Ch 17: School Begins
When they returned to the mansion, they took turns visiting quietly with both the Grangers and the Weasleys. Sunday morning broke grey and cheerless, matching the mood of those gathered at the mansion. Little enthusiasm for school was expressed amidst the general depression. Harry seemed to withdraw, largely playing the role of observer, watching as everyone else tried to offer comfort to each other.
Rather than go to the train station, Dumbledore arranged for a portkey to take the four students and himself directly to the front gates of Hogwarts. Before they left, several Aurors from the Order of the Phoenix arrived to consult with Dumbledore about the special protective living arrangements for both the Weasleys and the Grangers over the coming school year.
Tears broke out again as Ron, Ginny, and Hermione said goodbye to their families. With Harry, they grabbed hold of the wooden walking stick Dumbledore held, and felt their stomachs churn as they were transported just outside the grounds of Hogswarts. In the distance, they could see the Hogswarts Express pulling to a stop and the students beginning to disembark.
"Your luggage has been sent with the train and will be forwarded to your rooms. If you wish, you may accompany me to the Great Hall. I am sorry to ask you to come to the feast-I know that none of you are in any mood to celebrate-but the first years will need your help. I am sorry I have to ask this of you."
"It's quite alright, Professor Dumbledore," replied Hermione.
"It might help me get my mind off of..."started a red eyed Ron, as he put his arm around Ginny and hugged her tight. They walked off together, leaving Dumbledore, Hermione, and Harry behind. They followed slowly and quietly.
The four sat together huddled at one end of the Gryffindor table as Dumbledore sat at the head table. The four tried to ignore the cheers and joyful shouts of the students as they swarmed into the Great Hall.
As different Gryffindors looked in surprise at the four and then tried to come near them to talk, Harry intercepted them and asked that they be left alone for now. Looks of curiosity and concern were aimed at the four from most members of the Gryffindor table which was unusually quiet.
Professor McGonagall soon led in the first years and sent an extremely sympathetic look towards the four huddled at one end. As she passed by them on her way to the head table, she gently grasped the shoulders of both Ron and Ginny and looked sadly at Hermione. After the first years were sorted, there were several transfer students who were sorted, a third year from Beauxbatons was sent to Ravenclaw and a fifth year transfer student from Durmstrang was sorted into Slytherin. Though Harry and the others had not been paying much attention, Harry did notice that though most of the Slytherins were cheering the light haired girl, Draco seemed extremely angry to see her.
Following the sorting, Dumbledore rose to his feet. "Though I have a few announcements, I will reserve them until the end of the feast. Tuck in!"
After an hour, most everyone had seemed to have their fill, though neither Harry, Hermione, Ron, or Ginny had done much more than push the food around on their plates.
Dumbledore stood to speak, waiting for everyone to finish and look up. "I have just a few announcements to make. First, I would like to welcome everyone back to Hogwarts for another fine year. Second, all students should remember that the Forbidden Forest is exactly that, forbidden to all students who value either life or limb. In addition, for those who like to skulk about the halls, the northeast tower is off limits this year as well. Third, in order to supplement the excellent theoretical base many of you acquired in your DADA classes last year,"
Dumbledore ignored the hisses, groans, and nasty comments from both the staff and students of Hogwarts as they remembered the despised Professor Dolores Umbridge, "we have hired two DADA teachers this year. Therefore, all students will be taking a double load of DADA classes this year." More groans erupted. "Though you have met them before, let me re-introduce both Remus Lupin and Mad-Eye Moody as your new DADA instructors." Both Lupin and Moody emerged from the small faculty room at the side of the hall and took their places at the head table. Cheers erupted, especially from the Gryffindor table.
"My final announcement is a most tragic one. Many of you may remember Percival Weasley-he served all of us at Hogwarts as both a Prefect and a Head Boy and graduated three years ago. He was brutally murdered this weekend by Death Eaters serving Lord Voldemort."
The school sat in shocked silence and many of the Gryffindors looked with extreme compassion at both Ron and Ginny.
With a wave of Dumbledore's hand, goblets appeared on all of the tables. "I propose a toast to a fine student and a fine young man. Percival Weasley." Goblets around the Hall were raised in tribute, though many of the Slytherins seemed to be doing so only under the baleful stare of Snape, who glared at them from his seat at the head table. "You are dismissed."
The students silently left the hall, Prefects leading the way to the different dorms. Harry was the last to leave. With a slow glance at the different teachers at the head table, he turned and followed the others.
McGonagall leaned over to Dumbledore and whispered, "Do you think they will be all right? This has been a terrible weekend."
"I hope so Minerva. They are strong, and they have strong friendships. They will need all of them right now. I believe this experience will strengthen them rather than destroy them-I hope."
*-*-*
Classes began the next day, and the four quickly fell into a routine that ignored most everyone else and centered on them and their classes. Wednesday they were notified that they would have special permission to leave the school grounds to attend Percy's funeral on Saturday. The first week of classes passed uneventfully and Saturday quickly arrived.
Dumbledore, McGonagall, Lupin, and Moody accompanied the four to the funeral on Saturday. When they arrived, they were amazed at how many people had arrived to give their condolences to the Weasleys on the loss of their son. They were also amazed at the amount of security provided by the Ministry of Magic.
After a brief service, Penelope Clearwater came up to the Weasleys. Harry and Hermione, who had been sitting with the Weasleys, overheard her quiet discussion with the Weasley family.
"I am sooo sorry, this is all my fault. I was the one who kept insisting that he visit and apologize about the way he had treated both of you over the last year, especially after...after...after he proposed to me."
In shock, Harry, Hermione, and all of the Weasleys gaped at the engagement ring she wore on her left hand and had been subconsciously tugging at the entire time.
"He had been so awful to you, and he was feeling terrible about it. And...and...and I kept telling him to go and apologize. And after he proposed two weeks ago, I insisted that he inform you and invite you to the wedding and that he apologize for the way he had treated you this past year. I am soo sorry. I shouldn't have made him. This is all my fault. If I hadn't been so..."
She couldn't continue because Molly and Arthur had wrapped her up in a huge hug and everyone had started crying again. Harry just stared at his feet as his eyes watered. Hermione's shoulders shook with sobs beside him.
After the service, the students returned with their professors to Hogwarts. They all slept long into Sunday morning. When they awoke, Ron and Ginny seemed much better, though still very sad. Seeing the improved mood of their friends lifted the spirits of Harry and Hermione as well. That afternoon, they began talking with other Gryffindors and everyone felt a little better as they began to share the grief they had carried by themselves for the last week.
The next day, Harry began his extra classes, which were held in the northeast tower, away from the other students. He was to go there in his Invisibility Cloak, which most of his special instructors knew he had anyway, to avoid attracting unwanted attention. He had been practicing his mental exercises and trying to develop his other skills during the previous week and had begun using the Time Turner to give him additional time to practice. His additional classes went much better than his normal classes.
After the second week of classes, Harry began asking each instructor for a few extra minutes here and there, sometimes an additional meeting or two a week. Each seemed impressed with Harry's progress and enthusiasm.
In the third week of classes, during a rather dry lecture on the second revolt of the Agnecian warlocks in 1771 being given by Professor Binn, Harry cleared his throat to ask a question. At the noise, Professor Binn paused, and several of the other students seemed to awake from their trances, including Ron. Hermione glanced over at Harry, curious. "Professor Binn, I have a question."
"Yes, Mr.-uhhh-Potter, go ahead."
"Well, you've told us about the primary leaders of the revolt on both sides, and that the second revolt was the final revolt by the Agnecian warlocks. But how were they defeated? How did the mage Lirius manage to inspire the other wizards to oppose the warlocks? I mean, the warlocks were very powerful and everyone was terrified of them. How did Lirius convince the others to stand up to them? How did they finally track down the warlocks and defeat them so decisively?"
"That is an excellent question, Mr. Potter." Professor Binn looked around the room and noticed that every student was looking very intently at him. "There are several opinions on how Lirius managed to unite the various wizards. Let me discuss those briefly first, and then I'll describe how they actually planned and achieved the defeat of the warlocks…" For the following hour, Harry and the others marveled at both the breadth and the depth of Professor Binn's insights about how the Agnecian warlocks were defeated.
As they left class, Ron commented to Harry, "Who would have thought history could have been so interesting? He should teach every class like that, instead of just listing names and dates until my eyes snap shut."
Looking at Hermione and smiling, Harry replied, "Yeah, who would have thought history could have been so interesting, or so useful."
*-*-*
Following a grueling practice session with the Gryffindor Quidditch team in preparation for their first match at the end of September, Harry and Ron were resting on the side of the field with the rest of the team as the Slytherin team took the field.
Crabbe and Goyle, along with several other Slytherins had accompanied their Quidditch team to watch them practice. When they saw the Gryffindors still there, they began yelling various taunts, trying to provoke them. Katie Bell, the new Gryffindor captain, motioned for everybody to get up and just ignore them and head back to the castle. She looked pointedly at Ron and Harry.
"Yeah, you better go run and hide Weasel King! You don't want to end up like your brother!" yelled Crabbe, loud enough for everyone on the field to hear him. Everyone froze, as Ron slowly turned around.
"Yeah, keep running! Your mother's not here to protect you Weasel! That's right, she's still with your dad hiding from the Dark Lord, isn't she?" shouted Goyle, smirking.
There was a flash of light and Goyle fell to his knees. His hands reached for his face as the skin started to blister and peel. He screamed in pain. Harry turned to Ron, but realized he was still reaching for his wand. In amazement, Harry turned back to the Slytherins, as did everyone else. Crabbe looked back to see Draco Malfoy's wand pointed at his face.
"Do you have another funny comment you'd like to make about someone's mother and Voldemort?" spat Draco, fury burning in his eyes.
"Draco, wha…what did you do that for? Why did you curse Goyle?"
"Shut up, you idiot. You're lucky I …"
"What is going on here?" boomed Snape's voice as he made his way onto the field. Glancing at the moaning Goyle, he glared at Harry and Ron. He ignored Draco, who had slowly lowered his wand. He signaled to two Slytherins to take Goyle to the infirmary.
"So you think it's funny to use the Burning Blister curse, do you Potter? Let's see if it still seems funny after two weeks' detention. And I'll be speaking with Professor Dumbledore about getting your lifetime ban from Quidditch reinstated for this type of attack on a fellow student," snarled Snape.
"If you're looking to punish someone, Professor Snape, then you better start with me," said Draco. "Potter and Weasley didn't do anything. They were probably about to, but I'm the one that cast the Burning Blister curse on Goyle.
"What?!?! You did what? Mr. Potter, take the rest of the Gryffindors and leave. I believe your practice is over. Mr. Malfoy, come with me to my office."
Harry led the dumbfounded Gryffindors back to the castle. None of them could believe that Draco had attacked another Slytherin, let alone admit having done it to Snape to prevent Harry and Ron from getting punished for it.
Harry whispered to Ron, "Stay with the others and head on back to the common room. I'll catch up in a few minutes."
Ron grinned and replied, "Let me know what you find out." Harry grinned back. As soon as the others were out of sight around a corner, Harry shapeshifted into his dragon form and cloaked himself, becoming invisible. He then waited for Snape and Draco to enter the castle, and followed silently as they made their way down to Snape's dungeon office.
Slamming the door shut, Snape demanded, "What on earth were you thinking Draco? Attacking another Slytherin student? And one of your friends at that? Explain yourself."
"Well, you probably know what happened to my mother over the summer…" began Draco.
Snape's face softened somewhat at that comment.
"After my stupid father got himself caught at the Ministry of Magic, Voldemort was furious. He sent a couple of Death Eaters to our house to remind our family of the price of failure. I think he was trying to send a message to my father. So they used the Cruciatus curse on me, and then on my mother. I don't think they meant for it to happen, and I really don't care. But they kept it on her too long…it was too much and she couldn't take it. Now she's in St. Mungo's in a bed next to Longbottom's parents. She doesn't even know who I am anymore!!!" Draco paused to catch his breath. "And these stupid idiots run around the common room all day talking about how great Voldemort is and how they can't wait until he's overthrown the Ministry and is running the wizarding world. And that moron Goyle was taunting Weasel about his brother, and his mum and dad still on the run hiding from Voldemort, and they all thought it was sooo funny. I just lost it. I snapped. But I don't care. I hate them! I hate them all!!!" Draco looked like he wanted to break down and cry, but only a single tear streaked down his cheek.
Looking very uncomfortable, Snape reached out tentatively and then gave Draco a small hug. Draco wrapped his arms around him and his shoulders began to heave.
Harry could not believe what he had just seen. "Draco's mother insane in St. Mungo's? Because of Voldemort's Death Eaters? Snape actually trying to comfort a student?" It was all too much. It gave Harry a lot to think about as he teleported to an empty hall a short distance from the Gryffindor common room.
After he walked through the portrait, he quickly saw Ron chatting with some of the Quidditch players and Hermione studying in a corner. Catching their eyes, he made a subtle motion and they quickly left the room and went to where Harry held his DA club meetings to discuss what he had discovered. They were both in shock.
"Obviously, we can't act like we know anything, but it wouldn't hurt if we tried to be a little nicer to Draco. I doubt he'll have many friends left in Slytherin after today," suggested Harry.
"Are you serious?" asked an incredulous Ron.
Hermione rounded on Ron. "How would you feel if the situation were reversed? Voldemort had driven your mom insane because your father was in jail and everyone in Gryffindor was constantly talking about how great Voldemort was and how great it would be when he was running the whole show. And Harry and I were making jokes about him chasing people's parents and then you attacked one of us. How would the rest of the Gryffindors feel about you? How do you think they would start treating you?"
"Well, I guess you're right. I hadn't thought of it like that," admitted Ron.
Over the next week, Harry, Ron and Hermione ignored any insults that Draco sent their way and tried to maintain a cautious civility. To their surprise, the insults gradually ceased, though there were plenty from the other Slytherins. Harry noticed that Draco seemed isolated among the Slytherins, he no longer practiced with the Quidditch team, and some days he seemed to wince as he moved. Harry suspected Draco was paying a serious price for his outburst on the Quidditch practice field. Harry and Hermione sympathized, but could think of little that they could do to help Draco besides being polite to him.
*-*-*
After several weeks, the professors noticed subtle differences in both Harry and his friends. If it were possible, Hermione seemed to work twice as hard. No longer was Hermione the most serious student in class. Ron rarely joked around in his classes anymore, but paid serious attention and improved dramatically in all of his classes. Ginny had always been a good student, but now seemed constantly distracted. Though Harry seemed more focused and disciplined, his work in his regular classes did not improve as much as the others, except in his DADA classes where he continued to lead the class. However, they were all very impressed with Harry's growing abilities and eagerness in his extra training.
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