Undefeated

"Goodbye Harry, goodbye Ginny!" Mrs. Weasley shouted, her voice unmistakably sore.

"Bye!" Harry, Ron and Ginny shouted.

As the Hogwarts express clattered off Ron poked his head back into the carriage. Ginny was counting the round Knuts in her open palm, her light red eyebrows kept low. Harry on the other hand was lost, looking out at the mass grass fields that the train happened to go past. Ron was about to get out his recycled brown paper bag filled with sandwiches (corned beef, it always happened to be) when he saw a girl with puffy hair walk towards their carriage. It was Hermione, prematurely dressed in Hogwarts school robes and wand sticking out of her robe pocket.

"Hey you guys!" she smiled at them all before gracefully taking a seat next to Ron.

"Good to see you, Hermione," Ron smiled a wanly at her before uncontrollably blushing. Harry greeted her ('thought we'd see you') briefly before returning to the surprisingly hypnotising squares of grass out the window, and Ginny only half heartedly said 'hi'. Hermione was meanwhile inspecting Ron's hair.

"You know, you really have a lot of dandruff, Ron," she told him, overlooking Ron's head.

"I do wash my hair."

"I'm not saying you don't. Mom told me about this muggle thing they call head and shoulders."

"Not interested," with a sigh, Hermione turned and started watching Ginny count her Knuts. The way Ginny kept pointing to every Knut and muttering a number each time she did so, was rapidly beginning to annoy Hermione.

The heavy silence was later broken by the trolley lady whom offered the usual range of sweets. Hermione ended up buying some of each, as did Harry.

"Want one?" Hermione asked. Ron swallowed and felt his fingertips turn cold.

"Yeah okay..." his voice was muffled and inaudible. As smoothly as he could, Ron reached across to Hermione and clutched an Every Flavor Bean. He couldn't help the occasional wobble of his hand. Bravely popping it into his mouth he recognized the flavor that was taking place.

"Bloody hell! Diarrhea flavor!" everyone laughed before Ron rushed out the carriage to get water from the bathroom. He hadn't any water at all. In his rush for the bathroom, his ears pink, his expression squeezed tightly together, he bumped into Draco Malfoy and his inseparable bodyguards.

"Watch it, Weasley. Remember my clothes are actually clean," Draco's smooth duck tail hair shined as he stood firmly in the pool of sun.

"Fuck off, Malfoy," Ron stammered, trying to ignore the diarrhea taste. But Malfoy didn't take any notice. Instead, his head was cocked forward, his nose smelling the aroma.

"Do I smell poop, Weasley?" Draco smiled accusingly.

"I was eating an Every Flavor Bean-"

"I'm you were."

"-and got the worst of flavors," Ron was embarrassed and in rage. Draco shook his head, every turn making his hair shine.

"Should've known your dwelling hole had no toilet, Weasley. It was only natural of you to do so in your very pants, I-" Ron shoved his wand in Draco's face.

"Shut up Malfoy!" all tolerance was gone from his voice. Draco didn't move, just in case Ron tried anything.

"Your-"

"SHUT UP YOU IDIOT!" Harry, Hermione and Ginny all stepped out into the narrow corridor, expressions all the same. At once Hermione swiped the wand out of Ron's shaking hand.

"Ron! Calm down will you? You could really hurt someone in your fit," she held the wand away from Ron's grasp. Harry watched Malfoy angrily through his glasses. Draco looked at each of them before turning one eighty degrees and walking away, Crabbe and Goyle ambling behind their one and only master.

Hermione was frowning but at the same time watching Draco's back disappear in another turn. Hastily she tore her glance away.

"You could have been caught using magic outside of Hogwarts!" she protested at Ron, whom still had a distinctive aroma.

"But I didn't do anything, I was just threatening him," Ron's bare voice came out a bit heatedly. Harry was meanwhile watching them both, swallowing now and then.

"You could have done something, Ron!" he kept quite. He was the tail of the trio as they moved back into the carriage, Ginny open eyed, glancing at each of them, her Knuts safely in her rusty tin can, capped by an ill fitting lid that was kept in place but a rubber band. Hermione was probably right. He could have put a curse on Malfoy, he could have got caught by the Ministry of Magic, his dad could have lost his job, he could have received a howler (mental quiver from Ron), he could have.

*

At last the train stopped at Hogsmeade station, and all the students aboard the Hogwarts Express scrambled out, waves of new shoes and robes washing onto the platform.

"Firs' years this way!" called the awfully familiar voice. The gigantic outline of Hagrid was visible at the other end of the platform; the shaggy head, the bulky jacket. Harry, Ron, Hermione and Ginny all waved at him but through all the noise and jostle they couldn't talk to him. They made their way to the stagecoaches which were waiting for them to board. Harry was last to climb inside one of the stagecoaches and he was just about to close the door when two other figures emerged. Harry squinted very hard to make out the two people. But it was not possible to tell who was trying to invade their stagecoach in the night.

"Can I please share this stagecoach with yous? All the others were full," a small witch asked. The voice was the same one Harry had heard when he played Quidditch. The same voice that turned his chance of going to the Yule Ball with her down. It was Cho Chang.

Harry clutched the handle of the stagecoach door tightly.

"Sure," he replied automatically. He would have let her in even if the stagecoach could fit no more- for he still thought he was guilty of Cedric's death. Then, glancing around at the others, who were sitting uncomfortably in the stuffed carriage added,

"If, that's alright with yous," at this, the others nodded and murmured 'okay', though Ginny was more reluctant. About to close the door again, Harry saw a pale hand gripping onto the door. Then the head emerged with a dusky scowl, slicked ripe corn colored hair, and perfectly cut robes.

"Find your own carriage, Malfoy," Ron spat. Draco ignored Ron and pushed open the door harshly.

"Trust me, Weasel, this is the last carriage I would sit in," he retorted, seating himself down next to Hermione; the only available seat since Cho took the once empty seat next to Ginny. Hermione recoiled at once.

For the rest of the trip silence enclosed the carriage, everyone avoiding each other's hideous glances, every eye looking out the small windows. There was a great scramble to get out, when, at last the carriage stopped at the many turrets and towers of Hogwarts.

*

The Great Hall was, as usual, a marveling and pleasuring sight. This year, the ceiling of the Great Hall was a clear, starry sky. Harry grinned at all the familiar faces, and breathed a sigh of relief as he felt at home again. Hogwarts was the safest place for him, especially at these times, when Harry was always constantly reminded that Voldemort was still alive, waiting around corners to make him join his parents. He decided to forget all these thoughts and enjoy his very first night at Hogwarts this year.

As usual, the nervous first years began to make their way across the hall to get sorted, some whispering excitedly to others, others choking and trembling. Harry watched as they settled down, ears straining to hear their name been called. The Sorting Hat was already perched on the three-legged stool and was beginning to sing its song, though this year's song was a song unheard of before.

"I may be just a ragged hat,

But I am wiser then your average rat,

For I will find your house,

Even for the average mouse,

I sort the kids,

To houses they stay till their mids.

See what I can do,

Believe me the rumors are true,

I can really sort,

Even in a head of mort,

I will see through to the very core,

All the things you adore.

So put me on your head,

And you will believe what I had said.

To Gryffindor goes the brave,

All housemates they will save,

Keeps the daringness at heart,

For they will never part.

Hufflepuff goes different,

Never are they belligerent,

Not intimidated by labor,

To trust and patience they savor.

Or in Ravenclaw you settle,

As light as a petal,

For you are the wisest,

Not to say also amongst the nicest,

You must be full of brains and wit,

For learning is what keeps you fit.

Or a turning of the tables,

Slytherin you will be labeled,

Those sly, cunning housemates,

Will take anything at stake,

Attain levels no normal heads can reach,

A gift, no one can teach.

So for the last time,

As I finish my new rhyme,

Try me- the Sorting Hat,

And after you are sorted, you can give me a thankful pat."

"Admin Heather!" Professor McGonagall called out in her usual quivering voice which indicated she was old. A brown haired girl with large, round eyes walked up to the stool, shaking slightly as she did so. She smiled feebly before the audience. The Sorting Hat was put on her small head and a moment of unforgettable silence descended before the hat shouted:

"Ravenclaw!" a series of claps, cheers, screams, squeals and whistles exploded from the Ravenclaw table, as well as short bursts of claps from other tables.

As the Sorting Ceremony moved on, Harry looked around the staff table, searching for any new faces. He was relieved to see that the DADA teacher they had last year- Professor Onduri wasn't here this year. Many suspected him of being an Auror, but because he was drunk so often they began to have their doubts. This year, the DADA teacher didn't seem to be seated amongst the staff members.

"Welcome back to another year of Hogwarts!" Dumbledore greeted after the Sorting Ceremony had finally passed, all the first years excited but nervous, seated in their house tables.

"I would like to say a few words before you get started on your delicious feast tonight," Dumbledore cleared his throat and continued, the candlelight lighting up his white beard and pale eyebrows. Dumbledore's face looked not for the first time marred by worry.

"First of all, the Forbidden Forest is out of bounds, as usual. If any student is caught wondering about, they will be dealt with by one of our many staff members. I hope that I have made it clear to you that it is not the safest thing to do, and certainly not the wisest. This year, will be a fairly eventful year, and I must tell yous all to take extra care," his eyes flashed once behind his spectacles.

"On a happier note, we have a new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher. But to keep the excitement in the air, it will remain a secret," whispers and the odd laugh or two was heard amongst the crowd.

"I suppose you all have unfilled stomachs!"

"Let the feast begin!"

*

"Mmm- can you pass me the gravy?" Ron asked, bits of food spraying onto the table. Harry nodded and passed the gravy to Ron.

"Fanks."

Once everyone had stuffed as much food as possible, the remaining food faded and the dishes returned to their sparkling clean appearance- as though never touched. Harry, Ron and Hermione joined the streaming Gryffindors' out of the Great Hall. They walked sleepily up staircases and through corridors, hoping to see the portrait of the Fat Lady soon. Along the way, Harry saw a group of Ravenclaw first years gazing amazedly at the moving portraits and ghosts.

"Alright, this way now," he heard a soft voice said. It turned out to be Cho Chang- the new 'Head Girl', leading the first years to their dormitories. Should he? You should. You killed Cedric, didn't you? He felt sorry for Cho. But Voldemort killed him, didn't he? Ahh what the hell.

"You guys go on. I have to do something first," Harry said to Ron and Hermione. They shrugged tiredly and went on their way.

Harry walked up to Cho, his legs now numb and unstable, palms sweaty.

"Congratulations, Cho!" Harry stuttered. Cho looked at him and smiled.

"Oh. Thanks! Think I'd do a good job as Head Girl?" she said. Harry felt his insides go wonky, and quickly replied,

"I have no doubt." Cho grinned at him. A sad smile because Harry had pretty much killed Cedric? Dunno.

"See you around, then. I've got these first years to direct," she said. Harry nodded and stepped aside. Somehow, he wanted to poop.

"Yeah... well I've gotta catch up to Ron and Hermione. Bye, Cho."

"Bye, Harry!" with that, and a hiccup from Harry, Cho set off around the corner.

*

Ron glanced at Hermione's back once more before they separated into their different dormitories. They all pulled on their pajamas, and slumped into the four-poster beds with the deep red velvet curtains.

"Night." Ron called sleepily through his curtains. Harry was about to say it back, but he was cut off by Ron's snoring.

*

Next Morning, Ron, Ginny, Harry and Hermione all headed to the Great Hall for breakfast. Ginny quickly switched sides, now alongside Harry. He sighed, clenching and unclenching his teeth. Two minutes after all four sat down, Neville Longbottom dropped into an empty seat beside Hermione.

"Good Morning, Hermione," he greeted, fumbling with his spoon. Hermione flashed him a smile.

"Good Morning, Neville. How's your grandmother?" she asked. Neville shook his head sadly.

"Nah, she's gone mad. Forgot all the spells she knew, she did," nodding, Hermione patted him on the back, causing him to blush.

"I'm sure she'll be fine, Neville. Don't you worry," Hermione smiled with sympathy. The flutter of owls' wings made all the students look up, beaming as their owls dropped them their packages. Not realizing, a heavy package smashed onto Ron's head and bounced into his pumpkin soup.

"Of all places it could have landed..." he muttered, helping the small package out of the soup. Ripping it open, he saw it was some sweets from Fred and George. Grinning, he unwrapped a sweet and popped it into his mouth.

"Great thing my brothers still remember me," he beamed at the sweets and offered some to Harry, Ginny and Hermione.

"I wouldn't touch those. You never know Fred and George..." Hermione murmured, eyeing the sweets suspiciously. Ron shook his head.

"Oh come on, Hermione. What could these teeny weeny sugary delights do?" Sure enough, the sweets looked perfectly innocent. He read the wrapper and grinned.

"What do you know, Fred and George made them!" he announced happily. Ginny leaned across Harry, reaching for a sweet. Carefully, she made her arm brush against Harry's. Harry swallowed and yanked backwards. Taking one lolly and carefully leaning back, she unwrapped it.

"These lollies are wicked!" Ron exclaimed, reaching for another. By the way Ron ate lollies, it was a mystery why he wasn't fat

"I must've proved that it isn't poisonous by now. Honestly, Hermione. Here ta- YOOOWW!!!!!!!" Students from all the tables turned their heads. Ron frantically waved his hands like fans on either side of his face. Hermione grinned triumphantly at the wheezing Ron.

"I told you not to trust your brothers," she said, giving a small shrug. Ginny now saw her lolly in a different light, and dropped it.

"Hot!!!" Ron exclaimed, reaching for his wand. Harry wrenched Ron's wand out for him.

"Watericia!" Ron shouted. Nothing happened. Ron looked frantically at Hermione, who was looking at him calmly.

"Ron, are you sure that's a proper spell; because I have never heard of such. I'm sure I ran across something like that when I was reading a book off the shelf in Flourish and Blotts... I'm sure it was Watricia- from memory-"

"I don't care Hermione! Just do something!" Ron puffed out. His face was even redder than his flaming hair.

"Watricia!" Hermione called out. Water poured out of the end of her wand and into Ron's mouth.

*

"Very well, boy," he hissed.

"I will complete my duty, Master- at whatever cost."

"You better."

"I will, Master-"

"Enough. The sooner you complete it, the better- and more reward you will reap."

"Yes, Master."

"Don't just stand there, fool! Go!" the shadowed figure nodded once, and then shuffled away. His eyes glistened.

"Albus Dumbledore. The Greatest Wizard of all time..."

*

Professor McGonagall's bulgy eyes threatened to pop out of her square spectacles any moment now.

"Finnigan, where is your homework?" she questioned in a very low and dangerous pitch. Harry saw his throat work as he swallowed.

"I never knew you had to do that bit where-"

"Quite enough lies for now, Finnigan. Five points will be taken from Gryffindor and a week's detention. Now, where were we up to, class?"

Seamus nodded grimly and sat back down next to Parvati. Neville shook his head as he continued to scribble down notes. Taking a look at Hermione's work, he clumsily knocked over the ink bottle, sending patches of ink over Hermione's notes.

"Woooooooops..." Neville whispered guiltily.

Devastated but not wanting to hurt Neville's feelings, Hermione only uttered a tiny-

"Oh that's- that's alright."

Hermione bit her lower lip to stop the flow of angry words from spurting out. Professor McGonagall strode past their desk, and her lips pursed into a thin line.

"Longbottom?" she said it more like an accusation then actually asking. Neville gulped, and looked up at the Headmistress. Licking his lips which were dry, he gulped again.

"I'm so sorry," he mumbled.

"You're saying it to the wrong person, Mr. Longbottom."

"Huh?" he looked at Hermione.

"Ooh. I-I'm so sorry, Hermione," Professor McGonagall nodded briefly.

"Clearosimo," Professor McGonagall said. Appearing right before Hermione's eyes the dark patches of ink began to fade. Hermione smiled- relieved. It was a spell she should go check on and memorize- a very handy spell.

"Now, class. I expect you all to turn this piece of clothing into an animal of your choice."

The lesson continued with Ron throwing occasional suspicious glances at Neville and Hermione's desk. As all the students scrambled out of Professor McGonagall's Transfiguration class Ron caught up with Hermione.

"Hey," He greeted casually. Hermione looked at him, surprised.

"Oh hey, Ron. I didn't know it was you. What animal did you end up with? I ended up with a dog," Ron nodded.

"I-er...ended up with half a pig..." he said uneasily. Hermione laughed (at or with me?) as they continued to walk towards DADA.

"Half a pig? Really?" he caught her eye, and he looked away.

"Yeah, really. Pretty disgusting to b-"

"Hey Hermione! Hey Ron!" Neville and Harry greeted them, running to catch up. Ron clenched his jaw. Damn! Ron turned and smiled bitterly.

"Hey," he spoke calmly nevertheless. All the same, the three boys and a girl all looked forward to their first lesson with the 'mysterious' teacher Dumbledore refused to tell about.