Harry Potter and the Mortal Enemy

Hermione's parents' mouths both simultaneously dropped open in awe, mostprobably from the sheer beauty of Hogwarts, as both Harry and Hermione haddone when they arrived by boats over the lake, four years ago. Each timethat Harry arrived at the castle, he still felt that he was seeing it forthe first time - the magnificent castle with a vast array of towers and turrets.

Mrs. Granger looked at Hermione and Harry. "This is Hogwarts? I'dimagined something along these lines, from what Hermione had told us, butthis is just beautiful!"

Hermione started leading the way up the path. "I know. What I had readin Hogwarts: A History could never have prepared me for this, thefirst time I saw it. But we should be going up to see Dumbledore. He toldus that he would meet us inside the front doors, didn't he?" Noticing thather father kept on looking behind them at the car they had left, she assuredhim. "Don't worry, Dad, I'm sure that Dumbledore or one of the other teacherswill be taking care of the car. They must have a place where they keep goodcare of them somewhere in Hogwarts. I wonder where we will be staying?"

As they approached the huge front doors of the castle, Harry answered"Oh, probably in Gryffindor Tower, or at least until the rest of the studentsreturn at the end of the holidays. I guess it will depend on the situationafter that."

They entered through the doors, and waiting for them inside was ProfessorDumbledore and Professor McGonagall. Dumbledore walked forward to shake Mr.and Mrs. Granger's hands. "Hello, Mr. and Mrs. Granger. I am Professor Dumbledore, Headmaster of Hogwarts, and this is Professor McGonagall, Deputy Headmistress of Hogwarts."

Hermione's parents hadn't looked too worried as they were driving to Hogwarts,although that could have been a cover up so that Harry and Hermione didn'tget too worried, but at the grim look on both Dumbledore's and McGonagall'sface, their faces both looked worried too. Mr. Granger shook both of theirhands. "Hello, Professor Dumbledore, Professor McGonagall. I am John Granger,and this is my wife Pamela Granger. Have you heard any more about the situation?"

Dumbledore nodded gravely. "Yes. Unfortunately, Death Eaters attemptedto attack your house just minutes after you left it - much like they didat the Dursley's. Fortunately we were able to get you out of the house intime, because of one of our operatives, and we had taken great care withthe wards we set up in and around your house - they were designed to stopany Dark Activity. To tell the truth, I have no idea how they managed toget through the wards at your house, Harry, but somehow they did. I knowthat because you are related to the Dursleys we did not need to put protectivespells on the house, but the mere presence of them in the house shouldhave kept it safe for sometime."

Hermione spoke up, asking the question that both she and Harry were wondering."Excuse me, Professor, but where will we be staying?" Dumbledore smiled."Miss Granger, you and Mr. Potter will both be staying in your regular dormitories.You will find that your luggage has already been taken up there. I will needto discuss with your parents where they will be staying, although it willmost likely be either Gryffindor Tower or the teacher's quarters. Now, Isuggest that you two go up to Gryffindor Tower while I have a talk with yourparents. Oh! Before I forget, the password is 'lionheart'."

Mrs Granger looked mystified at this, but managed to smilI remember that! That was hilarious, that time. That was the daythat you walked out on Trelawney, wasn't it? Oh, this is going to be fun,staying here - I'm with her for at least a couple of months extra. Extramonths for her to predict my death, what fun." He groaned.

This time Hermione's smile was smug. "I've told you a million times Harry,you should have quit it and done Arithmancy like me. It is so much betterand actually worth studying for, unlike Divination!"

Smirking, he answered back "Oh, you only hated it because, what was itTrelawney said again? Oh, that's right." Imitating Trelawney's voice, herepeated one of the first things she had said in their first lesson (apartfrom predicting his death), "Books can only take you so far in this field...Of course you didn't like it!"

Crossing her arms, and mock glaring at him, she retorted, "Oh, and I'msure that Divination's your favourite subject, isn't it? How many times hasshe predicted your death now?"

He laughed, and pretended to think about it. "Um, I think that she's upto Prediction 346. Or it could be 347, I'm not really keeping track of them.Who would?" Turning to go up the stairs, he added, "Well, I think that Imight go and unpack. I'll be down in about ten minutes or so. Give me a yellif your parents come before that."

He headed up the stairs, and could hear Hermione going up the ones thatled to the girls' dormitories.

As he entered the boys' fifth year dormitories, as he looked around thecircular room at the five beds, he felt as if he was now truly home again.