. It actually should be obvious but in case it isn't, I want to remind our old students that it is still forbidden. Mr. Filch wanted me to say that every joke product, especially from Weasley Wizarding Wheezes are strictly forbidden"

"Everyone who wants to participate at Quidditch team can talk to his or her Head of House. I am sorry to say that our new Defense Against the Dark Arts Professor hasn't arrived yet. As an apology, I am going to give these lessons for awhile"

There was an excited murmur at the hall. Dumbledore kept going.

"If I can't come for some reason, Professor Snape will be my replacement"

Harry got angry at this and he was not the only one. Everyone knew that Snape always wanted to teach DADA but everyone believed that he shouldn't get his wish.

"Circumstances these days make this lesson to important to skip. The reason is the return of the Dark Lord, known as Lord Voldemort"

All students trembled in fear at the mention of the name. Dumbledore didn't seem to notice.

"I know you are all tired and your beds are waiting for you. As comfortable as you can imagine. I don't want to stress you on the first day. I wish all of you a good night"

The trio and Nathan stood up. Then they heard a lazy voice from behind.

"Wow, it looks like the half blood, blood traitor and mudblood group got another orphan. How nice"

"It looks like your group made no changes this year Malfoy" said Hermione, looking at them coldly. "It has still 3 dunderheads"

"Shut your filthy mouth Mudblood" said the blond Slytherin and tried to pull out his wand. Harry and Ron took their wands out but before any of them could do anything, Malfoy, Crabbe and Goyle found themselves flying.

"You are the one who should shut his mouth" said Nathan, who looked furious. "Draco Malfoy, right? I see you are trying to be walking on your father footsteps. Same look, same manners and the same loser"

"Don't talk about my father" said Malfoy and pointed his wand at him.

"Do it Malfoy attack me and give me a reason. Go on" said Nathan sarcastically. Other 3 looked at him surprised. Malfoy waited only for a few moments.

"Let's go" he said quietly and left with his goons.

"It was great" said Seamus who came to look what was going on. Everyone had smiles on their faces but Hermione still warned him.

"I know he deserved it but you shouldn't start hexing right away. You could get in trouble"

"You are not the one to talk" said Nathan grinning. "You had your wand in your hand"

"Just to defend us if he started something. I wasn't going to attack" she said calmly.

"Well, I was definitely going to attack. It was awesome" said Ron. Hermione still looked unhappy.

"Look, I am sorry Hermione" said Nathan softly. "I just lost control when he said that word to you"

"You will get used to it" said Hermione, but she looked happier now.

"Broken Wand" said Harry in front of the Gryffindor portrait. The portrait swung open.

"I am going to sleep right away. I am pretty tired. Thank you for everything" said Nathan.

"Yes, I think all of us should sleep" said Hermione. She said good night to everyone and went to Girls dormitory. The boys went to their own dormitory. They were too tired to talk so fell asleep pretty quickly. Nathan was pretty happy and he was sure that it was going to be a pretty exciting year at Hogwarts.

It will get more interesting in the next chapters, now that they finally entered Hogwarts. Please review, I am open to all suggestions. Thank you.