Chapter 5Chapter Text
Harry made up his mind. It was now or never.
He strode quickly towards his compartment, which was just a few doors down.
The decision formed in his mind before he could second guess it. If Malfoy really was up to something, he would find out.
"Just need to grab something from my trunk," he said casually, sliding the door open.
"Everything alright, mate?" Ron asked, looking up from where he was attempting to teach Neville Exploding Snap.
"Yeah, fine. Just need to take care of something."
Harry rummaged through his trunk, his fingers closing around the familiar silk of his invisibility cloak. He also grabbed the Peruvian Instant Darkness Powder he had picked up from Fred and George.
"Won't be long," he said, already heading back toward the door.
Ginny caught his eye, a questioning look on her face. "Harry?"
"Just... stretching my legs," he said, trying to sound casual. "The compartment's a bit stuffy."
She didn't look entirely convinced, but nodded. Harry slipped out into the corridor, his heart already beginning to beat with excitement.
The train seemed different as he moved toward the rear carriages. The corridors grew quieter, the laughter and chatter of students fading behind him. Harry ducked into an empty compartment and quickly threw the invisibility cloak over himself, the familiar sensation of settling over his shoulders.
Moving through the train under the cloak required careful navigation. There weren't too many students moving around, but Harry still had to press himself against the wall a few times to avoid getting bumped into.
Harry managed to catch up to Zabini, who was lazily wandering his way back. After a minute, he was finally at his destination. Zabini grabbed the handle with a firm grip and slid the compartment door open.
Harry crept closer, his feet silent on the carpeted floor. He stood right behind Zabini, a single step backward could ruin his plan.
As Zabini walked through, Harry followed. And when Zabini turned to close the door. Harry quickly dove under his arm, holding tightly onto the cloak.
Harry quickly backed away into an empty corner. Standing still and trying to blend into the shadows.
"So Zabini" Malfoy drawled. "What did Slughorn want?"
"Just trying to make some connections," Zabini said, settling down across Malfoy. "Not that there were too many good ones to make there."
"Who did he invite then?" Malfoy asked, displeased.
"Well the expected ones, McLaggen, Belby, some older students with promise… And Potter too."
"A waste of time then." Malfoy said with an upturned nose.
"Oh and that Bones girl too… So at least there was something nice to look at." Zabini said with a slight smirk. "Too bad she was making eyes at Potter the whole time."
"She's just a filthy blood traitor." Malfoy said dismissively. "Maybe once things are a little different she will learn who to admire."
Harry felt anger rise inside him. He knew this was not the time, but they would get what was coming to them one day.
"I do pity Slughorn's taste. It's a shame really, my father always said he was a good wizard. My father used to be a bit of a favorite of his. Maybe he hasn't heard I'm on the train."
"I wouldn't bank on an invitation," Zabini added. "He asked me about Nott's father when I first arrived. Old friends apparently, but when he learned he'd been caught by the ministry he didn't look too pleased, and Nott didn't get an invite, did he? Don't think Slughorn's interested in Death Eaters."
Malfoy looked angry, but forced out a humorless laugh.
"Well who cares about what he's interested in anyway. What is he really when it comes down to it? Just some old has-been."
"Besides." Malfoy yawned. "I might not even be at Hogwarts next year."
Harry felt puzzled by Malfoy's words.
"What do you mean you might not be at Hogwarts next year?" Goyle added from the side.
"Well you never know, I might have moved on to bigger and better things…" Draco said with a whisper.
Harry inched closer, trying to burn every word into his memory.
"Do you mean - Him?" Zabini asked carefully.
Malfoy shrugged.
"Mother wants me to complete my education, but personally, I don't see it as that important these days. I mean, think about it... When the Dark Lord takes over, is he going to care how many O.W.L.s or N.E.W.T.s anyone's got? Of course he isn't... It'll be all about the kind of service he received, the level of devotion he was shown."
"And you think you'll be able to do anything for him? I mean we're still sixteen, not exactly qualified either."
"Well maybe the job I'll do doesn't require qualifications." Malfoy said quietly.
Crabbe and Goyle sat there with their mouths hanging open and Harry felt vindicated. He knew something was up with Malfoy and this confirmed it.
"I can see Hogwarts." Said Malfoy, clearly relishing the effect he had created. "Better get our robes on"
As the others started preparing their robes, Crabbe suddenly stood up and started walking right at Harry. At that moment Harry noticed the bag next to his feet and connected the dots. Just as Crabbe was about to run into Harry, he put his foot out next to Crabbe's ankle, and in that instant the boy started falling over.
As Crabbe hit the ground Harry threw out the Peruvian instant darkness powder onto the floor. The room was suddenly engulfed in a strange mist like darkness.
"What the hell is this?!" Malfoy screamed
"Crabbe? Was that you? I can't see anything." Zabini asked.
Harry quickly jumped over Crabbe and made his way to the compartment door. He opened it quickly, but as quietly as possible and practically sprinted down the hall. It was a miracle he was able to find the handle while blinded.
He could faintly hear Malfoy and Zabini rummaging and yelling in the background, trying to open a window or find the door.
Harry ducked into an empty compartment on the way back and threw the cloak off. He breathed heavily and tried to get his heart beat back to normal. He felt a few drops of sweat run down his brow and tried to make himself as presentable as possible before heading back out.
Harry made his way back to his compartment looking as normal as he could. Although he could still feel his raging pulse in his ears, and couldn't focus on anything but replaying Malfoy's words over in his head.
"Harry! Where have you been? We're almost at Hogwarts and you don't even have your robes on!" Hermione said with surprise.
"Better get a move on mate!" Ron exclaimed and turned to him. "You alright mate? You look a little pale?"
Ginny was studying his face intently, her brown eyes searching. "Harry, what happened?"
"Nothing," Harry said quickly, settling back into his seat next to Ginny. "Just... got a bit lost, actually. The back of the train all looks the same."
"Lost?" Hermione's eyebrows rose. "On the Hogwarts Express? Harry, we've taken this train six times."
"Yeah, well," Harry ran a hand through his hair, a nervous gesture that made Ginny's frown deepen. "I wasn't really paying attention to where I was going."
Ron was still looking at him oddly. "You sure you're alright, mate?"
"I'm fine," Harry insisted, though he was fairly certain he didn't sound convincing. "Really. Just... ready to get to Hogwarts, you know?"
Ginny's hand found his under the table, squeezing gently. The gesture was both comforting and questioning, and Harry squeezed back, hoping to reassure her.
"I'll go get changed." Harry said, gathering his things and making his way into the next compartment to change.
Once Harry was alone he was finally able to get his heart rate to normal and process what he had heard. The conversation hadn't mentioned any specifics, but the fact the dark lord was even brought up made Harry wonder. Should he tell Dumbledore? Or would he just push his concerns aside and tell him things we're under control?
A few minutes later, once he felt the train begin to slow, he made his way back. And they began disembarking the Express.
The platform was darker than usual, evening air carrying the scent of pines. Harry walked with the others, the familiar sounds of students reuniting after summer mixing with Hagrid's voice calling for first years.
"Is that Tonks over there?" Ron asked, spotting a figure with shifting hair colors among a small group of Aurors.
"Yeah," Harry replied, waving to her. She waved back with a smile, her hair changing from brown to blonde.
"Nice to see a friendly face," Ginny said as they made their way to the carriages.
They found the Thestral-drawn carriages waiting. Harry sat next to Ginny for the ride up to the castle, all six of them fitting into one carriage. The conversation was quieter than usual, but not uncomfortable - more like everyone was settling back into the rhythm of returning to school.
"Good to be back," Neville said as Hogwarts came into view.
"Always is," Hermione agreed softly.
At the gates, they had to disembark again. Professor Flitwick stood waiting, clipboard in hand.
"Names, please," Flitwick said curtly.
"You know me, Professor?" Harry said, confused by the formality.
"No exceptions, Potter."
An uncomfortable silence followed.
Filius cleared his throat. "Okay very well, in you go Potter."
They moved forward to be checked before being allowed into the castle proper.
The Great Hall felt warm and welcoming, golden light and floating candles creating their familiar magical atmosphere. The tables bustled with talking students.
As they took their seats at the Gryffindor table, Harry found himself scanning the faces of his fellow students. They all looked older somehow, more serious than they had the previous year. The war was touching everyone, even if they didn't want to admit it.
"At least the food's still good," Ron said, loading his plate with shepherd's pie the moment it appeared. "Some things never change."
"Is that all you can think about?" Hermione sighed.
"What? I'm hungry!" Ron said, slightly offended.
Harry was only half-listening to their conversation. Under the table, Ginny had found his hand again, and was tracing small patterns on his palm with her fingertips. It was distracting in the best possible way.
"You're thinking too hard," Ginny murmured, leaning closer so her words were meant for his ears alone. "I can practically hear the gears turning in your head."
"Just processing," Harry replied quietly, turning his hand palm-up so she could intertwine their fingers properly. "It's been a long day."
"It has." she agreed, and there was something in her tone that made him look at her more closely.
The meal proceeded with the usual enthusiasm, though Harry noticed a slight undercurrent of tension within some older students.
"Pass the potatoes?" Ron asked around a mouthful of roast beef.
"Here," Hermione said, but her attention was focused on the high table. "I wonder if that man next to Dumbledore is that new Professor Slughorn?"
"Well as long as it's not another ministry official, We've had enough of those." Ron muttered.
Harry was about to respond when he felt Ginny's hand on his thigh under the table, her fingers tracing small patterns that made his concentration scatter. When he turned to look at her, she was innocently taking a sip of her pumpkin juice, but there was a small smile playing at the corners of her mouth.
"Something funny?" he murmured.
"Just thinking," she said, still not looking at him directly but letting her hand drift higher on his leg. "About how much I've missed having you around."
Harry felt his cheeks warm, and he was grateful for the dim lighting in the Great Hall. "Ginny..."
"What?" she asked innocently, finally turning to meet his eyes. "I'm just being friendly."
"Friendly," Harry repeated, trying to ignore the way her touch was making his pulse race. "Right."
"Very friendly," she confirmed, and the look in her brown eyes made Harry's breath catch.
"On second thought, I don't have much of an appetite." Ron said, having caught the glances between the two.
"Oh come off it Ron. When, or if, you finally manage to get a girlfriend you can't expect me to get mad at you too." Ginny rolled her eyes.
"Thank you for the vote of confidence…" Ron said, and threw his fork down on the plate.
A short while after the Sorting Hat was brought out and Professor McGonagall began calling the first years forward. Harry mindlessly clapped at all the new students, his eyes drifting over to the slytherin table every now and then.
Before the hat was taken away, it broke into song one final time - not its usual welcome, but something more urgent about unity between the houses and standing together in dark times.
When the last first year had been sorted into Ravenclaw, Dumbledore rose from his seat at the high table. The Great Hall fell silent, hundreds of faces turning toward the headmaster.
"Good evening to you all," Dumbledore said, his voice carrying easily through the hall without amplification, "and welcome to another year at Hogwarts."
He paused, his blue eyes sweeping over the assembled students, and Harry felt that familiar sense of comfort that came from being in Dumbledore's presence.
"What happened to his hand?" Hermione whispered, looking at Dumbledore's blackened and withered hand. She was not the only one to notice, as whispers spread throughout the room.
"I don't know, it was like that over the summer. Thought it would have been fixed by now." Harry said, somewhat worried.
Dumbledore could hear the whispers and knew what they were about. "Nothing to worry about" He said with a smile.
"Now, to our new students, welcome. And to our older students, welcome back! To another year at Hogwarts." He spoke with a kind tone.
"Let me introduce the newest member of our staff, Horace Slughorn." He gestured toward the teachers' table. "Professor Slughorn has agreed to resume his old post as potions master. Meanwhile the post of defence against the dark arts, will be taken by Professor Snape.."
The reaction to this announcement was immediate and varied. The Slytherin table erupted in cheers, while the other houses responded with more mixed reactions. Harry wondered what Snape's defence lessons would be like, not that they could get much worse than the potions classes.
"Now as you know, each and everyone of you was searched upon your arrival here and you deserve to know why."
Dumbledore's voice grew more serious.
"Once there was a young man who, like you, sat in this very Hall. Walked this castle's corridors. Slept beneath its roof. He seemed, to all the world, a student like any other. His name? Tom Riddle"
The Great Hall was silent now, all eyes intently watching Dumbledore.
"Today, of course, the world knows him by another name. Which is why, as I stand looking out upon you all tonight, I am reminded of a sobering fact. Every day, every hour, this very minute perhaps, dark forces attempt to penetrate this castle's walls. But in the end, their greatest weapon... is you"
"Now with that, off to bed pip pip!" Dumbledore ended on a more cheerful note.
With that, he clapped his hands together, and the copious amounts of food and drink coating the tables disappeared. The students all stood up and the prefects started herding up the first years to show them to the dorms.
As Harry and the others were preparing to leave they were interrupted by a commotion at the Hufflepuff table - Susan Bones was making her way over toward them, weaving between the benches with a smile on her face.
"Harry!" she called out with a wave as she approached the Gryffindor table. Harry could see a large amount of gazes on her as she walked.
"I was hoping to catch you before everyone headed to their dormitories."
"Susan," Harry said. Ginny looked over too, though she didn't seem bothered by the interruption. "How was the rest of your journey?"
"Oh, fine," Susan said. "Strange seeing Aurors here but I suppose it's for the better.."
"Well we're here now, that's what matters." Harry spoke.
"Yes," Susan said, with a slight smile. "And I was wondering... you mentioned studying together? I know we have several of the same NEWT classes, and I thought perhaps we could help each other out."
Before Harry could respond, Ginny leaned forward with a bright smile.
"That's a wonderful idea! Harry could definitely use the help in some subjects - he's brilliant at Defense and Charms, but his Transfiguration essays could use work."
"Ginny?" Harry was confused, though not that he minded.
"What? It's true," Ginny said with a laugh. "And I'm sure Susan is excellent at Transfiguration. At least that's what I've heard."
Susan blushed slightly at the compliment. "I do enjoy it, yes. And Harry, you have practical experience that the rest of us could benefit from."
"I wouldn't say that," Harry said modestly, though he was pleased by her words.
"Oh, please," Ginny said, rolling her eyes. "False modesty doesn't suit you, Harry. You've faced You-Know-Who multiple times and lived to tell the tale. I think that counts as practical experience."
"Ginny's right," Susan said earnestly. "And I was thinking... Perhaps we could form a study group? Even invite some others if you'd like? We could meet in the library, or find an empty classroom..."
"That sounds perfect," Ginny said enthusiastically, and Harry noticed that she seemed genuinely excited about the idea rather than merely being polite. "I'd love to join, if you don't mind having a fifth year tagging along."
"Not at all," Susan assured her. "The more perspectives, the better. And you're advanced for your year anyway, from what I've heard."
"So it's settled then? We'll start once we've gotten our schedules sorted out?" Ginny said with a pleased tone and a slight blush on her face.
"Sounds like a plan," Harry agreed, finding himself looking forward to it more than he would have expected. Susan was intelligent, pleasant company, not to mention one of the prettiest girls in school. And the idea of spending time studying with both her and Ginny was... appealing in ways he didn't want to examine too closely just yet.
"Wonderful," Susan said, clasping her hands together with obvious delight. The action made her body move in ways that made Harry struggle to concentrate.
"I should get back to my table before Professor Sprout notices I'm missing, but I'm so looking forward to this."
She gave them both a warm smile and made her way back toward the Hufflepuff table, pausing once to wave goodbye.
"She seems nice," Ginny observed, watching Susan's retreating figure with an expression that Harry couldn't quite read.
"She is," Harry agreed. "Very down-to-earth, despite everything she's been through."
Ginny turned to look at him more directly. "Everything she's been through?"
"Her aunt," Harry said quietly. "Amelia Bones. She was killed by Voldemort this summer."
Ginny's expression softened immediately. "Oh. I didn't realize... that's terrible."
"Yeah," Harry said. "But she seems to be handling it well. Better than I would, probably."
"You handle things better than you think," Ginny said, her voice gentle. She found his hand again, squeezing gently. "and I think this little study group will be good for the both of us. A lot of possibilities and such."
There was something in Ginny's tone that made Harry look at her more closely, but before he could analyze it further, Professor McGonagall was standing at the head table, calling for the students' attention.
"First years, please follow your prefects to your dormitories," she announced. "All other students, please make your way to your common rooms in an orderly fashion. Classes begin tomorrow at eight o'clock sharp."
The Great Hall began to empty, students streaming toward the exits in waves of house colors. Harry walked back to the dorms and enjoyed the familiar sights of Hogwarts, finally feeling like he was home.