The Aftermath

Title: The Aftermath

CHAPTER 10: Just Went Naked

Harry reached the landing at the bottom of the stairs where Ron, Hermione, Ginny and Mrs. Weasley were waiting. Tonks had just come inside the house with Shacklebolt.

"Hello Harry," Kingsley greeted him.

"Hello. So you'll be accompanying us to King's Cross Station? Where are the other?" Harry asked.

"Yes, we're assigned to bring you to King's Cross Station but the others were sent out for other important business. We should better be going now. In fact, the ministry cars are waiting outside, but mind you, they are in their invisible mode," Tonks explained.

Harry couldn't believe that Remus actually missed out on sending him off to school. The memory of Sirius being with him at the train stationed lingered in his thoughts.

"Dad, actually convinced the ministry that putting cars in invisibility mode will avoid muggles from detecting them," Ron said.

"Come along now. We have to get going, or you'll miss your train," Mrs. Weasley said.

Tonks and Kingsley Shacklebolt got their trunks and floated them out but pretended to drag them once they were out in the open. The neighborhood was still awfully quiet. They had a dose of morning sunshine before they got inside the magical, ministry cars.

The trip went smoothly. The trio and Ginny went on talking about the things they would be doing back in school. Mrs. Weasley wouldn't stop telling them to be careful and to keep away from trouble then she would give Harry and Hermione very warm smiles and Ron and Ginny warning looks.

They reached King's Cross safely. Tonks and Shacklebolt got their trunks on their trolleys.

"We're finally going back to Hogwarts," Hermione said to Harry.

"Yes, I'm actually looking forward to it," Harry replied, then he saw some familiar figures from up far. "Is that your parents with Remus, Hermione?" he asked.

"And aren't those your relatives with Moody?" Hermione asked him back.

"What are they doing here anyway?" Harry asked no one in particular.

"Maybe they just want to send the both of you off," Ron said, as he joined them. "Your cousin seemed a bit irked with Moody though," he added.

Hermione ran up to meet her parents but Harry waited for his aunt, cousin and uncle to reach where he was.

"We're here to send you off," his uncle Vernon grunted as they reached him.

"Err... Thanks, I guess," Harry, said.

"Be careful now," His aunt Petunia said, and she seemed to have a genuine worried look on her face. She placed something inside Harry's pocket.

Harry managed to give her a weak smile. Dudley, on the other hand hid himself behind his boulder of a father.

"Bye Dudley," Harry said. "I can't believe you came all the way here just to say goodbye to me," he added.

Ron couldn't help himself from laughing.

"Now Potter, you better head off to your platform or you'll miss the train," Moody said as he eyed Harry. "I'll be securing your family until they get home."

"Come on Harry," Ron said as he went off with his trolley and followed his mum and his sister. Harry waited for Hermione to finish her goodbyes with her parents.

"Let's go now," Hermione said a bit teary eyed as she went up to meet up with Harry.

"Are you alright?" he asked as they walked up to Tonks and Kingsley who were waiting for them by the platform entrance.

"I'm fine. I just miss my parents a lot. We should get going or the train might leave us. Remus will be escorting my parents home," Hermione explained.

"Moody is doing the same for my relatives. I wonder if any of them are in danger," Harry said. He never really liked the Dursleys, but he would never wish Voldemort to get to them.

"The Order is watching over them. Don't worry Harry," Hermione assured him, as they walked together towards the platform.

Upon reaching the platform Harry saw a number of ministry enforcers guarding the trains surrounding, at least they seemed to be working for the ministry. Arthur Weasley made his way to meet both of them.

"Hello Harry. It's so good to see you, and to you too Hermione, how are your parents doing, by the way?" Mr. Weasley started.

"They're okay," Hermione answered with a smile.

Tonks and Kingsley took their trunks and placed them in a compartment.

"Why are there so many wizards in uniforms here?" Harry asked Mr. Weasley, looking at the number of wizards in black robes with black hard hats and a silver badge almost like what Ron and Hermione's prefect badges.

"The ministry is just making sure that everyone travels safely," Mr. Weasley answered. "Now, you two better go, and head for your compartment," he added, as he motioned them to get on board the train.

Mrs. Weasley was still saying a few words to Ginny when she spotted Harry and Hermione. "Come now you two. You have to get going. Hermione dear, will you please help Ginny find her way to the Prefects compartment?" Mrs. Weasley asked.

"No problem. Let's go Ginny," she motioned her to follow. "Oh Harry, we'll see you in a little while," Hermione said, before she and Ginny headed off to the Prefects compartment.

"Okay," Harry called back to her, and she returned a nice warm smile that almost made Harry sigh, but he knew better since Mrs. Weasley was around.

"Off you go now Harry. Promise me you'll be careful, and stay away from trouble," Mrs. Weasley said, as she gave Harry a motherly hugged.

"Bye Mrs. Weasley," Harry said, as he boarded the train and waved goodbye to her.

He went around looking for an empty compartment, but the train was already filled with people. He passed by one compartment with two people inside. He peeked in and saw Neville and Luna inside.

"Harry!" Neville said happily. "It's so nice to see you," he added.

Luna just looked up at him, stared for a while and went back to reading a new copy of the Quibbler.

"It's nice to see the two of you also. How's the nose by the way?" Harry asked Neville, as he sat beside him.

"My nose is no longer broken, and I can talk straight again," Neville said.

"I'm glad to hear that. Where is your plant?" Harry asked.

"My Mimbulus mimbletonia? I left it at home. It has grown pretty big, but my grandmother will take care of it for me, while I'm away," Neville replied.

"Are we continuing our DA meetings?" Luna suddenly asked as she gave Harry and inquisitive look.

"Well, I don't know. It depends if we get another teacher like Umbridge. If that happens, I think we should," Harry explained.

"I think we should still have the DA anyway. I mean, I did learn a lot from you Harry," Neville said.

"Dad also said it will be good for us to learn real defense against the dark arts because there are probably death eaters all around us," Luna added.

"We'll need Dumbledore's approval of course. We can't start our meetings if we don't have any immediate need for it," Harry reasoned. Harry quietly looked outside the beautiful country landscape.

After a few minutes, Hermione, Ginny, and Ron came inside the compartment. Hermione sat between Harry and Neville and Ginny took the seat on Luna's left. Ron had no choice but to sit beside Luna as well.

Ginny and Luna exchanged pleasantries, as Ron gave only a weak smile. Neville managed a meek hello to Ginny.

"Oh wait, I have to see Dean," Ginny said, as she went out of the compartment.

"I still can't believe she's dating Dean," Ron commented.

"Well, Dean Thomas is quite a nice lad. I think Ginny made a good choice of dumping Michael Corner for him. Now he's all over miss Chang," Luna said.

Ron and Hermione gave Harry a sympathetic look.

"Not affected at all," Harry commented.

"What are your plans this year, Ronald," Luna asked.

"Well, the usual I guess. Harry and I will get into a few mischief or two, since Fred and George are no longer here," Ron answered.

Hermione shot him her infamous death glare.

"I think we'll try and be good students this year," Harry said. This caught everyone's attention except Neville. Hermione had a gleaming proud look for Harry on her face. Ron had a confused look. Luna just stared at him and Neville was looking out the door, craning his neck for a glimpse of the corridor.

"I think that's really nice Harry. You'll try to stay away from trouble this time," Hermione exclaimed.

"Well, maybe you're right," Ron agreed. "But I think it would be a little boring without the night fun," he added.

"I doubt it if you can do that Potter. You can never keep your hands off trouble, not even if the mudblood stops you," Draco sniggered, as he and his minions of morons went and peeked in their compartment.

"Oh, Draco just the person I wanted to see," Harry said, as a grin formed on his face. It took him a lot of effort to compose himself, as he wanted to strangle the blonde, Slytherin boy right where he stood.

The people in the compartment as well as Malfoy had confused looks on their faces.

"You wanted to see me Potter?" Draco asked in dismay.

Harry took his hands out from his pockets, as he stood up and moved towards Draco.

Draco moved backward as his two bodyguards covered him.

"Now, Crabbe, Goyle, I wouldn't hurt poor Dracie since his dad is locked up in Azkaban," Harry started, as he placed a hand over Draco's shoulder. "I just wanted to ask him how he's doing," he added.

Draco took Harry's hand off his shoulder. "Well, it's none of your business Potter, but I can tell you this. My dad will be out of Azkaban sooner than you think," Draco said as he walked out of the compartment with his two goons following behind him.

"Good bye Ferret boy," Harry said, as he went back inside the compartment.

"That's your way of keeping out of trouble?" Hermione asked in disbelief.

"He didn't do anything. He even let Draco call you names," Ron remarked.

"I didn't mind it at all. I got used to those things anyway, and Harry doesn't need to defend me," Hermione retorted.

"You shouldn't get used to the name calling. Draco has no right to do that," Ron argued.

Harry was quietly wiping the invisible fluid off his hand without anyone noticing him. Soon enough it will take effect. "I think he has no right to call Hermione names, and he will get what he deserves, so don't worry Ron," Harry said.

Hermione cast him a questioning look, but Harry just smiled.

"Don't worry, I didn't do anything to him. You saw me. I didn't do anything to him," Harry reasoned.

Ginny came inside the compartment with a wide grin on her face. "So what have I missed?" she asked.

"Nothing much, just Draco paying us a small visit," Neville said as he shyly cast his eyes on his hands.

"Too bad I missed him. I could have used my flying Bat Bogey hex on him again."

Harry, Ron, and Hermione talked about their classes. Ginny and Neville engaged themselves in a game of exploding snaps. Luna, on the other hand, dreamily stared at Ron.

Ernie Macmillan came to their compartment to tell them to get ready. Harry and Neville went to another compartment to change. Luna used their compartment to change.

Harry was left again with Neville and Luna, because the other three had to attend to prefect duties.

It was Harry and Neville's turn to play exploding snaps. Luna was joining in once in a while, when someone from the front compartment started screaming in horror, while they heard others laughing.

Harry and Neville peeked outside to see what the racket was all about. Colin Creevey came running from the prefect's compartment with his camera.

"What happened?" Harry asked as he pulled Colin to a stop.

"Draco Malfoy naked. His robes started vanishing while we, we we're having a meeting," Colin exclaimed. "I even got pictures. Everyone's asking for one. I'll give you one for souvenir once I get it developed." Colin went off probably to find his younger brother Denise.

Harry laughed. 'So that's what the vanishing cream is about,' he thought.

"What do you reckon happened to Draco," Neville asked.

"I don't know but like I said. He'll get what he deserves eventually," Harry commented.

"I wonder what Draco Malfoy looked like naked?" Luna thought out loud.

"It's probably disgusting," Harry said and Neville laughed along with him.

The train came to a halt. They had already reached Hogsmeade.

They got out of the compartment and started looking for a carriage. Harry saw the Threstals once again.

Harry, Neville, and Luna all had the ability to see the Threstal because they had already seen death. Neville and Luna we're already inside the carriage but Harry stayed outside to wait for Ron and Hermione.

Harry saw Draco being ushered to a carriage by Pansy, Crabbe, and Goyle. He was wearing some over grown robe. Harry couldn't help but let a few laughs escape from him.

"Poor Malfoy, went butt naked right in front of us," Ginny said as she, Ron and Hermione walked towards Harry.

"He deserved it. He was actually white as a baby," Ron commented, and couldn't help but snigger.

"I wonder who could have done it though, and how?" Hermione said.

"I heard what happened. Draco went naked. Now Ron, you didn't do anything to him by any chance?" Harry asked.

Hermione shot a suspicious look on Ron.

"I didn't do it, and besides, I don't know how to," Ron said defensively.

"Yes, I know you didn't do it, Ron. Maybe someone wished him naked, and it came true," Harry said.

"I doubt that," Hermione said.

"It could be possible," Ron countered.

"I think so too," Luna butted in, as she peeked out of the carriage's window. "You four better get in so we can get to the castle," she said, as Neville opened the door.

Ron, Hermione and Harry went in. Ginny stayed behind.

"I'll go and join a carriage ride with Dean," she said as she waved goodbye to them.

Neville closed the door with a disappointed look on his face.

The trip went smoothly. Everyone was very quiet probably because of the long trip.

They reached the Hogwarts castle and went straight to the Great Hall.

Luna separated from them and went to join her housemates. Harry, Hermione, Ron and Neville went to the Gryffindor table to join the rest of their housemates as well.