Hidden Within

Chapter 2

The birthday party had made this summer the best one in his life. Finally the boy who lived could be normal, enjoy a regular life. Harry sighed with contentment. The rest of the summer passed by in a flurry of experiences, and soon the summer was gone, had trickled away like the last grains of sand in a perpetual hourglass.

His memories were suppressed; Harry was trying as hard as he could to live in the present, but his reality inevitably resurfaced. Soon he was tossing in his sleep again, trying to rest in his awful realities.

"It's time to go to Diagon Alley!" shouted Mrs. Weasley over the unavoidable confusion. Fred and George were trying as hard as they could to bring as many of their inventions as possible, while Ron was trying to get on a much too small sneaker.

Ron had been victim to another growth spurt, and was currently 6 foot 4 and had a shoe size of 13. Harry was still scrawny but he had gained a few inches during the summer, he was 5 foot 5. Hermione was about the same, a bit taller than Harry, but her bushy hair had turned into russet curls, overflowing into a river of cinnamon. Hermione had changed much from the buck-toothed bookworm she had been. True, she was still a bookworm, but she had turned into one of the most popular girls in Hogwarts, and she could hardly get anywhere without some guy drooling over her.

Harry was happy for her, but he hadn't had any exposure to love yet. Sure, there were all the girls that liked him for that scar on his forehead. He wasn't ready for love and didn't have any desire to. Harry was one of the most eligible bachelors in Hogwarts. It was all because his parents had died he thought bitterly.

Harry once again immersed into an abyss of self pity and hatred blinded him once more. The small teenager had enough hate for many lifetimes. He felt like screaming, to relieve his body of his worries, to wrench it all out. Instead a single tear slid down his face. Harry quickly wiped it away, and went to the fire place, ready to floo to Diagon Alley.

"Remember, tuck in your elbows, close your eyes, and pronounce Diagon Alley carefully!" reminded a fretful Mrs. Weasley.

"Don't worry, Mum, we'll end up in the right continent," answered Ron.

"It's OK, Mrs. Weasley, I'll be sure to enunciate carefully," said Hermione, pronouncing each word precisely.

Ron grinned at Hermione. Harry smiled.

"OK, Fred, you go first," said Molly Weasley. Fred threw in a handful of floo powder and stepped into the emerald green flames. "Diagon Alley! I'll see you the- "said Fred disappearing into the fireplace. George, Ron, and Hermione disappeared into the fire afterwards.

Harry took a deep breath, took of his glasses, and threw a handful of the odd powder into the seemingly white-hot fire. He stepped into it and carefully shouted "Diagon Alley!" The world disappeared into a flash of fires rushing past, and landed hard on the flagstone floor of the Leaky Cauldron.

"I hate floo."

"But, you made it this time," said Ron. "Last time Mum was frantic, and she got mad at all of us. You attract attention in everything you do, don't you?"

Harry smiled, "Yeah it's great being the boy who lived, having people gawk at your forehead. Look there's Harry Potter, let's go stare avidly at that little mark on his head!" squeaked Harry in a high falsetto.

Ron snorted, while the other Weasleys (Molly Weasley had come through the fireplace too) and Hermione started laughing.

"See, you're attracting attention right now." Everyone at the Leaky Cauldron was staring at them.

"We better start our shopping now," said Hermione lightly.

They walked through the expanding archway into Diagon Alley.

"OK, let's see, what we need this year," said Hermione.

Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry

Set Books

The Standard book of Spells (Grade 5) by Miranda Goshawk

Senior Intermediate Potions by Severus Snape

Advanced Intermediate Transfiguration by Emeric Switch

One Thousand and One Curses and How to make them Useless by Eric Agog

A Beginners Guide to Magical Transportation by Alexandra Shuffle

Harry and Ron snorted at the same time. "Snape, write a book?" said Harry with a bemused expression on his face. Suddenly, he burst into howling laughs. Soon, Ron joined him.

"Honestly, now that you're prefects you should grow up a bit, I think that it's good that Snape wrote a book. It shows he has other interests besides torturing you, Harry," sniffed Hermione. "Looks like some interesting reading."

"My supply of dungbombs is dangerously low," said George with a wink, "I'll need to get more. We'll meet you here at 3:00."

The trio went into Flourish and Blotts, the large bookshelves towering high, looking as though they were about to topple from the weight of the books.

"Three for Hogwarts?" asked the salesperson eagerly.

"Yeah, we're Hogwarts 5^th years"

The salesperson flitted between the shelves and handed Harry, Hermione, and Ron a bagful each of books. "You may pay for the books at the register in the corner."

"That'll be 9 galleons each."

The trio handed over their money to the clerk.

"Thank you, please come again soon."

They carried their books out the crowded bookshop and headed for Madam Malkin's.

"The twins said they would pay for new dress robes for me!" said the youngest Weasley boy. "We will not let out little brother wear that lacy abomination anymore, quote George."

Harry grinned, "Great! I need new robes (dress and work) too, I'm quite sure my old robes are too short for me now." The real reason that Harry grinned was because of the prospect of Ron finally getting something new. He bet that Ron would think differently if he knew that the money was coming from him.

"Yeah, I need some too," declared Hermione.

Soon, they passed through the small door of Madam Malkin's Robes for all occasions. Harry, Ron, and Hermione immediately got pushed onto stools.

"Hogwarts, Dears?"

"Yes."

"We all need knew school robes, and dress robes," said Harry.

"Harry, I didn't say I needed new school robes," hissed Ron.

"Don't worry about it; I'm sure I can convince Fred and George to pay for the school robes. Besides, I bet your old robes will have reached your knees by now," answered Harry.

"Are you blackmailing them or something?" asked Ron suspiciously.

"I promise I am not blackmailing your brothers," said Harry with solemnly.

"Are you blackmailing any of their friends then?" questioned Ron again.

"No, I'm not blackmailing anyone."

Ron raised an eyebrow but just let the Madam Malkin figure out the measurements.

"The Hogwarts robes are ready. I have the measurements for your dress robes, I just need to know the style, the colour, and the material," said Madam Malkin.

"I'd like to have a look at the styles and materials, please," answered Hermione.

"You can follow me," said the shopkeeper, heading into the back of the store.

The trio followed and looked around at the floating robes around them. They seemed like thousands of invisible people hovering like an assembly of ghosts. Hermione quickly picked a gown made of deep blue velvet, Harry picked a green robes that was exactly like the school robes, and Ron picked dark grey robes.

They went back into the main room, passing under the canopy of clothes into the main section of the store.

"Those," said Madam Malkin, motioning toward Hermione, "robes will be 7 galleons and 18 sickles."

Hermione quickly got some money from her bag.

"Your robes will be 6 galleons, 19 sickles, and 9 knuts."

Harry handed some money to the shopkeeper.

"And, those robes are 8 galleons and 2 knuts."

Ron charged the robes to Fred and George's account.

"Thank you, dears, please visit again soon!"

"I think that's all we need," said Hermione. "We should go back to the Leaky Cauldron." Harry, Hermione, and Ron headed back to the small pub at the end of the street.

Before long it was September the 1^st.

"I wonder how the prefects ceremony is?" asked Hermione eagerly. "Percy said he wasn't allowed to tell us. I can't wait! I think we're the only prefects from Gryffindor. Did you know that this is the first time there were three prefects in one house since 1678? This is so exciting!"

"How long did you spend fantasizing about becoming a prefect?" asked Ron incredulously. "I mean it's nice that we're prefects, but that's not the most exciting thing in the world."

"Yeah," agreed Harry," the prefects' washroom is really nice though. When I first saw it, I decided it was worth becoming a prefect, if only to use the washroom. The prefects have horrible security though, I mean, I brought a wailing egg with me, and nobody found me. But...then again, I was invisible and I had a magic map," finished Harry, grinning.

Ron grinned, while Hermione frowned.

"Honestly, you can be quite materialistic sometimes, Harry," said Hermione disapprovingly. "There's more to being a prefect than a nice washroom. I've striven to become a prefect so I could be a role model, and do good deeds."

Harry laughed, "Honestly, Hermione, you are much too goody-goody!"

Hermione glowered at Harry, while Ron started laughing maniacally.

After the laughter had subsided, they lugged their trunks up the ramp, and dumped their stuff into their usual compartment.

"The letter said that we had to go to the prefects' compartment in the front of the train," said Hermione matter-of-factly. "I think it would be a good idea to change into dress robes, I mean, this is supposed to be a formal occasion. This can only happen once in your entire life!"

"So, what if it only happens once in you life?" asked Ron, "So, you can only do nearly everything in life once. Do you mean to say that we should wear dress robes during O.W.Ls?"

Hermione looked as though she was about to retort when she suddenly erupted into frantic shrieks. "The O.W.Ls, I forgot all about them!" she shouted. "I should have started to study months ago. I forgot in the midst of all this prefects stuff!" She bit her lip jumping around anxiously. By the time she was nearly hyperventilating, someone finally said something."

"Herm, it is ok," said Harry soothingly. "Besides, O.W.Ls isn't until the end of the year. Term hasn't even started yet; you still have 271 days to study."

Gradually Hermione's rapid breaths slowed down to a normal rate. "You're right, now is the time for the prefects' ceremony, not O.W.Ls. We better go, or we'll be late."

Harry, Ron, and Hermione quickly changed into their school robes, pinned on their prefect badges, and headed to the front of the train.

"Ah, I see the Gryffindor prefects have finally arrived," commented Albus Dumbledore, stroking his beard.

At this Hermione blushed furiously. "We're sorry Professor; we were just discussing the O.W.Ls."

While Hermione was talking, Harry took the opportunity to look around the compartment. A glass chandelier floated near the ceiling, the shards reflecting everything in the large space. The compartment was decorated like the inside of some five-star hotel awaiting its lavish occupants.

"It is time for the ceremony. Would all the prefects sit at the chairs at the front," said Dumbledore. Our deputy headmistress and the head of Gryffindor house will explain the initiation process."

"Thank you, Albus. Now, you," said McGonagall, motioning towards the prefects, "you are the epitome of the Hogwarts virtues. Your job is to be role models to the younger kids. The heads of houses have picked you out of many other children, to enforce the rules. This is not to be taken lightly, you have the power to take away house points, and that power cannot and will not be misused. If you accept, you will need to attend prefect meeting (held once a week) and you will need to be fair. As we call you up, please tell us your decision. If you agree, you will sign your name on the scroll on the table."

"Susan Bones."

A blonde girl stepped up to the platform and solemnly accepted. She signed her name on a long piece of parchment.

"Terry Boot."

"Justin Fitch-Fletchley."

"Hermione Granger."

Hermione eagerly went up to the platform, "I accept!" She picked up a quill and carefully signed her name on the old parchment.

"Draco Malfoy."

Malfoy went slinking up to the platform, "I accept," drawled Draco. He picked up a quill and signed his name with a flourish. He went back to his face with an annoyingly superior smile on his face.

"Harry Potter."

At his name the prefects that didn't already know him looked curiously at his scar. Harry sighed at the inevitable exposure.

"I accept," said Harry sincerely. He picked up the quill and scanned the parchment. There were hundreds of names on the old parchment. This was probably a list of all the prefects since the beginning of Hogwarts. There were the heads of the houses too. Harry glanced at the names of the four founders staring intently at the signatures of Godric Gryffindor and Salazar Slytherin. He began searching for three other names. He quickly found one of them, Tom Riddle. Harry felt the now familiar surge of hate run through him. Voldemort's signature was rather messy, looking as though it had been written hurriedly. Then he saw the other two, James Potter and Lily Evans. He stared at the dried ink that formed his parents' names. His father's name was scrawled onto the parchment, so much like Harry's own writing. His mother's however was in wavy writing, signed elegantly with many flourishes. He ached with longing to have the impossible. He silently cried. Under the Gryffindor section he scrawled his name. The name he could never escape, he was forever bound to live with being the boy who lived. He headed back to his seat and daydreamed about another reality, oblivious to McGonagall, who continued calling out names.

"Lisa Turpin."

"Ron Weasley."

At his name, Ron jumped up nearly tripping over his feet. Malfoy stifled a snicker. Harry glared at the Slytherin prefect. Ron ran up the stage. "I accept!" He signed his name on the parchment that brought so many emotions to Harry. Ron then ran back to his seat.

"Blaise Zabini."

The Slytherin girl went up to the platform, accepted, and signed her name on the parchment. Then, McGonagall rolled up the parchment with the names.

"Congratulations, you are now all prefects of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry!"

"I will now hand out the passwords. Would everyone please come here?"

The scattered assembly joined into one small group.

"The password for the prefects' meeting room is ankh amon. The prefects' meeting room is on the fourth floor in the History of Magic corridor. The entrance is behind the statue of Uric the Oddball. You must remember this. Prefect meetings are every Tuesday at 8:00. As prefects, this is your duty."

"But as a prefect, you do have access to some special facilities. The prefects' washroom is on the fifth floor. The door to the prefects' washroom is the fourth door on the left. The password is hydrangeas. Prefects also have access to most of the passwords in the school. I will tell you your common room passwords and the password to the Headmaster's office.

"The entrance to Professor Dumbledore's office is behind the Gargoyle on the main floor, the password is aero bar. Now, would the prefects of the house I call up please go to the heads of your respective houses."

"Slytherin."

Harry watched as Draco Malfoy and Blaise Zabini made their way to the platform again as Snape told them their password. Snape's hair still hung in a greasy curtain around his face; his eyes still their cold black. Harry brought Voldemort back, Snape was once again involved. A flash of self-remorse came back down upon Harry.

"Gryffindor."

Ron, Hermione, and himself proceeded to McGonagall.

"The password to Gryffindor Tower is 'White blossoms'. And also, concerning your animagus lessons, would you please come to my office once we arrive at Hogwarts?"

The three people nodded. They headed back to their seats.

"Hufflepuff."

"Ravenclaw."

"We will arrive at Hogwarts in 5 minutes. Your job as prefects will be to guide the first years to their common rooms and dormitories. You also have the power to take away and give house points, do not abuse this power. If you do, you shall have the prefect's badge stripped from you. I'll see you in Transfiguration. If not, I will see you on Tuesday."

"I'll treasure this train ride forever," said Harry.

"So, will I. Becoming a prefect, what a memorable experience," sighed Hermione.

"No, I meant not having our annual visit from Malfoy," clarified Harry.

Hermione frowned, "Honestly, if something not happening was the height of this year's train ride, you have some serious issues."

Harry grinned, "I'm quite sure that that was the height of this train ride. Don't you agree, Ron?"

"Yes, quite."

"Oh, I give up, you two are impossible," said Hermione, pouting.

Harry and Ron grinned.

"We do have a meeting with McGonagall about our animagus lessons," reminded Ron.

Hermione cheered up visibly at this prospect. "Oh, I nearly forgot! I seem to be forgetting everything today. What animals do you think you'll be???" asked Hermione eagerly. Before letting the two boys answer she started again, "I'd love to be an animal that can fly! I did some reading on animagus transformations. You don't get to choose what animal you are, you say an incantation during your first transformation and you focus on changing. Soon, you should be able to do it at will. This will be so exciting!!!!!!"

"No need to get that excited," said Ron. That was seriously an understatement, Hermione was jumping around wildly looking as though she was ready to transform right then and there.

The scarlet steam train gracefully stopped at Hogsmeade Station. Hermione, Ron, and Harry, descended into the throng, their suitcases hovering silently behind them.

"All righ' now you three?" shouted Hagrid, his usual greeting meeting them over the sea of people.

The trio nodded towards the half-giant. They stepped into one of the horseless carriages; soon the carriages started their journey to Hogwarts.

The carriage soon passed the iron gates of the castle. The three prefects stepped once more onto the cold flagstone floor of the entrance hall. Harry breathed in the familiar tingle of magic; three quiet words passed his lips, "Home at last."

Harry gazed at the ceiling of the Great Hall through a veil of floating candles. The sky outside was a fathomless black, the stars like small prickles of light illuminating the darkness. The stars made Harry feel very insignificant. He was only one of the lights shining, trying to radiate through the impenetrable black, trying to fill the continuous void, just one star straining to light the entire night.