Harry Potter and the Last Goodnight

"I liked her," Harry announced after Seamus and Nora had left their compartment. "She was really... confident."

"Really weird," Ron replied.

"I liked her too," Hermione said. "She reminded me a little bit of Luna."

Ron turned to Hermione, studying her. "I didn't know you liked Luna."

Hermione shrugged. "She's grown on me. We've been exchanging letters all summer. She wanted to hear all about New York City."

"At least somebody did. Ouch!" Ron winced as Hermione punched him in the shoulder.

"Oh, isn't this sweet. One big, happy, Weasley family," a familiar voice snarled outside the compartment.

"Malfoy," Harry spat. He was standing in the doorway, with his two goons Crabbe and Goyle right behind him. They were either his boyfriends or his bodyguards; he never went anywhere without them. His hair seemed even paler than usual, slicked back in a greasy wad, and his nose seemed to have grown a bit longer over the summer holidays.

"Get the hell out of here," Ron demanded.

"No need to be rude, Weasley," Malfoy replied. "I was just stopping by to discuss what your mum and dad may have left at the Grimmauld Place."

Ginny let out a quiet gasp, and Harry felt her grab onto his knee. "I don't know what you're talking about, Malfoy," Ron retorted.

"Oh, I think you do," Malfoy said. "In fact, I think there was a little bit of Potter's filth there as well. At least according to the late house elf."

Hermione sucked in her breath. She was very partial to house elves. "What do you mean, the late house elf?"

"Ah yes, you always were soft-hearted for your equals, Granger," Malfoy drawled. "Kreacher - was that his name? He certainly wasn't very fond of you. Spilled all of your secrets, I'm afraid."

Ginny's hand was gripping Harry's knee tightly, and if it hadn't been there, Harry was quite sure that he would have jumped up and strangled Malfoy with his bare hands.

"It was too bad he fell into the fire while making dinner one evening. I guess he just couldn't catch his footing after I pushed him. A pity that we couldn't find enough of his head in the charred remains to hang up on the wall in the hallway," he laughed.

"You bastard!" Hermione cried. Harry had never seen her so angry before. It was at that point that he actually feared for Malfoy's life. Nobody messed with Hermione's house elves. Nobody.

She sprung out of her seat on the train, and then cursed at both Ron and Neville for holding her back. She was clawing at them, trying to get to Malfoy. At first, Draco looked worried, but then he laughed as Hermione struggled in Ron's arms.

"Too bad you've got your boyfriend here to take care of you," Malfoy said. "I'd love to have my way with you. I'd show you who the real wizard is here. And I'm not talking about dueling, Granger," he added, licking his lips. "At least not with this wand."

In a flash, Ron stood up from his seat on the train, and this time it took Hermione, Neville, and Harry to hold him back. Malfoy laughed and gestured to his two goons. "Let's get out of here, before Weasley wets his pants trying to get past Potter's groupies."

As he turned to leave, Harry shouted, "How's your dad, Malfoy? Enjoying his time in Azkaban?"

Malfoy stopped dead in his tracks. Harry saw him finger his wand in the pocket of his robes. He turned on Harry, his wand raised and ready. "Care to ask me again, Potter?"

"Now, now, just what's going on here, boys?" the witch asked as she passed the compartment with her trolley full of sweets. She glared at Malfoy, her dimpled face scowling.

Malfoy's eyes were still fixed intently upon Harry, and Harry's stare didn't waiver. He would love to take on Malfoy in the train and put him in his place once and for all, even in the presence of the witch.

Neville's voice piped up out of no where. "N-nothing ma'am," he said, letting go of Ron, who calmly took his seat on the train. "We were just... catching up."

She eyed Malfoy's wand. "I see. Well, put your wand away please, young man," she said to Draco. "We haven't arrived at Hogwarts yet. Anything from the trolley?" she asked.

Everyone shook their head in agreement, and the compartment was silent until the squeaking of her wheels vanished down the hallway.

"This isn't over," Malfoy spat. "I'd watch your backs this year if I were you. My father may be in Azkaban, but it won't be long before..." his voice trailed off as he glanced in the direction that the witch had gone. "It won't be long before he's not anymore." Malfoy tucked his wand back into his robes, and then turned on his heel and out of their compartment.

Ginny sighed in relief and sat back in her seat. "D'you think he was serious?" Harry asked. "About knowing all of our secrets?"

Ron shrugged. "I'm not sure."

"But he was serious about Kreacher," Hermione said bitterly. "I hate Malfoy. I just... I hate him. It's people like Malfoy who make me want to entirely reconsider my career path."

"What do you mean?" Ron asked, rubbing his arm. Harry had given it a good twist while trying to hold him back from Malfoy.

"Well, I'd really like to continue with S.P.E.W."

"Not again!" Ron cried.

Hermione held her hand up to silence him. "Do you think that what happened to Kreacher was really fair? Really? He was killed for no reason by some snot-nosed brat - probably after being tortured for information."

"I doubt it," Harry said. "I don't think that the Malfoys would have had to torture Kreacher to spill his guts."

"Still," Hermione replied, "it's wrong. I feel that wizards owe it to the house elves to look after them. They've looked after us for centuries. It's time to return the favor."

"So who do you think the new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher is going to be?" Ron asked. He, Hermione, and Harry were making their way to the Great Hall for the welcoming feast.

"I think I know who it is," Hermione said, grinning. She swerved to the side of the hallway, narrowly missing a water balloon that Peeves threw at some wandering second years.

"Who?"

She turned to Harry, still grinning. "Well, I think it's going to be Lupin. You know how he told Harry, 'I'm sure you'll be seeing me soon,' before he left the other day? I wonder if Dumbledore's going to give him another shot at the job."

"That'd be excellent!" Ron cried. "He was the best Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher we've ever had."

"I don't think it's him," Harry replied, feeling guilty. He hadn't told Ron and Hermione about the real function of Remus's gift. Harry was almost positive that was the only reason Remus said he'd be seeing him soon. "Lupin said he's going to be really busy with the Order and everything."

Hermione seemed unconvinced, until the three of them pushed open the wide double doors to the Great Hall, and they caught a glimpse of the staff sitting at the High Table. There was one empty seat at the end of the table, which Harry assumed was for Hagrid. Harry recognized all the other teachers, except for a woman who was seated next to McGonagall.

"Who is that?" Ron muttered under his breath. They took a seat near the head of the Gryffindor table. "She looks like McGonagall's twin or something."

Indeed, the woman sitting next to McGonagall looked exactly like a younger version of her. Her hair was tied back into a tight bun, but it was all black, unlike McGonagall's salt-and-pepper hair that had been turning gray over the years. She wore the same square spectacles as Professor McGonagall and had the same beady eyes. The two of them were talking energetically and both were smiling.

"Think she has a younger sister?" Harry asked. "Or a daughter?"

Hermione shrugged. Ron swore under his breath. "Just what Hogwarts needed - two McGonagalls."

Harry didn't bother hiding his grin as Professor McGonagall suddenly stood up and retrieved the Sorting Hat. A hush fell over the Great Hall as the first years were brought inside, huddling together from the frigid trip across the lake. He recognized Seamus's cousin with her curly hair, separated from the rest of the first years. Her arms were crossed in front of her chest and she looked all together unimpressed. Harry watched Hagrid slip inside and take his place at the end of the staff table.

Professor McGonagall set the dusty sorting hat on a three-legged stool in front of the four tables. She took a step back as the brim of the hat opened up and began its song:

A year ago I told you all,

The tale of the all the Founders' fall.

Centuries later it's my duty to warn,

Throughout the year the school with be torn.

Strength in friendship and family and love,

Will prove to be the only weapon against pure blood.

Choose your side carefully, no matter your house,

For in the end my sort will not matter an ounce.

Hufflepuffs, Ravenclaws, Gryffindors, and Slytherins,

Will all have a chance to prove exactly where they fit in.

Loyal souls, clever minds, brave hearts, and a thirst for power

Will all come together in the final hour.

So it is with a heavy burden I say goodbye,

A hat hiding a tear,

Because I hope, dear students of Hogwarts,

That I will see you again next year.

There was an awkward silence after the hat finished its song. Dumbledore was the first to clap, and then the staff joined in. "Bit of a downer," Ron said quietly, reluctantly giving his applause. Harry had to agree.

"Let the Sorting begin!" Dumbledore announced. Professor McGonagall stepped up to the stool and read the first name from a piece of parchment. "Benjamin Aho."

Harry watched as a small boy with pale blonde hair took a seat on the stool. Professor McGonagall placed the Sorting Hat on his head. After a few moments, the Hat shouted out, "Hufflepuff!" Cheers erupted from the Hufflepuff table as he joined them in an empty chair.

"Is it just me, or are the first years getting smaller and smaller?" Ron questioned.

Hermione scoffed. "Your head's just getting bigger and bigger, that's all Ron."

"Very funny. You know, I think I was a lot taller when I was a first year..." he began, but Hermione shushed him. It was Nora Finnegan's turn to be sorted. She stepped up from her lonely spot in the crowd of first years and plopped down on the Sorting Hat stool. She didn't look as indifferent as she did on the train. In fact, Harry could see a hint of fear glistening in her eyes.

Harry found himself holding his breath. After a few seconds of anticipation, the Sorting Hat announced, "Gryffindor!" Nora looked like she was trying to hold back a smile as the Gryffindor table broke into applause and cheer. Seamus stood up from his seat and pounded his fist on the table. She sheepishly sat next to her cousin on the empty bench.

"Runs in the family," Seamus said proudly.

Professor McGonagall continued to call first years up to the Sorting Hat's stool until there was only one very intimidated girl by the name of Helen Warren left. All of the students in the Great Hall cheered as she joined the Ravenclaw table.

When Dumbledore stood from his seat at the center of the high table, Harry couldn't help noticing that he too looked as though he had grown older during the summer holidays. But when he smiled at the four house tables, his blue eyes twinkling wildly, he looked much younger. An immediate silence fell over all of the students as Dumbledore cleared his throat and began his speech.

"Newcomers, old friends, and new friends, I welcome you, once again, to Hogwarts. I promise I only have a few announcements to make and one introduction. As always, the Dark Forest is off limits to all students, at all times - no matter what sort of creatures may prowl between trees." Harry was quite sure that he was distinctly addressing his section of the Gryffindor table at this point. He sank into the back of his chair, hoping to blend in with the rest of his house. In fact, Harry had no desire to go into the Dark Forest to visit Grawp.

"The caretaker, Mr. Filch, has also informed me that the Forbidden Object List now consists of 469 items, and can be viewed in his office at the request of any student. He also wishes me to remind you all that the mischievous events that took place last year will not be tolerated. Please don't get any ideas, as we are still trying to clean up the mess the Weasley twins left behind."

There were nervous chuckles all around the Great Hall. Ron was blushing a little, but he straightened his shoulders and met the eyes of anyone who stole a glance at him and his shed of Weasley-red hair. He was proud of Fred and George, and so was Harry. They would be Hogwarts legends.

"Also, I must impress upon you all the severity of using Dark Magic on these grounds," Dumbledore said. His face was graver, and he looked old again to Harry. "Anyone caught using Dark Magic will be expelled immediately and handed over to the proper authorities, where stern punishment will result." He seemed to be looking directly at the Slytherin table as he spoke. "There will be absolutely no tolerance."

Harry, Hermione, and Ron exchanged worried glances.

"And finally, I would like to introduce you all to the new Defense Against the Dark Arts instructor, Professor Leurre." The professor next to McGonagall gave a short nod and a thin-lipped smile. "And without further ado," Dumbledore said, "let the feast begin!" And with a clap of his hands, food appeared before Harry on the table.

"Leurre?" Hermione said out loud. "Where have I heard that before?"

Ron shrugged. "What do you think that warning about using Dark Magic was about?" he asked, digging into the meal in front of him.

"I suppose he's just making things clear for the Slytherins," Harry suggested. "They've been warned.

"You know, that's something that's bothered me over the summer," Hermione whispered, biting her lower lip. "I mean, if you think about it, our side has Dumbledore's Army. We have D.A. What if the other side has some junior D.E. club?"

"D.E.?" Ron questioned.

Harry frowned. "Death Eaters."

Harry sat contently across from Hermione in the Gryffindor common room. Ron had departed for his conference with Snape, leaving the two of them alone for a dull and uneventful game of Wizard's Chess. He was beating the pants off of Hermione without even trying. Harry could tell she was distracted. She would look at the board, a befuddled expression on her face, and chew her lower lip. Her eyes were clouded and far away.

"Do you think Snape will let him in?" she questioned.

Harry shrugged. He was afraid to hope for anything.

"I mean, it's not like he doesn't try. Okay, well, maybe there are some days where he plays Quidditch instead of doing his Potions homework, but everybody needs to have a little fun now and then... er, everyday..." She sighed. "He's so screwed."

"Screwed?" Harry had never heard Hermione use that kind of language before.

"Something I picked up in New York," she replied, grinning. "You wouldn't believe how beautiful the city is, Harry. All of the people - you'd never be able to tell who was a muggle and who wasn't. It was amazing. Though it's not London," she added thoughtfully.

"Check," Harry said, moving his bishop diagonal from Hermione's king.

She moved it forward one space. "I saw this protest outside of a steakhouse. It was amazing. People were carrying signs with photos of dead carcasses and meat processing plants on them. There was even a cow outside with a sign strapped around its neck that said, 'Don't eat me!' in big, blood-red writing."

Harry laughed. He moved one of his few pawns forward a space, hoping to catch Hermione in a trap.

"They had all of the pamphlets filled with information, too. And they were giving them away for free. I was thinking that maybe I could organize a rally for S.P.E.W. or something here at Hogwarts. I talked with one of the leaders and he said - hey!"

Harry followed Hermione's gaze. There was a tiny, gray, tiger-striped kitten following Crookshanks around. The kitten was walking up behind the orange cat, its tail twitching, as one of its paws would reach out and playfully swat at Crookshanks's side. Then Crookshanks would run away, but a few seconds later, the gray kitten would be back at his side again.

"Looks like Crookshanks has found a friend," Harry said.

Hermione scowled. "Why - that kitten - it's picking on Crookshanks!" she cried.

"No, it's just playing with him," Harry replied. "I think it'd do him a big of good anyway. He's looking a little large."

She glared at him. "Are you saying that Crookshanks is fat?"

Harry shook his head, fearing her retaliation if he admitted his true feelings about the cat. "I'm just saying he could use some activity."

Hermione scoffed. "Whose cat is it, anyway? Some first year's?" She watched the cat suspiciously. "This place isn't big enough for the both of them. He was here first. He doesn't have to put with this." She was on her feet in a flash. She stalked over to the kitten and picked it up by the scruff of its neck, its paws flailing. She walked over to a group of first years who were chatting excitedly.

"Whose is it?" Hermione demanded, her prefect's badge shining in the glow from the candlelight, intimidating the children. The kitten hung from her grip, defenseless.

The first years exchanged glances. "She's mine!" cried a voice from the floor. She was sitting on a carpet in front of the fireplace, reading a book. Harry recognized her as Nora, Seamus's little cousin. She quickly sprang to her feet. "Was she bothering you?"

Hermione quickly put the kitten back down on the floor. Harry was surprised to see her back down from her position of disdain with the new kitten. "Er... No. No. I was just wondering. You see, I have a cat too."

"The ginger one?" Nora asked. Hermione nodded. "He's very handsome. What's his name?"

"Crookshanks," she replied. Her cheeks were a tad red, and Harry could tell she felt guilty about making a fuss over a kitten.

"This is Alley," Nora said. She picked up the gray kitten and cuddled her in her arms. Alley reached out and grabbed one of Nora's curls with her paws, and Nora giggled. "I found her before I came here. In an alley," she added.

"Oh, well... That's interesting," Hermione said, though Harry got the impression it wasn't very interesting at all. She excused herself from the conversation and headed back towards the table where Harry was sitting. She plopped down in the chair and Crookshanks climbed into her lap, purring with gratitude. "I think sometimes the power of a prefect gets to my head," she explained. "I suppose it is a harmless little kitten. Rather cute, actually."

Harry raised an eyebrow, confused. "I guess. Checkmate." He was about to capture Hermione's king when Ron burst through the common room door, out of breath, his face flushed.

"You're not going to believe what Snape wants me to do!"