THE HEIR OF GRYFFINDOR
Chapter 7 - Ice Mice & The Return To Hogwarts
After getting Neville's wand and finishing shopping, Neville's gran picked him up and Harry and the rest of the gang headed towards Grimmauld Place via Floo Powder. Mrs. Weasley ran up to Harry, who was the first one to arrive at the house, immediately grabbing him and wrapping him up into a tight hug. "M-Mrs. Weasley. . ." gasped Harry, her strong arms wrapping him in a python-like grasp, stealing his breath to where his voice was a whisper when Mr. Weasley came up and tapped her shoulder. "Molly, ease up." he said in her ear and she released him.
"I'm so sorry Harry! I was just worried - and did everything go well shopping? Are the rest of the group oka-" she started to say when there was another poof as the red flames in the fireplace turned green and Ginny appeared. As soon as she saw Harry and her parents, her face flushed and she gave them a wave before heading upstairs with her purchases.
Harry's face grew pink - these were her parents and he'd basically asked her out without their consent. Well, he would tell them eventually he supposed. But then his thoughts were interrupted with the arrival of Ron. Then Hermione after. Fred and George apparated into the house with a loud crack. "I do believe that's everyone." said Fred happily. His mother then went and hugged each one. "Well boys, thank you for helping them, you should be heading back to your shop." she said, looking a little sad. But then she smiled. "I'll come by for tea tomorrow." she promised. The twins nodded and disappeared, leaving a cracking sound. Harry hoped to get better at it since the classes last year.
"Harry, why don't you go through your trunk and organize your things?" asked Mr. Weasley and Harry nodded, noticing a glint of mischeviousness in Mr. Weasley's eyes. What exactly did that mean? Did he realize what Harry thought he might? Well, there was time for that later he decided as he took Mr. Weasley's advice.
At the Dursely's, he had not had proper time to pack naturally, so he hadn't been able to clean out his trunk. Layer by layer, he unpacked everything, throwing out old quills, setting aside old robes to pack new ones in. He placed new quills, ink bottles and parchment in a tray, sliding it closed, he fixed his robes neatly and on top, his new books. Last, he threw some of the candies he had bought. Of course, these were only basics, not at all like Honeyduke's. Thinking of Honeydukes, maybe he should look into getting a job during the summer. He wasn't even certain there was a college - although he was sure there was - and his parents fortune shouldn't be squandered - he would need to do something - in the muggle world, he would have to pay for college unless he had a scholarship. Maybe he'd discuss this with Mr. Weasley. . .
There was a knock on the door and Harry looked up to find Ginny smiling at him. "Sooo. . . going through your things?" she asked, nodding to the broken quills in the trash can. Harry nodded and smiled at her. Then Ginny spotted something in his stuff - it reminded her of a quill, but didn't have a feather at the end, yet there was a tip. She walked in and stooped to pick it up. "Wha-what's this?" she asked, twirling it around her fingers expertly.
"Ah, that's a pen. Must have gotten mixed up with my stuff." he said, and grinned. This family did take to muggle things, so perhaps. . . "Here, let me show you." Harry added, pulling an old piece of parchment that Ron had stolen to draw on and they had battled about whose Quidditch team was the best. Even Malfoy had wrote on it.
'Chudley Cannons rule! ~ Ronald Weasley' said one with a picture of the Chudley Cannon's picture. This was scratched out but readable. 'Stop stealing my parchment to write loser quidditch teams ~ Harry Potter' read the second line with the words 'Montrose Magpies are the best team in Quidditch History - they have the most wins in the League! ~ Harry Potter' and the third line: 'Whatever-'
Squiggly lines went in a sharp downward arc and then in a neater handwriting than the previous two: 'Weasley, you wouldn't know what a good quidditch team was if it bit you on your arse. Potter is an idiot, but he does have better tastes in Quidditch teams than you. ~Draco Malfoy'
"Hah! Malfoy - I'm guessing he stole the paper underneath Ron's nose, which is why that line is so sharp. . . I have to agree with half of what he said though." said Ginny and Harry smirked. "Which half?" he asked wryly. "Oh I don't know. . . but I'd say the second half." Ginny joked. Harry chuckled and patted a seat beside him, showing her how to hold the pen, which wasn't so much different than a quill.
They continued to horse around until Mrs. Weasley came in and saw the two laughng over arguing as to who should have the last ice mouse, Harry trying to make Ginny take it then Ginny trying to make Harry take it. They hadn't noticed her looking in and with her wand behind her back, she made a duplicating spell on the mouse, turning it into a pile of ice mice. "Moooom!" cried Ginny, giving her a pout and the pair laughed even harder. Mrs. Weasley giggled. "Alright you two, how about grabbing a few for tonight and put up the rest for tomorrow? Its getting late and you have to have your things ready for Hogwarts tomorrow."
"Aww mom. . . fine. You win." Ginny complained and Harry was a bit sad that she had to go. "I'll be right back - I'll grab some baggies for you to put them in." Mrs. Weasley said and headed back downstairs after them, leaving the new couple alone again. Harry nor Ginny wasn't sure what to say. "I -" started both of them at the same time, then she giggled.
"Well, goodnight Harry." Ginny said and turned to go. Harry reached out to grab her hand, about to tell her to wait when she suddenly turned around, her heel snagging on the carpet and sending them both falling onto the ground with a clatter. (Downstairs, Mrs. Weasley was cursing that silly ghoul.)
"Ack! I'm so sorry Harry - these stupid heels. . . they snagged on the carpet." she said, landing on him. Harry groaned slightly and opened his eyes, having shut them when they fell. "Oww - ah!" he said, his green eyes widening when he saw the situation they were in. He couldn't help but notice how lovely her brown eyes were - like milk chocolate. And her soft smile was melt-worthy. "N-not a problem."
"Well! I hope I'm not interrupting . . .?" called Mrs. Weasley. Both of their faces heated rapidly. "I-its not what it looks like Mom! Y-yeah Mrs. Weasley!" said Harry, sneaking a peek at Ginny. Her face almost matched her hair. "M-my heel is stuck in the carpet mom - I can't get up. . ." complained Ginny, and her mother chuckled. "Kick off your shoe Ginny."
Ginny looked blankly at her mother and then looked mortified - she should have thought about that! Doing as Mrs. Weasley suggested, she kicked it off of her heel along with the other, and using careful movements, she rose, holding out her hand to help Harry out, which he took. Mrs. Weasley shot them both a sly look. "You know, if you married Ginny, you would be an official member of the family - not that you aren't already. . . maybe I should be planning a wedding. . . " she teased and she had both eyes on her and she laughed, heading back downstairs to get things ready for tomorrow.
"I'm sorry Harry, my mom, she's so mortifying. . ." pleaded Ginny but Harry simply waved it off with a chuckle. "She's wonderful." he said and smiled at her. "Well, I suppose we should head to bed." he said, his mouth suddenly feeling dry. Ginny nodded and flushed, her face having went back normal almost after her mother left. "Um. . . sh-shall I. . . walk you to your room?" asked Harry, offering his arm. Ginny giggled. "Sure." she said.
Shortly after, Harry was at her door, and Ginny released his arm. "Thanks Harry." she said and grinned at him. He grinned back at her sheepishly. Then Ginny did something unexpected and kissed him briefly before slipping into her room. Harry's head was still spinning when she closed it, hardly hearing her good night.
~
The next day, as usual, the family plus Harry and Hermione were rushing to get thier things ready. "Ginny! Your other sock is there. Ron - did you get your new robes packed? Hermione darling, did you get everything packed? Harry -" she snapped off quickly, and she asked him if he had everythng ready. He nodded, bringing down his trunk with magic since he was seventeen. Hermione rolled her eyes at him and shortly, the Weasleys plus two were packed and left the house.
In the car, they turned on some wizarding tunes and Celestia Warbeck was singing her newest album cover 'Boil Boil, Toil and Trouble'. As the car of passangers sung the song, Harry was thinking just how much he owed the Weasley's. And he needed somehow to return the favor. He relied on them so much. . . and after they graduated, only Ginny would be there with the Weasley's. Which means it wouldn't be so financially heavy on them. The others were busy so he took two galleons out of his pocket and let them slip onto the floor, hiding them with his feet until they got out. Since Harry was in the middle, he would be able to get out last.
After ten rounds of the songs on the radio, they arrived to King's Crossing, where the lot got out. With a silent spell to illuminate them, he got out and closed the door quietly. "Oh, I'm going to miss you all so much!" said Mrs. Weasley. "Soon you'll all be getting new houses and apartments, graduating first of course, and getting married. . . I can already see the couples now!" she said happily with a little sadness too. She burst forth and embraced them tightly. Mr. Weasley joined in on the hug. "You take care of them for me, alright Harry?" he said and grinned as Harry nodded. While Hermione was very responsible, Harry had a good head on his shoulders.
"Well, best be off Mom, Dad." said Ron and Hermione nodded, going through the platform first. Then Ginny followed after. Harry stopped and turned around. "Thank you. For everything." he said and disappeared, leaving a weeping Mrs. Weasley.
~
Time seemed to pass quickly, and soon they were in their Hogwarts uniforms, the witch with the sweets cart had been by and they were munching on some sugar quills, Harry having kept two packs of ice mice in his new cloak's inner pocket. It was beautiful, he thought, the dark green-black fabric giving his robes a shaded look. It really wasn't the time of the year to wear it, but he didn't care. He wanted to show it off. In fact, he had purchased a cloak clasp in silver with an emerald in the center. It seemed to call to him, and the green matched the cloak and his eyes.
"Wow mate, that looks awesome on you." said Ron, a hint of jealousy in his voice. "Thanks Ron." Harry said, smiling. "I wonder who gave it to me. I don't think it was Dumbledore. . . since he was there." remarked Harry and Hermione nodded. "Yes, I've been thinking of that, and I believe your correct. Its not Dumbledore. And well, I don't think it was the Weasley's either. That type of fabric - its not an easy to find ingredient. Its like silk, but its heavy. And, I think complex spells have been placed on it, not unlike the Weasley brother's shield hats. Not to mention weather proofing. Someone certainly went through a lot of trouble." Hermione said thoughtfully.
"Blimey - that seems like something Sirius would have sent you - like the Firebolt. Only Sirius isn't here anymore - I know. But this doesn't sit right. . ." said Ron thinking hard about it. Hermione gave Ron an impressed smile. "Nice observation. And that emerald sets it nicely." she added.
They arrived and the station was full of the usual crowds and noise - owls hooting, cats meowing, rats looking through their cages - even a sneaked in fish or dog too. . . and was that a girl with a fox cub?! "Wow, now that's breaking the rules to a new extreme." said Ron, and looked up to see the girl's face. A few moments later, Hermione looked unhappy and elbowed him in the ribs. "Are you going to stare at her all day, or are you going to get your trunk and get a seat in the carriages? I mean you know if we don't get one soon, we're likely to be separated." said Hermione sharply and Ron shrugged, his face heating up.
"Jeez 'Mione, no sense in being like that. . . I was . . . just lost in thought." he said, trying to cover his actions but Hermione looked at him skeptically. "Uh huh. . . sure." she said, hopping into a carriage, the other two hopping into the carriage behind her. Shortly the ride was over and they were sitting down for the speech and the sorting.
Dumbledore was in his resplendant seat that resembled a throne to Harry, and chatting with Professor Snape. Harry felt Snape's eyes hit his and then look over at another student, but still, he felt that for some reason, Snape was watching him closely. Thinking about it, Snape had protected him so much, it was probably natural for him to be watchful. Still, it felt like he was being watched even moreso. He turned his attention back to the front just as the double doors opened. The new students were coming in.
"Jeez, the first years seem shorter this year than last year. . ." said Ron and Hermione raised her brows. "You say that every year - its only because you've gotten taller - again." she added, a slight bit of acid in her voice. "Oi, I can't help it, can I?" said Ron and they bickered back and forth, making Harry miss half the speech. "Hey, there's that girl!" said Ron and Hermione huffed silently. "But there's no way she's a first year -"
"Have you been listening at ALL Ron? She's an exchange student - first one in fifty years. Honestly. . ." said Hermione, turning her attention back to the girl. Ron rolled his eyes. "Jeez Mione. . . chill out." he said, perhaps too quietly for Hermione to hear, which Harry was grateful for, because the sorting was about to take place. "An unusual circumstance has happened that hasn't happened in seventy-five years - the registry at the Department Of Magic for underage wizards failed to record a name - and I would like you to give a kind welcoming to our dear young friend and Harry Potter's cousin, Dudley Dursley."
"Dudley!" said Harry quietly, hissing it into his friends ears. They snapped to attention, facing the front as Dudley started to take a seat - the small stool crackled ominously under the pressure - would it break apart Harry wondered, shocked it hadn't already - and the stool decided it wasn't time to break quite yet, yet it did protest venemonly at Dudley's every move. The hat was placed upon his head. Seconds ticked into minutes and finally, "GRYFFINDOR!" the hat cried out.
At the name Harry Potter, several eyes turned his way, and then stared at Dudley. "Potter has a cousin?!" "Lets get to know him." "Maybe I can get him to ask Harry for his autograph!" "Yes, and get his autograph too! I mean, Harry's is great, but he could be famous too, like Harry!" "Oh yes, agreed!" The chatter continued until Dumbledore cleared his throat. It wasn't exactly the loudest sound, but somehow, it had caught everyone's attention.
The red haired girl stepped up, taking a seat on the stool, almost apologetically. Dudley came over to sit beside Harry and watched as the girl got sorted. "Gryffindor!" the hat cried before the hat was even placed on her hair - much like Malfoy had been placed in Slytherin. Several things happened at once. Severus was staring in Malfoy's direction with a look of chagrin, and Draco seemed deeply disappointed, and Dumbledore rubbed Severus' back, whispering something that Harry couldn't hear. But through the actions, Harry and probably Hermione he supposed, understood precisely what those signals meant.
Draco had wanted the red haired girl, who looked a lot like his mother from photos that Harry had seen, and suddenly, things that had happened in fifth year made sense. He had been in love with his mother. And he knew that Snape had hated his father - was that the reason why he was so cruel towards Harry? And why everytime Snape looked at Harry, it was directly in the eyes? Because they reminded him of his mother's? Someone he would never have again in more than one way?
He was shaken from his thoughts when the girl took a seat beside Dudley, who was sitting beside Harry. There were differences, he saw, between this girl and his mother - the girl had freckles that spread across her nose - and Harry thought it was cute that the freckles seemed to be in the shape of a fish. Her eyes were green too, but a brighter green than his, with what seemed to be gold flecks around the green. And, if possible, her red hair was even more brighter than Ginny's! "Oh, hello." Harry said and smiled at the girl. The girl gave him a quick smile and then someone directed her attention. It took an elbow from Hermione to distract Ron from her as dinner arrived.
The day's surprises weren't quite over yet though, as Hermione parted company to go up to her dorm. Dudley was talking to Professor McGonagall and as soon as she saw the boys start to head upstairs, she tapped Harry's shoulder. "Yes Professor?" he asked, turning to face the Transfiguration teacher. "Potter, if you do not mind, would it be acceptable if Mr. Dursley here roomed with you? An extra bed was made available, between you and Ronald's bed. I think it will help him with getting adjusted to the school better if he has someone he knows near him." she said aloud. And then she leaned in to whisper something in his ear. "I know how he's treated you in the past and if I were in your position, I would be very tempted to throw him in the first year dorms myself. But I thought I would give you the decision."
Harry's mouth opened to say something, but instead ended up gawking at her. "I - I mean . . ." he said and Ron gave him a dark look and a shake of his head. But Harry shrugged. "A second chance then. ONE second chance." said Harry. McGonagall seemed pleased. "Wonderful, I'll report this to Professor Dumbledore." she said and walked away. Harry could see a pleased look in her eyes as she gave him a rare smile that was usually reserved for only Hermione.
Ron looked incredulously at him. "Mate, are you crazy?!" asked Ron and Harry shook his head. "Ron, give him a chance. I'm going to talk to him a minute - why don't you go on and unpack?" he said and Ron nodded, but seemed to be in a sour mood.
"H-Harry. . . thank you. I don't know a thing about this - you know how my mom and dad are - " Dudley started to say and Harry nodded. He did know. "Alright Dudders, here's the deal - no bullying. Its not a command or anything, but trust me, you don't want to be on the recieving end. I've got to tell you some stories sometime." he said, almost chuckling. But then he remembered who he was talking to. Dudley nodded meekly. "D-do you think you could help me learn some things on the side?" asked Dudley quietly.
Harry nodded, understanding exactly what it felt like to be completely out of the loop. "Sure. Come on, Dudley. Ron will love to teach you about the game, but if you don't get it, just ask me. I'm the Quidditch captain." Harry said with pride. "And be careful not to get on Ron's bad side - he's a prefect and he'll probably be head boy." warned Harry. "That's basically a hall monitor." he added. Dudley nodded. He would have to be extra careful, because it seemed Ron already didn't like him. Probably Harry had wrote about everything Dudley had ever done.
"H-Harry?" Dudley stuttered and Harry nodded for him to continue. "Look - I - I'm sorry. I realize I've been a jerk and much more in the past -"
"Save it Dudley. We're not going to be best friends right off the bat, and I don't want to hear sorries from you yet. I can see though that your going in the right direction, but lets save that when we can call each other friends." said Harry. Then he waved his hand towards him, motioning for Dudley to follow. Dudley nodded, swallowed his words and followed Harry up to the dorm. Dudley sucked in a breath at how plush and beautiful everything was.
Harry patted the four poster bed beside of his. "This is yours Dudley." said Harry before he jumped into his own bed. Ron sneered at Dudley until Harry stared at him. Finally Ron shrugged and sighed. It was going to be a long night, Harry thought, but not nearly as long as he thought. Soon all three boys were asleep.