Harry Potter Earns his Kleos

CHAPTER 03

"Prefects! Gather up the first years. They're to ride in the carriages this year."

Professor McGonagall's voice was not the first they had expected to hear. There was no need to ask; the question definitely went unspoken: Where was Hagrid?

"He's probably still, y'know, doing stuff for Dumbledore," Hermione said, and all Harry and Ron could seem to do was nod in agreement.

"Giant finally learned his place and made a run for it!" Draco said quite loudly to Pansy Parkinson, with his infamous sneer plastered on his face.

Harry and Hermione parted from Ron once again to round up the first years. Aly hung closely by Hermione's side. She heard her gasp as the first year laid her eyes on the enchanted carriages. Harry admitted it was still quite a sight to watch a hundred of them ride up along the path to the castle.

McGonagall took over in the entrance of the Great Hall, and Harry and Hermione, along with the other prefects, went to join their respective houses. The Great Hall was brilliantly decorated as always. The enchanted ceiling reflected a calm, dark sky. Candles hung in midair and the House ghosts came out to greet the new students.

"Some things never change," Harry whispered.

"But some things do," Hermione pointed out, nodding towards the High Table, where the staff was seated. If there had been any doubt before, it had been confirmed now, that Hagrid would not be making it to the Welcoming Feast this year. A tall, quite pretty-looking woman sat in his place. She had blue, cheerful eyes and her long brown hair went past her waist. To her left sat a severe looking man, whose sneer rivaled those of Snape and Malfoy. He was a built man with short, black hair and large disgruntled eyes.

"Blimey," Ron said. "I cannot believe Dumbledore would hire that man."

Harry and Hermione looked at him expectantly, waiting for him to explain further. "Honestly you guys know nothing about Quidditch! He was a Slytherin Beater the year before we started. Fred and George hated him. Name's Bole or something like that."

As if on cue, Harry looked up to see the most identical looks of disgust on the twins' faces.

"Well Forge, definitely gonna have to find a way to get Canary Creams into his bowl of soup," Fred said.

"I like the way you think, Gred," George agreed. The latter winked at Harry, subtly letting him know that the newfound Weasley business was well under way.

"Shh, the Sorting!" Hermione said.

"Small class this year," Harry noticed as the group of first years came out. The familiar Sorting Hat sat on the stool, waiting for its first victim.

"Now when I call your name, step up and place the hat on your head," McGonagall said, after the Sorting Hat had finished its song.

"Afferty, Robert!" Professor McGonagall read out from her scroll, and the nervous first year stepped up and placed the hat on his head. After a few moments, it proudly proclaimed "RAVENCLAW!" With a sigh of relief, the boy walked over to the rest of his new housemates.

And so the Sorting continued. Aberthon, Timothy became the first new Gryffindor. Boot, Amanda was another Ravenclaw, who won a beaming smile from her brother Terry upon the hat's decision. Bristol, Vivian and Corrington, Sylvester were both Sorted into Slytherin.

"Diggory, Aly..." McGonagall started to say, and suddenly the Great Hall burst into a thousand conversations as everyone whispered something to the person they sat beside.

Harry's chest tightened, and the look of the guilt consumed his face once more. Cedric has...had...a little sister, he thought. He felt Hermione's hand rest on his shoulder, but he shrugged it off. He did his best to give Aly an encouraging look, and his eyes pierced anyone at his table that continued to talk. Soon the Great Hall quieted down and Aly took the hat and sat on the stool. Minutes passed by, and still nothing. This had to take the cake for the longest Sorting ever.

"Squib!" Malfoy coughed. The rest of the Slytherins tried not to laugh outright, noticing the severe looks practically everyone had shot in their direction.

Finally, the hat opened its makeshift mouth and yelled, "HUFFLEPUFF!"

The entire school, save the Slytherin table, erupted into cheers. Some of the Hufflepuffs even had tears in their eyes as they hugged the new girl upon her arrival at the table.

There had been too many coincidences with Aly already, and Harry took it upon himself to make a silent promise to Cedric that he wouldn't let anything happen to her.

After the Sorting had finished, Dumbledore stood and cleared his throat. The entire Great Hall went quiet again, and everyone turned their attention to their headmaster.

"I would like to welcome you all back to Hogwarts for another year. To all new students, the Forbidden Forest is still ... forbidden. Anyone who wishes to die a most horrible death may venture there at his own risk. It saddens me to say, for third years and up, that all trips to Hogsmeade have been cancelled until further notice."

This caused a huge ripple of groans to emanate from the four tables, but Dumbledore patiently waited for it to subside.

"As most of you know, Cornelius Fudge has ...banished most of the books on your lists this year, but do not be fooled, classes will go on as scheduled, as he has not managed to infiltrate our wonderful library, thanks to Madam Pince." Hermione looked relieved.

"Now down to more cheerful news. We have two new staff members joining us this year. Professor Bole, from the class of 1990, will be taking over the position of your Defense Against the Dark Arts professor."

"He's gone batty!" Ron concluded. "Down right batty in his old age!"

The Slytherins shared knowing smirks. Bole was infamous for the pranks he pulled against the Weasley twins. Teaching them and their younger siblings would definitely prove to be entertaining for Draco Malfoy and company.

"And it saddens me to say, our game keeper and Care of Magical Creatures Professor is currently detained. I am, however, pleased to introduce you to Professor Abigail," Dumbledore continued.

"Hmm, that's odd," Hermione exclaimed.

"Yeah, no last name?" Harry asked.

"Well that, too," she responded. "But Dumbledore didn't look too pleased when he introduced her. Can't figure out for the life of me why he'd hire a teacher he doesn't like, not to mention she looks a lot more cheerful than some other staff members he's hired."

"Agreed!" Ron blurted out.

Their suspicions drifted off due to the magnificent feast that suddenly appeared on their plates. Chicken, corn, and mashed potatoes were in abundance at each table. The first years' eyes widened in amazement as the rest of the students just looked on appreciatively. They all tucked in that evening, and before long, it was time to show the first years to their new dorms and prepare for the start of the term that would commence the following morning.

As usual, Harry had other ideas in mind. He quickly showed the new boys up to Gryffindor Tower. Hermione had already created the new password earlier in the day (Canary Creams). The Fat Lady gave them no problems in entering as she swung her portrait open to reveal the common room. He led the boys into their new room and was about to leave when one boy named Eddie, stopped him.

"Harry? What happens if you forget the password?"

"Well...you spend a lot of time with your housemates, so chances are you'd be with someone. What are the odds that you'd both forget?"

The boy seemed satisfied with the answer and smiled. Harry decided this was definitely new. This was the first time he was being looked up to just for being an older prefect, and not the famous Harry Potter.

"Goodnight, boys," Harry said, and closed the first year door. He snuck quietly into his own dorm and removed the Invisibility Cloak from his trunk. He tucked it into the pocket of one of his robes and headed downstairs.

"Hey Harry, where you off to so late in the evening?" Ron questioned. He was sitting in one of the armchairs with a Quidditch magazine in his hands.

"Off to the library, to research that Accio spell that was put on Hedwig. I'll be back, don't wait up." Harry said, and he was off before he'd even finished his sentence. Ron shook his head. He knew it was up to him to figure out what was up with Harry.

* * * * * * * *

Harry had decided of course, that he would simply change the time and meeting place with his mysterious note writer. They were now meeting in a small anti-room near the library. Harry quickly placed the Invisibility Cloak and headed for the room. He was in no position to be caught running out after hours on the first day of the term.

He soundlessly descended the stairs and headed towards the library. Along the way, he thought of who his note writer may possibly be. Harry couldn't figure out who would want to stay so secretive about this. He started to doubt his own judgment. What if this was a trap? He'd be walking right into it.

Too late to back out now, he thought.

Harry suddenly realized that he had not passed a single teacher on his way to the library. He felt like laughing out loud at the irony. There wasn't anybody around to catch him, he was home free! And the only thing he felt like doing was figuring out why the halls were so deserted.

Just then, he saw a figure move in the dark hallway. He gave one backwards glance at the library before following the figure moving in the opposite direction. Harry had to move quickly before he lost sight of the shadow. He realized then just how much trouble he was having in keeping up. He considered himself to very quick (Quidditch and years of outrunning Dudley and his gang being the main reason for that). The shadowy figure stopped just outside Dumbledore's office, near a set of tapestries on the wall. He couldn't make out whom he or she was because there was no light at all. Before Harry could hear the password, the figure darted inside what Harry assumed to be a secret room.

He crept up as close as he could and examined the tapestry. He put his hand up against it and felt solid wood. He strained to hear what was going on inside. In times like this, Harry desperately wished to have Hermione's quick thinking. Some type of spell had to enhance his hearing, or make whatever was going on inside seem louder.

"Think, Harry, think!" He whispered to himself. He grabbed his wand from his cloak and hoped nobody was watching. It might seem a little odd to see a wand floating around in the air with no one holding it. (Or at least that's what it would look like with Harry underneath his Invisibility Cloak).

He finally had the spell in mind. "Magnificus audio!" He had never actually used the spell before and was slightly shocked when his right ear grew to three times its normal size. The voices were still somewhat faint, but he could hear them. Harry just prayed that no one would come out before he had a chance to move out of the way.

"That still does not make up for the fact that you did not notify me about this meeting!"

It was a female voice that Harry did not recognize.

"Abigail..." It was Dumbledore speaking now. "I have my reasons."

"Albus is right, dear. Now, just take a seat and we'll continue." McGonagall.

"Honestly, Albus, Minerva, was it really necessary to call us out at this time of night just to discuss giants?"

Hagrid! Harry thought. He guessed that the latter speaker was Bole. The way he had said the word giants gave Harry a very Slytherin-like feeling.

"This is not just about the giants, Alamor, although Hagrid is very dear to us. Their alliance will be very important in this war," Dumbledore reasoned.

"So what has happened to our dear Hagrid?" Every word Snape said was laced with sarcasm. Harry could picture the sneer regardless of the solid wooden door blocking his view.

"He's having problems convincing the giants that this is a good idea. And I'm afraid that they've decided to hold him there against his own will..."

Harry's jaw dropped, and he had to quickly back away from the door because of all the sudden outbursts. Enhanced hearing had its drawbacks.

"Silence, please!" Dumbledore said, slightly raising his voice over the others. "The reason I have called you all here tonight is to think of strategies to make sure they don't bring him to Voldemort. We need them on our side. And it is imperative that we keep Hagrid safe."

"Do you mean to tell me his own mother is keeping him captive?"

"How do you propose to get him back?"

"Why are they so important?"

Everyone started speaking all at once again, and the noise made Harry's head spin. He backed away from the tapestry and whispered  "Finite incantem!" When his ear had returned to its rightful size, he made a dash for the library, not wanting to think of what might be happening to Hagrid, his first friend ever. If Dumbledore was calling a meeting late at night he knew that Hagrid must be in severe danger. He tried to put the thought of Hagrid in the back of his mind and focus on the task at hand. Until he knew who this note writer of his was, he couldn't let his guard down.

He quietly opened the door to the anti-room, and felt a wave of disappointment when he found it to be empty. The only thing that remained was a note.

Potter,

Sorry I missed you. I was actually thinking that now might not be the best time to meet, anyhow. I will tell you a few things, though. Keep your guard up because I feel there is a traitor in our midst. Contrary to what you think, you can trust me. Keep that Diggory girl safe, for she has a valuable gift. Good luck.

And on the back of the note, a second letter was written, an L to add to the K. Harry folded the note and put it in his cloak pocket. The frustration was building, and the only thing that he could think of doing was running back up the Gryffindor Tower and getting some sleep before classes.

Sleep did not find Harry easily, however. He lay in his bed staring at the ceiling, thinking about all the events that had happened in such a short amount of time. He knew Voldemort was just biding his time and building up power before making the first move. It would be a long and tiring war. Harry knew he wasn't prepared for war. It meant lost lives, destruction, disorder...all the things he had been yearning to avoid. Since Cedric's death, Harry couldn't afford to lose anyone else. Hagrid was already in danger and there didn't seem to be anything Harry could do to help the situation. He thought back to the first time he met Hagrid, when he had come to tell Harry he was a wizard ("An' a thumpin' good'un..."). He remembered feeling like it was too good to be true, like nothing that wonderful could ever happen to him. That feeling of doubt crept back into his mind and he couldn't shake it. The famous Harry Potter. Everyone knew who he was, and he knew what everyone expected of him. He was destined to bring down Lord Voldemort, and save the wizarding world for good. Harry didn't think he was such a great wizard; a great wizard wouldn't let others get hurt or die. No, Harry thought he was no better than anybody else. How could the fate of his world lie on his shoulders? He felt deflated and more weighed down than ever before.

Harry got up and made his way over to his best friend's bed.

"Ron, you still awake?" Harry whispered. There was no answer so Harry leaned over and gently shook his shoulder. "Ron? Ron, get up, I need to talk to you!"

Ron stirred slightly but still did not seem fully awake. "Wake up, Ron! Hagrid's in trouble!"

"Yeah, Harry, that's great," Ron mumbled sleepily.

"Ron! Didn't you hear me? I said they've got Hagrid!" Harry whispered, shaking him a little more strongly than before.

"What? Who? The giants?" Ron exclaimed, finally sitting up.

"Shh! Yes, Ron, the giants. You, Hermione and me need to think of a plan. Even Dumbledore is drawing straws. He had a meeting with the rest of the staff today trying to figure out a way to get him out of there."

"Going to the library to figure out the Accio spell, huh?" Ron said, giving Harry a sideways glance.

Harry sighed and gave his friend an apologetic look. "I'm sorry I've been keeping you out of things. Will you help?"

"You know you can count on me, I mean, I'm your best mate, right? And Hagrid's our friend"

"Course you are. That's the problem," Harry said, taking a seat next to Ron. He looked at Ron, who had a very confused look on his face. Harry took this as an opportunity to explain a few things. "I know I've been distant with you, but please believe me when I tell you it's for the best. You don't need to be bogged down with all the mess I have whirling around in my head. You don't need that, Ron."

"Harry, you're scarin' me. I have never complained before about it, now have I? I'm here for you."

"They're gonna bring him to Voldemort."

"Harry, you know we won't let that happen."

Silence took over the conversation for a few minutes. The two boys just sat there, each deep in thought.

"Well, then, I guess we'll talk more tomorrow, with Hermione," Harry said. His voice was distant and emotionless. Somewhere in his mind he had already started to accept the inevitable. This was war, and there was a chance Hagrid wasn't coming back.

"Goodnight, Harry."