Harry Potter and the Siren's Song

On the morning of September 1^st, Harry woke to find the house elves busily cleaning Gryffindor tower. He realized that he had never actually seen a house elf working before, except in the kitchens. They were truly amazing; scrubbing, buffing, dusting - all in the blink of an eye. When they heard him enter they all bowed then vanished. He shook his head, thankful beyond words that Hermione hadn't witnessed that.

Walking into the Great Hall, Harry was startled to see that the long House tables were back in place, as was the staff table that ran across the front of the Hall. He also saw that Snape was sitting back at the head table with the rest of the teachers. He wondered how Snape's summer had gone - had he managed to reinstate himself with the Death Eaters? He sat at the Gryffindor table, picked at his toast and waited for breakfast to end. When Snape got up and left the room, Harry only hesitated a moment before following him.

He waited until Snape reached his office, then knocked. "Enter!" came the brusque voice. Seeing Harry, the Potions master looked less then pleased. "What is it, Potter?" he snapped.

"I came to see if there was anything I could do to help you get ready before the rest of the students arrived, sir," Harry said, meeting Snape's gaze. "I know you just returned and with everything that happened this summer I thought you might need an extra set of hands-"

Snape eyed him. "Very well said, Potter - even touchingly sincere." His voice had lost none of its sneer. "I assure you that I am more then prepared for the start of term. I thank you for the offer - good day." He bent his head down, and went back to what he had been reading. Harry didn't move. Snape's head shot back up. "Yes?" he said, impatiently.

"I just wanted to say - I hope your summer went well, sir." Not backing down an inch, Harry took a step towards the Potions master. "And to tell you I am looking forward to your class this year - I plan to do well on your O.W.L. exam…in fact -" Harry handed Snape a bit of parchment, showing a complicated potion. "I found this in my studies. A potion version of the Impenetrable spell. I was hoping to replicate it, after hours of course. Professor Moody and I are working on the actual spell version, and I thought this might ensure the charm's ability to deflect dangerous spells. My only question was this." Silently, Harry pointed to the highlighted fourth step. "Using a compound of belladonna, sandalwood oil and the winterberry skin - wouldn't the qualities of the belladonna and the sandalwood cancel one another out? This is the base of the formula, which will also serve to strengthen the affects of the other ingredients - shouldn't the belladonna be replaced with scorpion venom?" He held his breath.

Snape peered at the potion in Harry's hands, then at Harry. He snatched at the paper, and sat down, reading. After a long moment, he looked up at Harry. No smile, of course, but there was slightly less hostility in that gaze. "It would indeed. You have been studying, Potter - it would seem you picked up quite a lot this summer." He scribbled out a note and handed it to Harry. "Very well, Potter - you have my permission to try and replicate this - after hours. I will have to loan you the scorpion venom from my private stores. It's not exactly the kind of thing we keep in the student stores. I would suggest that you read up on the use of rare venoms before hand - it can go wrong if you're not careful. Madam Pince will loan you the book you need, just give her that permission slip." He stood, indicating that their conversation was over. "And Potter - don't make me regret this."

Harry nodded, and left. Outside the classroom he wanted to dance. He had actually made a dent in Snape's attitude! Perhaps this year, Potions wouldn't be the agony it usually was.

Late that afternoon, the Hogwarts' Express arrived. Harry sat waiting eagerly in the Great Hall, keeping a sharp eye out for Ron and Hermione. He saw a flash of red hair, and got to his feet.

He spied Ginny Weasley first, and felt his face go slightly red. Ginny had grown up quite a bit over the summer. Her red hair had deep copper highlights, which accented her coffee-colored eyes. She'd gotten taller too, and had developed a graceful walk that was as eye-catching as her hair. Get a grip! Harry scolded himself. That's Ron sister you're ogling!

Even as he shook his head to clear the Ginny-induced fog, she was at his side, giving him a tight hug. "You never wrote to Mum," she said, a touch of reproach in her voice. "She's been worried sick about you."

"Oh, right. I'll do it after the feast." He was a tad breathless - that hug had revealed more then the mere fact that Ginny had gotten taller. She'd definitely acquired a woman's curves over the summer. And as he returned the hug, he could smell the vanilla scent of her shampoo. Flustered by his reaction, he let her go quickly.

"Harry!" He turned, and felt his jaw drop. Ginny wasn't the only one who'd grown up that summer!

Hermione's hair, always a long, flyaway bushy mess, now hung in soft ringlets that framed her face, stopping at her shoulders. She was very tan, which emphasized her brown eyes and pink lips. While she hadn't grown an inch in height, she'd definitely grown a few inches elsewhere. To put it into simple words, his awkward friend Hermione had turned into a beautiful young woman.

Harry managed to stammer out a greeting that hid his amazement at how different Hermione looked. "Where's Ron?" he asked, after giving Hermione a quick hug.

"Pig managed to fly into a door on the train just as Fred was shutting it," Hermione said matter-of-factly. "He took him up to the Owlery."

"Is Pig ok?" Harry asked, trying not to roll his eyes. Ron's owl would never win any awards for intelligence.

"Stunned, mostly. I'm more afraid for Fred, actually. Ron's not likely to forgive that quickly." Hermione handed him a shiny silver badge. "Here - Angelina was handing these out on the train - your prefect badge," she whispered in his ear as they sat down, "You did tell Ron, right?"

"Yeah," Harry answered her, trying not to think about the whiff of strawberries he'd caught on her skin when she'd been that close. "He was OK with it."

At least, Harry hoped Ron was OK with his and Hermione being named prefects. He'd congratulated Harry in a letter, and never mentioned it again. "What'd he say to you about it?"

"All he said was that the day I gave him detention was the day he taught Crookshanks to pee in my bed." Hermione laughed. "He seemed fine - don't worry about it."

Just then, Ron entered the Great Hall looking harassed. Seeing Harry and Hermione, he hurried to join them at the long table. "Pig should be OK - he's having difficulty flying a straight line. Trouble is - I can't tell if it's from hitting the door or the fact that the smell of food was making him dizzy." Ron grinned at Harry. "Nice badge."

"Thanks." Ron, Harry noticed, had gotten even taller. He must be well over six feet 4 by now, Harry thought.

"I want to hear about everything - how was it staying at Hogwarts? Did Snape make your life really miserable?" Ron's questions were cut off by the arrival of the first years.

Sprout had been right, Harry thought. This class was huge! Even Ron looked stunned at the size of it. "What'd they do - tell every couple in Hogsmeade to have kids?" he asked incredulously. When the third set of twins passed them, Hermione frowned. "That's almost a mathematical impossibility," she whispered to Harry.

"Sprout told me there was a sort of baby-boom after Voldemort fell," Harry whispered back. "There's 62 first years this year - that'll be fun to manage."

The sorting ceremony began, with the Hat singing its usual impressive lyrics. Then Professor McGonagall spoke. "When I call out your name, you will come forward, put on the Hat, and sit on the stool. Once the Hat announces your House, you will go and sit at the appropriate table."

"Ackerley, Lorelei!"

"Ravenclaw!"

Lorelei Ackerley went and joined her brother Stewart, looking visibly relieved.

"Ashburn, Matthew!"

"Hufflepuff!"

The sorting went on for quite a while. The first set of twins, Nicholas and Nora Beeman were both sorted into Slytherin. ("Funny - they don't look like the hounds of hell, do they?" Ron muttered.) The second set of twins, Amanda and Erica Madley, were placed into Hufflepuff with their older sister Laura. It was the last set that caught Harry's attention the most, however.

"Meghan O'Toole!" A small girl with very dark hair went calmly up to the stool, and placed it on her head. Harry stared. He'd never seen a first year so composed during the sorting ceremony. Normally they looked scared stiff.

"Gryffindor!"

Harry clapped hard, along with the rest of his House, as Meghan O'Toole took off the hat, smiled at Professor McGonagall, and walked composedly to her seat at the Gryffindor table. He noticed a few of the teachers watching Meghan intently, Professor McGonagall most of all.

"Michael O'Toole!"

"Gryffindor!"

Michael was almost as composed as his sister as he slid off the stool and set the Hat back down. Oddly enough, he gave the hat a small bow before proceeding to the table. Some students laughed, but the O'Toole twins seemed completely nonplused.They must be two of Cathleen O'Toole's children, Harry thought.

When the sorting was completed - it took almost 30 minutes; Harry knew because of Ron's bitter complaints in his ear - There were 16 new Gryffindors - 10 boys and six girls. Harry looked at Hermione. "We don't have enough rooms for them," he whispered.

"Of course we do," Hermione whispered back. "They'll all fit - you'll see."

Harry, who had never seen more then six students to a dorm room, found this very hard to believe.

Dumbledore stood, and silence filled the hall. "The start of another year. Before we begin on this excellent meal," ("Oh, hurry up!" Ron groaned. "I haven't eaten in hours!") "I have a few announcements to make."

"First, I would like to introduce our Defense against the Dark Arts teacher, Professor Moody. Some of you may recognize the name from last year. Unlike last year, however, Alastor Moody will be the teacher for all Defense against the Dark Arts classes." A loud applause followed this announcement, as everyone except the first years knew how Moody had spent the last term; locked in his own magical trunk by Barty Crouch.

"Secondly, I would like to introduce a new member of our staff, Professor Helena Velange. Professor Velange will be sharing the responsibility for teaching History of Magic with Professor Binns. Students above fourth year will be participating in a new class this year with Professor Velange, Current Events in the History and Sociology of Magic." Harry caught sight of the older boys clapping especially hard at this announcement. Fred and George were catcalling. Harry had to admit that Velange looked very pretty in red robes that almost matched her hair.

"Lastly, in light of the events of last term, I want to re-stress to you all that certain areas of the castle are forbidden for your own safety. This includes both the third floor, as well as the Forbidden Forest. Also, to all students below third year, the village of Hogsmeade is strictly off-limits."

"And now - I suggest that you relax and enjoy this excellent feast."

After Harry and Ron had practically gouged themselves on food, Ron deciding on third helpings of almost everything, they realized Hermione had stopped eating and was keeping a close eye on the Head table. No, Harry realized, that wasn't right, she was keeping a close eye on Snape. "Did he say anything at all about what happened this summer?" Hermione asked, not taking her eyes off the Head Table.

"No. But then, he did just get back." Harry couldn’t help but notice that Snape and Velange appeared to be having a very intense discussion. Snape looked almost - happy?

"What do you mean, he just got back?" Ron demanded. "Where was he?"

"Dunno," Harry answered. "He just got back this morning though. I went and offered to help him get ready and he told me he was fine-"

Ron stared at him. "Who are you?" he asked at last. "I mean, you look and sound like Harry, or you did right up to that bit about helping Snape…"

"It's true." Harry shrugged. "What's more, I told him I was looking forward to doing well on my O.W.L.'s….got his permission to work after-hours on the Impenetrable potion."

Hermione and Ginny looked impressed. Ron looked horrified. "That prefect badge has made you mental!" he said. "You, volunteering for extra work from Snape? What's next - coming up with new ways to off yourself for Trelawney?"

Hermione gave Ron a scathing look, and put her arm around Harry. "I think it's wonderful. You have the mind for Potions, you know. It works well with Defense against the Dark Arts. And think how many points we won't lose this year!"

Ron merely rolled his eyes. Harry couldn't help but notice how his eyes lingered on Hermione's arm, still wrapped tightly around Harry. Nor did he miss the look in Ginny's eyes. Fortunately, dessert showed up at that very moment, preventing the conversation from going any further as everyone enjoyed the delicious cakes, pies and puddings.

As the hall began to empty, Harry and Hermione headed with the rest of the new prefects to the Head table. Angelina and Roger were waiting for them. "The older prefects are taking the students to their dorms. This way we can cover the basics for our new prefects and answer any questions."

Harry looked around. In addition to himself and Hermione, there was Draco Malfoy and Millicent Bulstrode, the Slytherin prefects; Justin Finch-Fletchley and Susan Bones, the Hufflepuff prefects; and Terry Boot and Padma Patil, the Ravenclaw prefects.

Roger Davies looked in his element. Not only did he give a full thirty-minute lecture on the responsibilities and sacred duties of being a prefect, he droned on and on about trick steps, moving stairs, and unreliable picture occupants that they needed to educate the first-years on. Angelina cut him off as he began a lecture on how exactly to deal with Peeves, the poltergeist. "And now," Angelina said, giving Roger a stern look. "Does anyone have any questions?" No one did - they were too busy trying to look awake. "Wonderful. Bed," Angelina said firmly. As Harry and Hermione walked out, he could see Roger and Angelina having a very intense conversation.

"I can't believe it - someone on a bigger power trip then Percy," Hermione muttered as they headed up the stairs. The sound of someone calling their names made them both turn, accidentally brushing hands. Harry pulled his hand back like he'd just been burned.

"Hey, Granger." It was Malfoy. "Saw your pictures with Krum. How did you talk Weasley down from the ledge?"

"Whatever you're on about, Malfoy, can it please wait until morning?" Hermione said irritably. "I'd prefer to have my witty banter with you after I've gotten some sleep."

"Suits me." His eyes were already making their way down her body. "Your bed or mine?"

Hermione started to sputter angrily, but Harry beat her to the punch. "In your best fantasies, Malfoy. The day Hermione Granger graces you with more then an insult," Harry said coldly.

"Oh - I see. One more volunteer for the Mudblood-lover Brigade. Tell me, Potter, do you and Weasley take turns dreaming about Granger?"

Hermione's hand went up and for a second Harry though wildly that she might slap Malfoy again. Malfoy reached for it lazily, bringing it to his mouth where he dropped a lazy kiss on her palm. "Name the time, Granger." With that, he strode off without a backward glance.

Hermione stood frozen then stalked up the stairs towards Gryffindor tower so quickly Harry had to almost run to catch up. It was amazing, he thought, how fast her legs would carry her when she was angry. Steam was practically pouring from Hermione's ears, and it was all Harry could do to keep up with her.

Neither said a word as they approached the portrait hole that guarded the Gryffindor common room. "Patchouli," Hermione said, in an odd, strangled sort of voice.

The picture of the Fat Lady swung open, and together they entered the common room to find both Ron and Ginny waiting. One look at Hermione's red face had Ron out of his chair. "What's up?"

"Malfoy," Harry said. Funny how that one name could answer so many questions.

"That foul, evil, prick!" Hermione raged, before launching into a diatribe of words that Harry never even suspected she knew, let alone used.

"Hermione!" squealed Ginny. She looked as though she was torn between shock and admiration. "What on earth?"

"Three years of calling me Mudblood, and he thinks I'll just fall into his arms for a good snog because his Highness deigned to notice that I'm a girl! No doubt I was supposed to fall to my knees and kiss his feet, the way Pansy and the rest of those simpering Slytherin twits do." Her face was slowly fading back to its normal color, though there were still spots of bright red in her cheeks. If anything it made Hermione look even prettier.

Ron went to her side then, and wrapped a comforting arm around her shoulders. "He's not worth you getting this steamed over. Besides, you hate that sort of language." He grinned. "Let me do the name calling for you, 'Mione, it's really not your cup of tea."

She burrowed her head against his chest, as if seeking some sort of peace that only Ron could give. Ron froze, his eyes on Harry, then awkwardly kissed the top of Hermione's head while she clung to him.

The last time Harry had seen them like this had been in their third year, after Ron had forgiven Hermione's cat for appearing to eat his pet rat Scabbers. Back then, Ron had not known how to act, and had seemed most thoroughly relieved when Hermione had let him go. Now, however, he seemed uninterested in releasing her any time soon and Hermione…Harry looked away.

Ginny cleared her throat. "I'm off to bed…" She paused on the stairwell, giving Harry a significant stare. "Coming, Harry?"

"What? Oh, right." Harry was surprised at his reluctance to leave the room, but the look in Ginny's eyes warned him not to argue. "Night, you two." They didn’t answer, and Harry followed after Ginny, frowning.

"Did anything happen between them this summer that I ought to know about?" he asked, the second they were out of earshot.

"That's their business. Ask Ron if you want to know." Ginny said easily. As they reached the top of the stairs that split off towards the girls' and boys' respective dormitories, Ginny placed a light hand on Harry's arm. "We really missed you this summer, Harry." She swallowed, then added, "I really missed you this summer."

Harry stared at her. Before he could answer, Ginny had stood on her toes and pressed a light kiss against his mouth. Then she was gone, and Harry was left staring after her, still feeling the warmth of her lips against his own.