Transition Process

Disclaimer: All of the Potterverse belongs to JKR, Bloomsbury books and Warner Brothers. No infringement was intended.

Nilrem

Chapter 1

The Arrival

Harry Potter stood staring up at the castle from Hogsmeade station; the sun was setting, leaving an orange glow around the magnificent structure. It was September 1^st the first day back at Hogwarts of his final year, the train had just pulled into the station and children were flooding from compartments with their luggage in tow rushing to the horse-less drawn carriages; or so most of the children thought, however there were some unlucky enough to know what truly pulled them. Harry sighed as he made his way through the crowds to the carriage where his best friend Ron Weasley had begun to load their trunks and cages into.

“I can't believe this is the last time we are going to do this.” he said approaching Ron

“Yeah I know mate; if you plan on sulking all year about leaving, then let me know and I'll go and throw myself to the giant squid now.” Ron smiled up at him as he leaned over Harry's trunk, picking it up.

Ron knew that Hogwarts was the first place that Harry could ever call home and that it would be hard for him to leave it behind. Frankly, he was going to miss the place too, but he didn't like the thought of Harry being down because of it; he wanted this year to be Harry's best since he had earned it and truly deserved it.

“Anyway we don't have time to mope, `cause this year, we're the oldest, we're in charge and we're gonna make the bloody best out of it, I'll tell ya that much!” Ron exclaimed, pulling Harry into the carriage.

Seamus Finnigan, Neville Longbottom, and Dean Thomas joined the boys in the carriage just as it started to make it way up to the castle, they were Harry's other roommates in Gryffindor tower.

Harry's woeful mood subsided as the boys started to laugh and joke about all the things to look forward to this year, most importantly Gryffidor's chances at the Quidditch cup, Harry has been absent for the final match last year between Gryffindor and Slytherin and was not best pleased to find out that Slytherin had flattened Gryffindor and had won the cup.

Harry had been unhappy at the time that he could not participate, but he had other things on his mind at the time, what with trying to rid the world of an evil Dark Overlord. But here he was, back for the new year; his last year, with nothing really to worry about other than the NEWTS. In all honesty Harry had never felt so bewildered; he was finally at a point in his life where he did not have to worry that some mental psychopath was out to kill him, it was new for him, it felt odd that all he had to do now was enjoy his surroundings and do his best in school.

“Gryffindor will have to build up a good team this year if we're to accomplish something.” Seamus carried on as Harry slipped in and out of the conversation.

“Yeah, I don't think there is much chance of us winning if we keep to three players,” Ron laughed, “I'm gonna start Quidditch try outs pretty soon so you guys should come along.”

Ron had recently been assigned Quidditch captain something which he was very proud of. Harry couldn't help but think he had his work cut out for him though, after all there were only three members of the team who were still present at Hogwarts: Ron who was the Gryffindor keeper, Ginny, Ron's younger sister who played chaser and in Harry's opinion was probably the best in the school, and finally himself. He had played seeker for Gryffindor ever since his first year, although he had the most experience on the team he was glad Ron had been elected captain because he had followed Quidditch all his life whereas he himself had not. Harry thought Ron would be more suited to the role. Anyway, Harry had enough to be organizing.

“So I wonder who Head Boy and Girl are this year,” Neville said as the conversation moved along from Quidditch. Harry squirmed in his seat uncomfortably; he had neglected to tell Ron or any other of his friends that he had been offered the position.

“I dunno, I hope it's not bloody Malfoy though, even if he has `redeemed himself'” Ron said making air quotations at the last words, “I don't wanna have to take orders from him, I hope it's someone who I like, that way I won't get me all the crappy prefect duties.”

Draco Malfoy had been Harry's arch-nemesis throughout the first six years of Hogwarts, but had recently made a conversion that had shocked many people, including Harry. Whilst the war was going on Draco Malfoy had been working for the Dark Lord under his father's instruction, however when it had truly mattered, Draco had done the right thing. He managed to set free many important members of the Order from the death eaters, saving many lives in the process and in the end, after it was over he had returned Harry safely back to Dumbledore when he had been too weak to move; Harry owed him a great deal.

“Ron, did you ever think that despite the fact they know you, they'll still give you the worse duties?” Harry asked suppressing a smile.

Normally all prefect rotas and duties are assigned on the Hogwarts express, but because it was a Saturday, rotas were to be settled on the Sunday.

“Why would someone do such a thing?” Ron asked not really taking Harry seriously and began staring out of the window. He was drawn back to Harry however when the other boys began laughing. Harry had taken this opportunity to pin his Head Boy badge to his robes.

“YOU?!? You wouldn't would you…I mean….Harry,” Harry smirked at Ron

“Of course I wouldn't, Ron, I'm not that mean, but no matter how much you take the mick out of me for this, `cause I know you will, I'm gonna try and take this seriously as it's a huge responsibility,” Harry added in a Percy-like manner

“Yeah, right!” The boys burst out in to laughter at Harry's imitation as they reached the main gates of the castle.

***

The boys sat at the Gryffindor house table in the Great Hall, waiting patiently for the sorting ceremony to finish so that they could dig into the amazing feast always provided on the first day back at Hogwarts.

The last of the first years were filtered into houses before Dumbledore stood and bellowed, “Welcome to a new year at Hogwarts!” He was dressed in his usual attire but aired a jollier presence than in recent years, Dumbledore was certainly an eccentric man, but that twinkle in his eyes seemed positively brighter. “This year is full of promise for each and every one of you, as the Wizarding world stood united against dark forces only a few months ago, a new light has chance to shine for all to see, a light that can only get brighter as you reach for your dreams and aspirations. We can thank certain members of this very school for such an achievement, members of the Order of the Phoenix along with 7^th year students, Draco Malfoy and our victor Harry Potter.”

There was a round of applause much to Draco's and Harry's embarrassment, they shared a quick nod between tables before hiding their faces from the prying eyes of the students. The great hall was filled with whispers as everyone passed on their stories about what they heard happened and why Draco Malfoy had returned to Hogwarts. Dumbledore rushed to finish his words before he lost his audience to discussion.

“May I remind you all that the Dark Forrest is forbidden to all students, also to check the illegal objects on Mr. Filch's list located outside his office. Oh….and before I forget, please acknowledge your new Head Boy and Girl; Harry Potter, Gryffindor and Padma Patil, Ravenclaw.”

There was another round of applause as the feast appeared on the house tables; the faces of the new first year students dropped at the magnificence of the banquet, Harry remembered how it had felt when he had experienced this feeling for the very first time. As the night progressed many people came up to congratulate Harry on becoming Head Boy and on the defeat of Lord Voldemort which he accepted humbly. After a half hours of starring faces, constant whispers and discussions about the summer, Harry was very ready to leave, it wasn't until everybody had finished their meal however that he had chance to escape from all the attention. Ron gathered the first years to take them to the tower; he was after all still a prefect. Harry told him the password (Niffler) and made a stealthy escape outside, technically he wasn't supposed to be out so late but he couldn't resist.

He walked through the grounds admiring the sheer beauty of Hogwarts by moonlight, since Harry's victory over the Dark Lord; he decided that he should truly appreciate everything around him and consider himself fortunate for being a part of it.

***

“Beau'iful night.” Harry smiled upon hearing the voice of his first ever wizarding friend.

“Hey, Hagrid,” Harry stopped walking and turned in the direction that Hagrid's voice had come from. Harry hadn't been in contact with him since debriefing after the final battle and was more than happy to see him.

“I saw yeh slip out, though' I'd come an' see ya.” Hagrid beamed approaching him.

They strolled through the grounds together while Hagrid filled Harry in on what he had planned for this year's Care of Magical Creatures lessons. Harry liked having the company of his half giant friend even though he wasn't paying close attention to what he was saying; there was something on Harry's mind, a feeling in his gut that he couldn't quite shake.

After half an hour out in the grounds Harry bid Hagrid goodnight and silently made his way to Gryffindor tower, as he walked through the portrait hole he let out a content sigh, smiling inwardly, he was home. He climbed the stairs to his dorm room where his friends were all sleeping, pulling off his robes and removing his glasses he climbed into the warm mass of sheets and laid back. As he tried to relax he couldn't let go of the feeling that something big was about to happen; after hours of tossing and turning he figured he was just being paranoid and he had nothing to be apprehensive about, slowly he slipped off in to a dreamless sleep.

***

“Harry do you plan on getting up at all today? I mean I know you're lazy, but you're just taking it too far.” Ron woke Harry pulling back the curtains on his four poster bed, letting the sunlight in.

“Huh?” Harry wiped the sleep from his eyes and reached for his glasses. “What time is it?” he asked groggily.

“It's just gone twelve, now I suggest you get your arse out of bed and get dressed, we've gotta be at the prefect's meeting at two and you need food before then mate.”

Ron left the dorm as Harry got washed up and dressed; he pulled on a pair of jeans from his trunk and a navy t-shirt before putting his robes over the top sporting his Head Boy badge, he met Ron in the common room and they made their way through the corridors of Hogwarts to lunch.

In the great hall Ron proceeded to stuff his face with a variety of sandwiches making it impossible to talk to him; so instead Harry conversed with Ginny.

“You know that I've just got out of bed look really works for you Harry,” she told him, laughing.

“Shut it, I was tired alright?” he smiled giving her a playful shove.

“The cheek of it, Head Boy sleeping `till dinner, what a great example you set for us prefect minions,” Harry laughed as Ginny mocked him.

Harry and Ginny has dated throughout fifth year but had decided to call it a day when things began to get too awkward, after all Harry had become increasingly close to the Weasley family and after a while their relationship seemed to work better on a friendship level, he hadn't really received anything from her other than this. Harry realised after a long time that the connection between them had dwindled and he wasn't as emotionally attached to her as one would expect of a girlfriend, he felt no passion for her and decided eventually it would be appropriate to severe any ties that exceeded friendship. However, Ginny was still the best female friend that Harry had and he would often talk to her about things he didn't think Ron would understand. Over the last year especially Harry had come to prize Ginny as a sister, somebody to go to when he was feeling emotional.

“So, what's on the agenda at the meeting boss?” Ginny asked taking a drink from her goblet.

“Gin call me `boss' one more time and I'm gonna launch you into the lake from my Firebolt.” he remarked with his famous lop-sided grin.

“That certainly would be something to see,” a voiced drawled from behind him, Harry and Ginny turned to see Draco stood with a smirk on his face.

“Hey Draco, wanna sit down?” Harry asked slightly uncomfortably, he still found it difficult to actually associate with him despite the efforts he had put forwards for the good of the Wizarding world.

“Erm…no…wouldn't want to be seen sat at the Gryffindor table, after all I've come accustom to having my limbs attached,” he smirked “Don't want the Slytherins to decapitate me now do I? its bad enough that they won't talk to me and keep throwing things.”

“Well worse things have happened Malfoy.” Ginny joked with a smile, finding it easier than she would have previously thought to be nice to him. Draco let out a small smile, something both Harry and Ginny had ever seen him do.

“Nice to see you still retain your charm Ginevra.” He nodded and left for his own house table.

“Why didn't he sit here? He's on his own over there?” Ginny asked Harry perplexed.

“Because I don't think he was kidding about being decapitated from what's left of the Slytherins.” Harry answered tucking into the remainder of his lunch. Ginny looked on with sympathy.

***

That afternoon the prefects gathered in the charms classroom where they were given their rotas and schedule for the upcoming year, Padma Patil took charge of the meeting leaving Harry with little to do, he tried his best to be helpful but found himself a little out of his league, especially as he had never actually been a prefect before, ironic he thought that he could save the wizarding world from darkness yet become lost at a simple meeting. When the gathering subsided Padma approached Harry.

“Look, just remember to do your rounds and you should be fine,” she told him pompously. “Right, I have to go, there's a new student starting seventh year and she will be arriving shortly, I'm told she is almost certainly to be sorted into Ravenclaw so I have to go and make preparations,” she told Harry with an air of superiority as she left the classroom.

“Ladies and Gentleman may I present Percy in his female form!” Ron announced, bowing as she left the classroom.

“Come on, Nutter, let's go and get our brooms out of storage,” Harry said with a large grin, “I need to fly.”

Harry and Ron entered the grounds and walked around to the back of the castle through the courtyards to the flying pitch and Quidditch stadium. They walked past the locker rooms to the boom shed and entered, retrieving their brooms. Harry picked up his Firebolt and dusted it off. They raced outside and flew off into the skies, soaring gracefully over turrets and towers of the castle, whipping in and out of the structures before shooting off over the lake. They ducked and dived, swivelled and rotated, and pushed their brooms as hard as they would go. Harry pressed himself into a steep dive towards the lake, pulling up hard as he approached the water. Harry felt an immense feeling of freedom when he was flying; he loved to feel as if he was a part of the wind and his only task was to propel himself through the skies gracefully.

“Harry,” Ron shouted through the air to his best friend, “What do you reckon that's all about?” he said, pointing down to the road leading up from Hogsmeade to the castle. There was a single carriage being pulled up the winding road. It stopped at a large golden gate before entering the Hogwarts grounds.

“Come on,” Ron said and he and Harry flew back to the main entrance of the castle and dismounted as the carriage stopped meters away from the entrance hall. Harry pulled Ron's arm and headed back towards the castle, but Ron's curiosity had gotten the better of him however and he wanted to see who was in the carriage, as did many other students who were lounging around in the grounds on this Sunday afternoon.

“Wait, Harry, its Hagrid,” Ron said freeing his arm from Harry's grip. Hagrid stepped out of the carriage, paused, and held out a hand to help a second person out; it was Madam Maxime, the Headmistress of Beauxbatons, she wore a long silvery robe with white fur.

“Thank you `Agrid,” she spoke, getting out of the carriage.

Many people had started to whisper when a third person got out the coach, it was a girl around Harry's age, though she looked minute compared to the two half-giants she stood next too. She was fairly slim, sporting an olive complexion and had brown bushy hair pulled back in to a ponytail. She began to brush herself down and take in deep breaths, as she had obviously been very cramped in the carriage with Hagrid and Madam Maxime.

“`Ere you go `Ermione,” Hagrid spoke pointing, “Ere they come now.” Padma Patil came rushing down the stone steps followed by Professors Flitwick, McGonagall, and Dumbledore. They all greeted Madam Maxime in turn before she pushed the young teen forward. Harry could no longer hear what was being said but could tell that the girl looked extremely overwhelmed by her greeting.

“Come on Ron, let's go and break in that new chess set of yours.” Harry said walking into the castle, he was sure that the girl didn't want a group of people gawking at her, he had personal experience of this, plus it was getting quite chilly as winds blew in off the lake.

“Who do you reckon that was?” Ron asked Harry as they made their way up the grand stair case waiting for the appropriate stairs to be put into place.

“I'm guessing it's the new girl” Harry said shrugging it off.

“She's quite nice isn't she?”

“Ron, do you fancy every single girl walking the face of the earth?”

“No, just ones as pretty as her,” Ron answered with a smug grin. Harry rolled his eyes and carried on walking.

“Prepare to have your arse kicked at chess Weasley; I do believe it's my time to shine.” Ron snorted at Harry's comment, knowing that he didn't stand a chance against him.

***

Harry was eating his words as Ron beat him three times in a row that afternoon; it was during their fourth game that Professor McGonagall came through the portrait hole.

“Mr Potter, Professor Dumbledore requires your assistance in his office without delay,” she said, interrupting their game. Harry left the common room with Professor McGonagall; Neville kindly stepped in continuing Harry's game.

“What's the matter Professor?” Harry asked McGonagall as they walked.

“Don't be so pessimistic, Harry,” she told him with a curt smile, “Nothing is the matter; it seems we have a new student joining Gryffindor, quite a surprise too, really. Madam Maxime had been sure she would be sorted into Ravenclaw, what with the extraordinary grades, but the sorting hat placed her Gryffindor without much hesitance, much to our surprise.”

McGonagall told Harry the password for Dumbledore's office and made her way down an opposite corridor.

Harry reached the stone Gargoyle moments later and let himself up to Dumbledore's office. He knocked on the door gently. “Come in,” came the unmistakeable voice of Albus Dumbledore. Harry entered his office and was greeted by Madam Maxime, the young witch, and Dumbledore himself. On seeing Harry, the headmaster had given a large smile; like Hagrid, Harry had not really seen him much since the end of the war, and this was the first time he was in talking proximity. Harry also beamed, glad to see the man who he had grown ever more close to over the past months; Dumbledore welcomed Harry with a large hug.

“Harry, my boy, how are you?”

“I'm great Professor, thank you,” he replied.

“You remember Madam Maxime?”

“Great to see you again,” Harry smiled with an outstretched hand.

“'Arry, it iz truly wonderful to see you again also, I `ope you are well after the events of ze summer,” she smiled in return.

“I'm great, thank you,” Harry repeated.

“Harry, this is Hermione Granger; she's going to be on exchange from Beauxbatons over the next six months,” Dumbledore said before turning his attention to Hermione. “Miss Granger this is our Head Boy, Harry, who also resides in Gryffindor.” Harry smiled at the young witch and was happy to have the smile returned. “Harry, Miss Granger was sorted into Gryffindor moments ago and I was hoping you would escort her to the tower and make her feel as welcome as possible here at Hogwarts.”

“Sure, Professor,” Harry smiled heading towards Hermione. “It's a pleasure to meet you,” he said, shaking her hand.

“Okay `Ermione, it iz time for me to leave, I wish you ze best of luck, I shall be in touch wiz Dumbly-dore about you.” Madam Maxim smiled warmly at Hermione before Harry took hold of her trunk and cast a charm on it to make it lighter. He picked it up and led Hermione from the office out onto the corridors.

“You're very quiet,” Harry observed as they made their way to the tower.

“I guess it's just all a little overwhelming,” she spoke rather coyly.

“You're English!” Harry exclaimed; he had expected her to be French coming from Beauxbatons. “You probably already knew that though,” he added, slightly embarrassed at his forwardness, she just laughed and side-glanced at him.

“Yes I am—I actually live in England; my Mother's French, so I was accepted at both Hogwarts and Beauxbatons,” she told him.

“So you decided to go to France instead,” Harry said more to himself than her; she nodded.

“So is it normal for students to openly hug their headmaster?” she asked with a grin as they continued to pace.

“Erm actually no…not really…it's kinda complicated,” Harry said as he saw Hermione's eyes flicker up to what he assumed was his scar, like many Wizards it was likely that she knew who he was.

“So what's the deal with you being here,” Harry asked as they approached the tower.

“It's kinda complicated,” Hermione said, mimicking him. Harry chuckled at her comment, noticing her broad smile and the twinkle in her dark brown eyes, knowing that she was only joking with him.

“Well here we are,” Harry said, stopping in front of the portrait hole.

“Here we are where?” she asked looking around confusedly.

“Password?” Hermione stared at the portrait of the Fat Lady with a grin. Harry said the password and they entered. When they were on the other side Harry introduced her to the people in the common room. Hermione smiled as everyone introduced themselves; she looked around the room, obviously impressed with its décor, Harry led her to the 7^th year dorm room, carrying her trunk. A bed had already been made and a Gryffindor uniform was laid neatly across a chair located next to the four-poster.

“Here,” Harry said, putting her trunk at the foot of the bed, “I guess this will be your bed, you'll be sharing this room with Lavender Brown and Parvati Patil, and I'll introduce you later at dinner.” Harry smiled, stuffing his hands in his pockets and looked around the room. “Erm, Dinner starts from 5:30 onward in the great hall. If you want, I can give you a bit of a tour around the castle after dinner, it's quite big though, so if you're too tired….”

“No, I'm sure I'll be fine. I'd love to see more of the castle,” she told him, “it's nothing like what I'm used to; it's beautiful.” She looked out her window to the grounds. “It's just really cold here.” She turned to find him smiling back at her.

“Right, well, I'll be down in the common room with Ron, if you need anything don't hesitate to ask, okay?” he said, turning to leave.

“Okay,” she replied as she sat down on her large bed. Harry smiled warmly and left her to herself.

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