Disclaimer: I do not own nor do I claim to own the copyrights for the characters in this work of fiction.
Warning: Adult language and situations.
THE GATHERING STORM
Chapter 1: Many Happy Returns
Harry Potter leaned back in the back seat of the car Mr.Weasley borrowed from the Ministry. He was sitting with Ginny, Ron, Hermione and Mrs.Weasley. Remus Lupin sat up front and Mr.Weasley was driving. They were on their way to King's Cross to catch the Hogwarts Express back to school.
Harry let the noise of Mrs.Weasley fussing wash over him as he relaxed and reflected back on how quickly the summer vacation flew by. His first few weeks were spent in silence and isolation at the Dursleys'. All the Dursleys had done everything they could to keep far away from Harry. They had obviously not forgotten the events of last summer. That had suited Harry just fine. He spent his weeks among the muggles completing his homework assignments and also used the time to seriously study the books Sirius and Lupin had given him for Christmas, Practical Defensive Magic And Its Use Against The Dark Arts. Harry had gotten through the first four volumes before he left to spend the rest of the summer at Grimmauld Place.
Harry was glad he had completed his assignments early because his work had really just begun. He was only given a few hours to settle in before members of the Order of the Phoenix began showing up singly or in pairs to tutor him. Mostly he was researching spells, but he was also tutored in more practical applications of the spells he already knew. Mad-Eye Moody, Kingsley Shacklebolt and Nymphadora Tonks were in charge of helping Harry learn basic strategy and small group tactics. Harry was surprised that the Weasleys were not staying with him. It turned out that Fred and George were still living at home while they looked for a place of their own. Meanwhile, Weasleys Wizarding Wheezes was such a success; Ron had gone to work for the twins over the summer to earn some pocket money for Hogsmeade weekends. Hermione was on holiday with her parents in Spain so Harry was left alone to study for most of the summer.
Harry had received his OWL scores and through the help of Hedwig and Pig was able to find out that he and Ron had almost identical scores on their tests:
Transfiguration Theory: E Practical: O Overall: O
Charms Theory: E Practical: E Overall: E
Defense Against the Dark Arts Theory: O Practical: O Overall: O
Care of Magical Creatures Theory: O Practical: O Overall: O
Herbology Theory: E Practical: E Overall: E
Astronomy Theory: A Practical: P Overall: A
Divination Theory: A Practical: D Overall: P
Potions Theory: E Practical: O Overall: O
History of Magic: A
(Course scores: O=outstanding, E=exceeds expectations, A=acceptable, P=poor)
Harry and Ron had also picked the same NEWT level classes in preparation for auror training.
Hermione was quite pleased as she hadn't scored lower than an "O" on any of her exams. Harry had received thank you's from all his classmates that were in the D.A. with him stating that they had scored very well in their Defense Against the Dark Arts practical exams. No one was happier than Neville Longbottom and he and his grandmother had sent Harry an assortment of Honeydukes candies in appreciation for all his help.
It wasn't until the last week of summer vacation before Hermione, Ron, Ginny and Mrs.Weasley came to stay with him. It was during that week that one night while staying up late talking, Ron had asked if he, Harry, fancied Hermione. When Harry said he and Hermione were just friends, Ron floored him by admitting that he, Ron, did fancy Hermione and he wanted to know if that was OK with Harry! Ron was afraid that if something did develop between Hermione and himself that Harry would feel left out. Harry assured him that he would not feel that way. Ginny was ecstatic that Ron had finally had someone else to bother for advice with his love life. He had apparently been badgering her all summer for help on how to tell Hermione how he felt. After this conversation, Ron tried several times to get up his nerve to tell Hermione. Unfortunately, he was never able to get the words out of his mouth. Ron was beginning to fear that Hermione must think that the curse that he had been hit with a few months ago in the Ministry of Magic had not completely worn off yet.
With a jerk, the car stopped and they all piled out into King's Cross. Lupin secured four trolleys and everyone quickly loaded their assorted trunks and animal carriers and made their way towards platforms nine and ten. Harry noticed that with only two Weasleys attending Hogwarts this year they were finally not in a rush to catch the train. They quickly made their way to the magical gate to platform nine and three quarters and everyone passed through without incident.
Harry shook hands with Mr.Weasley and Lupin, and then received a final smothering hug from Mrs.Weasley. Ginny quickly found an empty compartment and she Hermione and Ron all quickly stowed their trunks, Crookshanks and Pig. With a quick "See you later" they all headed off to the Prefect car. Harry had just settled down to begin thumbing through Ron's latest copy of the Daily Prophet when there came a soft knock and the compartment door opened.
"Hey Harry, mind if we join you?" It was Neville, Seamus and Dean.
"Course not. C'mon in. Ron, Hermione and Ginny will be joining us later. Oh, thanks a lot for the candies, you know you didn't have to do that".
"I know" answered Neville. "But without your help with Defense spells in the D.A. and Hermione's help in Potions, I never would have passed those O.W.L.'s! My Gran was so pleased. I can't wait to see ol' Snape's face when we both show up for his NEWT class!"
Harry smiled at the thought. "How was your summer, Neville?"
Dean brought out a deck of cards and they began playing four-way Exploding Snap. "It was great!" Neville began, "I was taking this …"
Just then, the compartment door slid open and there stood Draco Malfoy and his cronies Crabbe and Goyle looking even bigger than they did a few weeks ago. Crookshanks hissed from his carrier on the seat next to Neville who tensed as he stood to face the Slytherins. Harry subtly drew his wand but kept it hidden next to his thigh. Dean and Seamus looked at each other and rose as well.
"Well, well. Potter" drawled Draco. "I didn't think you'd have the guts to come back on the train after what you did to us in June". Crabbe and Goyle flexed their muscles threateningly and checked the corridor to ensure no one was sneaking up on them.
Before Harry could respond, Neville growled, "Get the hell out Draco. We're not taking any of your crap this year, especially since you're no longer a prefect!"
Draco turned his venomous glare on Neville and hissed, "Watch your mouth Longbottom, or you'll be on your way to St.Mungos to stay with your parents!"
Harry wasn't sure exactly what happened next. Neville erupted into motion. There was a loud CRACK and Malfoy flew backwards out into the corridor and landed limply on the floor unmoving. Dean Thomas dashed over to Malfoy and bent down, grinning evilly. "Draco. Hey Draco. YOU GOT KNOCKED THE FUCK OUT!" He turned back to the compartment and sat back down to continue the hand chuckling.
"Holy shit!" said Seamus as he began to laugh.
Harry sat there stunned. "Neville …" Mouths still agape, Crabbe and Goyle turned to look at Neville who had straightened up from a fighting stance. Neville stepped towards them, they stepped back into the corridor and Neville shut the compartment door in their faces. They heard the two thugs move off to carry Draco back to their compartment.
"Like I started to tell you Harry, I took this muggle self defense class over the summer. I learned quite fast actually. The sensei, er teacher, let me stay late and taught me some advanced moves. It was quite fun." Neville sat back down and checked on his toad, Trevor. Harry just shook his head and asked whose turn it was.
Soon a steady stream of students began to flow into the compartment. All of them were eager to hear the story of how Draco was knocked unconscious directly from Neville. For his part, Neville seemed uncomfortable being on the receiving end of so much praise from his fellows especially the other Gryffindors. The corridor soon became choked with anxious listeners as Neville told them over and over what actually happened. Some people had apparently heard that Neville had not only knocked out Draco but Crabbe and Goyle as well and the three of them were locked inside their own trunks. There were so many people in the corridor that the tea trolley had a deal of a time forcing its way through the throng. Harry had to push his way delicately through the listeners and then had an even harder time regaining his seat as he tried to balance all his purchases for himself and his friends in the prefect meeting.
Finally, Harry heard Ron's voice over the crowd. "Move along now. No blocking the corridor. Come on, move it. Oi! Seamus, I saw that! Go on. Back to your seats." Grudgingly the crowd began to dissipate. Dean and Seamus went back to the compartment they were sharing with Lavender Brown, Parvati Patel, and Katie Bell. Ginny, Hermione and Ron were finally able to squeeze back into the compartment and take the seats Harry and Neville had been saving for them. The last person left after a final pat on the back for Neville and Ginny closed the compartment door.
Ron was already on his third cauldron cake when Ginny asked Neville what had happened and Neville was forced to tell the whole story once again. He kept shooting guilty glances at Ginny, Ron and Hermione, as if expecting them, as prefects, to reprimand him for what he had done. He finally relaxed when Hermione told him, "Don't worry Neville. As far as I'm concerned if I didn't see it then I can't prove it happened." Ron mumbled something that sounded like "ditto" around the chocolate frog he had just jammed into his mouth and Ginny laughed at Neville's relieved expression.
"So since we already know ferret face isn't a prefect anymore, who's the new Slytherin prefect" asked Harry.
"Morag MacDougal" said Ginny. "He seems alright. At least he's not strutting around abusing the younger students like Malfoy."
For the rest of the trip they all sat together speculating on who the new Defense Against The Dark Arts professor would be, what Gryffindors' chances were to win the House Cup this year, what Snape had in store for his NEWT classes, and if Firenze or Professor Trelawney would be teaching Divination this year.
It was dark out and Ron had already complained twice about being hungry when the Hogwarts Express finally began to slow down. The train eased into the school station and the students exited in a dark wave of black robes. They heard the now familiar voice of Hagrid calling the first year students to the boats and Harry, Hermione and the Weasleys all waved in greeting as he caught sight of them. Then they all hurried off to get into one of the coaches pulled by the school thestrals that would finally bring them to their home for the next few months.
The friends quickly made their way to the great hall and took their seats at the Gryffindor table. As usual, Ron was hopeful that the sorting ceremony would not take too long as he thought he was growing faint with hunger. Harry looked at the other returning Gryffindors when his eyes came to rest on Parvati Patil who was currently speaking quietly to Lavender Brown. Harry was just thinking that she had definitely become more beautiful since their so called "date" for the Yule Ball during their fourth year when Parvati turned to look at him and smiled. Harry flushed at being caught staring, but he smiled back even as he felt an unfamiliar feeling stirring in his stomach that had nothing to do with hunger. Harry turned away first and saw Ron quirking an eyebrow at him. Harry felt his ears burn. A moment later he realized that the first years had already been led into the Great Hall and the Sorting Hat had been placed on its customary stool and was about to begin this years song.
The hat stirred to life and began to sing:
I'm the Sorting Hat you see,
I'm here to take your measure,
To place you in your proper house,
Is my purpose and pleasure.
If Hufflepuff or Ravenclaw,
Is what you ought to be,
Or Slytherin or Gryffindor,
It is my job to see.
Your house will be your family,
As the seasons turn,
But hopefully your class lessons,
Will not be all that you learn.
Harry was listening to the song as he looked down the head table to see if he could identify the new professor. He noticed two things right away. Firenze was indeed still teaching at Hogwarts, this was obvious since Firenze was behind an elevated section of table he was sharing only with Hagrid. The second person he noticed was a young slightly built man of average height, brown hair swept casually across his forehead over a pair of sharp blue eyes. He was seated between Professor Snape and Professor Flitwick. Snape seemed to be making an effort to not look at him. The man was paying attention to the Hat as if he had never seen it before and this brought Harry back to the Hat's song that he had lost track of entirely.
So do your best on pitch or in class,
Wherever you may be,
But remember Hogwarts should be first and last,
In your loyalty.
I've sung to you,
I will not preach,
My jobs to sort,
It's not to teach.
My song's done so step up,
I'm ready to sort you now,
Don't be shy, hop on the stool,
And place me `pon your brow.
The sorting began but Harry paid little attention to it. He kept feeling his gaze drawn down the table to stare at Parvati's glistening hair, the curve of her neck as she casually flipped her curly tresses over her shoulder. He was just wondering if her creamy skin was as soft as it looked and if her lips would be even softer when he finally realized that not only was the sorting over, but the feast had begun and the table was laden with food. Harry shook himself as if out of a trance and finally realizing how hungry he really was, set to with a vengeance worthy of Ron.
The noise level in the Great Hall began to rise as the students finished eating and waited for Professor Dumbledor's yearly speech. Harry's gaze once again swept the staff table. "I guess that guy talking to Professor Flitwick is the new Defense teacher" stated Harry to no one in particular.
"Must be" answered Hermione. "He's the only new face at the staff table and I doubt Professor Firenze would be teaching us Defense Against the Dark Arts."
"He looks young to be a professor" said Ron as he assessed the man over his shoulder.
"Well why else would he be there" asked Hermione.
"I didn't say …" Ron began in an exasperated tone.
"Here we go again" thought Harry.
Ron took a deep breath. "Sorry" he said in a softer voice. "I just meant he looked young. He's obviously here for the Defense Against the Dark Arts position".
Ginny, Harry and Hermione stared at Ron as if he had sprouted a new head.
"What?" Ron asked defensively.
Hermione blushed. Harry bit his lip to not laugh. Ginny opened her mouth to answer when Professor Dumbledor stood up.
The hall became instantly silent and the Hogwarts Headmaster began to speak. "Welcome all of you to Hogwarts. For the new students, please be advised that Mr.Filch, the caretaker, has a complete and updated list of items banned from the hallways posted in his office. I urge some of the older students to review the new list as well. Once again I must stress that the Dark Forest on the edge of the grounds is still off limits. The Forest has become more hazardous due to events occurring in the past year. I urge you all not to take this warning lightly. Returning students will note that Professor Firenze is still with us. He will be splitting his teaching duties between Divination and Astronomy. We would also like to welcome our newest staff member who has come to teach at Hogwarts from the United States." Some quiet murmurs began in the crowd and quickly hushed as Dumbledor continued. "Professor Frank Vigo will be teaching Defense Against the Dark Arts." There was a polite smattering of applause and even more murmuring. "Quidditch trials will be held in the second week of the term. Anyone interested in playing for their house team should contact Madame Hooch, as usual. Now then, usually we wind up the opening speech with the singing of the school song. There are some, however, who wish to skip this tradition and so instead I will simply wish you pleasant dreams." The Hall erupted in a rousing cheer and Dumbledor looked taken aback by the response. He recovered quickly and smiled benignly as the students began filing out the doors to their dormitories.
Since Ron and Hermione didn't need to lead the first years to the dormitories this year, they were able to go to the Gryffindor tower with Harry. They took several short cuts through concealed passages and arrived at the portrait of The Fat Lady before most of their fellow students. Ron gave the password, jabberwocky, and the portrait swung open revealing a tunnel to their common room. Harry felt a tangible sense of being home. He bid his friends good night and went up the stairs to the room he shared with the other sixth years and climbed gratefully into bed.