Harry Potter and the Sorceress Queen

"Oh come on Hermione. You've been studying for ages, even on that Muggle taxi! Can't you just put down your book for a sec?"

"I can't. I was supposed to finish 329 pages, but my parents wanted to go to Spain on the holidays, and I couldn't fit all the books in my trunk......"

"But the O.W.L.s are ages away! We've got a whole year to study......"

"You mean there's only a year left! Honestly, Ron, you should be ashamed of yourself, moping around all day! If you hate being poor so much, why don't you study hard enough to be prepared for a good job when you graduate!"

Harry leaned back on his seat, watching trees, houses, and animals flash past, as the Hogwarts Express rumbled on. He had no intention to act peacemaker as Ron and Hermione quarreled at the top of their voices, which at the end, Hermione tucked her book--'Scoring High on O.W.L.s, revised edition' under her arm, opened the compartment door and slammed it shut. Ron leaned back heavily on his seat beside Harry, and stared on the other side of the compartment. Harry assumed Hermione had gone to the prefect's compartment at the front. She was made prefect this year (to nobody's surprise). At first she insisted on staying with Harry and Ron, but now......

Harry's in his fifth year now, and immensely glad to get away from the Dursleys again. They had been even more horrible than ever (Mainly because of Dudley's tongue incident last year). Uncle Vernon forbade him leave his bedroom except when Harry needed to use the bathroom. Aunt Petunia gave him only two meals a day. Harry wrote back to Sirius, describing his plight. Sirius promptly sent back a letter addressed to Uncle Vernon, which perturbed him greatly. Vernon Dursley let Harry resume to his normal life, and even consented to drive Harry to Hermione's house two weeks before school term. Harry had a very nice time there, as the Grangers were very good to him. He and Hermione later went to the Burrow using Floo Power.

When Harry was at the Dursleys, they seldom took any notice of him, so when Harry wasn't doing his homework, visions of last years events kept coming back to him. Voldemort rising again, Death Eaters surrounding him, Cedric lying dead on the ground......these all made him shiver at the recollection. Anyway, he told himself firmly, there's nothing you can do at the moment. Trust Dumbledore and go on with your life.

Fortunately, at the Burrow, there were plenty of things to distract him. Fred and George kept popping up now and then, showing him their new inventions. For example--the Blasting Bananas. They looked just like ordinary bananas, but when you start to peel them, the insides explode with a loud bang, just like letting off a firecracker. Ron had a new broomstick, a Nimbus 2001 which Fred and George bought him, and he often dragged Harry outside to play Quidditch. Ginny often would turn up with delicious homemade snacks, saying they were from Mrs. Weasley. Hermione didn't hang around much, she was busy absorbing O.W.L.s textbooks, and sometimes admonished Harry and Ron for "wasting their time on broomsticks".

"Harry?" Ron was peering at him.

"What?" Harry jerked out of his reverie.

"Hey, reckon Quidditch matches will be back this year?" Harry nodded, a warm feeling swept over him at the mention of Quidditch.

"Well......I've been thinking this summer, since Wood has left, I'd like to try for the Keeper. D' you think I can make it?" Ron said the rest in a rush, excitement diffusing over his face. "What?" said Harry for the second time. So that's the reason why Ron's been practicing so frequently during the summer. Fred and George were busy inventing and didn't come out often.

"Um......I don't know," said Harry slowly. Seeing Ron looking a bit disappointed, he hastily added, "I mean, I don't know if there's any one good, you know Wood was really good. But we don't know if there's any one else......"

"Oh......well," said Ron. "Anyway, I just hope we can beat Malfoy that slimy git this year!"

"Yeah......"

Finally, about ten minutes before the train reached its destination, Hermione came striding back. She appeared to have forgotten her quarrel with Ron and conversed with them quite normally.

When they entered the enormous Great Hall, the thousands of candles were floating in midair and the golden plates and goblets were waiting to be filled. Harry was feeling famished of course, and tried to divert his attention by watching the Sorting.

When the first Ravenclaw was named, Harry caught a glimpse of Cho Chang at her table. She was smiling as she applauded the new student along with her friends, but there was something in her eyes......a sad, absent look. Harry knew she must be mourning for Cedric, and he swallowed, looking back down at the table.

During the feast, Hermione suddenly nudged him. "Look at the teacher's table!" she hissed.

Harry and Ron looked accordingly. There indeed was some difference. Snape wasn't there, and Fleur Delacour was sitting in his place. Also, a slightly plump, jolly looking witch with short golden brown curls was sitting at the end of the table.

"What's the meaning of this?" Ron was staring with his roast chicken dangling from his mouth.

"We've got a new Defense Against Dark Arts teacher, that's for sure," said Hermione thoughtfully. "But why's Snape gone? And that Fleur Delacour, what's she doing here? She's......she's not taking his place, is she?"

Harry remembered last year Dumbledore had assigned some unknown mission to Snape. Maybe that's why he's away. And Fleur did tell them she was trying to get a job at Hogwarts. Anyway, he didn't mind whether Fleur was taking up Snape's job or not, anyone was a welcome relief. He informed his thoughts to Ron and Hermione.

Ron looked surprised. Hermione opened her mouth to say something, but Dumbledore had got up and held up his hand for silence.

"Welcome to another year at Hogwarts! I hope all of you had had a pleasant holiday and that everyone is ready to come back and enjoy and participate in the new year. First. I would like to introduce our new teachers. I am sure all of you remember one of our last year's Triwizard Tournament's champions--Miss Fleur Delacour!"

Fleur rose at the mention of her name and bowed slightly. There was some scattered, unenthusiastic applause, maybe it was the fact that Fleur didn't do well in the tournament, or she simply looked too young. Fleur sat down looking rather hurt.

"Miss Delacour has kindly offered to fill in our Potions master's position, since Professor Snape is away due to some business," continued Dumbledore. "And now let us welcome our new Defense Against Dark Arts teacher--Professor Evelyn Jenna!"

The plump witch stood up and smiled jovially at the students. Harry and his friends clapped politely, as they didn't know whether Professor Jenna was good or not. However, Harry thought she would be all right, judging from her cheerful appearance.

"Professor Jenna has just returned from Africa. She is a great traveler, therefore it is an honour that she decided to settle down at Hogwarts to teach. Now, I would like to mention a new event, which I am sure would be of great interest to you."

He paused, clearly amused that the students started whispering to each other. "What could it be?" "Not another Triwizard Tournament?"

Dumbledore cleared his throat and said, "I am pleased to inform you that there will be an exchange trip to Holland next February."

A ripple of excitement ran through the crowd. Harry saw Hermione's eyes shining with anticipation.

"However, only certain students shall be allowed to go. The winning team of this year's Inter-House Quidditch Cup will go to Holland to compete with Manxwell Academy of Magic. Since we only have half years' time to select our representatives, three matches will take place on the 6th of October, the 15th of October and the 20th of November. One defeat, and you're out of the running. House captains please report to Madam Hooch tonight to draw lots. Please remember that the main purpose of this event is to establish friendly ties between international young wizards, so I am sure you will all support our representing team, whoever they may be, wholeheartedly. And now, it's time for bed!"

Harry felt a tinge of excitement rush through his body. Playing Quidditch in Holland! He was sure they could win, Gryffindor had won the cup during his third year. All they needed now was a spanking good Keeper and a tough training......

"Harry!" Ron thumped him on the back. "This is awesome! Wish I could go......"

Fred and George came over too.

"We've got to win," said Fred, looking dreamily up on the starry ceiling.

"Imagine, Quidditch in Holland," added George, crossing his hands on his chest.

Harry grinned. He noticed Hermione was the only one looking downcasted. Ron was talking loudly.

"Don't bother, Weasley," came the cold drawling voice of Draco Malfoy. "You'll have to sell your house, besides, you're not going to be lucky this year."

"Shut up, Malfoy," retorted Harry. "Your stinking riches aren't going to buy you a way to Holland."

Malfoy flushed. "You'd better take care of yourself, Potter," he sneered. "Try not be so suicidal when you play......"

He got no further, for Fred had darted forward, and set off a Blasting Banana in his face.

"Come on!" They rushed through the talking and laughing crowd, in case Crabbe and Goyle were thinking of revenge, or a teacher might show up. Ron suddenly stopped.

"Where's Hermione?"

"Dunno......" said Harry, looking around. But soon they spotted Hermione leading a group of first years to the portrait hole.

"Forward, all of you!" she shouted. "The new password's 'Merlin's beard'!"

"Where were you?" asked Harry, as they entered the common room.

"Oh, that reminds me," Hermione thrust a piece of rolled parchment before him.

"What's that?" asked Ron curiously.

Harry didn't answer. He unrolled the parchment and read as follows:

Harry--Hi, this is Julie Anne Falukner. Can you meet me at the trophy room tomorrow night at seven? I've got something important to tell you. Please tell me if you can come. I'll be over at breakfast.

Harry looked up in sheer amazement. "She's a Ravenclaw prefect," said Hermione, who was wearing a skeptical expression. "She gave it to me when I was taking those first years here. I tried to ask her what it was, but she just waved and hurried away."

"Seems you've got a secret admirer, Harry!" said Ron, smirking.

Hermione frowned. "From the way she writes, it doesn't look that way. Harry, you don't know this Julie Anne Faulkner, do you? And she's got something important to tell!"

"D' you think I'd better not go then?" asked Harry, though his curiosity was roused.

Ron still thought Julie Anne was a Harry Potter fan, so he made no objection. Hermione hesitated for a moment, then said it might be okay. "I guess there's no real harm in going."

Every other Gryffindor were discussing animatedly about the exchange trip. Harry soon joined in, as he was on the team. Ron also engaged into a lively conversation with Dean and Seamus. Hermione, however, went straight up to bed.

Finally, at midnight, Harry and the other boys of his dormitory mounted the staircase. When Harry lay on his bed, thoughts kept swimming in his mind. He did have a strong desire to go to Holland and play Quidditch against a foreign team. Then his thoughts drifted to Julie Anne Faulkner. Why would someone he'd never seen or talked to would have something important to tell him?

Harry had this feeling that his fifth year at Hogwarts was going to bring unexpected surprises, just like his previous four years. Whatever they may be, he prayed nothing tragic will happen.