Harry Potter and the Sacrifice of the Traitor

Chapter Five

The group of chattering sixth years walked into the Great Hall, and Luna drifted away towards the Ravenclaw table. The Gryffindors sat down at their house table and looked around them.

'Look, who's that at the staff table?' asked Ron.

'I expect it's the new Defence Against the Dark Arts teacher,' said Hermione, peering around Ron to see.

Harry thought the new teacher looked a vast improvement on Umbridge, at any rate. It was a young man, with short sandy hair and a shy smile, who was wearing dark blue robes.

'I expect he'll have lots of new exciting ideas, if he's as young as he looks,' said Hermione, in a pleased tone.

Ron looked a bit grumpy about Hermione's interest in the new and rather attractive teacher, but he didn't have time for a reply, as just then Professor McGonagall swept into the Hall, followed by a line of nervous looking First Years.

'They're even smaller than last year!' said Ron in amazement.

'Don't be so silly, Ron,' snapped Hermione.

Harry saw Jessica Thomas in the group, standing near the boy with red hair, who still looked vaguely familiar. Professor McGonagall placed the Sorting Hat on a stool in the middle of the room, and stood back as it stirred to life, and started to sing.

Welcome to Hogwarts famous school

I am here to Sort you, as has long been the rule

Come, try me on, and I will see

What you are now, and what one day you may be.

Many years ago, when the school was new,

This was a task that the Founders would do.

Now they have me, to help them to decide

Where would be the best place for you all to abide.

If you are bold and brave, then try Gryffindor,

Or if you have a love of learning go to Ravenclaw.

Slytherin's the place for those who sly and cunning may be,

And Hufflepuff your home if you work hard and have loyalty.

And yet I still have questions, which I feel bound to ask,

Is this the right course, or a foolhardy task?

The days that come are bleak and dark, with danger in the air,

We only will survive them, with love and unity there.

So although Sorted you must be now

And to my instructions I must bow,

I plead with you to remember this one and all,

United we may stand, but divided we must fall.

The students applauded, and Harry noticed Hermione looking thoughtfully around at the other tables.

'Come off it, Hermione, you'll never get us to be friends with the Slytherins,' Ron smirked.

'I agree that some of them are horrible, but I think you should both try and act a bit more grown up, and look for the good in them,' she sniffed crossly.

Harry thought it would be a long time before he found any good in Draco Malfoy, but wisely said nothing. Professor McGonagall unrolled her scroll and began to read out names.

'Ardly, Henry', a small boy with brown hair, was called forward. He sat nervously on the stool and put the hat on. It muttered quietly to itself for a moment, then called out 'RAVENCLAW!'

Harry and the others applauded politely as Henry Ardly joined the Ravenclaw table, sitting near Luna.

'Berry, Karen' became the first new Slytherin. A few people hissed, but more seemed to have heard the words of the Sorting Hat and stopped them doing this, and Hermione even clapped. Harry saw Malfoy and his cronies looking rather startled at this.

The next few first years were sorted without incident, then it was the turn of the boy with dark red hair Harry had noticed earlier. Now Harry realised why he looked familiar - he had seen this boy last year, in Privet Drive, being beaten up by Dudley and his cronies. He wondered whether there had been a whole wizarding family around, or whether this boy was Muggle-born.

'Evans, Mark' called Professor McGonagall. Harry jumped suddenly. Wasn't Evans his mother's maiden name? He was pretty sure he remembered his father calling her 'Evans' in the scene from Snape's Pensieve. Ron turned to Harry, looking excited.

'Maybe he's your cousin, mate. I thought he looked familiar,' he said.

'Surely Dumbledore would have told me,' said Harry. 'Unless he's keeping even more secrets from me this year,' he added bitterly.

Hermione shot him a glance, but Mark Evans was walking forward to sit on the stool, and they all watched him eagerly. The Hat took a while to decide, but eventually called out 'GRYFFINDOR!' The boy grinned and trotted over to the Gryffindor table.

'You'll have a chance to find out easily, then,' said Hermione, still watching Mark Evans.

Harry hardly heard the rest of the students being Sorted. His head was spinning with the possibility that he might have a relative that he'd never heard of. Dean Thomas had to nudge him quite sharply to get his attention.

'Harry! My sister's about to be sorted. Keep your fingers crossed!'

Jessica walked forward and sat down, but the Hat had hardly been placed on her head before it was shouting 'GRYFFINDOR!'

Dean shouted and clapped, and the others cheered, as Jessica ran over to join them.

'Well done, Jessica!' cried Dean.

'Welcome to Gryffindor,' said Nearly Headless Nick, who had just popped up through the floor. Jessica gasped and looked scared, but managed to whisper her thanks.

The last few students were Sorted, ending with 'Yarbon, George' being Sorted into Hufflepuff. Then Dumbledore stood up.

'Welcome, my dear students, to another year at Hogwarts. Welcome to the new students. And without further ado, shall we eat?'

A roar of approval greeted these words, and he sat back down, grinning broadly as the golden platters filled with a delicious feast.

There was silence at the table except for the sound of munching for some time. At last, when even Ron had pushed away his plate, Dumbledore stood up again.

'Now that we have all eaten our fill, I have a few announcements to make. First Years should note that the Forest on the grounds is called the Forbidden Forest, and so they are not allowed inside. Older students would do well to remember this also.' His twinkling blue eyes rested briefly on Harry and his friends, before he continued.

'Mr Filch would like me to let you know that any products bought from Weasleys Wizard Wheezes are strictly forbidden, along with some six hundred other items, which he will be glad to provide a list of. There are a few changes to our staff this year. Professor Richards' (he indicated the young man they had noticed earlier) 'will be replacing Professor Snape as the Potions Master for this year'.

There was instant uproar in the Hall, as students wanted to know why Snape was still sitting at the teachers table if he was no longer Potions Master. Eventually Dumbledore managed to restore order.

'You will be delighted to hear, however, that we will still have Professor Snape's skills on the teaching staff. He has kindly consented to take up the position of Defence Against the Dark Arts Professor.

'This year we have decided to have another Ball. It will be held on New Years Day, and all years from Fourth year upwards are welcome to attend. Younger students will only be allowed to attend if invited by an older student. And on that note, let us sing the School Song before bed time.'

Under cover of the following cacophony, Harry, Ron and Hermione exchanged horrified looks.

'He's going to be teaching us Defence Against the Dark Arts!' said Ron. 'We'll be lucky if he doesn't put Unforgivable Curses on us all just because he hates Gryffindors'.

Harry nodded vigorously. He was not looking forward to Snape trying to teach him Defence Against the Dark Arts, although at least, he thought sourly, it wouldn't be a problem to practise constant vigilance against Snape. He was also worried about the Ball - he didn't know who he would want to invite. He wasn't really interested in Cho anymore, after all her crying and the trouble her friend had caused. He resolved firmly not to get trapped into anything like the last time, where he might have to dance in front of the entire school again.

Ron and Hermione gathered the first years together, and led them off to the common room. Harry, Dean and the others followed them through the portrait hole. Harry wanted to ask Mark Evans if he might be related to him, but when Mark saw Harry trying to push his way through the crowd, the younger boy seemed to look startled, and quickly ducked away, disappearing into the first year dormitories. Harry wondered what that had been about, but resolved to find out tomorrow if possible. His head was still buzzing with the thought that the Dursleys might, just possibly, not be his only living relatives.

He climbed the stairs after the other sixth year boys, who were all chatting excitedly about Snape being the new Defence Against the Dark Arts teacher, but Harry didn't feel like joining in. He pulled his robes off and got into bed, and was asleep almost before the candles were blown out.

The next morning, Harry was up early, determined to talk to Mark Evans and find out if he might know anything. He went downstairs into the common room, and was lucky enough to find Mark and three or four other first years, including Jessica Thomas, looking around the room. He felt a bit self conscious, but walked over to them.

'Hi, Jessica,' he said. 'How was your first night at Hogwarts?'

'Fine thanks, and I'm so pleased to be in Gryffindor like Dean,' she answered shyly.

'Erm, I wondered if I could ask you something, Mark,' Harry said, flushing slightly.

The younger boy looked at once curious and nervous.

'What do you want?' he asked.

'Well, you looked like you were trying to avoid me yesterday night, and I wondered why,' said Harry, feeling very foolish at having this conversation, but determined to find out the truth.

'Oh yes, I was I'm afraid. You see, I didn't realise that you went to Hogwarts. I always believed your aunt and uncle's story that you were an incurable criminal. I was rather shocked to find someone I'd been warned about as really dangerous, in the same room as me,' explained Mark. 'But Jessica and the others here have explained about You-Know-Who and everything.'

Harry felt angry that the Dursleys stupid story had worried Mark, but went on with his question.

'Mark, I was wondering if by any chance you knew if we were, well, related or something,' he said quickly. 'You see, my mum was called Evans, I think, and she had red hair too.'

'Oh, I don't know I'm afraid,' replied Mark. 'I'd never even heard of Hogwarts until I got my letter this summer, so I don't know any other witches or wizards.'

'She was Muggle born as well though,' said Harry. 'You don't know if you're related to the Dursleys at all, then?'

'Sorry, no. I can ask my mum when I write to her if you want, and tell her that you're not a criminal too,' said Mark, looking a bit confused by Harry's insistence.

'That would be great. You see, as far as I know, the Dursleys are my only relatives, and it would be wonderful to have another relative, specially one who's a wizard,' explained Harry.

'Harry, come on, it's time for breakfast!' Ron had entered the common room and was looking oddly at the group of first years with Harry.

'See you later then,' said Harry awkwardly to Jessica and Mark, and followed Ron out of the portrait hole.

Hermione joined them a few minutes later, still yawning, and was interested to hear about the possibility of Harry having another relative.

'I think you should ask Professor Dumbledore,' she said.

'How would I know he'd tell me the truth?' said Harry glumly. He still wasn't sure he had forgiven Dumbledore for all the secrets he had found out last June.

'Oh Harry, why wouldn't he?' said Hermione, sighing.

Harry didn't answer. He still hadn't told them the full details of that conversation in Dumbledore's office. The other two still didn't know the whole Prophecy, or that Dumbledore had been hiding it from him for years.

Just then, Professor McGonagall came over to them.

'Ah, Potter and Weasley, just the people I wanted to see,' she said briskly. 'You will be relieved to hear that as Professor Richards is now teaching Potions, he has relaxed the requirements for the N.E.W.T class, and will be willing to take any students who achieved an E or above in their O.W.Ls. I assume you both still wish to take the class?'

'Yes please, Professor,' said Harry, grinning. Ron had his mouth full of toast, and nodded fervently to agree.

'Very well then, here are your timetables,' and she handed out timetables for them and the other sixth year Gryffindors.

Harry and the others looked at their timetables.

'What's this new subject, Conjuration?' asked Harry curiously. 'We didn't sign up for that.'

'It's a compulsory N.E.W.T subject, I think,' said Hermione. 'You know, how to conjure objects out of thin air, instead of Transfiguring them. I've been looking forward to starting that.'

Harry remembered Dumbledore conjuring the armchairs at his trial last summer, and agreed that it might be fun to learn how to do that.

'And why have we been put down for Muggle Studies?' asked Ron, looking alarmed. 'Isn't that going to be far too much work for us?'

'Honestly Ron, I would have thought you'd be glad to find out more about Muggles,' said Hermione impatiently. 'You don't want to end up like your dad did with our food mixer, do you?'

Ron muttered something under his breath, but wisely didn't answer Hermione.

'We've got Muggles Studies too,' said Dean, leaning over from the other side of the table. 'I think it must be something compulsory.'

'Well, our first lesson is Potions, with Defence Against the Dark Arts this afternoon,' said Hermione. We'd better get a move on, in case Professor Richards is as strict as Snape.

'Not possible,' said Harry fervently, but he finished his piece of toast and followed the others down to the dungeon.

Professor Richards was already there, waiting for them. The dungeon looked somehow more welcoming without Snape in it. Unfortunately it still had Draco Malfoy and the other Slytherins in it, as well as a few Hufflepuffs and Ravenclaws. Harry was a bit surprised by this, then realised that all the Houses must be mixed up for the N.E.W.T lessons.

'Greetings, sixth years,' said Professor Richards, smiling. 'Today we will start learning how to brew more complicated potions that you have ever tried before. Up until now, your potions have been made in one double lesson. From now on though, they will need to stew and simmer for weeks at times, and it will be your responsibility to come and check them and add new ingredients when necessary. Please open your books and turn to page 5.'

Harry opened his copy of Moste Potente Potions and turned to page 5, which had the instructions for a potion called the Transfiguros Potion.

'Now, this potion has a similar effect to the spells you use in your Transfiguration classes. However, instead of using different spells for every transformation, with this potion you can transfigure anything, as long as your will is sufficiently focussed. Once the potions are brewed, we will be practising transforming objects, and we will see how many of you have a sufficiently strong will to force the transformation you wish. I must add that not all of you will be able to use the potion - the N.E.W.T requirement is merely to brew it. That is why you are taught Transfiguration, because not everyone can use this potion. Right, let's make a start, shall we?'

The class gathered together the first group of ingredients listed and got to work. Harry saw Draco muttering to Crabbe and Goyle - he couldn't believe they had somehow attained E's in Potions. He supposed Lucius Malfoy had managed to pull a few strings after all.

'Harry, watch out!' hissed Hermione, stopping Harry just before he added the wrong ingredient. 'You have to concentrate with these potions, they could be very dangerous if they go wrong.'

'Right, sorry,' said Harry, and bent his full attention to making the potion.

After the first lesson, Professor Richards went around looking at their cauldrons and offering advice to those who needed it. Hermione's potion was as usual correct, and Harry's got away with a slightly raised eyebrow, but both Ron, and (Harry was pleased to see) Draco, needed some help with theirs.

'Right then class,' said Professor Richards. 'Your potions should now stew for a week, which will bring us nicely to the next lesson. That's all for today.'

Limp and exhausted, the sixth years stumbled up the stairs to the Great Hall, where they had lunch. Ron in particular seemed to be needing large amounts of food to recover; Hermione rolled her eyes at his plate a few times, but said nothing.

After lunch they had Transfiguration with Professor McGonagall. They started studying human Transfiguration this year. Harry was exhausted after a long explanation of how to Transfigure humans into other animals and back, and some rather unsuccessful experiments. Even Hermione had at one point accidentally given Ron four arms, and he was still recovering from the shock even after Professor McGonagall had removed the surplus arms. Hermione spent much of the evening apologising to Ron over and over again.

At the end of the lesson, Professor McGonagall asked Hermione to stay behind for a few minutes. She glared at Harry and Ron as they loitered by the door, so they thought it best to move on. They just caught the first few words.

'Now then, Miss Granger, I received your owl over the holidays, and I have spoken to Professor Dumbledore, who has agreed to this. Have you given any thought ....?' and the rest of the sentence was cut off by the closing door.

'What's all that about?' said Ron curiously, staring back over his shoulder.

'I don't know, I think Hermione is up to something again,' said Harry. 'I just hope it's not another Time Turner.'

Hermione refused to answer their questions at supper, and as a result Ron was in rather a bad mood with her for the rest of the evening.