Ready Or Not (Here I Come!)

"Ready or Not (Here I Come!)

"One...two... three...four...five... Six...seven...eight...nine...ten!

Olly, olly, oxen free... ready or not, here I come!"

Chapter One - " Let the Fun Begin..."'

"The rain seems to have followed us here," Hermione remarked, looking out the window in disgust. "I was hoping for some sun, to begin the new term."

"Just watch out for McGonagall and Peeves," groaned Ron. "McGonagall almost pulled your head off last year, and Peeves..."

"Shut it, Ron!" she replied. "They..." pointing to Danielle and Adrian, "..have got enough to think about. Besides Professor McGonagall is my favorite teacher. If I'm going to lose my head, she's the one I'd chose to give it to."

Ron groaned again, louder this time. "Better watch it, Harry. Hermione's back in the grip of school. Summer's over, it'll be the library and homework and nothing else for you."

Harry looked over at Hermione and winked. "Not necessarily. You don't know what Hermione brought back in her trunk. Besides, there'll be a trip to Hogsmeade soon. Did anyone tell either of you about Hogsmeade?"

"Oh yes! An all magical village, one of the few in the world. We talked about Hogsmeade before leaving France. Dani was excited about the sweet shop, but Max made me promise to visit that place that's haunted, the Screaming Shack."

Harry, Hermione and Ron exchanged glances, but aside from making sure Adrian knew it was the Shrieking Shack, they mutually agreed this was not the time to go into details of their experience there. They were suddenly jostled by a body with its head turned, looking fearfully over his shoulder. "It" turned out to be Neville Longbottom. As had so often been the case, he looked extremely relieved to see them.

"I had to ride in a compartment the whole way with Pavarti and Lavendar! The whole way!" he moaned. "They were awful! They talked about nothing but makeup and clothes, all kinds of girl stuff. Then they made me practice dancing with them. Would you please let me squeeze into a carriage with the rest of you!"

He was assured this would be fine, and soon they had piled into one of the horseless carriages. Adrian and Neville went exchanging views on being stuck with something as old fashioned as a toad, while Ginny was saying they at least had small, easily carried animals. Ron was describing the sweets at Honeydukes to Danielle, and she had pulled out a quill and parchment to "write down the names of the ones she wanted". Harry suspected she and Ron were also writing notes to each other, if he could judge by the giggles.

Suddenly the image of the entire school, staring at him, appeared in front of his eyes, and his spirits felt as wet as the weather. Hermione seemed to sense this, and slid her arm through his, squeezing it close, and they rode in silence for a few moments. Finally he turned to her. "Do you think it'll ever end? Or do you think I'll ever get used to being stared at, and whispered about?"

"Honestly, Harry, no. But I do think it'll get easier. Last year it wasn't so bad, not until the Goblet chose you, anyway. And you don't know for absolute sure people will still be thinking about... well, last year."

"I wish I believed that." he said glumly. "It'll just have to be endured. Damn it though, Hermione, I'm wrong no matter which way I go. If I look miserable, they'll say I'm feeling guilty about Cedric. But if I'm smiling, and seem happy to be back, I'll be called a heartless git."

"Look neutral," she advised. "Let's practice!"

Harry had to laugh as Hermione attempted to freeze her face into something she called "neutral". It was so unlike Hermione not to show some emotion, that he began to tickle her, causing them both to topple from the seat in a heap. The other occupants of the carriage stopped in mid sentence to stare.

"You two," Ron snickered. "Can't keep your hands off each other, can you. Looks as if we need to keep a blanket nearby to throw over you, so the rest of us delicate souls won't be shocked. Or..." he paused, then continued, with teasing laughter in his voice, "... a bucket of cold water to throw over you!"

"Ronald Weasley, I will hex you," Hermione cried. "Harry was tickling me, and I was trying to look dignified!"

"Um, Hermione, you might want to smooth down your hair and clothes, both of you," Ginny said, obviously trying to choose her words carefully. Harry and Hermione looked at each other, seeing hair flying everywhere, and clothes all rumpled, then began to laugh.

"You...really... look.....like a prefect!" Harry gasped, making the others stop in mid-laugh, and turn to stare at Hermione questioningly.

"All right!" she said, loudly. "I wasn't going to say anything because everyone teased Percy so badly, but, yes, I did get a prefect's letter. So, what did you want me to say? 'Thank you, but no thank you.' ?"

"Ron and Harry had better hope you don't. If anyone needs friends in high places, it's them." Ginny remarked. No one was really surprised, other than the fact that she hadn't told anyone but Harry, and they all returned to laughter and congratulations for Hermione. She, however, brushed them off, finding something else much more important.

"Look!" she commanded, pointing out the window. "There's the castle, we're finally here!"

_______________________________

Climbing out of the carriage. Harry felt the happy shiver of anticipation he always felt, arriving back at the castle (except when he and Ron had crashed back into their second year in Mr. Weasley's car. and when he'd been affected, for the first time by a dementor). In spite of his earlier misgivings, it did feel he'd come home.

Someone had obviously remembered last year's soggy beginning feast. This time each of the carriages dropped off its occupants under a gold and silver striped awning. Replacing the mud, someone had conjured a sort of magical carpet. It bore no resemblance to the stiff plastic thing his aunt and uncle used on their doorstep, but felt soft and cushiony underfoot, showing no signs of wetness. Perhaps Dumbledore had tried to make things a bit plusher this year to lift people's spirits. He hoped it would at least provide a distraction!

As they went into the castle, the first teacher in sight was Professor Flitwick, looking comfortably perched on a stone column. Harry couldn't imagine how he looked that comfortable, since it would have been easy for the rushing students to topple him off his perch. When there was a break in the crowd though, he could see the Charms professor had placed an enchanted flashing fence around himself. When they reached his side, though, he leaned over and called Danielle and Adrian's names, telling them to step aside. Instead their whole group stepped aside, and they saw several people turn to stare curiously at the name Malfoy, then the sight of Adrian. "Looks as if I need to have "Adrian, not Draco" painted across my forehead." Adrian muttered, mostly to himself. Harry thought it would be nice to share the forehead attention with someone else, but then felt a stab of guilt. He was really glad Adrian was here, because he truly enjoyed his company, but he now realized the French boy had unknowingly done him the favor of diverting the attention of the other students.

They were joined by McGonagall and Ivy, who pointed over to a corner where a group of damp first year students stood, looking cold and apprehensive. "Time for you new students to join the group for sorting," Professor McGonagall said briskly. "You really should have come over in the boats, but somehow Hagrid seems to have forgotten to get you with the others."

Beside her, Harry was certain he saw Ivy wink at them. She only greeted them in a friendly way, though he saw her reach out to give Hermione's hand a brief squeeze. He knew Hermione and her parents had vowed to keep things professional while they were at school, and it looked as if Ivy and Hermione would be successful. He had a feeling a lot of communication without words went on between them anyway. Chris might be another story, but he hoped it would turn out okay. If not, Draco would love teasing Hermione, as if he wouldn't have grabbed any opportunity for preferential treatment if his parents had been at Hogwarts.

Harry looked up to find they were in the Great Hall, and as expected, the ceiling over them was stormy, and you could almost feel the wind as it blew clouds across the blue grey. A moment later something happened that drew a collective gasp from all of them. It seemed the wind had finally blown away the last of the clouds, and a brilliant sun broke through the last traces of gloom. Looking around at the faces of fellow students and friends, Harry couldn't help feeling his heart lighten a great deal. When the first year students were led forward, he grinned as he remembered himself that first year, and how disgusted he and Ron had been when the hat announced Hermione as a Gryffindor. She looked sideways at him, grinning, and he could tell she was having similar thoughts. A lot had changed, and he suddenly realized it was going to be a lot harder than he'd expected, having a girlfriend at school. He was now accustomed to being able to hug her, hold her hand or kiss her pretty much whenever he felt like it. Now, would they have to be more restrained, or would Hermione not care what anyone thought?

The hat began to sing, a mercifully brief song this year (he guessed it had had a busier year than usual, with less time to make up a new song), and the school year rituals had truly begun.

Long years ago, the founders four did think of starting Hogwarts
A place for all young magic ones to come increase their talents
and now, today these long years later, the youngest have come to try me on.
Perhaps you'll go to Gryffindor, where bravery is most prized
Or Hufflepuff, where hard work is never scorned.
Ravenclaw could be your house if brains you have in plenty.
And for those who hold power and ambition most dear,
Slytherin could be the spot you treasure.
So, climb upon this ancient stool,
and try me on, you'll see.
My looks may not enchant you,
but you'll find my magic did.

...and the names began to be called. This time, Ivy and Professor McGonagall were alternating, calling out names and taking the students up to the hat. Harry could see this would make the sorting go more smoothly and probably finish faster, but it sort of cut out some of the fun of seeing students miss the stool and plop on the floor, or run back to their seats with the hat still on. When they called Danielle's name though, he was glad she had an escort, since some of the Slytherins began to whistle and catcall, and he could feel Ron tense up beside him. No one was really used to having a fourteen year old being sorted, and Danielle's bright hair and dark eyes made it hard to miss her. Fortunately, a piercing look from McGonagall silenced the noise, and he saw Danielle's scarlet cheeks begin to return to a normal colour and Ron's hands unclench. The hat was quick, and soon Danielle was seated between Hermione and Ginny, looking happily at them all. A few more names, and the name Adrian Malfoy rang out,. This time the whispers were barely whispers, and Harry could tell the entire Slytherin table was ready to spring up and welcome another Malfoy. This time the hat was not quick at all and Adrian seemed to sit there for an eternity. He could imagine how long it must seem to Adrian, knowing how he had felt, having to convince the hat not to put him in Slytherin.

Finally the hat rang shouted "GRYFFINDOR" in a voice that could only be called defiant, and Adrian sauntered over to their table, attempting to look nonchalant, but on looking closely, his face was tense and there were minute beads of moisture across his forehead. "Whew!" he said, "That wasn't easy, it kept arguing with me, just as I expected, about my family belonging in Slytherin."

"So, how'd you convince it?" asked Ron curiously. "And what was with that voice? It sounded like it was telling someone "I'll show you'!"

Adrian laughed. "It seems my cousin has not been too popular with the hat. Once he managed to steal it for a short time, and teach it a rude song to sing at the beginning feast. He wanted all the prettiest girls to be put in Slytherin, and it to make comments about idiots and mudbloods going to the other houses! Fortunately, your headmaster heard it practicing, so the song never made it to the Sorting ceremony. "

Hermione, not surprisingly, let out an exclamation of disgust first, then shook her head and laughed. "That's to be expected, I suppose. So, all you had to do was let the hat know it would make Draco feel disgraced, having a Malfoy in the hated Gryffindor? Look at them!"

The Slytherin table did have a distinct buzz now, and even darker looks than usual were being cast toward them. They became quieter after another of McGonagall's looks but the general feeling coming from that direction was not a happy one. The only time the Slytherins had really cheered was when the American wizard, Damien, was sorted into their house. Harry could tell Fred, George and Lee Jordan were a bit disappointed, but he only felt a sense of relief at not having to see the guy at their table, or in their common room. There was just something about the boy that he didn't trust.

As the sorting concluded though, it was easy to see they had some nice new Gryffindors, who were busily getting to know their fellow house members, and curiously examining the golden plates, goblets and other tableware. Ginny and Danielle were begging Hermione to ask to share a dormitory room with them, and she was smiling, but said she'd have to be careful about not asking for special treatment. "And anyway, do you really want to live with a prefect?" she asked them teasingly.

Before Harry could stop himself, he had burst out, "Well I do, if they don't!" and once again felt that now so familiar redness on his face. Everyone around them burst into laughter of course and looked at Hermione, expecting her to scold him or at least look embarrassed. They hadn't counted on the new Hermione though, because she only smiled, a secret little smile that made his knees again go weak, and said softly, "I'll take these requests under consideration. "

Their laughter was stopped by the rising of Dumbledore's bright silver head, as he called for their attention.

"Before we embark on this excellent feast, there are a few welcomes to give, and a few notices to make. I trust all of you have had a pleasant summer, and are ready to allow some knowledge back into your, I trust, empty heads. In order to help with this, let me introduce our new staff members, Ivy and Chris Granger. In addition to their duties with Madame Pomfrey in the infirmary, Dr. Ivy Granger will team up with Madame Hooch to give flying classes and oversee quidditch. Dr. Chris Granger will assist Professor Sinistra in Astronomy classes, and team with Professor Sprout for some special projects the advanced Herbology students will be carrying out."

He paused here, and the students, with the notable exception of the Slytherin table,. applauded the Grangers, while looking curiously at Hermione. This time she did revert back to her years of magenta blushes, but smiled happily, if a bit sheepishly at at her parents. Dumbledore cleared his throat and continued, "As you all know, the position of Defense Against the Dark Arts has been one that has been difficult to fill. For that reason, I'm happy to be able to welcome Remus Lupin back to the position he filled so well two years ago." There was immediately a great buzz, but Dumbledore was prepared, and after swishing his wand through the air several times, releasing showers of sparks and loud bangs, the Great Hall once again was quiet, and he went on. "You have all heard about Professor Lupin's unfortunate affliction, but I'm happy to tell you that this has been thoroughly controlled, Doctor Granger and Professor Snape both have the means at their disposal to see that Professor Lupin leads a normal life." He stopped to chuckle, then added, "As much as is possible, here at Hogwarts. Professor Lupin please stand."
At this Remus stood up, and again there was applause from all but the Slytherin table. Harry was happy to see Remus now looked, as Dumbledore said, "normal". He also looked well fed and his robes were no longer shabby, compared to those of the other teachers. He smiled and bowed, and Harry and Hermione exchanged a look that spoke volumes. Defense against the Dark Arts classes should once again be interesting, even without the continual exhortations of "Constant Vigilance!''..

"Thank you, Professor Dumbledore. I'm happy to be back, but let me add, anyone feeling uncertain of my fitness to teach has only to see Professor McGonagall, and she will provide you with documentation of my recent whereabouts, and how my affliction has been controlled so well."

He sat down, looking relieved that the introductions were over, and Dumbledore called out the usual, "Tuck in!" Even though he hadn't been starved over the summer, far from it, Harry, like the others, began helping himself to the steak, bread, meatballs, green beans, salad, potatoes and noodles. He saw Ron scooping out a huge portion of ham pie onto Danielle's plate and her eyes widened in alarm.

'"Don't worry, Dani," Hermione said comfortingly. "He'll be glad to eat it if you don't. You aren't going to be like the Beauxbattons students last year, are you? They all said our food was too heavy, but they weren't climbing all the flights of stairs we have to either."

"Oh, I don't mind," Danielle replied. "We have all sorts of foods at home. Papa has traveled to so many countries, he loves food from all over the world. Our poor house elf is kept busy, satisfying all those cravings he has for things from Italy and India, and Japan. No food surprises me!

Just then Professor McGonagall came by and reminded Danielle that she had the test for controlling her krup still to do, after the feast. "It won't take long, but you'll need to come to the Transfiguration classroom when you've finished your dinner. Hagrid has taken all the krups there. Miss Granger will bring you along. No, Mr. Weasley, Miss Granger will show her the way. You and Mr. Potter will need to reacquaint yourselves with your Common Room and dormitories."

Though Ron continued to grumble as they made their way upstairs with Ginny and Adrian, they were all yawning as they went. Harry could almost feel the softness of his four poster as they turned a corner. His sleepiness vanished quickly though when he saw Cho Chang and a group of her Ravenclaw friends whispering against a wall that was between him and the entrance to Gryffindor Tower. His stomach made a funny dive, but it was not the one he remembered.