- Rating:
- PG-13
- House:
- Schnoogle
- Characters:
- Harry Potter Hermione Granger Ron Weasley Remus Lupin Sirius Black
- Genres:
- Action Drama
- Era:
- Multiple Eras
- Spoilers:
- Philosopher's Stone Chamber of Secrets Prizoner of Azkaban Goblet of Fire
- Stats:
-
Published: 03/12/2003Updated: 06/18/2004Words: 105,717Chapters: 17Hits: 25,132
Harry Potter and the Dark Mark
venus
- Story Summary:
- The sequel to Harry Potter and the Heir of Gryffindor. In Harry's 6th year, the Wizarding world is in bedlam: the dark movement is on the rise with a streak of senseless murders one after the other after the other. Harry's quest to stop the terror leads to the revelation of ancient secrets, re-visiting the past , and some old scores are *finally* settled!
Chapter 05
- Chapter Summary:
- The sequel to Harry Potter and the Heir of Gryffindor. In Harry’s 6th year, the Wizarding world is in bedlam: the dark movement is on the rise with a streak of senseless murders one after the other after the other. Harry’s quest to stop the terror leads to the revelation of ancient secrets, re-visiting the past, and some old scores are *finally* settled!
- Posted:
- 04/02/2003
- Hits:
- 1,208
Chapter Five: The Beater
How strange it seemed to Harry that this was the sixth time he sat aboard the scarlet Hogwarts Express with Ron and Hermione. It was a journey he'd grown to know so well, that he could tell simply by the endless green of the hills, the manner in which the shadows fell across the fields, and by the feel of the air, that Hogwarts -- that home-- was just around the corner. They rounded a bend and Hogwarts' towering spires became visible in the distance, just as dusk was setting in and the castle with all the hills surrounding it seemed to burn with deep purple and blue. And at that moment, when Harry's breath caught in his chest as it always did when the castle's silhouette jumped out at him, everything that had been plaguing him simply vanished. Dudley, Sophie-- all of it. His stomach twisted, just as it would have if he were to have caught sight of a true love-- for his feeling towards Hogwarts was most certainly a love affair. The train finally crept to a stop. Harry, Ron and Hermione, as well as Ginny, were met almost immediately by the other Gryffindor sixth years. Dean Thomas, who'd been named a Prefect the year before, Seamus Finnegan, Neville Longbottom and Lavender Brown sought them out amongst the throngs of students, and they began their walk out of the station, up the hill towards Hogwarts. The excited whisperings between the students on the journey either focused on the adventures they encountered on their holiday (or lack thereof) or it was about the horrible tragedies of the past few months. Seamus appeared to be obsessed by it. "You know that Owlery in Edinburgh? I'd bloody been there just the day before!" "You're lying," said Dean. "No, really! Me own owl, Gingersnap, was gettin' much too old and Mum and Dad took me to pick out a new one. I couldn't believe it when I read the news the next day!" "You and everyone else in the world," said Dean. "Gran was really shook up about it," said Neville. "Wouldn't even let me go outside after that without me telling her where I was." Seamus smirked. "Isn't that normal for your Nan anyway, Neville?" Neville blushed and they all laughed as they followed McGonagall in through the main entrance and into the great hall. Ah, that warm candlelight-- how Harry had missed it! Even more than that, he had missed the sound of the rush of robes as the students made for their seats, and the steady hum of chatter that followed. "Malfoy," said Ron in a low grumble. Harry craned his neck to see Malfoy take his prominent seat at the Slytherin table. "Ever find out what he was talking to Dudley about?" Harry shook his head sadly, eyeing Malfoy. "I'd get to the bottom of that, if I were you. Malfoy and a Muggle spells trouble." Draco looked up and caught sight of Harry and they held a steady gaze. Draco's eyes hit Harry with an impenetrable coldness-- they felt ever so much more biting than they ever had before. Whatever softness or vulnerability Harry had briefly seen before was most certainly gone now. Seeing Draco right then, well, it was as though last term had all been a silly dream. "Hey!" came Neville's voice, ripping Harry away from his thoughts, "It's Professor Gray! He's still here!" Harry looked up to see Professor Simon Gray in his signature crisp black robes, taking his seat next to a stern-faced Severus Snape. Harry lit up immediately upon sight of Gray. Professor Gray was their Defense Against the Dark Arts professor last term, and the first one in untold years who was back for a second term! Everyone loved him. But none more so than Harry, and for good reason: Simon Gray was none other than Sirius Black. Sirius' eyes found Harry and he nodded a friendly hello. Harry beamed. The great doors burst open at that moment, and in walked Professor McGonagall with a trail of tiny first years behind her. Their mouths were gaped in awe, and their eyes were wide, taking in the strange new world around them. The sorting ceremony seemed to just whiz by and soon there were only a handful of first years left. The last was a frail, pale-faced girl who looked ready to faint. "Gryffindor!" shouted the sorting hat, and Harry, along with the rest of the house, broke into applause. The girl looked visibly relieved as she walked down the aisle, looking for a seat. Harry made Seamus move over. "Here you go, there's a spot right here." She had an elfin quality about her and she blushed at Harry's kind gesture. "Th-thanks." Colin Creevey reached forward across the table. "Hi! I'm Colin Creevey! What was your name again?" "Vera Zaentz." "Hello, Vera. This here's my brother Dennis, and that you're sitting next to is Harry Potter." "Colin," Harry scolded. After all these years, you'd think he would know better than that. Vera's mouth fell. "Really?" Her eyes made their inevitable search of his forehead. "Oh, I've read all about you!" "Only believe half of what you read, if that--" "Don't listen to him," dismissed Colin with a wave of his small hand, "he's always trying to be noble." "I'm not trying to be noble, Colin, I'm just tired of you constantly--" Harry's words trailed off and he stared at the first year in horror. "What do you think you're doing?" Vera had pulled out a quill. "Well, Mum really loves you-- I have to send her an autograph." It was like second year all over again. Harry shifted uncomfortably at his seat, keenly aware that the eyes of the entire Gryffindor tape were upon him. "Maybe later, okay Vera?" "Promise?" her wide eyes were pleading. "Yes," he said quickly. Ron seemed to love all of this. "Hey! I've got a great idea! Maybe Colin can take a picture of Harry for you, Vera, and you can have that signed. Colin's really good at that sort of thing, you know." Harry scowled at a smiling Ron. "Thanks, mate." "Anytime." Harry's thoughts of strangling Colin and Ron were interrupted by Professor Dumbledore at the faculty table who stood up and clapped his hands. "Well done first years, yes, well done! I should like to welcome all the first years to Hogwarts, and an equally as warm welcome to the rest of our returning students. Now, I know you are all most anxious to begin the feast, but a few words before we begin . . ." Harry chuckled to himself, well remembering Nitwit, Blubber, Odment, Tweat from his first year. "As is the custom, Quidditch trials will once again be held during the second week of term. Please see Madame Hooch if you are interested in trying for your House team." Harry nudged Ron in the side. "That means you, Ron." Ron smiled and lowered his eyes bashfully as Dumbledore continued. " . . . To all seventh year students, please be reminded that study sessions for your NEWT exams will be held by Madame Pince in the library the first and last Monday of the month." Harry could hear Hermione eagerly whispering, "I wonder if they'll let me sit in on them." " . . .And finally," said Dumbledore, "I would like to extend a warm welcome to our returning defense against the dark arts professor--Simon Gray!" Harry led the Gryffindors in a round of applause, which was soon matched by the other Houses--even Slytherin obliged! "It has been nine years since such has been the case here at Hogwarts," said Dumbledore, "and I am sure that I speak for all here when I say . . . it's about time!" The room erupted into laughter and more applause and even from where Harry sat, he could see a red flush to Sirius' cheeks. The clapping and laughing finally died down and Dumbledore didn't move from his spot. In fact, he just stood there, not saying anything. Soon the entire hall fell silent, watching Dumbledore-- wondering what it was he was doing. The silence commanded their undivided attention. "Now. . . I should like, for a moment, to speak to you all regarding the recent events that have shaken our community." Harry's stomach plummeted, and the other Gryffindors similarly donned solemn countenances. They waited for Dumbledore to continue. "I understand that many are, quite frankly, scared of what has been happening in recent months. I wish to impress on all of you the seriousness of the current state of affairs-- we are living in what seem to be uncertain times. However, I tell all of you today, there is one thing you can be certain of. And that is, of course, that good triumphs against evil." He paused and then, in a voice stronger and angrier than Harry was accustomed to, he added, "Always." Harry fought off a case of the chills. Dumbledore cleared his throat and then clapped his hands together, the smile returning to his eyes once more. "There was one more thing I wished to announce to all of you. . . oh yes! How silly of me to forget: let the feast begin!" Oh now surely this was truly what Harry missed most of all about Hogwarts: the banquet! Once those delectable pastries and sweets appeared, everything else was forgotten! As they ate, Harry couldn't help but think of how different the Gryffindor table looked. He'd always loved being able to look down the table to watch the upper years laughing and joking, but now? They were the upper years! Gone were Angelina, George, Fred and all the rest of their old friends. Now Harry caught sight of the lower years looking up to them! Seamus and Neville engaged themselves in a battle of the pigs--they were both determined to out-eat the other with strawberry tarts. Harry thought he could stand a chance, but after two tarts, he pushed away his plate, absolutely certain he would burst. "You lightweight," said Seamus as he finished off his fourth. "Look who's talking," said Neville: he was onto his sixth. "You two are both disgusting," Hermione scolded as she got to her feet. She fixed her hair and straightened her robes as though she were about to leave. And sure enough, she turned to walk away. Ron was surprised. "Oy! Hermione! Where you going, then?" "Sorry. I have to take the first years on a tour of the common room. Gotta go, Dean's waiting!" She winked at Ron and then hurried off down the hall. Ron grimaced. "She's gonna be spending all her time with Thomas. . ." "Ron, come on now" said Harry, "don't be stupid!" They watched as Herimone and Dean called for the Gryffindor first years to stand and follow them out of the hall. "First years," she was shouting, "This way, come on!" The crowds of starry-eyed first years rose from their seats and eagerly obeyed. Ron shook his head as the rest of the students slowly filed out after them. "Lads, were we ever that small?" "I still am," said Seamus sadly. "You boys always were a bit big for your britches, in my opinion." Harry and Ron turned to face Professor Snape, tall and imposing, who was conveniently standing behind them, his arms folded in his robes, sternly eyeing the new arrivals before letting his stare finally fall on Harry and Ron. "But that is just my opinion of course." "Professor Snape," said Harry cordially, nodding his head. Snape returned the nod, his face every bit as expressionless as it always was. "Though I must say, they do seem to get smaller every year." And then he seemed to grow uncomfortable, as though that last sentence had been one too many. "See you in class," he said quickly and then spun around on his heel and marched away. Neville looked as pale as Sir Nicholas. "Am I hallucinating or did Professor Snape just leave without taking point from us?" "I was just gonna say the same thing," said Seamus. "It must have been that sixth strawberry tart. Better get to bed before I start getting delusional." He playfully nudged Harry's arm. "Come on, you lot, I'm bloody knackered. Let's go to bed." No one argued. * Harry stretched happily in his bed, which felt like heaven itself (although it did feel noticeably smaller than it had in previous years). He was ready to pull the sinfully soft blankets overtop his head to block the relentless morning sun when he remembered-- this was the first day of class! He rushed to get dressed and tore down into the Great Hall where Hermione, Ron, Ginny and the other Gryffindors were already halfway through their porridge. Hermione was talking, absently twiddling with her prefect badge as she'd been doing ever since she'd first received it. "Your schedule, Harry. McGonagall already passed them out." Harry groaned when he saw the schedule-- it was positively brutal:
Name: POTTER, H 6:45. . . . . Quidditch. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Hooch
8:15. . . . . Potions. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Snape
9:30. . . . . Defense Against the Dark Arts. . . . . Gray
10:45. . . . . Care of Magical Creatures. . . . . . . Hagrid
12:00. . . . . Lunch
12:30. . . . . Transfiguration. . . . . . . . . . . . McGonagall
13:45. . . . . Astronomy. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Sinistra
15:00. . . . . Charms. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Flitwick
*16:00. . . . . Science of spell casting (Wednesdays only) . . Flitwick
*16:00. . . . . Study in reason(Fridays only) . . . . . Gray
# Apparition - off campus . . . . . . . . . . . . . Warwick
* - Concentration class
# - Extra credits
"Don't look so shocked, Harry," Hermione was saying, "Your sixth year is your most academically challenging year." "And I let you talk me into taking that extra class." "Well, no offense dearie, but I really didn't leave you much say in the matter." Hermione winked at Harry while everyone around them giggled. "And McGonagall said that Apparition is going to be twice a month -- ever other Sunday beginning next week." "Off campus?" "Yes," said Hermione eagerly, "apparently we take the classes as the actual Ministry of Magic!" "In London?" "Yes!" "Wicked!" The thought of traveling to London regularly was incredible news! And that means that I just might be able to see Sophie once in a while! I hope that I can . . . I already miss her . . . "I know!" Hermione was gushing, "It's brilliant! Only problem is that we have to travel by floo powder." Harry grimaced, but floo powder was surely worth it! He took a closer look at his schedule. "Warwick," he said, "Hermione, you don't suppose it's Ariah Warwick, do you?" "What? Where?" Seamus, Dean, Neville and Ron all quit their giggles and snapped to attention. Seamus in particular. "Bloody sign me up now if she's teaching!" Ron chuckled. "Fond of her, er, teaching methods, eh Seamus?" "Among other things, aye." Harry laughed -- not that he blamed Seamus in the slightest. Ariah Warwick had done some substituting the previous year for Professor Snape and had made quite a hit with the boys. She was absolutely stunning. And, as Harry and Ron learned later, she also used to be an Auror. She had a deep love for teaching, so it only made sense she would have taken such a job at the ministry. Seamus looked glum. "Anyone else have Your Inner Eye for a concentration?" "Oh yes," cried Lavender. Hermione frowned. "Trelawney is teaching that. You could not have paid me to take that class." "Well . . . you could have," said Ron, "it would just have to be an awful lot of money." "You are all so mean to Professor Trelawney," said Lavender. "She's incredible!" "And incredible fraud," said Hermione dourly. Lavender looked personally hurt by that. "You're being perfectly unfair." "Nonsense, Lav," said Seamus sarcastically, "we all know that she's everyone's favourite professor." "What's this about favourite professors?" Harry looked up to find his dear Professor Gray standing over him. "Aye," said Seamus, "We were just saying how you, Professor Gray, are probably everyone's--" "Oh Finnegan, really, you're too kind!" "-- least favorite!" On impulse, Harry playfully socked Seamus' arm and then smiled up. "All right, Professor?" Translation: I've missed you all summer, Sirius! "Yes, thank you. I trust that you all had a nice summer holiday?" Translation: I've missed you too Harry, so happy to finally see you again! "Dunno about me," said Neville glumly. "I spent mine practically barricaded in my own house." Ron giggled. "So did Ginny." That won Ron a vicious sock in the arm from his blushing sister. Professor Gray sighed, "Yes, I heard about that! Most unfortunate, indeed!" "Oh?" asked Ginny, her face twisted in confusion. "How did you hear about that?" Harry, Ron and Hermione all shared a quick look of panic. Professor Gray's true identity was a secret shared only between them and a select few Professors. "Well," said Ron quickly, "Dad knows Professor Gray quite well, Ginny, you know that." "No I didn't--" "Yes," said Professor Gray, "that's right, Mr. Weasley and I go back for years." He cleared his throat. "Glad to see you're doing well, Ginny. And it is good to see all of you again." His eyes fell pointedly upon Seamus, "Well . . . almost all of you. Finnegan." Seamus laughed and Professor Gray bowed cordially before sweeping away. Harry had to gulp down his breakfast and soon they were trekking into potions, the dungeon filling with that eager, first day of class anxiety. Malfoy, Crabbe and Goyle were at their usual position and as Harry walked towards his spot next to Ron and Hermione, he was visited with an urge to do something no Gryffindor ever did: talk to a Slytherin. Harry slowed his pace across the room and paused in front of where they sat, his curiosity about the other day getting the best of him: he had to know. Draco ignored him at first, but when it became obvious Harry wasn't going to leave, he made a point of throwing down his quill in disgust and folding his arms. He looked up at Harry, annoyed. "Yes? Potter?" Does Draco really have to spit like that every time he says my name? Completely uncalled for. . . "Are you gonna tell me what you and my cousin were talking about?" Draco didn't flinch. "Oh. Right . . . Dudley, isn't it?" He smiled. "Nice bloke . . ." Harry's fears were confirmed. "Listen Malfoy, I don't care how you treat me, but leave you Dudley alone, all right?" He wasn't threatening Malfoy-- he was almost pleading with him. "Be serious, Potter. What would I want with a Muggle?" "I don't know, but you must want something, otherwise you wouldn't have bothered even speaking to someone supposedly so far beneath you." Draco feigned disgust. "What kind of person do you think I am?" "What-did-you-say-to-him?" "Temper, temper," said Draco, his calmness absolutely infuriating Harry. "You'd better find your seat, Potter, before you loose Gryffindor any points. You'll be needing all you can get." Harry grimaced and was further angered when Snape replied with "I couldn't agree more, Malfoy." Harry sulked through that first class and couldn't wait to get to defense against the dark arts to see Sirius. The minute that class was over he practically raced up the staircase to the second floor. The defense against the dark arts chamber was an entirely different universe, as far as Harry was concerned. When you walked into Professor Gray's classroom, there was a warmth in the air and a general mood of calm. It was the same way Harry always felt when Sirius was near-- the secure feeling that everything was going to be okay. Harry's sulk faded when Professor Gray walked into the room. His long crisp black robes this time had a thin lining of deep navy blue, and his spectacles, while still thick and magnified his eyes, were this time were much smaller and infinitely more complimenting to his handsome, chiseled face. (Harry was quite aware of a few of the Hufflepuff girls smiling dreamily at their professor.) The Professor stood at his desk, his hands folded, smiling at his students fondly. "Thought you were gonna get rid of me, did you?" The students laughed. "To be painfully honest, all of you sixth years might well wish you had. It just so happens that your sixth year is your most difficult year, academically speaking, and the curriculum for defense against the dark arts is. . . well, it's not pretty. But, I am going to do my very best to make it as enjoyable and as tolerable as humanly possible." Sirius made good on his promise, to be sure. Although their homework from day one was foreboding to say the least, in all their subjects (Potions leading the pack, of course), in Sirius' class, every effort was made to include the students and interest them in what they were learning. That way, the workload seemed like less of a chore. As he'd done last year, Harry made a point of getting away from the students at lunchtime to have a chat with Sirius. He snuck up to the second floor and found a pitcher of iced pumpkin juice and sandwiches waiting for him. "Harry!" Sirius stood up from his desk and removed his thick glasses revealing the face that Harry had come to love so very much. "How are you, my boy?" "Brilliant!" Harry greeted his Godfather with a bear hug. Sirius motioned for him to have a seat and handed him a glass of juice and a sandwich, still beaming as Harry ate. "I wanted to come and see you this summer, but it seems you were quite the social butterfly!" "Yeah, there was a lot going on." "Dudley still treating you well?" Harry slowed in his chewing. "Dudley has been great," said Harry, sadly remembering his dear cousin. "It's me who's been horrible." "Sorry?" "Well . . . see . . . remember Sophie Banbury?" Sirius didn't say anything, but the slow smile that crept across his lips spoke volumes. He cleared his throat. "Yes, I do. The girl whom Dudley fell head over heels in love with?" "Yes. . ." "And the same girl that you positively swore to me you thought of only as a sister?" Harry had to smile. Sirius was loving this and coolly sat back in his chair. "Ahhh. To be sixteen again." He helped himself to a glass of pumpkin juice. "So I take it Dudley found out that the love of his life has no interest in him, but rather, his cousin." Sirius whistled. "I believe this is what Muggles call being stuck between a rock and a hard place." "You can say that again." Sirius eyes twinkled. "You wouldn't be teenagers if things like this didn't happen." "But . . . I've really hurt him, Sirius! I was scared to tell him about Sophie and Me because I knew it would devastate him and when he did find out about it, well, you can imagine! But we've put so much into our relationship! I...I would give anything to save it." "I'm afraid you're far too innocent. Jealousy, especially in the case of someone like Dudley, can devour even the strongest of friendships. I read once that jealousy would be a much less agonizing thing if we could understand that love is a kind of passion that isn't at all related to our merits. The fact that Sophie has different feelings towards you is nothing against Dudley as an individual, nor does it mean he is any less important than you are." "Exactly!" said Harry, "but . . . but he won't even let me talk to him and when I do try and explain, I know that he's not really listening." "You shouldn't have to explain anything. The cards are on the table, so to speak, are they not? I'm sure he knows all of what happened, so what is there to explain? You shouldn't have to explain to your friends. What you can do is show how you truly care for him." "I have been." Harry could feel his throat tighten and he lowered his eyes. "It's just that . . .he doesn't care." Sirius sighed. "If a friendship dies, it's because it never really existed in the first place." Harry was thrown at those words and he had to work hard at keeping his eyes from welling up. Sirius could sense this because he poured himself another glass of pumpkin juice and changed the subject. "Tell me! How has old rotten old Snape been so far?" "Same old Snape. Although he hasn't taken as many points from Gryffindor this year." "No doubt what happened last year has a lot to do with that." A barrage of memories flooded him-- those nights that he was stranded in the Caledonian Forest with Ron, Draco, Snape and Ariah Warwick. It had been surprising how well the unlikely quintet had got along with each other. And when Harry and Severus were trapped in a cave with a legion of Death Eaters intent on killing them, the two had made a fantastic team at fighting against them and Voldemort. Sirius appeared to be on the same wavelength. "That reminds me: what about Malfoy?" "Malfoy?" Harry repeated, frowning again. "Unbelievable. I look at him now and can't see anything but hate. If only you could have been there last year in that cave, Sirius. Snape was shouting for Malfoy to come with us, and Malfoy thought about it! He ran for Snape's hand! But Lucius, oh, was he ever enraged and pulled him back." "So you've told me." "But it just doesn't makes sense! How could Malfoy have changed so much over the summer-- I doubt he even remembers those three days in the forest." "Oh, but it does make sense, and you know why?" Sirius leaned forward. "Lucius. Can you imagine the hell Lucius must have put Draco through after seeing his own son turn away from him? You didn't expect him to let Draco get away with something like that, did you? I can't imagine what Lucius must have done to him, but this is precisely what I expected." Harry nodded sadly. It still boggled him that he was so completely wrong about someone. "Oh! I wanted to tell you: guess who I saw at Diagon Alley?" "Who?" "Rita Skeeter!" Sirius laughed. "Ahhh. Begging for a job, I assume?" "How'd you know?" "Everyone knows. After the Prophet gave her a dishonorable discharge, she's been unable to get decent work." "It was weird! She was . . . nice to me! I mean . . . nice." "I would be too if I'd been kept in a glass jar by your best friend! I'd be extremely nice to you! And speaking of friends, how is Ron?" "Ron? Oh, he's fantastic! You know about him and Hermione, right?" "Who doesn't! It's funny: whenever I seem them together they are always fighting!" Harry laughed. "Oh yes, it's what they're best at. They're having a bit of a go at the moment because Hermione is irritated with Ron's . . . err . . . academic choices." "How do you mean?" Harry took a swig of pumpkin juice and then set the goblet down, his smile ready to fly right off his face. "Well, he's going to tryout for a Gryffindor Beater! Quidditch tryouts are tomorrow!" * It was a fresh autumn morning, still early enough that the sky was still predominantly navy blue and black-- only the pink and yellow hues creeping over the surrounding hills hinted at the sun's imminent arrival. Dew slid down the thick, deep blades of grass that made up the Quidditch pitch. The morning moisture made the ground rather mushy and it squished under Harry's boots as he approached the Quidditch House Team Captains and Madame Hooch. Ah, that smell. There's only one smell like this in the world. The earth and grass were especially fragrant this morning and it filled Harry's lungs and chest with an invigorating power. No, nothing like it in the world! The Gryffindor Quidditch team was practically unrecognizable. Mainly because at the start of this new season there basically was no Gryffindor Quidditch team: Angelina had graduated last year, along with Chasers Alicia Spinnet and Katie Bell, and the star beaters Fred and George. That left only Harry and a reserve that'd become a chaser last term, Lars Lonnegan, which meant that Gryffindor had no team captain. Now, Harry and Madame Hooch had had a long chat the night before about the dilemma. Harry had made it very clear to Madame Hooch that being Quidditch Captain was not something he'd wanted to do. Especially now because he had an incredible workload to deal with and quite simply, wouldn't be able to devote the needed time to strategies and organizing practices and all the sleepless nights that went into being a Captain. That and the fact that he honestly didn't think he was the best man for the job: Ron knew more about strategy than anyone else, but he wasn't even on the team yet! Unfortunately, the fact was that Harry was the only man for the job-- since the entire team had graduated it didn't really leave too much of an alternative. Hooch informed him that the Captain had to be either him or Lars Lonnegan who'd spent the past two years as a reserve. "You tell me," Hooch had said, her yellow eyes flashing, "Lars Lonnegan, Fifth year Reserve or Harry Potter, Sixth year star Seeker. You love this team: who would you want to take care of things?" So that is how Harry came to join his place amongst the other House Captains, who all congratulated Harry on his new position. (With the exception of Montague, the Slyhterin Captain, of course). There were five critical positions left that needed to be filled, and there were at least twenty Gryffindor volunteers lined up. Harry groaned: this was going to be a laborious. He put on a smile as he scanned faces of the assembled faces, but that smile soon faded. Ron had left before Harry that morning, which was most confusing as Harry surveyed the prospective players and found Ron wasn't amongst them. He studied his roll street. "What could possibly be keeping Ron?" "We'll have to start without him," said Hooch sadly. "Oh. What a pity," said Montague, the Slytherin Team Captain. Harry glared at Montague, but before he could lash out, he caught sight of a familiar tall, lanky, ginger haired figure appearing in the distance. Harry was relieved, but was somewhat scolding when he greeted his friend. "Where were you, Ron?" "Waitin' for Herimone. She told me to wait in the courtyard for her so she could come with, but she never showed." He looked like a forlorn, forsaken, droopy-eyed puppy. Madame Hooch barked for Ron to stand next to Colin's brother in the line of Gryffindor volunteers. Ravenclaw captain Hudson Davies (Roger Davies' younger brother) surveyed their line, Hufflepuff captain Hugh Marsden followed suite, and Montague scrutinized the Slytherins like a drill sergeant! (Harry recognized two of the Slytherin volunteers since they tried out every year for the team and had yet to make the cut.) Hooch divided up the players up into two teams and Harry stood next to her and Lars on the sidelines as the players took flight. His sharp eyes were watching Ron like a hawk. It wasn't long before Madame Hooch nudged Harry's arm and whispered slyly, "Hey . . . Weasley is really good." Harry nodded, not tearing his gaze from Ron. Sure, they'd all played Quidditch together lots of times, but Ron had been using the ancient Shooting Star models. He was a bit different on the Cleansweep Fives. His maneuvers were bold and fearless, just like Fred and George had been. The Slytherin chaser didn't stand a chance against him. Harry had to wonder how much better he'd be if he had a Firebolt . . . "What about Creevey," she prodded, "What do you think?" Dennis was proving to be tolerable as beater, but was positively overshadowed by Ron. "I think . . . Ron is good enough to make up for Creevey." "I think you're right." Madame Hooch called the players down, and they all made a dive for the table spread of pumpkin juice that she had conjured for them. Ron's face was bright red and his hair looked dark brown from all the sweat. "Well," he implored, still a bit out of breath. "How did I do?" Harry couldn't help the smile. "Not bad, Ron. Not bad." He leaned forward and whispered, "we're going to have a wicked time beating Slytherin together." That night, Ron's smile had never been brighter. Hermione, for all her sternness, was genuinely excited that he'd made the team. None more so than Harry: he'd been truly worried about the team with their star Beaters gone. But having Ron in the air with him made him strangely confident -- just like having Sirius at Hogwarts made him feel that everything would be fine.
How strange it seemed to Harry that this was the sixth time he sat aboard the scarlet Hogwarts Express with Ron and Hermione. It was a journey he'd grown to know so well, that he could tell simply by the endless green of the hills, the manner in which the shadows fell across the fields, and by the feel of the air, that Hogwarts -- that home-- was just around the corner. They rounded a bend and Hogwarts' towering spires became visible in the distance, just as dusk was setting in and the castle with all the hills surrounding it seemed to burn with deep purple and blue. And at that moment, when Harry's breath caught in his chest as it always did when the castle's silhouette jumped out at him, everything that had been plaguing him simply vanished. Dudley, Sophie-- all of it. His stomach twisted, just as it would have if he were to have caught sight of a true love-- for his feeling towards Hogwarts was most certainly a love affair. The train finally crept to a stop. Harry, Ron and Hermione, as well as Ginny, were met almost immediately by the other Gryffindor sixth years. Dean Thomas, who'd been named a Prefect the year before, Seamus Finnegan, Neville Longbottom and Lavender Brown sought them out amongst the throngs of students, and they began their walk out of the station, up the hill towards Hogwarts. The excited whisperings between the students on the journey either focused on the adventures they encountered on their holiday (or lack thereof) or it was about the horrible tragedies of the past few months. Seamus appeared to be obsessed by it. "You know that Owlery in Edinburgh? I'd bloody been there just the day before!" "You're lying," said Dean. "No, really! Me own owl, Gingersnap, was gettin' much too old and Mum and Dad took me to pick out a new one. I couldn't believe it when I read the news the next day!" "You and everyone else in the world," said Dean. "Gran was really shook up about it," said Neville. "Wouldn't even let me go outside after that without me telling her where I was." Seamus smirked. "Isn't that normal for your Nan anyway, Neville?" Neville blushed and they all laughed as they followed McGonagall in through the main entrance and into the great hall. Ah, that warm candlelight-- how Harry had missed it! Even more than that, he had missed the sound of the rush of robes as the students made for their seats, and the steady hum of chatter that followed. "Malfoy," said Ron in a low grumble. Harry craned his neck to see Malfoy take his prominent seat at the Slytherin table. "Ever find out what he was talking to Dudley about?" Harry shook his head sadly, eyeing Malfoy. "I'd get to the bottom of that, if I were you. Malfoy and a Muggle spells trouble." Draco looked up and caught sight of Harry and they held a steady gaze. Draco's eyes hit Harry with an impenetrable coldness-- they felt ever so much more biting than they ever had before. Whatever softness or vulnerability Harry had briefly seen before was most certainly gone now. Seeing Draco right then, well, it was as though last term had all been a silly dream. "Hey!" came Neville's voice, ripping Harry away from his thoughts, "It's Professor Gray! He's still here!" Harry looked up to see Professor Simon Gray in his signature crisp black robes, taking his seat next to a stern-faced Severus Snape. Harry lit up immediately upon sight of Gray. Professor Gray was their Defense Against the Dark Arts professor last term, and the first one in untold years who was back for a second term! Everyone loved him. But none more so than Harry, and for good reason: Simon Gray was none other than Sirius Black. Sirius' eyes found Harry and he nodded a friendly hello. Harry beamed. The great doors burst open at that moment, and in walked Professor McGonagall with a trail of tiny first years behind her. Their mouths were gaped in awe, and their eyes were wide, taking in the strange new world around them. The sorting ceremony seemed to just whiz by and soon there were only a handful of first years left. The last was a frail, pale-faced girl who looked ready to faint. "Gryffindor!" shouted the sorting hat, and Harry, along with the rest of the house, broke into applause. The girl looked visibly relieved as she walked down the aisle, looking for a seat. Harry made Seamus move over. "Here you go, there's a spot right here." She had an elfin quality about her and she blushed at Harry's kind gesture. "Th-thanks." Colin Creevey reached forward across the table. "Hi! I'm Colin Creevey! What was your name again?" "Vera Zaentz." "Hello, Vera. This here's my brother Dennis, and that you're sitting next to is Harry Potter." "Colin," Harry scolded. After all these years, you'd think he would know better than that. Vera's mouth fell. "Really?" Her eyes made their inevitable search of his forehead. "Oh, I've read all about you!" "Only believe half of what you read, if that--" "Don't listen to him," dismissed Colin with a wave of his small hand, "he's always trying to be noble." "I'm not trying to be noble, Colin, I'm just tired of you constantly--" Harry's words trailed off and he stared at the first year in horror. "What do you think you're doing?" Vera had pulled out a quill. "Well, Mum really loves you-- I have to send her an autograph." It was like second year all over again. Harry shifted uncomfortably at his seat, keenly aware that the eyes of the entire Gryffindor tape were upon him. "Maybe later, okay Vera?" "Promise?" her wide eyes were pleading. "Yes," he said quickly. Ron seemed to love all of this. "Hey! I've got a great idea! Maybe Colin can take a picture of Harry for you, Vera, and you can have that signed. Colin's really good at that sort of thing, you know." Harry scowled at a smiling Ron. "Thanks, mate." "Anytime." Harry's thoughts of strangling Colin and Ron were interrupted by Professor Dumbledore at the faculty table who stood up and clapped his hands. "Well done first years, yes, well done! I should like to welcome all the first years to Hogwarts, and an equally as warm welcome to the rest of our returning students. Now, I know you are all most anxious to begin the feast, but a few words before we begin . . ." Harry chuckled to himself, well remembering Nitwit, Blubber, Odment, Tweat from his first year. "As is the custom, Quidditch trials will once again be held during the second week of term. Please see Madame Hooch if you are interested in trying for your House team." Harry nudged Ron in the side. "That means you, Ron." Ron smiled and lowered his eyes bashfully as Dumbledore continued. " . . . To all seventh year students, please be reminded that study sessions for your NEWT exams will be held by Madame Pince in the library the first and last Monday of the month." Harry could hear Hermione eagerly whispering, "I wonder if they'll let me sit in on them." " . . .And finally," said Dumbledore, "I would like to extend a warm welcome to our returning defense against the dark arts professor--Simon Gray!" Harry led the Gryffindors in a round of applause, which was soon matched by the other Houses--even Slytherin obliged! "It has been nine years since such has been the case here at Hogwarts," said Dumbledore, "and I am sure that I speak for all here when I say . . . it's about time!" The room erupted into laughter and more applause and even from where Harry sat, he could see a red flush to Sirius' cheeks. The clapping and laughing finally died down and Dumbledore didn't move from his spot. In fact, he just stood there, not saying anything. Soon the entire hall fell silent, watching Dumbledore-- wondering what it was he was doing. The silence commanded their undivided attention. "Now. . . I should like, for a moment, to speak to you all regarding the recent events that have shaken our community." Harry's stomach plummeted, and the other Gryffindors similarly donned solemn countenances. They waited for Dumbledore to continue. "I understand that many are, quite frankly, scared of what has been happening in recent months. I wish to impress on all of you the seriousness of the current state of affairs-- we are living in what seem to be uncertain times. However, I tell all of you today, there is one thing you can be certain of. And that is, of course, that good triumphs against evil." He paused and then, in a voice stronger and angrier than Harry was accustomed to, he added, "Always." Harry fought off a case of the chills. Dumbledore cleared his throat and then clapped his hands together, the smile returning to his eyes once more. "There was one more thing I wished to announce to all of you. . . oh yes! How silly of me to forget: let the feast begin!" Oh now surely this was truly what Harry missed most of all about Hogwarts: the banquet! Once those delectable pastries and sweets appeared, everything else was forgotten! As they ate, Harry couldn't help but think of how different the Gryffindor table looked. He'd always loved being able to look down the table to watch the upper years laughing and joking, but now? They were the upper years! Gone were Angelina, George, Fred and all the rest of their old friends. Now Harry caught sight of the lower years looking up to them! Seamus and Neville engaged themselves in a battle of the pigs--they were both determined to out-eat the other with strawberry tarts. Harry thought he could stand a chance, but after two tarts, he pushed away his plate, absolutely certain he would burst. "You lightweight," said Seamus as he finished off his fourth. "Look who's talking," said Neville: he was onto his sixth. "You two are both disgusting," Hermione scolded as she got to her feet. She fixed her hair and straightened her robes as though she were about to leave. And sure enough, she turned to walk away. Ron was surprised. "Oy! Hermione! Where you going, then?" "Sorry. I have to take the first years on a tour of the common room. Gotta go, Dean's waiting!" She winked at Ron and then hurried off down the hall. Ron grimaced. "She's gonna be spending all her time with Thomas. . ." "Ron, come on now" said Harry, "don't be stupid!" They watched as Herimone and Dean called for the Gryffindor first years to stand and follow them out of the hall. "First years," she was shouting, "This way, come on!" The crowds of starry-eyed first years rose from their seats and eagerly obeyed. Ron shook his head as the rest of the students slowly filed out after them. "Lads, were we ever that small?" "I still am," said Seamus sadly. "You boys always were a bit big for your britches, in my opinion." Harry and Ron turned to face Professor Snape, tall and imposing, who was conveniently standing behind them, his arms folded in his robes, sternly eyeing the new arrivals before letting his stare finally fall on Harry and Ron. "But that is just my opinion of course." "Professor Snape," said Harry cordially, nodding his head. Snape returned the nod, his face every bit as expressionless as it always was. "Though I must say, they do seem to get smaller every year." And then he seemed to grow uncomfortable, as though that last sentence had been one too many. "See you in class," he said quickly and then spun around on his heel and marched away. Neville looked as pale as Sir Nicholas. "Am I hallucinating or did Professor Snape just leave without taking point from us?" "I was just gonna say the same thing," said Seamus. "It must have been that sixth strawberry tart. Better get to bed before I start getting delusional." He playfully nudged Harry's arm. "Come on, you lot, I'm bloody knackered. Let's go to bed." No one argued. * Harry stretched happily in his bed, which felt like heaven itself (although it did feel noticeably smaller than it had in previous years). He was ready to pull the sinfully soft blankets overtop his head to block the relentless morning sun when he remembered-- this was the first day of class! He rushed to get dressed and tore down into the Great Hall where Hermione, Ron, Ginny and the other Gryffindors were already halfway through their porridge. Hermione was talking, absently twiddling with her prefect badge as she'd been doing ever since she'd first received it. "Your schedule, Harry. McGonagall already passed them out." Harry groaned when he saw the schedule-- it was positively brutal:
Name: POTTER, H 6:45. . . . . Quidditch. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Hooch
8:15. . . . . Potions. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Snape
9:30. . . . . Defense Against the Dark Arts. . . . . Gray
10:45. . . . . Care of Magical Creatures. . . . . . . Hagrid
12:00. . . . . Lunch
12:30. . . . . Transfiguration. . . . . . . . . . . . McGonagall
13:45. . . . . Astronomy. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Sinistra
15:00. . . . . Charms. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Flitwick
*16:00. . . . . Science of spell casting (Wednesdays only) . . Flitwick
*16:00. . . . . Study in reason(Fridays only) . . . . . Gray
# Apparition - off campus . . . . . . . . . . . . . Warwick
* - Concentration class
# - Extra credits
"Don't look so shocked, Harry," Hermione was saying, "Your sixth year is your most academically challenging year." "And I let you talk me into taking that extra class." "Well, no offense dearie, but I really didn't leave you much say in the matter." Hermione winked at Harry while everyone around them giggled. "And McGonagall said that Apparition is going to be twice a month -- ever other Sunday beginning next week." "Off campus?" "Yes," said Hermione eagerly, "apparently we take the classes as the actual Ministry of Magic!" "In London?" "Yes!" "Wicked!" The thought of traveling to London regularly was incredible news! And that means that I just might be able to see Sophie once in a while! I hope that I can . . . I already miss her . . . "I know!" Hermione was gushing, "It's brilliant! Only problem is that we have to travel by floo powder." Harry grimaced, but floo powder was surely worth it! He took a closer look at his schedule. "Warwick," he said, "Hermione, you don't suppose it's Ariah Warwick, do you?" "What? Where?" Seamus, Dean, Neville and Ron all quit their giggles and snapped to attention. Seamus in particular. "Bloody sign me up now if she's teaching!" Ron chuckled. "Fond of her, er, teaching methods, eh Seamus?" "Among other things, aye." Harry laughed -- not that he blamed Seamus in the slightest. Ariah Warwick had done some substituting the previous year for Professor Snape and had made quite a hit with the boys. She was absolutely stunning. And, as Harry and Ron learned later, she also used to be an Auror. She had a deep love for teaching, so it only made sense she would have taken such a job at the ministry. Seamus looked glum. "Anyone else have Your Inner Eye for a concentration?" "Oh yes," cried Lavender. Hermione frowned. "Trelawney is teaching that. You could not have paid me to take that class." "Well . . . you could have," said Ron, "it would just have to be an awful lot of money." "You are all so mean to Professor Trelawney," said Lavender. "She's incredible!" "And incredible fraud," said Hermione dourly. Lavender looked personally hurt by that. "You're being perfectly unfair." "Nonsense, Lav," said Seamus sarcastically, "we all know that she's everyone's favourite professor." "What's this about favourite professors?" Harry looked up to find his dear Professor Gray standing over him. "Aye," said Seamus, "We were just saying how you, Professor Gray, are probably everyone's--" "Oh Finnegan, really, you're too kind!" "-- least favorite!" On impulse, Harry playfully socked Seamus' arm and then smiled up. "All right, Professor?" Translation: I've missed you all summer, Sirius! "Yes, thank you. I trust that you all had a nice summer holiday?" Translation: I've missed you too Harry, so happy to finally see you again! "Dunno about me," said Neville glumly. "I spent mine practically barricaded in my own house." Ron giggled. "So did Ginny." That won Ron a vicious sock in the arm from his blushing sister. Professor Gray sighed, "Yes, I heard about that! Most unfortunate, indeed!" "Oh?" asked Ginny, her face twisted in confusion. "How did you hear about that?" Harry, Ron and Hermione all shared a quick look of panic. Professor Gray's true identity was a secret shared only between them and a select few Professors. "Well," said Ron quickly, "Dad knows Professor Gray quite well, Ginny, you know that." "No I didn't--" "Yes," said Professor Gray, "that's right, Mr. Weasley and I go back for years." He cleared his throat. "Glad to see you're doing well, Ginny. And it is good to see all of you again." His eyes fell pointedly upon Seamus, "Well . . . almost all of you. Finnegan." Seamus laughed and Professor Gray bowed cordially before sweeping away. Harry had to gulp down his breakfast and soon they were trekking into potions, the dungeon filling with that eager, first day of class anxiety. Malfoy, Crabbe and Goyle were at their usual position and as Harry walked towards his spot next to Ron and Hermione, he was visited with an urge to do something no Gryffindor ever did: talk to a Slytherin. Harry slowed his pace across the room and paused in front of where they sat, his curiosity about the other day getting the best of him: he had to know. Draco ignored him at first, but when it became obvious Harry wasn't going to leave, he made a point of throwing down his quill in disgust and folding his arms. He looked up at Harry, annoyed. "Yes? Potter?" Does Draco really have to spit like that every time he says my name? Completely uncalled for. . . "Are you gonna tell me what you and my cousin were talking about?" Draco didn't flinch. "Oh. Right . . . Dudley, isn't it?" He smiled. "Nice bloke . . ." Harry's fears were confirmed. "Listen Malfoy, I don't care how you treat me, but leave you Dudley alone, all right?" He wasn't threatening Malfoy-- he was almost pleading with him. "Be serious, Potter. What would I want with a Muggle?" "I don't know, but you must want something, otherwise you wouldn't have bothered even speaking to someone supposedly so far beneath you." Draco feigned disgust. "What kind of person do you think I am?" "What-did-you-say-to-him?" "Temper, temper," said Draco, his calmness absolutely infuriating Harry. "You'd better find your seat, Potter, before you loose Gryffindor any points. You'll be needing all you can get." Harry grimaced and was further angered when Snape replied with "I couldn't agree more, Malfoy." Harry sulked through that first class and couldn't wait to get to defense against the dark arts to see Sirius. The minute that class was over he practically raced up the staircase to the second floor. The defense against the dark arts chamber was an entirely different universe, as far as Harry was concerned. When you walked into Professor Gray's classroom, there was a warmth in the air and a general mood of calm. It was the same way Harry always felt when Sirius was near-- the secure feeling that everything was going to be okay. Harry's sulk faded when Professor Gray walked into the room. His long crisp black robes this time had a thin lining of deep navy blue, and his spectacles, while still thick and magnified his eyes, were this time were much smaller and infinitely more complimenting to his handsome, chiseled face. (Harry was quite aware of a few of the Hufflepuff girls smiling dreamily at their professor.) The Professor stood at his desk, his hands folded, smiling at his students fondly. "Thought you were gonna get rid of me, did you?" The students laughed. "To be painfully honest, all of you sixth years might well wish you had. It just so happens that your sixth year is your most difficult year, academically speaking, and the curriculum for defense against the dark arts is. . . well, it's not pretty. But, I am going to do my very best to make it as enjoyable and as tolerable as humanly possible." Sirius made good on his promise, to be sure. Although their homework from day one was foreboding to say the least, in all their subjects (Potions leading the pack, of course), in Sirius' class, every effort was made to include the students and interest them in what they were learning. That way, the workload seemed like less of a chore. As he'd done last year, Harry made a point of getting away from the students at lunchtime to have a chat with Sirius. He snuck up to the second floor and found a pitcher of iced pumpkin juice and sandwiches waiting for him. "Harry!" Sirius stood up from his desk and removed his thick glasses revealing the face that Harry had come to love so very much. "How are you, my boy?" "Brilliant!" Harry greeted his Godfather with a bear hug. Sirius motioned for him to have a seat and handed him a glass of juice and a sandwich, still beaming as Harry ate. "I wanted to come and see you this summer, but it seems you were quite the social butterfly!" "Yeah, there was a lot going on." "Dudley still treating you well?" Harry slowed in his chewing. "Dudley has been great," said Harry, sadly remembering his dear cousin. "It's me who's been horrible." "Sorry?" "Well . . . see . . . remember Sophie Banbury?" Sirius didn't say anything, but the slow smile that crept across his lips spoke volumes. He cleared his throat. "Yes, I do. The girl whom Dudley fell head over heels in love with?" "Yes. . ." "And the same girl that you positively swore to me you thought of only as a sister?" Harry had to smile. Sirius was loving this and coolly sat back in his chair. "Ahhh. To be sixteen again." He helped himself to a glass of pumpkin juice. "So I take it Dudley found out that the love of his life has no interest in him, but rather, his cousin." Sirius whistled. "I believe this is what Muggles call being stuck between a rock and a hard place." "You can say that again." Sirius eyes twinkled. "You wouldn't be teenagers if things like this didn't happen." "But . . . I've really hurt him, Sirius! I was scared to tell him about Sophie and Me because I knew it would devastate him and when he did find out about it, well, you can imagine! But we've put so much into our relationship! I...I would give anything to save it." "I'm afraid you're far too innocent. Jealousy, especially in the case of someone like Dudley, can devour even the strongest of friendships. I read once that jealousy would be a much less agonizing thing if we could understand that love is a kind of passion that isn't at all related to our merits. The fact that Sophie has different feelings towards you is nothing against Dudley as an individual, nor does it mean he is any less important than you are." "Exactly!" said Harry, "but . . . but he won't even let me talk to him and when I do try and explain, I know that he's not really listening." "You shouldn't have to explain anything. The cards are on the table, so to speak, are they not? I'm sure he knows all of what happened, so what is there to explain? You shouldn't have to explain to your friends. What you can do is show how you truly care for him." "I have been." Harry could feel his throat tighten and he lowered his eyes. "It's just that . . .he doesn't care." Sirius sighed. "If a friendship dies, it's because it never really existed in the first place." Harry was thrown at those words and he had to work hard at keeping his eyes from welling up. Sirius could sense this because he poured himself another glass of pumpkin juice and changed the subject. "Tell me! How has old rotten old Snape been so far?" "Same old Snape. Although he hasn't taken as many points from Gryffindor this year." "No doubt what happened last year has a lot to do with that." A barrage of memories flooded him-- those nights that he was stranded in the Caledonian Forest with Ron, Draco, Snape and Ariah Warwick. It had been surprising how well the unlikely quintet had got along with each other. And when Harry and Severus were trapped in a cave with a legion of Death Eaters intent on killing them, the two had made a fantastic team at fighting against them and Voldemort. Sirius appeared to be on the same wavelength. "That reminds me: what about Malfoy?" "Malfoy?" Harry repeated, frowning again. "Unbelievable. I look at him now and can't see anything but hate. If only you could have been there last year in that cave, Sirius. Snape was shouting for Malfoy to come with us, and Malfoy thought about it! He ran for Snape's hand! But Lucius, oh, was he ever enraged and pulled him back." "So you've told me." "But it just doesn't makes sense! How could Malfoy have changed so much over the summer-- I doubt he even remembers those three days in the forest." "Oh, but it does make sense, and you know why?" Sirius leaned forward. "Lucius. Can you imagine the hell Lucius must have put Draco through after seeing his own son turn away from him? You didn't expect him to let Draco get away with something like that, did you? I can't imagine what Lucius must have done to him, but this is precisely what I expected." Harry nodded sadly. It still boggled him that he was so completely wrong about someone. "Oh! I wanted to tell you: guess who I saw at Diagon Alley?" "Who?" "Rita Skeeter!" Sirius laughed. "Ahhh. Begging for a job, I assume?" "How'd you know?" "Everyone knows. After the Prophet gave her a dishonorable discharge, she's been unable to get decent work." "It was weird! She was . . . nice to me! I mean . . . nice." "I would be too if I'd been kept in a glass jar by your best friend! I'd be extremely nice to you! And speaking of friends, how is Ron?" "Ron? Oh, he's fantastic! You know about him and Hermione, right?" "Who doesn't! It's funny: whenever I seem them together they are always fighting!" Harry laughed. "Oh yes, it's what they're best at. They're having a bit of a go at the moment because Hermione is irritated with Ron's . . . err . . . academic choices." "How do you mean?" Harry took a swig of pumpkin juice and then set the goblet down, his smile ready to fly right off his face. "Well, he's going to tryout for a Gryffindor Beater! Quidditch tryouts are tomorrow!" * It was a fresh autumn morning, still early enough that the sky was still predominantly navy blue and black-- only the pink and yellow hues creeping over the surrounding hills hinted at the sun's imminent arrival. Dew slid down the thick, deep blades of grass that made up the Quidditch pitch. The morning moisture made the ground rather mushy and it squished under Harry's boots as he approached the Quidditch House Team Captains and Madame Hooch. Ah, that smell. There's only one smell like this in the world. The earth and grass were especially fragrant this morning and it filled Harry's lungs and chest with an invigorating power. No, nothing like it in the world! The Gryffindor Quidditch team was practically unrecognizable. Mainly because at the start of this new season there basically was no Gryffindor Quidditch team: Angelina had graduated last year, along with Chasers Alicia Spinnet and Katie Bell, and the star beaters Fred and George. That left only Harry and a reserve that'd become a chaser last term, Lars Lonnegan, which meant that Gryffindor had no team captain. Now, Harry and Madame Hooch had had a long chat the night before about the dilemma. Harry had made it very clear to Madame Hooch that being Quidditch Captain was not something he'd wanted to do. Especially now because he had an incredible workload to deal with and quite simply, wouldn't be able to devote the needed time to strategies and organizing practices and all the sleepless nights that went into being a Captain. That and the fact that he honestly didn't think he was the best man for the job: Ron knew more about strategy than anyone else, but he wasn't even on the team yet! Unfortunately, the fact was that Harry was the only man for the job-- since the entire team had graduated it didn't really leave too much of an alternative. Hooch informed him that the Captain had to be either him or Lars Lonnegan who'd spent the past two years as a reserve. "You tell me," Hooch had said, her yellow eyes flashing, "Lars Lonnegan, Fifth year Reserve or Harry Potter, Sixth year star Seeker. You love this team: who would you want to take care of things?" So that is how Harry came to join his place amongst the other House Captains, who all congratulated Harry on his new position. (With the exception of Montague, the Slyhterin Captain, of course). There were five critical positions left that needed to be filled, and there were at least twenty Gryffindor volunteers lined up. Harry groaned: this was going to be a laborious. He put on a smile as he scanned faces of the assembled faces, but that smile soon faded. Ron had left before Harry that morning, which was most confusing as Harry surveyed the prospective players and found Ron wasn't amongst them. He studied his roll street. "What could possibly be keeping Ron?" "We'll have to start without him," said Hooch sadly. "Oh. What a pity," said Montague, the Slytherin Team Captain. Harry glared at Montague, but before he could lash out, he caught sight of a familiar tall, lanky, ginger haired figure appearing in the distance. Harry was relieved, but was somewhat scolding when he greeted his friend. "Where were you, Ron?" "Waitin' for Herimone. She told me to wait in the courtyard for her so she could come with, but she never showed." He looked like a forlorn, forsaken, droopy-eyed puppy. Madame Hooch barked for Ron to stand next to Colin's brother in the line of Gryffindor volunteers. Ravenclaw captain Hudson Davies (Roger Davies' younger brother) surveyed their line, Hufflepuff captain Hugh Marsden followed suite, and Montague scrutinized the Slytherins like a drill sergeant! (Harry recognized two of the Slytherin volunteers since they tried out every year for the team and had yet to make the cut.) Hooch divided up the players up into two teams and Harry stood next to her and Lars on the sidelines as the players took flight. His sharp eyes were watching Ron like a hawk. It wasn't long before Madame Hooch nudged Harry's arm and whispered slyly, "Hey . . . Weasley is really good." Harry nodded, not tearing his gaze from Ron. Sure, they'd all played Quidditch together lots of times, but Ron had been using the ancient Shooting Star models. He was a bit different on the Cleansweep Fives. His maneuvers were bold and fearless, just like Fred and George had been. The Slytherin chaser didn't stand a chance against him. Harry had to wonder how much better he'd be if he had a Firebolt . . . "What about Creevey," she prodded, "What do you think?" Dennis was proving to be tolerable as beater, but was positively overshadowed by Ron. "I think . . . Ron is good enough to make up for Creevey." "I think you're right." Madame Hooch called the players down, and they all made a dive for the table spread of pumpkin juice that she had conjured for them. Ron's face was bright red and his hair looked dark brown from all the sweat. "Well," he implored, still a bit out of breath. "How did I do?" Harry couldn't help the smile. "Not bad, Ron. Not bad." He leaned forward and whispered, "we're going to have a wicked time beating Slytherin together." That night, Ron's smile had never been brighter. Hermione, for all her sternness, was genuinely excited that he'd made the team. None more so than Harry: he'd been truly worried about the team with their star Beaters gone. But having Ron in the air with him made him strangely confident -- just like having Sirius at Hogwarts made him feel that everything would be fine.