Harry Potter and the Ruin of Tears

Harry Potter and the Ruin of Tears

Chapter 8- A New Face

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Harry was in the room with the mysterious veil. 'How did I get here?' he thought. Then he saw his bed next to him. 'Who would turn my bed into a Portkey?' he thought. He was walking closer to the veil. No one else was in the room. 'Why would someone transport me here of all places?' Questions kept popping into Harry's head until he was right in front of the veil. 'So that's why...' Harry could here voices coming from beyond the veil. He reached out and grabbed the veil. The voices were now saying "Harry!" He pulled the veil back and saw Ron. It was just a dream and Ron had woken him up right before he saw what was through the veil.

"Harry, we're going to be late if you don't hurry up!" said Ron while helping Harry to his feet.

"Oh...right," said Harry with slight irritation in his voice, "I forgot."

"Well, get ready. We'll be leaving for King's Cross in fifteen minutes or so," said Ron.

"Thanks," said Harry, "I'll be ready soon."

Harry dressed up and packed all his belongings into his trunk. He put Hedwig back into her cage and brought it all downstairs.

"Harry, dear, would you care for some breakfast?" asked Mrs. Weasley.

"Yes, please," answered Harry, "just a bit of toast if fine."

"Good morning Harry!" said Tonks.

"Hello Tonks. Where's Dumbledore?" Harry searched around the familiar faces and couldn't find Dumbledore.

"He went back to Hogwarts to get an early start," Tonks said.

"Oh," said Harry sadly as Mrs. Weasley brought him his toast.

"Have a good term!" Mrs. Weasley said, "I have to go and clean. Stay safe, you hear me?"

"Bye, Mrs. Weasley," said Harry, "Thank you for everything!"

"Bye, Mum," said Ron and Ginny.

"Bye and thank you!" said Hermione.

They all gave Mrs. Weasley a big hug as she went upstairs.

Harry ate his toast rather quickly and soon was saying his goodbyes. He was now on his way to King's Cross and was there soon enough. Harry and Ron inconspicuously leaned on the wall and fell through with their trunks onto platform nine and three-quarters. Next came Hermione and Ginny, who were quickly followed by Mr. Weasley. They loaded their trunks onto the train and said goodbye to Mr. Weasley. They boarded the train and tried to find an empty compartment when a dreamy voice from behind said "Hello."

"Hi Luna," said Harry, "how was your summer?"

"It was fun," Luna Lovegood replied, "if you want you can sit in my compartment. There are plenty of seats."

"Why thank you!" replied Ginny, "We'd be happy to."

"Uh, me and Ron have to go to the prefect cabin." muttered Hermione.

"Right..." said Ron sadly. He and Hermione left them to go to the prefect cabin.

"How are you guys?" Neville asked.

"We're fine," they all replied.

"How are you, Neville?" asked Harry.

"Oh, I'm doing well. Thank you," Neville answered.

"Do you want to sit with us?" asked Luna.

"Sure, I'd be delighted!" said Neville.

They all sat in an empty compartment. Harry and Ginny waved goodbye to Mr. Weasley, who was standing outside the train among hundreds of other parents.

"Bye kids! Stay safe!" Harry heard Mr. Weasley shouting as the train started moving.

They continued talking, asking what each other did over the summer, when the plump witch with the food tray passed by.

"Anything off the trolley, dears?" said the witch.

"Yes please," said Harry.

Harry bought some Chocolate Frogs, Pumpkin Pastries, and Cauldron Cakes. He shared with everyone in the compartment as Ron and Hermione just returned from the prefect cabin. The compartment door swung open and DracoMalfoy, followed by Crabbe and Goyle as usual, were sneering at them.

"So, Potter," began Malfoy, "still like to hang around the Mudbloods?"

"They're a lot better company than you," said Harry.

Malfoy pulled out his wand. Soon, everyone's wand was pointed at either Malfoy, Crabbe, or Goyle.

"You will pay for what you did to my father!" said Malfoy, "Put your wands away," Malfoy said to Crabbe and Goyle while putting his wand away, "the Dark Lord will get Potter very soon indeed..." The compartment door slammed shut and Harry and the others were left pondering about what Malfoy had said. 'Does the Dark Lord really have a plan to kill me, or was Malfoy just trying to make me nervous?' thought Harry. There was complete silence until Hermione spoke.

"Don't worry Harry, he's just trying to get to you," said Hermione, "besides, we should change into our robes soon, we will arrive at Hogwarts any minute now."

Everyone quickly changed into their robes and Hermione was soon proved right. The train was coming to a stop. Harry looked eagerly outside and saw the familiar castle loom out of the darkness as it was nighttime already. Harry and the others left the train and approached the carriages that would take them to the school grounds. Harry glared at the eerie creatures that pulled the carriages. They were Thestrals and you could only see them if you have seen death. They got into an empty carriage and were off to the castle. Soon they found themselves in the Great Hall, where there were many floating candles lighting the enchanted, star scattered ceiling. They said goodbye to Luna and sat down at the middle of their house table. Harry looked eagerly at the staff table. He couldn't see who was the new Defense Against the Dark Arts Teacher. Harry's, as well as Hermione's, Ron's, and Ginny's, view was blocked by many of the students' heads. The new first years entered, petrified at what they might have to do. The Sorting Hat was brought out and began sorting all the first years.

The Sorting Hat had a new poem this year:

This year shall be full of unrest and strife,

Be wary as he may take a life,

Mixtures play no important role,

What only matters is what's in the soul.

You claim that an alliance cannot be formed,

Between houses where none but same are born.

From my experience this is not true,

No matter the trial, Hogwarts must come through.

So gather up the courage,

Our strength comes from our defense.

We'll get through this together,

So let the sorting now commence!

Everyone started clapping and cheering as the Sorting Hat finished its poem as they did every year. After the ceremony, Professor Dumbledore got up and everybody became silent.

"I would like to say that I am extremely delighted to be back and I thank you all for your support," he began.

Harry whispered "So are we," as many of the students stood up clapped. Harry still couldn't see the new teacher. Harry also noticed that most go the girls in the front of the house tables were standing up, still clapping, but not for Dumbledore...

"I welcome you to a new year at Hogwarts. Now," continued Dumbledore, "let the feast begin!" Foods of all sort appeared in front of them. Harry was starving, so he began piling food onto his plate. Harry noticed that Dumbledore was looking to his right where the new mysterious teacher was, and laughing. So were Professor Flitwick and Professor McGonagall, well at least the edges of her lips curled. Snape was there, unfortunately, and he looked at the new teacher with much loathing.

Harry decided that he would find out what the new teacher looked like soon enough. After everyone finished eating Dumbledore gave the same familiar announcements and an announcement that wasn't so familiar. "I am pleased to announce that we have a new Professor. Professor Magnus will be teaching you in the area of Defense Against the Dark Arts this year," said Dumbledore while looking sideways to the Professor sitting next to him. Harry still couldn't see. After the announcement, the heads of house were passing out schedules.

"Great," Ron said, "double Defense Against the Dark Arts with the Slytherins, we must be forever cursed..."

"Well, that's our first class tomorrow," said Harry. Today was Sunday, September first.

Harry had every class except Potions tomorrow. He had double Care of Magical Creatures with Ravenclaw. He thought of Cho and what she did to him last year, as well as what he did to her. His anger started rising. He felt his fists clench tightly and his forehead seemed to get warmer.

"Are you ok, Harry?" asked Hermione with a great deal of concern.

"Yeah, I'm fine," answered Harry with an impatient tone.

Everyone started leaving the hall early to get a good night's sleep, but they stayed until the end.

"Well, let's go!" said Hermione.

They left the great hall. Harry tried to see the new professor, but was too late as all the professors had left, except Dumbledore and Hagrid, who were talking very quietly.

"Password?" asked the portrait of a Fat Lady in a pink dress.

"Oh what's the new password?" asked Harry.

"It's Triangle Frogs," said Hermione.

The painting swung forward, revealing a hole that led to the Gryffindor common room.

Harry slept very little that night and woke up the next morning extremely tired. Ron woke him up again.

Harry, Neville, and Ron changed and waited for Hermione and Ginny in the common room. When they finally grouped, they walked to the Great Hall for breakfast. They were talking all the way up to the house table, where they sat in the front. After they sat down, Harry looked at the new teacher. His jaw dropped. He couldn't believe who it was.

"Hermione..." said Harry, still staring at the teacher.

"What Harry?" asked Hermione.

"Look who the new teacher is," said Harry.

"Is it really that impor-" Hermione's jaw dropped also when she saw the new teacher.

"I can't believe it, he's the new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher?" Hermione asked.

"Apparently so," answered Harry.

"That's the first bit of luck this year," said Hermione.

Harry had to pry Hermione from her seat to get to class on time. She was still staring at the new professor.

They got to class on time and took their seats, still in shock at who was the new Professor.