Harry Potter and the Power Unknown

~Chapter Eight: On the Road Again~

Once on board, Ron and Hermione headed to the prefect's car to patrol the train, so Harry and Ginny continued to the back to find an open compartment. Ginny opened one in which Neville Longbottom and Luna Lovegood were sitting; Harry was slightly disappointed because he was hoping to sit with Ginny alone, but he followed her in just the same.

"Hello," Luna said politely in a dreamy voice, then went back to reading her copy of The Quibbler.

"Hi'ya, Harry!" Neville said brightly. "Check it out!" he said, and he pulled out a wand from the pocket of his robes. "Eight inches, maple, unicorn tail core. Gran was really mad about my dad's wand, but she was still proud of me for helping you at the Department of Mysteries."

"That's great, Neville," replied Harry, eager to steer the conversation away from the events of that night. "What happened to that weird plant thing you had last year?" he asked.

"Oh, the Mimbulous Mimbletonia? Professor Sprout said she would look after it for me over the summer. She wrote to me and said it was huge! I think we may learn about it this year in N.E.W.T. Herbology." Neville sighed and said, "Herbology was the only 'O' I got for O.W.Ls. Gran wasn't happy, but I managed to get an 'E' in Defense Against the Dark Arts thanks to you, Harry."

"That's bloody brilliant, Neville!" said Harry, beaming at him.

"Thanks," Neville answered sheepishly.

"Are you worried about exams this year, Luna?" asked Ginny.

Luna looked up from her upside-down copy of The Quibbler, and as she did so, she caught Harry's eye. To his surprise, his stomach jumped when he looked at her, but he pushed it out of his mind.

"No," Luna began, "I did a lot of studying in Sweden when I was there with daddy looking for a crumple-horned snorkak. There is a lot of magical history in Sweden, you know."

"Oh, well... that's nice," said Ginny, struggling to keep a straight face.

Ron and Hermione joined them shortly before the lunch trolley came by.

"Great! I'm starved," Ron said as he grabbed a chocolate frog from the large pile of treats they all agreed to share. The six of them sat and talked about many things as the train rolled closer towards Hogwarts: who the new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher might be, Luna's adventures in Sweden and England's chances of making it to the Quiddich World Cup. Harry spent most of the trip lost in thoughts; he marveled at the fact that everyone sitting with him risked their lives for him just a few months before. He was never very close with Neville and certainly not Luna, but he felt a certain bond between the six of them due to the events at the beginning of the summer. He vowed at that moment never to put them in harm's way again; no one else was going to sacrifice their lives for him. So many of those he loved gave their lives to save him and he promised himself no one else would have to ever again. His emotions, so close to the surface these days, began to overwhelm him again as his thoughts turned to Sirius and his parents when he realized the compartment was silent. He looked up and saw his companions staring back at him.

"Everything okay, Harry?" asked Hermione.

He smiled. "Yeah, I just wanted to say thanks." He looked at their puzzled faces and went on. "You know, I never got a chance to tell you all at the end of last term, but thanks for coming with me to the ministry. I'm sorry I put you all in so much risk and I'm sorry things turned out to be such a mess," he said.

"Well, what are friends for?" said Luna, smiling at him.

"Thphsritarrty." Ron was attempting (and failing) to speak with his mouth still full of frog. Hermione and Ginny both rolled their eyes, but Harry, Neville and Luna laughed. Ron swallowed hard and tried again. "That's right, Harry. We'll always be there for you whether you like it or not."

"I don't want anyone else to die for me," Harry said darkly. "Azkaban won't hold the death eaters for long and ..."

"That's right, Potter," a drawling voice interrupted. Standing in the doorway of the compartment was Draco Malfoy and his cronies Crabbe and Goyle. "They will break out soon enough and all your blood-traitor and mudblood friends will die right alongside you."

"You know," Harry said to him, "you seem to make a habit of showing up to annoy us at the beginning of every school year. Don't you have anything better to do?" Without waiting for Malfoy to respond, he continued. "You look different from when I saw you last, Malfoy. I guess your mum didn't like you more as a slug. We really thought she would since you were much better looking as one." The little color that was in Malfoy's face slowly drained away as Harry and his friends laughed at him.

"I heard you need a werewolf for a bodyguard, Potter. Not scared of the Dark Lord, are you?" Malfoy shot back.

"I'm less scared of him than you are, I'd wager," Harry said coolly.

"I'd watch your back if I were you, Potter," Malfoy said as he moved down the hallway with Crabbe and Goyle in his wake.

They all enjoyed another good laugh as the remembered Malfoy, Crabbe and Goyle's mangled forms in the train at the end of last term, but as their laughter died down Harry's mind turned back to Sirius and the prophecy. He wanted to tell Hermione, but he was reluctant about telling Neville, Luna or even Ginny. Still, he thought, they all helped and defended me at the Ministry of Magic, and they have a right to know why they risked their lives.

"So, anyway," he began, "like I was saying, Azkaban won't hold the death eaters forever and you need to understand why I don't want you all involved, why I have to face Voldemort alone." Everyone was staring at him, wide-eyed and eager despite their shudders at the mention of Voldemort's name, and after a glance at Ron for support, he took a deep breath and continued. "The prophecy the death eaters were after in the Department of Mysteries was about me and Voldemort, which you probably gathered from seeing my name on the orb with his."

"I thought the prophecy smashed and no one heard what it said," Ginny interrupted.

"It did, but Dumbledore heard it and he showed me his memory of it in his pensive. The short version of that actual prophecy says that the only one who can conquer Voldemort for good was born at the end of July 16 years ago." He paused, considering whether or not to tell Neville the prophecy might have been about him, but decided against it and went on. "It also said that Voldemort would 'mark him as his equal' and that 'neither can live while the other survives'." He took another deep breath and plunged on. "The prophecy was talking about me. I was marked as Voldemort's equal by his own hand, so I am the only one who can defeat him for good. I'm supposed to have some sort of power he doesn't have, and he has tried to kill me my whole life because that power might destroy him. The only problem is, I don't have that power, or at least I don't know how to use it. But that's why you guys can't get involved!" he said desperately. "This is my burden, and fighting alongside me will only get you killed." He sighed one last time and closed his eyes as he leaned back in his seat. Sudden relief washed over him as the pressure of keeping this secret from his friends dissipated. After a few seconds, he opened his eyes to see them all still staring at him. It came as no surprise to Harry that Hermione spoke first.

"So, if that prophecy is true, then why didn't V-Voldemort die when the killing curse rebounded on him?" she asked.

Harry opened his mouth to respond, and then suddenly closed it again. Why didn't Voldemort die? He already knew that he, Harry, survived because of his mother's sacrifice, but Voldemort didn't have that protection at the time. So he should have died, Harry thought. He pondered this for a minute then shrugged and said, "I dunno. Maybe it has to come directly from my hand; maybe I have to do the killing curse myself; I mean, he said the curse and it just sort of bounced off me so I guess his own curse can't kill him. Only a curse from me can, I suppose."

Hermione looked skeptical, but before she could go on Neville asked, "who made the prophecy, Harry?"

"Professor Trelawney," answered Harry with a smirk. "She told it to Dumbledore when he was interviewing her for the Divination position

Hermione laughed aloud so suddenly that even Luna jumped. "That old bat made the prophecy? Well, then you have nothing to worry about, Harry!" she said.

"You shouldn't laugh, Hermione," Luna said absentmindedly without looking up from her paper.

"Why? She's got a point, you know," Ron said. "Trelawney's a right old fraud. Maybe Hermione's right, Harry. I never thought of that before."

"Trelawney may be a fraud in class, but her great-great-grandmother was very gifted, so it is entirely possible she could actually manifest and make a real prediction," Luna said.

Ron rolled his eyes and looked at Harry as if expecting him to immediately disagree with Luna, but Harry said, "She's right, Ron. Trelawney has made two real predictions. Well, two that people have heard, anyway. The first was the prophecy about Voldemort and me to Dumbledore, and the second was to me in our third year- Ginny and Luna's second year."

Ron and Hermione looked mutinous. "You never told us that! Why didn't you...?" Hermione began. Harry held up his hand and interrupted her.

"I forgot all about it when I saw you guys afterwards and you told me Buckbeak was going to be executed. Trelawney made a prediction just as I was leaving the final exam about Wormtail breaking free to help Voldemort rise to power again. After she told me, she had no idea that she had said anything important at all. When I told her what she had said she looked at me as if I was crazy. I have a feeling after Dumbledore heard the first prophecy he knew she would make another significant prediction, and that's why he hired her even though she had no real obvious talent," Harry added with a chuckle. "So Luna's right, Hermione, and she may make more predictions now Voldemort is back."

Luna looked up at these words from Harry and she caught his eye again. She was different somehow, not in a grown-up way like Ginny since Luna was always somewhat grown-up, but her dreamy expression was wise and kind. His stomach contracted once more, but since no one noticed, he decided to ignore it as well. After a few moments of silence, Ginny spoke up.

"Well, I don't know about anyone else, but I'm not going to let you carry this burden on your own, Harry," she said.

"Yeah," said Ron and Neville together.

"That's right, Harry," said Hermione.

"But..." Harry began.

"Look," Ginny interrupted, "I understand if you feel you have to face You-Know-Who alone, but that doesn't mean you have to face his death eaters alone as well!"

"We've been through this before, Harry. We're coming with you," Neville said with a smile.

Harry looked around at all the stubborn faces of his friends, and he felt his pain lessen somehow. Slowly, he accepted defeat at last and smiling he simply said, "Thanks." They beamed at the sincerity in his voice. In the depths of his brain, however, he knew he would never let them help him. He couldn't bear the thought of losing anyone else important in his life.

A short while later they arrived at Hogwarts, and Ron and Hermione rushed off to help the first years find their way. Harry expected to hear Hagrid's familiar voice as he climbed off the train, but for the second year in a row the deep, gruff sound of Hagrid did not come. He must be on another mission for Dumbledore, thought Harry gloomily. He missed Hagrid over the summer and felt extremely bad for acting so rudely towards him at the end of term. But what happened with Grawp? Harry wondered, secretly hoping the giant was no longer a resident of the forbidden forest. He headed for the carriages and stopped at one to pet the head of the thestral pulling it. He knew thestrals would forever remind him of the Ministry of Magic and his thoughts moved to Sirius again. The glowing eyes looked up at him and a chill ran up his spine even though he knew the thestrals were tame; thestrals reminded him of death when he first learned of them, and now that feeling intensified dramatically.

Suddenly realizing how odd he must look since not everyone could see the thestrals, he turned to climb into the carriage. As he did so, he found himself face to face with Luna Lovegood and jumped so much he nearly fell over.

"Luna, you scared the hell out of me! How long have you been there?" he demanded.

"Long enough," she said with a vague smile. "Climb in; I see Ron and Hermione heading towards us," she said as she gestured at the carriage. Harry looked at Luna longer than he meant to; she was different somehow, and he remembered how sorry he felt for her at the end of the school year.

"Did you find all your things before you left school?" he asked.

"Oh, yes," she answered. "My things always turn up."

Harry then climbed into the carriage behind her, followed by Hermione and a disheveled looking Ron.

"These first years are cheeky," he said grumpily. "I bet the really bad ones end up in Slytherin- they think they are so tough now You-Know-Who is back. Where's Ginny?"

"Sharing a carriage with Neville," answered Luna, her protuberant eyes gazing at Ron curiously. He either did not notice or did not care.

"I wonder where Hagrid is," said Hermione. "I hope he's alright."

Harry nodded but Ron sat up suddenly and said, "Oh! Dad mentioned something about that, and I forgot to tell you! Apparently, the giants he talked to last summer- you know the ones against Golgomath- contacted Dumbledore and said they were willing to fight for him! So Dumbledore sent Hagrid back to negotiate with them."

"That's wonderful... but, oohh, what if Golgomath catches them?" Hermione wondered fearfully.

"Hagrid's tough. He can handle himself," said Harry.

"Yeah, and with a bloody giant army behind him he will be more than fine," added Ron.

When the carriages finally reached the school, the four headed toward the Great Hall where they met up with Ginny and Neville. Luna said goodbye and left to sit at the Ravenclaw table, and Harry found himself watching her walk away and suddenly felt a strange need to want to protect her. Lupin jostled him back to his senses when he came over to the Gryffindor table. He smiled at everyone then said to Harry, "Dumbledore would like to see you, Harry."

Harry looked crestfallen so Lupin added, "Don't worry; we'll be back for the feast."

Reluctantly, Harry followed Lupin into the entrance hall and up the stairs to Dumbledore's office. Lupin gave the password ("Skiving Snackbox") to the gargoyle, which promptly sprang to life and jumped aside allowing them to proceed up the twisting staircase. Lupin, not bothering to knock, held the door open for Harry whose attention turned immediately to Professor McGonigall holding his Firebolt.

"Hello, Mr. Potter," she said. "I have some good news: your Quiddich ban has been lifted and the headmaster and I decided to name you captain of the Gryffindor team."

"Wow!" Harry exclaimed. "I don't know what to say," he said as he reached out for his broomstick.

"You don't need to say anything, Potter. I can tell by your expression that you accept." She handed the Firebolt over with a slight smile and added, "And do try to win again, Potter. Find some good players because I have become accustomed to seeing the Cup in my office."

"Thanks, Professor," said Harry gratefully, and with that Professor McGonigall left the office.

Harry was still examining his broom when Dumbledore spoke for the first time. "Hello, Harry. Are you well?" he asked.

Harry shrugged. "Alright, I guess."

"I trust Professor Lupin has told you he will be remaining at Hogwarts to, among other things, keep and eye on you." Harry nodded. "Very well. He will also help you with occlumency and re-establishing the DA, although I think it would be more... appropriate to rename it the 'Defense Association' as opposed to the alternative," Dumbledore said with a twinkle in his old eyes. Harry nodded again and Dumbledore looked inquisitively at him. "Is there something bothering you, Harry?" Dumbledore asked.

"No," Harry lied. He thought for a moment and then said, "Actually there is, Professor." He took a deep breath and confessed to Lupin and Dumbledore everything he overheard the night after his attack on Kreacher. Dumbledore waited for him to finish before speaking.

"What is it you want to know, Harry?" he asked.

Harry gaped at him and felt his temper rise. "I want to know if it's true! And why you never told me!" he exclaimed. Dumbledore's desk began to tremble and Lupin took a step back from Harry in alarm. Dumbledore didn't budge, so Harry went on. "How am I supposed to control my emotions if you keep hiding things from me? Even after what you told me last year you still insist on lying to me!"

"First of all, Harry," Dumbledore began firmly, "take a deep breath and calm down." Harry did so reluctantly and the desk stopped shaking. "Second," Dumbledore continued, "I have never lied to you nor will I ever lie to you, but you must understand that even though we had our talk and I said it was a mistake to keep certain things from you, I cannot and will not divulge all information about the Order to you. You do not need to know all of it and it is not your responsibility."

"But it is!" Harry argued. "It is my responsibility! I am the only one who can stop Voldemort for good and if I have to give my life for a cause then..."

"WHAT?!" Lupin yelled suddenly.

Dumbledore sighed and placed his folded hands on his desk. Harry couldn't believe his ears.

"You never told him? He's the only family I have left and he doesn't even know?" Harry asked incredulously.

"Tell me what? What's going on, Albus? What's this about?" Lupin asked.

"The prophecy Lord Voldemort was trying to steal last year says that a boy born at the end of July 16 years ago would be the only one with the power to defeat Voldemort for good..."

"Yes, I know," Lupin interrupted, "but you never told me about Harry having to give his life."

"Well," Harry explained grumpily, "part of the section of the prophecy Voldemort didn't hear says neither can live while the other survives."

"Who made the prophecy?" Lupin asked.

"Sybil Trelawney did, as I was interviewing her for the open divination position over sixteen years ago," said Dumbledore softly. "I only told a small number of people the full contents, Remus, because the more people who knew it, the more lives were at risk. Sirius knew because I needed him to keep am eye on Harry and he insisted on knowing why," Dumbledore continued.

"What do you mean 'the more lives were at risk'? Why would knowing the prophecy be dangerous?" Harry asked.

"Harry, we went through great lengths to protect the last part of the prophecy, and Voldemort would do whatever it took to learn it including torture and murder. So therefore, I believed the less people who knew about it, the better," Dumbledore replied, sighing deeply as he finished.

"Be that as it may Albus," Lupin continued, "Harry's right. If it comes down to giving his life he needs to know almost everything that is happening, otherwise it seems like you are just using him as your pawn..."

"Dumbledore stood up so fast at these words that Lupin and Harry started. "Remus, I have a lot of respect for you and your concern for Harry," he said, his power pulsing through the room. "But please do not think that I would use Harry in such a way. He is very important to our cause, yes, but you should know I am more concerned with his safety and happiness. He cannot escape his destiny, but until he is ready he needs to be protected."

"Why are both of you talking about me like I'm not here?" Harry asked angrily. Both Dumbledore and Lupin smiled, and the mood lightened a little.

"Alright, Harry. I will tell you what I know about your power," Dumbledore said finally. "I told you at the end of last term that Voldemort could not bear to reside in a body so full of the thing he despises: love. There is so much love inside you, not just from your mother but also from every single person that has ever defended or helped you in any way. Love is why Voldemort couldn't touch you your first year and why he could not possess you last year. Now, the downside to this is the fact that your love is tied directly to your emotions; just as you can feel love through happiness, you can feel hatred through anger. Unfortunately, your anger is the first of your powers that you have tapped; if you had learned of this incredible power through happiness the situation might have been different, but because of your suffering the anger is surfacing instead." Dumbledore paused to look at Harry, and Harry realized he was on the edge of his seat leaning very close to Dumbledore's desk. He scooted back and Lupin continued the story.

"The reason we are concerned about your anger, Harry, is because you have so much power that you could potentially do some damage if you don't learn to control it."

"What do you mean, 'do some damage'?" Harry asked. Lupin cast Dumbledore a significant look and Harry, looking between the two of them asked, "What? What is it?"

Dumbledore sighted again and said, "Harry, if someone makes you angry enough, you could destroy the whole school."

Harry sat awestruck at what Dumbledore said. How was that possible? How could he have so much power?

Dumbledore saw the worried look on his face and attempted to raise his spirits. "Do not worry, Harry; we will help you as much as we can. But this is why it is so important that you continue occlumency so you can close yourself off from emotion in order to control your temper," said Dumbledore. "You will begin lessons Tuesday evening, and since Quiddich practices will very likely take up a lot of spare time, I suggest you consult your friends to decide on a weekly time for DA meetings. I should also tell you that if you are ever in trouble and cannot apparate for any reason, the pendant- yes, I know about your gift from Sirius," he added, "the pendent is also a one-use-only portkey to the school. If you use it, you must see me after so I can reactivate it. Now, let's head down to the feast; I'm starving," he said with a laugh.

"We can talk more later if you want, Harry," said Lupin quietly. "I will see that your broom gets taken up to your room."

Harry nodded, and the three of them headed to the Great Hall once again for the feast. Harry found his seat with Ron and Hermione as Lupin and Dumbledore made their way up to the staff table.

"What was that all about?" Ron asked.

"I'll tell you later," Harry whispered, noticing that Dumbledore was about to speak.

"Welcome all to another year at Hogwarts!" Dumbledore began. "I have a few announcements to make before the feast commences. Each house will hold Quiddich tryouts on the last week of September for all who are interested in helping their house compete for the Cup. Also, we have three new changes to the staff this year. Professor Hagrid will be spending the rest of the school year abroad, so I would like to welcome back Professor Grubbly-Plank who will be taking over Care for Magical Creatures lessons."

Following this statement was clearly mixed applause; the Gryffindor table was unenthusiastic about Hagrid's absence, but a good portion of the rest of the school was happy to have Grubbly-Plank back.

"Second," Dumbledore continued, "we have appointed a new defense against the dark arts teacher due to the annual vacancy we seem to continue to get, and I am happy to announce that the position will be filled by none other than our own professor Snape."

"WHAT?!" Ron yelled so loud Hermione elbowed him in the ribs. Ron's face turned quite red as others giggled at him and he immediately fell silent, but Harry thought he saw Dumbledore smile slightly in their direction.

"The vacancy for potions master, then, has been filled by a new member to our staff. I would like to introduce Professor Erus Venenum. Good luck, professor," Dumbledore said. Half-hearted applause filled the Great Hall since no one really cared about anything at that point except eating their full share of the wonderful food to come. Dumbledore seemed to have noticed this because he said, "Well then, I'm starved; let's eat!" He waved his hands and the tables magically filled with mountains of food that the students groped for immediately.

"Umiththsortg," Ron said to Harry while stuffing his own face with mashed potatoes.

"Honestly, Ron!" Hermione scoffed. "He means to say that you missed the sorting. The Sorting Hat sang another song of warning, and he hinted that the battle may begin from within," she said.

Harry pondered this then said, "Well, sitting in Dumbledore's office probably clues him into things; too bad we can't have a sorting every month so we could find out new information from him."

"Yeah," agreed Ron as he swallowed his food. "So what did Dumbledore want, then?"

Harry told them what Dumbledore said about his powers and, seeing the frightened look on their faces, he tried ending on a lighter note by telling them about his Quiddich captaincy. The subject change seemed to work on Ron because he said, "Wow! That's wicked!" but it did not work on Hermione.

"Yes, that is wonderful, but oh, Harry, you'll have to be really careful about your powers!"

"I know, Hermione, but I don't really want to talk about it right now, okay? Dumbledore already set occlumency lessons with Lupin for me," Harry said.

"Well good luck with that, mate," Ron said with a sarcastic smile, "but at least it's better than Snape. I can't believe made that git our Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher. What is he thinking?" he said as he gestured at Snape.

"Maybe it won't be so bad," said Hermione. "Besides, it's probably the reason Harry got into N.E.W.T. potions without an 'Outstanding'."

"What do you mean, 'it won't be so bad'? I thought I would never have to sit in that slimy git's classes ever again, but now I'm stuck!" Ron argued.

The two bickered for a while but Harry easily ignored them since he was so used to it. He focused on finishing his second piece of apple-rhubarb pie and he began to notice the dying chatter in the Hall. This usually means that everyone was finished eating so Dumbledore got up and spoke once more.

"Very well. If the prefects would please escort the new students to their dormitories, you will find your belongings are waiting for you. Your schedules will be handed out tomorrow morning at breakfast. Good evening!"

Groggy from the feast, Ron and Harry made to leave the Great hall and head up to Gryffindor tower, but Hermione held Ron back.

"Come on Ron! We have to tell the first years where to go, Ron!" she said.

"Let the fifth year prefects do it, Hermione. I'm tired, and anyway those kids are brats."

Hermione rolled her eyes and stopped away yelling, "First Years! Over here please! Follow me!"

"She is going to go more mental than she is already if she doesn't relax, you know. What a control freak," muttered Ron.

"You like her that way, Ron." Harry didn't mean to say this aloud, and by the look on Ron's face, it was the wrong thing to say. Harry tried to recover quickly. "Just joking, mate. You should lighten up too, you know."

Ron's face softened. "Yeah, I guess you're right."

The two walked slowly up the stairs to Gryffindor Tower together, chatting and laughing about nothing in particular, and Harry finally began to relax.

"Hey, Ron? Would you mind helping me come up with new Quiddich practices? I could really use some new ideas; I mean, I need to devise some new flying techniques and you know more about Quiddich than anyone I know. I figured you could be my co-captain or something," Harry said uncertainly.

Ron's ears turned red but he gladly accepted. "Sure, mate! Can we get started on some new plans tomorrow, then? The chasers for the Chudley Canons have this weird formation I could draw for you."

"Definitely. I finally have something to take my mind off the prophecy and... other stuff." Ron knew Harry was talking about Sirius, so he didn't question this statement further.

They met up with Hermione in the common room as soon as they climbed into the portrait hole, and she looked rather miffed.

"You're right, Ron," she said. Harry and Ron both gaped at her; Hermione never admitted that Ron was right about anything. "Some of those first years are brats. I certainly don't remember being that disrespectful when we were first years. Still, we ended up with some of the better ones; Slytherin got the horrible bunch. I think I will have to talk to McGonigall about lessening my Prefect duties since I am taking a full load of N.E.W.T. classes... what?" she asked, looking between Harry and Ron.

Ron reached out and put his hand on her forehead, which caused her face to flush red. "Are you feeling okay, Hermione? I mean, you're not sick or trying to win a bet or anything, right?" Ron asked with a smirk.

She pushed his hand off her head and said, "Ronald Weasley, just because I work hard all the time doesn't mean I think I shouldn't relax! You should take a lesson and try not relaxing once in a while!"

"A Weasley at his best," said Harry, smiling at Ron. "Can you two save this argument for the morning? I'm exhausted."

Ron looked as if he wanted to say something back at Hermione, but he bit his tongue and mumbled "Goodnight" as she headed up for the girl's Dormitory. Then he and Harry headed the opposite direction to their rooms. Ron's mood changed almost immediately, however, once he saw the Firebolt lying on Harry's bed.

"Feels good to be back, doesn't it?" he asked Harry.

"Yeah, it really does," Harry answered, and without another word, he climbed into his four-poster, closed his eyes and fell asleep.