Harry Potter and the Enchanted Scroll

Chapter 8- Welcome Back

The last two weeks of the summer had passed by in whirl for Harry. The teachers had all arrived shortly after Dumbledore had gone. They were all busy with preparations for the coming school year. Harry had spent a lot of time trying to stay out of everybody's way. The caretaker, Argus Filch, was overseeing the cleaning of the castle. The house elves could be seen scrubbing and dusting every nook and cranny of the castle.

He spent his time helping out when he could or finishing up his homework before the term started. It was quite useful to have the teachers who had assigned the work around to answers any questions you might have. Most of the professors were very eager to help him. All except Professor Snape.

Harry had a particular nasty encounter with the Potions master 2 days after Dumbledore had left. Harry had accidentally bumped into Snape rounding a corner and caused Snape to drop his books. He was quite angry and let Harry know. Snape had disliked Harry ever since he had arrived at Hogwarts and he seemed to reach higher levels of hate every year. It didn't help that Snape also hated Sirius and that Harry had helped Sirius escape in his third year, in the process depriving Snape at a chance at the Order of Merlin.

Yet somehow, Snape didn't seem as scary or as intimidating as he once did. Perhaps it was the fact that Harry knew that he and Snape had a common enemy in the form of Lord Voldemort or perhaps it was the fact that Harry had grown 2 inches over the summer. Snape was still nasty, but Harry no longer found him very scary.

He had also gone with Professor Sprout and Professor Flitwick to Diagon Alley. They needed to make purchases for their classes before the term started and Harry needed to get his things for school. He purchased new robes, his new schoolbooks and replenished his Potions supplies. They had gone to the Leaky Cauldron afterwards for a drink and he had run into Seamus Finnigan, who was also in Gryffindor.

Harry was also looking forward to seeing Hagrid, the gamekeeper at Hogwarts, butt he had not yet returned to Hogwarts. Harry suspected he was still completing the task Professor Dumbledore had asked him to do at the end of last year.

Today was September 1st, the day when all the students would arrive at Hogwarts on board the Hogwarts Express. Harry was looking forward to seeing his two best friends, Ron Weasley and Hermione Granger. He had not seen them all summer, although he had been in constant contact with them over the summer, especially the last month. Hedwig had never been busier. He told them all about the attack by Wormtail and his early return to Hogwarts. Hermione had been really worried about him, judging by the tone of her letters and suggested he look up some more curses to protect himself. Ron hadn't mentioned his attack in any of his letters. He kept talking about other stuff, like Quidditch. Harry had noticed over the years that Ron was very uneasy in discussing anything related to Lord Voldemort. He often got angry at Harry for saying his name, because the rest of the wizarding world referred to him as You-Know-Who.

Harry spent most of the day out on the Quidditch pitch, practicing for the upcoming season. Dumbledore had given Harry permission to practice so long as Madame Hooch was supervising him. He returned to Gryffindor tower at around 5 to prepare for the Welcome Back Feast that would be taking place at 7. The students were due to arrive around 6. He hurried to the Entrance Hall to greet his friends. He was looking for them among the sea of black-robed students when he heard someone call out his name, "HARRY!"

He turned to see Hermione and Ron rushing towards them. He grinned at them. "Ron.... Hermione!" He shook Ron's hand and Hermione gave him a big hug.

"How are you?" Hermione asked, as she released him.

"I'm good. How are you guys? How was the train ride?" asked Harry.

Ron and Hermione looked at each other and Harry could have sworn he saw a blush on Hermione's face. "Umm... it was good," replied Hermione.

"Yeah.... Oh guess what?" said Ron, quickly.

"What?"

"Malfoy hasn't grown at all this summer," replied Ron.

"Huh?" said Harry, confused.

"Well I grew three inches over the summer and Hermione grew a couple and it looks like you did too," said Ron, looking Harry up and down. Now that he thought about it, Hermione and Ron did look taller. "Well Malfoy came into our compartment looking for you and we stood up and he actually was looking up at us. Turns out he hasn't grown an inch in the last two years. He just gulped and ran out of the compartment."

"You're kidding me," said Harry. "Malfoy was actually scared of you guys."

"Well I think us cursing him last year might have helped," replied Hermione as they started to enter the Great Hall to take their seats.

The ceiling above them twinkled with hundreds of stars. It was bewitched to look the sky outside. They took their seats at the Gryffindor table and waited for the feast to begin.

"Oh guess what?" said Ron again.

"What?"

"Fred and George are starting their joke shop. They got a lot of money last year and they have been inventing all summer. Mom was furious at first and suspicious of where they got all their money, but then she finally realized this is what they wanted," said Ron.

"Really? Good for them," said Harry. He frowned as he looked around for them. "Where are they? Are they back this year?"

"Of course. Mom said they could only open their shop if they finished their last year," replied Ron. "I think they were going to ask Professor McGonagall if they could do a demonstration or something."

"Well that's good. We all could use a good laugh, especially after last year's Leaving Feast," said Harry. The Leaving Feast was usually a time of celebration and the House Cup was awarded then. But last year, it had been a solemn occasion out of respect for Cedric Diggory, who was murdered by Lord Voldemort.

"Well, I can't wait till our classes begin. We should start studying right way. We have our O.W.L's this year," said Hermione.

"Hermione.... we haven't even been here for an hour and you're already talking about studying," groaned Ron. "Give it a rest."

Hermione turned pink and looked down. "Oh all right."

Harry looked towards the staff table where all the teachers were sitting. Dumbledore, as usual, seemed to be deep in thought as he looked up at the bewitched ceiling. A door at the side of the Great Hall was opened and the new first year students filed in after Professor McGonagall.

Harry saw Hagrid enter in last and take his seat at the staff table. Harry waved to him and Hagrid gave him a wink and a smile. The first years were nervously lined up at the front of the hall, waiting to be sorted. All new students at Hogwarts were sorted into the four houses by the Sorting Hat.

Harry watched as one by one the new students were sorted. Ron was anxious for the Sorting to be over so he could eat. "Ruddy, hurry up. I'm starving," he muttered.

"Ron, just wait. You'll be able to eat soon enough," said Hermione.

After Sorting, Dumbledore stood up. "Bon Appetit," he said simply. Magically all four tables were now covered with dishes of food. Everyone helped themselves to the delicious feast. After the last crumb was eaten and the plates disappeared from the tables, Dumbledore stood once more to address the school.

"Another year begins," he said simply. "At the end of last year, our greatest fear was realized. This year, we must put aside old differences and work together to defeat this threat. It was defeated once, it can and will be defeated once more." He looked over at Harry. "This will not be an easy time for all of us. Yet, do not worry. You are all safe among these walls. The only way to defeat this new threat is not to allow fear to run our lives. We shall continue on as we have for the last 14 years and we shall not cower in fear. For if we do, then he will win." Everyone knew which 'he' Dumbledore was referring to. "Therefore, I implore you to continue with your lives and concentrate on your studies. Do not concern yourselves with matters outside the castle. Leave them to trained wizards and witches who have dealt with these matters before." He paused for a moment before continuing. "Now, for to lighten up the mood, I do believe that Mr. Fred and Mr. George Weasley have prepared a sort of comedic presentation for us," said Dumbledore with a smile. He gestured towards a side door, which opened. Fred and George waltzed in with great big smiles on their faces. Dumbledore took a seat to enjoy the show.

They stopped in front of the staff table and bowed to the students and to the teachers. "Good evening, fellow students. We are here to dazzle and to amaze you.... " said George.

"To entertain you and to make you laugh," continued Fred. "Presenting...."

"WEASLEYS' WIZARD WHEEZES!" they bellowed together. Several blue and silver sparks shot out of their wands. Everyone in the hall applauded. "We provide the wizarding community with a variety of gadgets and gizmos designed to make any wizard or witch, the life of the party," they said in unison.

"We've got fake wands..." said George, handing a wand to Dumbledore, which immediately turned into a giant lobster. Dumbledore chuckled.

"... and Canary Creams..." said Fred, presenting one to a Ravenclaw first year who turned to into a canary then abruptly molted.

".... and Dungbombs galore..." they said in unison as they dropped a couple of them around Professor Snape's chair. This caused the entire hall to burst out with laughter. Dumbledore could even be seen wiping away tears from his eyes.

"So if you want a chuckle..." said George.

"... Or to play a prank...." said Fred.

"Just turn to WEASLEYS' WIZARD WHEEZES!!!" they said, producing the blue and silver sparks once more.

Everyone in the hall applauded their demonstration and after several bows, they both joined the Gryffindor table.

Dumbledore was still applauding as he stood to address the school once more. "Well done!" he said. He waited until everyone had settled down before continuing. "Just a few notices before we all retire for the night. First off, all students are reminded that the forest surrounding the school is off limits, as well as the village of Hogsmeade to all students in first and second year. The Quidditch season will resume in one month's time. Anyone who wishes to play for their house team should speak with Madame Hooch. Now off to bed because our classes will begin tomorrow morning."

Everyone stood up and started to file out of the Great Hall. "I wonder who the new Defense Against Dark Arts teacher is. Dumbledore didn't mention it," said Hermione.

"You're right," said Ron. "Harry, do you know who it is?"

Harry shrugged. "I don't know. I haven't seen any new professors around here." They made their way to Gryffindor Tower and Harry told the Fat Lady the password ("Grumblekins"). As they entered, they heard the sound of applause. Everyone was congratulating Fred and George on their performance. Harry, Ron and Hermione joined in.

"Well done!" said Lee Jordan.

"Brilliant!" cried Seamus Finnigan

"Good job," said Harry, stepping forward to shake George's hand.

Hermione gave them a smile and Ron clapped Fred on the back.

The twins were turning red with all the adulation. "Weasleys' Wizard Wheezes will be available for sale starting next week. Get them while you can for supplies are limited," said Fred to the crowd. They turned and headed upstairs to their dormitory with Lee Jordan in tow.

Harry turned to Ron. "We should go to bed too. I'm beat," he said.

Ron looked over at Hermione quickly. "Uh.... go on without me. I'll be up in a minute."

Harry looked from Ron to Hermione and shrugged. "Okay. 'Night Hermione," he said as he turned to go the stairs to bed.