Harry Potter and the Orb of Power

     Chapter 11: The Not-So-Private Compartment

    Harry sat at the dinner table, staring in shock at the Weasley family. Mrs. Weasley had tears in her eyes, her eyes fixed on the door that Percy stormed out of. Mr. Weasley had sank back into his seat, the color drained from his face. He looked physically ill as he thought about the confrontation that just happened. Fred was furious, his hands balled into fists. George looked as pale as his father, and he tried to break the awkward silence.

    "Well...that was something," he said, cracking a weak smile. No one smiled back at him, and he quickly retreated his sense of humor.

    "Why would Percy do that?" Ron asked, as if trying to convince himself that it wasn't Percy.

    "I don't know...I honestly don't know. But we can't let him send that message," Mr. Weasley muttered, rubbing his eyes with his fingers.

    "Arthur...perhaps we could reason with him," Mrs. Weasley said.

    "You think so, Molly? You honestly believe he'll listen to reason? We just tried to convince him, and look where it got us! He just stormed out of here without listening to a word that we said!" Mr. Weasley yelled back.

    "Arthur...please don't yell," Mrs. Weasley said, flinching at her husband's fury.

    "I'm sorry...it's just...well dammit, how could Percy do this to us?" The question remained unanswered, but the front door opened a few moments later. Harry turned, expecting to see Percy, but saw Ginny and Hermione enter into the house.

    "Hey everybody!" Hermione said cheerfully. When no one waved back, Hermione's face fell.

    "What's wrong with you guys?" Ginny asked curiously. "That's not the proper way to welcome Hermione! Her parents just dropped her off. Her bags are waiting outside."

    "I'll get them!" Ron yelled quickly, rushing out of the kitchen to get Hermione's bag. Hermione watched Ron dash out of the kitchen with an odd expression on her face. She then turned to Harry.

    "Hello, Harry! When did you get here?"

    "An hour or so ago," Harry responded noncommittally, still pondering Percy's outburst.

    "What is getting everyone so down?" Hermione repeated Ginny's question. She didn't get an answer, and she looked as if she was insulted.

    "Hermione...maybe we should go upstairs," Harry said cryptically. "I need you to look over one of my essays." Hermione caught Harry's eye, and then nodded.

    "Yes...that Potion's essay was tough," Hermione said, picking up on Harry's lead as she and Harry walked up the stairs. Ron finally came in from carrying the bags, and then followed the two upstairs.

    "Nice waiting for me," Ron faked angry as he ran up the stairs behind them.

    "We just needed to get out of there, it's none of our business," Harry said, indicating him and Hermione.

    "That? Ginny and I have been dreading that. We had a feeling that Percy would do something like this, but we didn't expect him to actually snitch on Dad. We just thought he would yell at Dad and disagree," Ron said, running his hand through his bright orange hair.     

    "What are you two going on about?" Hermione asked, thoroughly confused as to what the two of them were talking about. Ron and Harry filled her in on Percy's outburst. She looked suddenly angry when Harry and Ron finished.

    "So that's what Percy's been up to!" Hermione fumed. "I honestly thought he would side with us!"

    "Well...Percy is extremely ambitious. I guess he wouldn't want to be associated with any rulebreaking," Ron said to Hermione.

    "Sounds a lot like Crouch if you ask me," Hermione whispered.

    "Too much like Crouch," Harry agreed. "I think that we need to keep an eye out for Percy, or at least tell Dumbledore or something. If Fudge knows about Dumbledore, Dumbledore is history at Hogwarts. More than now we need him there."

     "School's going to be much different this year," Hermione said quietly, sitting on Ron's bed. Ron sat next to her on the bed.

    "Well it's not like any of our school years were normal anyhow," Ron said to her. "If we were going to have a normal school year, I'd have a heart attack." Hermione smiled at Ron's joke, and the three of them sat in silence. For the first time in the months, the three of them were together. And the more Harry stood there, the more he felt an odd and uncomfortable feeling that he could not describe as he listened to Ron telling some sort of joke to Hermione.

******

    Harry and Hermione spent a couple of days at the Weasley's, and in no time at all it was time to ride the Hogwarts Express to school. The house was as crowded as usual, and all of them were bumbling around and making sure that they had everything ready for the school year. Mrs. Weasley had Fred and George sit down in the kitchen, giving them a lecture.

    "Now you two, it's your last year at school. You'll be taking your N.E.W.T.'s, and I want you to do well. I know you're going to be opening that joke shop of yours," Mrs. Weasley was saying, pausing as she attempted to stomach the idea of Fred and George owning a joke shop. Harry, over the course of his stay at the Weasley's, learned that after the events last year, Mrs. Weasley agreed to let Fred and George open a joke shop, as long as they were financially responsible.

    "We'll be all right, Mum. We won't get into an ounce of trouble," Fred said, smiling at his mother.

    "Please, Fred, I know better. Just make sure you're safe," Mrs. Weasley said, kissing Fred on the forehead.

    "Aaw, Mum," Fred yelled, pushing his mother away while George snickered at his twin. Fred scowled at George, and the two walked out of the house, and into the Weasleys' new car. Ginny hugged her mom before leaving, and then followed the twins. Arthur pecked Molly on the cheek before saying good-bye, leaving Ron, Hermione, and Harry alone with Mrs. Weasley.

    "Now you three. Granted, even if I tell you a thousand times not to wander off, I know you won't listen to me. You guys have managed to escape all sorts of nightmares, and I know you can handle yourselves. But I'm begging, pleading with you, to make sure that you do not disobey the teachers this year. You can't be taking risks anymore now that You-Know-Who is back. And I want you to stick with people you trust. I hate to say it, but in times like these..." Molly looked nervous as she pondered the right way to frame her thought. "It's in times like these that we have to rely more on our friends, than on anyone else, if you catch my drift." Harry knew perfectly well what Mrs. Weasley was trying to relate to them. Trust no one except those you knew to trust. Harry nodded, and Mrs. Weasley gave each of them a hug.

    "We'll be all right, Mum," Ron said consolingly. Hermione and Harry waved as they exited the house, Ron right behind them. The three of them piled into the Weasleys' car, and Arthur drove to Platform 9 and 3/4.

    The ride there wasn't too bad, but there was an awful feeling of tension. Harry couldn't decide if it was because of the incident with Percy, but he decided not to dwell on it too much. Voldemort and his Death Eaters were not going to always take center stage. Harry was going to get his education, enjoy his youth, and laugh it up with his friends. He looked at Mr. Weasley, and saw that his jaw was set; he was clearly nervous. Fred and George were consulting Weasley Wizard Wheezes order forms, and bickering over agreed prices. While they argued, Harry noticed that there was a certain way the twins interacted that was both amusing and fascinating. They seemed to either complete each other's thoughts, or understand how the other will react and adjust his opinions accordingly. They haggled over the prices, and in a matter of seconds, they agreed on a price.

    "Well...it costs five sickles to make those..."

    "...but if we charge seven we can defray the cost..."

    "...unless customers won't take them for that much..."

    "...agreed, sounds pretty steep..."

    "...we'll sell them in pairs, two for thirteen. We can still make a profit..."

    "...and make it look like a bargain. Perfect!" The twins slapped each other high five, and moved on to the next item. Harry chuckled, and turned to Hermione's and Ginny's conversation.

    "Don't worry Ginny. It's weird at first, but later, you'll get used to it." Harry was confused, but by the grossed out, shocked look on Ron's face, Harry surmised as to what they were talking about.

    "Uh...Hermione? Maybe you should wait until you guys get some privacy before you talk about your um...gender issues," Harry said.

    "I'll never sleep again," Ron said, with a pained look on his face.

    "Oh really, Ron, you're old enough to deal with these sort of things," Hermione scolded, in one of her best McGonagall looks.

    "I'm thirsty, I can't wait until we get some pumpkin juice," Harry said loudly, in an attempt to halt an impending argument between Hermione and Ron. There had been too many of them lately, in Harry's opinion, and to avoid any more would be a focus if the three of them were to hang out together.

    "Well...we're here," Mr. Weasley said shakily as he stopped the car in front of the station. Harry looked at Mr. Weasley, who looked even more nervous, if that was at all possible. Harry loaded his luggage onto a nearby trolley, and started to walk slowly towards Platform Nine and Three Quarters. As he walked, he found that he looked around more than usual, he observed his surroundings more carefully. He felt like he was being watched, that someone was following him through the crowd. He looked behind him as he walked, trying to find the source of the creepy feeling he had a the back of his neck. He looked to his right and saw that Hermione too was looking around, with a panicked look on her face. She must have the same fear that he did. If Diagon Alley was a place vulnerable to attack, Platform Nine and Three Quarters was definitely a major target for Death Eaters.

    "Ok kids, just walk through the barrier and we'll find you safely on the train," Mr. Weasley said quietly as they approached the barrier. In groups of three, the group managed to make their way across the barrier and onto Platform Nine and Three Quarters. They loaded their luggage and headed to the front of the train. Harry, Hermione, and Ron were about to board when Mr. Weasley stopped them.

    "You guys will be sitting in the back compartment. It's been separated from the rest of the students, for your own protection," Mr. Weasley said, his face turning red.

    "Why are we being separated?" Harry asked, wondering if Mr. Weasley was afraid they were going to be attacked.

    "Special orders from Dumbledore. He doesn't want you interacting with the rest of the student body until he gets the chance to speak with them. So in fact, you may even miss the Sorting."

    "Normal year, right," Ron said under his breath as he, Harry, and Hermione headed to the back compartment. As they boarded, Harry felt like he was being watched again. He looked behind him, and saw the mysterious witch standing in the distance, looking straight at him.

    "Coming Harry?" Hermione asked. She followed Harry's gaze, but must not have seen the witch. "What are you staring at, Harry?"

    "That witch I told you about in Diagon Alley," Harry said quickly, searching for the witch. He couldn't get another sight of her, so he sighed and boarded the Hogwarts Express. In their own compartment, Harry, Hermione, and Ron exchanged different ideas as to who, or what, Harry's witch was.

    "Maybe it's someone that's helping You-Know-Who. He probably has allies everywhere, he'd want to keep an eye on you," Ron said grimly.

    "I was thinking that, but I'm not too sure. That witch pulled Hermione and I to safety, not to mention she put some precautionary curses on the Knight Bus," Harry responded, petting Crookshanks, Hermione's ginger cat. Crookshanks purred, and flipped his tail contentedly at Harry.

    "That doesn't mean anything, Harry. Professor Moody...er...Crouch, I mean, helped you all year only to try to kill you later. We can't trust this witch, no matter how she helps us. Remember, she's hiding from you for a reason," Hermione warned.    "Optimistic, that one is," Ron said, nodding his head at Hermione.

    "More like realistic," Hermione said grimly, taking out a parchment that looked like her O.W.L. study guide. "This test is going to be a killer."

    "Hermione, you know you can ace that test with your eyes closed," Ron said, making Hermione blush.    

    "No, not with my eyes closed. I haven't had enough practice, and neither have you two."

    "Oh yes I have," Harry said laughing. He looked at his watch, pressed a button, and asked, "Am I ready for the O.W.L. exams?" Harry's watch glowed a deep shade of red, which prompted more laughs from Harry. Hermione and Ron gushed over his new watch, and asked a series of questions that turned into a comedy session.

    "Is Draco Malfoy a mama's boy?" Ron asked the watch, and when the watch glowed green, Ron roared with laughter.

    "You keep asking pointless questions, my Lie Detector will run out of power," Harry said, holding a stitch in his sides as he laughed.

    "Ok, ok, I've got one. Is Professor Binns the most boring teacher at Hogwarts?" Hermione asked to the watch. The watch glowed a very bright shade of green, prompting another loud roar of laughter from the three of them.

     "Does Hermione have a crush on Krum?" Ron asked suddenly. Hermione was suddenly leering at Ron, who was staring intently at the watch. Before the watch could answer, Harry covered its face with his hand, so that no one could see.

    "Why...how...," Hermione sputtered, infuriated by Ron's question.

    "It was all in good fun!" Ron said quickly, turning a bright shade of red in the face of Hermione's fury.

    "It's an invasion of privacy, that's what it is!" Hermione snapped back at Ron.

    "Guys, it's no big deal. No one saw the result of the question," Harry said, trying to broker a peace between the two. However, Hermione refused to let it slide.

    "If you have something to ask me, Ron, why don't you just ask me directly, instead of resorting to a petty watch!" Hermione yelled. She looked quickly at Harry apologetically, but Harry completely understood she hadn't intended on insulting his watch.

    "Well fine then, if you want to take things so seriously. Do you have a crush on Krum?" Ron raged back, standing inches from Hermione's face. Harry put his face in his hands, and rubbed his eyes tiredly. Crookshanks hissed at Ron and Hermione, who were making a ton of noise.

    "That is NONE of your business!" Hermione yelled, her hands balled in fists.

    "Then why tell me to ask? Seems to me you've got SOMETHING to say," Ron yelled back, seemingly confident that he had more information than Hermione knew.

    "Just like you, Ron, to act is if you know it all when in reality you've got nothing to go on but your own two feet!" Hermione snapped, rolling her eyes at the same time.

    "I'm going to get some pumpkin juice and some treats," Harry said loudly, opening the door. As the door slid, he saw Draco Malfoy walking down the center corridor, heading for his own compartment.

    "Hey there, Scarhead!" Malfoy shouted, laughing.

    "Eat dung, Malfoy," Harry responded, walking right by Malfoy. Malfoy didn't get out out of the way.

    "Gotta pay the toll, Potter," Malfoy sneered.

    "Accept this as payment?" Harry asked sarcastically as he shoved Malfoy out of his way. Malfoy fell to the floor, with a loud thump, calling to the attention the refreshment witch.

    "No horseplay on the train!" she yelled, waving her finger at Harry and Draco. Malfoy glared at Harry, but knew not to do anything in front of the witch. He retreated back into his cabin, muttering something about getting even. Harry rolled his eyes, bought some pumpkin juice and some Bertie Bott's Every Flavor Beans, and headed back to the private compartment. As he walked by, he saw Malfoy whispering animatedly to Crabbe and Goyle. He ignored them and walked straight back into the private compartment, and shut the door behind him. Hermione was reading a book, still fuming. Ron looked as if he too was reading a book, but he noticed Ron's eyes darting from the pages to Hermione, and back to the pages again. Harry sighed, and offered the two of them some pumpkin juice. They both accepted, muttered their thanks, and then went back to reading. Ron caught Harry's eye, and then nodded discreetly in order to avoid attracting Hermione's question. Harry assumed Ron was talking about his question to Harry's watch, and Harry just nodded back. So Hermione had a crush on Krum, Harry thought, and felt a gnawing feeling at the pit of his stomach. He couldn't quite place his concern, but something about the news that Hermione had a crush on Krum made Harry nervous. Harry looked at Ron, who was now blatantly staring at Hermione, and then glanced at Hermione, who was unblinkingly reading the fifth-year spell book. Harry wondered when the two of them would stop sniping at each other, when he realized he was incredibly tired. He looked at his watch to see what time it was, and then realized that his watch was glowing red.