Disclaimer: I do not own anything of this story. Harry Potter and all of the notable characters belong to J.K. Rowling.

Magnolia Crescent

Chapter Twenty-Six

Announcements to Ideas

"Ron! I heard about your dad in the Daily Prophet! That's so cool, your dad's a hero!" Colin shouted, a happy grin on his face as he approached. Ron smiled broadly, very proud of that fact while Hermione glanced over at Harry.

"You're taking this very well. You and Sirius helped," she whispered. Harry shrugged, giving her a calm smile.

"In all honesty, Hermione, I have no need for fame. I got more than enough and I am happy for him. He gets the spotlight for a change," he said, truly happy for his friend. They headed up to the stairs when a sudden scream drew their attention upward.

"Peeves!" a few soaking wet students cried.

"Haha," Leo laughed at the poltergeist before a balloon flew straight at him. But it got intercepted.

"Hermione!" Leo and Harry cried together. The poor girl's bushy hair was now dripping with water. "I'm sorry, Hermione. I shouldn't have – Oh, I got just the spell," Leo said, hoping to remedy the situation. He pulled out his wand, but she simply raised her hand.

"Thanks, but no, thanks," she said as she pulled out her own wand. "Unda absum." In an instant, her hair was perfectly dry while a giant raindrop splashed onto the stairs.

"Peeves, don't make me call the headmaster!" Professor McGonagall threatened. The poltergeist tossed another balloon into the crowd before racing off in maniacal laughter.

"You're not mad at me, are you?" asked Leo, a little nervous as Hermione kept moving up the stairs. When she remained silent, he turned to Harry. "Is she mad?" he asked but Harry only shrugged. "She's your best friend, how could you not tell when she is ticked?"

"Well, she may be my best friend, but I am not very good at reading women," Harry admitted. Leo shook his in agreement. "Out of curiosity, do you really, you know, like her? I mean, like go out on a date and snog?" Harry asked. Leo blinked before his face began to brighten a bit.

"Well, um, she is, um, yeah. Yes," he finally said, nodding confidently. Leo looked inhumanly nervous as the other students walked around the pair.

"Hey guys, thanks for waiting. We really should get going. I hope they don't take too long sorting the new students, I'm starving," Ron said happily. Harry glanced back at Leo, who was already trying to make an escape.

"This conversation is not over," Harry replied in an even voice. "She is my best friend. I have faced down giant snakes and Voldemort himself. You hurt her and you will find out why I am still in one piece," Harry said, glaring at the Slytherin.

"Yeah, sure, no problem," Leo said as he quickly vanished into the crowd. Ron watched him go before looking at Harry.

"What was that all about?" Ron asked while Harry slapped him on the back.

"Nothing you need to worry about," Harry said. "Let's go, son of the hero. I'm hungry." He beamed as the two made their way to the great hall.

Harry looked up at the floating candles. The hall seemed a bit smaller than last year, he noted as he walked over to the Gryffindor table. It had been a while since he had watched a sorting; something had always prevented him from getting to the hall in time. He relaxed at the table, watching the new students get sorted into their respective houses. When he glanced up at the staff table, he noticed one of the chairs was empty.

"Harry, where is Sirius?" Hermione whispered from across the table.

"Sirius?" Neville asked, looking around nervously. "You've got to be kidding me. He's going to be the new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher?" he all but shouted.

"Don't worry about it, Neville. He's a good man, just a little odd. I spent the summer with him and he is no Snape," Harry said, hoping to reassure his fellow Gryffindor.

"If you say so," he groaned, not seeming reassured but a bit calmer.

The last student was finally sorted into Hufflepuff and a few of the teachers glanced to the empty seat. Harry could almost make out the snide smirk on Professor Snape's face.

"Peeves!" a voice shouted from the back of the hall as the doors flung open. Everyone, student and teacher alike, looked to see Sirius Black, drenched from head to toe and looking like he had gotten dressed in a rush. Part of his collar was popped up, his clothing was undone and hardly buttoned properly. He brushed a bit of water off his face and adjusted his collar.

Harry blinked, unsure of what he was seeing, as Sirius walked down the hall, clearly doing his best to keep a straight face.

"And allow me to introduce this year's Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher, Professor Sirius Black!" Dumbledore announced. Sirius nodded at Harry as he passed by. Harry watched him pass by before noticing that Snape was doing the oddest thing.

"Is Snape smiling?" Ron asked, looking over at Harry with the most concerned expression he had ever seen on his friends face. And sure as the sun, the hardened and stuffy potions master was doing his best to cover up a smile, even if it seemed to be a very small one.

There was a curt round of applause as Sirius took his seat next to Hagrid. Sirius about fell into the table when Hagrid gave him a pat on the back. Snape looked even scarier than he normally did.

"Oh, no. Snape is smiling," Neville pointed out, going as pale as a sheet.

"Ahem," Dumbledore cleared his throat, gaining everyone's attention. "I only have two words for you: tuck in," he said and the food magically appeared onto the table.

"Here, here," Ron and Harry chimed as they both filled their plates. Hermione picked at her food, seeming to be lost in thought.

"Something bothering you, Hermione?" Harry asked, noticing that her food wasn't leaving her plate.

"Just thinking about that house elf, it seems cruel," she noted.

"Don't jump into it, Hermione. If you want, I can have Dobby talk with you. He could tell you all about the house elf stuff," Harry offered.

"Master Harry rang?" Dobby said, appearing next to Harry.

"Oh, hi Dobby," Harry said, glancing over at the house elf before going back to his food.

"A house elf!" Fred and George exclaimed, echoing nearly everyone around them. Harry glanced back at the elf, standing under a tower of hats and socks.

"Harry, you didn't," Hermione said, frowning at him with a very disapproving expression on her face.

"No, he works here, Hermione. Gets paid and everything," Harry quickly explained.

"Yes, Dobby is very happy. I even got some new socks," the elf piped in, jumping up and down. Hermione just stared at him. "Dumbledore offers it all house elves but Dobby is the first to accept it," he beamed, squeaking a bit. In an instant, Hermione's face turned sour.

"You two," she said, pointing at both Harry and Dobby. "You're up to something and I'm going to find out what. But for now, I am going to be doing some research." Harry nodded at Dumbledore who was now standing up. "Oh, right. Announcements," she remembered. Harry stifled a laugh, glancing at one of his earliest friends.

"What's the matter, can't wait to get back to the library?" Harry asked, laughing a bit as the poor girl started to turn red, having pegged her so easily.

"Also, on another note, there will be no Quidditch cup this year," Dumbledore announced. Harry's jaw dropped but nothing came out.

"What!" the twins and Ron shouted, their voices echoing around the hall with the many other outraged students. Harry looked like someone had brought him a dog and then proceeded to kick it in front of him.

"Peace, there is a reason. For this year, Hogwarts will be hosting the Triwizard Tournament!" Dumbledore said.

"Yay," Harry said in an unenthusiastic tone. Hermione glanced over at him as he rested his face on his hand.

"Harry, what's wrong?"

"I was so looking forward to playing some Quidditch and now I will have next to nothing to really work at this year," Harry said, frowning as Dumbledore went on to explain the age limit. More groans could be heard but Harry didn't care as he wasn't interested in the tournament to begin with.

"You could always spend more time on your homework," Hermione offered, giving a weak smile. Harry shrugged.

"I guess," he replied. "Maybe they will still let me fly around on m broom if I ask nicely," he mused. A hand suddenly grabbed onto his shoulder and he turned to see Leo standing behind him.

"Hey Harry, since you look a little sad about Quidditch being canceled," Leo said with a Cheshire cat smile.

"What are you up to, Slytherin?" Ron said, glaring at him with a lot of suspicion.

"Well, since we can't beat each other up on the court, how about a dueling table?" Leo said with a sly smile.

Harry stared at Leo for a second before a massive grin appeared on his face. "I get what you are saying," he said as Hermione adopted a horrified look on her face.

"Barbarians, the both of you! I cannot believe you two are going to try and get that club open just so you can beat each other with sticks," she said, glaring at the two of them.

"So with your godfather as the new DADA teacher, do you want to give him a little visit after dinner?" Leo asked, smirking when nearly every male at the table had all but forgotten the age limit.

"So let me get this straight: you want me to supervise a dueling club so you can all beat each other over the head with sticks?" Sirius asked with a slight frown on his face.

"Finally, someone who sees the stupidity of it," Hermione said with a confident smile on her face as she folded her hands over her chest.

"She wasn't putting up this much of a protest when Lockhart was opening it," Ron whispered to Harry. But she caught the whisper and glared at the ginger.

"Sounds good to me," Sirius said with a smile while Leo fist pumped his victory.

"What? I am surrounded by idiots!" Hermione all but shouted as she slapped her forehead.

"You know you love it," Leo said with a grin that showed off a few too many teeth. Hermione glared hotly at him.

"You're next; you and that little idea in the pea brain of yours," she said, glaring at him as she stormed down the hall to get away from the boys.

"She is so hot when she gets angry," Leo said as he watched the witch storm off.

"Well then, I'll have to run this by Dumbledore, but all things considered, I shouldn't have too much trouble getting the club up and running," Sirius said.

"Do you think we can have a tournament or something at the end of the year?" Ron asked, his eyes going dreamy at the idea of a trophy.

"I think we can work something out," Sirius grinned, amused at the expression.

"You know, Harry, I would have thought you would be a little less excited about all this," Leo noted, glancing over at Harry. Harry glanced over at him, a little confused. "Well, with you being so well known for your skill. I mean, the troll in first year and all the other crazy things you have fought, I would imagine you would be a prime target for anyone who wants to brag about beating the boy who lived. I mean, I know I am looking forward to taking you down a peg or two," Leo said with a devilish smirk on his face.

Harry looked like he had swallowed something bitter. "Maybe this wasn't such a good idea," Harry said, gulping a bit.

"Too late for that," Sirius said as he walked down the hall. George and Fred both patted Harry on the back.

"Good luck, Harry. Hope you survive," George said with a smile.

"'Cause I got a feeling you got a big bull's-eye painted on the back of your robes," Fred continued as they both walked away from Harry.

"No trouble mate, I will be more than happy to help practice spells with you," Ron offered and Harry nodded.

"Well, this is going to be an interesting year," Harry said, starting to agree with Hermione. "I really do need to start listening to her more often."

Harry made his way to the shifting staircases as he caught up with Fred, George and Ron. "So, did anyone actually listen to the announcement on the tri-wizard tournament?" Ron asked while the twins smiled at their little brother.

"Nothing too major. Two new schools and an impartial judge," George said.

"Nothing you need to worry about," Fred finished, the two smiling a bit. Harry could almost see the wheels turning in their heads.

Dumbledore sighed as he sat down at his desk, unwrapping a lemon drop before popping it into his mouth. The gargoyle at the door started to shift, signaling that he had a guest. He glanced up to see Sirius striding into the room with a smile on his face.

"Good to see you high and dry," Dumbledore greeted. "Lemon drop?" he offered, pushing the small bowl forward.

"Yeah, sorry about being late. I ran into some complications on my way to the castle," Sirius said in an even tone. "That and Peeves decided to use me as target practice," he said with a shrug.

"No, I believe you. But did you have a reason for your visit?" Dumbledore asked.

"Yeah, an idea since you more or less canceled Quidditch. I was thinking of bringing back the Dueling Club. And maybe a tournament at the end of the year," Sirius said, pitching the idea.

"Well, I was a bit bummed that I had to cancel the wizarding world's favorite pastime. Alright, but on one condition: you have to have the other staff members involved," Dumbledore said with a smile.

"Sure, Professor Flitwick would be a great addition. I could have someone with his expertise, maybe McGonagall, they have a lot of knowledge and would be more than happy to get involved.

"I was thinking more along the lines of Professor Snape," the headmaster said with a slight twinkle in his eye.

"You really think that's such a good idea?" Sirius asked, frowning a bit.

"He is a house head, not to mention he was involved in the last dueling club as well," he observed.

"You are the headmaster, but I don't think this is such a good idea," Sirius said. But from the look on Dumbledore's face, he knew there was no winning. "Fine, only if I can include Remus, since he will be helping with my classes," he said, suddenly pointing his finger at the old wizard.

"Deal," Dumbledore said and they both shook hands. Sirius allowed himself a victory fist pump; he was going to enjoy his newfound time with Severus.

Well, this should be interesting... R&R to let me know what you think as always! Promise to have the next chapter up within the week!

~LE