Chapter 22 the new wand, (re)learning, why Snape?

19th September 1993, Gryffindor Common Room, Hogwarts

Harry walks downstairs and sees Neville and Ginny with their homework. He doesn't see Hermione and suspect she is in her favourite spot in the whole castle, the library. He quickly walks downstairs and Neville saw him. Neville said, "Hey Harry where do you come from? I didn't see you upstairs."

Harry said, "from the dorm, I just need to think so I was on my bed with the curtains closed."

Neville just said "okay", he didn't remember if Harry was on his bed or if his curtains were closed, but he didn't could think of a reason why Harry would lie.

Harry said next to Neville and across from Ginny. Harry didn't have any homework left and had already read ahead in charms, transfiguration, ancient runes and DADA. Harry could read ahead in more subjects but he just wanted to rest after the talk with Medusa. Harry was still a bit tired, he slept a bit better after talking with Ginny but most of the night he still woke up earlier than normal.

Harry always waited for the first light to head outside and run. He runs every morning after his stay in the hospital wing and he had the feeling he became faster even if it was slow going. Harry stayed away from the border and didn't go further than the quidditch pitch. It was far from the border but also far from the castle. Most days he would run near the lake as that was closer than the quidditch pitch.

On the days when he had to practice madam Hooch was always watching and mostly one extra teacher because madam Hooch could produce a Patronus but is most of the time it was just a shield and only a few times was corporeal, her Patronus was an eagle. Madam Hooch never fully mastered the Patronus charm and never tried to because she thought she would never need it. When Madam Hooch learned about the dementors she tried to master the Patronus charm but she hadn't mastered it. Madam Hooch was strong enough to protect herself and the students but it was very exhausting for her that is why there was always a second professor that could produce a corporeal Patronus when a team was practising mostly the head of the house was present except by Slytherin.

Harry shook out of his thoughts when he heard Ginny ask him nervously "Ha-Harry do y-you kn-know t-this spe-spell?"

Harry looked and saw that Ginny was (re)reading the DADA for her first year. Harry looked at which spell Ginny looked and it was the Verdimillious Duo Spell. He hadn't had it the first year. Harry had it briefly the second year and the Duo spell was one of the spells Professor Lupin revised the day Harry left the hospital wing.

Harry said "yes. do you need help with the spell?"

Ginny nodded nervously. Harry gave a smile and said, "I will help you but I don't know where there is a room we can use."

Ginny said "I think we can find an empty classroom tomorrow after dinner. Professor Lupin showed some spells but we needed to learn those spells ourselves if you didn't master them and me, unfortunately, didn't master them."

Neville said, "can I come I still need to learn those spells."

Harry said "sure. I think tomorrow after dinner would be best, it isn't a feast so we got sometime before curfew."

The portrait came in and Hermione entered with a few books. Hermione went to sit next to Ginny and started reading.

Harry said, "hey Hermione."

Hermione just continued reading in the new books she got. Harry didn't mind. Ginny nudged Hermione and after almost 30 seconds of nudging Hermione looked at Ginny and said "what?"

Ginny pointed at Harry and Hermione looked. Hermione looked "what?"

Harry said, "I said hey Hermione."

Hermione said "oh sorry. Hey Harry, are you done thinking?"

Harry nodded with a smile and Hermione said "okay."

Harry asked, "do you know where Ron is?"

Hermione shook her head as did Neville and Ginny. Neville said, "the last time I saw him was when we left lunch a few hours ago."

Hermione and Ginny nodded agreeing that was the last time they saw them. Harry just nodded not really knowing where Ron could be and didn't try to find him. Harry went upstairs to grab his finished homework and decided to fix some obvious mistakes in charms, transfiguration and the study of ancient runes, but he left smaller and less obvious mistakes in his work. He didn't know if Hermione would like it if he challenged her and he couldn't lose her friendship.

21st September 1993, Leaky Cauldron, London

Hagrid had just flooed into the Leaky Cauldron and was congratulated by Tom for regaining his wand privileges. Harry thanked Tom before saying he couldn't stay. Hagrid needs to go to Ollivanders before returning to Hogwarts to feed the creatures.

Tom said, "okay Hagrid but next time please stay for lunch or dinner."

Hagrid gave a big smile and said: "if I could Tom I would love ter."

Tom smiled before Hagrid continued walking into the back entering Diagon Alley. It wasn't very crowded but Hagrid understand. It was a Tuesday afternoon most people were working and no students were running around during summer when there was the school rush. After 5 minutes Hagrid stood in front of Ollivanders.

21st September 1993, Ollivanders, London

When he walked in Mr. Ollivander was nowhere to see until Hagrid see two grey eyes in the dark. Mr. Ollivander walks forward and said "ah Hagrid 16 inches, rather bendy, oak wood with unicorn hair core. How are you doing?"

Hagrid said, "I am great Mr. Ollivander."

Ollivander smiled and said, "what can I do for you?"

Hagrid grew a big smile and said: "I am 'ere ter get a wand."

Ollivander looks confused "I would like to Hagrid but you are not allowed to carry a wand."

Hagrid just smiles and gave him the paper Amelia gave him. Ollivander read it and he grew a great smile and had a twinkle in his eyes. The first time Hagrid went to get a wand he was difficult. Ollivander never said it when he met Hagrid but he taught he needed custom made wand when Hagrid reached his majority. Now Ollivander is going to find out if he was right.

Hagrid tried wand after wand but none felt right or was working good for him. Every time a wand didn't work Hagrid was getting more desperate while Ollivander's smile just grew with every wand that didn't choose Hagrid. Ollivander liked though customers.

After almost 45 minutes Ollivander said, "well it seems I was right all along."

Hagrid looks confused and asked, "wha' do yeh mean Mr. Ollivander?"

Ollivander had a smile and said "it seems I need to make a new wand and just call me Ollivander Hagrid. Just wait a moment."

Ollivander walked to the back and returned with two small boxes. He grabbed a wand to the side and the two boxes enlarged to their normal size. Ollivander opened both boxes and Hagrid could see many different sorts of wood used for wands.

Ollivander asked, "Hagrid does on the wand woods grab your eye?"

Hagrid looked and felt drawn to a particular wood he was familiar with. The wood-like his old wand had, Oakwood.

Ollivander saw the look and said "ah Oakwood, but this is a bit different than yours. This is English Oak wood freshly harvested. I never made one before from English Oakwood. Your Oak was from the continent, Germany to be precise if I remember correctly. It was harvested a couple of centuries ago by my great-grandfather."

"This English Oak is the first wand wood from this particular tree. I didn't plan to use it this soon" Ollivander mused before asking "Hagrid to be sure can you place your hand on it?"

Hagrid only nodded being entranced by the wood and Ollivanders story. Hagrid placed his hand on the wood. Hagrid felt complete, happy and felt a stronger reaction than his original wand had.

Ollivander saw that and just nodded mostly to himself. Ollivander said, "okay now your wand core."

Ollivander waved his hand and another two boxes appeared. Ollivander opened both boxes and many materials for wand cores were in both boxes. Hagrid saw unicorn hair, and a dragon heartstring and recognized a kelpie tail which surprised him because he only knew of unicorn hair Ollivander worked with.

Ollivander said, "Hagrid keep your hand above every possible wand core for a few seconds if you feel nothing you move to the next one."

Hagrid nodded and started with his old wand core unicorn hair. He felt a pull but it was like it missed something.

Hagrid looks at Ollivander and said, "I feel a pull an' it feels good but like I miss somethin'."

Ollivander nodded but did pick in the hairs. Ollivander said, "okay Hagrid try the others."

Hagrid continued and after a few cores, he reached the dragon heartstrings of different species. Hagrid had his hand above the fourth heartstring and again felt a pull almost exactly the same as the unicorn hair.

Hagrid said again "I feel a pull an' it feels good but like I miss somethin'."

Ollivander nodded and said, "ah the heartstring of a Norwegian Ridgeback one of the first in a reservation in Romania centuries ago."

Ollivander grabbed the heartstring and put him with the unicorn hair. Ollivander said, "Hagrid put your hand above the unicorn hair and heartstring."

Hagrid did and said, "it feels complete an' even better 'n me old wand."

Ollivander nodded and said "well I suspected when you majored that you would need a new wand but I would have never suspected you would have needed a double core, this is rare even for me. This will be a wand with a double core from unicorn hair and a Norwegian Ridgeback dragon heartstring. English oak wood is powerful enough to hold both cores so you don't need to select another kind of wood as the second wood."

Hagrid nodded and asked, "Ollivander when will yeh think the wand will be ready?"

Ollivander looked and said "It will be ready in two hours. Normally it could take longer but I am too excited to wait. If you come back in two hours I will have it ready, just let me measure your arm and hand and wave your hand (and arm) like you would while you have a wand. I guess it is still right, right?"

Hagrid nodded before doing what Ollivander asked and nodded when he was done with measuring and seeing Hagrid like he was waving a wand.

Ollivander said, "Hagrid see you in two hours."

Hagrid nodded and said "yes Ollivander see yeh in two hours" before leaving and heading to the Leaky Cauldron.

21st September 1993, Leaky Cauldron, London

Hagrid entered the Leaky Cauldron after a few minutes. Hagrid walked toward Tom to get a meal because he wouldn't have time after he got his new wand because he needed to feed the creatures the moment he returned to Hogwarts.

Kingsley Shacklebolt was sitting in a corner where he could clearly see both entrances, the stairs, and the floo entrance. Kingsley's place was difficult to see from all entrances and only from the stairs and the bar it was able to see Kingsley.

Hagrid turned around and noticed Kingsley. He knows Kingsley because they were both in the order of the Phoenix during the war against You-Know-Who. Hagrid decided to walk towards Kingsley.

Hagrid said, "hello Kingsley, are yeh here ter look for Sirius Black?"

Kingsley said "hey Hagrid and no not really. I think as does most of the Auror department that Black would be stupid to walk in here. With a glamour, it could work but he would be taking a large gamble. Also all evidence, we found until now suggests he is moving to Hogwarts and especially Harry Potter."

Hagrid looked shocked and asked "really?"

Kingsley nodded "I am afraid so."

Hagrid knew Sirius just like Kingsley knew Sirius. They both still remember the happiness of Sirius when Harry was born. If they didn't know Harry was the son of James they would have guessed Sirius was the father. Both now thought it was played, just an act to not arouse suspicion like many other wizards and witches did to not let them know they were Death Eaters at the time.

Kingsley asked, "Hagrid are you planning to return to Hogwarts right now?"

Hagrid shook his head while saying "no Kingsley. I just went ter Ollivander an' he is makin' me wand as we speak. None o' the wands felt righ' an' it feels like I waved at least half o' all the wands in the store. Ollivander was 'xcited ter make me wand."

Kingsley nodded and said, "I am here also for a different reason Hagrid."

Hagrid looked confused and asked, "wha' then Kingsley?"

"To make sure you return to Hogwarts without the dementors attacking and hurting you. I will go with you to the three broomsticks and there I will call at least two other Aurors. Two other Aurors and I will walk you to your cabin to make sure you are home without incident" Kingsley said.

Hagrid said immediately "oh Kingsley tha isn' needed. I will be fine. Most Aurors patrol the way from Hogsmeade ter Hogwarts every hour or so."

Kingsley smiled and said "no Hagrid, I got my orders and even if I hadn't I would not let an old friend face dementors alone especially not just to get home. Also during school nights, it is not less than once every two and sometimes three hours only on special circumstances will Aurors patrol the way to Hogsmeade once every hour on school nights."

Hagrid was surprised and decided to ask "wha' orders?"

Kingsley smiled and with a grin said "Director Bones wanted me to escort you back from Diagon Alley to Hogwarts. She knew you would be here around this time and there was only one way to return, the floo. In Diagon Alley, there are only two entrances that you could use because of your size. Gringotts and the Leaky Cauldron have a fireplace large enough. However the Goblins let only goblins and non-goblin employees use the floo, even the non-goblin employees can rarely use it. Others that can use it are goblin friends which you aren't. no offence."

Hagrid said, "No problem, almos' no wizard or witch is a goblin friend."

Kingsley continued and said "and sometimes large clients can use it for a fee. So the only way was the Leaky Cauldron and I waited for your return when Tom said you hadn't returned yet."

Hagrid nodded and said, "okay well thank yeh Kingsley an' thank Ame- Director Bones."

Kingsley said, "will do Hagrid, will do, but first let's eat as it seems you need to wait."

Hagrid nodded and when Tom brought Hagrid's food and drink Kingsley ordered the same but instead of a butterbeer, he takes the pumpkin juice he is on duty after all. What Hagrid didn't know was that everything he did today in Diagon Alley will be paid for by the ministry. That was all Amelia's doing to make up for the years that Hagrid was wrongfully convicted and stayed in Azkaban earlier this year. She wanted to do more but unfortunately, she couldn't without Fudge or Umbridge finding out.

Hagrid and Kingsley talked about many things while enjoying their food. Hagrid about many creatures while Kingsley talked about the past and his (comical) experiences in the Auror force after You-Know-Who fall and the escape of Sirius Black.

After they were done eating. Kingsley paid with money he got from Amelia before walking with Hagrid to Ollivanders. They were talking until they reached Ollivanders a few minutes later. Kingsley decided to let Hagrid go inside alone.

21st September 1993, Ollivanders, London

Hagrid walks inside and after just a few seconds Ollivander appears. Ollivander said with a smile "ah Hagrid. I got your new wand here. I just finished it."

Ollivander laid the grab in front of Hagrid. Hagrid grabbed the wand and it felt wonderful and perfectly in his hand. He noticed it was longer than his old wand.

Ollivander smiled "this is the first one I ever made of English Oak. This wand is made from English Oak, unicorn hair and dragon heartstring, Slightly Yielding and is 25.1 inches in length. This is also the longest wand I ever made also I used some more wood to make it heavier and sturdier and easier for you to use."

Hagrid said, "thank yeh Ollivander."

Ollivander smiled and grabbed three more things. Ollivander kept on smiling and said "here I got a box to keep it safe as all the other wands have. Also here is a polishing kit and a simple holster that you can keep on your belt. Normally the holster would be on your right wrist but I don't have one that will fit Hagrid."

"I would love ter get tha' but I don' think I can afford it," Hagrid said.

Ollivander kept smiling and said, "don't worry about it, it is all taken care of."

Hagrid smiled and said "thank yeh Ollivander but I need ter go righ' now. The creatures aren' happy if I feed 'em ter late."

Ollivander said "goodbye Hagrid. Please come by to let me know who your wand is doing."

Hagrid replied "goodbye Ollivander if I can I will. I don' know if I got time though."

With that Hagrid walked to the door and entered Diagon Alley.

21st September 1993, Diagon Alley, London

When he stepped into Daigon Alley. Kingsley was waiting for Hagrid.

Kingsley said "Hagrid great. Do you have the price for this?"

Hagrid said, "yes 's on this parchment."

Hagrid held out the parchment and Kingsley grabbed it. Hagrid looked confused and Kingsley said, "I make sure Director Bones get it and everything will be paid."

Hagrid wasn't sure but he trusted Kingsley and Amelia Bones. Hagrid just shrugged and walked with Kingsley back to the Leaky Cauldron.

Hagrid talked about Hogwarts and any chances including his new job and about Harry. Mostly about the stories he heard from Harry and compares Harry with James and Lily.

Kingsley was good friends with James during their Auror training and job and met Lily quite a few times and liked her too, but was happy he wasn't married to her. Kingsley has sometimes seen Lily mad and that was scary. Sometimes he wondered who he preferred to fight With you-Know-Who or an angry Lily, but if Lily was enraged he knew he would prefer to face You-Know-Who.

Kingsley told Hagrid that and his laughing was heard in almost the entire alley. Many who were shopping and stops looking where that sound came from before continuing almost everybody knew Hagrid the gamekeeper from Hogwarts. Hagrid and Kingsley enter the Leaky Cauldron but say nothing to anyone before using the fireplace and floo to Hogsmeade and the Three Broomsticks.

24th September 1993, care of magical creatures class, Hogwarts ground

The whole class of care of magical creatures full of third years had left the forbidden forest a few minutes ago. Everybody in the class except the Slytherins hated Malfoy for ruining a normally fun and exciting class. However, after the first class, all the other lessons were dull, extremely dull.

Hagrid wasn't happy, he thought the first lesson went great until Malfoy insulted Buckbeak. Hagrid decided to teach about Flobberworms. They are not dangerous but you will not like being covered in Flobberworm Mucus.

Only a few students found the Flobberworms interesting but nobody found Flobberworms exciting like the Hippogriffs were. Today they went back to the Forbidden forest for the first time after the attack. Everybody except Malfoy and his group was hoping for an exciting class.

It wasn't, first, they need to take care of their Flobberworm and if yours was still alive collect the Mucus and feed them. After that, you could search for Horklump. However if your Flobberworm died you clean the enclosure, collect the Mucus, put the dead Flobberworms in a large crate and grabbed a new one and start feeding it before you could also look for Horklump.

At the end of class, Hagrid said that they would continue with the Flobberworms next class and heard a groan from most students. Hagrid has lost his confidence after the attack even though almost everybody liked it even Harry and he ended up hurt.

All the students except Harry, Neville, Hermione, Ron, and Susan were walking back to the castle. Daphne had already heard from her father that Hagrid won. Even though she didn't care she was happy she could help Harry …. 'No Potter and I shouldn't be happy about helping him' she thought.

Daphne quickly left with the other Slytherins with just one look back seeing Harry, Hermione, Neville, Ron and Susan talking with the big oaf … no, talking with Professor Hagrid. They were laughing and looking at something.

24th September 1993, Hagrid's cabin, Hogwarts ground

Hagrid sat on the stairs to his cabin. Hagrid was unhappy, he hoped that he could find students that liked magical creatures like Charlie Weasley and he did. Hagrid hoped he could find a student that knew that 'dangerous' creatures were just misunderstood. Hagrid was also doubting himself if it was a good idea to become a Professor. He knew he was sturdier than the students but still. Hagrid thought about quitting but he was shaken out of his thoughts when he heard Harry's voice.

Harry was told by Hagrid last Tuesday that he would get a new wand that afternoon. However, with all the homework, full class schedule and Quidditch practice Harry couldn't visit Hagrid to look at Hagrid's new wand.

Harry asked, "and Hagrid can we see your new wand?"

Hagrid was happy that Harry was still talking to him and the friendship didn't suffer, not by Buckbeak or the boring classes. Harry pulled his wand out of the holster. Because the wand was large he couldn't summon it out of the holster that barely fit the wand even though the holster was large. Hagrid didn't know but Ollivander made it, especially for Hagrid's large wand but the wand was too unstable to summon it out of the holster with a flick of his wrist.

Hagrid was showing his new wand with a large smile happy to legally be able to carry a wand again. Harry, Hermione, Neville, Ron, and Susan were all amazed by the new wand mostly by the length of it.

Hagrid said "Ollivander made this wand last Tuesday 'imself. It has two cores, one o' unicorn hair an' a dragon heartstring from a Norwegian Ridgeback. It was the first one he made with English Oak he said. 's 25.1 inches in length an' Slightly Yielding. Ollivander also made it heavier an' sturdier to make it easier fer me ter use."

Harry, Hermione, and Ron smiled at the heartstring of the Norwegian Ridgeback thinking back at their first year and the dragon Norbert. Hagrid did a few spells from the first, second and third years.

When they looked slightly amazed Hagrid said "Professor McGonagall an' Professor Flitwick came by the last two nights an' helped me with some spells an' charms even from defence against the dark arts an' herbology. They offered ter teach me the spells I would have learned if I wasn' 'xpelled. I agreed but I don' know if they have much time with the Hogsmeade weekend that is coming up an' ter which year they would wan' ter teach me. Maybe I can atten' some third or fourth-year classes when I don' teach care o' magical creatures or take care o' the creatures."

Harry and Neville were smiling but inside they were laughing seeing Hagrid in charms but mostly about the Flitwick and Hagrid and the many situations that could happen which make them both almost laugh out loud.

Hermione was smiling happily that Hagrid still wanted to learn even if he didn't need to. Ron was thinking Hagrid was mental learning spells while he didn't have to. Susan didn't know what to think but thought that Hagrid was doing a smart thing to learn more spells he should have learned.

After a few more minutes they went to lunch when they heard Ron and Neville's stomachs asking for food.

Harry said, "Hagrid we should head to lunch we got classes after lunch."

Hagrid said "o' course yeh are right. Let me walk yeh all back. I should also get lunch a beca'se I got sixth years after lunch."

The whole group walked towards the castle under the watchful eye of a large black dog near the forest, a large snake inside the forest, a youthful part cat and part kneazle near Hagrid's cabin quickly following his owner and from the owlery, a beautiful white owl was trying to sense her owner before the owl went to sleep.

30th September 1993, Defence Against the Dark Arts classroom, Hogwarts

Harry was surprised when he entered the classroom with Hermione, Ron, and Neville. The classroom was dark while Professor Lupin (again the headache) never closed the windows before.

Barely a minute after they took their seat they knew why the darkroom was dark. An image appeared at the front and Professor Snape walked in. Professor Snape said "werewolves, one of the foulest beasts in the world. Infecting innocent humans with their bite. Animals and creatures aren't infected when they are bitten."

Hermione immediately raised her hand and said: "but Professor we were discussing vampires last time, we aren't done with vampires."

Snap said "we are going to discuss Werewolves. When 'Professor' Lupin is better you can continue to study vampires but now you are going to learn about Werewolves."

When Snape turned around and started the lesson Harry thought 'so that was why Professor Lupin was looking ill last lesson. Also, the twins said that Professor Flitwick did their lesson (A/N 1). Why do we get Snape? I hope the next time we got someone else. Professor Flitwick would be good as an ex-duelling master and Charms is always fun.'

Harry, Hermione, and Neville were making notes while Ron was listening but barely. Hermione's notes were quite a bit more than Neville's and just a little bit more than Harry's notes. However, Harry's notes contained all the information and Neville's notes contain much but not all. While Hermione noted every detail something Harry didn't do. After the double Defence Against the Dark Arts, all the Gryffindors hated it, Defence Against the Dark Arts for the first time ever.

1st October 1993, Auror training room, MoM

Arthur was breathing hard. He had just finished his morning exercise with the first year Auror trainees. He was happy he could at least follow them. The first few times he could do barely half and now he could keep even though it was still really hard.

Perkins could do at least half of the training and that was a nice surprise because they have been only doing it for 2 weeks. However, this wasn't only to improve their condition but also to look at which 4 Auror he wants. He and Perkins found 7 possible candidates for the first year Auror trainees. Arthur got however bad news from Amelia.

Amelia said that everything still was okay, but the Aurors for Arthur still needed to do the normal training program and education all the Aurors were giving. Arthur's Aurors would get extra education for operating in muggle inhabited areas and with muggle perpetrators without knowledge of the magical world.

Amelia also said that Arthur's Aurors need to do the same things to pass and become junior Aurors and Arthur needs to prepare for exams for every year of the three-year Aurors training. Also, the Aurors sometimes needed to do their jobs in the magical world like patrolling, investigating a crime scene and other things Aurors do in the magical world. Amelia promised that Arthur could make the schedule for that so it would not collide if Arthur and Perkins were planning a raid. Amelia said that when they have planning training and if she knew more she would let them know.

Besides all that Arthur was still happy with the changes so far. They had chosen 7 applicants from last year that could work for Arthur's department more than originally thought. All 7 were progressing better than anticipated, they however needed to improve on potion making and detecting (like all new Aurors) and DADA.

If they did do a NEWT DADA but didn't pass it or only got an A they needed to study to improve DADA or any other subject you needed to become an Auror. Arthur's department was less strict and accepted A students but Arthur and Amelia decided that the Arthur's Aurors needed to be at least a high A preferably a small EE during Christmas in their third year and could only complete the training with a solid EE score, it doesn't need to be a high EE score.

Arthur knows he needs to improve as did Perkins know about himself. He didn't want to disappoint Amelia and really wanted to make the new department work, it was after all for his favourite hobby, muggles.

Arthur went to his office with Perkins after freshening up and working on the paperwork. While discussing the appliances of a small ship the size of a rubber duck.

16th October 1993, Great Hall, Hogwarts

Harry was sitting down with Hermione, Ron, and Neville. Harry wasn't happy today was the first Hogsmeade weekend and he couldn't go. He was close to getting his slip signed but then 'aunt' Marge happened. He could spend time alone maybe try to find the kitchen or maybe Ginny would like some company but she was still asleep according to Hermione who went to see if Ginny was awake to get some breakfast before coming down to the Common Room seeing Harry and Neville talking with a barely awake Ron.

That happened a few minutes ago. The moment they entered the great hall Ron woke up seeing the breakfast ready on the tables. Almost everybody from the third year and up was already sitting at their tables trying to quickly eat before going to Hogsmeade. On Saturday and Sunday breakfast started at 07:00 am and ended at 10:00 am.

However, most didn't stay for the whole three hours especially not on Hogsmeade weekends. You were allowed to enter the town with the first that leaves at 09:00 am. At 05:00 pm the last group will return because dinner started at 06:00 pm and have some time to put your purchases away. Every student was supposed to be present by dinner from the start and stay most of the time. However during feasts like Halloween and Christmas, the dinner was a bit longer and supposed to stay there the whole time, but you could leave around 08:00 pm but most stayed until the end.

Dumbledore stood up when he saw that all third years and up were in the Great Hall ready to go to Hogsmeade.

Dumbledore said "because of the dementors stationed at the border of Hogwarts every hour on the hour a group of Aurors will head to and from Hogsmeade if you want to return or head on to Hogsmeade. After 3 pm every half hour, a group of Aurors will head to the castle to lead students back. Some professors will also be in the town if you want to return but just missed the group. However, the professors may not be able to escort you back. If that happens then you, unfortunately, need to wait for the next group."

Dumbledore took a deep breath before continuing "I must inform you that like I said at the beginning of the year that dementors are the foulest creatures in our world and will not leave you alone and know no mercy. I severely advise you to not tempt the Dementors. Also, do not walk alone without a teacher or Aurors when you head towards Hogsmeade or when you head back and that means all years even the seventh years."

Dumbledore sat back and saw all the students that were present looking at him without a sound (except Ron Weasley, he was still stuffing his face looking and sounding like a pig). Dumbledore noticed that a few beside Ron were still eating but at least looked at him. Dumbledore didn't know if they heard him but he didn't care, more than enough did. He did his job and warned the students.

Slowly everybody returned to what they were doing or were talking about before Dumbledore started his speech.

At 09:45 Harry walks out with Hermione, Neville, and Ron. Many students were already waiting with a few Aurors ready to head towards the village. Harry try to slip passed but Harry didn't expect Professor McGonagall to look at all students before they waited to leave with the first group of students and Aurors.

Professor McGonagall had a small smile on her lips when she said: "I knew I would find you here Mr. Potter."

Harry hated that he left his invisibility cloak in his trunk but he didn't know if Professor McGonagall knew about that. Harry said, "Professor McGonagall if you sign it I could still go."

Professor McGonagall looked with compassion and said "sorry Potter." she needed to be firm and it was hard, she barely could when she saw those eyes still as bright as when he was born. "your guardians need to sign and I am not your guardian. Also, I am not when you are at school. I am sorry Potter."

Harry knew he couldn't convince Professor McGonagall. Hermione hugged him and said: "I will bring back some candy for you."

Harry said, "Thank you."

"So-sorry H-H-Harry" Neville said nervously hoping Harry didn't hate him for him going.

Harry said "no problem Neville. Hermione, Neville and Ron enjoy yourselves"

Ron looked at Harry and just said "bye" before heading towards the group and disappearing into the group waiting by the Aurors a couple of feet away.

Harry gave a small wave before turning around and walking back inside the castle. Harry didn't see Professor McGonagall's mask fall for almost 30 seconds before her mask was in place again.

Professor McGonagall thought 'I am so sorry Harry. I wish I could but Albus thought it would be better if you stay here with Sirius Black on the loose. Even if you had your slip signed I wasn't allowed to let you go. I can't sign it I wish I could. I still can't believe Sirius betrayed his parents and Harry himself. He was a brother of James in all but blood, just as was Remus. You could say they were the siblings they never had to each other. They were more than best friends, how can Sirius betray them.'

If she needs to point a traitor from the four marauders she would have chosen Peter. James had Lily, outside of Hogwarts Sirius was in love but she couldn't remember with who and Remus was on a mission for Dumbledore and was content. The other best friends like Frank had Alice, Jacob was starting a relationship with Isabel after a contracted marriage and Pandora one of Lily's best friends found her love strangely enough in Xenophilius Lovegood.

Professor McGonagall saw the group of Aurors leaving with the students and quickly joined them as extra protection she needs a fire whiskey at the three broomsticks and have a nice chat with Rosmerta if she had the time.

I think this is the best place to stop. It took longer to finish the story had some kind of writers' block. I hope that it stops after posting this chapter. The next chapter will contain probably Hogsmeade's visit with Hermione, Ron, and Neville. Harry's day at Hogwarts and if the words allowed it Halloween.

A/N 1 It would be weird if Snape took all the lessons from Lupin while still the only potion teacher in Hogwarts and therefore the only teacher that can teach potions. Nobody else got an O in their NEWT and got a potion mastery, not even Dumbledore. Also, I suspect most if not all teachers know that Lupin is a werewolf.