Harry Potter and the Elvish Magic

Harry Potter and the Elvish Magic

Chapter Four: Into Diagon Alley

Harry, Ron and Hermione flew through the familiar blackness, the roaring all around them. Although Harry had enjoyed the time they had spent with Rubon, he was glad to be going back to Hogwarts at last, where everything was familiar.

There was a sudden jerk, and Harry, Ron and Hermione landed in Dumbledore's office. He was standing before them, and they were more than relieved to see him. He smiled at them, and Harry realized that he didn't appear to be quite as tall as he had been. Harry realized that he himself had grown much over the summer.

"Welcome back," said Dumbledore merrily. "Did you have a good time?"

"Yes," said Harry. "Thank you for sending us-" Hermione suddenly crashed to the floor. Harry, Ron and Dumbledore crouched down beside her in alarm. Dumbledore took out his wand, and ran it over her, watching her face intently. He tensed, then relaxed.

"She's fine," he said. "She's merely unconscious."

"What happened?" Harry asked.

"She is having a certain illness which strikes teenager females with... your abilities," Dumbledore said. "While we're on the subject, never ever speak of your abilities unless it is absolutely necessary. If anyone else were to find out, it would increase the possibility of Voldemort finding out, which is something we must at all costs avoid." Harry and Ron both felt as if the room's temperature had gone down by several degrees at the first mention of Voldemort they had heard in over a month.

"It's part of the maturation of her abilities," Dumbledore continued. "She probably acted slightly strangely this summer."

"I did notice that somewhat," Ron said. "She wasn't as obsessed with studying as usual, except for when she knew how fast she was able to learn to change." Dumbledore looked at them solemnly.

"How long did it take you before you were first able to do it?" he asked.

"A few hours," Harry said. "But I think we all got better with practice." Dumbledore's eyes showed astonishment.

"That is impressive," he said, before magicking up a stretcher. "I think that it is best if you two accompany me with Miss Granger to the hospital wing." He carefully lifted Hermione onto it, then directed the stretcher down the staircase and through the corridors, Harry and Ron following close behind. Dumbledore led them into the hospital wing, checking to make sure that no one saw them.

"Madam Pomphrey is out for the summer," he explained. "Although I trust her entirely, it will be better if she does not know what you are. The cure for Miss Granger's malady is the Pepperup Potion. All we need to do is pour a small amount into her mouth, and she should be fine. Please stay with her while I fetch the potion." He walked off towards Madam Pomphrey's office. Ron looked at Harry.

"Interesting summer vacation, don't you think?" he said. "First we find out that we're all Elves, then we go off to the future, then we come back and Hermione gets sick with some strange disease. What next?"

"Next, you will go to Diagon Alley, Mr. Weasley," Dumbledore said. Harry realized that they had heard him come up behind them quietly, but neither had paid it much mind. He realized that it would be important to pay attention to these things in the future. Dumbledore leaned over Hermione slightly, gently opened her mouth with one hand, and poured a few drops from a large flask in with the other. Smoke began to pour out of Hermione's mouth for a moment, then stopped as she blinked and sat up.

"Thank you," she said. "I was wondering why I was feeling so strange." She was back to normal, with her mind always working to figure out everything about what was around her.

"You're welcome," said Dumbledore. "And now, I think that you should all be heading off to Diagon Alley, where you will all need some new robes, because the ones you have on now do not fit." It was true. They had all grown taller, and Harry and Ron especially needed wider sleeves on their robes.

"There will many people in Diagon Alley who will be keeping at least one, if not two or three, eyes on you," Dumbledore said. "However, it is likely that you will not see them. I hope that you enjoy your visit to Diagon Alley. Your school letters will be coming in a moment. I would have given them to you myself, had not your owls insisted on bringing them." He walked over to the window and swung it open. Hedwig, Hecate and Pidgwidgeon flew in as a white, a grey and a black blur. They were all hooting with joy as they descended upon Harry, Ron and Hermione. Hedwig landed on Harry's shoulder, ecstatic with delight upon seeing him again. He stroked her wing gently as she affectionately nipped his ear and held out her leg, which had a letter tied to it, addressed to "Mr. Harry Potter, Next to Miss Hermione Granger's Bed, The Hospital Wing, Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry." Harry wondered how Dumbledore had known where they would be. Harry opened the envelope and took his letter out.

"Dear Mr. Potter,"

he read,

"I am pleased to inform you that you have been selected as one of Gryffindor's new Prefects for this year. Normally, there are two Prefects per house for each year fifth year and above. However, this year, due to the extreme merit demonstrated by three pupils, it is with pleasure that I select you, Mr. Ronald Weasley and Miss Hermione Granger to be Gryffindor's current fifth-year Prefects. I have been informed by my colleagues that the new Prefects for Ravenclaw are Padma Patil and Terry Boot, those for Hufflepuff Susan Bones and Justin Finch-Fletchey, and for Slytherin, Draco Malfoy and Pansy Parkinson."

Harry, who had been in a state of slight euphoria that they were all named Prefects, was brought back to earth rather rapidly by the realization that Malfoy would also be a Prefect. It would be like Snape to decide on Malfoy to be a Prefect. He resolved not to let it anger him that Malfoy was a Prefect; that would be empowering him far too much. He read on.

"At Hogwarts this year, due to the rising threat of attack by Lord Voldemort, we will be accelerating all of our classes far beyond the normal level. We are sorry to have to do this, but we have little choice in view of our students' safety. The supply list this year is quite extensive, and the owners of Flourish and Blotts in Diagon Alley have reduced their prices to students in light of this. Please understand that it is essential to obtain

every item on this list, no matter how odd it may seem.

On a more cheerful note, we will again be holding the Yule Ball this year, as well as a Halloween ball. The Halloween ball will be open to all students; the Yule ball will be open to fourth years and above (younger students may be invited by older students). Dress robes will be required for attendance at both occasions.

Sincerely yours,

Minerva McGonagall

Deputy Headmistress"

Harry looked at Dumbledore with some bewilderment. The Headmaster was looking especially grave.

"Even our schools are penetrated by Lord Voldemort," he murmured. "And we must force our students to learn terrible things in order to gird themselves to fight him." His eyes, for the first time that Harry had seen in a long time, grew watery. Harry quickly began reading his supply list. It was indeed very long, and included many unusual things.

" A Guide of Curses and Defence

, by Hugo Hexeren

Caster of Curses: A Life of Fighting Evil

by Godric Gryffindor

Potions of an Advanced Nature

by Severus Snape

Textbook of Languages

by Gregory Fernseher et. al.

Theory of Magic and Practical Applications

by Albus Dumbledore

Magic in the Environment

by Frederick Weltus

The True Abilities of the Human Body and Brain

by Alexander Körpgehör

Very Advanced Transfiguration

by Minerva McGonagall

What an Auror Needs to Know

by Arabella Figg

Elemental Energy

by Theodore Feoen

Construction of Magical Devices

by Ollivandus Ollivander

The Intricacies of the Construction of Magical Devices

by Ollivandus Ollivander

Charms of the Dangerous Sort

by Helga Hufflepuff

Nondependence on Civilization

by Rowena Ravenclaw

Wandless Magic

(all volumes) by Nicolas Flamel

Magic

(all volumes) by Rosel Rolandson

Three sets of grey training robes

One moonstone

One unicorn hair

One dragon scale

One small vial dragon's blood

One small vial powdered phoenix feather"

"The last five ingredients are for the Animagus potion," Professor Dumbledore said. "All of our students in fifth year or above will be undergoing the Animagus transformation."

"Professor," Ron said, "what about us?" Hermione began speaking immediately.

"Well, you see," she said (Harry knew she was back to normal from her propensity for answering questions), "there are many ways to become an Animagus. One way is the way we did, and another way is through the potion. You can also become one through being born with the ability (although Godric Gryffindor is the only known case of that) or by paying a powerful, evil creature to do it for you (as Salazar Slytherin did) or by being granted the ability by a powerful, good creature. So you can theoretically be able to turn into up to five different animals at will."

"Although I'm sure that you're going to be a Professor some day, Hermione," Harry said, "I think that when Ron said 'Professor' he was referring to Professor Dumbledore." Hermione blushed. It was one of her more endearing qualities. Dumbledore smiled.

"Miss Granger was quite correct," he said, "although it is also possible for one human to work the transformation on another, although you can only do it on each individual once. Surprisingly, in theory even a Muggle could grant the Animagus transformation, if their belief in magic is strong enough. In that way, because there are about 6 billion people in the world, you could theoretically be able to turn into over 6 billion animals at will. Also, Elves, vampires, hags, and some trolls have the same ability, and each of them can work the transformation on each individual once, so in theory, you could eventually turn into about 6005000000 types of animal." Hermione blushed even deeper.

"The main shopping hour at Diagon Alley is over, now that it's past noon," Dumbledore said. "Mrs. Weasley will meet you in the Leaky Cauldron at three. Your trunks are all at the Burrow, so you will have a place to store whatever you buy in Diagon Alley. Also, it slipped my mind to notify you that the wizarding world is in some slight turmoil following the resignation of Cornelius Fudge. He resigned last night, and the new Minister was inducted this morning. The new Minister is Mr. Arthur Weasley." Ron looked shocked, and Harry and Hermione looked jubilant that they had a Minister who would actually do something about Voldemort. Harry thought he realized why Ron looked so shocked. The Minister of Magic was the most highly paid official in all of Britain.

"I have also," Dumbledore said, with grin on his face at their expressions, "taken the liberty of withdrawing some money from each of your vaults. Here it is." He handed them each a leather bag. Ron's was actually the largest. Harry was happy for his friend, and hoped that Draco Malfoy wouldn't come up with some new way to tease him about his new fortune.

"Have fun, children," Dumbledore said merrily, handing them jar of Floo powder and using his wand to light a fire in the infirmary fireplace. "Remember, meet Mrs. Weasley in the Leaky Cauldron at three." They each took a pinch of Floo powder, and then Dumbledore set the jar back on the mantle. Ron went first, tossing his powder into the flames, which roared green. He shouted, "Diagon Alley!", stepping into the flames, and disappeared. Hermione went next, a nervous expression on her face, and said, "Diagon Alley." She, too, vanished. That left Harry, who, remembering when he had mistakenly gone to Knockturn Alley instead of Diagon Alley, tossed his powder in the flames, and said, being careful to annunciate the words properly, "Diagon Alley!" He stepped into the fire, and began whirling around faster and faster, slight nausea overtaking his stomach. Finally, he landed on his feet on the cobblestones of Diagon Alley. Hermione and Ron were waiting for him a few feet away. He walked towards them.

"Where shall we go first?" Hermione asked.

"Because the heaviest things we need to get are our books, we should get them last," Ron said. Hermione glared.

"Perhaps," Harry said, "we should go to the Apothecary and get the potion ingredients, and then go to Madam Malkin's for our robes, and then to Flourish and Blotts."

"Let's go, then," Hermione said, and they set off. Harry looked over his shoulder for a moment, and saw a row of fireplaces that were labelled "Floo entrances to Diagon Alley. Do NOT use as exits." People were coming out of them intermittently, and Harry could see what sort of problem would result if people tried to use them to leave Diagon Alley as well as to enter it. He wondered what would happen if someone tried to enter a fireplace by Floo powder at the same time as they left it. Would they get splinched, or would they pass by each other and go on to their destinations? He felt no desire to find out.

Hermione led them to the Apothecary. She opened the door, and they followed her in.

"Hogwarts?" the man behind the counter asked them. Hermione nodded.

"We have all the ingredients you will need," the man said. "Three sets?"

"Yes, please," Hermione said. The man handed them each a black bag, and they paid him ten Galleons. Then they went into Madam Malkin's.

"You have grown, dears," she said upon seeing them. "Well, come on back." She led them to the back of the shop, where she and two assistants fitted them each for three sets of black robes (because they had all outgrown the ones they had), grey training robes, and dress robes. Harry's new ones were dark brown, and Hermione's were light green. Ron explained that Fred and George had already gotten him some. Harry successfully fought the urge to smile at this; he had been the one who had asked Fred and George to get Ron the new dress robes.

Hermione then hurried them out of the shop (she was by far the best of the three at shopping) and eagerly led them into the vast reaches of Flourish and Blotts. Harry and Ron pulled out their book lists with slight trepidation (although Harry was looking forward to what he would learn this year much more than he had in the past) and set off in search of the books they needed. Harry was glad to find that a few of the books they needed were only slightly longer than most of the textbooks they already had. However, Theory of Magic and Practical Applications was several thousand pages, and every book after it on the list was even longer. Very Advanced Transfiguration was one of the huge books the size of paving slabs which Harry had been so surprised at when he first saw Flourish and Blotts. Looking at the name of the author of What an Auror Needs to Know, Harry remembered that he had heard Dumbledore mention an Arabella Figg as being a member of the "old crowd." He wondered if the Figg who wrote What an Auror Needs to Know was the same person. Harry almost cried when he saw Elemental Energy. It was easily the largest book he had ever seen outside of the Hogwarts Library. Hermione bustled off, dumping all of her books on top of his, and then returned with three dark green bags, which Harry recognized as Carrying Bags, which could hold a great many things, while not weighing more than a few ounces. With relief, he hurriedly put her books into one of them, and then put his own into another. Ron put his into a third.

After that, it was much easier to carry their books. It was fortunate that Flourish and Blotts happened to be giving away Carrying Bags with the purchase of more than four thousand pages, because they otherwise wouldn't have been able to carry all of their books very easily. Harry hoisted up his copy of Construction of Magical Devices, wondering what it the world they would be using it for, and dropped it into his bag, followed by the even larger Intricacies of the Construction of Magical Devices. Harry was surprised, and somewhat pleased, to see that they would be using books written by three of the four Founders of Hogwarts. Helga Hufflepuff's book was huge, and Rowena Ravenclaw's book appeared to be even longer than it otherwise was, because it had been "Updated for the modern world, including sections on Muggle technology", by Gregory Froschheimer.

At first, Harry was happy to see that Wandless Magic appeared to be only about fifteen centimeters thick, which was perhaps a thousand pages shorter than Rowena Ravenclaw's book. Then he noticed the "I" on the spine, and reread his Hogwarts list, which noted that they would need to get "all volumes". Harry ended up putting fifteen volumes into his bag, wondering how they would ever cover it all in one year. Ron and Hermione did the same, and even Hermione appeared to be relieved that they had gotten most of their books.

"Whew!" Hermione. "We've finally gotten it all. Let's go to the counter, come on." Harry quickly consulted his booklist. He was sure that there was one book on his that they hadn't gotten, and sure enough, "There's one more on my list," he said.

"Are you sure?" Hermione asked, checking hers again. "I've got everything on mine."

"Me too," Ron said, checking his booklist.

"I still need to get Magic, by Rosel Rolandson," Harry said. Hermione took his booklist and compared it to hers, scrunching up her eyebrows.

"You have another book on your list," she said, surprised. "I wonder why?" Harry shrugged.

"I have no idea," he said. "I'd better get it." Hermione found the book after they had all searched for nearly fifteen minutes. Harry checked his list again, and saw with foreboding the words "all volumes" listed after the title. Harry counted twenty-six huge leather-bound volumes that went into his bag, not including the three-volume index. He realized that it made sense that the set was so big; the books on the list had been growing progressively longer. He wondered how much all the books were going to cost as they walked together up to the counter.

"Let me see," the witch behind the counter said. "You are from Hogwarts, aren't you?"

"Yes," said Hermione. The witch consulted a roll of parchment that was behind the counter.

"In that case," she said, "it will be five Galleons for you two, and an additional seven Sickles for you, Mr. Potter." Harry wasn't surprised that the witch knew his name.

"I'm sorry," said Hermione, "but I don't think that that can be right. It must cost more than fifteen Galleons and seven Sickles for all the books we got." The witch shrugged.

"We've been able to subsidize student purchases for school through a grant from the Ministry of Magic," she said. "Just passed this morning. First thing the new Minister did." Harry tried not to smile. It was the sort of thing that Mr. Weasley would do.

They all paid for their books, and then left. Hermione consulted her watch.

"We've still got another hour," she said, "before we meet them in the Leaky Cauldron. Why don't we go to Florean Fortescue's?" Harry and Ron agreed (it was extremely hot out, and the prospect of ice cream was appealing), so they set off. Once they reached the shop, Harry insisted on buying them all ice creams, and they sat in chairs in the sun, eating them.

"That's weird, though, Harry," Ron said. "Why would you need that extra set of books?" Harry shrugged, having absolutely no idea. They sat there for a long time, before Hermione, checking her watch again, jumped.

"We need to be there in five minutes!" she gasped. "We'd better hurry. Ron, your mum'll worry. Come on!" She dragged them both out of their seats, and pulled them along Diagon Alley, trailing their Carrying Bags behind (for the sake of convenience, they'd put all their purchases in them). Hermione came to a brick wall, drew out her wand, and waved it at it. At once the bricks began rearranging themselves into a large archway, which Hermione dragged them through. It led into a tiny courtyard that Harry recognized as being the one behind the Leaky Cauldron. Hermione waved her wand again, and the bricks formed into a wall again. She led them into the Leaky Cauldron, her eyes darting around searching for Mrs. Weasley. It wasn't hard to find her. Her fiery red hair stood out wonderfully from the other heads (which were fortunately all attached to bodies) in the dining room. She smiled brightly.

"There you are, dears!" she said, drawing them all into a huge hug (Harry wondered how her arms could encircle them, she was a fairly short woman, so consequently her arms were too). "I was beginning to worry."

"Sorry, mum," Ron said. "We were at Florean Fortescue's."

"Let's hurry out of here," Mrs. Weasley said. "Those horrid reporters have been following me around all day, pestering me about your father, Ron." Harry felt sorry for the Weasleys; he knew how it felt to have to avoid publicity.

"Well, well, well," a sneering voice said. They all turned around. Lucius Malfoy stood behind them, sneering. Draco Malfoy stood beside him, sneering nearly as hard. Between them stood a girl whom Harry didn't know. He strongly suspected that she was Draco Malfoy's sister, because she resembled him somewhat. Fortunately for her, however, she took after Narcissa Malfoy more, only without the sneer. She looked much nicer than Lucius Malfoy, and Harry pitied her for being related to him.

"Good day, Lucius," Mrs. Weasley said coldly, all the familiar cheeriness gone from her voice. She looked quite deadly. Lucius's sneer grew even more prominent.

"I suppose that you're happy, now that your husband has an actual job," he said. "Now you can afford even more children." Mrs. Weasley's expression grew disdainful.

"I'm so sorry," she said, "but I really must inquire. Do you learn your insults from your son, or is it the other way around? I'm still trying to decide who has the lesser mental capacity." Lucius's expression grew furious. Harry was astounded. Mrs. Weasley had insulted someone? It was completely out of her character. He wanted to say something, but he sensed that Mrs. Weasley wanted to deal with Malfoy on her own. The girl standing between Draco and Lucius Malfoy couldn't help but smile.

"Don't laugh at me, girl!" he shouted, taking a menacing step towards her. She looked terrified.

"Careful, Lucius," Mrs. Weasley said. "You wouldn't want to get that close to her. What do you suppose people might begin to think, as inconceivable as it is? Judging by brains, she's far too old for you anyway." Lucius Malfoy turned and looked at her in utter astonishment. Mrs. Weasley smiled sweetly, and suddenly there was a small jerk, and they were standing in front of the Burrow.

"I'm sorry, dears," she said. "I didn't mean to startle you, but I needed a quick exit so I Apparated us all out."

"Mrs. Weasley," Harry said slowly. "I'm very impressed."

"Oh, thank you, dear," she said. "I wouldn't advise Apparating more than about two people very often, though. It's rather tiring."

"Mum," Ron said. "I think he was referring to what you said to Malfoy."

"Oh," said Mrs. Weasley. "Did I really say that?" Harry, Ron and Hermione nodded. Mrs. Weasley looked terrified.

"Children," she said. "It was wrong of me to do that. I'm very sorry." They all gave her evil grins. Sighing, she led them inside.

"Harry, I'll have you share a room with Ron, if you don't mind, and Hermione, you can have Ginny's room," she said. "She's staying with a friend until tomorrow. Why don't you take your things up now?" Still smiling at the memory of Mrs. Weasley insulting Lucius Malfoy, Harry followed Ron and Hermione up the stairs to their rooms. After giving him a quick kiss (Ron averted his gaze, beginning to grin), Hermione nearly dove into her trunk and retrieved the first volume of her set of Wandless Magic. Harry and Ron were both intrigued by the book selection this year, so they both began reading Wandless Magic too. Harry was delighted to find that the introduction had been written by Dumbledore. Although the introduction was very intelligently written, it was hilarious. In fact, from leafing through the first volume (which took him a surprising amount of time because the pages were thinner than Muggle tissue paper), he found that Nicolas Flamel had a wonderful sense of humour, which showed through his books. Harry became slightly less worried about how he would get all of his work done in the coming school year. It would be much easier to read his textbooks if they were funny. He set down magic and took out The True Abilities of the Human Body and Brain, wondering what class it was for. He opened it up, hoping that what was in it would still apply to him even though he was an Elf. He looked at the title page.

"Welcome to your new copy of The True Abilities of the Human Body and Brain," he read,

"Please place the palm of your right hand over the words "Please place the palm of your right hand here" where they appear lower on this page. This will alert the book to you so that it will be able to correctly estimate your abilities at all times." Bemused, Harry moved his eyes farther down the page, and saw the words "Please place the palm of your right hand here" printed inside an outline of a tiny handprint. He placed his palm over the handprint, spreading out his fingers. He felt a tingling on the page, and the outline of the handprint appeared around his hand, matching it perfectly. Words appeared above it. "Thank you. You may now remove your hand and use the book as you wish." He removed his hand, grinning, and turned the page. Suddenly, the blood drained from his face.

"Harry James Potter," he read.

"Estimation of Abilities (accurate to within .001 points on all scales):

Species: Homo sapiens sapiens zauberus

Intelligence quotient (standard human scale): 257

Intelligence quotient (standard Elvish scale): 225

Intelligence quotient (standard Zauberian dragon scale): 200

Magical potential quotient (standard human scale): 1,000,000

Magical potential quotient (standard Elvish scale): 500,000

Magical potential quotient (standard Zauberian dragon scale): 250,000

Standard deviations above mean in human physical fitness: 5

Standard deviations above mean in Elvish physical fitness: 3

Standard deviations below mean in Zauberian dragon physical fitness: 1

Languages spoken fluently: English, Parseltongue, Elvish, Zauberian

Physical Activity High Abilities: Quidditch, All Elvish Martial Arts"

Harry looked in horror at the various numbers. He had known about IQs ever since when, at the age of five, he and Dudley had taken IQ exams prior to entering primary school. Aunt Petunia and Uncle Vernon had been most distressed when Dudley had had to be carried out of the exam room, kicking and screaming. Aunt Petunia hadn't wanted to let Harry take the test. The woman had tried to reason with her, but finally brushed her objections aside and took Harry from her into the room for the required exam, smiling sympathetically at him. Aunt Petunia and Uncle Vernon had both screamed at the woman when, eight hours later, she released Harry. When the results came in the mail two weeks later, Dudley's IQ had been tested at an 85, and Harry's had been tested at 195. Uncle Vernon had promptly torn both letters up in fury.

Harry suddenly felt very tired, and later barely remembered to thank Mrs. Weasley for making dinner.

***

The next day was rather hectic. Mrs. Weasley let them all oversleep, saying that they had had a busy day before, then used Wakening Charms on them, hurried them kindly through breakfast, and hustled them out with their trunks to the front yard, where two Ministry cars were waiting. She bustled around, making sure that they hadn't forgotten anything, and helped them get all their things into the cars (they were also assisted by the drivers), before ushering them in and climbing in herself.

The Ministry cars were faster than they had been in Harry's third year, when he had ridden in one from the Leaky Cauldron to King's Cross station. The Ministry drivers roared along the motorway at speeds far faster than the cars around them, although none of the Muggle policemen raised an eyebrow. Harry suspected a strong Concealment Charm. Hedwig, Hecate and Pidwidgeon stared out the window with wide eyes, and Harry was sure that they were irritated at being awakened in the middle of the day.

The Ministry drivers seemed to be perfectly safe driving fast, and they were at King's Cross station without a scratch with an hour to spare. As during Harry's third year, the Ministry drivers found them trolleys and inclined their heads before leaving and almost immediately driving out of sight. Mrs. Weasley guided them through the barrier. Getting through it was the most dangerous part of the process, because they had to make sure that no Muggles saw them disappear. Keeping a weather eye out for spectators, Mrs. Weasley guided them through the barrier, before passing through herself.

Not very many people were on the platform yet; and the train had just pulled up. Mrs. Weasley helped them levitate their trunks aboard. She said that they were legally in school, so they all pulled out their wands and helped her. Harry, Ron and Hermione found a compartment to themselves, and Ginny went into the one next to theirs. Fred and George went into the third, leaning out the window to talk with their mother.

"Fred," she said, "and George. It's your last year at Hogwarts, and your father was very sorry that he couldn't see you off- Oh, Arthur!" Mr. Weasley had suddenly appeared out of thin air next to her.

"I was able to get away for a few minutes, so I thought I'd come and see you off," he said breathlessly. "Fred, George, do behave yourselves, won't you?"

"Of course, Dad," they said, with falsely angelic expressions. Mr. Weasley shook his head in mock exasperation.

"Well," he said, "have a good year, all."

"Thank you very much for letting us stay with you, Mr. and Mrs. Weasley," Harry said.

"Yes, it was really nice of you," Hermione added, angry that he had gotten in the comment before she had.

"Oh, we love having you, dears," Mrs. Weasley said, smiling. Harry suddenly realized that he loved the Weasleys, nearly as much as the family he'd never had, and that they loved him too. It was still a surprising sensation for him to know that he was loved, as much as he'd gone to Hogwarts for four years and been popular.

"Well, goodbye," Mr. Weasley said. "Have a good term." Harry suddenly realized that he had a very important question to ask him.

"Mr. Weasley," he said, "I know it's really none of my business, but what is the Ministry doing about Voldemort." Mr. Weasley suppressed a slight wince.

"I am working very hard to move the Ministry as fast as possible to stop him," he said. "I have changed the official standing to recognizing his rising, and we are putting forth all of our resources towards stopping him." Harry nodded. Voldemort had managed to change so much of their lives, and now he had forced the Ministry to devote so much time towards stopping him. Harry was filled with a sudden disgust for Voldemort. He nodded awkwardly at Mr. Weasley, who nodded back grimly. Then he brightened up.

"Have a good time," he said to them all. "Goodbye."

"Goodbye," they all said, and Mr. and Mrs. Weasley Disapparated. Harry drew his head back in the window, feeling immensely guilty for Voldemort's rise. Hermione and Ron looked at him.

"Are you all right, Harry?" Ron asked. Harry looked up at him, and he could tell that they knew.

"Yes," he said suddenly. "No! I'm not."

"Why not?" Hermione asked. Harry shifted slightly, feeling uncomfortable. He had to tell someone.

"Well," he said, "yesterday, when we were all looking through our books, I took out my copy of The True Abilities of the Human Body and Brain. On the title page, it asked me to put my right palm on it. Then, there was this outline of a handprint, and it became a perfect outline of my hand. After that, the page said that the book could now accurately estimate my abilities, and that it was ready for me to use. I turned the page, and found a listing of numbers that were supposed to represent my abilities. And it scared me."

"What sort of numbers were they?" Hermione asked.

"Here, let me show you..." He dug through his trunk, and found his copy of The True Abilities of the Human Body and Brain. He flipped it open to the title page, and handed it to Hermione. She looked at it with interest, and then shock.

"Harry, do you know what this means?" she asked, handing the book to Ron.

"I don't want to know," Harry said. Ron had skimmed through the book, and had put it down and started digging through his trunk.

"What are you doing?" Hermione asked.

"Finding my copy The True Abilities of the Human Body and Brain," Ron said. "As should you. I wonder what class it's for?"

"I don't know if I want to take it," Harry said. Hermione looked at him sympathetically, as she got out her book and placed her hand on the title page. Then she flipped to the next page, and her eyes widened. She thrust the book towards Harry.

"Hermione Anne Granger," he read,

"Estimation of Abilities (accurate to within 1 point on all scales):

Species: Homo sapiens sapiens zauberus

Intelligence quotient (standard human scale): 258

Intelligence quotient (standard Elvish scale): 228

Intelligence quotient (standard phoenix scale): 202

Magical potential quotient (standard human scale): 990,999

Magical potential quotient (standard Elvish scale): 491,000

Magical potential quotient (standard phoenix scale): 240,000

Standard deviations above mean in human physical fitness: 3

Standard deviations above mean in Elvish physical fitness: .5

Standard deviations below mean in phoenix physical fitness: 1.5

Languages spoken fluently: English, German, French, Latin, Welsh, Manx, Cornish, Breton, Gaelic, All Human Ancient Runic Tongues, Elvish, Phoenix

Physical Activity High Abilities: All Elvish Martial Arts"

"Oh, no," said Harry. "I'm crushed. My girlfriend is smarter than I am." Hermione rolled her eyes before Harry and Ron exchanged books.

"Ronald Arthur Weasley," he read (the page format was rapidly becoming familiar),

"Estimation of Abilities (accurate to within 1 point on all scales):

Species: Homo sapiens sapiens zauberus

Intelligence quotient (standard human scale): 256

Intelligence quotient (standard Elvish scale): 223

Intelligence quotient (standard winged centaur scale): 200

Magical potential quotient (standard human scale): 990,999

Magical potential quotient (standard Elvish scale): 491,010

Magical potential quotient (standard winged centaur scale): 249,000

Standard deviations above mean in human physical fitness: 4

Standard deviations above mean in Elvish physical fitness: 2

Standard deviations below mean in winged centaur physical fitness: 1

Languages spoken fluently: English, Elvish

Physical Activity High Abilities: Quidditch, All Elvish Martial Arts"

"We are really similar," Ron said suddenly.

"I know," said Hermione. "There's almost no difference between IQs that are separated by about 1 point. That shows what I've always told you: you two are perfectly capable of doing just as well as I do!" Harry and Ron groaned. Then Harry gave Ron an evil grin.

"She's just mad because you tested as being more powerfully magical than she is," he said. Hermione glared, and Harry and Ron both roared with laughter. She began smiling too, and a lively discussion about the scenery around them soon ensued.

***

Two hours later, the witch with the food cart had come by, and they were finishing eating. For once, Hermione hadn't buried herself in her books, and she was much happier for it. They had a wonderful time, until Malfoy made his token annual appearance.

His habitual sneer was in place, but even it was forced as he realized how much taller Harry and Ron were than he was (although he was fairly tall himself).

"Was there something you wanted, Malfoy?" Harry asked coldly. Ron looked at Malfoy with much more self-control than he'd had in previous years when Malfoy had come into their compartment. It was quite effective. Malfoy squirmed.

"As you know, Potter, the Dark Lord's arisen again," he said. "I thought I'd remind you of it, considering it's your fault."

"No, it isn't," Harry said, a sad smile appearing on his face. "And you don't have to follow him; you know that." He focused on Malfoy, the power within him reaching out. Malfoy shuddered, and turned to go. Harry relaxed, slightly disappointed.

"Wait, Malfoy," said Ron. Malfoy turned around, and Ron somehow reached out to him as well.

"We know you don't want to do this, Draco," Hermione said, her power combined with theirs. Malfoy looked at them intently, and suddenly he caught a glimpse of the magnitude of what he was doing. He dropped his gaze, and tears began streaming down his face. Harry somehow could feel his sorrow and anger that he was pressured towards joining Lord Voldemort, and felt sorry for him. He had never thought about what it must be like, having a father and mother who were allied with Voldemort. He had always assumed that Malfoy had wanted to join the Dark Lord, but now he wasn't so sure. Although Malfoy had been certain that he was going to be Sorted into Slytherin even before he went to Hogwarts, perhaps he had asked to go into Slytherin, and had only asked because he had been instructed by his father to do so. Harry certainly wouldn't put it past Lucius Malfoy to lead his son to believe that it was correct to follow Voldemort. In fact, he somehow knew, from the mysterious connection he now had with Draco (he had begun mentally referring to him by his first name), that this was the case.

Suddenly, Draco snapped the connection. He was sobbing.

"I have to," he said. "I have no choice." He ran out of the compartment. They all rushed out into the corridor and saw him rush into another compartment.

"Excuse me," a voice behind them said. They all spun around. The girl who had been standing between Lucius and Draco Malfoy in the Leaky Cauldron was standing there.

"Can we help you?" Hermione asked kindly.

"I don't mean to pry," the girl said. "But I couldn't help but notice my brother come rushing out of your compartment. Is he alright?"

"I don't think so," Harry said. "Perhaps it would be best if you were to go and talk with him."

"I will," the girl said. "Thank you. I'm Eledh Malfoy, by the way." They moved out of the way to let her by.

"I'm Hermione Granger," Hermione said. "This is Harry Potter, and this is Ron Weasley."

"I'm glad to have met you," Eledh said. She walked down the corridor and disappeared into the compartment Draco had gone into. Harry, Ron and Hermione went back into the compartment. Harry closed and locked the door using a Locking Charm.

"She seemed to be a very nice girl," Hermione said.

"Never mind that," Ron said. "What did we just do to Malfoy?"

"I have no idea," Hermione said. "It was almost as if we were trying to convert him."

"I felt as if we were reaching out to him," Harry said. "I thought that I could feel his sorrow at having parents like the ones he has."

"I know what you mean," Hermione said. "It was as if you reached out, and then Ron did so too, and then I connected and could feel his emotions."

"That's a strange power," Ron said. "I wonder if it has anything to do with-" Harry raised a hand sharply, and Ron fell silent. Footsteps were coming along the corridor, booted footsteps of someone very tall. The footsteps grew louder and louder, until they stopped directly outside the door to their compartment. Harry heard a faint sound of air moving as a hand moved up and knocked on the door. Harry waved his wand, and the door opened. Professor Dumbledore stood outside.

"Good afternoon!" he said merrily. "May I come in?" They nodded, and he did so, sitting down. He put a hand in a pocket of his voluminous robes, and drew out three Prefect badges.

"I would like to congratulate you all on becoming Prefects," he said, handing them each a badge. "I know that you will observe your new responsibilities, which will include guiding younger students, being good examples for them, and attending the biweekly Prefect meetings, which are every other week for one half-hour in the Prefect's meeting room, starting at eight o'clock.

I just stopped by to give Mr. Malfoy his badge." Dumbledore's voice had grown even more serious.

"He was in here," Harry said. "He said it was my fault that Voldemort had arisen, and then I said no it wasn't, and that he didn't have to follow Voldemort. Then I reached out to him with some sort of... power that I didn't know I had. Then Ron and Hermione reached out too, and we could feel his emotions. He didn't want to be a follower of Voldemort. Then he said that he was sorry, but he had no choice, and ran out of the compartment. Then, when we went out, his sister Eledh asked us if he was alright, and we said no, that she should go talk to him. She thanked us and went." Dumbledore looked especially grave.

"You reached out to him with your natural empathic senses," he said. "They are still developing, so that was why it needed all three of you to work on him. I would advise you not to try it unless you absolutely must, because you will harm your abilities if you use them excessively before they are fully developed. As for Mr. Malfoy, I am unsure what it is you have done to him, but I feel that it will probably have a positive outcome. He needs time to sort out his feelings. Do not speak to him about it, and do not tell anyone what happened. However, try to be kind to him, and to stop others when they are not. Will you do this?" They nodded. Dumbledore rose, thanked them, and turned to go.

"Professor," asked Harry, "why was there an extra book on my booklist?"

"That, Harry, is something you will learn at Hogwarts," Dumbledore said, smiling. "Have a good train ride." He Disapparated. They did not speak again until the train arrived at Hogwarts.

***

Harry sat at his table, looking at the ceiling. He had discreetly glanced at the Slytherin table, where Malfoy sat by himself, looking despondent. The stars glimmered overhead as Professor McGonagall led in the long line of first years. The stars were hypnotic, and Harry's head hit his arms as he fell into slumber.

Hermione shook him awake as Eledh Malfoy walked to the stool. Professor McGonagall placed the Sorting Hat on her head, and it appeared deep in thought. Finally, the rip in its brim opened wide.

"GRYFFINDOR!" it shouted. Harry was stunned. A Malfoy in Gryffindor? Certainly Eledh hadn't seemed to be at all like her father, but it was still surprising. He chanced a glance at the Slytherin table and was shocked to see that Malfoy looked sincerely happy that his sister was in Gryffindor. He noticed the scowls and looks of disbelief and bewilderment that the other Slytherins had on their faces. Harry was distracted as Eledh sat down and promptly began a conversation with two other first years, as the Sorting Hat happily boomed out the houses of the other first years.

"How did that happen?" Dean Thomas asked in bewilderment. "How did she get into Gryffindor?"

"We met her on the train," Hermione said. "She's really nice, not at all like Lucius Malfoy."

"Still," said Seamus Finnigan. "How do we know she's not going to become a Dark Witch?"

"Seamus, I thought you knew better than to judge people by their family," Neville said angrily. Harry was amazed and pleased that Neville had said something.

"Seamus," he said. "I don't want to have to take points away from Gryffindor for people being mean to Eledh. Because if they are, especially if it's because of her family, it's just wrong." Seamus nodded.

"I'm sorry," he said sincerely. "Force of habit, you know. So tell me, Harry, how did you grow so much over the summer?" He had changed the subject well; now most of Gryffindor was talking about how much he and Ron had grown. Suddenly, Professor Dumbledore stood up. The Sorting was over.

"Welcome to Hogwarts!" he said merrily. "We have a record number of first years this year, and we have expanded the house spaces in view of this. We have also made it a requirement that all Prefects always use the Prefect's baths, which have been expanded. We also have several new teachers, whom I will introduce now. Our new Defence Against the Dark Arts teachers will be the real Professor Moody, and Professor Arabella Figg." Harry nearly fell off his chair. The woman who had stood up along with Professor Moody was one of the Dursleys' neighbours! She had been the one whom he had had to stay with often while Aunt Petunia took Dudley places and Uncle Vernon was at work. She was the one who had had so many cats. She was the one who had broken her leg and forced the Dursleys to take him to the zoo, where he'd met the boa constrictor. How was she a witch?

Harry's thoughts were jerked back to the present as the applause died down. Dumbledore was looking grave.

"As many of you are aware," he said. "Lord Voldemort arose late last school year, and took a student from our midst. We are therefore accelerating all of our classes, and adding on two more mandatory classes. The first will be that of Languages, taught by Professor Aberforth Dumbledore." There was a gasp from many students, which was drowned out by thunderous applause as an old man who bore a striking resemblance to Albus Dumbledore stood up and bowed. Harry remembered that Aberforth Dumbledore had been prosecuted years ago for inappropriate charms regarding a goat (Harry had found out later that the charms made the goat more nourished by its food), and had withdrawn from the wizarding world to conduct research since.

"We will also," Dumbledore (Albus Dumbledore) continued, "be having classes in physical strength. These classes will be taught by Professor Grubbly-Plank." An old woman who looked amazingly energetic stood up and bowed, smiling. There was more applause. Harry remembered her as a substitute for Hagrid last year. He hoped that she was nicer as a regular teacher than as a substitute; he hadn't enjoyed her lesson very much.

"And now," said Dumbledore, "I hope that you will enjoy the excellent feast which our house-elves, who have finally accepted payment for their long service. Here it is!" He clapped his hands, and an enormous feast appeared. Harry and Ron at once began to tuck in. They were both for some reason very, very hungry. Hermione sat there in a state of shock, before Harry tapped her on the shoulder.

"Are you alright?" he asked her. She nodded.

"Yes! I'm more than alright. The house-elves are finally being paid!" she said excitedly.

"It looks like SPEW worked after all," Harry said slowly. "Well done."

"Well," she said, "I couldn't have done it without all the people who helped me..." She hugged him hard.

"Thank you!" she said. Then she thanked Ron, and Neville, and the few others who had bought SPEW badges, giving them each a hug. Then she sat down next to Harry again and finally began to eat.

"If I didn't know better, I'd say that you were unfaithful, Hermione," Harry said jokingly.

"Just you wait until later," she said, with a teasing note in her voice. Lavender and Parvarti, who were sitting a few chairs down, giggled slightly. Harry, Ron and Hermione glared at them.

Finally, dinner was over, and Dumbledore sent them off to bed, after having them sing the school song, each person choosing their own melody. Alicia Spinnet, who had become Head Girl, led all the first years up to Gryffindor Tower.

"House-elf," she said to the portrait of the Fat Lady, who swung open and allowed them entrance.

"Harry and Ron, take care of the first-year boys, will you?" she said. "And Hermione, the first-year girls, please." Harry and Ron led the first-year boys up the spiral staircase to the dormitory, which had "FIRST-YEARS" in block letters across the top. They showed them their beds and the way to the bathroom, and then Harry said goodnight.

"By the way," he said, "if any of you need anything, we are in the other dorms, or otherwise in the Common Room, and any of the Prefects, teachers and ghosts can show you the way to the infirmary if you're sick or get hurt. Do you need anything?" A chorus of no's followed him as Ron bid them goodnight, and they left the first-years' dormitory.