Secrets of the Animagi

Chapter 7 - The Sorted and the Chosen

Mrs. Figg stood on the shore, glaring at Harry and Hermione as they waded toward her. She took a moment to mutter a drying charm at Rufus, who was sitting at her feet looking bedraggled and miserable. "May I ask why you Portkeyed here, you fools? Hagrid is waiting for you at Hogsmeade Station. From what I've heard of you, Miss Granger, you should have remembered that magical transport to and from Hogwarts is extremely difficult." Ms. Figg paused to take a breath.

"I'm sorry, Mrs. Figg," said Hermione meekly. "I simply followed the directions in the scroll. It said Hogwarts, not Hogsmeade."

"Good witches and wizards adapt; remember that. Now come along quickly, or we'll miss the Sorting." Mrs. Figg's features softened somewhat. Harry suspected that she wasn't nearly as angry as she wanted them to believe. His shoes squelched as they walked up the castle steps.

"Harry, dear boy. You're still dripping. Do something about it," said Mrs. Figg. So much for Harry benefiting from the same charm Mrs. Figg had used on Rufus. Mrs. Figg apparently didn't coddle anyone other than her cats.

"Hermione," he whispered, "would you happen to know-"

"Desiccare!" she muttered, pointing her wand at first her legs, then Harry's.

Harry was just about to thank her when the castle doors opened. The last strains of the Sorting Hat's song echoed through the Great Hall.

Do try me on for size, young folk
And into houses four
I'll put you where you best belong,
Just like in days of yore!

As students and professors applauded the hat, Harry and Hermione slipped into their places at the Gryffindor table. Mrs. Figg continued to the staff table and took the empty seat between Professor Sprout and an unfamiliar bespectacled wizard. But then, there was something about the way the wizard smiled when he greeted Mrs. Figg that reminded of Harry of someone he had met. He just couldn't remember who it was. Ron's elbowing his ribs interrupted Harry's musing.

"Portkey worked, then?" Ron was smiling at Harry. Obviously, he was eager to hear of his friends' latest adventures. Harry quickly summarised the events at the Leaky Cauldron, leaving out the visit by Viktor Krum. Telling that part would be up to Hermione. When he finished, the Sorting Hat was still assigning houses to the first year students.

"Weasley, Gordon," called Professor McGonagall.

Harry poked Ron, "Is he your-"

"Cousin," said Ron, sighing. "Hope he doesn't-"

"Another Weasley for Gryffindor!" shouted the Hat.

Everyone at the Gryffindor table applauded politely as Gordon trotted over and took an empty seat. Harry was surprised that the Weasley siblings were less than enthusiastic about having their cousin in the same house. He'd have to ask Ron about it later. The last student, Marigold Williams, was sorted into Ravenclaw and Professor Dumbledore stood ready to give his opening speech.

"Students, colleagues, welcome back to another year at Hogwarts. Mr. Filch has asked me to read the following notices. First, the forest is out of bounds to all students. Second and last, Canary Creams, Rodent Raspberry Ripple, and other enchanted gustatory delights have been banned. For the complete list of contraband items, please consult the list posted in Mr. Filch's office." There was a pause as students expressed their displeasure at the annual notices. Professor Dumbledore cleared his throat. "There is one more matter before we commence eating, namely the introduction of new staff. It is my pleasure to introduce Professor Figg. She will be assuming the mantle of Potions Instructor while Professor Snape is on leave." Mrs. Figg stood up and nodded to the students. Except for Harry, who was clapping enthusiastically, the Gryffindor students looked uncertain. Where was their nemesis, Professor Snape? The Slytherins looked stunned. Apparently, they had not been informed in advance of the loss of their housemaster.

"For those of you in the Slytherin, your interim Head of House is Professor Sinistra. I am confident she will be just as fair and approachable as her predecessor was." Several students snickered at the statement. The Slytherins had gone from looking stunned to utterly confused. Harry almost felt sorry for them. Professor Sinistra stood, nodding to the Slytherins as well as the other students. Her face was absolutely neutral, as if she would be in charge of a bowl of mashed potatoes, rather than what many called "The Snakepit".

Dumbledore continued, "Last but not least, please join me in welcoming Professor Antares Browne to Hogwarts. Professor Browne will be an instructor of Special Studies this year." Although none of the students had the faintest idea what Dumbledore meant by Special Studies, they clapped politely as Professor Browne, the wizard Mrs. Figg had greeted earlier, bowed. He looked friendly enough. Harry heard several girls giggling at the other end of the table. Apparently, he wasn't unattractive, either.

Now that Dumbledore had concluded his speech, food appeared on all the tables. The students and staff filled their plates as if none of them had eaten in months. Harry was no less hungry than anyone else was. It had been a long time since his late breakfast at the Leaky Cauldron. At last, after the last crumb of dessert had been cleared from the plates, Dumbledore stood and spoke. "And now, to bed. Goodnight."

While the prefects led the first years to the dormitories, the rest of the Gryffindors made their way to the tower, greeting the paintings as they went. The Fat Lady was waiting for them upon their arrival. She looked pleased to be back on duty after the long holiday.

"Parvati told me the password," said Hermione, who had been walking with Ron and Harry. They were among the last to reach the dormitories. "Butterbeer." At that, the portrait swung open and they entered the common room. They were surprised to see a large group of students gathered around a notice that had been posted on the wall.

Ron was tall enough to read over several of the other students' heads. "Quiddich team captains will meet next Friday at 9 o'clock P.M. Does the Gryffindor team even have a captain?" Harry shook his head. "Oh wait, there's more. Gryffindor team meets this Sunday night at 9 o'clock."

"Well, I'll guess we'll elect a captain at the meeting," said Harry. "Although I'm not really sure how it works."

"What about you, Harry?" asked Ron. "Don't you want to be captain?"

"Dunno, Ron. I guess I'm too tired to think about it right now. Ready to go upstairs?"

The boys said goodnight to Hermione, who also looked exhausted, and walked up the stairs to the fifth year boys' dormitory. Neville was still helping the first years settle in. Seamus and Dean had stayed behind in the common room, discussing the possibility of trying out for the Quiddich team. Harry dug into his pocket and pulled out his miniaturised luggage. It had survived the journey remarkably well. Not even bothering to take his wand out, he restored the trunk to its proper size. .

"Wicked," said Ron. "Could you teach me that some time?" Harry didn't answer. He was already in bed, fast asleep.

Harry arose early the next morning and dressed in the dim light. He decided to visit the Owlery before the rest of the Gryffindors awoke, since he hadn't seen Hedwig since the incident at the Leaky Cauldron. He pulled a bag of owl treats out of his trunk and shoved them in his pocket. There were only a few remaining, no thanks to Rufus. He'd have to purchase more during his next trip to Hogsmeade. Quietly, he left the dormitory and started down the stairs to the common room. Nearing the bottom of the steps, he saw a familiar bushy head. Hermione was also up early, and to Harry's horror, revising for OWLs.

"Good morning, Harry. Early breakfast?"

"No, I'm going to see Hedwig."

"Mind if I come along? There's something I wanted to talk to you about."

Harry shrugged and opened the portrait hole for Hermione. They walked to the Owlery in silence. Didn't Hermione have something to say? Harry coughed quietly. He didn't really know how to make Hermione start talking about whatever was bothering her.

"Harry? Remember the other night when I didn't want to talk?"

"Vividly. One of the world's most famous Seekers comes up to you and-"

"Point taken, thanks. Anyway, you're one of my best friends. It's only fair that I tell you what's been going on."

"Hermione, you don't have to. It's really none of my business." Harry stopped to open the Owlery door.

"But it is, I think. Krum asked me to marry him."

"What?" Harry busied himself by finding Hedwig and giving her an owl treat. She nibbled his fingers affectionately.

"Don't look so frantic. He was very sweet. I had a lovely time in Bulgaria, and he proposed just before I left."

"Er-" Harry was very uncomfortable now. Weren't girls supposed to talk to their mothers or other girls about marriage and things?

"I'll put you out of your misery, Harry. I didn't say yes to Viktor."

"But, the other night?"

"Well, it's like this. I'm just not ready to make a decision. I was feeling pressured and-"

"So you didn't tell him no, either."

Hermione blushed. "I didn't say anything. Promise you won't tell Ron? I don't want him to be upset. He was so difficult last year, I just don't want to go through that again."

"I promise, Hermione. By the sword of Godric Gryffindor, no one will hear a word from me." Harry almost sighed with relief that the conversation was over, but he didn't want Hermione to feel insulted. Girls' talk. Yech.

By the time Harry and Hermione reached the Great Hall, several Gryffindors were at the table, namely the four Weasley siblings. Harry saw it as the perfect time to learn more about their distaste for their cousin. It would have been, if the Weasleys hadn't all started talking at once.

"The hat must have made a mistake. He's not brave, he's a stool pigeon," said George.

"Even more embarrassing than that accountant fellow," said Ron.

"I didn't even know he'd got a letter. Auntie never breathed a word," added Ginny.

"Probably because she's afraid he'll be expelled for incompetence. And we can't even feed him a Rodent Raspberry Ripple to ease our pain," said Fred. He seemed more disturbed by the contraband list.

"You know," said Hermione, "I talked with him a bit last night. He didn't seem all that bad."

"That's because you weren't forced to spend the entire summer with him," said Ron. "I'm sure he'll get on your nerves eventually. Besides, he despises revision."

Hermione raised an eyebrow. "So do you, Ron. By the way, where is Gordon?" Several other Gryffindors had now joined the table, including a very grumpy Parvati.

"Which one of you," she asked, looking pointedly at the Weasleys, "put Gordon in a full body bind?"

"Not I," four voices said in unison.

"Excuse me." It was one of the first years, a shy dark-haired boy.

"Yes?"

"Gordon did it to himself. We were just practicing a few charms. His wand seemed to misfire. He'll be okay, won't he?"

"See? Competely incompetent," muttered Ron.

Harry was relieved to see one of the sixth years arrive with the course schedules. He was afraid that Parvati was about to take points away from Gryffindor for poor attitudes toward housemates. Parvati snatched her schedule from the sixth year and stalked to an empty chair next to Lavender.

"Harry? Take a look at this," said Hermione. She was pointing to her paper, which said simply:

Meet in the Transfiguration Classroom at 8 P.M.

"Us too," said Ron, who was holding both his and Harry's.

"Anyone else?" asked Harry.

Only Katie Bell nodded her head and then looked around the Great Hall. "Several students in the other houses must have the same note. They look just as confused as we are."

"Including Malfoy," said Hermione with a shudder. Draco Malfoy was holding court at the Slytherin table wearing a smug look while his housemates complained about being assigned to double Potions with the Gryffindors for the fifth year running.

"Father promised to contact the Professor Snape about the situation," he said imperiously, as he accepted a piece of buttered toast from Pansy. "Obviously, Professor Snape left instructions for Professor Sinistra to consult the other professors. I'm sure this evening's meeting will be to confirm the arrangements before all of our schedules are adjusted. As the natural leader of this house," Draco Malfoy continued, staring pointedly at Blaise Zabini's prefect badge, "it's obvious that I play a valuable role in ensuring the improvement of our educational system."

If Malfoy had been paying any attention to the surrounding tables, he would have seen quite a few smirks and raised eyebrows, including all of the fifth year Gryffindors. Deciding that the draft of overheated air coming from the direction of the Slytherin table had curbed their appetites, Harry, Hermione, and Ron left the Great Hall and walked across the castle grounds to Hagrid's hut. Hagrid was sitting on the front step, plucking a chicken while Fang lounged nearby, drooling.

"Yeh made it after all, Harry. Good to see yer both safe an' sound," said Hagrid as he embraced Harry and Hermione in a bone crushing hug.

"Sorry you were left at the station, Hagrid. We didn't know you would be there. You missed the Feast, too," said Hermione.

"No trouble, no trouble at all, Hermione. I figgered yeh was fine. I popped into the Three Broomsticks fer a pint after Dumbledore's owl found me. It was nice, havin' the lake to meself an' all rowin' home. Had time ter think an' plan for this year's class. Didn't get much time fer that lately. Now, how was ev'ryone's holiday?" Harry, Ron and Hermione were happy to oblige Hagrid, giving him the details of their summer. Hermione didn't mention Krum, however. Hagrid said little of his mission on the continent, only that he indeed had travelled with Madam Maxime.

"Did you find your mother, Hagrid?" Harry asked.

"Well, I met some o' her friends. She was travellin' herself, so it seems," replied Hagrid. "Speakin' o' which, I have yer rock cakes."

"Thanks, Hagrid."

They spent all morning with Hagrid, although they did not allow him to cook for them. Instead, Harry and Hermione baked a savoury pie with the chicken Hagrid had been plucking. Hagrid declared it was the best he'd ever eaten, although he did ask why there weren't any tasty talons inside. After inspecting the pumpkin patch and the new paddocks for Care of Magical Creatures with Hagrid, they returned to the castle. Hermione spent the rest of the afternoon in the library. Unconvinced that OWL revision was a necessity, Harry and Ron took part in an informal Gobstones tournament in the common room. There was much laughter and light-hearted bickering as players were eliminated one by one. Losing in the third round, to Colin Creevy of all people, Ron watched as his friend continued to play. Harry had just lost the final round to Dean, when one of the second years announced that dinner was about to start. Upon meeting Hermione in the Great Hall, Harry noticed she had a very dusty copy of Guide to Bulgarian Wizarding Life in her satchel. He pretended to ignore it, hoping that Ron wouldn't take an interest in Hermione's newest research.

After a leisurely dinner and much discussion with the other Gryffindors about what the meeting might entail, Harry walked to the Transfiguration classroom with Ron and Hermione. Katie arrived shortly after, accompanied by a Ravenclaw seventh year, Juno Grant. Time seemed to creep by as they waited for everyone else to arrive. No one had much to say, other than disbelief that the meeting had anything to do with Slytherin class schedules. Several more students entered the classroom, including Padma Patil and Cho Chang. Harry was surprised to find that his heart didn't seem to leap into his throat the way it had last year. A few minutes before eight o'clock, Malfoy sauntered into the room in the company of two older Slytherins. The girl looked suspiciously like Marcus Flint, thought Harry, as his stomach lurched with disgust. At precisely eight o'clock, Professor Dumbledore entered the room, followed by Professors McGonagall and Browne. Harry still couldn't remember why Professor Browne looked so familiar.

"I can see you're all here. Excellent," said Professor Dumbledore. "I would like to welcome all of you to the Special Studies Programme. Each of you was recommended by your heads of house because of your academic status and natural abilities. This year's programme will include specialised courses and travel to the Continent to study wizarding cultures there. With the strong relationships between Hogwarts, Beauxbatons, and Durmstrang forged during last year's tournament, all of the headmasters agreed that such a programme would further strengthen the ties. Regretfully, we aren't able to include more schools, but this is a fine start. Each of you, of course, will have to decide whether or not to participate. I will leave it to Professors McGonagall and Browne to answer any questions you might have."

As it happened, there were quite a few questions for the professors, and the meeting lasted until nearly ten o'clock. The evening revolved around Ravenclaws asking for a detailed syllabus while the Slytherins continually tried to divert attention their academic need for single-house classes. There were several respectfully worded questions about Professor Browne's qualifications, however Harry suspected a few of the girls were more interested in his marital status. Professor Browne, however, didn't seem to mind the inquisition. He professed to be a protege of Dumbledore and to have spent several years conducting an intensive survey of the Dark Arts and creatures drawn to it. Harry couldn't decide whether Professor Browne was closer in personality to Remus Lupin or to Gilderoy Lockhart. However, barring the appearance of autographed photos, he looked to up to the job of shepherding Hogwarts students through Europe.

Looking thoroughly exhausted, as Professor McGonagall called an end to the meeting. "I would like to thank each of you for coming and expect your answer by tomorrow evening," she said. The students left the classroom slowly in small groups, discussing the pros and cons of participating in the programme. No one, it seemed, was in much of a hurry to return to their houses. Soon, only Harry, Ron, and Hermione remained.

"Do you have question, Harry?" asked Professor Dumbledore. He and Professor McGonagall were having a quiet conversation at her desk. Before Professor McGonagall could protest, he conjured a tray of sticky buns and hot cocoa out of thin air and directed it to land on a nearby table. "Cocoa, Minerva?"

"Not this time, Albus. I think I'll have tea instead." A small teapot appeared at her elbow. "Potter, I can tell you have something to say. Out with it."

"If you don't mind professors, I would like to know why I was chosen. I can understand your choice of Hermione. She's the best student, after all. But me?"

"And me," added Ron.

"Harry, Mr. Weasley, Miss Granger, have a seat," said Professor Dumbledore. "I knew, even without Professor Trelawney's talents, that you'd want an explanation." Professor McGonagall sniffed at the mention of the Divination professor, but held her tongue.

"The operatives and I have decided that it would be safer for you, Harry, if you didn't remain too long in the same place," continued Dumbledore. "We've already seen how easy it is for a Death Eater to infiltrate Hogwarts. But, with you changing locations every few months, we hope it will deter them from attempting it again. It's part of the reason why I did not protest your staying with the Grangers for the last month. And, of course, you do have a lot of natural talents. Although you have the same choice in participating as the other students, I truly hope you'll take my advice. Sticky bun?

"Yes, there are many talented students in Gryffindor, including, Mr. Weasley, your brothers. However, Mr. Filch did have some say in our choices, disqualifying all students with extensive files in his office. You were chosen not only because of your friendship with Harry, but because you do have the potential to be an excellent student, should you choose to do so. I don't want any student to feel that they were not chosen for their own abilities."

"But rest assured," added Professor McGonagall, "substandard work will not be tolerated in the programme. Hogwarts is only a short Portkey away for students who prove a disappointment."

Harry and his friends finished their cocoa and returned to the Gryffindor tower. They walked in silence, each working through all the information they had received that evening. Harry wasn't sure how he felt about being chosen for the new programme, but he had already decided on the answer he would give to Professor McGonagall. But first, he decided, a good night's sleep would be in order.