A/N: I'm saying this from now, before I get people screaming at me in reviews. This is a H/Hr fic, it's just that being the typical male, Harry is going to take a while to realize just what he has in front of him.
And in case you didn't realize, this is a repost. I've made some edits and stuff because like someone pointed out, there isn't enough of Hermione and you can't have a story without her. And before II get complaints, yes, the story is going to move at a slow pace so if you don't like it then you can find something else to read.
Same Script, [Slightly] Different Cast
Every year on September first, the Kings Cross Station is the center of wizarding activity, particularly platform 9 3/4. There, a population of students would say goodbye to their parents before boarding the train that would take them to the Hogwarts School Of Witchcraft & Wizardry. This year however, the air was not so cheerful. With the announcement that Lord Voldemort, the darkest wizard that any generation had seen, had risen from his ashes, the tiny world of magic was watching its every move and clinging closest to the ones that they loved. Among the crowd was a family of three, all of whom bore red hair.
"Mum!" one of them cried. The boy, who was currently jumping away from his mother's attempted kiss, was the tallest of the lot, standing at a lanky 6"1.
"Ron!" his mother mocked. Despite the smile on her face, Molly Weasley was without a doubt worried. Ron and Ginny were her youngest and as such, were the source of the few grey hairs amongst her startlingly bright red hair.
"Harry!" Ginny cried. The three Weasleys turned and looked at the spot where the famous young wizard stood. He smiled almost nervously as he adjusted the birdcage which he held in one hand, all the while pulling on his trunk which lay behind him.
"Hello everyone." he forced a smile upon his face before starting towards them. Before he could get any further however, Mrs. Weasley pulled the dark haired wizard towards her and wrapped him in possibly the tightest embrace that he had ever experienced and kissed him on his cheek. Unlike his best friend, Harry did not shy away from her embrace, but rather returned the hug as he was grateful for her motherly embrace. After having spent the summer with the Dursleys where he was anything but welcome, even the glare from Draco Malfoy, which he was currently receiving, was enough to make him feel at home.
"We really missed you this summer mate." Ron announced once his mother had let him go. Mrs. Weasley immediately began fussing over his rather thin figure, but he could still hear Ginny as she agreed with Ron. "It felt almost unnatural to go downstairs for breakfast in the morning and not see you there."
Unable to bear returning to the home of his slain godfather, Harry had declined Dumbledore's invitation to spend the summer at the headquarters of the Order of the Phoenix (after his mandatory week with the Dursley's was over) and had opted to spend the summer with his relatives. Despite the fact that they had treated him worse than a common criminal, Harry had welcomed the solitude because it was during those moments that he was able to sort out his feelings towards the death of his godfather and not to mention the prophecy that involved both him and Lord Voldemort.
"W-" Before Ron could complete his statement, the sudden appearance of a girl made him, as well as the rest of the males that were standing on platform 9 3/4, catch their breath. Harry turned, and he too felt at a sudden loss for words (despite the fact that he had barely uttered one all summer).
Whoever she was, she was obviously unaware of her effect on men and boys alike. She was dressed in a pair of tight black jeans, which conformed to every curve on her tanned body with a sleeveless black top (equally tight) that led way to some healthy cleavage, black snakeskin boots, and with the current pose that she was striking, she looked like a model. As she turned to pick up the black kitten that was at her feet, Harry and Ron could see that her back bore a tattoo, though it was in another language and so they could not easily understand it. Clearly oblivious to the stares, she walked towards the train, her black hair swaying over her shoulders and her stylish dark glasses making the curious minds unable to gain an idea as to her identity. In a second she was gone, and the males got back their sense of reality.
"Who was that?" Ron whistled.
Harry shrugged as he watched the spot where she'd disappeared. "I don't know. But whoever she is, she's certainly drawn Malfoy's attention away from me."
Ron looked over towards where Draco Malfoy stood, whose sneer had gone completely slack as he gaped after the girl. Ron gave a satisfied and amused smirk. "Hopefully she'll be in all of our classes and then he won't have a reason to comment on either of us."
Harry snorted. "I don't think that any of us blokes will be able to get any work done with her in our classes."
But the girl wasn't in any of their classes; she was Ginny's year and unknown to both boys, the youngest Weasley was the sole person who knew of the girl's identity.
Before either boy could comment further on the unknown female, the sound of the train whistle caused them to jump.
"You three had better get on the train before it leaves you. There are no magical cars to fly you there this year." Mrs. Weasley announced with a stern look at the two boys, who shuffled uncomfortably, remembering their escapade with the flying Ford Anglia.
Harry thought briefly about what had happened to it after it had gone feral in the Forbidden Forest, but his thoughts were cut off as they were all being hugged once again by Mrs. Weasley and were heading towards the entrance to the train. Suddenly, Harry realized that their usual party of four was now a party of three.
"Where's Hermione?" he asked confused.
Ron, who was about to enter the train, turned. "I figured that you didn't want to talk about Sirius when you didn't answer any of our letters, but I honestly thought that you'd at least read them, Harry."
It was true; Harry hadn't wanted to talk about Sirius, which was exactly why he hadn't opened the letters that came. He didn't want to have to read their sympathetic sentences and promises of brighter tomorrows; he'd wanted to be completely alone with his thoughts.
"So where is she?" he repeated.
Ron got a funny look on his face and Harry soon understood why. "Hogwarts."
"What?" he asked, startled, as they boarded the train. He jumped out of the way to avoid a pair of giggling First Years before turning his attention back to Ron. "Why on earth is she there?" His mind automatically jumped to the worst possible thing. "You don't mean that she --- is it something to do with --- did something happen with Voldemort? Is she all right? What ---"
Ron rolled his eyes. "Aren't you a happy tea cup." he said sarcastically. "It's nothing to do with Him; she's just gone completely mental, which is exactly what I'm been trying to tell you all for five years. But does anyone listen to me? 'Course not." Harry gave Ron a puzzled look. Hadn't Hermione planned on spending the summer with her parents? She'd felt guilty because she hadn't really spent much time with them since her first year at Hogwarts and was beginning to regret neglecting their feelings when making her vacation plans.
"Miss Granger decided to spend the last month of her perfectly good summer vacation being McGonagall's apprentice. Apparently she's getting a head start on her N.E.W.T studies. Mental I tell you." Ron shivered slightly at the thought of spending his summer at school and walked ahead of Harry. As a prefect it was his duty to see to it that a sense of order was retained during the ride to Hogwarts, and with two Second Years looking as if they were about to attack each other and him being the only prefect around, he knew what he had to do. Harry watched as he spoke to the two, but his thoughts were really elsewhere.
He wouldn't have minded spending the summer at Hogwarts; it was like a second home to him. After eleven years of being unwanted, Hogwarts had greeted him with open arms. He still remembered the loud applause and standing ovation that he had received by the Gryffindors after the Sorting Hat had announced that he'd belonged in that house. And despite the fact that he'd had to watch his back when it came to the Slytherins, there was never a place where he felt any safer. He didn't know what he would do come Seventh Year when he'd have to say goodbye to the first place that he was truly able to call home.
"Are you all right, Harry?" Ginny appeared out of a nearby carriage and pulled the compartment's door shut behind her.
Harry turned to look at her. "Nothing. Just watching you brother behave in a very Hermione-like fashion."
Ginny turned to watch as Ron waved his finger at the frightened second years, giving an image that was eerily reminiscent of Hermione. As he turned back towards Harry and Ginny he gave them a baffled look that clearly said, "What?" and the two of them broke out into laughter.
"Careful Ron," Harry said patting his friend's shoulders. "Or you just might end up the next Head Boy in your family."
"Fred and George will really love that." Ginny chimed.
Ron's ears went bright as he began to inform them that he wasn't going to be the next Head Boy, but Harry knew that he was secretly pleased. If Ron were actually named Head Boy, he knew that his friend would take the responsibility possibly even more seriously than his brother Percy had.
The train suddenly lurched forward, sending the three friends' hands in the air to grab on to the above handle bars. Once they'd gotten themselves steadied, Ron was the first to speak.
"See you in a while mates. Duty calls."
Harry watched as Ron turned and headed towards the Gryffindor's prefect carriage with an aura of power and authority surrounding his every step. After he disappeared into the carriage, Harry turned to Ginny. "Shall we?"
Suddenly, Ginny got an amused look on her face as she pointed to her Prefect's badge, which was neatly pinned unto her robes. "Didn't read my letters either, did you, Harry?"
Harry's response was to smile while Ginny rolled her eyes.
"Go on, Neville and a friend are already in there waiting for you." With that, Ginny walked off towards the Prefect's carriage, leaving Harry standing behind confused.
A friend? It wasn't until Harry pulled open the door to the carriage a few seconds later that he realized whom Ginny had meant. Neville Longbottom sat towards the window of the carriage, and directly across from his and chatting away animatedly, was the girl from the platform. Only her glasses were off and Harry immediately realized that she was in fact not just any girl.
"Luna?"
Oblivious to the sound of astonishment in Harry's voice, Luna Lovegood turned and gave him a rather dazed, but warm smile. "Hello Harry. How was your summer?"
Before he could stop himself, Harry spoke up. "You look nothing like you did at the end of last term."
Luna, who was busily taking Hedwig out of her cage, paused slightly to nod at Harry before retrieving the owl and stroking her snowy feathers. Hedwig cooed approvingly, glad to be getting attention from someone after a summer of being ignored, and flew unto her shoulder.
"Luna was just telling me of her summer spent in the Muggle part of New York." Neville smiled at Harry before admiring the miniature Lady Liberty, which Luna had purchased for him while there.
"But what happened to Sweden?" Harry asked. Luna had announced that she and her father were going on an expedition to see if they could catch a Crumpled-Horn Snorkack. He couldn't really remember much of that last week of school except for a sharp pain and a dreamy sense of loss.
"We went to New York two weeks ago after we left Sweden." Luna answered vaguely. She was too preoccupied with stroking Hedwig to pay him much attention.
"So is that where you got your tattoo then?" Harry probed. "What does it say anyway?"
"I got my tattoo in Sweden. My cousin Bella took me to do it with her muggle friends right before I left. It means 'love'." Luna's voice came from behind Hedwig as she fed the owl treats.
"Luna says that it didn't hurt." Neville spoke up.
"It didn't. Neither did it hurt to get my hair coloured." Luna smiled at Hedwig before gently placing her back into her cage. Harry was about to tell her that he suspected that it wouldn't hurt to place dye in one's hair but remembering that it was Luna Lovegood that he was speaking with, decided against the comment.
"You look really nice, Luna." he said instead.
Luna looked up at him and with a rather serious expression on her face, replied, "Thank you Harry. That was really nice."
Harry was about to ask her what was so nice about a genuine compliment but stopped when he remembered his previous conversation with her on the night of the final feast. It was then that he realized just how much it took for a girl like Luna Lovegood to be different. He knew that had he not had Ron and Hermione by his side all those years, that he would have surely coward a bit. But Luna had had no one, and yet she was true to herself. It took a very brave person to not conform and Luna had most certainly proved that.
The door to the carriage opened and the food trolley appeared. Harry loaded the three of them up with delicious goodies and saved some for Ron and Ginny, who were due to arrive later. Luna took out the latest edition of The Quibbler and began reading it upside down all the while nibbling on a Chocolate Frog, as her kitten slept beside her. Neville and Harry took out Ron's chess set and began to play. It was in that position that Ron and Ginny came and found them over an hour later and it wasn't the door to the carriage that alerted them of his arrival either, it was his outcry.
"Bloody hell, you're Luna Lovegood!"
Hedwig and Pigwidgeon hooted happily in their cages, while the others stopped what they were doing and looked up suddenly. Luna however, held the same look of obliviousness as she looked up at Ron.
"I am. You're Ronald Weasley." she said mildly.
Ron's ears went slightly red as he sat down beside Harry. Luna gave him a small smile before disappearing behind her Quibbler and Ginny just smiled knowingly. Harry looked from one to the other and suddenly he realized something that had escaped him all year, but apparently it hadn't escaped Ginny. Ron and Luna liked each other. As the realization dawned upon him, he began to wonder just what else he had missed out on, and --- better yet --- what was to come.
*~*
A few minutes before they were due to arrive at Hogwarts, Harry and the others changed into their uniforms. Despite the fact that she had put on her uniform, Ron was still eyeing Luna. It was almost as if he couldn't believe that she was the same girl who had just a year ago, irked his last nerves with her idiosyncrasies. Watching as Ron offered to help her with her trunk, Harry felt a pang in his stomach. He wasn't jealous of Ron, he was actually glad for him; it was just that seeing the two of them together made him realize that he would once again start off the school year without a girl friend. This time last year, he'd been hoping that the girl would have been Cho, but after a series of horrible dates, he realized that Cho was definitely not the girl for him.
"Harry, come on before the carriages fill up!" Ginny called impatiently. Harry snapped out of his thoughts and walked briskly towards the carriage that Ron and Luna had gotten for them. Neville was already in it, so as soon as he closed the door, the carriage went off. Being inside brought back memories of the night of Sirius' death and suddenly, Harry felt a bit queasy.
"You okay mate?" Ron asked. He was currently conversing with his sister, but the sight of Harry made him stop.
Harry nodded as he didn't quite feel comfortable discussing his feelings with anyone as yet. Ron nodded as well and turned back to his conversation, but Harry knew that he didn't believe him. It didn't really matter to him, as long as no one asked Harry any questions. Questions led to emotions, and with the way that his emotions had been flying, he couldn't risk a complete breakdown. He closed his eyes to calm himself down, but that only made the image of the door to the Department of Mysteries appear in his head. It seemed as if no matter what he did or where he went, the memories of that night would haunt him. The only way that he would forget was if he was to get a Pensieve, and even then he wouldn't do that. He wanted the memory because it was one of his few of Sirius and it wasn't something to be carelessly thrown away. Time healed all wounds, and Harry planned on waiting for as long as he had to for this one to.
They got up to the castle a few minutes later and as expected, Hermione was waiting for them inside the Great Hall. As soon as she saw them, she rose from her table and immediately threw her arms around Harry.
"Harry!" she cried, her voice muffled against his chest. "You have no idea as to how much I missed you this summer!"
Harry had an idea, especially since her hug, like Mrs. Weasley's was currently cutting off his air supply. When she finally let him go, she kissed him on his cheek and beamed. "Are you okay? You didn't respond to my letters. You had me worried, you stupid sod!"
"I'm fine, Hermione." Harry assured her. "I just needed a little time to myself."
"And so you're better now?" Hermione's eyes searched his for some sign of reassurance and Harry could tell that she really had been worried and more than likely was still worried about him. He also noticed that she hadn't asked him if he'd gotten over it, as they both knew that that couldn't occur.
"A little." Harry responded. Hermione nodded, accepting his answer and turned to hug Ron and Ginny, then she came upon Luna who was standing with a dreamy look on her face as she held played with the ends of her hair.
"Luna! Your hair, it's great!" She gushed as she felt a strand of Luna's hair. "The black really brings out the blue in your eyes."
Luna smiled slightly at Hermione. "Thank you."
From behind her, a snide comment arouse. "First Harry, now Loony Lovegood. Can't pick between the two, can you, mudblood?"
"Jealous, Malfoy? Parkinson not giving you enough attention?" Ron spoke up. The nearby Gryffindors and a few Slytherins, broke out into snickers. None of them had expected Ron of all people to comment. Draco was about to take out his wand when Dumbledore's voice sounded through the Great Hall as he asked them to be seated. With one final glare, Draco removed his hands from his pockets and walked over towards the Slytherin table with Crabbe and Goyle looming over him.
"I know that you are used to Professor McGonagall handling the Sorting procedures, but this year we have three transfer students, and so before the Sorting Hat delights us with song and sends our first years to the house which best suits them, we will have it Sort the Megghross triplets who have transfer here from Beauxbatons, in time for their sixth year." Dumbledore turned towards Professor McGonagall and nodded. From behind her, three teenagers emerged and the students, who were all gazing curiously, got to see them for the first time.
"Megghross, Alexandria!" Professor McGonagall's voice could be heard throughout the Hall. Silence fell upon them as Alexandria stepped forward. Her heart-shaped face was framed with black curls that fell lightly unto her shoulders and a pair of sparkling blue eyes stared at them. Harry could tell by the confidence in her walk that the fact that all eyes were on her didn't scare her and he was immediately attracted to that. She sat down as Hermione would, with her back up straight on the stool and stared ahead as McGonagall placed the hat upon her head. To Harry, she looked like a portrait that was worthy of being hung in a famous museum for all to behold. The Hat stayed upon her head for a total of ten minutes before it was heard making a huge sigh, obviously giving up some sort of fight. Harry wondered what had taken place inside her head.
"GRYFFINDOR!"
Applause was heard from their table as a rather confident Alexandria walked over and sat in one of the two vacant seats that were in front of him.
"Neville Longbottom." Neville stretched out his hand as soon as she sat down beside him and Harry wondered if Neville had a bit of a crush on her. He could tell by the looks that some of the boys at the table were giving her, that they too were smitten by the Parisian beauty. He didn't blame them, though she and her sister looked alike, there was something about Alexandria that he liked. He wasn't sure if his feelings went further than curiosity, but he knew that he would soon find out.
"Alexandria Megghross." the girl smiled at him as she returned the handshake.
"Megghross, Beau!"
"Ooh, Beau!" Parvati gasped. "His name does describe him. Handsome he is!" The remark sent the group of girls around her giggling and Harry watched as Hermione rolled her eyes. Beau was indeed handsome, it was very obvious through his robes that he was well built and the fact that he had curly black hair and blue eyes was only icing on the cake. He looked as if he could actually give Draco Malfoy some competition if it so suited him. The Sorting Hat spent another ten minutes on him before making its decision.
"GRYFFINDOR!"
Alexandria smiled as her brother came and took the seat next to her and after quick introductions were made (Parvati being the first to speak up), all eyes turned on "Megghross, Jaida!" as the straight haired beauty with the chocolate brown eyes sat down on the stool. To Harry, she reminded him a bit of Hermione and strangely enough, Pansy Parkinson at the same time. The Hat didn't take long in its decision, in fact it took less than a minute.
"SLYTHERIN!"
Roars erupted from the Slytherin table as Jaida made her way towards them, the same air of confidence which Alexandria had previously displayed, surrounding her as she walked. Harry didn't know why, but something told him to watch the Slytherin table, and sure enough he found out. Pansy Parkinson's shrill cry could be hear as Draco told her, with no emotions whatsoever in his voice, that she needed to move over. Pansy gave Jaida a rather dirty look before doing as she was told and Jaida sat down beside Draco. If Harry weren't mistaken, Draco and Pansy were supposed to be together, but from the way that he was introducing himself to Jaida (he kissed her hand and smiled his award-winning smile that melted many hearts), it looked as if Jaida were now the object of his desires.
He didn't pay much attention to the Sorting Hat's song as he was too preoccupied with watching the Slytherin table. Pansy was currently throwing dangerous glares at the girl who sat beside her, and Harry knew that it wouldn't be long before she did something. He knew that she wouldn't try anything at the feast, but that didn't mean that she would just sit and take her dethronement lightly. She was the belle of Slytherin after all; or at least she had been until Draco had thrown her aside. You couldn't be a belle of anything without a beau. Pansy had just lost her beau.
"Hermione Granger." Hermione stretched her hand across to Alexandria, bringing Harry's attention back to her. "I'll be showing you around school for the first few days. We'll be in the same room, so I won't be too far should you have questions." Alexandria nodded and then Hermione turned towards Beau in time for the Sorting Hat to send the first student over to the Ravenclaw table. "This is Ronald Weasley." she made a gesture at Ron. "He'll be showing you around for the first few days and he'll be in your room as well. Dumbledore assigned us should you be selected to this house."
"So then who's suppose to be showing Jaida around?" Harry suddenly asked. It occurred to him that Dumbledore had assigned the prefects of each house that were in their sixth year.
Without hesitation, Hermione responded. "Pansy, though by the looks of things, Draco will be the only guide that she ever knows."
"Malfoy?" Beau spoke up while looking over at the Slytherin table.
"You know him?" Neville asked.
Beau shrugged as if it were nothing. "I've heard of him, but we haven't formally met."
"Jaida has." Alexandria laughed at her sister, who was currently listening intensely to Draco, before turning back to their table and thus, facing Harry. Their eyes met and Harry wondered how long it would be before her eyes landed on his scar, which was currently visible as he'd had his hair cut, and remarked "You're Harry Potter," as the others had. Surprisingly, she just smiled at him before turning and answering the question that Ginny had asked.
By the end of the Sorting, Gryffindor had welcomed nine new students, five girls and four boys, and it had seemed that a majority of the students had been sent to Ravenclaw and Hufflepuff. Harry seriously doubted whether or not he heard Slytherin much at all.
"How many have been sent to Slytherin?" he asked Hermione. If anyone at the table would know how many students had been sent to each table, it would be her.
"Five. Three boys and two girls." she automatically responded.
"And how many have been sent to Hufflepuff?" Ron piped up.
"Ten. Equally divided."
"And Ravenclaw?" he stressed.
"Eleven---" Hermione turned and gave him a dangerous glare, causing those in their vicinity to laugh, including Alexandria and Beau.
Harry watched how the corners of her mouth seemed to spring to life with her smile, almost as if that had been their sole purpose, his eyes never leaving as she brushed a few strands of hair out of her face, revealing a small dimple in her left cheek. You'd have to look closely to see it, but Harry had, he had been noticing a lot about Alexandria Megghross. Dumbledore rose and repeated his familiar lines.
"Welcome first years and to our returning students, welcome back! I am sure that you are all famished, so dig in!"
Suddenly the golden plates along the table were filled with delicious treats and hands were simultaneously reaching towards dishes. Harry sighed happily as this was the part of the evening that he looked forward to. As he piled food unto his plate, he kept an eye on Alexandria and saw that there was no meat on her plate, neither on Beau's.
"Are you two vegetarians?" It wasn't Harry who'd asked the question, but Dean Thomas, who was sitting two seats to Beau's left.
Both Beau and Alexandria nodded.
"Figured. My mother recently converted. It was hell this summer without meat!" The way he'd stressed "hell" caused everyone who could hear to laugh before returning to their food. Harry decided against getting a second meat and instead settled for what was in his plate. Ron on the other hand, placed as much as he could unto his plate before digging in. As Harry ate, he listened to the questions that were directed at Alexandria and at the way her accent mixed with her English as she answered. She wasn't like Fleur Delacour who made him want to laugh whenever she spoke. Her French accent was light, almost as if she'd been around English all of her life.
"So what bring you to Hogwarts?" Hermione asked as the main dishes were replaced with tasty desserts. Alexandria, who was helping herself to a slice of warm apple pie, looked up at her.
"My mother. She married an English wizard last summer, but we didn't want to move with the O.W.L.S approaching."
Hermione nodded before reaching for the treacle tart. She offered Harry a slice but instead of going for his favourite dessert, Harry declined it and reached for the last slice of apple pie. Hermione looked at him curiously before sharing Ginny the slice and taking a bite out of her own. Harry hadn't spoken much throughout the meal, and it was a good thing that no one had noticed. He didn't want them making a big deal out of it, especially when he didn't know whether or not he liked her as yet. When the last of the dishes had been cleared, Dumbledore stood once again and addressed the student body.
"Before we sing our beloved school song, I beg you to listen to a few announcements. Mr. Filch, the caretaker, has asked me to remind you that no magic is allowed in the corridors. He has once again taped up a list of all offenses to his door, which may be viewed at your pleasure..."
"Fired Filch is more like Dumbledore should have done after the way he behaved last year." Ron hissed.
Those around him nodded, but continued to listen to Dumbledore once more instead of commenting.
"To first years, as well as to new and old students, the Forbidden Forest, which is located at the border of our property for those of you who do not know or have conveniently forgotten, is forbidden to all students unless of course, accompanied by a teacher for a class." Dumbledore paused to let this message soak in before continuing. "Tryouts for the house Quidditch teams will take place on Wednesday after next at five p.m. I am asked to remind you that if you cannot fly, have an immense fear of heights, or are afraid of having objects thrown at you, that you are to refrain from coming to try outs."
A murmur of soft laughter went through the crowd. It wasn't until Dumbledore made the announcement of Quidditch tryouts that Harry remembered that he'd been named Gryffindor captain. With most of the team's players gone as the year before was their seventh year, Harry was hoping to replace five of them on Wednesday, as the only original players that remained were himself and Ron. He hoped that he'd be able to put together a good team because he wasn't about to lose the cup to Slytherin. He turned his attention back to the Head Table as Dumbledore continued.
"As you can see, we are once again without a Defense Against The Dark Arts professor, but never fear. As of tomorrow morning, we shall be joined by Alastor Moody who will be with us until we can find a suitable replacement. For those of you who are worried, don't worry, it is the real Moody."
"That's what I'm afraid of." Ron whispered. Harry smiled but didn't break away from Dumbledore. Something told him that there was more to come.
"Now as you are all very much aware, Lord Voldemort and his league of Death Eaters are once again active." he paused to let them have their share of exchanged glances and gulps. Harry noticed that the Slytherin community looked unmoved by the comment. "Now I am saying this once, and no more. Hogwarts is the safest place that you can be at this time, which is exactly why your parents, though fearing for your lives, have opted to send you here for yet another school year." Once again he paused and a wave of nods swept through the crowd.
"Now as you may imagine, the question of Hogsmeade weekends have been brought up many a times by not only concerned parents and teachers, but by my own mind as well. I have decided that since I myself do not want to be a prisoner to Voldemort, and as I imagine, neither do you, that those whose parents have signed the new slips, which allows you to go into Hogsmeade, may do so. Teachers and prefects will be dispatched to chaperone you and if necessary, Portkeys have been provided, which will allow you to immediately be brought back to the castle. Prefects will not have Portkeys, only teachers. Since we do not know how long it will be before Voldemort makes his first move, we are allowing you to get in as much of Hogsmeade as possible. With this in mind, the first Hogsmeade weekend will be the third Saturday of this month." A small cheer went through the crowd. "I reserve the right to cancel Hogsmeade weekends without explanation, and if I feel that your lives will be endangered by leaving this school, I shall indeed cancel them."
The students stayed silent as they digested the information and Dumbledore gave them time to do so.
"Now as I've said. Hogwarts is the safest place that you can possibly be at this time. Have no fear where your lives are concerned. Focus on your education as that is the key to your success in life. Classes shall resume tomorrow morning as scheduled, so I suggest that you all get up to your bedchambers as soon as possible, but not before our school song."
Immediately, the entire school stood and with Dumbledore's nod, they all began to sing the song to whichever tune they chose. Once this was done, Dumbledore nodded and the prefects began yelling for the first years to follow them.
"Harry," Hermione turned towards him. "the password is Blast-Ended Skrewts. Please see to it that Beau and Alexandria get up to the Gryffindor tower safely. I have to speak with McGonagall before I come up and Ron has to help with the first years."
Harry nodded and turned towards Beau and his sister, who were currently standing around waiting to be told where to go.
"Harry Potter." Harry reached out and shook each of their hands. Beau and Alexandria greeted him as they would any other person and for this, Harry was grateful; he especially liked the way that Alexandria's palm felt against his.
"This way." Harry led them towards the Entrance Hall all the while explaining about the moving staircases and at what times they usually shifted, so that the two could avoid being carted away. As they walked, Harry felt the need for conversation, especially since he was nervous around Alexandria.
"So which subjects will you be doing this year?" he asked.
"Potions, Defence Against The Dark Arts, Transfiguration, Arithmancy." Beau answered, glancing around at the shuffling suits of armour in amusement.
"Potions, Defence Against The Dark Arts, Herbology, Transfiguration." Alexandria replied.
Harry nodded as they made the final ascent towards the portrait of the Fat Lady. His mind was desperately searching for something else to say.
"And what about you, Harry?" Alexandria asked. "Which subjects will you be doing?"
Harry was surprised that she had addressed him, but he answered all the same. "Defence Against The Dark Arts, Potions, Charms and Transfiguration."
"You'd like to become an Auror then?" she guessed.
Harry nodded. "How'd you know?"
She shrugged as they approached the Fat Lady. "I'd thought about that last year as well, but then decided against it. I hate Charms."
"Ironic as that was her best subject." Beau spoke up. He and his sister shared a private smile and Harry watched the two, wondering what it would be like to have a twin or be apart of a triplet as they were.
"Ahem!" The Fat Lady gave them a rather annoyed look, causing them all to jump.
"Oh." Harry turned towards her. "Blast-Ended Skrewts."
She smiled, but it was anything but pleasant. "Correct."
"Ever seen one of them?" Beau asked.
"Blast-Ended Skrewts?" Harry asked.
Beau nodded.
"In Care Of Magical Creatures, I have. Our teacher had a liking for extremely dangerous creatures." Harry replied. They entered the common room, which was fairly empty as most had taken Dumbledore's advice and gone off to bed. They paused once they reached the stairs, which led to the girls' dormitories.
"The stairs are bewitched to prevent boys from entering." Harry said to Alexandria. "You can come over to our dorms, but we can't go over to yours," he gave a tired smile. "Bloody unfair, if you ask me. Just look for the door that's marked 'Sixth Year' and enter. One of them will show you your bed and your trunk will have already been waiting by your bedside."
Alexandria nodded and Harry was amazed at how professional he'd sounded. He began to muse as to what it would be like to actually be a prefect. But then again, had he been named a prefect, he would have been shuffling First Years around insteading of escortiung Alexandira and Beau. Once Alexandria had ascended the stairs, Harry and Beau walked up theirs. Ron and the others were all in there preparing for bed and after quick introductions were made, Harry pointed to Beau's bed, which was currently the one that faced the window and was beside Dean's.
"Harry." Ron came over to his bed as soon as the other boys had disappeared behind their curtains. "It's amazing how much Luna has changed, isn't it?"
Harry smiled to his friend. "She's only changed on the outside, Ron, she's the same Luna that we knew last year."
"Oh I already know that." Ron said. "I just never noticed how blue her eyes were before today, that's all."
Harry shook his head as Ron climbed into his own bed. "Good night, Ron."
"Night Harry." Ron's curtains engulfed his bed and he disappeared.
As Harry fell asleep that night, there were two things on his mind. Dumbledore's speech regarding their future and Alexandria as she laughed softly and revealed the dimple in her left cheek. Even if the year ahead did bring hardship, at least he'd have the memory of her smile to compensate.
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