A Hitch in the Plan
Chapter Fifty-four
AN: I'M BACK! First let me say, thank you thank you for all your wonderful kind words. It was so wonderful and amazing to find that even after THREE WHOLE YEARS that you all still love this story and want more. I've got my inspiration flowing. and finally have a way to post my story. I just need to get a little filler in unit I can get to the good stuff.
How Harry managed to get to sleep was anyone's guess. They had stayed up talking plans until Minerva had said it was time for young Gryffindors to be in bed. They had gone back to the dorm but had stayed up even longer signing plans to each other so no one would hear.
Percy woke them up with a start. Clapping his hands he said, "all right, why are you two still in bed? You'd best hurry up or you'll be late."
Groaning Harry and Neville pulled themselves out of their beds and dragged themselves into the bathroom. Dee popped in when they were alone.
"Mister Seerees be saying you might want this," she said handing each of them a Pepper-Up potion.
The boys gratefully took the potions and downed them in one gulp then proceeded to shower quickly with steam coming out of their ears.
Rushing through the Great Hall they found that the only seats were right next to Ron. Hermione was already there saving their seats and wincing every time food flew from Ron's mouth.
"Hey Hermione," they chorused as they sat down and began to fill their plates.
"Sorry Hermione," said Harry, "we were up late."
We'll tell you later, signed Neville with a sideways look at Ron.
Hermione nodded with a determined look on her face, I know you will, she signed back.
Both boys quickly nodded gulping audibly,
"Professor McGonagall was already handing out timetables. I got yours for you," she said handing them the pieces of paper
"Oh what's up first?" asked Neville.
"Transfiguration,"said Hermione glancing at her timetable, "we better hurry breakfast is almost over and we still don't know the way to the classroom,"
Both boys cleared their plates quickly and gulped their juice before they all rushed toward the door.
Ron was still chewing a mouthful when he called to Harry, "hey where are you going we still have time. You don't need to rush off." food flew from his mouth with every word scattering everywhere including on some people who grimaced horribly.
Harry gulped, trying not to lose what he'd just eaten "...yeah I do got to go we don't even know where the place is." he said quickly before rushing off behind Neville and Hermione.
.………..
They just made it. Harry could see Professor McGonagall on the desk in her cat form and most of the class was there but the bell had not rung yet. The trio gratefully dropped into seats towards the front. Harry nodded discreetly at Professor McGonagall, who nodded back.
Harry and Neville were just filling Hermione in on last night's talk and plans with the family (in sign language of course) when the bell rang. The class was just wondering where Professor McGonagall was when Ron Weasley burst in panting and out of breath with food all down his front "good thing I'm not late huh, can you imagine the look on old McGonagall's face if I was?" he said as he slid in behind Harry, the only seat available.
Just then the tabby cat jumped off the desk and turned into Professor McGonagall, she glared at Ron sternly, "quite," she said, "now that we are all here," she glared pointedly at Ron again, "let us begin the study of Transfiguration……"
………
Albus Dumbledore set back in his office and sighed. Harry Potter had made it to Gryffindor just as he had hoped, but he was different than Albus expected, not the shy abused boy he was hoping for, Harry seemed more confident and he had made friends with the Longbottom heir and the Mugaborn Hermione Granger very quickly. Albus sighed again, he was supposed to be abused, shy, and with no friends, no confidence, he thought in frustration, what in the world is going on? Could it be Black and Lupin? They haven't had much access to him I'm sure. Arabella hasn't told me about any requests to her,e and I haven't had any either. Not since they wanted to take Harry to Diagon Alley, and not more than once or twice a year before that. He had hoped that they would meet Hagrid and that would engender curiosity about the stone. He knew Ron, acting as Harry's friend, would lead him in that direction. At least he hoped so, the boy hadn't been having much success lately it seemed at least they didn't seem close at breakfast or supper last night. Dumbledore reached for one of his Muggle candies, grinning at the thought that just ran through his head. Yes, he said to himself I should get young Harry in here just for a talk. Then I can read his mind and see what's really going on. Dumbledore smiled as he sucked on his candy, soon I will know everything….
...
The first day of classes was both exciting and tiring, Harry thought as he dropped into a seat at the Gryffindor table between Hermione and Neville. Transfiguration and Charms had been fun, but much to Harry's dismay, he'd found out that History of Magic was if anything, more boring than Sirius and Remus had told him. Oh well, he thought, at least Neville and me caught up on our sleep. Hermione though, had not been pleased to find that she was the only one in the group that was able to stay awake. After a bit of explaining, she had simply sighed "boys," good naturedly and pulled out the two extra copies of her notes she had made. Harry and Neville had both promised to try to stay awake next time. The three friends chatted about their classes and the people they met (mixed in with a few complaints from Harry about the "idiots staring at his scar" and horrible faces made at said idiots from Harry and Neville. The faces made Hermione laugh, so most of her "ignore them," chants went unnoticed.
They were just finishing with dinner when Harry was approached by a student with a roll of parchment in his hand, "Professor Dumbledore asked me to give you this," he said, handing the letter to Harry, while staring avidly at his forehead.
"Thanks," muttered Harry, turning away and opening the scroll.
Dear Harry,
I wish to see you in my office tomorrow after classes. My office is behind the gargoyle on the second floor.
Sincerely,
Albus Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledore