BACK TO HOGWARTS

CHAPTER 7

After a long train ride, Hermione, Ron, and Harry got off the train and walked toward the castle. Hermione and Ron were bickering (obviously) and Harry tried to block out their fight.

Suddenly, Harry saw something in the trees. The Forbidden Forest. He wasn't sure if he was imagining it or he really did see something. It was a dark, hooded figure. It was only a bit of it, but it was something.

Just then, sudden pain struck Harry yet a again. It was terrible. Each time it gets worse and worse.

"Ahhh!" he wailed in agony. He forced his hand on his forehead. Hermione and Ron stopped fighting and stared at Harry.

"Harry!" Hermione screeched.

"What happened, mate?" Ron asked.

"Uh, it-it was-" Harry stuttered.

"Your scar?" Hermione finished, her face full of concern.

The pain was so unbearable, all Harry could do was nod, then he fell on the ground.

"Oh, god, Harry! Let's take you to the Hospital Wing!" Hermione said.

"No, no. I'm fine, I-" Harry started.

"I'm with Hermione with this, mate." Ron said. "You should go."

"I'm FINE!" Harry insisted.

"No you're not Harry! If you don't want go to the Hospital Wing then at least tell Dumbledore!" Hermione pleaded.

Harry stood up. "Dumbledore? What am I suppose to say? 'Sorry to bother you, sir. But I just want to tell you that my scar hurts, can you fix it?'" Harry said, annoyed.

Hermione rolled her eyes, "No, but maybe he could tell you what it means."

"What it means? It means that maybe I'm getting a migraine with you 2 bickering so much!" Harry said, a bit cranky.

"Don't you dare to try to blame this on us." Hermione snapped.

"Yeah," Ron agreed, "We're just trying to help you, so calm down."

Harry took a deep breath. "I'm sorry." He said. "It's been hard for me. And the pain gets worse every time. Let's just go in the castle. It's almost supper. " He didn't want to tell them about the figure he saw in the forest. Somehow, he knew it would worry them more.

Hermione sighed, "Fine, but Harry, please promise me that you will see and tell Dumbledore about your scar. I've been noticing you flinch a lot lately, its not good if your scar hurts all the time."

Harry exhaled, "I promise I will go see him. Right after dinner."

Hermione grinned, "Good."

Ron just stood there, annoyed, "Great, can we go to supper now? I'm starving!"

Xxxxxx

Afterwards, the trio went to go settle in their dorms. Everything in Hogwarts was mostly the same. All the professors, the common room, classes, students. It was home to Harry. He loved it.

An hour later, all the students went to the Great Hall for dinner. Harry, Ron, Hermione, and Ginny all sat together. Ron was complaining how hungry he was.

The Hall suddenly got quiet. Professor Albus Dumbledore entered the room. As he arrived, you could feel his essence. His power, his intelligence, his being.

The chamber was silent until Dumbledore put on a bright smile and spoke, "Hello, all. I am glad to have every one of you back. This year, I think, will be exciting. Especially for the 1st years, since this is your first time at Hogwarts. But, enough of this, let us get to the Sorting Hat."

"Why, thank you, sir Dumbledore," the hat said, "Now, kiddies, it is time to sort you. But first," the hat took a dramatic pause, "I shall sing you all this very special song. After all, that is what I get paid for." Sorting Hat began to sing:

Oh, how I love to cover warts,

But not as much as I love Hogwarts!

There is a place and a time

For rhythm and rhyme.

Years have passed,

And you all grew so fast.

This is my job,

Oh, how I do it so well!

Everybody has wands,

With that and bonds.

So let us begin,

This fabulous year!

Everyone cheer!

And everyone did cheer. As soon as the applauding died down, the sorting hat was doing its' job, and sorting the first years:

"Cynthia Abdola!"

"Hufflepuff!"

"Jeremy Cantina!"

"Ravenclaw!"

"Robert Marrow!"

"Slytherin!"

"Tina Emory!"

"Gryffindor!"

As soon as the sorting was done, Dumbledore got up again, "All of you, I am excited for this year. I have a feeling this year will be magnificent. Now, thank you for being so patient, please, enjoy the feast!"

"Finally!" Ron blurted out. It was still quiet in the hall, and everyone laughed. Even Dumbledore chuckled.

Ron started to dig in so fast, Harry was sure he'll choke himself. While Harry was eating, he noticed Hermione was still staring at him intently, worriedly.

"Hermione? Stop worrying." Harry said carefully.

"I can't, Harry. I know this is something bad. Until you go talk to Dumbledore, I won't stop worrying. Neither of us will. Right Ron? Ron? RON!" Hermione almost yelled, Ron was still focusing on stuffing himself.

"Hmpgterhgfs sehfkscakfef!" He said. (There was a rather lot of food in his mouth.)

Hermione rolled her eyes, "Pig." She muttered.

Ron swallowed and said, "I mean right, Harry. We won't leave your side."

Harry smiled, he was very grateful to have friend like Hermione and Ron.

"Thanks."

Rest of supper went quite smoothly. While Hermione and Ron were arguing about Ron's eating habits, Harry was listening to Dean and Seamus.

"Can you stop drooling?" Dean asked, annoyed. "Seamus? SEAMUS!"

"Uh? What? Um…" Seamus fell out of his daze.

"Honestly, mate," Dean said, shaking his head, "You need help."

Seamus rolled his eyes, "Sure, and you weren't like this when Parvati was around. When she was tutoring you, she had to teach you a 'dry up' spell because you were drooling all over your book."

"That was different!" Dean defended.

"No it isn't! Just because I like-"

"Um, mates?" Harry interrupted.

Both boys turned to Harry.

"What are you talking about?"

"Um… uhh," Dean stammered.

"Nothing!" Seamus said

But Harry was sure he saw Seamus glancing at Hermione.

This is going to be an interesting year.