Harry Potter and the Great Struggle

Harry smiled to himself, thinking of his home that was Hogwarts. Ever since he had been a child and lived with the Dursley’s, he had thought of life as a depressing worthless existence. When he had first received his letter to Hogwarts, he had a glimmer of hope of a better life that was actually for him. Finally over the past few years, he had had a true family: the Gryffindors. Never before had he felt loved and belonging. True, some things in his life were still awry, like Sirius being a wanted felon, but all in all, it was a good life. And Hogwarts was the center of it.

Harry was just about to follow his friends in when he felt a shoulder rest upon his shoulder. He turned around and saw one of the greatest men of his time, Professor Albus Dumbledore. Many said that he was the only one Voldemort feared, and that Dumbledore was the most powerful wizard in existence. More than that though, Dumbledore had guided him through his years at Hogwarts, and indirectly was preparing Harry to become a great wizard. “Why aren’t you at the feast, Professor?” he asked of his friend.

Dumbledore’s eyes twinkled, “I could ask you the same question, Harry.”

“Oh, I was just thinking. It’s good to be back sir.”

“Yes, and it is good to have you back,” Dumbledore replied. “I wanted to talk to you Harry, in answer to your question.” Harry looked at Professor Dumbledore, raising his eyebrows, and Dumbledore went on, “tell me Harry, do you still have the gift I gave you?”

“Uhm...yeah, I do,” he looked at his trunk pointedly before asking the question he had asked in his letter, “What is it?”

“A tool Harry,” the old man said, “a tool, which will be very useful. I’m afraid,” Dumbledore paused, thinking if he should tell Harry what it was. “I’m afraid that you will soon go through what will be your greatest struggle. You will find out what it is when the time comes.”

Harry hated it when Dumbledore went around questions asked of him, but knew when not to press further. How could a simple stainless black object be a useful tool? Harry had already tried to put different spells and charms on it, but nothing had happened. Oh well, he thought to himself. Dumbledore broke his thoughts, “I do believe we should rejoin the feast. The elves worked hard on roasting the turkeys for all the students.”

Harry nodded and followed the Professor into the Great Hall. The headmaster moved to the staff table and Harry sat down at the Gryffindor table next to Ron and to his dismay, Lavender Brown. Harry groaned inwardly and Ron winked at him. How does Ron know about the train incident? Damn that Neville, Harry thought to himself.

Lavender smiled at him and Harry felt his face turn slightly red and focused his attention to the front of the room. By now the Sorting Hat had finished its song and the sorting was well underway.

“Brocklehurst, Erin,” the transfiguration teacher, Professor McGonagall called out. A small girl walked up to the podium and put on the Sorting Hat. “HUFFLEPUFF!” The hat called out and the Hufflepuff table cheered as Mandy gave her sister a hug. It went on for a while, as two new Slytherins were inducted and a Ravenclaw was made. There were no new Gryffindors.

“Hussain, Shareef.” A lanky brown-skinned boy walked up to the hat confidently and put it on. After a moment it called out, “GRYFFINDOR!” and the Gryffindors cheered.

“Kamaal doesn’t look to happy does he?” Ron said, shifting his eyes to the Ravenclaw table where a sixth year sat with a scowl.

“Nope,” was the reply as Harry watched on.

“Jordan, Aileen!” Harry looked at the girl who put the hat on timidly, and sulkily walked over to the Slytherin table after a moment. The Slytherins embraced her to her dismay.

“Jordan had a sister? Who has just become a Slytherin?” Ron asked dumbfounded. Harry laughed as Hermione smacked him across the back of his head.

“She’s white you git! Lee was black!”

“Oh,” Ron managed to mumble. “Look who‘s next Harry.”

“Malfoy, Maria!” Professor McGonagall called out. The whole room went quiet. She stepped up to the stool timidly and put on the hat. After a few moments passed, and the whole room peered over each other’s shoulders to get a look at the Malfoy, it finally called out, “SLYTHERIN!” The Slytherins cheered and Draco Malfoy smiled to himself as his friends clapped for his younger sister.

“Patil, Pearl!” Harry looked stricken as did Hermione. Another Patil? Great, just great. Harry smiled at Parvati and realized the girl could go anywhere, as Parvati and Padma had gone their separate ways. The hat quickly informed the room that Pearl would be sorted into, “GRYFFINDOR!” Parvati cheered as Padma sulkily clapped for her sister.

“Thomas, Derrick!” A tall proud boy stepped up to the stool as Dean Thomas looked anticipatingly at his brother. “GRYFFINDOR!” The Gryffindors cheered as the boy walked over proudly to them.

“Harry look!” Hermione whispered to her friend from across the table. “Another older student!”

Harry looked up and saw another dark-skinned student standing there, by himself towering over the first years. He was almost the same height as Ron, over six feet four at least. The difference was, however, was that the boy was not tall and lanky like Ron was. He was well built, with broad shoulders and straight posture. “Wonder who he is and what year he is?”

“We’ll find out soon enough,” she whispered back as his name was called.

“Thompson, Jermaine!” The tall boy stepped up to the stool and put on the hat, looking at it with disdain.

“Look at him, bet he’s going to become a Slytherin.” Harry heard Seamus say.

The boy put on the hat and waited for a few moments. Everyone looked on, wondering why it was taking so long. McGonagall looked on curiously, wondering as well. The whole room was hushed now, just as it had been for Maria Malfoy. “Eh..?” Seamus managed to mumble stupidly. After about thirty seconds, the hat seemed to finally make its choice as it stirred upon the boy‘s head. “GRYFFINDOR!” The Gryffindors stared stupidly until Harry stood and clapped hard. The boy looked relieved at being both placed at Gryffindor and being accepted by at least one person. The rest of the table clapped and the boy sat down at the empty seat next to Hermione across from Lavender.

“Thanks,” he said to Harry and then looked at his forehead. Harry felt a wave of discomfort as the boy smiled once again, “You‘re Harry Potter eh? Interesting.”

“And what, mate, do you mean by that?” Ron asked rudely. The boy looked uncomfortable at Ron’s rude question.

“So it’s not interesting?”

Hermione decided to intervene, “What my dear friend Ron Weasley here meant by his comment is that the word interesting is new for Harry. Usually a wow or amazing is what’s heard,” she smiled warmly at him and he returned the smile, which caused Hermione to blush. Ron looked on jealously at this exchange.

Lavender giggled as the boy finally spoke after a moment. “A Weasley? I’ve heard a bit about you actually. At least your family. I heard your father--”

“Leave my father out of this,” Ron interrupted Jermaine.

Jermaine continued, “--was close with the Headmaster.”

“And?” Ron asked?

“Never mind.”

Harry was glad the conversation had ended as the Sorting as well ended. Jermaine was an interesting fellow, to say the least, but Harry still didn’t know what to make of him. He looked around and for the first time he looked up at the staff table. There were two new teachers there, and to his dismay, saw that Professor Snape was back. He had been gone all of last year and they had had Professor Grubbly-Plank, who was experienced in Potions as well as magical creatures. Adding to Harry’s curiosity as to where Snape had been was the fact that Snape looked ghastly. The professor’s head was shaved, and he had scars all over his face. His left brow was shaved, as there was a large gash there. He looked tired, but scowled nonetheless, wanting nothing to hurt his reputation. Oddly, Harry found the professor looking like Alastor Moody, who had taught Defense against the Dark Arts last year. The auror had felt like he owed the students a real teacher since Crouch had impersonated him in Harry’s fourth year. Harry realized one of the teachers would be the new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher, and the other...who was the other one? Harry wasn‘t sure. He expected Dumbledore would announce it.

Sure enough, the Headmaster stood up and looked at all the students and smiled at them. He cleared his throat and began his opening speech, “Welcome first years, to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. I hope it will be pleasant to you all. To the rest of you, welcome to another year at Hogwarts. Hopefully this year will be as good as past years. First, I would like to let you all know of some of the rules here, that the staff has decided to enforce especially this year. There will be a curfew for all students, none shall be allowed to be outside their Houses after ten o’clock or before 5 o’clock. There shall be severe measures taken to those who decide to break these rules,” he glanced at the Gryffindor table.

“Second, as usual, the Forbidden Forest shall be off limits, as the name suggests. Again, if you are discovered there, there shall be consequences,” again, the professor glanced at the Gryffindor table before continuing. “Third...” Dumbledore glanced around, eyes twinkling, “Never mind. I can see you all are hungry so I will move on, as the rules shall be posted on Argus Filch’s door. Do not worry, we’ll get to the feast soon. Hm...” Dumbledore seemed to blanch.

“Oh yes, as some of you may have noticed, there are a few older first years. The truth is, they are not first years at all. Two students have recently decided to start at Hogwarts, and I would like to introduce them. Maria Malfoy has recently joined us from Durmstrung’s and will begin here as a 5th year. Some of you may know her brother, Draco. The second student is Jermaine Thompson, who has come here all the way from Nigeria’s school, Mateen’s Institute of the Majiks. He will begin as a 6th year. I would like you all to welcome them here, and treat them equally.”

“Also, I would like you all to welcome back Professor Snape, as he has returned from his studies in India. He is very glad to teach Potions again.” Harry looked at Snape, who wore the usual scowl on his face. He didn’t look like he was glad to teach Potions again, but then again, Snape always frowned. Something was different though. Harry looked harder and saw small scars plastered across the teacher‘s face...and then a large one running through his left eye. The eye itself seemed okay, but out of place in the mangled area.

Dumbledore continued, “Professor Moody has left along with Professor Grubbly-Plank, and I would like you all to welcome the new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher, Professor Rayne. She is very happy to be here.” Professor Rayne nodded and smiled warmly. “Finally, I am very happy to say that Professor Binns has finally moved on past the realm of mortals. He decided he had finally taught enough students and it was time to leave. I would like you all to remember him, and I am pleased to introduce the new History of Magic teacher, Professor Parker.” Everyone clapped for the three teachers, while Dumbledore continued, “Perhaps we’ll learn a bit more than Goblin wars, eh?” He smiled and sat down.

It was quiet for a minute. Everyone looked around wondering what was next. Ron’s stomach growled loudly causing several Gryffindors to snicker. The Headmaster looked up at the noise and smiled again, “Oh dear me, it looks like I forgot something important.”

“Got that right!” Ron said loudly. Dumbledore chuckled and waved his wand nonchalantly and on the four long House tables, an enormous feast appeared. Ron smiled gratefully and dug in.

After the feast, the trio of five walked up to the Gryffindor tower with a number of first years following them. They were discussing the new teachers, while the new students nervously tittered and tattered behind them. Harry meanwhile, was stuck in his own thoughts. “I’m sure the new teachers will be fine,” Neville was saying as they walked slowly.

“I’m sure they will be, but the thing that really bites is that I won’t get my afternoon nap in History of Magic, or morning nap, depending on the time of day. Where else will I be able to catch up on my precious sleep? Divination? Not with that old woman predicting I’ll fall asleep in there!” Ron said frantically.

Hermione narrowed her eyes at Ron, “Honestly Ron, you’re not meant to sleep in classes! Especially this year, what with the N.E.W.T’s coming up.”

“Those are at the end of seventh year Herm,” Ron mumbled.

“Exactly! We have no time to study!”

Ginny cleared her throat to cover her laugh, “I’m sure that the class’ll be fine. We’ll probably learn something worthwhile in that class this year.”

“History is worthless.”

Neville looked up at Ron, “Those who remain ignore history are doomed to repeat it.” Neville paused and then looked at the rest of them while adding to himself, “At least I think that’s how the saying goes.”

“Whatever,” Ron said simply.

Hermione decided to talk about the other teacher, “What about that Professor Rayne. Looks interesting, don’t you suppose?” “I suppose,” Ginny said. “I wonder what she’ll teach.”

“Who cares, she looks good and that’s all that matters.” Ron looked at Harry, “Right Harry? Harry?”

Harry looked up and smiled sheepishly, “Oh what was that Ron?”

“And just where have you been this entire time,” Ron asked of his best friend.

“Oh you know, here and there,” Harry said, causing Ginny to laugh at this exchange.

“Psh...You were thinking dirty thoughts of McGonagall.” Ron said and then is face contorted in disgust, “AGH! BAD MENTAL IMAGE!” he yelled to no one but himself.

“You sick, sick boy,” Harry sad, laughing now. The truth was, he was embarrassed to talk about what he was thinking about. Or at least who. The sixth years finally reached the Portrait of the Fat Lady, which was surrounded by a group of students looking at the Lady.

She looked down at Harry and smiled, “Oh hello dear, welcome back!” She looked at the other students, “Password?”

“Rowena Ravenclaw.” Harry said so everyone else could hear. The students all walked in as the portrait swung upward to reveal the hole to the Tower.

“Rowena? What kind of password is that Harry?” Hermione asked.

“No one will ever guess it.” Harry said simply. He looked around the Common room and then the rest of the students, “Shall we show the first years to their rooms?”

“Let’s.” Harry and Hermione left their friends to get the first years to their dorms.

“You stupid mother f---” A kid was hit by a pillow as Dean Thomas’s little brother pounced on another kid. Harry walked in and looked at the mess. Kamaal was throwing pillows at anyone who came close to his bed and Derrick was just finishing up mauling, Harry squinted, Aaron McKay. Harry instantly grabbed Derrick and dragged him of Aaron, and threw the boy on top of a bed. He heard a screech and saw Kamaal had leapt on top of the fourth boy of the new class, James. James apparently had tried to sneak up behind Kamaal but Kamaal who apparently had good senses, and jumped on top of the boy.

Harry grabbed Kamaal and threw the boy on top of another boy, Aaron maybe. James looked up at Harry, “Thanks.” The boy then scurried off before Harry could ask him what was going on. James had apparently decided vengeance over peace, and had kicked Kamaal, literally, in the ass. Kamaal fell over and Aaron charged James. James was knocked against a wall and Harry had enough. He quickly muttered a voice amplify spell after pointing his wand at his throat.

“ENOUGH!” The amplified voice bellowed, causing all the boys to stagger, and Derrick, who was closest to Harry to fall over. “YOU WILL ALL STOP AT ONCE. STAND IN A LINE IN FRONT OF ME, NOW!”

The boys complied while Aaron whimpered. The four boys looked at Harry fearfully. Harry returned his voice to normal and looked at them. “Kamaal, can you tell me what is going on?”

“James attacked me!”

“No I didn’t you stupid...”

“QUIET!” Harry yelled. He was thoroughly pissed off. “No Kamaal, why were you throwing pillows at people.” “I was protecting my territory.”

“Territ--” Harry rubbed his temple. “I swear to God,” He mumbled to himself. “Aaron, why were you cursing at Derrick.”

“He pushed me off my bed.”

“You pushed me off first.”

“Okay okay, hold on. This whole fight is over who gets which bed?” They all nodded. “Okay, who came into this room first?”

“Kamaal.” Two of them answered while James said himself and Aaron as well said himself.

“Okay, since two say Kamaal, he gets first choice.” Kamaal walked over to his bed and put his things down. “Okay, Kamaal, who was second?”

“Uhm...I think Derrick.”

“No way!” James yelled and tried to maul Kamaal but Harry grabbed the boy and threw him to the floor. “Derrick, choose your bed.”

“Next, Kamaal?”

“James I think.” James chose his bed and Aaron took the last one.

“Okay, you all done?” The boys nodded to Harry. “Good, I have to unpack my own things now. Ten points from Gryffindor.”

“Ten points! What! You have to be kidding me!” The boys all yelled.

“Want me to make it twenty?” The first years all shut up. “Good, one more word from any of you and it will be,” with that, Harry left the room.

After getting the first years organized, he came down red-faced, to get his own things. The first years went off to mingle with their classmates while Harry grabbed his things. Then for the first time, he noticed Jermaine. “Uh...” Harry asked, and then realized what he wanted.

Jermaine stood there with all his things around him, looking unsure of himself. “I don’t suppose you could show me my dorm?”

Harry laughed and apologized. “Oh sorry! I can’t believe I forgot about you! C’mon, let’s go to the sixth year dorm.” Harry grabbed his own things and Jermaine followed after doing the same. Harry led him up the stairs of the winding tower and stopped at a door marked, ‘Sixth Years‘. “Welcome, mate, to your new home!” Harry pushed the door open and entered, noticing the Room had a new bed added to the five, making it an even six. Three beds were lined up on each side, and it looked as if Jermaine would join Ron and Harry on their side of the room, with Harry in the middle. Jermaine went to the last bed and set his things down and began unpacking after muttering his thanks to Harry. Ron looked up at Jermaine but didn’t say anything.

As Harry began unpacking, he heard Dean say, “Don’t worry about Ron. He can get a bit antsy at times.”

Everyone laughed and Ron simply glared. Harry glanced around and saw Neville unpacking, ignoring the others. Always quiet. Harry looked inside his trunk and saw his shimmering invisibility cloak. He sighed sadly, remembering his Marauder’s Map. The map had been lost to Crouch in his fourth year, and Harry hadn’t seen it since. Harry looked up at Ron, remembering all the memories they had shared with those two weapons of mischief.

Ron looked up and met Harry’s gaze. He shifted uncomfortable before asking, “Uh...Harry, mind telling me why you’re looking at me like that?”

“I..uh..” Harry stuttered.

“I mean, a guy met get the wrong idea if he sees another looking at him like that.” Harry blushed as everyone else laughed, including Jermaine.

“Well boys,” Harry managed finally, “I think it’s time to go to bed. Seeing as how tomorrow is our first school day, we should get a good rest on this glorious...”

Seamus interrupted Harry, “...Friday night.”

“Oh.” Harry said, and stayed quiet.

“What I think our dear friend Harry is trying to say here,” Dean said loudly, “is that we should all go down to the common room and enjoy ourselves.” Everyone laughed and agreed. They all went downstairs where they saw everyone else. They all played some Exploding Snap after teaching it to Jermaine, who said that the game wasn’t in South Africa. After a while, they talked about their summers and wanted to see what everyone else had been up to. Harry noticed that Jermaine was getting cozy with Hermione, and glanced at Ron. Ron was glaring and The Boy who Lived decided to intervene.

“Hey Ron, game of chess?” Ron agreed and they began to play. After about twenty minutes, the game ended with Harry being blasted. The knight was still groaning about Harry’s stupid sacrifice of him, which had gotten nothing accomplished. Harry smirked and looked at Ron, “So what now?”

“What?” Ron replied.

“I noticed you glaring at Jermaine, or was it Hermione?”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

“You know exactly what I’m talking about.” Harry smiled at his friend, “You’re jealous,” Ron scoffed while Harry continued, “of Hermione.”

Ron looked at Harry disbelievingly, “and just what, exactly, are you trying to say?” Harry couldn’t speak as he was laughing at Ron’s expression.

Finally he grabbed control of himself, “Just playing. You know what I’m talking about. You like Hermione.”

“She’s my friend.”

“You know what I mean.”

“Harry, don’t talk about things you don’t understand.”

“Ha!” Harry replied. Ron cursed at Harry and said he was going to bed. Harry laughed, “Fine! Go to your bed, but don’t avoid the truth!”

Ron stalked up the stairs angrily and Harry sat back in the chair, smiling to himself. After a while he realized he was staring at Lavender, who met his eyes and giggled with Parvati. Harry blushed and turned to Hermione and Jermaine. He noticed Hermione had gone to bed and that the Common Room had cleared quiet a bit. Looking back at Parvati and Lavender, he noticed them leaving to go to bed as well.

“Hey Harry,” Jermaine said, sitting down in Ron’s seat.

“Hey Jermaine. Enjoying Hogwarts so far?”

“So far, yeah,” he replied to Harry’s question. “I was wondering though...”

“Yeah?”

“What did I do to offend Ron?” Harry looked at Jermaine, surprised.

“Nothing Jermaine. It’s just...” he paused, “Ron can get a bit carried away at times. Don’t worry, he’s a great guy, and I trust him with my life.”

“I’m sure he’s a great guy, but...” Jermaine stopped himself.

“But?” Harry asked. “Well, uhm. it’s just that, I don’t think Ron’s that trustworthy.”

Harry instantly became upset. “Ron’s my best friend.”

“Yeah, I’m sure he is but,” Jermaine tried to say. “I’ve known him for five years and he was the first friend I ever made. Ever.” Harry looked at Jermaine, angrily, “I would advise you not to say things about Ron around me.” “Yeah well, sorry.” Jermaine looked around the room, “I guess I’ll head off to bed then.”

“You do that.” Harry said simply. Jermaine went off towards the stairs.

Harry sat there for a bit, fuming. What the hell was Jermaine thinking, saying things like that, he thought to himself.

“The nerve eh?” Harry looked up and saw Lavender standing there, in her nightgown. Harry instantly forgot his anger as a lump entered his throat.

“I thought you went to bed?” Harry managed.

“I left something.” Harry couldn‘t help but look at the shortness of the gown, as it came down to only a third of the way down her thigh. “Mind if I sit down?”

Harry nodded painfully, but finally managed to regain control of himself. “So you heard what Jermaine said?”

“Yeah,” Lavender replied, “but don’t worry about it. Imagine if you were the new guy and someone hated you right off the spot...”

“Yeah I understand, I would never trust him,” Harry sighed. “Since when did you become so insightful?”

“If you ever tried to get to know me...”

“Haha, that is true. I guess I’ve been stuck in my own world.”

“A world that is Hermione and Ron. You three are inseparable, not giving any of the others much space to join in.” Lavender said, but not miserably.

“Alright then, what do you want to know?” Harry smirked at Lavender.

Lavender put her hand over her heart, “Why Harry, are you inviting me to join your world?”

“Perhaps.” Harry’s smile broadened when Lavender herself smiled.

“Well let’s see...what do I not know about Harry Potter?” she thought to herself for a while. “You’re whole lives been published, so not much I can ask.”

Harry looked at her, “Published?”

“Oh, well, there’s a book.”

“Book?”

“About you and some of your adventures. Most of its slander.”

“Adventures?” “Stop it!” “It?” Harry grinned as she threw a pillow at him.

“That’s something the book didn’t talk about : an annoying sense of humor.”

This caused Harry to laugh, “Did it say anything about my charm?”

“What charm?”

“Ooh, low blow,” Harry made a motion as if grabbing his heart, “low blow.”

“Stop it!” She slapped Harry with the same square pillow.

“So anyways, let’s find out something about yourself.”

“And what would you like to know, dearest Harry?”

“Dearest Harry?”

“Saying I picked up from my mum.”

“That’s what they all say.”

“Hm...?” Lavender looked thoughtfully at him.

“Hehe, never mind,” Harry stopped himself. “I just realized something, I know absolutely nothing about your background.”

“Of course you don’t. I thought we went over this already.”

“Are you patronizing me?” Harry was finding it surprisingly easy to talk to her.

Lavender replied, “Sort of.” “Well?”

“Oh, well, I’m from Ireland.”

“You don’t have an accent.”

“I lived there for only a bit, not very long. My family is originally from England. We moved here when I was around two or three.”

“Oh I see. Makes sense.”

“What does?”

“I’m not sure, but I’m sure something does.” Harry said, causing Lavender to giggle. “Ooh, there’s that charm.”

“But my lady, I haven’t turned it on yet.”

Lavender smiled at him, “Well then, turn it on.”

Harry and Lavender talked for a while after that, until he realized he had to go to bed. They had been talking for almost an hour, and it had been getting late. When Harry finally came up stairs, he saw Ron waiting on his bed for Harry.

“And just where have you been?”

“Uhm...” Harry paused, “I was talking to someone.”

“Oh really, and just who might that be?”

“Lavender.”

“Lavender? Neville told me about that,” Ron grinned at his friend knowingly.

“There’s nothing to tell you about.”

“Oh is that so.” Ron made kissy faces, at least Harry thought so, he couldn’t tell in the dark. But the sound was there.

“How mature Ron.”

“I am the most mature person you shall ever meet, dearest Harry.”

“Why’s everyone keep calling me dearest?”

“Oooh, Lavender called you dearest?”

“Ugh, shut it Ron.” Harry finished getting dressed in the dark and put his wand next to his bed. “Go to bed.”

“Harry has a giiiiirlfrieeeeeeend,” squealed Ron in glee.

“You would too if you had any Gryffindor courage.”

Ron looked at Harry, and it was quiet for a moment. Harry thought Ron was mad at him now, and that was not needed. “Look Ron, I’m...”

“So she is your girlfriend!” Ron laughed joyfully.

“Ugh you prat!” Harry turned around in disgust and went to bed.