Harry Potter and the Forgotten Oracle

A/N: Well here it is, the next chapter! Again I would like to apologise profusely for the delay in getting this chapter up. I think the delay has been beneficial though. This story is in a much better place; I have a few more chapters up my sleeve and I have also planned the story a lot more accurately! Again a big thankyou to Rach for helping me with this chapter. Thankyou so much to everone for the fantastic reviews! They have been such a help in keeping this story going! Without further ado…

Chapter Eight: Hickory Hazelwood:

The unexpected visit from Aberforth Dumbledore seemed to intrigue Harry more than anything in the following days. Whilst there was a twinge of sadness and disappointment that it was not the Dumbledore that he was so sure that he was going to see again, the appearance of the new stranger had Harry wondering where this man had come from, what the real reason for his visit was and when he would see him again.  He had not dared to tell anyone of the mysterious visit for he was sure that it would mean he would not be able to stay at Grimmauld Place without anyone else again. Ron returned from St Mungo’s a week after Aberforth’s appearance, as good as new. He ranted about the different potions which he was made to have and how they had house-elves that would make him fondue on any occasion. Now that Ron was back, Hermione also seemed to be around more, and the fact that he had not told them the whole story about Dumbledore or who he thought Dumbledore was plagued on his mind. He was sure that there would come a time when he could no longer hide it. It was mere days before they would be returning to Hogwarts that Harry found Hermione in the library reading, Harry having come in to find an odd glove. As he walked in, his eyes fell on her and she looked up at him reluctantly.

‘Hi Harry’ she said softly, and then she looked down at her book again before looking up at him quickly ‘er…do you need help with anything?’

‘Ah…no thanks’ Harry said stiffly, waving a single glove at her ‘just looking for something’ he said and then crouched behind a large winged chair to avoid having to look at her. He pretended to search for what he thought was long enough and when he straightened up he saw Hermione had placed her book on the floor next to her and was standing up, facing him wringing her hands.

‘You know Harry; I just want to say that I am sorry what happened a few days ago. I should have listened to you. I should have listened to what you had to say’

‘You don’t need to apologise Hermione, I should not have yelled at you. It was not your fault, I was just really confused I guess’ he said not really looking at her, instead focusing determinedly on a book to the left of her shoulder which was whistling quietly.

‘I think we were just both exhausted Harry. I guess the attack really took it out of us. Made us see things and such’ she said looking at Harry cautiously.

‘Hermione, I saw what I saw or what I thought I did’ Harry said slowly.

‘Oh Harry, I don’t want to get into this again, please lets not have this argument again’ she cried bending over and picking up her book and quickly making her way across to the door.

‘No Hermione, wait!’ he said and he grabbed her by the wrist as she passed. She gasped as she spun around, pulling her hand away from him quickly.

‘It wasn’t Dumbledore, I didn’t see him’ he said softly ‘but I did see someone, it was Dumbledore’s brother Aberforth.’ He said positioning himself between the door and Hermione.

‘What?’ she gasped ‘Harry, are you hearing what your saying, it can’t be right?’

‘Yeah. He was here, he came here’ Harry said waving his hand around the room ‘He admitted it was him and he says there are things he has to show me and teach me’ he said quietly.

‘He was in the house, but no one can get in here unless they know where it is?’ Hermione whispered hysterically looking around the room as if waiting for another stranger to pounce at her ‘Harry, are you sure that it was Aberforth? It could have been a disguise, a trick?’

‘I thought about that, but I think he was being serious. Hermione, he knew about the horcruxes’ he hushed.

‘He did?’ Hermione said her eyes growing wide. ‘Well when will you see him again?’

‘I don’t know’ Harry said shaking his head. ‘He was here and then he left, he didn’t really give much away’

‘Oh Harry!’ Hermione said moving towards him but the next moment the door creaked open and Ron poked his head in.

‘What’s going on?’ he said quietly looking between Harry and Hermione.

‘Oh nothing Ron’ Hermione said breathlessly ‘just talking’ she said cheerily with immense effort and made her way quickly over to the bookcase. Ron edged into the room taking a seat.

‘Talking about what?’ he said slowly as he turned to look at Hermione. Hermione turned from the bookcase and looked across at Harry desperately.

Harry shrugged back at Hermione and told Ron exactly what had happened with Dumbledore. Ron continued to shake his head for a long time after Harry had told him.

‘So this Aberforth has just appeared now? Why?’ he said turning to look at Harry ‘why has he never done anything for the Order before this, and why did he not show himself to the Order. Something is weird Harry, you have to admit’. Harry didn’t say anything and merely shrugged.

‘I trust him’ he said simply, he didn’t know why, but there was some comfort that Dumbledore, whom Harry thought could always help him still existed.

‘Are you going to tell the Order, Harry?’ Hermione asked.

‘I thought about it at the meeting tonight, but I don’t think I will’ Harry said quietly noticing that the both of them had tensed up when he had mentioned the meeting with the Order.

‘I can’t believe you have joined’ Ron said quietly ‘You are not even out of school’ he said heavily and crossed his arms across his chest. Harry could not help but notice a hint of jealousy in his voice. Hermione stole a quick look at Harry before flicking through the book she had just pulled from the bookcase. Harry suddenly realised that of course Ron and Hermione would be in a difficult position. He, Harry had been elected into the Order and now would be receiving specialised training, whilst they would merely be standing by, even though they had chosen to come with him on this most dangerous journey. Harry’s insides begun to burn as he heard the sniggers of some of the Order in the back of his mind, when they were participating in things not nearly as dangerous and Ron and Hermione…

‘Ah, I have to find this other glove, I think it is in the kitchen’ Harry said quickly walking steadily out of the library, leaving Hermione looking curious and a sour look on Ron’s face.

‘Yes Potter, You have something to say?’ Moody growled some hours later, as numerous members of the Order were huddled around the kitchen all now looking in Harry’s direction.

‘Um…yeah I do. I have a request’ Harry said as he got nervously to his feet. He heard the mutters around the room and as a few people threw sceptical looks towards him.

‘Yes go on’ Moody said as he sat down.

‘Well, um ok. I think that Ron Weasley and Hermione Granger should also be able to join the Order’ there was a sudden uproar of whispers and some yelps of ‘Preposterous!’ and ‘Outrageous!’

‘Many of you know the situations I am in this year’ Harry said loudly over the voices, his own voice ringing confidently ‘I will return to Hogwarts but will have to leave at times to continue to do things that Professor Dumbledore and I begun last year’ he said coolly ‘Hermione and Ron have chosen to accompany me and I assure you that they are just as eligible for membership to the Order, and I am quite sure that Dumbledore would not have seen a problem with it’ he said quickly sitting down. He saw Mr Weasley in the corner of the room, lost in thought, slowly biting his lip. Fred and George who were sitting beside their father were looking at Harry curiously but their expression was unreadable. Lupin who was sitting a few metres away to his left nodded and smiled at Harry. Moody stood up again slowly.

‘We will take your request into consideration Potter. Obviously membership suggestions take some serious deliberation, so it is something we will have to think about’ he said firmly and Harry felt a small smile form on his face.

After the meeting, Harry was clearing away several teacups and heard someone approach him from behind.

‘That was a very brave thing you did Harry’ he turned to see Lupin looking at him kindly.

‘It’s only fair’ Harry said earnestly as he placed a cup on the bench. ‘If I am allowed here, so should they be’.

‘I agree completely, and perhaps some training for them would not be a bad idea as well’ he said raising his eyebrows.

‘Yes!’ Harry said, trying to keep his voice down ‘could you do that Remus’ he said excitedly.

‘I think I can, but you will have to give me some time. I will let you know, don’t say anything yet’ he said as a smile played across his features.

‘Thanks Remus’

‘Not a problem Harry. Good Night’ he said and walked out of the kitchen waving as he left.

***

The final day before Harry, Hermione and Ron began their last year of Hogwarts began like almost every year before that. A desperate hurry had ensured as all of them hunted around the entire house looking for any of their items that Crookshanks might have snatched. Several members of the Order had arrived to ensure that Harry, Hermione, Ron and Ginny all returned to Hogwarts safely.

‘Right, we need to leave now!’ barked Moody as he held the door open, one eye looking down the passage and then to his watch whilst the other eye scanned the quiet street. Harry ran down the staircase quickly, his trunk floating steadily behind him. As he reached the ground floor he saw both Tonks and Lupin muttering quietly to themselves. When they saw Harry approach they broke apart and smiled at Harry.

‘Wotcher Harry!’ Tonks said brightly, her hair a fluorescent spiky blue.

‘Hi Gu-’ Harry started, for at that moment Ron tore through the room after Crookshanks who had a red sock in her mouth. Ron performed a spectacular spear-tackle, missed the cat completely and fell into a large heap on the ground, cursing with a loud crash. Tonks burst out laughing and ran down the hallway to help Ron who was now brushing himself off, still cursing.

‘Harry’ Lupin said quietly ‘I have something to give you before you return to school’ and he reached inside his robes and pulled out a small copper sphere. Harry took it in his hand, a confused look on his face; he noticed however that it was quite warm.

‘This is a constant portkey Harry. McGonagall tells me that you have permission to leave school during the term. Provided that you are standing in your dormitory and you hold this it will bring you to right where we stand’ Harry nodded and put in his pocket hurriedly just as the voice of Mrs Weasley rang through the house.

‘Everyone we need to leave now, the cars are here!’ she said rushing up the passageway quickly. A scarf flapping behind her and an owl somehow settled upon her head.

‘See you soon Harry’ Lupin said steadily.

‘Aren’t you coming to the station too?’ Harry asked, frowning.

‘I would love to, but there are a few things I have to do. I will write to you as soon as I can, just take care’ he said calmly. He walked with Harry to the front door, where Tonks, Moody and now Magnolia Roolnite were standing. Harry noticed that Mrs Weasley had merely marched straight past and was now settling Ginny in one of the cars.

‘Hurry along Potter’ Moody growled and led him to one of the two sleek black cars that were lined up along the pavement. The ride to Kings Cross Station was smooth as usual and they reached the billowing red engine with a few moments to spare. Moody and Magnolia walked in front of the ground of them, whilst Tonks walked behind joking with Ginny. Moody turned to look at the four of them.

‘Right then, get on board. We will wait here until the train has left. Remember stick together and don’t go poking around for the sake of it. Inform us if something seems to be out of the ordinary. Constant vigilance!’ he barked and then hurried them on the train.

‘Have a good year dears’ Mrs Weasley said as she ran along side them as the all boarded the train. ‘Write whenever you want to; please look after yourselves, please! And take care of Ginny’ she wailed as Moody finished marching them all onto the train.

‘Right’ said Ron brightly ‘lets find a carriage!’

‘Ah Ron’ Ginny said sarcastically ‘you are a prefect and Harry and Hermione are Head Boy and Head Girl. I think you have to go and report’ she said.

‘Oh yeah’ Ron said quietly.

‘We’ll go in a bit’ Harry said ‘We still have a few minutes, lets just find somewhere good for now’ he said and began walking down the train.

‘Here’s a free one’ Ron said happily.

‘And this one too!’ Ginny said.

‘This one is empty as well’ Hermione said quietly ‘have you noticed how many are empty? It’s not usually like this’

‘It’s still early’ Ron shrugged.

‘No, it’s not Ron, it is usually crowded by now, she said waking into a compartment and sitting down ‘there aren’t as many students coming back’ she said softly.

‘I guess we should have expected that’ Harry said ‘It not going to be the same as it was before’

‘There idiots’ Ron said angrily ‘Why would you stay at home? There just leaving themselves for the Death Eaters to walk in!’ he said crossing his arms

‘Mum wasn’t going to let us Ron’ Ginny said sternly

‘Yeah and she saw some sense. Well it is their own fault if something happens to them I guess!’ he grumbled.

‘Ron!’ Hermione scowled ‘what a stupid thing to say!’

‘We have to go now I think!’ Harry said standing up quickly.

‘Yes, your right Harry!’

‘Yeah you do’ Ron said miserably. ‘I just have to patrol; I’ll go in a bit’.

Harry saw Hermione shake her head and then turned towards the door. ‘Come on Harry, hang on, and put your badge on!’ she said firmly, nodding at his chest.

‘Oh right’ Harry said and he hurried across to his trunk and pulled his badge out, fastening it recklessly to his chest. He followed Hermione out of the compartment and down the hall. It seemed to Harry that their duties on the train seemed very dull. Although Hermione prowled through the corridors industriously, he couldn’t help but rather be back in the carriage. He was sure that the sweets trolley would be coming through around about now…

‘Potter’ a voice suddenly snarled from behind him. Harry wheeled around and saw the rabbity figure of Theodore Nott standing in the middle of the passage, both Crabbe and Goyle standing behind him. Harry’s hand crept slowly towards his pocket.

‘Sure you want to do that Potter’ Nott smirked, revealing his wand already drawn from behind his back.

‘No magic is to be used on the train unnecessarily’ snapped the voice of Hermione from behind Harry.

‘Quiet mudblood’ he snapped his wand flicking towards Hermione. She pulled out her own wand and looked at him coldly.

‘Say it again’ she glared. Nott glared at her for a second and then looked back at Harry.

‘Times are changing Potter. You sure you want to be at Hogwarts’

‘Definitely’ he said coldly. ‘Love to keep you company, keep an eye on you’ he spat

‘I would watch yourself, Dumbledore’s gone now. That means you’re gone. Hogwarts won’t last too much longer’ he said smirking, his eyes darting between Hermione and Harry.

‘Really? Harry said in mock surprise ‘and what about you, I take it Malfoy isn’t here anymore?’ he said pretending to look around the carriage ‘how will you be, without any brains to tell you how to breathe’ he quipped.

‘Joke all you want. Draco might not be here, but I reckon you will see him sooner than later Potter. I would swear on the Dark Lord’s life’ he said leering at Harry ‘and when you see him, he’ll be looking for some scum in particular’ he said his eyes lingering on Hermione. Harry felt his blood boil and his ears began to throb. Suddenly bright sparks of red and gold erupted from his wand, showering the passageway in sparks.

‘Get out of here’ Harry snarled. Nott raised his eyebrows.

‘No worries’ he laughed ‘see you round Potter, should be a good year.’ And with that he turned on his heel and strutted down the passage, Crabbe and Goyle walking after him clumsily.

‘Come on, lets get back to the others’ Harry whispered to Hermione stowing his wand back into his pocket. Hermione nodded silently and followed.

When they returned to the carriage, both Ron and Ginny were there along with Luna and Neville.

‘Hiya Harry!’ Neville said happily as Harry waved back. Luna had merely waved from behind the Quibbler which she was reading- upside down. Harry sat down and told them all what had just happened.

‘So what it means is that we are going to have to stick together this year and be careful’ he instructed

‘Hold on, so you reckon Malfoy isn’t here anymore’ Ron said incredulously, a mouthful of cauldron cakes; the sweets trolley had apparently already been.

‘Nah he can’t be, Crabbe and Goyle were with Nott, so I doubt it’ Harry said quickly

‘After all that happened last year, I would be surprised if he wasn’t it hiding or something!’ Hermione said looking out the window.

‘But Nott did say he will be back Harry! What do you think he means by that?’ Neville said nervously.

‘I reckon he would be bluffing’ Ginny shrugged ‘he wouldn’t come back on his own, not a chance. Besides he couldn’t, the security is going to be ridiculous’ she said flicking through the pages of Witch Weekly. No one said anything, all seeming to be lost in their own thoughts.

‘I think I will go and patrol for a bit, I will be back in a bit okay?’ Harry said getting up.

‘Cool, I am going to go and see some friends’ Ginny said nodding and got up and left. Harry walked into the carriage. He saw some people he knew and stopped to talk to a few of them. He couldn’t help but feel that throughout the whole train their seemed to be a sense of foreboding. There were no people running throughout the carriages and trickles of laughter. Instead people sat lamely in their seats, some talking most of them looking out the window with an impassive face. He noticed however that everyone was looking at his badge. Many of them seemed to look at his badge rather then the usual upwards scan of his scar and Harry felt his heart lighten as a smile seemed to flicker across most of their faces some of the nodding at him. He smiled back softly and kept walking. By the time he got back to his compartment he felt a small bit happier, the confrontation with Nott seeming to be at the back of his mind. However the sight that met him was one that pushed everything to the back of his mind. Neville and Luna had at some point left the room. Together in the middle of the room were Ron and Hermione, Harry having obviously walked in at the wrong time. The train rounded a corner and the door slid closed behind Harry with a loud snap. Hermione and Ron broke apart and Hermione wheeled around to face Harry.

‘Harry!’ she gasped, ‘what are you doing here?’

‘I was coming to see- um…that doesn’t matter’ he said walking backwards still into belief into the door. Hermione’s eyes were wide and shocked; Ron had a curious look playing on his face. Harry spun round quickly and left the compartment, hurrying quickly up the passage. People were again smiling at him but he didn’t smile back, he continued to hurry to the front of the train. He felt an urge to get away from everyone. People backed out of the way as he rushed forward with his head down. He pushed the door open to the head’s carriage and flung himself down in a chair, his head in his arms. He didn’t know what to think of what he had just seen. He didn’t think the idea of Ron and Hermione together would affect him in the slightest. Even last year he had considered the prospect to not be such a big deal, but there was something about seeing them that shocked him, that scared him and that strangely angered him. ‘They have a right to be happy as well you know’ a small voice said sailing through his mind. ‘Of course they do’ Harry said to himself, ‘but so do I’ he thought. ‘Well Ginny still likes you’ the voice chimed again within his head. But Harry knew that he could not be with her, there was something within his heart that was blocking his feelings. Quietly there was a knock at the door, and the door creaked open slowly.

‘This is the Head’s compartment. No one is allowed here’ he yelled, his head still in his lap.

‘I know’ the familiar voice said softly ‘I am allowed though.’ Harry looked up. Standing by the door nervously was Hermione. Her cheeks were a soft pink tinge. She had obviously ran the entire train to find Harry.

‘Hermione I just need to be alone’ he said wearily.

‘I don’t care Harry. I have something I need to say…and…and I am going to say it’ she said firmly, taking a deep breath and stepping forward more into the carriage. Harry raised his eyebrows.

‘Harry, Ron and I are not together’ she said heavily.

‘Quit lying Hermione’ Harry said more aggressive then he had expected, realising that he was now standing, ‘I just saw you together, you cant deny that know can you?’ he spat. Hermione took a step backwards quickly as though she had stood on something hot, but then slowly stepped forward again.

‘Please listen to me Harry’ she said again ‘we were together okay. This summer, we got together not long after the school term had finished. We only broke up in the last few days, just as Ron got back from St. Mungo’s. That’s why I was spending so much time there, we…well we were talking- I was talking’ she muttered softly.

‘You were talking, so that’s what your calling it these days’ Harry said with a hollow laugh ‘you know Hermione it is none of my business, you can do what you want. You can tell that to Ron too, seen he can’t tell me himself.’ He said throwing a vicious look across to the door.

‘Harry’ Hermione said tiredly ‘Ron kissed me then, I did not ask him to’

‘It didn’t look like you were putting up a big fight’ Harry said quickly, glaring at Hermione.

‘Like I said we broke up. Well I broke up with him. I thought I liked him, but when we were together I realised that there was nothing there. It just didn’t work; it was like something was missing. I realised it wasn’t him that I cared about; it was an unfortunate lack of judgement.

‘But he kissed you, and you kissed him back’ Harry said heavily.

‘He did’ Hermione said biting her lip ‘he still thinks there is something there. He doesn’t like that I broke up with him, and no Harry I did not kiss him back! I pushed him away.’

‘Yeah after I caught you both!’ Harry said quickly.

‘I was going to stop him anyway. I don’t like him like that anymore Harry, I didn’t want him to kiss me’ Hermione retorted.

‘Well if you knew you didn’t want him to, why did he?’ Harry said coolly.

‘Because, like I said before he still thinks that there is something there’ Hermione answered wearily.

‘Where is he now’ Harry said coolly ‘do you want me to do someth-’

‘No Harry I don’t, I want you to stay here. Ron’s embarrassed now, that’s enough.’

‘Oh ok, well I am…er…sorry that it didn’t work out’ Harry said awkwardly, but even as he said it he wasn’t sure that he meant it.

‘Thankyou Harry. I am too. But I am okay, I am happy. I guess over the summer I realised some things, the way I have changed’ she said quietly.

‘I guess we all have’ he said looking out the window, the sun now shrinking behind looming mountains.

‘Times are changing Harry, it’s now or never isn’t it? I mean I think I have realised that things that we need to do, we have to do now, we could be too late otherwise’ she said scooting closer to Harry.

‘Your right Hermione’ Harry said tearing his eyes away from the window and looking at his watch. ‘Your right, we had better change, we need to assemble all the prefects before we get to Hogsmeade. I will let you change here, see you soon’ Harry said pushing the glasses back up his nose and heading across the room. When he got to the door, he turned to look at Hermione again.

‘Hey Hermione’ he said

‘Yes Harry?’ she said quickly

‘I just wanted to say that I am glad that your happy’ .he said shrugging and smiling he left the room.

‘If only I was Harry’ she whispered before drawing the curtains of the carriage

***

The sun had now left the sky completely and a stream on cold moonlight now shone down on the numerous carriages that rolled steadily up the hills. Ron, Hermione, Harry and Neville had taken the same carriage and were now climbing the stairs to the great oak doors quickly trying to avoid a light drizzle that fell upon the castle. They hurried into the Great Hall and took their seats along the table. Harry saw some more faces of people whom he knew, but what he noticed more was the fact that there were many more people missing. Prominently, Parvati Patil had disappeared as had Seamus Finnigan. Lavender seemed to look lost as she looked absently down the table and Harry saw her edge up towards Dean Thomas. There was hushed muttering as the rest of the school filled into the Great Hall. Harry noticed they all too seemed to be noting the significant lesser number of students that now sat at each of the four tables. There seemed to be a similar lack of students at each of the house tables, except for

‘Slytherin’ Hermione breathed, she too was craning her neck to look across at the furtherest table from where they were sitting. There was definitely a lesser number of people missing from the Slytherin table, ‘interesting’ she muttered to herself. Ron stretched his neck to look across as well but merely shrugged and then sat his head on his arms at the table glumly. The door at the back of the hall suddenly burst open, and Professor Sprout marched forward with a small three-legged stool on which the dusty sorting hat lay. Behind her marched in about two dozen small first years.

‘Not many are there’ Ron whispered as he looked at them. Harry shook his head as he continued to watch the procession. He thought about how each of them must be feeling. Here he was the head of the school, it seemed not too long ago that he had wandered up to the front of the Hall, unaware of everything that his schooling years would involve, what pain they would bring. What else could they bring, he thought as they hall suddenly fell quiet and the candles around him dulled, all eyes swivelling to watch the hat. The stitching at the base of the hat slowly opened and then in a loud, sharp voice the hat began to sing once more.

For the Four Founders gave me power to abide

Sorting all young into each house I will decide

Determining a path for you to hold true

I have highlighted the qualities innate within you

From each house their exists values strong

You shall know them all from within this song

Gryffindor teach of the brave and bold

Nerve and daring they do hold

For courage they indeed hold dear

They do stand tall and turn on fear

Hufflepuff teach the loyal and the true

For they are the ones who avoid the feud

They will continuously work for what is right

From the light at dawn to the dark at night

Slytherin teach those cunning and sly

Forever they be the ones to slither on by

They may fuel the fire that burns throughout

But will take their vantage in the final bout

Ravenclaw teach the wise with wit

For they see evil and warn against it

They have the intelligence and wisdom to give

Providing a path for us to live

For me we are one, alas divided by four

The wisdom I have has grown once more

While each houses’ values do exist

All seems trivial if they do not assist

Strength and loyalty is what will keep us as one

The joining of the houses is what must be done

Together the houses must stand eye to eye

And seek out the evil that will not die

I need to warn you that Hogwarts is in danger one more

For advice I can give but nothing more

Witch or wizard, pure or brave

Light still flickers but the darkness grows

Although advice I often sing

A desperate pleading I now must bring

For an external danger does no longer hide

Instead it prowls until the light has died

We must stand now, march forth at one

Fight together until the greatest evil is none

Times are desperate for this Hogwarts our home

Now the moment has come for me to choose

The house, the values that dwell inside you.

The rim of the hat seemed to seal itself immediately and crumbled within its stool. No one cheered, no one muttered. There were scared looks that were thrown across at each other.

‘It has really lost its charm these days hasn’t it?’ Harry muttered as ‘Abinvale, Violet’ shuffled over to the Ravenclaw table.

‘Well you really do have to wonder what it actually hears in the Head’s office don’t you?’ Hermione whispered her eyes on the staff table. ‘Oh my!’ she said her eyes growing wide.

‘What is it?’ Harry hissed.

‘Look at the staff table, next to Professor Flitwick, it’s her!’  Ron stretched his neck to see over the sorting ceremony. Harry followed Hermione’s eyes and saw exactly who she must have been thinking of. Magnolia Roolnite was sitting rigidly in her chair her eyes skimming the hall and then darting back to the ceremony. Her iron coloured curls glinting from the candles that flickered behind her.

‘How could we get her!’ Ron said a lot more loudly then he meant, so that ‘Jollygoose, Jemima’ threw a hurt look over at Ron as she sat down quietly a few seats down.

‘Well it makes sense doesn’t it?’ Hermione said slowly ‘they have hired people based on their magical talent as well. I guess going straight for the Auror office makes sense’.

‘What do you reckon she will be teaching then?’ Harry asked, his eyes not leaving Magnolia Roolnite.

‘It has to be Defence Against the Dark Arts, yeah?’ Ron said looking along the staff table ‘that’s who they need, and she’s an auror, so that fits’. Hermione and Harry said nothing but watched as the last few students were sorted into their different houses.  Once Professor Sprout had waddled away with the stools, another round of muttering ensured but only until Professor McGonagall has stood up from her seat in the centre of the staff’s table. Slowly silence ensured, Harry noticing that many of the Slytherins seemed determined to take as long as possible.

‘Welcome to another year at Hogwarts!’ she said in an official tone. ‘I only have a few matters to speak of tonight, before we enjoy the feast that has been prepared for us. Firstly it has been decided by the Governors of Hogwarts, that at this point all visits to Hogsmeade will be suspended-’ there was a loud outcry as she continued ‘that is not to say that they wont be made available later on in the year, but with our current stance on security we deem these measures to be integral!’ she finished sharply with a nod, she waited for a few moments and then continued more confidently now. ‘Quidditch will of course be taking place this year; all students who would like to try out should get in touch with their respective captains…’ Harry had almost completely forgotten that he was Quidditch Captain. After all that happened at the end of last term he did not think that he could possibly be playing something as trivial as Quidditch, when there was so much for him to do, but at the same time it has been something that had made the years bearable. He was however shaken from his stupor as Professor McGonagall continued.

‘As has been reported in the Daily Prophet and additionally on the Wizarding Wireless Network, Hogwarts has adopted numerous additional safety precautions this year. We are now in a position where we can be assured of the utmost security. While in the grounds and castle their should be no reason for you to feel threatened. However in saying this, I must make it perfectly plain that if there is something in the slightest that you believe is obscure, you are to inform a prefect, the Head Boy or the Head Girl or your Head of House. Together we can ensure that this year is successful, but that is all I will say for now on the matter. Now, there have been numerous appointments during the summer break. Firstly we have Professor Roolnite who joins us from the Auror office, and she will be teaching Transfiguration this year…’ there was another fit of muttering as people looked between each other

‘Transfiguration? What’s with that?’ Ron blurted as he looked around the staff table ‘but there are no other new teachers!’ Harry shrugged, but Hermione said nothing.

‘Our new Defence Against the Dark Arts teacher’ Professor McGonagall continued ‘was held up tonight and is therefore unavailable for the feast, but you will meet him in your first lesson’ she said quickly ‘and finally we have a new head of Gryffindor House! Happily filling the vacant position will be Rubeus Hagrid!’ there was a tremendous roar of support as the Gryffindor table clapped and cheered. Hagrid who was perched on the end seat of the staff table turned a brilliant shade of red and waved sheepishly towards Harry, Ron and Hermione. ‘That is all I have to say at this stage’ Professor McGonagall said briskly ‘enjoy the feast!’ and she sat down briskly, Professor Flitwick leaning in to speak to her.

‘Lotta changes’ Ron snorted as he swiped a roasted drumstick before it has hardly flourished on the table.

‘There had to be after last term’ Harry said coldly as he too picked up a piece of steak and kidney pie.

***

The feast finished and Harry, feeling rather full was attempting to assist the prefects in shuffling the first years towards the portrait. He was edging a small girl with light blonde pigtails towards the door when Professor McGonagall appeared beside him.

‘Potter, would you please come with me for a moment. It won’t take too long’ she added as she saw Harry show a less then enthusiastic look.

‘This way Potter’ she said and led Harry out of the great hall and towards the second floor. Harry recognised immediately where they were going, they were heading towards the Defence Against the Dark Arts teacher’s office.

‘Your new Defence teacher has just arrived and is quite eager to meet you’

‘He is, why?’ Harry said despairingly.

‘Well, he will also be giving you extra training. I am sure that Remus Lupin spoke to you about it?’ she said looking closely at him.

‘Oh! Yes he did!’ Harry suddenly said remembering.

‘Well, he is an exceptionally talented and well known wizard Potter’ she said and stopped at a wooden door. She knocked crisply and a creaky voice from the other side of the door called

‘Please come in!’ Professor McGonagall pushed the door open and Harry’s first thought of the room was that it belonged to some nocturnal creature. There was an assortment of rugs along the floor, a fire crackling merrily along one wall. A bookcase filled an entire room and there were an eclectic mix of candles and plants throughout. In the far corner of the room was a dark wooden desk and behind it, Harry suddenly realised was a small man peering across at them. The man chuckled quietly to himself and stood up slowly and edged around the room, an intricately carved walking stick in his arm. He was a bald man, who wore a deep blue cardigan with silver buttons over his black robes. He had large round glasses over his eyes which Harry thought made him look like an old mole.

‘Well this must be Mr Potter then’ he said kindly looking at Harry curiously ‘Bless me, you have grown’ he said chuckling again.

‘Harry, this is Hickory Hazelwood, he is your new Defence Against the Dark Arts teacher and will also be training you privately’. Hickory chuckled

‘I will do what I can’ he shrugged.

‘The office is perfect Minerva, thankyou dear’

‘Not a problem Hickory, I let the house-elves organise your things for you. I had best be off, I have a few things to do’ she nodded and left the room.

‘Now Harry’ Hickory said looking at Harry ‘wont you take a seat?’ he said pointing at two squashy floral chairs. ‘So they have asked that I give you some personal training this year’

‘Er please…if that’s okay?’ Harry said

‘Of course it is dear boy. I hope I can manage it though!’ he chuckled ‘I think that we will have lessons of a Wednesday night at seven. That will give you a chance to have some dinner. So we will make our first lesson this Tuesday, yes?’

‘Erm…didn’t you say Wednesday Professor?’ Harry said raising his eyebrows.

‘Ah! Of course I did, dear me, its much too late Harry. I will see you Wednesday night. Just bring our wand. Oh I don’t think it is wise to be telling anyone of the meetings at this stage…’

‘Yes sir’ Harry said getting up ‘good night Sir. Hickory nodded at him

‘Good boy, see you then’ and with that he proceeded slowly back towards his desk. Harry left the room quickly and began to walk towards the Gryffindor common room. Harry couldn’t help but feel deflated. He had been told that he would be given lessons, lessons which were meant to help him defeat the most evil wizard of all time by an extremely talented and able wizard. But Hickory Hazelwood, essential for his preparations could barely move without a walking stick. Harry’s stomach seemed to knot itself.

A/N: I also have to thank Rach for basically composing the whole sorting hat song! She did a terrific job. I was going the mention it at the top but thought I would keep it a surprise!