The Power Within

~*~Chapter Five~*~

Great News

Arms weighed down with packages, the Weasley family, Harry, and Hermionie trudged across the yard to the Burrow. Harry followed Ron up to his room, with all of his new school stuff. As he dumped all the bags onto his bed, he remembered something; what was it, that Ron was so eager to tell him?

"Ron! I almost forgot! In your letter, you said you had something to tell me. What was it?" he turned to Ron.

"Oh yeah! I can't believe I forgot to tell you! Well, I over-heard my parents talking the other night and dad said that he was talking to the minister and he said that there's supposed to be someone new coming this year... supposed to be in our year... wonder who it is?" Harry was confused.

`A new student? That's never happened before,´ he thought to himself. Just then, the door burst open and Fred and Gorge came in, with all of their new stuff. Georges head was just visible behind a stack of packages, which he dumped lazily on his bed.

"So, how 'bout a game of Exploding Snap?" asked Fred.

They played a few games of Exploding Snap, which turned into Gobstones and, eventually a game a Quidditch. They played well into the evening, and were soon inside and getting ready for bed... for tomorrow was September the first, and they would have to wake up early to get to Kings Cross and Platform Nine and Three Quarters.

"Harry dear, it's time to get ready... Ron, Fred, George... wake up... its time to go," Mrs. Weasley said gently to the four boys.

"Wha-? S'time already?" said Ron sleepily. They dressed in silence, as everyone was too tired to speak. Harry poked Hedwig awake, so she wouldn't be startled when he picked up her cage. Fred and George went downstairs first and were closely followed by Ron and Harry. Mr. Weasley had borrowed two ministry cars, again, so they had a way of getting to the station. The Weasleys, Harry, and Hermionie trudged across the moist yard to the cars, and put the trunks in, one by one.

Hermionie seemed to be very quiet during the time they were at the Weasleys; she spent most of her time with Ginny or by herself thinking about things. Ron and Harry figured that she was daydreaming about Krum. She did have that dreamy look about her, as she stared off into space, through the car window. They arrived at the station and Mr. Weasley, Fred, and George went across the street to get trolleys for everyone. Once they all had their luggage loaded, they set off for platform Nine and Three Quarters. Harry, Ron and Hermionie walked through the barrier together, talking casually, so as not to attract attention, of course. Fred and George followed, then Ginny, and Mr. and Mrs. Weasley. The platform was crowded; there were groups of people everywhere, all speaking happily about finally seeing each other after the summer holidays. Harry, Ron, Hermionie, Ginny, Fred, and George all said goodbye to Mr. and Mrs. Weasley and set off in search of an empty compartment. They found one at the end of the train and sat down, as they waited for the train to go.

As they waved out the window, the train began to move slowly along the rusted tracks. It was Ron, who started a conversation.

"So...Why've you been so quiet lately, Herm? Don't want to talk to us or something?" he said teasingly.

"No, I just felt like being alone, that's all... " She broke off and went silent again.

"Is something bothering you Hermionie?" Harry asked.

"No... I'm fine," she said flatly. There was a slightly awkward silence, and then Ginny spoke.

"Is it about Viktor, Hermionie?" They waited for her answer.

"Yes. He said he liked me!" she seemed to suddenly lose her head, "When I wrote to him, he would write back, but it was always so brief! Then, right before I came over, he wrote to me again and said he didn't think he liked me anymore! I mean, he was quite nice, but he changed so quickly!" she took a deep breath and held her head in her hands. Ginny patted her comfortingly on the shoulder.

"Oh... Sorry Hermionie, we had no idea..." Ron said quietly. Having this conversation seemed to clear her mind and take things off her chest. She was in a much better mood than before and seemed to want to talk a bit more. The train eventually began to slow down and come to a stop. They flooded onto the platform and headed for the carriages that would take them up the Hogwarts Castle.

Teetering dangerously, as they made their way up the path to the castle, they waited with baited breath, to find out who the new person was. Finally the cart came to a stop and they got out. The great oak doors opened and Professor McGonagall stood in the Entrance Hall to greet them.

"Please, take your seats at your house tables. Mr. Potter, come with me please." She turned on her heel and Harry, not knowing what was going on, said bye to Ron and Hermionie and followed Professor McGonagall. They walked in silence until they reached her office.

"Um, professor? What's going on?" Harry asked.

"Professor Dumbledore has asked me to tell you something that I think will come as bit of a shock to you. We had decided not to tell you until you got to school, but- well... Sirius Black had his name cleared three weeks ago and-" she was cut off by Harry´s yelps of joy as he jumped up and down.

"WOW!!! Oh... sorry professor," Harry stopped jumping and listened to what she had to say.

"Seen as he was out of work, Professor Dumbledore hired him as the new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher. Now, that is all. You can come with me down to the Great Hall, the sorting hasn't begun just yet." Harry followed Professor McGonagall down to the Great Hall, feeling happier than he ever had in his entire life... He couldn't wait to tell Ron and Hermionie!