Harry Potter and the Great Struggle

- Chapter 5 -

Opening Week

Harry calmly approached the Gryffindor table, before anyone else had arrived. A few of the Ravenclaws sat at their table, getting a head start on their studies, but other than that, the room was essentially empty. Shortly after Harry had come in, Professor McGonagall apppeared, and with a curt nod to Harry, she went up to the staff table and began to eat. Harry looked down at his own table and saw that many choices already surrounded him. He smiled to himself as he began to heap his plat with scrambled eggs and toast. Harry was still tired, and was reminded of this fact as he stifled a large yawn. He had been awake for a long time the night before, talking to Lavender. Unsure of how long he had been up, all he knew was that time had flown by quickly when talking to Lavender. As Harry was finishing his first piece of toast, Hermione came into the hall, chirpy and happy as usual. She smiled at Harry as she sat down.

After putting two pieces of toast on her own plate she looked up at Harry. “What’s this about the Gryffindor first years already losing points,” she asked of her friend.

Harry just grunted in answer.

“Why, I’m so proud of you, taking action like that.” She smiled, “I’m glad you’re able to look above biased views and act the disciplinarian.”

“Must you make everything sound so horrible?” Harry finally managed to answer.

“Hmph!” Hermione began eating silently. They sat like that for a moment before Harry looked up at Hermione. “What time did Lavender get in her room last night?”

Hermione smirked in reply.

“Well?”

“Pretty late actually. I’m not sure, but I do know it was sometime after two,” she grinned. “What was she doing up that late?”

Harry reddened a little and quickly suppressed the blush, “I don’t have the foggiest.”

“Uh-huh,” she replied knowingly.

“What?!”

“Oh, nothing.”

Harry muttered to himself, “damn females.”

“I heard that Harry Potter.” Harry laughed in reply and then quickly turned serious.

“So what do you think of Jermaine?” he asked of Hermione.

She finished what was in her mouth before answering, “Nice change of subject, and I think he’s an interesting fellow.”

“Really?”

“You know, you could learn a lot about the African culture from him, though he doesn’t look it. He was actually raised in the States.”

“I did not know that.”

“You should ask him about himself. He’s really got a lot to say, and he’s terribly lonely here. He moved here during the summer, and the poor boy had no friends. I hope that changes since he‘s here at Hogwarts.”

Harry groaned inwardly, “Do you now?”

“Oh Harry, will you do me a big favor?”

“What?” he asked worriedly.

Hermione looked directly at Harry as she said, “become friends with him.”

“Ugh, I don’t know. I mean, Ron already hates him an--”

“Ron hates everybody when he first meets them.”

“Not me.”

“That’s because you were the famous Harry Potter. Who wouldn’t want to be friends with you.”

Harry looked up and smiled, “Him.”

Hermione followed his eyes and saw Draco Malfoy walk in, followed by Crabbe. It looked as if Goyle had decided to sleep in. “Haha, if I do remember from what Ron later told me, he did attempt to be friends with you.”

“Oh yeah, I had forgotten about that.”

They chatted for a bit longer about upcoming school, and Harry bored Hermione with details of Quidditch. Slowly as they talked, the hall began to fill with students, and soon it was bustling with students. By this time Harry was done eating, and was there to just catch up with his friends like Seamus and Dean, who he had talked to sparsingly over the break. Just as the first years came bustling in, already forming a tight-knit groups after one night of petty squabbles, the post decided to arrive. Harry waited for Hedwig to come, and was pleasantly met when Hedwig dropped a letter in Harry’s lap, and headed directly to the owlery. Harry had noticed Hedwig becoming increasingly distant from him, and it saddened him a bit. His spirites were quickly lifted as he noticed the letter’s sender. Sirius! He looked around and then began to open the letter.

Harry,

I want you to understand some things. I’m sorry for not writing you sooner, but things are becoming a bit hectic around London and the rest of England. News is travelling and things are becoming increasingly dangerous for wizards such as myself. Somehow Fudge has been able to follow my tracks, and Aurors are everywhere trying to snatch me up. I don’t want you to worry, but I felt you should know that I won’t be able to send letters for a while. I also advise you to keep from sending me letters, or sending any letters at all. Voldemort has created an interesting method of intercepting all letters sent from Hogwarts, but no one has been able to figure out how he is doing it. Luckily, Hedwig is especially brilliant and I hope managed to avoid being intercepted.

Hopefully, I will mange to avoid being caught. Also, check out the paper, or subscribe. I want you to stay informed on what is going on in the world, both muggle and wizard. There should be some interesting news in the London Post that I want you to check out. I believe Hermione is subscribed to it. I’m going to be trying to dig up some information on some things going on in Parliament.

Remember, DO NOT SEND ME POSTS! This is vital.

Sirius

Harry sighed as he read the letter. He was instantly hit by a pang of worry, but would try not to think about it. He looked around and quickly put the letter in his pocket. What about the muggle post? he thought to himself. Harry looked over at Hermione and quickly asked, “Hermione, can I see the muggle post of yours.”

“Sure, here.” She fished out the paper from the bundle of papers and letters. Harry looked at it and then gasped. There was a member of Parliament, waving to a crowd of people. The man was smiling broadly surrounded by his closest associates and body gaurds. What caused Harry to gasp was not the man himself, but another one standing next to him. He was tall and elegant looking, but most of all, his eyes held a calculating look, like it was planning some sort of mischief. “Malfoy!” Ron looked over.

“What the hell?”

“Hermione, why is Lucius Malfoy in this picture?” Harry asked.

“Hm...let me see that.” Hermione took the paper and looked at the article, “Apparently, our dear friend Lucius Malfoy is now a top advisor for a high positioned member of parliament.”

“How did he manage that?!” Harry spat on the word that.

“Eww..don’t spit on my omelet Harry!” Ron pushed his plate away and glared at Harry.

Hermione looked deeper in the paper, “it doesn’t say. It just says Lucius Malfoy is now an advisor. It’s mainly about the man’s new tariff policies. Nothing important to us.”

“All it means is that Lucius Malfoy is gaining influence in muggle politics, meaning...” Harry paused dramitically before Ron interrupted.

“You going to finish that bacon Harry?”

“Huh, what, no.” Harry pushed the plate away to Ron. “As I was saying, Voldemort is probably behind this.”

“How would he manage that though?” Ron attempted to say. What came out was more like, “Hlalg blrihag yralgablob.”

“Uh...?” the Boy-Who-Lived inquired.

Ron cleared his throat, “How would he be able to control a leader?”

“Imperio curse,” Harry turned to Hermione, his look asking if she could find out things.

“Interesting. I’ll send a letter to my mom and ask her to dig into it. I’m really restricted as far as muggle news goes here.”

“I can’t let you do that. I just got a letter from Si-Snuffles. Voldemort is somehow intercepting all letters going in and out of Hogwarts.”

“What?! How is he managing that?”

Ron looked up, “by using a Falcon Interceptor of course.”

“Falcon Interceptor?” Harry asked of Ron.

“Yeah, new method of intercepting post. The Ministry recently developed it, but it was decided it was too dangerous for too much use. It’s illegal now, and illegal is what You-Know-Who considers legal.”

“Ron, wow,” his best friend smiled at the red-headed giant.

“Wow what? I keep up with the news,” and with that, Ron went back to finishing his food, but not before Jermaine came and sat down, shifting uncomfortably as Ron glared.

“Hey Hermione,” Jermaine greeted the intelligent young witch.

“Hi Jermaine, you have a good rest?” Harry tuned out but could hear some giggling on Hermione’s part. Ron’s face turned red, and Harry could tell he was obviously jealous. He nudged at Ron who looked at Harry’s broad grin. Ron’s face darkened considerably as Lavender sat down across from Harry, next to Jermaine. The Weasley, or Weasel as Harry thought of him, brightened and laughed at Harry. Harry only managed to blush when Lavender greeted him and gave him beautiful smile.

“Hey guys! We have the schedules!” Hermione’s mood bubbled up instantly from an already state of happiness. “Here Harry, Ron, here’s yours Seamus,” she had already begun passing out copies of the student’s schedules before anyone could respond to her initial outburst. Jermaine looked incredulous at Hermione’s lust for knowledge.

“It’s only Saturday morning!” he managed to sputter out.

“You can check out textbooks if you don’t have any to study with now,” then she paused, “though, you should have bought them before you came.”

Jermaine looked at the others and they all just rolled their eyes, signifying that this was completely normal.

---

“Double Potions with the Raven---agh! Slytherins again!” Harry gave a look of frustration to his friends. They were walking out of the main hall, Ron and Harry already complaining about their schedules.

Ron looked at his schedule closer before busting out, “they’re with us in Care of Magical Creatures too!”

“Did you two take potions?” Hermione asked of her to compadres. They looked at her and she created a chiding noise from her mouth, “tsk tsk.”

“What!?” Harry looked at Hermione, wide-eyed. Ron finished Harry’s statement, “it’s an easy class Herm.”

Harry quickly changed the subject to more pleasant things, “you know, we have to have a meeting for Quidditch.”

“I know, a captain to replace, two chasers, and two beaters.”

“You most certainly have the captain job, Ron.”

“Oh no Harry, I know you’ll get it.”

“Oh you’re too kind. We all know you’re the best quidditch strategist around.”

“Please, you’re too much. You have the best instinct for quidditch. The job is as good as yours.”

“You were raised around quidditch, the intelligence, the experience. All yours.”

“Dear Harry, you are the one with experience. You’ve been on the team for five years. First first year to get it!”

“Please my friend Ron, you ar--”

“SHUT IT!” Hermione looked livid, “honestly, you too complimenting each other like too old sissies.”

Ron grinned, sensing he had gotten blood, “she’s just mad because she can’t participate in this conversation.”

Harry good-naturedly complied, “she’s also mad that she doesn’t have the skill of two quidditch players like us.”

“She’s also mad that we share a bond that cannot be shared with a non-quidditch commoner.“

“Too true dear friend.”

“Honestly...,“ Hermione menacingly paused, “BOYS!” Hermione stalked off, with Ron and Harry laughing.

---

Later that day Harry walked into the Gryffindor Common Room was met by a grisly site as Neville’s chess pieces were annihialated by Ron’s own pieces. Ron’s pieces had become increasingly volatile and dangerous in their old age, as they now believed they were set upon an actual battle, that only could be finished in death. Ron looked stricken as his pieces kept shattering as Ron’s own took them out. Ron was all grins, and Neville finally rested on a perturbed look, “those pieces are insane Ron!”

“Eh, it happens,” he responded with a smiling face.

Seamus walked up to Harry, “Ron’s pieces escaped earlier, I think some of you’re things are broken.”

“What? Look how small they are,” Harry could only manage. “It’s amazing what can be accomplished with organization and a large number of psychotic chess pieces.” Seamus grinned, “especially with the psychotic chess pieces.”

Harry laughed and approached Ron as the red headed boy pronounced check-mate. “Hey Ron, let’s set a meeting for our quidditch needs.”

“How about right now?” Katie Bell smiled as she sat down on the empty loveseat.

Harry joined her and nodded his head, “why not indeed.” “Alright, let’s talk.”

“First, the matter of captain.” Katie said.

“Ron.”

“Ron.”

“Not Ron.”

Harry and Katie looked at Ron and they all burst out laughing. “Ron it is then!” Ron blushed a little as Harry pronounced this. “Well captain, when are tryouts?”

“How about next weekend?”

“Alright then,” Katie nodded.

“Go make an announcement, captain Ron.

Ron grinned at Harry and got on top of the table. “EVERYONE! I HAVE A MESSAGE!” Everyone looked up at Ron. Harry joined him on top of the table.

“First before Ron says his announcement, I would like to introduce you too you all to the newest quidditch captain. RON WEASLEY!” Everyone in the room cheered for Ron as Ron smiled at everyone.

“Thank you all, I appreciate it,” Ron said before continuing, “everyone, I would like to inform you that as George and Fred, as well as Angelina and former captain Alicia Spinnet have left, we are looking for new members for the team. We need two chasers and two beaters.” Ron looked down at Harry, “we need reserves?”

“Sure.”

“And we will be looking for one reserve for each position. Tryouts are next week before lunch. Thank you.” Ron got down from the table. Everyone instantly burst out into chatter about quidditch as Hermione broke through the crowd and gave Ron a hug, who could only redden.

“Congratulations Ron! No one deserves it more than you.”

“Just earlier you were mad that we spoke only of quidditch.”

“Yeah well, things change. And I could never stay mad at you.” She winked at him and walked off to Ginny and Parvati. Ron could only stare.

---

The first day of school finally arrived for Hogwarts’ students, and it was met with mixed feelings. Some where happy and some were depressed. Both these feelings eminated from the trio Ron, Harry, and Hermione. Ron and Harry were especially weary of their first class as it happened to include not only the Slytherins, but their most hated ally, one Professor Severus Snape. Sure, he was one of the good guys, but he made life miserable for the Gryffindors. None thought it was fair, but what could they do. Harry walked into the hallway which led to the classroom, and was met with the site of a group of students talking. The Slytherins had probably arrived early, as they were the closest to the class. The only Gryffindor already there was Neville, who was being teased by the Slytherins. Neville just stood there, taking it, not caring as he used to. Harry approached and many of the Slytherins quieted. Ron and Hermione followed closely. Harry glanced at Malfoy, who’s gaze flickered from where Harry had just arrived. Harry followed the glance and saw Jermaine enter by himself, looking down at the ground. He looked up and saw people staring at him. “What?”

Harry smiled at him and looked back at Malfoy, who’s waist had just become wrapped around by the arms of Blaise Zabini. Why do those two always do that around me, Harry thought wearily. Malfoy grinned at Harry, as if he knew something Harry didn’t. Whatever it was, Harry was certain it couldn’t be good for him. Malfoy had kept himself from bothering Harry as much as he usually did, as if he had something else was on his mind. As Harry pondered these thoughts, Snape entered, looking as ghastly as usual.

“Mr. Malfoy, please, you know that Hogwarts forbids public displays of affection,” the teacher ennunciated with a hint of affection. Draco looked ashamed, but Harry knew it was false. Blaise removed her hands from Draco’s waist.

“Wow, will everyone look at that. That’s a five point violation and not a point taken away,” Ron muttered loudly. Harry had half a mind to jab him in the stomach with his elbow, but what was done was done.

Snape reacted as expected, “ten points for questioning a professor’s judgement and authority.”

“But..!”

Snape interrupted, “Fifteen points Mr. Weasley.” Ron quickly shut up. Thank god, thought Harry.

Snape unlocked the door, and Harry noticed him cringe a bit as he pushed the heavy door open. The students followed him in and took their respective seats. “Partner up,” was all Snape said.

The students did so, and to Ron’s dismay, Hermione sat down next to Jermaine, who smiled. Ron scowled and sat down next to Harry. “Jealous Ronnie?”

“Since when do you call me Ronnie.”

“Since you’re jealous of Hermione.”

“Bastard,” Ron mumbled, and Harry smiled.

Snape seemed to notice the smile and he smirked slightly, “I believe this year we shall have a change of venue. I shall partner you up according to ability. Worse students go with better students.” Snape grinned malevolently.

And so it went, the students were all partnered up. Ron was put with Blaise Zabini, who smiled warmly at him, which shocked the red-haired boy. Oddly enough, Harry was not partnered up with Draco, but rather with Pansy Parkinson. Draco on the other hand, was put with Jermaine. Draco didn’t say anything, but Harry knew something would come out of his mouth which would resemble something rude and unfriendly.

“Now where shall we put the brilliant Hermione Granger. Hm...I think I have made a mistake,” several students were surprised Snape admitted to a mistake, “Crabbe and Goyle are together, but they are sadly some of the most inept students at Potions I have ever had. Granger, you will help the said students.” Hermione held a look of horror as they all moved to their respective seats. Harry sat down next to Pansy and looked at her.

“Lucky Harry Potter, partnered with quiet probably the most beau--”

Harry held up his hand to the sarcastic Pansy, “Be quiet Pansy.” She looked taken aback.

“What did you say to me?”

“Shut it, I don’t want, no, I will not take any filth that comes from your mouth this year,” Harry then decided to follow it by muscling in the way only Slytherins could, controlling her emotions. “I also happen to notice that Malfoy is awfully close with Blaise. Odd isn’t it, you’d think he’d notice you the way you lust after him all the time. Or perhaps the git is just out of your league? It’s pathetic really, watching you make eyes at him while he gropes Zabini. I sometimes pity you, but let’s face it. You’re not exactly a great looking girl. Correction, you are quiet possibly the most filthy looking creatures I have ever met,” Harry glanced at Crabbe and Goyle, and grinned at Pansy, moving in for the kill. “Hell, Crabbe and Goyle are probably out of you’re league, them being gay and all. You’re probably repulsive even to the, even though you look like a man.”

Pansy was stricken, she just stuttered for a moment, and looked as if she was about to cry. Oddly, for the first time Harry didn’t care about someone’s feelings. He felt the Slytherin inside of him bubbling up madly, “I will not listen to you’re stupid insults this year Pansy, or I will humiliate you not privately like I have done now, but in front of the whole school. So please do not talk to me unless it is absolutely necessary.”

Harry sat down and sighed to himself. He looked around the classroom, to see if anyone noticed. The Boy-Who-Lived noticed only a pair of gray eyes looking at him, complimented by a smile of glee, as if they knew exactly what had happened. The smile shifted to open and Malfoy whispered to Harry, “I knew you had it in you Potter.”

---

After lunch, the students arrived at Transfiguration, where Professor McGonagall stood, waiting for them. They all quickly took their seats, and Harry saw Lavender sit down next to him, while Hermione sat down next to Jermaine. Ron looked around helplessly and sat down with Parvati and Neville: the class was uneven. The Professor looked up at them and began to speak. Harry looked at Lavender and then back at the teacher, suppressing a smile. “Today is you’re first day of class, and I’m glad that you are all here today. I would first like to congratulate all those who received O.W.L.s and even if you did not receive one, I know for a fact all the Gryffindors did well in all their other classes. Second, this year you will be introduced into a much tougher type of magic. You will all notice that everything you have learned before is nothing compared to this year. All of your classes will become harder, and those who cannot keep up, will have to put in much more time to be able to keep up. It is vital that you stay at the same pace as me and the other teachers.”

The professor looked around at the students, before continuing, “we will begin this first semester by learning to transfigure hybrids.” She looked around, “can anyone tell me what a hybrid is?”

Neville raised his hand, and was called upon immediately, “A thing that is a combination of other things put together?”

“Exactly,” Professor McGonagall replied enthusiastically, “Now, does anyone know how hybrids relate to transfiguration?”

No one except Hermione raised her hand, “We’ll transfigure objects into hybrid animals?” For once, she looked unsure, which was an odd face that did not match Hermione’s personality.

“Not exactly,” Everyone looked around, Hermione was wrong. “It is a new type of magic, that has been decided to be taught to sixth years, as it will be vital when you leave. For your own protection,” the professor added mysteriously. Everyone looked around, and McGonagall continued, “You will take multiple objects and combine them to create an object that is a hybrid of different things. Can anyone tell me how this will be useful?”

Harry raised his hand, already thinking of multiple possibilities, “we can create objects which can help us fight and defend at the same time.”

“Exactly. Take a turtle and a clock, and turn them into a shield which can also send out stupify spells as well.”

“Professor, I didn’t know we could have objects send out spells,” Hermione interrupted.

“We couldn’t, until just a few decades ago. The spells are still weak mind you, but if the transfigurer is powerful enough, then it can truly be effecti--Mr. Potter! Ms. Brown!”

Harry whipped around his head to face the irate teacher. He had been talking to Lavender during her whole lecture, and finally noticed how close their faces were to each others. It probably looked as if they were leaning in to kiss from the outside. Lavender was red, staring down at her books. The class erupted into laughter and Professor McGonagall finally spoke, “Fifteen points, from each of you. In class, honestly!” She mumbled to herself. When she wasn’t looking, Harry quickly slipped Lavender a note he had written earlier.

---

The next week passed by slowly, and oddly enough, they had had a substitute teacher in their Defense Against the Dark Arts class, and were saddened by this, as the other years were talking about how great of a teacher Professor Rayne was. For once, they were all looking forward to a class, but they’d have to wait until the next week to have the teacher. So on their lives went, with Harry getting used to the schedule of school life.

Harry had thought a lot about what Hermione had said about Jermaine, about becoming friends with her. But he was unsure about it, he felt as though Hermione was being biased, as he truly believed she fancied Jermaine, and the same in vice-versa. Things were not going well with Ron and Hermione, and Harry was dead sure that Hermione knew exactly why. What he didn’t know is why she was breaking their friend’s heart in the way she was. Ron absolutely despised Jermaine now, and Jermaine, not knowing of how close they were, did not know what to say.

And anyways, there wasn’t really much reason to worry about, Jermaine was fitting in with Seamus and Dean’s crew, as he already knew much about muggles. He had plenty to identify with Dean, and Seamus who hung around Dean a lot. Harry had to admit though, he was at times jealous. Being with Dean and Seamus meant that he would spend a lot of time with Parvati and Lavender.

Speaking of Lavender, Harry thought to himself as he walked into the common room. He looked at her across the room and saw none of the guys were there. Lavender caught his eyes and Harry smiled, and she responded by turning red. Awful lot of blushing going on around here, thought Harry. He walked up to Lavender and Parvati and asked, “Hey, where are all the guys?”

Upon saying this, Harry saw Lavender trying to avoid eye contact and Harry responded in kind. Over the past week they had become really close, frequently meeting in different places around the schools. They weren’t ready to tell anyone that they were becoming a couple, and had decided to keep it a secret. Even Parvati did not know.

“Oh, I think they’re all in their room,” Parvati responded. Harry thanked them and with one last glance Harry looked at Lavender. With that, he walked away towards the spiral staircases which led up to their dorms. He passed the first years dorms and decided to check in on them. Harry opened the door and walked in, to see all the boys huddled around something on Kamaal’s bed.

“And what, may I ask,” Harry began startling the boys. They all fell off the bed except for Aaron. Aaron looked at Harry sheepishly as Harry continued, “are you lot looking at?” Harry walked over and looked at what was on the magazine. Sensual Sorceresses Aaron looked completely embarassed, as did all the other boys. Harry looked at them and back at the magazine, which was literally like a video, with the moving pictures. Finally, Harry began to laugh.

“Uh...we’re not in trouble?” James asked.

“Naw, I don’t care. Just don’t get caught by McGonagall.”

Harry left the room, smiling to himself and walked up the stairs until he reached the sixth year dorms. He walked in hearing laughter. Pushing open the door, he saw all the boys on their beds, just talking, already ready for bed.

“Eww...I can’t believe you said Bulstrode. The girl’s hideous!” Harry heard Seamus say.

“I would most definitely do Parvati, that’s for sure,” Ron said looking up from his quidditch magazine.

“I must concur,” responded Neville, who was setting Trevor in his box.

“Hey Harry, didn’t see you there,” Dean said upon looking upon Harry.

“Yeah, so what are you guys talking about?”

“Who do you think is the hottest girl?” Jermaine asked.

“Oh, I don’t know, Lavender?”

“Eh, she definitely looks fine, but she’s not in the top,” Ron said, not knowing anything about their relationship. He was completely oblivious. Harry was sure some others had figured it out though, and he was really sure now that he saw the look that passed over Jermaine’s face, and then a knowing smile.

“Okay, who do you guys think?”

Ron answers simply, “Maria Malfoy.” Dean leapt on top of Ron while laughing.

“Traitorous wretch!” Dean said, mocking an old man’s voice.

“Well, she does look very good,” Neville responded above the laughter, “even if she is a Malfoy.”

Seamus grinned, “I think Ginny or Blaise could give Maria a run for her money,” which immediately caused him to face the wrath of a Weasley.

“Cho Chang,” Harry said simply, and they all responded in with nods.

In the end, the Gryffindor boys came up with a list of the hottest girls, which caused Jermaine to ask if they would post it in the Main Hall.

“I mean, I’d do it.”

Seamus looked at Ron and then Jermaine, “Do it then.”

“When?” Dean grinned, “Tomorrow.” This statement was met by only a nod. Jermaine Thompson had his first Hogwarts Mission.