Chapter 14, everybody! In which Harry and Ron don't steal a car….Also, Harry is doomed to hate all forms of wizarding transportation, it seems.
Nora as Norbert's female name is inspired by Saphroneth's fic Harry is a Dragon, and That's Okay—which you should really go check out, it's very entertaining, and also responsible for some of Dumbledore's portrayal here. :D Ron being addressed as Mr. Weasley comes from a Tumblr post somewhere, but good luck finding it. *shrug*
Kiiranilen blaq, thanks for the review! Glad you're enjoying it thus far, and I hope it continues to please! :D
Harry Potter © JK Rowling
Hedwig was sent to Hogwarts with a hastily-written note, and Harry and Ron (who refused to leave Harry alone) were deposited in a nearby café so Mrs. Weasley could see the rest of the children off, Harry insisting that she not miss seeing Ginny off at least.
"So let's recap," Ron said, eating a chip. "Earlier this summer, a house elf tells you not to go to Hogwarts. Now that we're at the platform, everyone but you can get through. Someone really doesn't want you going back to Hogwarts."
"I noticed," Harry said drily. "Boy, I hope Hedwig's all right, if they're that desperate."
"I'd be more worried about whoever tried to detain her," Ron said. "And I'm still thinking Malfoy's behind this somehow—he's the one most invested in keeping you away."
"I just hope this isn't going to become a thing."
Fortunately, they didn't have to wait long for Hedwig to come back—the elder Weasleys came back through the platform, followed by Professor McGonagall with Hedwig on her shoulder.
"Professor Flitwick is examining the portal for charms or hexes," she informed them once they were all seated. "After that…seeing as how the train has already left I suppose our options are flooing or apparating to Hogsmeade and walking to Hogwarts. It wouldn't be a terribly long walk, but you two would be the only students there for several hours."
"That actually sounds really cool," Ron said, Harry nodding.
"I mean, if it's not too much trouble—" Harry started.
"We've already been appraised of the situation," Professor McGonagall said. "Although, Mr. Potter, most students at least wait until they reach Hogwarts to start causing a stir."
"Sorry."
They finished lunch, Professor Flitwick joining them, found an abandoned section where their supplies could be shrunk down to fit in their totes, Hedwig sent on her way as Ron got hugs and goodbyes from his parents.
Harry couldn't help flushing at receiving the same treatment.
"Are you familiar with side-along apparition?" Professor McGonagall asked them. Harry shook his head, Ron nodded. "Well Mr. Potter, you simply hold onto my hand and do try not to let go. I will say it's not entirely pleasant—you'll be feeling a bit squeezed."
A few moments later, Harry was of the opinion that he didn't like apparating either.
The professors told them about the town they were in as they headed for the gates, how they'd be allowed to visit on certain weekends starting in their third year (Harry was very interested in the bookstore, Ron was interested in the joke and sweet shops), led them along a winding path to where Hogwarts suddenly appeared.
"Wow," Harry breathed, relaxing at the sight.
Their trunks and other supplies were resized and deposited in the hall after being relieved of their school robes, where they'd be spirited up to their rooms later. Professor McGonagall told them they could explore the grounds within certain boundaries or visit the library until it was time for them to be in the Great Hall for the sorting and welcoming feast, now if you'll excuse them they had to go appraise Professor Dumbledore of the situation.
Harry and Ron waited until they were gone before agreeing that seeing if Hagrid was busy was a good first approach.
Hagrid was busy in his garden, was pleased but surprised to see them.
"Blimey, am I late?" he asked, looking up at the sky. "I didn' miss a day, did I? I had firs' years to escort."
"No, Hagrid, we're just early," Harry explained, before filling him in on what happened at the platform.
"Blimey, Harry," Hagrid said when they'd finished. "I hope this isn't going to be like this your entire year."
"Me too," Harry sighed.
They helped Hagrid in his garden for a bit (the cabbages looked fine) before breaking for tea, discussing what they'd be doing their upcoming year and discussing this platform business in conjunction with the Dobby sighting. Hagrid was in agreement with Ron, someone had it out for Harry and the sooner they figured out who the better.
At least the whole thing with Quirrell had Hagrid more firmly in their corner.
They also discussed what they had learned about Snips, which was to say, not much.
"Growin' nicely, though," Hagrid observed, as Snips pulled a berry out of a muffin and ate it.
They also learned how Norbert was doing—or rather, Nora—Hagrid had exchanged several letters with Charlie Weasley (who was using Nora as his graduate thesis) and even managed to visit Romania to see how she was doing. Hagrid had gone teary-eyed describing her and how she remembered her mum, and how much she had enjoyed the fresh teddy he had brought her.
Soon enough though, Hagrid had to bid them goodbye for now, he really did have to get ready and make sure all the boats were fine he always gave them one last once-over before the train arrived—Ron and Harry took the opportunity to check out the library, since it wasn't time to get to the Great Hall yet, quite enjoyed being able to look at the books without worrying about one being checked out or snatched up by a quicker student. They even managed to have a nice conversation with Madame Pince, after explaining the how and why of them being there, complete with a second teatime and her pointing out books they might enjoy this year.
Harry also asked her if anyone volunteered at the library, to which she replied no, usually a combination of magic and staff were able to take care of everything.
There was plenty of calm reading after that, and at least one round of wizard's chess, before a glowing pale cat came ghosting in, informing them in McGonagall's voice that it was time for them to come to the Great Hall. They bid Madame Pince goodbye for now, checked out a few books, and reached the Great Hall to find Professor McGonagall with Professor Dumbledore.
"Ah, Harry, Mr. Weasley," Professor Dumbledore greeted. "You'll have to forgive me being formal," he added to Ron. "After the rather disastrous day of listing every one of your brothers but for the one I was talking to, Mr. Weasley is honestly the safest course of action."
"My sister is starting this year," Ron said.
"Dear me, a complication I must prepare myself for," Dumbledore said. "But as we have a few moments before everyone unloads themselves and reaches the castle, I must ask you to once again recount your adventures over the summer."
They did, Dumbledore nodding gravely when they finished.
"I see. Or perhaps I don't—that's always a risk," he said. "We've already taken the liberties of reviewing and strengthening the wards after your arrival—you might have experienced some dizziness and ringing of the ears, for which I apologize—but if something strange should occur despite all that, I ask that you inform either myself or Professor McGonagall immediately. Or another professor, should they be handy."
After assuring the professors that they would they were ushered into the Great Hall to take their seats—it was very strange seeing it so empty, although they hadn't reached the Gryffindor table before Professor Slughorn called them up to ask what they were doing in so far ahead of everyone else.
"Professor Flitwick told me part of it, but by Jove, Harry, a house elf?" he asked.
Which led to them once again explaining everything, fortunately having a set of tea appear (three tea times, Harry was feeling extra-British today, if such a thing existed) as they went over everything. The professors that had arrived fell to discussing their reports, echoed Dumbledore's request that should anything else happen they inform one of the teachers immediately.
"I think we should get a recording and play it for whenever someone asks," Harry decided as they finally sat down at the Gryffindor table.
Which then necessitated explaining to Ron just what a recorder was, which carried them through to the rest of the school arriving and them being rushed by Hermione, the Weasleys, and a smattering of other students—apparently word had spread.
"Or we just write it down and distribute it," Ron told him as they found themselves once again describing the incidents.
Considering how sore Harry's jaw and throat were, he agreed that would be for the best.
Nothing too noteworthy occurred over the next several days, giving Harry a chance to finally wind down. Ginny Weasley was sorted into Gryffindor, to the uproarious applause of her brothers. Luna Lovegood was sorted into Ravenclaw, and accosted Harry shortly after he and Ron acted on their plan to just write everything down and get Hermione to duplicate it with a spell to avoid having to repeat their story. Stacks of the description were distributed to all the common rooms through inter-house friends, and was prefaced as follows:
On why Harry Potter and Ron Weasley did not take the train
What follows is a complete account of the events of September 1st, as well as an earlier incident.
Pains have been taking to write down everything involved and included in the following document. Everything. Please stop asking Mr. Potter and Mr. Weasley, they would very much like to move on to talking about classes and Quidditch.
This, of course, did not slow anyone down, and it was enough to get Harry to groan when he saw Luna speed over to him at breakfast.
"Hello, Harry," she greeted, sitting down next to him and pulling a dish of porridge over. "I was hoping to ask you about this."
"Everything's there, Luna," Harry said wearily, as she waved Ginny over—Ginny came hastening over, dragging an excited boy with a camera around his neck.
"Yes, so it says, that's not what I wanted to ask. Hello Ginny, hello Colin."
"Is that Harry Potter?" the boy asked, practically vibrating apart. "Hello Harry I'm Colin Creevey I just started I'm in Gryffindor too I can't wait to start learning can I take a picture I'm taking pictures of everything and sending it back to Da he's a Muggle and I told him I'd take pictures of everything and you're a really famous wizard so that'd be cool—"
"Um, yeah, good for you Colin…please breathe," Harry added, a little concerned.
"Ginny met Colin and introduced us," Luna said. "We'll be needing him for the picture. What I was going to ask, Harry, is if you would allow Dad to publish this in The Quibbler. By now they'll have circulated and students will have written home, so I'm sure there's parents with questions."
Harry exchanged glances with Ron. "I don't know, what do you think?"
"I had been wanting to see my name in headlines," Ron mused. "And to be fair, we did kind of ask for it…."
"I haven't heard of the Quibbler," Hermione said.
"Luna's dad prints it," Harry supplied—which was honestly the extent of his knowledge. "Um, Colin, you can sit down, you know."
"Percy had to knock him out the past two nights," Ginny supplied, digging into some scrambled eggs. "Colin's been so excited he can't sit, let alone sleep."
Indeed, Colin was giving a rapid-fire delivery of how exciting everything was, to the point that Harry grabbed a croissant and handed it to him so he'd have something to eat.
"So, Harry? Ron?" Luna asked.
"I…guess," Harry said finally. "If it's okay with Ron."
"It's fine with me," Ron said.
"Finally," Fred sniffed, wiping an imaginary tear away. "Our brother's name in print."
"And not on a wanted poster either," George said, matching Fred's tone. "Ronnie, we're disappointed."
"Um," Neville noised finally, as Ron grimaced at the twins. "I don't…Miss Luna, this is the Gryffindor table."
"So it is," Luna said, using the same tone one would use when agreeing on a shape a passing cloud was making.
Neville seemed to consider that, looked at the rest of them. "Is that allowed?"
Harry opened his mouth to respond—looked at Hermione. "Is it?"
Hermione looked at Ron. "I…think so? Just that usually it's not encouraged."
Ron shrugged, looked at Fred and George, both of whom looked pensive.
"Fred," George said finally. "I think we have the beginnings of a scheme hatching."
"Agreed," Fred said, nodding.
Colin took the picture then and there, asked Harry for an autograph after the pictures were developed there's this potion that makes the pictures move we're going to learn it we asked Professor Slughorn about it and we've got a time set up to practice—Harry said fine so long as Ron signed it too, asked about joining that extracurricular Potions class because that sounded interesting, was worried that Colin would fly apart at that.
"That boy's going to explode from excitement one of these days," Ron decided as they headed for their first class.
Considering he could still hear Colin chattering on, Harry was inclined to agree.