"They're even staring at us" Neville said, indicating towards himself and Luna who had entered moments ago "because we're with you"

"They're staring at you because of what was said in the Daily Prophet, surely you must of seen it" Harry said as another student walked by staring at the group

"Yes i thought Gran would be mad about all the publicity" Neville said brightly "but she couldn't be prouder… said im starting to act more and more like my dad"

"That's lovely, Neville" Luna said in her usual serene voice

"Thanks Lun- oi, come back here Trevor" he dived towards the frog but wasn't dexterous enough as the frog leaped out of arm's reach. Harry quickly snagged him up

"You're really rubbish at keeping that toad, aren't you?" Harry said as he handed the slimy amphibian over to Neville who took blushingly

"I wouldn't bad mouth Neville" Daphne said "after all it's because of Neville losing Trevor, that we even spoke for the first time"

"I would have talked to you…eventually" Harry said smirking "Besides you can't give Trevor all the credit, i was already laying moves down on you"

"Oh please" Daphne made a sarcastic noise "you smiled at me once and ran back to your compartment with your tail tucked between your legs"

"Yeah well… shut up" Harry said causing the compartment to laugh and make the quiet Tracey smile a little

"Are we continuing with the DA this year?" Luna asked

"Doubt it, i've got enough on my plate without the DA" Harry said

"I liked the DA! I learned loads from you!" Neville looked extremely disappointed, bumping his head against the back of his seat

"I enjoyed it too," Tracey said quietly. Harry made to reply but was interrupted as a group of fourth-years girls were giggling and whispering together

"You ask him!"

"No, you!"

"I'll do it!" the door slid open and in stepped a bold-looking, dark haired girl who had a prominent chin

"Hi, Harry, im Romilda, Romilda Vane" she said loudly and confidently "why don't you join us in our compartment? You don't have to sit with them"

"These are my friends!" Harry said coldly

"And his girlfriend" Daphne said irritably

"Oh" said the girl looking very disappointed "Oh. Ok"

The door slid closed and the compartment was filled with an uncomfortable silence. Daphne seemed to be seething in her spot as she squeezed his hand with an unnecessary amount of force

"I think she was expecting you to have cooler friends" Luna said

"You guys are cool… i don't recall them being at the Ministry fighting along-side me" Harry said firmly

"How did you guys do on your O.W.L.S?" Tracey asked changing the subject from the Ministry quickly

"Pretty average, although i got an outstanding in Defence" Harry said proudly "and Daphne got an outstanding in Potions, isn't that amazing" they spent the next couple of minutes discussing their results

"Did Ron's results come through?" Tracey asked quietly

"Umm… yeah… yeah they did" Harry stumbled over his words "We haven't opened it, were waiting until he's home"

"Do you think he will ever come home?"

"YES!" Harry said instantly and a little louder than necessary "i mean we've got the best people looking for him and if he was… dead, we would know about it"

"Okay… keep me in the loop"

"Of course, Tracey," Harry said, his mind filled with images of Ron begging for mercy as he was constantly tortured by Voldemort's followers. He hoped Ron knew how close they were to finding him. He needed just a few more weeks that was all.

"You all right, Harry? You look funny!" said Neville

"Sorry i-"

"Wrackspurts got you?" asked Luna sympathetically

"Yeah… yeah i guess so" Harry chuckled

The weather beyond the train windows was as patchy as it had been all summer; they passed through stretches of the chilling mist, then out into the weak, clear sunlight; it was during one of the clear spells, when the sun was visible almost directly overhead. Hermione entered the compartment, sliding into the seat next to Harry.

"Wish the trolly witch would hurry up" Daphne said as her stomach gave a loud growl "do you mind quickly grabbing me something?"

"Sure, does anyone else want anything?" Everyone shook their heads as Harry stepped out into the vacant hallway, he looked towards the end of the train and saw the Trolly Witch beginning her journey, handing out snacks and treats. He quickly made his way over.

"Can I get a couple of chocolate frogs?" Harry asked as he handed over the money

"Of course, Mr Potter," the trolly witch bent over and began to rummage through her stock "I saw chemistry last year with that pretty blonde girl… Excuse an old ladies curiosity but i couldn't help but wonder if anything came of it"

"Yes… yes we are currently dating" Harry blushed a bright red but didn't bother to hide his smile

"That is wonderful" The trolly witch clapped her hands together excitedly "she was a really lovely girl"

"Yeah i got my girl… and then my girl sent me to get food for her, so everything worked out" Harry chuckled as took the treats from her and moved back towards his compartment.

"Potter!" Harry groaned as he spun around, facing the blonde boy who had made his life at Hogwarts hell

"Malfoy" they stared at each other, neither of them breaking eye contact.

"Stay out of my way this year" Malfoy snarled "i'm too busy to be dealing with the likes of you"

"Busy?" Harry asked "Trying to become like daddy? How's he settling into his new home?"

"You will pay for what you did to my father, Potter!" Malfoy sneered

"You know where to find me" Harry snarled "I have no problem ridding the world of another Malfoy"

"Watch yourself, Potter… this year… everything changes" then he turned and began to trek back down towards his compartment. Harry shook his head and continued down the hallway, ignoring the stares and whispers that came from the student body. Harry stepped into his compartment, throwing the treat to Daphne who caught it easily.

"Thank you" Daphne said, kissing Harry and beginning to open her chocolate frog

"How was the meeting?" Harry asked Hermione as she flipped through her textbook

"Good although you will never believe what's happened… Malfoy has given up being a prefect" Hermione said looking into the shocked faces of friends. Harry felt his stomach drop, perhaps he should take Malfoy more seriously this year.

"There's a new Potion Professor" Hermione said

"What?" Harry asked "what about Snape?"

"He's being transferred over to Defence" Hermione said, finally looking up from her books. Harry took Daphne's half eaten frog and gobbled it down, much to her protests. He threw her another one. A breathless third year opened the door, stepping inside.

"Im supposed to deliver these to Neville Longbottom, Daphne Greengrass and Harry Potter" she handed them three envelopes before scurrying out

"What is it?" Tracey asked

"An invitation" Harry said

Harry

I would be delighted if you would join me for a bite of lunch in compartment C.

Sincerely Professor Slughorn

"We better get going" Daphne said standing up, they exited the compartment, making their way down towards compartment C. Every now and then students would exit the compartments so they could get a better look at him. The exception was Cho Chang who darted into her compartment when she saw Harry walking in her direction. Turns out they weren't the only ones who were invited although judging by Slughorn's enthusiasm, he was the most highly anticipated.

"Harry Potter, welcome m'boy" Slughorn said cheerily, his shiny bald head reflected in the sunlight, along with a big grey moustache. His round belly, jiggling with each word.

"Good to see you and this must be Mrs Greengrass and Mr Longbottom" Slughorn said joyfully. There were multiple other students, he recognised a Slytherin student from his year. He was tall, dark and had long slanted eyes.

"Now do you know everyone?" Slughorn asked "Blaise Zabini is in your year of course" The boy did not give any sign of recognition. He introduced Cormac McLaggen, Marcus Belby and surprisingly Ginny who gave them a bright smile.

"Well this is most pleasant" Slughorn said "now let's get started-"

—-

"Well that was unpleasant" Daphne said as they returned to their compartment and sat down with a huff

"That's because Zabini couldn't take his eyes off you" Harry said scornfully

"He's vile" Daphne said with a grimace "besides half the castle knows we're dating"

"Wouldn't put it past him to try something" Harry replied

"Well then i would have to freeze a certain part of his anatomy, now wouldn't i" Daphne said pulling Harry into a deep kiss (the occupants of the compartment looked away)

"I can see the castle, we best be getting changed" Hermione said and they decided to follow her example. They quickly got changed as the train's whistle signified the end to their journey, the sound of sliding doors and loud chatter came from the hallway as the students began to leave the train. The inky night was spread across the canvas that was the sky, the light splatter of rain made his hair stick to his forehead as he moved over towards the carriages and entered into the closet one

"It's going to be strange without him here" Hermione whispered, her eyes red and teary

"I know it will be" Harry said quietly "but continuing on like nothing happened would be what he would've wanted… besides he will be back before you know it"

"I know" Hermione mumbled wiping her eyes as Tracey moved over to comfort the distraught girl. They reached the castle and stepped out moving quickly among the crowd and towards the Entrance Hall. The great hall, with its four long tables and its staff table set atop of the room, was decorated with floating candles that made the plates below glitter and shine. Harry moved to the gryffindor table and sat in between Hermione and Neville. Daphne, Tracey and Luna moving back to their own tables. The hall began to fill with students as they took their seats among the house tables, students even standing on their benches to get a good peek at him.

"I wonder what Snape will be like in Defence" Neville said

"Well he was a hoot in third year wasn't he" Harry said sarcastically "I don't see why it would be any different this year"

The hall was silenced immediately as Professor Mcgonagoll entered, a line of nervous looking first years following behind. Nothing unusual seemed to happen as the sorting hat gave off its usual song before being followed by thunderous applause. The students were called out one by one as they were sorted into the four different houses, until the last remaining students were sent off to Ravenclaw.

Whispers swept through the hall as Dumbledore stood up, his hand blackened and withered. Harry had only heard of the extent of the headmaster's injuries but now seeing it up close made his stomach flip and fill with dread. Dumbledore moved his sleeve over his hand.

"Nothing to worry about" he said airily "now… to our new students, welcome; to our older students, welcome back! Another year full of magical education awaits you…"

"His hand" Harry said shocked "It looks awful"

"I really hope he's okay" Hermione said worriedly

"It's Dumbledore… he should be fine, right Harry?" Neville said unconvincingly. Harry didn't answer as he looked at the swaying dead-looking hand

"-and Mr Filch, our caretaker, has asked me to say that there is a ban on any Weasley Wizard Wheezes products. Moving on to those who wish to play quidditch for their house should give their names to their head of house"

Harry made eye contact with Snape. They held each other's gaze, refusing to break their intense staring match. Their last conversation rendered in Harry's mind and he now dreaded his favourite subject.

"-Now as everybody knows Lord Voldemort and his followers are once more at large and gaining strength." Harry glanced at Malfoy who was staring down at his knife and fork "I cannot emphasise the importance of unity in such dangerous times. The love you carry for your friends and family will be the torch that banishes the darkness that is Lord Voldemort. Always remember we are only as strong as we are united, as weak as we are divided… But now is the time to fill your bellies" with clap dishes appeared before them, the smell making Harry dizzy as he began piling the food onto his plate. He feasted until his stomach ached and the thought of food made him feel nauseated.

Dumbledore quickly baded them a goodnight as Harry and his friends stood up and began to exit the hall. He gave Astoria a quick wave as he caught the girl bouncing up and down attempting to catch his attention. They climbed the marble staircase and made their way to the fat Lady portrait which gave a drunk giggle before sliding out of the way and allowing the students to enter.

"-Atleast Umbridge is gone" Seamus said loudly "Couldn't stand that old hag"

"Yeah and now Snape has taken her place… much better" Neville muttered as he pulled on his pyjamas and opened the hanging to his bed

"He seemed to have calmed down alot by the end of last year" Dean offered

"Probably a fluke" Seamus said "what do you think Har-"

He barely overheard Seamus as he stared at Ron's bed, the curtains remained open taunting Harry with the possibility of his best friend's arrival. He wished more than anything that Ron was here

"Harry!" Seamus shouted

"Sorry what?" Harry asked breaking out of his daze

"I said what do you think of Snape being the defence teacher" Seamus said irritably

"Oh… probably be like Potions all over again" Harry said "Anyway i'm going to bed, night" Harry said closing the curtains to his bed and burrowing into his pillow. He let out a long yawn before he fell into the land of unconsciousness

—-

Harry shivered as the cold air soared through his hair, small snowflakes splattered onto his face as muffled shouts rang through his ear. He began to stand up slowly, his limbs protested as he looked around. He was in hogsmeade, but everything was different. The buildings were in ruins and set aflame while the street was vacant and eerie.

"DONT!" a loud voice came from his right causing him to jump. Harry began to slowly walk over towards the scene. He saw himself standing in the middle of a street looking up at a small mound. His heart fell. A familiar snake-like figure stood, his wand raised to the throat of Daphne. She was silently crying and quietly whimpering as she stared at the other Harry.

"Please… Don't… don't do this!" Harry shouted, his breath coming out in a frosty vapour

"Now finally i have free of you" Voldemort hissed

"Harry, i love you" Daphne said, her voice coming out in heartbreaking cry

"Hey, no don't say that alright… you're gonna be okay… look I'm begging you!" Harry cried

"Harry!" Daphne cried once more

"You lose Harry!" Voldemort's wand turned a sickeningly green. Harry charged the pair. The spell struck Daphne. Voldemort was gone. The other Harry caught the fallen girl, her lifeless eyes staring up into the sky as a small tear ran down her cheek. Harry watched himself let out an unearthly scream as he began to outright sob for the lifeless girl. Harry looked away from the scene, his heart breaking at the sound of his own desperate cries

—-

He shot out of his bed, his pillow was wet with tears and the floor covered with the blankets, he must have kicked off during his sleep. He ran to the bathroom splashing water on his face, wiping the tears that had fallen during his dream.

"A dream" Harry repeated to himself "yes, it was all just a dream"

A soft knock came from the otherside of the door

"Harry, are you okay?"

"Im fine, Neville just go back to sleep" Harry said blowing his nose as he took calming breaths over the sink. The door opened and Neville (who looked like he just woke up" stepped in

"Im fine, Neville" Harry said firmly

"Is that why you're crying?" Neville questioned

"I'm not crying" Harry said defensively "I just had a nightmare"

"I know I heard… Daphne was mentioned a lot"

"I thought… I thought for a moment that Voldemort had her and she…" Harry left the rest unsaid but it seemed Neville understood perfectly

"I've been on edge ever since the Ministry" Neville said "keep seeing you, Tracey and Hermione being tortured or worse… it's been a lot more surreal since that night"

"I think with everything that happened with Ron… i've been put on edge lately" Harry said "I mean if they got Ron… then who's next"

"Yeah I know what you mean… but you just gotta keep your friends close. Voldemort won't stop until he has destroyed everything you love… besides he has definitely seen the daily prophet, he knows who your friends are and you pushing them away won't be helping anyone"

"I wasn't planning on pushing anyone away" Harry said

"Good. Besides it's like Dumbledore said, we are only as strong as we are united, as weak as we are divided"

"Thanks Nev" Harry said "it helps… anyway lessons start tomorrow, we better be getting back to bed"

—-

"How did you sleep" Harry was broken out of his day dreaming as Daphne took a seat next to him, her timetable laying lazily in her hand as she twirled a piece of hair around her finger.

"Not great, i guess being back at Hogwarts kinda threw off" Harry said as he began to butter a piece of toast "i had a nightmare"

"About Ron?"

"About you"

"Oh… well its only just a dream" Daphne said placing her hand on top of his, stopping his shaking hands from buttering his toast

"I know that" Harry said softly "it was still awful"

"I bet it was… can you imagine the world missing out on the beautiful and amazing miss Daphne Greengrass"

"I didn't know there was such a person" Harry chuckled, feeling slightly better

"Oi, you cheeky git" Daphne said elbowing him in the ribs

"No flirting during breakfast" Neviile said with a mouthful of toast and rolling his eyes "don't want to throw this back up"

"Well, maybe if you spent your time talking to Hermione instead of staring at her, you wouldn't be here to see it" Daphne said smirking

"What!... i'm not… she isn't… i don't like her" Neville said defensively

"Never said you did" Daphne turned to Harry with a wink