Chapter One – Grandmother Figg

Fred, George, Ginny, Harry, Ron, Hermione and Remus crowded into one compartment for the first part of the journey. Fred and George were eager to talk over their plans with Harry and Ron for the house Quidditch team, while Ginny and Hermione probed “Professor Lupin” as he would now have to be called (at least in public) about what they would be studying. When the witch came around with the trolley at lunchtime, Harry bought everyone cauldron cakes and Bertie Bott’s Every Flavour Beans. After lunch, it was time to change into their robes. The girls took one compartment, the boys, the other. Hermione stepped into the hall twenty minutes later, looking immaculate and sporting her new prefect’s badge. It glinted on her shoulder. Moments later, Harry joined her, an identical badge adorning his own robes.

“Professor Lupin says that the prefects usually have a compartment to themselves up front somewhere,” Harry said, “want to go check it out?” Hermione looked doubtful.

“What about Ron?” she asked.

Harry laughed, “Ron’s got a list of people he wants to recruit to the house team and he’s just about to start searching the train for them. Besides, we won’t stay long.”

Hermione grinned at him, “I have to admit, I am curious to see who the other prefects will be…” Harry laced his fingers through hers, and they set off.

An undercurrent of whispers and the occasional fit of giggles seemed to follow them throughout the train.

"Did you see her?

What has she done to her hair?!"

"Yeah, but did you see him?"

"I hardly recognized him without his glasses."

"Did you know Sirius Black was his godfather?"

"Did you know that Arabella Figg was her grandmother?"

"Were they actually holding hands?"

"Do you suppose they really are dating?"

It seemed that over the summer, Rita Skeeter's social column had developed a huge following of devoted readers among the Hogwarts students...

Harry and Hermione coolly ignored the "buzz" that surrounded them, and eventually found the prefect's compartment. Harry slid the door open and stepped aside, letting Hermione enter first. Familiar faces looked up expectantly. Hermione glanced around the crowded compartment. She grinned at Justin Finch-Flechley and Hannah Abbot, the Hufflepuff prefects, and nodded to Roger Davies, one of the Ravenclaw prefects and captain of their house Quidditch team. Her eyes narrowed at the sight of the prefects from Slytherin, Draco Malfoy and Pansy Parkinson. Hermione had known all along that Malfoy might have been made a prefect. He was, after all, a leader among his fellow Slytherins. What she hadn't counted on was the other prefect from Ravenclaw. It was Cho Chang.

Hermione felt her chest grow tight. Cho was the only girl at Hogwarts Harry had ever considered dating. She was sensationally pretty and was the Ravenclaw Seeker - an attractive combination to say the least. Hermione's expression faltered slightly. She managed a tight-lipped smile at Cho, then took a seat next to Hannah Abbot.

Harry slid onto the seat next to Hermione. He shook hands with Roger Davies and Justin Finch-Fletchly, but pointed refused to acknowledge Malfoy in any way.

Roger Davies was in his seventh year and was therefore senior among the prefects. He had the list of passwords to all the common rooms and to the prefects’ lounges and bathroom. Harry remembered the prefects' bathroom vividly. It was on the fifth floor, near the statue of Boris the Bewildered. Cedric Diggory had suggested he use it to decipher one of the tri-wizard championship's clues.

It was magnificent. Everything had been made of white marble. The bath itself was the size of a swimming pool, surrounded by hundreds of golden taps and even equipped with a diving board. He could hardly wait to show Hermione. Last year, the password had been "pine fresh", but this year in memory of Cedric, the password was "Diggory".

At the mention of Cedric's name, Hermione stole a glance at Cho, but her features remained unchanged - her emotions masked. Roger Davies rattled on, describing their duties and emphasizing the importance of setting a good example for the younger students.

Malfoy rolled his eyes and sighed. "Through yet, Davies?"

Roger regarded Draco coldly. "Not yet, Mr. Malfoy"

From across the compartment, Cho Chang watched Harry and Hermione closely. She alone saw their hands, linked discreetly under robes. "So," she thought, "still dating...but for how much longer I wonder..." She smiled inwardly thinking that “Granger” had indeed improved in appearance over the summer, but Cho still felt supremely confident in her ability to win Harry's heart for her own.

After all, her charms were not inconsiderable, and Hermione Granger was nothing more or less than an encyclopedia in a skirt. Cho sighed and wondered for the thousandth time if Granger hadn't just used a love potion on Harry. Last year, the papers had been full of it. "Time will tell..." she thought and sent an electric smile in Harry's direction.

When at last Davies had finished his remarks, offered his congratulations and generally wound down, Harry and Hermione rose to leave, intending to finish the journey to Hogwarts with Ron, Ginny and Professor Lupin.

"You're not going yet are you?" Cho said demurely from her seat by the window. "I thought we might, well, you know, get to know each other a little better."

"Another time," said Harry, putting his hand in the small of Hermione's back and easing her toward the door, "Ron and I have some details to work out about the house Quidditch team."

"Oh, Harry! that reminds me," Cho said, not eager for him to leave, but perfectly happy to see Hermione go, "My parents gave me a new Nimbus this summer for my birthday. I'd love to show it to you. You won't believe how well it handles compared to last year's series..."

"Er - yeah" Harry said, noncommittally. "We'd love to see it sometime." He said with a look in Hermione's direction and then departed the compartment.

Harry led Hermione a few steps down the corridor from the compartment, then turned to face her. "You okay?" he asked, putting a hand on her shoulder. She looked away, biting her lower lip. "I know," said Harry in a soothing tone. "I know it's hard to come face to face with Malfoy after what he did to you. But I promise you Hermione, I won't let him near you."

She looked up at him, her eyes meeting his. And before she could stop herself or mask her thoughts, Harry distinctly heard Hermione's voice echo in his head, "Not Malfoy...Cho. It was hard to see Cho."

Harry raised his eyebrows in wonder. "You must be kidding." he whispered. At last, Hermione spoke.

"It's nothing, Harry, really. I just got the impression that if she had a chance to do it over again, she might have accepted your invitation to the Yule Ball."

He laughed out loud. "Maybe so, but I can assure you that such an invitation will never be extended again", he said nuzzling one of her ears. Hermione smiled now. "For that matter, it would have never been issued in the first place if I had thought for a minute that you would have gone with me." he said softly, looking her directly in the eye. She stood on tiptoe and kissed him lightly. He held her for a minute, then said, "Let's get back to Ron and Remus, shall we?"

They were just turning to leave when a couple of first-year girls ran headlong into Hermione. "Easy there," Harry said, holding onto Hermione so she wouldn't fall.

The two girls appeared to be identical twins - both were dark-headed and dark-eyed and both were highly embarrassed at having nearly bowled over two school prefects. "So sorry," one of them stammered.

"No harm done." said Hermione briskly. "I'm Hermione Granger, and you are?"

"Yugma Desai", said the girl who had spoken first, and this is my sister, Ashleigh."

"But everyone calls me Ash" said the other girl, stepping forward with a bright smile to shake Hermione's hand. She turned to Harry. "You're Harry Potter, aren't you?" she said, barely able to keep the excitement out of her voice. He nodded.

"You're both in Gryffindor aren't you?" Yugma asked, noticing the gold and scarlet ties and crests Harry and Hermione both wore. "Our parents were in Gryffindor, as well." she continued. "I hope that's where we end up," she said with a hint of anxiety in her voice.

Hermione smiled reassuringly, saying "It’s awful not knowing where the sorting hat will place you, but its never been wrong. I'm sure that wherever it puts you, you'll find friends."

"Good luck." Harry said over his shoulder as he and Hermione moved through the crowded train, back to their

When they were nearly there, Hermione turned to him "Harry, what did Remus mean when he told Sirius that he'd be back to help him on weekends? Help him with what?"

"No idea." Harry said with a shrug. He had been wondering precisely the same thing.

They reached their compartment at about the same time Ron did. He was enthusiastic about their prospects for putting together a really first rate quidditch team. "Harry!" he cried, waving a sheet of parchment at them, "Look here, I've spoken with nearly everyone. Tim Darcy, Emily Dashwood, well, everyone! They'd been planning to try out for the team all along. They're even willing to play reserve positions if need be." Ron grinned and Harry was suddenly reminded of Oliver Wood.

Harry and Ron fell into another endless discussion of Quidditch, while Hermione curled comfortably in the corner with "The Standard Book of Spells, Grade 5". From time to time she peered over her pages at Remus Lupin, curious to know what he and Sirius were up to. She was on the point of asking when Fred and George Weasley returned to the compartment with Lee Jordan in tow. "It'll have to be later," she thought to herself and returned to her book.

It was dark now and Harry could see the lights of Hogsmeade in the distance. His heart was light. He squeezed Hermione's hand and gestured to the window. "Nearly there" he said in a low voice. Hermione packed away her books and straightened her robes. The express rumbled to a stop as compartment doors banged open up and down the train.

Ron tilted his head, then grinned at Harry. "Hear that?"

It was Hagrid's booming voice calling, "Firs’ years this way!" Harry remembered the first time he'd heard that voice, and smiled. Had it really been five years ago? It seemed like only yesterday that he, Ron, and Hermione had clambered into boats with all the other first years for their first unforgettable look at Hogwarts. It was good to be back.

From the edge of the platform, a hooded figure stood watching - scanning faces intently. She was obscured by old railway sign and so went unnoticed by most of the students. Then, she saw him - the man in the photo Lucius Malfoy had given her. Now was her moment to see and be seen.

As Remus and Harry passed through a particularly dense cloud of steam from the train, the figure stepped forward rather boldly, and allowed her hood to fall back, revealing her face. She was illuminated only by hazy lantern light and seemed to be surrounded by mist.

Remus froze in his tracks - staring in disbelief. Harry looked up to see what had caught Remus's attention and gasped...

Harry was looking into his mother's face. At his mother's eyes. He couldn't breath. He couldn't speak.

Harry had stopped so suddenly that Hermione bumped into him hard from behind. It seemed to jar him back to his senses.

Beside him, Remus whispered "Lily?". She turned to look at him, tears shining in her eyes. She was about to speak, when there was a clicking noise and a blinding flash of light.

"Hi ya, Harry!" called Colin Creevy, camera in hand. There were spots before all their eyes from the camera's flash bulb. When Harry's vision cleared, the woman had gone.

They searched the platform frantically, calling "Lily!" over and over, but to know avail. She had vanished.

Hagrid heard their shouting and hurried over. "So you saw her did ye?"

"What do you mean, Hagrid?" Harry practically shouted, "Who was that?"

"I dunno, Harry." he said shaking his head. "She showed up in the Three Broomsticks las' night. Gave me quite a turn she did. I thought it was your, Mum Harry, come back to us somehow. "Lily!" I says to her, but she just looked at me with a faraway expression on 'er face and says, "No, Lila".

Harry was on the verge of going directly to the Three Broomsticks when Remus pointed out that the horseless carriages that took students up to the castle were beginning to rumble away.

"We've got to go now, Harry, but I'll tell Dumbledore what happened. I'm sure he let me come back later, maybe even tonight." Remus said, trying to regain his composure. Harry was wavering. Remus put a hand on his shoulder. "Leave it, Harry. Leave it for now."

Reluctantly, Harry turned to the nearest carriage and gave Hermione a hand up. Ron and Remus joined them. "Harry," Hermione asked. "Did your mother have any sisters?"

"Only Aunt Petunia, as far as I know..." he said, looking a question at Remus.

"Petunia was the only sister I ever knew about," said Remus slowly, his eyes half-closed in concentration. "I don't remember Lily talking very much about her family to tell the truth." he said.

"Wasn't her maiden name Evans?" Ron asked.

"Yeah," said Harry. "Do you know of any wizarding families with that surname?" Ron shook his head.

"Does anyone here think that what we just saw was a ghost?" Harry asked, already knowing the answer.

"She looked pretty solid to me..." Hermione said quietly.

"Yeah, to me too," said Ron. "Definitely flesh and blood".~~~~

The horseless carriages were passing through then entrance gates now - Harry could just pick out the statues of winged boars in the darkness.

They rolled to a stop at the foot of a flight of long stone stairs that led to a pair of massive oak front doors. Harry jumped down from the carriage and turned to offer Hermione a hand. She squeezed it reassuringly and slid to the ground beside him. Waving good-bye to Remus and trying hard to think of him as "Professor Lupin" again, they joined the throng of students making their way through the cavernous torch-lit entrance and to the great hall.

The four house tables gleamed in the light of hundreds of floating candles. Harry, Hermione and Ron found places at the head of the Gryffindor table. Automatically, Harry turned to see who was sitting at the staff table.

Dumbledore was deep in conversation with Professor Sinistra. Professor McGonnagall was presumably sorting out the first years with Hagrid. Professor Flitwick and Professor Sprout were chatting amiably and as usual, Snape was glaring, although for once, not at Harry.

He was looking at Professor Lupin with undisguised disgust. Professor Lupin appeared not to notice and smiled politely, taking a seat next to Madam Hooch. Snape's eyes swept across the students and settled on Harry. In spite of everything that had happened at the end of term last year, it was clear that Snape still disliked Harry intensely. It showed in every line of his sallow face.

Harry yawned and shrugged elaborately. Snape was not going to get to him. Not tonight, anyway.

"I'm starving" Ron moaned. "What is the hold up?" Just then, the doors to the great hall opened and Professor McGonnagall swept past - the first years filing along behind her. Most of them looked terrified, Harry noticed. Except perhaps, the Desai sisters. He recognized them from the train. Ash was beaming. Yugma seemed to have put her fears aside and now wore an expression of cool confidence. She waved shyly as they passed Harry and Hermione.

Professor McGonnagall set a three-legged stool in front of the first years. On it sat the school Sorting Hat.

****Author's Note***

Roses are red,

****And now, on with the story...****

Professor McGonnagall set a three-legged stool in front of the first years. On it sat the school Sorting Hat. She addressed the first year students, “When I call your name, you will come forward. I will place the Sorting Hat on your head. When you have been sorted into your house, you may take a seat at your house table.” A hush fell over the great hall. Professor McGonnagall unrolled a large parchment and announced, “Abbot, Sarah”. A small girl with fair skin and blonde hair approached the stool timidly.

Hermione leaned over and whispered to Harry, “That’s Hannah Abbot’s younger sister…” He nodded. Professor McGonnagall placed the hat on Sarah’s head. It slipped down over her eyes. There was a brief silence then the hat called out, “HUFFLEPUFF!” A tremendous cheer rose from the Hufflepuff table as Sarah made her way over to Hannah, who gave her a huge hug.

“Desai, Ashleigh” Professor McGonnagall called. Harry watched with interest as Ashleigh took her seat on the three-legged stool. From under the hat’s brim, Harry could just see her face. She was smiling in anticipation. “GRYFFINDOR!” shouted the hat. Ashleigh jumped down eagerly and, giving Yugma and encouraging smile, took her place among the Gryiffindors, who were clapping and cheering.

“Well done!” said Hermione, as Ash dropped into a seat beside her.

“Desai, Yugma” It was Ashleigh’s sister’s turn. Yugma approached the stool calmly, not exactly as enthusiastically as Ashleigh had, but without obvious fear. Hermione was proud of her. Professor McGonnegall dropped the Sorting Hat on Yugma’s dark head. After what seemed like an eternity to Yugma, the hat called out “GRYFFINDOR!”

Again, the Gryffindors exploded with clapping and cheering. Yugma fairly ran to their table and hugged Ashleigh in relief. “Well done, you two!” said Harry shaking their hands warmly.

Ron slapped Ashleigh on the back, and then asked without pre-amble “Ever played any Quidditch?”

From the Ravenclaw table, Cho Chang watched as “Ensley, Gordon!” became a Slytherin. Her gaze wandered from the Slytherin table, to the Gryffindor table. She picked out Harry immediately. He was smiling and talking to one of the girls that had just been sorted.

“Cho!...Cho!” a voice called from somewhere at her elbow. It was Vorlor Namor, a sixth year Ravenclaw and one of Cho’s closest friends. “Where were you just now,” he asked. “You looked a million miles away.” Cho said nothing, but looked meaningfully over at the Gryffindor table. Vor rolled his eyes. “Not him, again” he said. Cho just grinned.

At the Gryffindor table, Nearly Headless Nick appeared between Yugma and Ashleigh to welcome them. Ashleigh jumped, but Yugma was delighted. “I know all about you!” Yugma said to spirit beside her, “You’re Sir Nicholas, aren’t you?” He beamed at her. “I read about you in ‘Hogwarts, a History’” she said, breathlessly.

Ron started, “You don’t mean to say you’ve read it too!” Yugma was a little taken aback.

“Never mind him, Yugma,” Hermione said scathingly. “He won’t read anything unless there are lots of pictures and short easy to understand words…” Yugma laughed. She was going to like Hermione…

“Emsworth-Jones, Nicole!” Professor McGonnagall continued. An attractive girl with long dark hair made her way haltingly to the stool. The hat dropped over her eyes. It had barely settled there when it shouted out “GRYFFINDOR!” Nicole nearly slid off the stool in relief. She handed the hat back to Professor McGonnegall and made her way to a group of cheering Gryffindors. She shook hands with Ron, Harry, Hermione, Fred and George, and then took a seat next to Yugma and Ashleigh.

From the staff table, Remus Lupin watched with interest as “Ferris, Robert” was called from the anxious first years to the three-legged stool. Robert was tall with brown hair and grey eyes. He reminded Remus of himself at that age. Robert’s face was a mask as Professor McGonnagall placed the hat on his head. It slipped a little and Robert reached quickly to catch it. As he did, Remus noticed silver ring on Robert’s middle finger. The ring glowed oddly for a moment, but was then lost from view as the Robert stuffed his hands in his pockets. The Sorting Hat deliberated, and then cried “GRYFFINDOR”.

The Gryffindors were on their feet, stamping and whistling. Hermione shook hands warmly with Robert as he reached the table, as did Harry. Ron, Fred and George slapped him on the back, then stuffed him into a seat between Ron and Fred. Before he could even speak, they began to pepper him with questions about Quidditch. “Do you play? What position? Who’s your favorite team?”… Robert laughed good naturedly and tried to answer all their questions, but it was hard to hear over the noise because “Icenogle, Amanda” had just been made a Hufflepuff.

At the Ravenclaw table, Vanessa Chambers eyed Cho Chang thoughtfully. They had been best friends since their first year at Hogwarts and now, in their sixth year, they were more like sisters. Vanessa and Vor where perhaps the only ones who knew just how hard Cho had taken Cedric Diggory’s death. For a few weeks, she had simply gone to pieces. But as Vanessa looked at Cho now, she seemed her old self. “Perhaps,” Vanessa thought “she really has laid Cedric’s memory to rest.”

But something nagged at Vanessa. It was Cho’s now incessant chat about Harry Potter. Her interest in him was bordering on obsession. When Vanessa pointed out Rita Skeeter’s articles about Harry and Hermione, Cho merely waved them away, calling them “unfounded”. When Vanessa had pointed out that Harry and Hermione had entered the Great Hall holding hands, Cho had nearly bitten her head off – totally out of character for the normally polite Cho. “What is up with her?” Vanessa mouthed to Vor, who shrugged in response.

Vanessa turned her attention back to the first years. From them, “Kahai, Ashima” was just emerging. She was a pretty girl with large dark eyes. Ashima managed a nervous smile at Professor McGonnagall as the Sorting Hat dropped over her eyes. She heard its voice buzzing in her ear, then it said out loud, for the whole hall to hear, “GRYFFINDOR!” Ashima raised one fist in triumph, and then strode boldly to the Gryffindors who were clapping enthusiastically. Hermione said, “Congratulations!” as Ashima found a place next to the Desai twins.

“Miller, Heather” had just become a Ravenclaw. Hermione watched her make her way over to the Ravenclaw table. All the Ravenclaws were cheering, except one. Cho Chang was completely oblivious to the new arrival; she was staring fixedly at something. Hermione followed Cho’s gaze to where it fell…..on Harry. Harry was talking with Robert Ferris and was totally unaware that Cho was staring at him. “So, I was right after all, wasn’t I?” Hermione thought, then shook her head suddenly. “It doesn’t matter though, I’ve got her number now…”

“Nott, Bruce” had just become a Slytherin. Harry watched him make his way over to Crabbe, Goyle and Malfoy who were clapping disinterestedly. Harry was turning back to Robert when he happened to notice Cho Chang. She was beaming at him in a way that made him distinctly uncomfortable. Very deliberately, Harry leaned over to Hermione and whispered something in her ear. Hermione laughed and blushed prettily. Cho frowned and looked away. Harry was relieved. He hoped his obvious attentions to Hermione would send the clear message to Cho that he was no longer available. But Cho, blinded by her overwhelming infatuation with Harry – an infatuation that she was using to fill a void left by Cedric, was unable or unwilling to see reason.

“O’Rourke, Tara” was called to the stool. She was a sandy-haired girl with freckles here and there across a lovely face. She was trembling as Professor McGonnagal place the Sorting Hat on her head. It had hardly come to rest when the hat roared “GRYFFINDOR!” Seamus Finnegan was on his feet at once, whooping and calling “Tara! Over here! Tara!” Hermione looked to Seamus who said with a grin, “She’s my cousin!” Tara reached them and gave Hermione a nervous smile. Seamus hugged her and insisted she sit by him.

“Well done!” Hermione called to Tara as “Raines, Molly” became a Hufflepuff.

Unable to help herself, Hermione glanced back over to Cho. Cho was once again staring at Harry with a dreamy smile on her face. Hermione clenched her teeth slightly.

“Steele, Lucy” became the next Gryffindor. She was a beautiful girl with large eyes. They seemed to be taking everything in. Ashima patted the seat beside her and Lucy sat down, gratefully.

Dean Thomas pointed at the next first year to be sorted. “That’s my brother!” he announced to the Gryffindors. “Thomas, David” moved confidently to the stool and sat down. The Sorting Hat deliberated for ages in silence. At length, it shouted “RAVENCLAW!” The Gryffindors were shocked.

But Neville Longbottom reminded them that siblings don’t always end up in the same house, “Look at Padma and Pavarti Patil…” he said. Harry watched David Thomas work his way over to the Ravenclaws. Cho was watching him again. She winked at him. Harry turned away without acknowledgment. Hermione, on the other hand, had had about enough. She concentrated hard on the goblet of pumpkin juice in front of Cho. In the blink of an eye, the goblet tipped over. Orange pumpkin juice splashed down the front of Cho’s robes. She gasped in surprise and tried to mop up the mess with her napkin, but without much success.

Ron, who had seen the whole thing laughed and said loudly, "Teach her to mess with you, Hermione!" Cho looked up sharply. She realized the goblet hadn't spilled by accident. Cho glared at Hermione with pure loathing.

"Ron!" Hermione hissed. "What's the matter with you?" She cuffed him on the shoulder. "Next time why don't you just climb up on the table and make an announcement. Does the word 'stealth' mean nothing to you?" she said in exasperation. Ron roared with laughter.

Ron was still laughing when “Tremastyn, Morgan” was called to the stool. But he stopped suddenly when he saw her face. She was the pretty witch he had danced with at Harry’s birthday party. He could hardly believe she was a first year! She seemed so much older. Morgan’s steps were steady and sure. She smiled at Professor McGonnagal as the hat came to rest on her head. A split second later, the hat roared “GRYFFINDOR!” Ron could hardly believe it. He, Harry, and Hermione leaped to their feet, stomping and cheering. As Morgan reached the table, Harry shook her hand. It was as though she had received an electric shock. For a moment, she glimpsed a huge fiery bird – a phoenix. She stared at Harry. “What is it?” he asked, still holding her hand.

“Nothing” she mumbled and turned away to take a seat beside Robert who patted her back in welcome.

“Yves, Jaques” called Professor McGonnagal to the lone remaining first-year. “HUFFLEPUFF”, shouted the hat firmly. And with that, the Sorting Ceremony ended.

“About time,” said Ron who was dying of hunger. Dumbledore made his usual start of term announcements, and then began the feast. Golden plates were filled with tempting dishes and pumpkin juice flowed freely – a little more so at the Ravenclaw table than anywhere else.

At last the plates were cleared. Dumbledore led everyone in the school song, “Hogwarts Hogwarts, Hoggy Warty Hogwarts…” When it was over, Hermione cleared her throat and nudged Harry under the table. It was time for prefects to lead first-years to their dormitories. “You do it…” he thought to her silently.

Hermione stood up, and said in a business-like tone, “First years, follow me.” Hermione led them through the entrance hall and up the steps to the Gryffindor Common Room. Harry pointed out the trick steps and reminded them that sometimes the stair cases moved. Peeves taunted them along the way, but vanished when Ron threatened to call the Bloody Baron.

At the very end of a long corridor they reached the portrait of the Fat Lady. The first-years bunched up behind Hermione as she waited for Harry to join her at the head of the line. Soon he was there. The Fat Lady smiled at them all, then said, “Password?”

“Paravel” said Harry and Hermione in unison, and portrait swung open to reveal the entrance to the Gryffindor Common Room. There were “oohs” and “ahs” as the first years scrambled through the portrait hole and into the warmth and comfort of the Common Room. Hermione gathered them together near the fireplace. Harry stood nearby, leaning against the mantle studying the faces of the first-years. He took a mental roll call as he scanned each face: Ashleigh and Yugma Desai, Nicole Emsworth-Jones, Robert Ferris, Ashima Kahai, Tara O’Rourke, Lucy Steele, and Morgan Tremastyn.

Hermione smiled broadly and addressed them, using nearly the same words Professor McGonnagall had used four years ago when she spoke to Ron, Harry, and Hermione for the first time. “While you are at Hogwarts, your house will be like your family. Your triumphs will earn you points. Any rule breaking - and you lose points. At the end of the year the house with the most points will win the House Championship and be awarded the House Cup.” An excited murmur ran through first years.

Hermione cleared her throat and put her hands on her hips. They fell silent immediately. She continued. “For the last four years, Gryffindor has won the House Cup” She gestured toward Harry who stepped forward, “Harry and I are here to make sure that YOU,” she paused, making eye contact with each one individually, “are happy and successful here at Hogwarts, thereby enabling this house – your house, to continue its winning tradition.” She looked deadly serious. Only Harry saw the twinkle in her eyes.

Older Gryffindors had begun slipping around them quietly and making their way up to their dormitories. Seamus Finnegan eased through the portrait hole, but didn’t go upstairs. He dropped into one of the squashy armchairs hoping to have a word with his cousin, Tara, when Hermione was finished with the first-years. His gaze shifted from Tara to Hermione. She was talking animatedly about being on time and not getting lost. Her eyes sparkled with pleasure at her new role as Prefect.

“She looks so different” Seamus thought to himself. “The summer has certainly been good to her…” He noticed the changes in her figure and manner, moreover he noticed the changes in her hair and make-up. Why hadn’t he noticed it on the train? Hermione was, well…stunning. “And wouldn’t you know it,” he sighed “Potter has already claimed her.” Seamus shook his head in disgust. “Last year, Potter managed to get one of the best looking girls in school to go with him to the Yule Ball (Parvati Patil) and this year, he’s scooped up Hermione before any of the rest of us have even had a chance.” He smiled to himself. There were a few months before the Yule Ball, perhaps he could convince Hermione to “trade-up” for an Irishman.

Harry saw Seamus and smiled, then said a few words to the first years. “The girls’ dormitories are upstairs and to your left. The boys are on the right. Robert, since you are the only first year boy, I’m going to let you bunk in with the second years. Ah, here’s one now, Dennis!” Harry called, “Dennis Creevey!” A small boy with mousy hair bounded up.

“Yes, Harry?” he said breathless with excitement at having been summoned by one of his heros.

Harry laid a hand on Dennis’s shoulder, “Dennis, this is Robert Ferris, a new Gryffindor. He’s going to be sleeping in your dormitory. Would you show him where he’s staying and help him get his things shifted into your room?” Dennis beamed and led Robert away.

Meanwhile, Seamus had drifted up to where Hermione and Tara were now talking. Seamus draped a friendly arm around Hermione’s shoulder, saying “It’s so good to see you Hermione! You’re looking great. Have you met my cousin, Tara?”

Tara rolled her eyes at Seamus. She had seen this act before when their families had vacationed together last year. “Yes, Seamus, Tara said flatly, “We’ve been introduced.” Seamus didn’t seem to notice her sarcasm.

Crookshanks wandered up and had begun to wind himself around Hermione’s legs. She bent over and scooped him up, neatly sliding out from under Seamus’ arm. At the sight of Crookshanks, Yugma Desai gasped. “Oh Hermione! He’s beautiful! I’ve never seen one before. May I pet him?’

Hermione was puzzled, “You’ve never seen a cat before?”

“No,” said Yugma, stroking Crookshanks soft fur, “a Kneazle.”

“A Kneazle?” said Harry who had just walked up, inserting himself strategically between Hermione and Seamus, “What’s a Kneazle?”

Yugma eyed them in wonder. “Don’t you know?” They shook their heads. Crookshanks purred loudly. “A Kneazle is a magical creature, like a small lion. They’re terribly smart and are great at identifying someone or something that’s up to no good…” Yugma looked at Crookshanks more closely. “This one doesn’t seem to have the lion’s tail, so it may only be part Kneazle, but either way, Hermione, you’re really really lucky. They are such loyal pets! What’s his name?” she asked, eyes shining.

“Crookshanks” said Hermione. “Would you like to hold him?” Hermione handed Crookshanks to Yugma, who sat cross-legged on the floor, petting his sleek fur.

“Whoa!” said Ron who had caught the last part of their conversation. “So that’s why Crookshanks was always trying to get at Scabbers!” He grinned at Hermione. “You’ve got a Sneak-O-Scope for a pet!” Ron yawned and said, “Coming Harry?”

Harry shook his head, “I’ll be up in a bit,” then, in a perfect imitation of Percy Weasley, Harry said, “It’s my duty as a Prefect to stay until the Common Room has emptied…” Ron laughed and climbed the stairs to the circular dormitory that had been their home for the last four years.

Yugma, Ashleigh, Seamus, and Tara took their leave as well. The last of the older student’s made their way upstairs and at last, Harry and Hermione were alone.

They stood before the massive stone fireplace. Harry drew her to him and laced his fingers behind her neck. “You were brilliant” he smiled. “The most kind and cunning of all Prefects” he said, and was just about to kiss her when they heard the portrait swing open and someone clambering through the portrait hole. They stepped apart instinctively.

Jonathan Clift, the Head Boy, was striding toward them. Jonathan was a tall seventh-year Gryffindor with dark hair and remarkable blue eyes. Harry remembered thinking that Jonathan had a great sense of humor, but tonight he looked serious. “Glad you’re still up” he said in a few clipped words. “There is a rumor being widely circulated that the Slytherin Prefects intend to do whatever it takes to make sure that Gryffindor doesn’t win the House Cup this year.” Harry and Hermione didn’t look surprised in the least. “As Head Boy, I’m supposed to be impartial, of course, but it won’t do to have Prefects deliberately sabotaging any of the houses,” he added under his breath, “especially Gryffindor.”

“By Prefects, I assume you mean Malfoy?” asked Harry with a hint of sarcasm.

“Of course” Jonathan replied. “The thing is, I can’t do anything about it until we actually catch Malfoy doing something. I can’t give him detention or even take points from Slytherin just because he’s made threats. Do you understand?” They nodded.

“So what do you want us to do?” Hermione asked.

“Keep a close eye on your first-years and on Malfoy. Don’t let him bait you into doing anything stupid.” Jonathan said, with a meaningful look at Harry.

“Got it” said Harry with a grin. Then he and Hermione said in unison, “Constant Vigilance!” Jonathan laughed at the reference to Professor Moody and turned to leave.

As he was climbing back through the portrait hole, he turned saying, “And mind those public displays of affection!” He gave them a huge wink and disappeared. Hermione blushed to her eyebrows, but Harry laughed. He knew Jonathan would never turn them in.

It was getting late and classes would be starting bright and early in the morning. Harry walked Hermione to the door of the girl’s dormitory. “I hate the idea of spending the night apart…” he whispered into her hair. She nodded and buried her face in his chest.

“It’s only for a few months.” she said in a muffled whisper. “We’ll be back at Paravel before you know it…” She stood on tiptoe and kissed him deeply. He held her tightly for a fleeting second, and then she slipped away into the girls’ dormitory, otherwise known as “No-man’s land”. Harry laid his hand on the closed door and thought quickly to her “I love you, Hermione!” Her voice filled his head like an answer to prayer, “I love you, too” it whispered back. Turning, Harry climbed the steps to the boys’ dormitory where everyone was already asleep, including Neville Longbottom, whose familiar snores reverberated around the chamber. Harry smiled. It was good to be back.