9. An End To Division and a New Position for Harry
Harry spent the next day rather uncomfortably.
For the first time he was glad to have the distraction of getting all of his gear washed and packed into his trunk ready for the following day. He was acutely aware of how he had behaved towards Ginny under the influence of Mrs. Weasleys so-called "light sleeping draft". What was worse, he remembered everything he had said to her. A couple of times he caught her looking at him with a slight smile playing across her lips, but she tactfully said nothing.
The next morning they all piled into Ministry cars and headed to Kings Cross Station. Although Harry was loathed to have anything to do with the Ministry, Mr. Weasley had made it clear before he had left for work that they were under instruction from Kingsley, and should prove quite manageable. Harry was sat in a car separate from the others, squished uncomfortably in the backseat between two of the biggest aurors he had ever seen, Kingsley Shacklebolt was in the passenger seat.
Harry sat, shoulders scrunched into his body and his legs uncomfortably pushed together; his escorts knees splayed out because their incredibly huge thighs made it impossible for them to close their legs any further. Kingsley had seemed quite amused by their size and cast Harry an exaggerated look that suggested he thought they were quite as ridiculous as Harry did.
He noted the main foyer of the station was as busy as usual as they wheeled all their trunks behind them. Glancing at the surrounding stalls, Harry stopped suddenly, causing the auror trailing behind him to fall over his trolley. Harry heard the auror swearing over the clatter of his luggage as it spilled onto the tiled floor but he paid no attention; he walked slowly up to the stand where a newspaper headline had caught his eye and picked up a copy of the paper. On the front page was a picture of what might have been a town once with the headline
TORNADO TEARS THROUGH TROWBRIDGE
Residents of the close-nit community of Trowbridge, just outside ofBath, are this morning at a loss to explain the overnight devastation of their town. Emergency services were called out around 3 am after an anonymous call was placed that a tornado had struck the tiny town and flattened almost everything in its path. Casualties are as yet unknown. Meteorologists who were responsible for monitoring the weather bands at the time say that their instruments showed no sign of any weather disturbance and are adamant that no such thing could have occurred.
'I challenge the twits to come down here and say that!' angry local, Guthrey Pudderwell told us this morning. Mr. Pudderwell had fortunately spent the night unconscious in a barn outside the town limits after having difficulty finding his way home the previous evening. He was unable to give us any further details of the storm, however Mr. Pudderwell assured us that it must have been a windy night because on his stagger back from The Pig and Whistle, (a local drinking establishment), he had somehow misplaced his hat.
Unfortunately our efforts to interview other locals have been hampered by Emergency Officials who have kept everyone out of the site until it is deemed safe to enter…
Harry lowered the paper. Hermione, who had been reading the article over his shoulder, voiced what he had been thinking 'Giants!'
Ron, who had just joined them, grabbed the paper from Harry's hands and read it.
'They've started already.' Harry said gravely as he looked at Hermione 'How do you fight things that are twenty feet high and have a natural resistance to magic?'
'I don't know' Hermione said frowning with concern 'but I think we need to pay Hagrid a visit as soon as we can. Maybe he'll know something?'
'I don't think fighting them is going to be an option.' Ron said darkly returning the newspaper to the stand as a grumpy assistant looked on.
'What d'ya mean?' Harry frowned.
Ron shrugged slightly and shook his head 'I don't know, just a thought.' he said dismissively.
'Come on!' Mrs. Weasley had doubled back when she realized they were no longer following her 'You've got seven minutes before the train leaves, now move it!' she waved them on hurriedly.
After a very strained and teary farewell from Mrs. Weasley, they boarded the train with the two enormous aurors carrying Pig and Hedwig in tow, followed by Kingsley. They made their way slowly along the narrow passageway, and as they passed, Harry peered into the cabins, and though Ministry guards who stood just inside the doorways blocked some compartments; others Harry could see into, appeared full.
'Right you lot!' a gruff voiced man who was tall and hairy and outfitted in ministry guard robes, was standing down the opposite end of the corridor waving his arms about like he was on a tarmac attempting to land a plane, 'in 'ere' A few doubtful looking fourth year Ravenclaws shuffled into a compartment, as the door was closed behind them. 'Rest of you … this way.' he headed through the connect doors into the next carriage.
As they dragged their trunks behind them everyone in the corridor lurched forward when the train finally left the platform. Harry watched as people were sorted. He picked out Neville and Luna entering a compartment with some sixth year Hufflepuffs, and also spotted Colin and Dennis Creevey joining some other students he didn't know. They were all compartmentalized gradually until just the four of them and two very small first years, were left.
'You lot can take this one!' the gruff voiced man barred their way and opened the compartment door.
As Harry waited for Ron, Hermione and Ginny to pile in before him, Kingsley called to him from behind the two massive aurors. 'I'll be up the other end. I'll leave these two here with you.' he raised an eyebrow comically, peering over one of their shoulders at Harry, then disappeared behind the hulk as he walked away. Once inside Harry stowed his gear, relieving the guards of their cages and slouching down in between Ron and one of the small boys sitting by the window. His brown curls gave his already pink-cheeked freckly face an even younger appearance.
The other boy who sat opposite had black hair and very low set eyebrows and looked thoroughly uninterested as he sat staring out the window. The train rattled along and Harry watched as the curly haired boys eyes roamed around the cabin, stopping on Hermione and Ginny, the colour in his cheeks rising when Ginny looked up and smiled at him. Harry smiled to himself as the boy looked away nervously, continuing on to Ron who had his attention on Pig, and then finally Harry. The boy's lips curled in a brief smile as he met Harry's gaze, then his eyes did the flick up to his scar.
Predictably his face changed immediately, draining of all colour; even his freckles seemed to pale as he gaped open-mouthed, seemingly unable to look away. The dark haired boy noticed the change in his companion and turned his head to look at Harry. His eyebrows lowered even more and his beady eyes glittered as his mouth curled downwards into a furious pout. He stood up abruptly and with all eyes on him, he crossed to the door and flung it open.
'You there!' he said rudely as he peered round the enormous guard. 'I'm not staying in here with him!' he said as he pointed at Harry 'You're going to have to move me!'
'What's all this about?' the gruff man strode into view
'Him!' he looked accusingly at Harry 'I'm not staying in here with him!'
'And why not?'
The boy scowled in wonderment 'because he's the "Chosen One", he's the one The Dark Lord's after. I don't want to be caught in the crossfire when he gets attacked!' he said indignantly. Harry and Ron exchanged glances as Ginny scoffed and shook her head.
The man looked at Harry briefly and sighed 'You're not movin, everyone stays where they are. Now get back to your seat before I set one of these two on you.' He waved a finger at Harry's escort and turned away, the conversation clearly over.
The boy turned around red faced and paced back to his seat. He plonked himself back down next to Hermione with an angry sigh and folded his arms across the front of him as he went back to staring out of the window. This time however, he looked anything but disinterested. As the houses and landscape flew by, he appeared to be looking very intently for any sign of an impending affront on the compartment containing Harry Potter.
'Well, isn't this nice' Hermione said looking around as their eyes flitted from one person to another.
'Yeah, right cosy little group' Ginny said eyeing the dark haired boy.
'There's one upside … no prefect duties!' Ron smiled at Hermiones disapproving look.
The train journey was proving monotonous beyond compare and because no one was allowed to leave their compartments to mix with friends it meant that Harry, Ron and Hermione were unable to talk in private. Harry resigned himself to flipping through Quidditch Quips and Clueless Commentary! An amusing little handbook Ron had bought in Flourish and Blotts. It was bound in leather and gold leaf and was filled with quotable quotes from some of the most famous people in the league, as well as some other less memorable folk who had made it in because of their game steeling commentary. Harry turned each page half expecting to come across something of Luna's efforts from last year.
After they had donned their robes, the train grumbled to an uneventful halt, and they all piled out heading down to the awaiting carriages. Hagrid was not there to greet the first years for only the second time since Harry had been at Hogwarts. It wasn't surprising though considering there were so few of them, so Hermione appointed herself to shuffle them along the platform to the awaiting transport.
It was then that Harry really noticed the difference in the number of students to previous years. In the full moonlight, it was easy to see that the usual mass of heads bobbing up and down as they descended the stairs had been reduced to around a hundred and fifty, and few, as Harry had suspected, were below fourth year.
Harry went up to an awaiting Thestral and gave it a pat on the nose. It stared out at him through its ghostly white eyes as it nudged his palm. 'My last ride with you,' He said quietly. He then joined Neville, Luna, Ron and Hermione as they sat waiting to leave. As his guard positioned themselves, one up front on the would-be drivers platform, and one standing on the stoop at the back, Harry looked around the carriage. 'Where's Ginny?'
'Oh, she went to sit with Seamus and Lavender.' Luna said 'I see Dean's back as well. He wasn't too sure if he would be returning, you know.' Harry tensed as she looked at Ron 'I overheard him at your place telling Ginny that he didn't really see the point in coming back. Of course, she was quite adamant that he should return.' Harry felt his stomach drop painfully as the carriages started along the road. 'Looks like she managed to talk him round. He certainly looked pleased with himself about something.' She added dreamily.
As Luna spoke, a painful heaviness grew in Harry's chest, making it hard for him to breathe. He stared out the window to avoid the looks he knew Hermione would be throwing him. So Ginny had wanted Dean to come back. She had convinced him it would be worth it. The thought made him sick. Along with the hurt, Harry's temper started to rise.
Is that what she had found so amusing when she was in his bed? Had she been thinking about Dean then? Harry brought his elbow up to rest on the window ledge and rubbed his fingers on his forehead. He thought about what he had said to her and swallowed hard, trying to ease the rising heat in him. Luna spoke almost non-stop on their way into the Hogwarts grounds with Ron, Hermione and Neville, who seemed to be aware of the tension, offering only stunted answers.
Hogwarts looked much more welcoming than it had when Harry had come at the beginning of summer, but he passed it by and moved into the Great Hall without registering it.
'Harry!' Seamus came up from behind and as Harry turned automatically, his eyes fell on Ginny who had strode in with Dean, both of them smiling as they came up behind Seamus.
'Yeah?' Harry said still watching Ginny and Dean.
'It's good to see you. I didn't expect you'd be here this year after the rumours.' Seamus patted Harry's shoulder.
'I bet your not the only one.' Harry was glaring at Dean who was laughing at something Ginny had said.
'Is everything alright?' Seamus asked.
Harry tore his eyes away, annoyed at himself 'Fine Seamus … how was your holiday?' Harry forced himself to concentrate on what Seamus was saying as they crossed the large gap between the entrance door and the tables which were much shorter than usual, with only enough seating for a quarter of the usual Hogwarts intake. As he sat himself right at the farthest end, Seamus sat next to him and Ron plonked himself opposite. Hermione was looking up at the staff table as she sat herself next to Ron.
'Hagrids not here.' Hermione said frowning. They all turned to look at the long staff table up at the head of the Hall. Harry's eyes dropped to Ginny who had sat down next to Lavender and Dean.
'I wonder where he is then?' Ron said 'Did he say anything to you?'
'No,' Harry looked back at Hagrids empty chair. 'Who have they got for Defence Against the Dark Arts?' Harry could see Professor Sprout and Flitwick. Slughorn was also there chatting to Professor McGonagall and Madame Pomphrey.
Just then Professor McGonagall rose from her chair and silenced the chatter. She looked around at the students for a moment, before beginning.
'Welcome back to Hogwarts, such as it is. For those few of you who are here for the first time, I extend a welcoming hand from all of our staff and older students, I am sure they will help you to settle in under the rather unusual circumstances we find ourselves in.' Harry looked around, the first years were sitting together at the foot of the Hufflepuff table. Harry frowned and began searching for the sorting hat. He caught Slughorn's eye and received a knowing wink before McGonagall continued.
'For the first time in Hogwarts history, there will be no sorting of the first years to begin the feast.' A loud murmur erupted throughout the Hall as Harry exchanged looks with Ron and Hermione. Professor McGonagall raised a hand and waited for quiet. 'Amongst other changes being made for this year at least, our staff has been reduced, and your lessons will combine all students within your year who are taking the same subject. You will be made aware of the full changes tomorrow morning after breakfast when you receive your new timetables. Also' McGonagall seemed to hesitate for the longest time before continuing 'there will be new sleeping arrangements explained to you after dinner.'
Everyone abandoned any pretence of hush and they all started talking rapidly amongst themselves. McGonagall looked out at the din over her spectacles, but she did not try to quell the noise. The other teachers were exchanging knowing glances as Harry looked back at Hermione and Ron who were talking along with everyone else.
'You mean they're going to mix the houses?' Ron asked, seemingly horrified at the thoughts of it.
'Well it makes sense when you consider how few students and staff there are.' She pointed out.
'But they cant do that! That means we'll be sharing passwords and …' Ron was trying to find the words 'and … everything.' He finally said.
'So long as we don't have to share with Slytherin, I don't care.' Seamus said darkly. Hermione frowned slightly at him.
'I don't think it would be such a bad thing.'
'What?' Ron accidentally knocked over his empty goblet. 'You're joking aren't you?'
'No,' she said seriously and before Ron could say anything else she put her finger to her lips and turned back to McGonagall.
'There are still a couple of items that need to be covered. Firstly, there will be no Quidditch this year.' There were multiple loud groans, especially from the Gryffindor table, though Harry, Ron and Ginny, sat in silence 'And we will not be appointing any new Prefects as I see enough have returned to adequately perform the required duties.' There were a couple of quietly disappointed groans from the Ravenclaw table. 'However, the time is right to inform you of your new Head Boy and Girl.
Harry noticed Hermione tense and a small smile crept across his lips. He knew how much she wanted this and figured she was a shoo-in. Ron on the other hand looked down at the table frowning to himself. Harry wondered if Ron really wanted the job after all. Even though he had basked in the glory of being a Prefect in the beginning, he wasn't exactly keen on the duties that came with it, and this year especially, being Head Boy would probably involve even more of the sort of work Ron liked to avoid. Harry looked back at McGonagall.
'This year, we are pleased to announce our new Head Girl, Miss Hermione Granger,' Hermione exhaled and her shoulders relaxed almost immediately. Harry could tell she was holding back an enormous grin and he was most impressed at her composure considering what must have been going on inside 'and Head Boy, Mr. Harry Potter.'
Harry had been watching Hermione but at the mention of his name his head swung round to look at McGonagall. He sat bewildered for a moment, then looked back to Hermione as if waiting for her to tell him it was a mistake, but she was smiling encouragingly at him, Ron grinning next to her.
What just happened?
Harry was frowning; he was trying to get his head around what McGonagall said, when someone started to clap. As Harry looked round at Ginny, who was smiling and clapping her hands gently, others started to join in. Slowly at first, but then the applause grew, and before he could speak what was on his mind the whole room, bar a few Slytherins and the dark haired first year, was clapping loudly and enthusiastically.
Harry looked back at Hermione. Her eyes looked slightly watery as she flushed, but she showed no sign of the shock he had expected. Harry felt intensely awkward. It hadn't occurred to him that he would be in the running for Head Boy as he wasn't a Prefect, and there was no way he could accept the position because he had no idea how long he would even be at Hogwarts. As the applause died down Professor McGonagall spoke once more.
'We will now begin the feast.' and as usual, huge dishes piled high with delicious looking food appeared on the tables before them.
As everyone tucked in Harry leaned over his plate. 'What does she mean by making me Head Boy?' he said in a half whisper to Ron and Hermione.
'You're the obvious choice mate.' Ron said happily as he brandished a chicken leg 'They couldn't have picked a better person.'
'That's right, Harry' Hermione was spooning corn onto her plate 'you are intelligent, compassionate, and you're a natural leader.' She stopped and looked at him 'I don't know why you're so surprised' Harry was looking at them as if they new something he didn't. Seamus spoke up.
'I know I'd rather have you as Head Boy than anyone else' he said 'especially with things the way they are.'
'Me too,' Neville and Luna had been listening to the conversation 'You are the best man for the job Harry, and I'm really glad you decided to come back.' Neville said earnestly.
Harry didn't know what to say. He was heartened by their faith in him but he couldn't very well tell them that he probably wouldn't be staying for long; that would lead to too many questions. So he lifted a couple of lamb cutlets onto his plate and resigned himself to having a private conversation with Professor McGonagall when he could.
'Strange McGonagall didn't mention who the new Defence Against the Dark Arts Teacher is' Luna said, opening her protruding eyes. There was much speculation throughout the meal about who it might be. And Professor McGonagall came over briefly to give Harry the new password to the Common Room, though when he tried to engage her about his position as Head Boy, she held her hand up and told him whatever he had to say, it could wait. After all the pudding plates vanished, the students settled, whispering expectantly about the new sleeping arrangements. As McGonagall stood, a hush spread through the Hall.
'The sleeping arrangements have been made with everybody's best interests in mind, so no further discussions will be entered into.' Eyes were darting this way and that at McGonagall's ominous tone. It seemed very strange that they would not be siphoning off as usual to their houses.
'All students fifth year and below will be housed in the Ravenclaw Chambers' there was a murmur and a turning of heads. 'All students from the sixth and seventh years, will reside in the Gryffindor Tower.' Harry sat quietly as all of the older students, including the Slytherins exchanged incredulous looks. It was as he had suspected.
The Ravenclaw chambers were high up in the castle, therefore better protected and harder for outsiders to get to. And with the older students in the Gryffindor tower on the fourth floor, they had a tactical advantage should the Castle be infiltrated. Although he was not looking forward to sharing his beloved home with Slytherins, he understood the decision, so he remained quiet while McGonagall waited for the angry whispers to subside.
'All of your belongings will be waiting for you in your respective Common Rooms when you retire for the evening…' McGonagall launched into the usual spin about the Dark Forest and Mr. Filches banned substances, then they were dismissed.
Harry led the way, with Hermione bringing up the rear to ensure that everyone knew where they were supposed to go. He reached the portrait of the fat lady and was about to give her the password, when she raised her eyebrows at the site of them and said sternly...
'I don't want any funny business going on behind these walls now that you are all in together. You're going to have to learn to get along.' She pointed her finger at them 'Even if you realize it or not, its for your own good, and I for one, will be keeping an eye on you.' She lowered an eyebrow and looked down her nose at the Scowling Slytherins.
'Chizpurfle' said Harry.
'You took the word right out of my mouth' she sighed as she swung open to admit them.
Everyone milled around his or her trunks that were piled around the Common Room. Hermione wove her way to Harry and said quietly 'we're going to have to sort them out. I've counted about seventy of us all together.'
Harry looked about him, trying to gage how many of each house they had. It appeared there were less Ravenclaws and Hufflepuffs than Gryffindors and Slytherins, so Harry made a decision.
'The Ravenclaw and Hufflepuff sixth years can bunk in together, everyone else can take a room for your year and house.' he spoke over the chatter.
'How come we have to share?' a disgruntled voice came from the crowd.
'Because there aren't enough rooms to go around.' Hermione chipped in impatiently 'And there are fewer of you than the other houses.'
'Well that's hardly a reason, is it? I think we should draw straws' came an indignant voice. Harry saw Ernie MacMillan turn on the outspoken Ravenclaw.
'You'll do as your told!' he said just as indignantly. A general argument broke out, centred around Ernie and the Ravenclaw, everyone seemed to think they should not be the ones sharing. Harry stood on his trunk and took out his wand. A noisy spray of red sparks shot out of the tip as he pointed it above his head.
'That's enough!' he said impatiently. Everyone fell very quiet as they turned to look at him 'Ravenclaw and Hufflepuff sixth years will share a room. If anyone has any objections they are free to spend the night outside in the hall.' There were no further protests so Harry went on 'Hermione will sort the girls into their dorms … the rest of you will follow me.'
Harry stepped down off the trunk and Hermione gave him an appreciative look. 'And you wonder why McGonagall chose you as Head Boy.' She smiled and led the girls to their rooms. Everyone floated their trunks, and they dispersed without further ado. It wasn't long before Harry was up at the top most room of the boys tower once more; the room that Harry had considered home more than any other. They unpacked and talked amongst themselves, though Harry avoided direct contact with Dean, still unable to control the resentment that swelled in him. When they finally retired to bed, Harry pulled the curtains shut and laid back with his hands behind his head.
He felt drained after the events of the evening, and no matter how hard he tried to turn his thoughts to other things, Ginny's face refused to leave his mind. He tortured himself with the memory of a couple of nights ago. He had found her amusement bewildering at the time, but now he felt a complete fool. He hated to admit the things he had said to her were unguarded and honest, and it tore him that she found it so easy to move on. But a voice in the back of his mind told him it was as it should be. It urged him to let go. He rolled on his side and tried to empty his mind, but the image of Ginny and Dean would not budge.
The next morning, the Gryffindor Common Room was chaotic, to say the least.
Two Slytherins were bullying a sixth year Hufflepuff girl, and when Ernie and Justin Finch Fletchley realized what was going on, they leapt gallantly at the hulks that were Crabbe and Goyle in her defence. Unfortunately they stood no chance of winning a physical battle, and if it hadn't been for Ron and Harry's appearance at the foot of the stairs, there may not have been much left of either of them to rescue. Crabbe, sporting a face full of painful, pussy boils and Goyle, sprouting Cauliflower from every orifice, scrambled through the portrait hole moments later, muttering profanities under their breaths.
And twice Harry had to intervene in squabbles that had broken out between Slytherin and Gryffindor sixth years. It seemed giving out detentions first time round wasn't enough to deter them from making easily overheard caustic complaints about one another, so Harry resorted with threatening to bunk them in together until they learned to get along. This seemed to do the trick, and they all went down to breakfast complaining about Harry instead.
'This is hopeless!' Harry said angrily to Hermione when she appeared.
'I know what you mean. I found Hannah Abbott trying to throw Pansy Parkinson out of the window a minute ago.' She rolled her eyes 'Pansy apparently commented on what a good job the Death Eaters were doing ridding the world of Mudbloods and blood-traitors.'
'Didn't Hannah's mother get killed last year?' Ron asked frowning.
'Exactly. That Pansy has got such a mouth on her!' and most unlike her, Hermione added 'If I'd just taken that bit longer to steam my robes, it would have been over before I got there.'
At breakfast, Professor McGonagall handed out new timetables to the Gryffindor students. When she got to Harry she asked him how things were going in the Gryffindor dormitories.
'Couldn't be worse. Thanks for asking.' He answered
Her mouth had the tell tale signs of a suppressed smile as she raised an eyebrow. 'You are more than capable of dealing with it, Mr. Potter.' Harry wondered where she got her information from. 'I want to see you in the Headmasters office after breakfast. I'll give you your timetable then.'
'I was just about to suggest the same thing actually.'
'Good, then you wont be late!' She said shrewdly. She gave him the password before turning to Lavender.
Harry was just reaching for the scrambled eggs when Nearly Headless Nick drifted up through the table towards McGonagall.
'Where were you lot last night?' Ron was referring to the ghosts whom Harry, along with almost everyone else, had noted were not present at the start of term feast.
Nick turned his wobbling head 'Ah! The insatiable curiosity that is the Wonderment of Youth. We were on castle business if you must know, that of which pertained purely to the ethereal entities residing in these grand and historic walls, and does not warrant an explanation to the likes of you.' He said, looking very self-important.
'In other words, mind your own business?' Ron said glumly. Nick turned his nose up and floated to where McGonagall stood. He spoke briefly to the Professor before heading down through the floor again.
'Ah ... Mr. Potter!' Professor Slughorn appeared at his side, he appeared slightly thinner than Harry remembered. 'Looking forward to another year of outstanding potions from you.' His face was crinkled into an indulgent grin that did not meet his eyes. 'Though I feel you may not be as keen as you were last year. Your performance ... lagged somewhat towards the end.'
'I'll do my best.'
'Barely need to Harry, m' boy! As I said, it's in your blood, just like your mother. Well, must be off! I am sure I will see you soon.' he said with a wink, but Harry had the distinct impression he was not as eager to be in Harry's company as he tried to portray.
Harry spent the rest of breakfast steeling looks at Ginny, who was sitting with Luna at the other end of the table, his thoughts turned to the book that currently sat in the room of requirement. If he was going to have any chance of living up to Slughorns expectations he was going to have to retrieve the princes copy of Advanced Potion Making. But did he really want to use it again?
'Harry,' He was roused immediately from his thoughts by Ginny's voice. 'Have you got a minute?' He nodded and stood as casually as he could while his insides burned, and followed her out of the hall. When she reached the marble staircase she turned, looking slightly worried.
'Do you still have that book?'
He did not need to ask what she was talking about. 'Maybe. Why?'
'I think you should use it.' Her eyes had a glassy appearance, and she spoke as if the very words leaving her mouth hurt. 'It might help you … you know … in the future.'
Harry nodded stiffly 'Why the sudden turn around? You weren't so keen on my using it last year.' he said quietly, looking at her through narrowed eyes.
She closed her eyes for a fleeting moment before looking away from him. 'Its better to know what can be used against you Harry.' He was silent for a moment as he watched her discomfort; she couldn't even look him in the eye. Harry found it hurt to be this close to her again. He turned and headed for his meeting with McGonagall.
'Fwooper!' The large stone gargoyle slid aside and Harry mounted the stairs as they spiralled up to the office.
'Enter' McGonagall was sitting behind the desk where Harry had seen Dumbledore sit so many times before. She was placing a message into a tiny envelope. She glanced up at him as he walked slowly up to the desk. 'Sit down.'
He glanced around and saw the sorting hat perched on the bookshelf, the Gryffindor sword in its glass case, gleaming not far away. He also noticed the office was still full of Dumbledores things, though they no longer whirred busily or puffed with smoke. Instead they sat quietly, uselessly; dead. The portraits appeared to be sleeping, but Harry had too much experience with them to take that for granted. His eyes fell on Dumbledore; his chin rested on his chest peacefully as he sat in a large comfortable chair. Harry felt an acute emptiness at the sight of him.
As he slouched into the chair opposite McGonagall, it struck him that he had thought Dumbledore would always be at Hogwarts. It seemed impossible to imagine the school without him, yet here Harry sat, more alone now than ever. He could never again seek the guidance of his long time mentor and friend. As Harry's eyes dropped to the floor, McGonagall stood up and placed the message in the beak of a tawny owl that waited patiently on the stand where Fawkes once sat. The owl launched into the air and in a flurry of silent feathers, disappearing through an open window. When Harry looked up again, Professor McGonagall was watching him.
'You have something you wish to say to me.' She said gravely.
Harry straightened himself uncomfortably under her gaze.
'There must be someone better for the position of Head Boy.' He waited for her to say something, but she only nodded as she sat down and folded her hands on the desk. Harry went on 'I'll be leaving again soon … and I don't even know if I'll be back' McGonagall's eyes were on her hands as Harry spoke uncertainly. 'Point is I wont be able to perform as Head Boy all the time.'
'I see.' She looked at him, her expression as stern as usual 'And how do you expect to keep up with your classes under those circumstances?' Harry felt slightly annoyed that all she seemed to be worried about was his homework.
'I'll manage … somehow. And if I cant, I'll leave anyway … permanently'
McGonagall nodded and stood up. She walked slowly around the desk and spoke without looking at Harry. 'This is how it will work, Potter. You will be free to come and go, though I will ask you to inform me when you leave so I can make other arrangements. And I think it is a good idea that you drop at least two of your subjects. You can pick them up again at a later stage if necessary.' She frowned as she finally lifted her head. 'You shouldn't be taking on too much if you are to do the Defence Against the Dark Arts classes for the younger students as well.'
Harry was silent for a moment, not sure if he had understood what Professor McGonagall had said. He decided he must have misheard her 'Sorry?'
'You heard me correctly, Mr. Potter. The new Defence Against the Dark Arts Professor cannot take the position on full time, which leaves the younger students, fifth year and below to be exact, without a teacher. This is not an acceptable situation given the threat we currently live under, I am sure you agree. You have already proven your teaching abilities by the results your Dumbledores Army students received in their OWLS. And I think it would benefit the children greatly if you were to take the lessons.'
'But I just finished telling you that I wont always be here' Harry was certain he was missing something.
'Which is why I have asked you to inform me of your leaving. You will agree that some Defence Against the Dark Arts classes is preferable to none.'
'But I wouldn't know where to start.'
'Miss Granger would be an excellent candidate to assist you in planning.' She said 'It will not take up too much of your time. The classes will be combined and you will be given the Great Hall to conduct your lessons.' Harry's head was buzzing as she added 'If they agree to it, I will organize for Mr. Weasley and Miss Granger to assist you in class. The students are all at different learning levels, so you will need the help.' She motioned Harry to stand.
Harry stood up, completely flummoxed. He had come here with the intention of giving up his Head Boy status, and instead, had somehow wound up as the Defence Against the Dark Arts teacher to boot.
'I'll send you a new timetable at Lunch, until then your time is free. Here is a list of all the passwords you will need as Head Boy.' McGonagall handed him a piece of parchment as she herded him towards the door 'If you could pass them on to Miss Granger when you are done. You can also inform Mr. Weasley he will be acting Head Boy whenever you are absent from the castle.'
'But, I don't-'
'This was not a popularity contest, Mr. Potter' she cut him off as he stood outside the large double doors 'you are Head Boy because you are the ideal candidate. Personally I think it would be rather selfish of you to resign.' she seemed to soften slightly as she added 'The students will need you Harry … before the end.'
As promised, McGonagall had Harry's new timetable delivered to him at Lunch. It was a given that he would be taking DADA classes, but he was pleased to see she had kept Charms and Transfiguration. He agreed with Ginny's reasoning about the prince's book, and since McGonagall had seen fit to include Potions in his schedule, he decided he would head up to the Room of Requirement later when everyone had retired to the Common Room.
Hermione was extremely enthusiastic about Harry's new appointment, and whole-heartedly agreed to help him plan and conduct the lessons. Rather annoyingly, Ron and Hermione had sided with Professor McGonagall on every point she had put forward to Harry, thereby robbing him of any chance of justification of his doubt. McGonagall had already arranged it so they would have no trouble fitting the classes in between their own subjects; seemingly she had known they would be keen to help, and so it was that they set about planning the first lesson out of three they were to conduct each week.
Hermione made rather a quick job of it. She bolted off to the library as soon as she had scoffed down lunch, and when she and Ron met up with Harry for dinner, she handed him a complete schedule for each age group for the first two weeks, including a break-up floor plan to allow for the required space needed.
'How did you do that?' asked Harry stunned.
'It wasn't that hard. All I had to do was take out some of my notes from the classes we'd done and combine it with some information from the library.'
'We kept in anything that might come in handy in the near future.' Ron added.
'This is great!' Harry felt more comfortable with the idea now that he had a plan in front of him. He gave Hermione an appreciative kiss on the cheek. 'Its brilliant'
'It was no trouble, I really quite enjoyed doing it.' She said looking very pleased with herself.
The time spent in the common room that evening was a nightmare. There was so much resentful squabbling going on around the room that everyone was on edge whether they were involved in it or not. And much to Harry's annoyance, Ginny spent a lot of time tucked away in the corner of the room with Dean.
Harry couldn't stop glancing their way and even though they both had their books open, they spent most of their time talking animatedly. When Dean met Harry's glance he shifted in his seat uncomfortably and bent his head to Ginny's ear. The anger in Harry was stewing in the atmosphere of the room as he turned his head back to the crackling fireplace to avoid Ginny's gaze.
Hermione was returning from the girl's dorm upstairs, where she had rushed off to after a shouting match had erupted, looking agitated.
'Its just as well we don't have house points this year,' she said as she sat on the floor in front of Ron 'They'd all be so deep in the negatives that there wouldn't be enough jewels in the hour glass to count them.'
'What was it this time?' Ron asked rubbing her shoulders.
'Don't ask!' she said as she rolled her eyes 'Just be thankful your sleeping in the boys dorm with the mess they've created up there. I told them you cant throw multiple hexes like that all at once without consequences.' She looked up as two Ravenclaw girls appeared at the foot of the stairs. One had her arm around the other who was desperately trying to shield a collection of enormous red bulbs on the end of her nose. Hermione made a disapproving noise with her tongue as they crossed the room, heading for the hospital wing.
Harry stood up, 'I'm going to fetch Snape's book. I'll be back soon.'
'Alright, I'll wait for you before we do the nightly rounds.' Hermione looked slightly uneasy as Harry headed out of the portrait hole.
He pulled his invisibility cloak out of his pocket and threw it over himself as he took off for the seventh floor. Harry thought it a wise precaution to keep carrying it with him everywhere because Dumbledore had told him to do it last year, and the situation could only be worse now that he was no longer around.
The empty stone passageways were already chilled with autumn's nighttime breeze as Harry slipped through a shortcut and up some stairs, and then to the corridor where the painting of the dancing trolls resided. He looked around to make sure no one was about, chiding himself for not thinking to grab the Marauders Map before he left, then proceeded to walk up and down outside the place where the door would appear.
I need to find my Advanced Potion Making book. I need to find my Advanced Potion Making book. I need to find my Advanced Potion Making book.
Harry looked up at the wall. No door. What? So he tried again.
I need to find my copy of Advanced Potion Making that I hid here last year. I need to find my copy of Advanced Potion Making that I hid here last year. I need to find my copy of Advanced Potion Making that I hid here last year.
He looked up and frowned. Still nothing. How can that be? He couldn't understand it. He had hidden Snapes book here and he should be able to… Then it occurred to him.
I need to retrieve Snapes book of Advanced Potion Making that I hid here last year.
After repeating it for the third time the door appeared and Harry opened it quickly, stepping into the darkness and pulling it closed behind him.