Chapter 8 – September 1st
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I was dreading this day and most likely the train ride from hell. I just had to remember that my friends meant well and it was I that couldn't handle the continues intrusions into my life. So far things had continued to basically work the same as last time and I just didn't want...and that was the point I just didn't want. That's when my thoughts headed to the ruined relationship with Daphne. I think I want to avoid all female entanglements for the rest of my life.
"Harry James Potter where have you been? Why didn't you answer any of our owls? Don't you know that everyone was worried sick over your disappearance?
"You're in for it when they get they get their hands on you. Want to play a game of chess?"
I had left my trunk shrunken and in my pocket so I just got up and left the compartment without saying a word. It may have been childish but my ears would thank me later. I also thanked the great maker that she and Ron were going to end up with each other. Poor Ron nagged to death by the age of twenty. I was laughing when I found Neville and Luna in a compartment further down the train. "Hay guys would you like some company or would you prefer to be alone?"
"Hi Harry, Neville was just telling me about his greenhouse. He should lose his Oglebears in a year, so you are not interrupting us yet" I had a feeling that Neville missed Luna's not so hidden intent.
I had just sat down when Ron entered, "Hay Mate where have you been? They are going to skin you alive when they get a hold of you."
"Why would they want Harry's skin, don't they have enough of their own?" Neville snickered as Ron sputtered, Luna was definitely making an impression on Neville.
It was Hermione's turn to enter the compartment. "Why did you walk off on me like that? Dumbledore is so mad at you, why did you run off and not tell anyone?" I let Hermione continue as I got up and left the compartment.
It of course couldn't be a trip without Draco. He and his two goons were blocking the aisle way. "Hay Scarhead where are your two losers? The Dark Lord is looking for you and I hope he takes his time killing you…"
Enough I thought and did a little wandless magic on Crab and Goyle, their pants and robe got banished. They immediately ran off leaving Draco all for me to vent a little pent-up emotions. A quick 'Petrificus Totalus' and a silencing charm and I was feeling better already. Of course I did this without thinking and without a wand, it just seemed right. "Last warning Draco, my responses will get worse the more you bother me." I then glued him to the roof of the bathroom and left.
Further down the car I found Susan Bones with Hannah Abbott and the most gorgeous girl I have ever seen. She had long silver hair and the bluest eyes.
"Do you mind if I join you, I am having trouble with my adoring fans chasing after me."
"No Harry, have a seat we were just talking about this coming year." Susan grinned.
I tore my eyes away from the blue eyes and concentrated on Susan. "Susan could I ask you a favor? I am not trying to get any special treatment and I hate even asking you but…"
"Spit it out Harry the worst I could say is no."
"The next time you write your aunt could you ask her to meet with me somewhere private? It's not good for me to write to her or show up at the Ministry as too many people shouldn't know that I am out and about. I have so many people monitoring me its ridiculous... Dam this sounds lame."
"I can do that Harry and this girl you can't take your eyes off of is Lora Jones, Lora this is the Harry Potter."
"Thanks Susan, why don't you take the Mickey out of this poor boy." I whined.
Chuckling Hannah added, "You poor, the heir to the Potter and Black fortunes, Hah!"
"Harry Potter will you quit running off and answer our questions!" I had been found again but this time Hermione was blocking the doorway. I put my fingers in my ears and started laughing. This of course made Hermione angrier. I was laughing because standing behind her and drooling on her shoulder was Ron. He had noticed the new girl and I thought of Fleur and how Ron reacted to her. Hermione was in for a rough year with Ron.
Finally Hermione plopped down next to me and continued her rant. Ron was easily pushed out-of-the-way as I ran for it. About that time some girl must have used the bathroom and in its use had found Draco looking down at her. She was screaming her head off. I slipped out and in-between the cars and flamed to Hogsmeade Station.
I was sitting on the wooden bench awaiting the arrival of the Hogwarts train. I only had a couple of hours to kill when Lea stuck her head out from under my robes, "How is a person supposed to sleep with all your noisy friends?" She hissed.
"My apologies Lea and I also wish they would shut up a lot of the time." I suddenly realized that I was enjoying the quiet as I awaited the train.
The carriages arrived for the student transport to Hogwarts and I hopped on board the nearest. The train was due any minute and I was eager for the welcoming feast. As the students hustled to the carriages I got a pleasant surprise as Susan, Hannah and Lora boarded the same carriage I was hiding in. As the carriage departed for Hogwarts I got more ribbing.
"You by any chance have anything to do with Malfoy stuck to the WC's ceiling?" Hannah smirked.
"Little old me? I am a model student and could never admit to something in front of Susan. I mean what would happen to me if the DMLE's found out I glued the ferret to the ceiling."
Lora entered the conversation, "They say you and he are bitter enemies."
"Let's just say I don't get along with Voldemort or his Deatheater friends."
"Them you can forget if Hermione gets a hold of you, she is livid that she couldn't find you after you left our compartment." Susan continued, "The teacher on the train is not overly happy with whoever did that as she can't get Draco down."
My eyes kept floating toward Lora which resulted in a good amount of giggling from Susan and Hanna. Lora didn't seem to mind and I definitely was enjoying the view.
/Scene Break/
I was surprised that Snape wasn't waiting for the carriages and ready to drag me to see the Headmaster and assess points. Upon entering the Great Hall Dumbledore and Snape were missing and Professor McGonagall looked to be in charge. At that point Hermione stormed over to me with Ron following in her wake.
"Harry James Potter where did you disappear to on the train, we looked everywhere? Have you been breaking the rules again? Don't you know…" She had, by this time, sat next to me so she could get her point across with as much volume as possible.
"I left the train as it was too noisy as it is now!" I got up and moved to the other end of the table.
That of course got her to follow with even more, "It is against the rules to leave the train as a perfect I am going to have to assess points." I moved up the table and sat next to Neville who leaned over and whispered. "Of course she's upset that you did something, it might have been fun."
Professor Flitwick handled the sorting of the new first years. Professor McGonagall did the welcoming and warnings. Just as she finished the Headmaster entered and took his place at the head table while some toad called Umbridge was bending his ear. Umbridge then turned to the students and started going on about a new order. As the welcoming feast broke up the obligatory, "Mr. Potter please see me in my office immediately" was again spoken.
"Professor McGonagall a word please" I asked as everyone were heading to their common rooms.
"Yes Mr. Potter?"
"In reference to Hogwart's rules what have I done that was so serious that you had to turn the problem over to the Headmaster and not handle it yourself?"
"Nothing that I am aware of but the Headmaster wished your company and I suggest you don't keep him waiting."
"Then in accordance with the rules I request that you as my Head of House accompany me at this meeting."
"I have other duties so run along you don't want to keep the Headmaster busy."
"Since you do not wish to follow the rules, then neither shall I. When you see the Headmaster next give him my regards." I turned and smiled all the way to the Gryffindor common room. The next set of events I did not foresee.
The Hermione and Ron's inquisition was watched by most of the common room. Their yelling was hard to miss. In fact it was so loud that the entrance of Snape was not heard but quickly seen. As I turned to see what had made the entire room go silent I was grabbed by the back of the neck and was being dragged out. Apparently the Headmaster was going to resort to strong-arm tactics.
I even surprised myself but they did say I was three times stronger that before and it was starting to show itself. I erected a shield between myself and Snape figuring it would force us apart. If Hermione ever quits yelling at me I'll have to ask her why this happened. The shield did force us apart and while I got pushed back a couple of feet and into a couch. Snape went flying into the fireplace and fireplace's rear wall. The impact knocked him out. But did I not say the fire was merrily dancing before he made his impression on it? The common room erupted into bedlam. Thankfully Lea and Tiger didn't do anything except hiss and growl.
A couple of seventh years levitated Snape out and doused him in water. I just sat on the far side of the room and watched.
"Enjoying yourself?" Lora asked as she sat down next to me.
"Enjoying it no, but not regretting it either." You have to have been around him for a few minutes to realize he is not a nice person. He is liked so much, just look at all those with smiles or those that are snickering? Tiger was now out and in Lora's lap and doing the cute kitten act for a pet job. Lea was hissing quietly about being woken up after just getting to sleep again.
Our philosophical discussion was interrupted by the arrival of Madam Pomfrey, Professor McGonagall and Professor Flitwick.
I leaned over towards Lora and whispered, "I guess the headmaster was to busy to attend."
I headed upstairs to put my wards up around my bed and trunk. I was again surprised that I had not received another call to the headmaster' office. Being that it was so late I showered and went to bed after putting a silencing charm on Ron's bed. It was always left up to me for some reason or the rest of my dorm mates were deaf.
/Scene Break/
"Hi Harry came the call from Parvati who had been talking to Lora. They latched on to my arms and we headed to breakfast. This of course confused me as this was not normal.
As we ambled to the Great Hall I just had to ask, "Parvati what is this sudden interest in me?"
"Oh dear he doesn't know, shall we tell him?" Parvati giggled.
"Don't you feel it pulling Harry?" Lora asked.
"Err, you mean boy's attraction to girls?"
That got the giggling from Parvati into high gear while Lora just had this smile on her face. "No Harry what Parvati means is your magic is calling ours."
I was lost on this and Hermione wasn't around for a long-winded explanation with graphic charts. "You girls are going to have to explain it to me in plain English as I'm a little slow in this area." I did not hear Neville and Luna come up behind us as we entered the Great Hall.
"Well the Nargals are definitely all over you Harry, it magic of course." Luna said to the girls, "Harry has always been a bit silly."
The five of us found the end of Ravenclaw's table empty so we joined Luna for breakfast. I normal always found it hard to understand her but what she said was correct if you could cut through the Nargal routine.
Luna continued as we all loaded up our plates and started to eat. "There are soul bonds where the souls merge. Then there is magic that is compatible and the Humbillies make the souls partially merge or fit together. Then there is Harry magic which is so strong it is attracting every girl that's not in love. About that time Neville got pail and choked which got me to laughing until…I looked down the table and then around the hall and the majority of girls were looking as if desert had just been served. That's when I lost my appetite.
"Mr. Potter the Headmaster wishes to see you in his office immediately." Professor McGonagall said in a very stern manner as she handed out our schedules. Even at a quick glance at mine showed I was back in DADA.
"So you will be joining me this morning Professor?"
"No I will be taking you, let's go Mr. Potter."
As I rose, I bowed to the table and said, "Alas the Sword of Damocles."
"No time for chatter Mr. Potter let's go."
I gave the hall one last theatric line and followed Professor McGonagall. "Judge no one happy until his meeting is done with the Headmaster or life continues in sorrow." To my surprise Lora was laughing out loud. McGonagall just scowled and lead the way.