Harry Potter and the Students of the School of the Sphinx

Harry Potter and the Students of the School of the Sphinx

By Angelina Johnson

Chapter 5

A Different Kind of Kiss

    It was unbelievable how quickly the rest of the summer passed. No matter how wonderful summers before this had been, summers that he had spent free or with the Weasleys, this one was easily better. It was so wonderful to be around Sirius, and once you added in Melissa, Julie, and Lupin, it was marvelous. It was hard to believe that three years ago he had never met any of his parents friends, and now here he was living with them for the summer. Melissa and Sirius seemed to be permanent residents of Grimmauld Place. Lupin would disappear for short period of times, but Harry contributed this to the full moon. Sirius told Harry that while Lupin took his potion all of those times, he felt more comfortable knowing that he were not around anyone in case he slipped up. The last thing he wanted to do was put any of them in any sort of danger. Julie also disappeared every once in a while, though not at the full moon. Melissa explained to Harry that this was due to the fact that she still had other things that she needed to take care of. "She would rather be here, with us, fighting the thing that killed her friends, than anywhere else in the world, but she can't just pick up and leave without any explanation." This made sense, and Harry asked no questions.

    Harry had found that he was very comfortable around his parents' friends. Sirius and Melissa were almost like parents to him. Harry and Ginny had done some snooping, and they had found out that they were going to be more like parents to him than they could have guessed. Harry had told Ginny about the conversation he had overheard the night of his arrival. Ginny had been almost as curious about Sirius's offer as Harry had been, so with the help of the Extendable Ears, and Fred and George's newest invention, the Enhanced Eyes (these were almost like Muggle contacts-you put them into your eyes and they made it so that you could see for almost a mile) they had figured out that Sirius's offer was exactly what Harry had suspected. Harry was having a very hard time picturing Sirius being married at all, but then, Melissa was exactly like him. From all the stories she had told him, she sounded as if she caused almost as much trouble as Sirius and his father had.

    "I think it's cute," Ginny said.

    "You think everything's cute," Harry said.

    "Oh, shut up. When do you think the wedding will be?" Ginny asked.

    "How should I know? They haven't even told me that they're engaged yet. We had to find out by spying," Harry said.

    "I expect they'll tell you before you leave for Hogwarts," Ginny said.

    "Yeah, maybe. That reminds me- I still need to pack. It was nice of your mum to get all of my stuff when she was in Diagon Alley," Harry said.

    "Oh, you know she loves it. She likes you more than her own children. Besides, she knew that you didn't want to miss spending any time with Sirius. After everyone thought he was dead, she realized that you shouldn't take your time with him for granted," Ginny said.

    "Yeah, well, I'll talk to you later, Ginny," Harry said as he retreated to his room to pack.

    Ron was already in there, packing as well.

    "Where have you been? I was wondering when you were going to pack for tomorrow," Ron said.

    "I was talking to Ginny," Harry said as he pulled everything out of his trunk. It was all to wrinkled, and he needed to refold it.

    "You've been doing an awful lot of that lately," Ron said.

    "Yeah, I guess I have," Harry said. Ron had a suspicious look in his eyes. Harry ignored him and continued packing.

    "Do you-er-fancy her? 'Cause Hermione says that she thinks Ginny likes you again," Ron said nervously.

    "No, of course not. She's your sister, Ron. Get real. She's nice as a friend, but really," Harry said, although he wasn't sure it was true.

        "Oh. Okay. Well, I was going to say, if you did, that I don't mind. I mean, I'd rather it be you than some other loser," Ron said. Harry laughed inside. Harry was sure that if he had told Ron that he might have a thing for Ginny, he would not have had the same reaction.

    As soon as Harry was done packing, he went downstairs to talk to Sirius and Melissa again. However, when he found them, Melissa looked as though she were about to leave. There were suitcases at her feet, and she looked as though she were saying good-bye to Sirius. She didn't look happy, either-Harry guessed that she was going to be gone for a while.

    "Where are you going?" Harry asked.

    "It's a surprise," Melissa replied, smiling.

    "Yes, you'll find out soon enough," Sirius said. Both of them wore matching mischievous grins.

    "Well, I'll see you soon," Melissa said, giving Harry a quick hug. She was about to step into the fire when she turned back around.

        "Actually, Harry, before I go, we have something to tell you," Melissa said. Sirius beamed.

    "What is it?" Harry asked. He tried to play dumb. He didn't want them to know that he had been listening to their conversations.

    "Well, Harry, Melissa and I are engaged," Sirius said. Harry acted shocked, and he thought that he had perhaps fooled them.

    "Although I'm sure you and Ginny already knew that," Melissa added wickedly.

    "Well, yeah," Harry said, hanging his head. Sirius and Melissa both laughed.

    "Did you use the Extendable Ears? Or the Enhanced Eyes?" Sirius asked.

    "Both," Harry said.

    "Molly'll have a fit!" Melissa said.

    "I love it," Sirius said, "the two of you really did things right, then, didn't you? Did you tell the other two?" Sirius asked.

    "No, not yet. We were waiting until you actually told us, and until we knew more," Harry said.

    "More like James everyday, what have I been telling you?" Sirius said.

    "Anyways, the wedding is going to be over the Christmas holidays, and all of you are invited. Although I dare say we understand if your friends would rather stay at Hogwarts," Melissa said.

    "Don't be ridiculous, we'll all come," Harry said.

    "Well, we'll let you know when we set the exact date, but it will definitely be during your break," Sirius said.

    "Well, bye then," Melissa said, hugging Harry again before she disappeared into the fire. Harry couldn't hear what she yelled into the fire. He supposed that Sirius had had something to do with that.

    "Are you sure you can't tell me where she's going?" Harry asked.

    "No, Harry, you'll know soon enough," Sirius said.

    "Is she doing something important for Dumbledore?" he asked.

    "I suppose you could say that," Sirius replied.

    The next morning they all woke early and headed to King's Cross. This year Sirius was able to accompany them as a human. Once they had gone through the barrier, many wizards and witches kept coming up to Sirius. Each one of them was apologizing for ever having believed that he would have done such an awful thing.

    Harry was afraid that he wouldn't get a chance to say good-bye to Sirius at the rate people were crowding around him, but finally, just as the train was about to go, he got a chance.

    "Don't cause too much trouble this year, Harry. And do think before you go off somewhere. I doubt you'll have anyone that'll be too much trouble this year. After all, the Ministry is on Dumbledore's side now, and that awful Umbridge woman won't be there. Fudge fired her when he heard that she sent the Dementors after you, and I'm sure you'll like her replacement at Hogwarts. Listen, Harry, I'll keep in touch. You better go-the train's leaving. I'll see you soon," Sirius said, and he nudged Harry in the direction of the steaming train. Harry gave Sirius a quick hug, and then he hopped onto the train.

    Once he was onboard, he tried to find someone that he knew. He walked through the compartments alone-Ginny, Ron and Hermione were all in the Prefects compartment. At least that's what he thought.

    "Harry, I've been waiting for you!" Ginny exclaimed as he entered the next compartment.

    "Aren't you supposed to be in the Prefects compartment? That's where Ron and Hermione are," Harry said.

    "Oh, like I'd ever be caught dead at a Prefects Meeting! No, Ron promised that he'd tell me what they talked about. He wanted to skive off, too, but Hermione gave him the death glare and dragged him along," Ginny said with a laugh.

    "Sit down, they shouldn't be gone much longer," Ginny said, and Harry took the seat next to her.

    "Wonder who the new Defense Against the Dark Art's teacher will be," Harry said.

    "I dunno, but anything's better than Umbridge. Or Quirrell. Or Lockhart," Ginny said.

    "I wouldn't be so sure. I thought there was nothing better than Quirrell-and then Lockhart came. I thought there couldn't be anything worse than Lockhart, but then I met Umbridge. It'd be pretty hard to top her, but it wouldn't be impossible. Although Sirius said that he thought I'd like the new professor," Harry said.

    "I take it that Sirius knows who it is, then. I wonder what they're like-I like all of Sirius' friends, at least the ones that I've met, of course, but still," Ginny said. She was smiling again. She glowed when she smiled.

    "Who's the other Gryffindor Prefect this year?" Harry asked.

    "Colin Creevey," Ginny said.

    "Really?" Harry asked in disbelief. Colin had never struck Harry as the Prefect type.

    "Really. Are you Quidditch captain?" Ginny asked.

    "Yep. We've got a lot of rebuilding to do this year-all that's left is Ron and I," Harry said.

    "But what about........" Ginny began.

    "We're getting new beaters," Harry said. Ginny grinned.

    "Thank goodness," Ginny replied.

    "Are you going to try out for the team?" Harry asked.

    "Yeah, but I doubt I'll make it," Ginny said.

    "Don't be silly, you're a good flier," Harry said.

    "You're better," Ginny said. Harry felt his cheeks turning red. Why was Ginny having this affect on him?

    "Well, I can't make any promises, but if you tried out for Chaser I'm sure you'd make it," Harry reassured her. Ginny beamed. Harry's stomach did a flip. Ginny's cheeks seemed to be turning red as well. What was going on? Was it possible that he and Ginny liked each other as more than just friends?

    "Well, um....." Ginny said uncomfortably.

    "Yeah..." Harry said stupidly. He wished that he could come up with something intelligent to say. 'Why can't there be someone else in this compartment? I'm drowning here! I feel like an idiot! Why does it just have to be me and her?' Harry wondered. Ginny gazed up at him nervously. Harry gazed back. What happened next all went very quickly. Harry had leaned down, and Ginny had tilted her head upwards. Before either one of them realized what was happening, their lips were pressed together. Harry felt like he was floating. This was wonderful, but what in the world was he going to do if Ron found out that he had kissed his sister? Harry ignored the nagging feeling inside of him, and he continued to kiss Ginny. Finally, they pulled apart. Ginny was still very near him, still glancing up at him through her big brown eyes. Harry couldn't take his eyes off of her, once again.

    "Wow," Ginny murmured. Harry nodded.

    "Ginny, I...." Harry began, but just then the compartment door slid open. Harry and Ginny jumped, putting much more distance in between them. Ron and Hermione walked in, and Harry prayed that they didn't notice the guilty expressions on both his and Ginny's faces. His cheeks were burning, and Ginny had turned a violent shade of red.

    "I was wondering where you two were," Ron said, sitting down. He seemed oblivious. Hermione glared at them warily, but she slid into the seat next to Ron without saying anything.

    "Those prefects meetings are so boring, I can't believe I let you weasel out of it, Ginny," Ron said.

    "Ron, it's an honor to be a Prefect! I'm ashamed of both of you, for not wanting to be at the meeting. I bet if Harry were a prefect he would have been there," Hermione said.

    "Oh no, leave me out of it," Harry said.

    "Anyways, you didn't miss much, Gin. All they talked about was all of our responsibilities and stuff," Ron said.

    "Well, it all sounds extremely boring to me. What do you say we play Gobstones or something?" Ginny asked. Harry thought that it was an excellent idea. He wanted to do anything but talk. He was afraid that either Ron or Hermione had noticed his and Ginny's strange behavior, and he didn't want them to ask any questions.

    After a little while, Neville Longbottom joined them in their compartment.

    "Hullo, Harry, Hermione, Ron, Ginny!" Neville said cheerily.

    "Hullo Neville," they all replied together.

    "I read about Sirius in the newspaper! And to think that Snape almost got the Dementor's to give him a kiss! I'm really glad that he got off," Neville said. Harry nodded. Harry was thinking about a much different kind of kiss right now. He glanced at Ginny. She had been glancing at him, too, and when she noticed that he was looking at her, she began blushing and she turned away.

    The train ride seemed to go on this way for a very long time, but finally they arrived at Hogwarts. The five of them got off of the train, and they headed towards one of the carriages that waited to take them to the castle. Harry patted one of the Thestrals that was leading the carriages. The others glanced at Harry, but he just shrugged. Ron, Ginny, and Hermione were unable to see the Thestrals, although Neville could see them. Harry was glad that the others couldn't see them. That meant that the others had never witnessed death, and that was a relief. However, with the war that was now at hand, Harry doubted that all three of them would be unable to see the Thestrals for much longer.

    Harry gave the Thestral one last pat and then he climbed into the carriage. It was slightly crowded, with five of them, but they squeezed together enough to fit. Harry noticed, to his delight, that he was now very close to Ginny again. She seemed to have noticed, too, because she was blushing again.

    The Great Hall was glowing with candles, and the ceiling, which was enchanted to look like the night sky, was clear and star-filled. Harry took a seat at the Gryffindor table between Ginny and Hermione. He gave a quick glance around the hall, and was looking for the new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher at the staff table when the Sorting Hat began to sing.

    "I've given you my warning,

    And what I've told you still holds true.

    If you wish to survive this war,

    There's one thing you must do.

    All need to come together,

    each and every Hogwarts house.

    All that live in this castle,

    From a ghost down to a mouse.

    And though I sort you,

    Still it's wrong.

    What we've needed is unity

    all along."

    The hat appeared to have finished, and Professor McGonagall began to call out the names of first year students.

    "That was a short song," Ginny said.

    "Shortest one I've ever heard," Harry agreed. They watched until the last of the first years had been sorted, and then they clapped when McGonagall took the hat away.

    Once the applause had died down, Dumbledore stood up.

    "Welcome to another year of Hogwarts. Before the feast, I have a few announcements. First, I would like to remind all of you that the Forest on the edge of the grounds is out of bounds, as is the village of Hogsmeade to those in their first and second years. Next, I would like to welcome our new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher, Professor Gumtree," Dumbledore said. He pointed to Melissa, and the hall applauded.

    "So that's where she was going," Harry said.

    "I reckon Sirius was right after all, then," Ginny said with a laugh.

    "But I thought she worked as an Auror and in the Department of Mysteries. How can she be a teacher, too?" Hermione asked.

    "Dunno. I'll have to ask her," Harry said. He was going to say more, but then Dumbledore resumed his speech.

    "Yes, well, I would like to remind all of you that in this time, it is very important for all of us to come together. As all of you have heard, Lord Voldemort has returned to power, and I cannot stress to you how careful you all need to be," he said very seriously. His eyes were no longer twinkling.

    "Ah, yes, well, I feel that I have said enough. Let the feast begin," he said, and all of the plates magically filled with food.