CHAPTER SIX
AN UNEXPECTED RESULT
Harry woke to the gentle touch of a soft, smooth hand on his cheek. He lazily opened his eyes and squinted at the blurred, red-haired form in front of him.
"Harry? Wake up, Harry, the feast is about to start and you still need to get dressed." Her sweet voice rolled over him like a river of warmth and happiness.
He smiled at his girlfriend as she gave him a quick kiss. "What time is it?"
"Just a little before nineteen." She replied in a whisper.
"Let me get my glasses so I can see properly. I'm blind as a bat without them." He turned to the bedside table and began patting around for his round, black-rimmed spectacles.
"What are you talking about, Harry? You're still wearing your glasses, you never took them off." She laughed lightly as she stood up and made for the door. "Ron and Hermione are waiting for us downstairs. I'll just tell them you'll be a few extra minutes, alright?"
"Sure ..." He said with a slight bit of confusion. He removed his glasses and the blurry room came into focus. He put his glasses back up in front of his face and everything went blurry again. Hmm, strange, he thought. Oh, I bet Madam Pomfrey cleared up my eyesight last night with her potions. She's been bugging me about it for the past five years after all. With a shrug he rolled out of bed and slipped into his school uniform and robes. Wow! I guess those potions actually helped! I'm feeling pretty good! With that, he crossed to the door and climbed down the stairs to the common room.
"Where are your glasses, Harry?" Hermione asked as he slid down the banister onto the landing.
"What? Oh, I don't need them anymore. Madam Pomfrey cleared it up with one of her concoctions earlier. It still feels a bit strange not wearing them, I feel sort of naked." He blushed at the admisson but smiled genuinely and his friends smiled back.
"I, for one, am glad that I can see your eyes without having your glasses in the way." Ginny said with a sly smile crossing her delicate features. "It's a real treat to be able to see my reflection in them and not in the glass covering them."
Harry smiled at the complement and took her hand as they made their way down to the great hall. He ran his fingers through his hair subconsciously as they entered the large room with the usual house tables, colors, and décor displayed before them. "We seem to be a bit early." He said and not a moment later the sounds of the returning students filled the hall behind them.
"Harry, Ron, Hermione!" Neville shouted from the door as he crossed to shake the hands of his fellow Gryffindors. "We were wondering what happened to you. When you didn't show for the train we feared the worst!"
"Well," Harry whispered, "There were some unfortunate incidents that happened over the summer. We got here by portkey earlier today. I'll tell you about it at the next meeting."
Neville nodded. "I'll pass it along to the other members. By the way, Umbridge isn't here anymore, why are we keeping it a secret?"
Harry smiled broadly "Why should we not? The headmaster knows about our club and the meetings, we'll just have to not cause trouble. Also, we don't know what the new defense against the dark arts teacher is like. It may be a good move to not bring this out in the open in case there are problems with the new teacher like last year."
Neville nodded in agreement and understanding. "Ok, then. I'll pass it on to the others then."
"Thanks Neville." Harry said with a genuine smile on his face as he and his friends took their customary seats at the table. "Oh, how are your parents doing?"
Neville's face lit up like a child's on Christmas. "Thanks for reminding me to tell you!" He began excitedly. "Mum and Dad have been cured! They moved in with gran and me last month."
"That's terrific news, Neville!" Hermione beamed at him. Ron and Harry both clapped him on the shoulder leaving him with a sheepish grin on his face. "I can't tell you how happy I am for you! How are they acting? Like they did before the incident or differently?"
Neville blushed; Harry couldn't remember when his friend had been the center of attention that didn't involve insults or Cornish pixies. "If you can believe it, they understood and remembered everything that happened since they were admitted to St. Mungo's. They're not too keen to use their wands, but my mum nearly broke down when she found that I had been saving all of her gifts." He wiped away a tear. "It's just brilliant having them back home again."
Neville was interrupted by Professor McGonagall walking between the Ravenclaw and Hufflepuff tables carrying a stool and a dusty, frayed hat. Following closely behind her was the mass of new first years. Each and every one looked terrified; Harry could well remember the feeling.
Professor McGonagall placed the stool and hat in front of the instructors table as she had every year since Harry's arrival and began her tried and true welcoming speech that was heard every year without fail. "Welcome to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. In a few moments you will be sorted into your houses. But first, a few words from our headmaster, Professor Dumbledore."
The wizened wizard in the center of the instructors' table stood up and raised his hands for silence in the room. "Welcome to the new year at Hogwarts. I and the faculty are very happy to have you with us this year and welcome our returning students. I'd first like to congratulate our departed graduates and our sixth year students on their admirable performance on last year's O.W.L. examinations.
"Mr. Filch has reminded me yet again that he has added to his list of banned items, which may be viewed on his office door, anything purchased from the new store in Hogsmeade: Weasley Wizard Weezes." His eyes twinkled and he had an amused grin on his lips. "Also, I would like to remind everyone that the Forbidden Forest is exactly that, forbidden. Students are barred from those grounds unless accompanied by an instructor.
"I would also like to take the time to introduce you to your new defense against the dark arts teacher, Professor Durkell." He motioned to a distinguished gentleman sporting a close cropped goatee on his left. "He is replacing Mrs. Umbridge from last year and we are very excited to have him on staff. He has come from the Salem Witches institute in America to teach for us, please show him the utmost respect and courtesy while he is here. Now, why don't we sort our new students into their houses?" He smiled gently and took his seat again.
Professor McGonagall smiled and placed the sorting hat upon the stool. To the first year students' amazement, the hat stood upright and a crease parted along the brim of the hat as it began to sing.
Brave and courageous Gryffindor, just one among the bunch
Had an idea so grand that he shared it over lunch
To his right was Ravenclaw intelligent and sure
On his left sweet Hufflepuff, quiet and demure
Across the table plotting was Slytherin again
Hear my idea, please, ladies and gentleman
In many years to come I can guarantee one thing
We'll not be here to sort our students well enough to bring
A grand and equal balance that strengthens our own halls
We each have our own principles to guide the names we call
So let us place our wants and needs inside this hat of mine
And let it do the choosing for us treating each in kind.
All students will be placed into the houses that we run
Without our guidance I'm afraid the balance is undone
So in turn they each agreed and placed their faith in me
The hat that you so lovingly call to do sorting
Will you be brave like Godric Gryffindor?
Or filled with loyalty like dear old Hufflepuff?
Are you quick of mind like Rowena Ravenclaw?
For those of stealth and trickery in Slytherin you'll go.
There are, of course, other things that help to sort you lot
Your mind's an open book to me, each memory and thought.
With me your futures rest, with my unerring choice
I'll put you where you'll spend the rest of your school life.
So without a further word, without a further clue
Please step upon the platform and place me upon you.
I might slip a bit but have no fear that is perfectly alright
One by one my job is done and I bid this song goodnight!
With the last verse ended, everyone applauded to the hat's bows as Minerva pulled out a scroll and unrolled it. "As I call your name, you are to step up to the stool, place the sorting hat upon your head, and wait to be sorted. Once sorted, you will make your way to your house table and be seated." She cleared her throat. "Miss Allison Bookwillie!"
A rather short girl with very long, straight hair nervously approached the hat and sat upon the stool. She placed the hat upon her head with shaking hands and jumped a bit as the hat slid completely over her face, making the sorting hat's mouth look like her own.
Ahh, yes, I see. There can only be one place for you ... "RAVENCLAW!"
With a newfound sense of confidence, the small girl took the hat off her head and placed it on the now empty stool then walked proudly to the Ravenclaw table who were clapping and whistling encouragement to their new member.
"Mr. Douglas Mattercrombe!"
A tall, thin, pale boy with dark, greasy shoulder-length hair stepped up to the platform.
Hermione gasped. "He looks like an eleven year old Snape!" Everyone around her nodded and bets started that he would be put in Slytherin.
Ah, well, that helps me fit. There should be a rule that all first years must wash their hair before sorting ... Well, it's no surprise where you're going ... "SLYTHERIN!"
Green and silver shot to their feet as the cheers and clapping dwarfed the knowing whispers of the other houses and the young Snape took his seat at his chosen house.
"Mr. Andrew Mantell!"
An average looking kid with dull, brown hair quickly mounted the platform and slammed the hat on his head after sitting precariously on the stool.
"GRYFFINDOR!" The sorting hat bellowed.
The table of lions shot to their feet and with thunderous applause invited the newest member of their house to join them.
It had been a rather popular night for Ravenclaw and Gryffindor, each house gaining ten new members with the remaining fifteen split between Hufflepuff and Slytherin.
Harry found himself looking at all the instructors, noting that with the exception of Professor Durkell, all the previous staff was the same. Professor Dumbledore stood after the sorting and quieted the room. Ron was nearly chomping at the bits in anticipation of the feast starting. "Before we continue, I have a few additional words to add: Burglecut, licorice, berryfizz, and sorcelrook. Let the feast ... begin." He waved his hands and all the platters and plates filled with all kinds of meats, vegetables, and breads. There were also hot dogs, hamburgers, and other American cuisine laid out before the hungry students, an obvious attempt to make the new DADA teacher feel more at home.
Before the girls could blink, Harry and Ron had already downed a hamburger and hotdog each and had both started on several chicken bits and their second helping of pumpkin juice.
"Harry, what's gotten into you? I haven't seen you eat like this in ages!" Hermione said with an astonished look on her face.
Harry smiled. "I don't know. I just suddenly realized how hungry I was and look where it's gotten me. I feel like I haven't eaten in days!" He took another bite of mash and speared the last sausage with Ron dropping a dirty look on him.
"You need to slow down, mate. Other people are at the table, you know."
Ginny laughed at her brother. "Come off it, this is the first time he's had an appetite since he came to stay with us." She giggled and smiled at Harry who, though eating like a fiend that had a slight addiction to Human food, was still showing proper table manners. "You could at least show the same level of manners as he does. You've got mash and gravy all down your jumper."
"Do I?" Ron asked embarrassed and made a poor effort to clean himself up. "Oh, well, it'll come out in the laundry, it always does." He smiled and dove into a hot buttered roll and his third helping of ham.
Hermione looked at him in disgust. "Now why is it that I love you, Ron?"
Ron looked defeated despite the twinkle in his eye. "Because I make you laugh, and help you to see the less studious side of life?" He asked.
Harry snorted a laugh as he set down his cutlery and pushed his plate away from him. "Ahh, I've missed the food here." He sighed with a content smile. "I guess I should get up to the hospital wing and get my checkup over with.
"Be right with you," Ginny beamed at him as he held out a hand and helped her to her feet.
"I guess we'll see you in the common room, guys. Enjoy your grub!" The couple smiled and walked from the great hall and headed to see Madam Pomfrey.
The nurse smiled as they walked in and ushered Harry over to a bed and Ginny to the waiting area. "Now, Mr. Potter, let's see how your injuries are doing." She lifted his shirt and nodded. Yes, the bleeding has stopped, but let's change the bandages just to keep them clean, shall we?" She pulled the bandages off of his chest then gasped as the forgotten cotton dropped to the floor.
"Is something wrong?" Harry asked worriedly.
"The ... The puncture wound ..." She stammered.
Harry looked down and saw nothing. "It seems to have healed. That's good isn't it? That's what all those potions were for earlier?"
"Y-yes, they were." She replied, gingerly touching the flesh of his chest where there should be a slowly sealing hole. "But you've healed already and with no scar! That shouldn't have happened for another week!" Her eyes were as large as saucers.
Harry looked at her with a confused look. "A week? How could I have healed in only five hours then?"
"I don't know. I-I just don't know." She admitted as she examined the rest of his torso. "Everything seems fine, though ... Maybe you've gotten a good batch of healing draught ..." She said skeptically as she looked up into his eyes. "Mr. Potter, where are your glasses?"
"They're up in my room. Is there something wrong?"
"Can you see alright? I thought you had myopia?"
"I do, I mean, I did. Didn't you clear that up with one of the potions you gave me?" Harry asked as his brows knit in confusion.
"No, I haven't. I only use the curative potion for that when someone asks me for it. The potions I gave you last night were muscle relaxants and healing draughts to help you sleep for a few hours." She replied.
Harry chanced a worried look at Ginny who sat up straight when she saw him look her way. "I-I think it would be wise to speak with Professor Dumbledore." He said at last.