The Beginning of The End

Chapter Five

Home Sweet Home

            Harry turned from behind the barrier  and watched the Hogwart’s express come into view.  Ron appeared at his side and then Ginny, both of them carting their trunks and packages.  Harry glanced up at the bright red steam engine with the Hogwarts Crest emblazed on its side and he realized that this would be the very last time he would ever board the Hogwarts Express from King’s Cross Station as a student.  The thought seemed to sink into his heart, causing him to remember events from the past seven years.  The one that stuck out the most had taken place in his very first year.  He hadn’t any idea how to get onto the platform and Mrs. Weasley’s passing voice complaining about muggles had been his salvation.  Harry grinned at the memory. 

            “Ron! Harry! Ginny!”

            They all looked up to see Hermione waving at them from one of the train’s sliding doors.  Harry, Ron and Ginny waited for the conductor to take their luggage before joining Hermione, who told them she’d saved an empty compartment.

            As they walked down the familiar row of compartments inside the Hogwarts Express, Ginny was stopped by Colin Creevy.  “Hey, Ginny, we saved you a seat,” said the sixth year boy peeking out from a door.  Colin nodded to Harry, Ron and Hermione and Harry was quite relieved that Colin didn’t ask Harry if he wanted to join them- Colin’s infatuation with Harry had ended a few years back.  Ginny went to join her friends and Harry, Ron and Hermione squeezed their way into the compartment Hermione had saved for them. 

            However, three other people now occupied the box.

            Draco Malfoy looked up from his casual position on the seat and raised an eyebrow.  His cronies, Crabbe and Goyle copied him.  “Well, well, well,” he drawled.  “It appears the Heir to the Throne and his two jesters have arrived yet again.”

            Harry felt a hot ball settle in the pit of his stomach as he looked at Malfoy, who stood for all the evil, all the destruction that was going on in the magical world.  Lucius Malfoy had been among them to invade the Ministry the night Percy had been killed.  Gone were the days when Harry could suppress his loathing, his absolute hate, for Draco Malfoy. Gone were the days when he could be trusted not to kill the son of a-

            “Let’s go,” came Hermione’s voice very firmly.  “Now. Harry, Ron-“

            “Go on, do what you’re girlfriend says, Weasley.  Or is it Potter?  How does this little trio work anyway, does Granger let you take turns-“

            The compartment rang with Harry’s and Ron’s shouts as they both lunged at Malfoy. But Hermione shoved in front of them.  “Let’s go. NOW.”  She pushed them both out of the compartment and slammed the door closed. 

            Ron swore so loudly and fiercely, a group of second year girls gasped out loud from inside their box.  Hermione lead them down the aisle and managed to find another empty compartment.  Ron sat down on one of the seats, his face a mask of rage, and Harry sat down opposite him, his chest burning with a hatred that almost scared him.  Hermione remained standing.

            “You can’t bait him,” she whispered. “It’s too dangerous-“

            “We didn’t bait him!” Ron shouted at her, making her jump.  “We didn’t say anything to him and why the hell did you stop us? Did you hear what he said?”

            Hermione’s voice shook.  “He’s not worth it, Ron. Not to mention it’s just too dangerous-”

            “Awe, come off it,” Ron spat.

            Hermione sat down next to Harry and leaned her head back against the seat, closing her eyes in defeat. “Fine. I don’t want to fight about Malfoy, Ron.”

            The misery in Hermione’s voice brought Harry back to earth and because her hand was right next to his on the seat, he gave it a quick squeeze.

            They sat in silence as the train pulled out of the station and made it’s long progress through the countryside to Hogwarts.  Harry watched the passing scenery through the window, the incident with Malfoy replaying over and over in his mind.  Since Ron and Hermione were not speaking at all, it was hard to distract himself from thinking about it.

            However, he knew if he didn’t let it go, the thought of it would plague his mind the entire day and he didn’t want that.  He glanced at Ron, who was doing the same thing as Harry, staring out the window and thinking.  Harry turned to Hermione next to him and saw that she had her head leaned back and her eyes closed.  Sensing him watching her, Hermione opened her eyes and slanted them at Harry.  She gave him a small smile.

            “Tired?” he asked her and she nodded again, and she sat up to stretch her neck.

            “I didn’t get much sleep last night,” she murmured and promptly yawned.

            Harry nodded, understanding completely.

            Ron finally glanced up at her. Their eyes locked and after a few seconds, Hermione wordlessly got up from her seat and went to join Ron on his side.  She laid her head on his shoulder and he slid his arm around her, pulling her close. She was asleep within minutes. 

            “We should try to avoid him at all costs,” Ron said to Harry in a low voice a while later as Hermione slept on his shoulder.  Harry had turned down the lanterns after Hermione had fallen asleep and the sky outside was turning dark.

            Harry nodded and turned to look out the window.  “Yeah,” he said, watching the scenery fly by outside.  “The question is, how?”

            Hermione stirred then and they cut their conversation short.  She sat up strait and rubbed her eyes, yawning slightly.  She looked around as Harry reached over to flick the lantern on.  “What time is it?  Are we almost there?”

            “Almost,” Harry said, peering out the window.  “Perhaps an hour or so.”

            Hermione adjusted her robes and tried to tame her thick hair. Satisfied, she leaned once again on Ron’s shoulder and gazed at Harry.  “You think Quidditch will be canceled again?” she asked him.

            He sighed.  “I don’t see why it wouldn’t be. Nothing’s changed since last year.  Things have gotten even worse.”

            Hermione and Ron both nodded.  Shaking his head, Harry reached over and grabbed a deck of cards.  “Shall we have a game?” he asked them.  They agreed and spent the remainder of the time playing cards.

            The Hogwarts Express arrived at Hogsmeade station a little while later and everyone piled out of the train and into the beautiful starry night. 

“What a gorgeous night,” Hermione murmured, staring up at the black sky.  Harry saw Ron take her hand. 

            “Firs’ years! Righ’ here! Firs’ years, follow me to the boats!”

            Something very pleasant filled Harry just then and a smiled dawned on his face as he turned to find the source of the familiar voice.

            “Hey, Hagrid,” Harry grinned and watched the gamekeeper lead the small group of first years to the boats.  Hagrid grinned at Harry through his thick beard and lifted his hand in a wave. Something in Hagrid’s eyes told Harry that he was thinking about the attack on Privet Drive.  Harry nodded at him in a reassuring sort of way.

            They stood around waiting for the carriages to take them up to the castle, people milling around, talking and hugging, sharing stories of their summers.  Harry, Ron and Hermione stood together and were joined by Ginny a few moments later.  The four of them piled into a carriage together and rode up to the castle. 

            Harry found himself staring out at the palace he called home. He suddenly felt a mad rush to get there, for all of them to get there.  He had missed the security and the strength that Hogwarts offered and was suddenly very eager to be inside the walls of the castle.

            Once inside the Great Hall, with it’s floating candles and long house tables, torch lit walls and gold table settings, Harry heard Hermione breath a huge sigh of relief and he knew he wasn’t the only one who felt reassured to finally be there. 

            The Gryffindors took their seats and began talking at once. Everyone seemed eager to get back into the swing of things and talking all about their holiday was the way to do it.  Harry didn’t mention Privet Drive, as everyone must have already found out through the Daily Prophet.  But he and Ron shared some great moments from their summer at the Burrow and they even browbeat Ginny into telling the story of Berstein and the prank she’s played on the twins years ago.  Everyone at the table was roaring with laughter by the time Professor McGonnagal lead the first year students inside the hall to be Sorted.

            The group of new students was rather small and Harry realized that it got smaller each year that Voldemort had been in power.  People were scared to send their children away these days.  Harry couldn’t understand this; it was well-known that Hogwarts was the safest place to be because of Dumbledore’s reign, however some wizards and witches seemed not to agree.

            After the Sorting Ceremony ended, there was much applause and Dumbledore stood up at his place at the head table.  “Welcome to another year at Hogwarts!” Dumbledore said loudly, casting his bright blue eyes around the room, but Harry noticed that he looked extremely tired.  “Before we have our great feast, there are a few things I would like to address.  As usual the forest is out of bounds to all students, but that is not news to you, I must hope.  I also have the pleasure in announcing our new Head Boy and Girl, Mr. Justin Finch-Fletchly of Hufflepuff”- they’re was a huge round of applause- “and Miss Hermione Granger of Gryffindor!”  The Gryffindors exploded with applause and Hermione blushed deeply.  Harry and Ron grinned at her and Harry clapped loudly; Hermione had told them in Diagon Alley. “I also would like to announce that in light of the goings-on outside of Hogwarts, your course schedules will suffer a few changes.” Everyone murmured curiously.  “It is important for all of us to arm ourselves with as many defenses as we can in these times and you will now be attending two sessions of Defense Against the Dark Arts.  One class will be your regularly scheduled session pertaining to your year.  The other however, will be the same class taught to all students in years one through seven and will focus on defense only. 

            “As was the case last year, in accordance to the safety measures that surround Hogwarts, the Inner House Quidditch tournament will not be taking place this year.” 

            Harry sighed and shook his head.  This didn’t come as a surprise, but it was a disappointment, nonetheless.

            “It is with great regret that I say that, but safety is the first priority at Hogwarts.  I wish everyone a wonderful and safe year, and to our new students, welcome!  Let the feast begin!”

            At his words, the tables in the hall were suddenly overflowing with bowls and dishes of delicious looking foods, desserts and drinks.  Everyone started filling their plates at once, eating and talking about things of unimportance.  If anyone showed any feelings towards the new Defense Against the Dark Art’s class, they didn’t show it.  People were eager to talk about things that did not pertain to Voldemort.

            As usual, Harry enjoyed listening to the conversations around him, rather than being the focus of one.  He listened as Ginny told Hermione about some dress robes she’d seen in Madam Malkins, Dean telling Ron all about his Soccer Team and Seamus and Lavender having a hushed fight about some boy Lavender had been owling over the summer.  Harry let his eyes wander over the Head table.  He watched Hagrid talking to one of the teachers in an animated sort of way, Professor McGonagall and Dumbledore having a quiet discussion and . . . Harry’s eyes riveted on Snape’s usual chair.  It was empty.

            Harry nudged Ron and nodded towards the table.  Ron saw instantly what Harry had seen and voiced what Harry was thinking.  “You think he’s . . . with him?” Ron asked in a low, hesitant voice, “him” being Voldemort.

            Harry’s eyes didn’t leave the empty chair as he shrugged.

            “You still think it was him that tipped off Dumbledore? About Privet Drive?” Ron asked him in a low voice.

            Harry shook his head.  “Haven’t a clue.  Who else could it have been?”

            Ron shook his head as well. “Dunno.  Perhaps he’s the one teaching the new defense class.”

            Harry sighed.  “Voldemort wouldn’t like that very much, would he?”

            Ron nodded and they both saw Hermione glance their way, but Ginny was still talking to her and she couldn’t very well cut her off.  Harry forced himself to smile to let her know things were okay, but Hermione still looked worried.

            After eating as much as they could, all the benches in the great hall scraped the floor as everyone prepared to go to their respective house common rooms.  Harry, Ron, and Hermione made their way with the rest of the Gryffindors through the portrait hole, which lead to the Gryffindor common room.  Harry thought that every tapestry, every chair, sofa and rug looked to be in the exact same position they’d been in when he’d last seen them the end of last term. Harry, Ron, Seamus, Dean and Neville piled into their old dorm that now had a small plaque hanging on the door which read “Seventh Years.”

            It was good to be home, Harry thought as he struggled into his pajamas and removed his glasses.  He climbed into his four-poster, pulled the warm covers up and fell asleep instantly.

~*~

            Ron awoke earlier than the rest of the boys, and he laid in bed for a while before finally giving in and getting up.  He couldn’t get his mind past the fight he and Hermione had had on the train.  They hadn’t talked about it and had “made up” without actually saying anything about it, but it still irritated him. He supposed he wouldn’t be so angry about it if Draco Malfoy hadn’t been the source of their fighting through the entire summer.

            Couldn’t Hermione understand that Malfoy was not going to go away no matter how much they ignored him?  Didn’t she understand that he and Harry could not be subjected to sit idly by while Malfoy made some disgusting comments to them?  Didn’t she understand that Malfoy’s father had all but killed Percy?

            Bad-tempered, Ron yanked the covers off and got dressed.  It was an hour earlier than he usually awoke for breakfast, but he didn’t care.  He needed some time alone to work out exactly how he was going to control himself around his enemy. 

            Ron padded down to the common room, ready to head down to eat his breakfast alone and in deep thought.  He stopped when he saw his sister sitting in an armchair, her legs bent underneath her, her sketchbook propped on her knees.  She looked very calm and very content while she sketched solemnly, the morning sunlight streaming through the window next to her.  Ron wished he could feel the way she looked.

            “Hey,” he said, walking over.

            Ginny added a touch of something to her drawing and then looked up.  Ron saw that her eyes weren’t peaceful at all.  They looked as he felt . . . unsettled.  Ron sat down in a chair across from her.  “What are you doing up so early?” he asked.

            Ginny sighed heavily and went back to her drawing, lifting one shoulder in a shrug.  “Dunno. You?”
            Ron sighed and looked out the window to the lake and the forest.  “I don’t know,” he lied. 

            They sat in silence for a while, the scrape of Ginny’s pencil on the paper the only sound in the room.  Then Ginny said, “Hermione came down right before you did, said she couldn’t sleep.  She went strait to breakfast though.”

            Ron sighed and sat where he was.  After a few minutes, he stood up and walked through the portrait hole, Ginny lifting her eyes briefly to glance at him.

            Ron found Hermione sitting in an almost empty Great Hall, her nose stuck in a book.  Few people sat at their respective house tables eating an early breakfast, and Professor’s McGonagall and Sprout were at the head table flipping through course schedules. 

            “Hey,” Ron said to Hermione and he pulled out a chair directly across from her and sat down.

            Hermione closed the book and placed it on the table, lifting her eyes to give him a small smile.  “Hi. What are you doing up so early?”

            Ron shrugged.  “I couldn’t sleep.”

            “Mmm,” Hermione said, now helping herself to a piece of toast.  “Me neither.”

            They sat in silence for a while, eating toast and when Hermione reached for her book again, Ron cleared his throat.  “Hermione, about yesterday-“

            Hermione shook her head.  “It doesn’t matter, Ron.  I don’t want to fight about him anymore.”

            “Me neither, that’s why Harry and I agreed that . . . well, we agreed that we’re going to try really hard not to . . . you know, bait him.  Or even be around him.”

            Hermione nodded slowly.  “Thank you.”

            Ron nodded as well and they’re eyes met in an understanding.

            “What’s that your reading?” Ron asked, helping himself to some bacon.

            “Arithmancy text. I figured I should get a head start on Chapter One.”

            “Nerd,” he said affectionately.

            Hermione gave him a hurt look that was thwarted by his grin.  He found her foot under the table and gave it a little nudge. 

            “Only joking,” he said.

            “It’s not funny,” she retorted, her eyes now sparkling, her mouth curved in a reluctant smile.  It was really something having Hermione all geared for an argument and being able to soften her up with just a smile or a look. 

            “Yeah, it is, come on, admit it,” he said, locking his eyes with her and grinning as she kicked his foot hard.

            “It’s not,” she said loftily.

            “It is,” he said firmly, sliding his foot over hers again and forgetting what “it” even was.

            “Ha. Ha. Ha,” Hermione said sarcastically.

            Ron laughed loudly as Ginny sat down at the table.  “What’s so funny?” Ginny asked irritably.

            “You know,” Hermione said, her face suddenly shining with laughter. “I don’t even remember.”

~*~

            A week into the term, Harry received a letter by owl from Professor Dumbledore saying that he’d arranged a meeting in his office and Harry was to attend.  It was the oddest thing—why would Dumbledore go to all the trouble of sending him a letter by owl when he could simply walk up to Harry during any given meal and tell him in person.  He showed the letter to Ron and Hermione and they both read it slowly.

            “What do think it’s all about?” Ron asked, rereading the letter for the fifth time.

            “What I want to know is, what’s with the secrecy?  I mean sending an owl and everything…”

            Ron shook his head.  “Perhaps something about Privet Drive?”

            “Maybe,” Harry said thoughtfully, taking the letter from Ron and rereading it. 

            “It’s not like Dumbledore’s never called you into his office before, Harry,” Hermione reasoned.

            “Yeah, but something makes me uneasy about it.  I mean, read that, “You’re presence is requested,” it sounds so formal.

            Ron shrugged.  “Eh, you know Dumbledore, Harry.  He’s nutters like that; it could very well be tea or something.” 

            Harry shook his head.  “It says here he arranged a meeting.  That sounds like other people will be there. Doesn’t it?”

            “Hmm,” Hermione said thoughtfully.  “I suppose.  Perhaps the Dursley’s?”

            Harry looked shocked.  “Why would the Dursley’s be here? You think he’s going to explain to them about Voldemort?”

            Ron swallowed a mouthful of bread.  “It’s not the Dursely’s, Hermione. Harry, don’t sweat it, mate.  He’s probably just going to see if your doing okay since what happened over the summer.”

            “You think?” he asked anxiously, looking at Hermione. 

            “Hmm,” she said again. “Sure, Harry.  I mean what else could it be?”

            But Harry could see that she looked as worried as he felt.

To Be Continued…