Harry Potter and the Return to Godric's Hollow

CHAPTER FOUR

Prefects

Harry leaned back in his seat. He'd at least seen Sirius before he left for Hogwarts. When he got the chance to write to him at school, Harry would gladly snatch that time up and owl him.

Ron burst into the compartment, followed by Hermione. They were both already dressed in their robes, and Hermione had her Prefect badge pinned on.

"I suppose I should go now, for the Prefects' meeting," she said with excitement. "Wish me luck!"

"Good luck," Ron and Harry said simultaneously with meaningful smiles. With one last look at her two friends, Hermione exited the train compartment.

Ron sighed. "Well, I guess this is the end of it."

"What?" Harry asked, not sure what Ron was talking about. "Then end of what?"

"We'll never get away with anything again - Hermione's going to be an even bigger stickler with the rules." Ron put on a pretend, grim face. "Face it, chap, our fooling days are over."

Harry laughed. "I don't think she'll be too bad with us. After all, we are her best friends, aren't we?"

"Yeah, you're right. Besides, I don't think it will be that bad - her having her Prefect duties, that is. There are certain perks that come along with it."

"Like what, exactly?"

Ron grinned impishly. "Well, for one, she can go to Hogsmeade whenever she wants - and she can take whoever she wants. And," he added dramatically, "inside-information on the other houses."

Harry raised an eyebrow. "Inside information? Like what?"

"Maybe we'll find something out--about Slytherin, or Malfoy."

"Yes, I'm sure Snape will gladly give bad information about his house out to everyone in the school."

"Don't stomp on my dreams of happiness," Ron said offensively as he scowled. "I'm just trying to say that we'll get something good out of Hermione being a Prefect."

"Ah, the truth comes out," Harry said with a smirk. "You've been waiting to use her since our first year, haven't you?"

"Very funny," Ron retorted, this time with a definite glare aimed at Harry. He quickly busied himself by situating his belongings in the compartment. Harry pulled out one of his robes from his trunk and pulled it on over his head.

~*~

"How long do you think it will be until Hermione gets back? It's been a while since she left."

"Ron, it's only been an hour."

"Well, how long can a stupid Prefect meeting take?" Ron asked thickly; he and Harry were busy stuffing themselves with sweets from the food cart that had come around only a bit earlier.

"I'm sure she'll be back soon."

Harry had just finished his sentence when the box's door slid open. Hermione walked in, beaming, and sat down.

"How was it?" Harry asked her.

"Boring?"

"No, not at all!" Hermione said quickly, ignoring Ron's callous comment. "I've never read about the Prefect Ceremony before - I didn't even know there was one!"

"Maybe you're not supposed to know, so it's a surprise, you know?" Ron said.

"Maybe. But anyway, it was great. First, we had to recite this poem made by the four Hogwarts founders, and then we had to sign this book that was made and designed by Rowena Ravenclaw herself. The book was amazing - it had every Prefect ever at Hogwarts recorded in it."

"That sounds so... wonderful and fun," Ron put in.

"Yes, well, I also got to talk to a few people; some of the professors and other prefects were there."

"Was Arabella there?" Harry inquired with a sudden intrigue.

"Yes, she was, and so was Hagrid. I talked to them both."

"Really," Ron said with disinterest as he settled himself on the floor with his old broomstick from home. "Harry, do you still have some of that broom polish?"

"Hmph!" Hermione said, feeling ignored. She curled up in the corner and started in on a new book that Harry had never seen before.

Harry took out his Firebolt and Broom Servicing Kit, which was seemingly running low on some of the supplies that had originally been there. Eager to start Quidditch season, he sat down next to Ron and began to polish the already-spotless handle of his broom.

"Oh!" Hermione cried suddenly. Harry and Ron looked up at her, startled. "You'll never believe who's been made Slytherin Prefect--"

Before either boy had a chance to guess the obvious, they were met by the mystery Prefect himself...

"Malfoy," Ron said coolly as the compartment door slid open, revealing Draco Malfoy and his two daft bodyguards, Crabbe and Goyle.

"Really, Weasley, you should be getting used to this, I visit your humble little box every year," Malfoy drawled with a shrewd expression. "Ah, and of course, you two are working on your little broomsticks... Think making them pretty is going to help you win this year?"

"Think learning to fly will help you catch the Snitch this year?" Harry retorted in a cynical voice.

"Very funny, Potter," Malfoy said scathingly. He seemed to lose his vile track for a minute, and turned onto Hermione. "And look, what a surprise. The Mudblood's buried in another book." Hermione glared at him, but this was too much for Ron. He stood in front of Hermione defensively, seething.

"Get out. Now." His face was beginning to turn as red as his hair. Harry had seen Ron get angry with Malfoy for calling Hermione a Mudblood before, but never this angry. Malfoy, cowering slightly at the taller and well-built figure of Ron, took a step back between Crabbe and Goyle.

"Go ahead, Weasley, take a shot. Stand up for your girlfriend."

Hermione, who had frozen for a split-second, began to sputter out a retort, but couldn't seem to find the words. At the same time, Ron started forward but immediately stopped when Hermione, wits now gathered, said, "No, Ron! Stop." She got up and walked straight to Malfoy, who was now only a few inches taller than her. "Get out, now," she said, "or I'll be forced to--to do something about it."

"Oh, that really scares me, you filthy Mud--" Draco didn't have a chance to finish his sentence. Hermione had already whipped out her wand and muttered a few words. Draco and his cronies lifted off the ground and began to spin in midair, spiraling faster and faster. It almost made Harry sick to watch them. They flew to the floor right in front of the door and landed with a sickening thump. Malfoy groaned as he tried to get to his knees.

"You--eurgh..." he said as he turned a pale green and stumbled quickly out the door. Crabbe and Goyle crawled out after him on all fours while the compartment sounded with laughter.

"Brilliant, Hermione!" Ron said through hysterics.

"I knew that Whirlwind Hex would have to come in handy sometime," Hermione said with a pleased smile on her face.

Harry, still doubled over, gasped, "But Ron, I've never seen you get so mad!"

"Well, what was I supposed to do, stand there and let Malfoy make fun of Hermione? At least I did something."

"But when he called Hermione your girlfriend--"

"I was just mad," Ron cut Harry off as he took a seat. "And that's all."

"Uh-huh," Harry said simply.

Hermione cleared her throat. "I am still in the room, you know." Harry grinned at her and then waggled his eyebrows towards Ron, who was bent over his broom once more. She rolled her eyes as she sat on the floor across from the redhead.

"Do you guys want to play Exploding Snap or something?" Harry asked as he too situated himself on the ground.

They agreed, all eager to change the adverse mood, and soon were in the midst of their game.

"I wonder what Hagrid got you for your birthday present?" Ron thought aloud as he put down a card.

"I dunno... He said it was at Hogwarts, so I'll probably be getting it soon. What made you think of that?"

"Well, Hermione said he was on the train earlier, and I thought maybe he has the present with him..." Ron said, casting a glance towards Hermione.

"You know," Hermione said slowly, not even looking up from her hand of cards, "If you two wanted to go talk to Hagrid, and Arabella too, I bet I could take you to the front compartment..."

"Sure!" Harry said enthusiastically as he threw his cards down, stood up, and brushed himself off.

~*~

"See, what did I tell you? I told you Hermione would help us out..." Ron whispered to Harry as they followed Hermione down the train's aisle.

They stopped outside of a wooden door, which led to the very front compartment, and had elaborate carvings bordering the pane of glass. There was a scarlet blind pulled down so that the contents of the box were blocked off from prying eyes.

Ron reached for the door but immediately sprang back, holding his hand.

"That thing burned me!" he cried.

"Oh, don't be such a baby," Hermione teased him. "You're not authorized to go inside - that's why it burned you." She slipped the door open easily, with a smug smile.

The compartment inside was enormous; it looked to be the size of one of Hogwart's classrooms. There was a long table running down the middle length of the room with golden candlesticks gleaming upon it. Golden plates, no doubt the same kind as the ones that were used in the Great Hall at Hogwarts, lined both sides of the table, while glossy mahogany chairs with ivory colored cushions sat tidily beside it. The wall décor had the same polished mahogany look as the dining set, and small benches, with matching puffy ivory seat covers, lined the walls.

Harry's eyes wandered even more around the room, taking in its occupants. Dumbledore and the four heads of houses stood in a small group, talking quietly about something, while all other professors at Hogwarts were chatting freely to each other. Immediately, Harry spotted Hagrid in the back of the compartment, taking up an entire bench by himself, and hunched over something in his lap. Professor Vector, the Arithmancy teacher whom Harry himself had never really met, was in a back corner talking to Arabella.

Not wanting to bother Hagrid, because he looked busy, Hary motioned for Ron and Hermione to follow him as he started towards Arabella and Professor Vector.

"Hermione! How nice to see you again today. What brings you back?" Professor Vector said when they approached.

"We just stopped in to talk for a bit, Professor. These are my friends, Harry Potter and Ron Weasley."

"Ah, of course! Nice to meet you, gentlemen."

Ron cast Harry a sideways glance as he shook the female Professor's hand.

"I suppose you wanted to talk to Arabella, so I'll leave you be." Professor Vector smiled pleasantly, gave a little nod to Arabella, and walked away.

"Hello," Arabella said as she flashed the three students a smile, and then turned to Harry. "How did your holiday turn out?"

"Great! After you rescued me from the long lists of chores and the Dursleys, I had a good time."

"Oh, but those chores weren't too stressful, were they?" Arabella inquired with a glint in her eye.

"Well... Come to think of it, they seemed to go by pretty quickly..."

"Ah, good. That's what I was aiming at," she said, smiling.

"Wait - so I wasn't imagining it! You were helping me with magic, weren't you?"

"I couldn't just stand at my window and let you do all that work, could I?" Arabella laughed.

Harry laughed too, and then began recollecting the more memorable parts of his summer.

"Hermione, her parents, and," Harry glanced around to make sure nobody was nearby to hear him, "Sirius arrived on my birthday to celebrate. Even Professor Lupin stopped by for dinner."

"Yes, I'm sorry I couldn't attend. I had to do something important that night, or you know I would have been there. But, I did manage to get you a small something..." she said secretively with a smile playing on her face.

Harry grinned at her and she said, "It's in my trunk. Hold on just a moment and I'll go get it--"

But at that time, Dumbledore decided to call Arabella to the front of the room.

"Drat. Sorry, Harry, but I've got to go. I'll see you kids later!" She strolled off towards the front of the compartment.

"We can talk to Hagrid now," Ron said, gesturing towards the bench Hagrid was seated on; he was flipping through a book - the Care of Magical Creatures book that all students had to have for his class.

"Uh-oh," Hermione said quietly as they walked towards him, "It looks like he's working on our first lesson..."

"Good ter see yeh all!" Hagrid growled in a friendly way when he saw the group. He stood up and engulfed them in a giant hug, and when Harry was finally able to breathe again, he asked,

"What were you working on? Our first lesson?"

"Yeah, I was just tryin' ter figure out what ter do first. Thought maybe the Centaurs would be good. Yer all gettin' older, and their respectable creatures. Yeh could handle them well, and I could try ter get Ronan or Bane to come out one day."

"That sounds really good, Hagrid!" Hermione said brightly.

Hagrid smiled at having the approval of Hermione, and said, "Then that's what it'll be."

"How was your summer, Hagrid?" Harry asked.

"Didn't do too much. Yeh know, just the usual, Hogwarts stuff," Hagrid answered, shifting his weight from foot to foot.

"Hogwarts business, eh?" Ron solicited with inquiring eyes.

"Yeah, that's right - nothin' yeh need ter be worryin' about," Hagrid responded with a firm tone.

"Right," Ron said, looking around.

"Did yeh have a good vacation?" Hagrid asked Harry, who proceeded to tell him about his rescue by Arabella and his trip to Ron's.

"And thanks for the birthday present," Harry added in finality to his story.

"It was no problem. I still got the rest o' the gift," Ron's ears perked up, "at my hut," Hagrid finished.

"Hagrid, could you please come up here?" Dumbledore called back to Hagrid.

"Sure thing, Professor Dumbledore," Hagrid answered admirably. "I'll see yeh all at Hogwarts," he added in an undertone to Harry, Ron, and Hermione.

Arabella was still talking to Dumbledore and there were no other Professors that the three students wished to talk to. And so, they left the great compartment and made their way back to their own.

~*~

When they got back, they weren't too surprised to see Ginny, Neville Longbottom, and Colin Creevey just about to enter as well.

Ginny spun around when she heard Hermione call her name. "Oh! We were just looking for you three!" she said.

"Hiya Harry!" Colin beamed.

"Hey Colin, Neville," Harry answered as the whole group entered the compartment.

Hermione and Neville began talking about the upcoming year in Herbology, while Colin and Ginny filled Harry and Ron in about the trick Fred and George had pulled on Seamus earlier; they got him to use one of their new prototype wands, which they'd been developing all summer. (Their fake wands had been doing so well that they decided to make other types of wands that did different tricks.)

Seamus unknowingly got to use a Backfiring Wand, which caused whatever spell you cast to be slingshot backwards at its caster. Unfortunately, he had chosen to try a Glomping Spell, at Fred and George's request, and resulted in making himself hug whomever he saw - including the witch who came around with the food cart. (Luckily, she had giggled and given him a free licorice wand.)

It wasn't too much later when the Hogwarts Express slowed down to a halt outside the gates of Hogwarts. Harry, Ron, and Hermione got off the train, only to see throngs of students wandering outside looking for carriages to get to the school.

"Is it just me, or does it seem like there are loads more students here than usual?" Ron asked.

When they finally found an available horseless carriage, they shared it with a few other people whom they had never seen before. But one girl looked very oddly familiar, with clouds of silver hair that she flipped over her shoulders. Although young, she seemed to have the two boys sitting beside her in some sort of trance...

"'Arry, 'Arry Potter!" the girl cried out with a heavy French accent. She leaned forward and shook his hand avidly. "I'm Veronica Delacour - Fleur's my sister - she was in ze Tri-Wizard-Tournament with you last year - you saved my sister, Gabrielle--"

"Yeah, I guess... I thought you looked familiar," Harry said, taken aback, as he took in the scowls he was receiving from the two boys sitting next to Veronica. "How is Fleur doing?"

"Oh, she is doing just fine. She's been looking for a job 'ere... loves 'ogwarts. Even convinced my muzzer to send me 'ere this year. She knows... she told 'er... what 'appened."

Veronica smiled grimly for a moment, but Hermione broke the uncomfortable silence.

"What year are you in, then?" Hermione asked Veronica.

"Zis will be my fourth year. What year are you in?"

"We're all in our fifth year now."

"Oh," Veronica said sadly.

"My younger sister, Ginny, is going in her fourth year, though," Ron finally spoke up.

Veronica's eyes brightened. "I will 'ave to meet 'er, zen."

"Yes, I'm sure you'll love Ginny," Hermione said kindly.

The carriages stopped soon after, and Harry, Ron and Hermione laughed as the carriage's other occupants fought to get out first and help Veronica step down. After the shoving was finally solved, and the older, more muscular boy helped Veronica down, Harry, Ron, and Hermione walked quickly to get to the front of the bulging crowd.

"I wonder why Veronica is here?" Ron said when the blonde was out of earshot.

"Well, she said Fleur had told them what happened last year. I suppose the reason is why there are so many other people here: Dumbledore told them they could come here at the end of last term, didn't he? I'm sure there are loads of other Beauxbatons and Durmstrang students now," Hermione said thoughtfully.

"Yeah, but where are they all going to go? Are they going to be Sorted, too?" Harry asked.

"I don't know... They'll probably have to be, though, won't they? I suppose we'll find out soon enough."

Hermione was right; they were now walking through the gigantic double-doors and into the Great Hall. It was decorated with banners of all the houses, and the golden settings on the tables glinted from the last rays of sun shining through the top of the enchanted ceiling. The three took a seat at the front of the Gryffindor table with a good view of where the Sorting Hat was about to be placed.

Professor McGonagall came in a few minutes later with an extremely long line of students behind her. She sat the three-legged stool with the Sorting Hat on it in front of everyone and it immediately ripped at its seam on the brim and unraveled into one of its famous songs:

"A tattered, musty, filthy hat

Is what many think of me,

But try me on and you'll find more,

Just wait and you shall see.

Once upon a time ago,

I was beautiful and new;

It was then that four inspiring young wizards

Started this school for you.

They enchanted me to know it all,

And know it all I do,

For I am the Hogwarts Sorting Hat,

And I will soon know you.

Pick me up and slip me on,

I'll take a look around,

The Sorting Hat sees everything,

And your house here will be found.

If fearlessness sits upon your mind,

And courage courses through,

You belong with other daring souls;

It's Gryffindor for you.

To Hufflepuff you shall go,

If your friendship doesn't waver;

These fair and patient citizens

Will do anyone a favor.

The intelligent, keen Ravenclaws

Feed on their hunger to learn;

Wise and thoughtfully they act,

And knowledge is what they yearn.

If strong friends, trust, and power

In life is what you seek,

Your ambition will be put to use;

Sly Slytherins aren't weak.

So let me see what's in your brain,

You'll be glad when I am through,

For you will know your Hogwarts House,

And be with souls like you!"

The hall burst into applause, and the students in line to be Sorted looked relieved for a split-second.

Professor McGonagall stepped forward once more and said, "When I call out your name, please sit on the stool and put the Sorting Hat on. When it calls out your house, you are to go sit with them."

She unrolled an extensive piece of parchment and began to call out names.

"Albreit, Barbara!" A small girl with dark curly hair walked timidly to the stool and put the hat on. It took a few seconds before it called out, "Hufflepuff!" and the Hufflepuff table burst into polite applause as she half-ran to them and sat down at the end of the table.

"Anche, Christopher!" went to Ravenclaw, and, "Bowset, Marcus!" was the first Gryffindor to be announced.

"My stomach won't stop growling," Ron whined as he massaged his stomach.

"Ron, pay attention, Veronica's just been announced!" Hermione said. "I suppose the new students are being Sorted."

Veronica strutted to the front of the room as many eyes followed her. Harry could just make out a fancy smile crowning her features before the Sorting Hat fell over her face.

"Gryffindor!" the hat shouted. Ron, Harry, and Hermione all jumped up and clapped and whooped louder than any others at the table. It wasn't surprising to see that many Gryffindor boys were cheering boisterously for her also.

Hermione (not bothering to hide her Prefect badge) made the students beside her scoot down in order to make room for Veronica.

"Ginny," Hermione said to Ginny, who was sitting across the table from her, "this is Veronica Delacour, Fleur's younger sister."

Ginny smiled at Veronica as she shook her hand.

"Congratulations," Harry said as he leaned forward to look across the table at her.

"Welcome to Gryffindor!" Ron added just as his stomach decided to make more gurgling noises.

"Martin, Kent!" went to Ravenclaw, while "Jacobsen, Cally!" was made a Gryffindor.

Finally, after "Yulee, Samuel!" joined the Slytherin table, every student was Sorted.

"Good, I'm starved!" Ron exclaimed, holding his knife and fork in his fists and staring in anticipation at the plates in front of him.

"We haven't noticed," Hermione said with a smirk as Ron's stomach growled again.

Professor Dumbledore stood at the head of the staff's table and said a few words, as usual, before they got down to the feasting.

"Welcome, all, to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry!" There was a great deal of cheering, and when it died down he continued, "I know many of you recognize that there are a great many more people here than usual. Many students from Beauxbatons and Durmstrang have decided to join us this year in our studies, and I'd like you to treat them with the same respect you've always treated everyone with.

"You will also notice that we will have many guests here throughout the year. Some you'll even recognize and know.

"Another new face you will see around the halls is the new Defense Against the Dark Arts professor here," he motioned to Arabella. "Professor Figg has kindly accepted the position as professor here, so please do show her your utmost respect and courtesy.

"Finally, as most of you are aware of, even though the rule isn't quite followed," Dumbledore's eyes flickered to the Gryffindor table, "the Forbidden Forest is off-limits to everyone. Please take care to make sure you don't wander into it.

"And now, before my insides and yours ebb away, eat up!"

The golden plates on all the tables instantly filled with heaps of steaming food, more than Harry had ever seen. Roasted vegetables, devilled eggs, meats and poultry of all kinds, soups, salads, breads, and various other victuals sat in front of him. He helped himself to as much as his plate would hold and ate it all. Then the desserts appeared and Harry stuffed himself with them as well; Ron was happily munching away on éclairs, and Hermione was eating some kind of French trifle that she told them she'd had at Viktor Krum's during the summer - Veronica seemed to be enjoying it as well. After everyone sat back from the table as full as they could stand, the plates cleared and Dumbledore bid them all a good night.

Jonathan Madley, the seventh year Gryffindor Prefect, made his way to the front of the Great Hall calling for all first years to follow him. Harry, Hermione, and Ron started their walk to the Gryffindor tower.

When they got to the tower and said the password ("Mooncalf!"), they talked to their old friends for a while and eventually made their way up to the fifth-years' rooms. Exhausted from the long day, Harry lay back in his luxurious bed and sighed. He was finally home again.

~*~

Harry awoke the next morning earlier than he'd wanted to, but in good spirits. He and Ron got ready quickly and made their way down to the common room. They waited for Neville, who'd woken up late and gotten stuck in the shower when the door wouldn't open, and then finally got down to the Great Hall. To their surprise, Ginny and Hermione were already seated there, talking and eating.

"Morning, everyone!" Ginny said as Harry took a seat across from her.

"Morning, Ginny, Hermione," Harry and Ron replied.

"I'm so glad to be back at Hogwarts again," Ginny said happily.

"Yes, it is great, isn't it?" Hermione said as her eyes wandered around the Great Hall to everyone who was now eating. "I just can't believe how many people came here this year."

"Yes, simply unbelievable, isn't it?" said a voice from behind Harry. It was George, with his twin, Fred.

"Did you guys see all those people who were sorted from Beauxbatons and Durmstrang? I couldn't believe it," George said. "But, I didn't mind it. A lot of cute girls came. Who's that new Fourth Year, the blonde?"

Ginny tutted as she gave George a playful slap on the shoulder. "That was Veronica Delacour, and she's too young to be one of your victims."

"Where is she, anyway?" Hermione inquired, looking around the table.

Ginny rolled her eyes. "I tried to wake her up earlier, and she muttered something in French and rolled over, pulling her curtains shut."

"Maybe I should go wake her up..." Fred said jokingly.

"No, I don't think that's necessary, Mr. Weasley." Professor McGonagall was standing behind George with a stern look on her face and schedules in her hands.

"Why, Professor McGonagall, you look swell this morning! Have you been taking a De-aging Solution?" Fred asked her, waggling his eyebrows, as he and George followed her down the room.

"I can't believe those two!" Ginny declared between giggles.

"Here are your schedules," Hermione said after the laughter died down. "McGonagall gave them to me just before Fred started talking to her."

"Looks like we get to start off the day with a wonderful Divination class," Ron said gloomily.

Hermione smiled. "I get to start with Arithmancy. At least I'll have something interesting to look forward to."

"Yeah, only if you skive off soon," Ron said. "Classes start in ten minutes."

"You're right! Have a good day, everyone!" Hermione called out over her shoulder as she walked briskly to the door.

"We should be going, too. It takes almost ten minutes to get up to the Divination room," Harry said to Ron. They slowly pushed away from the table, bade goodbye to their friends, and started their way up to class.