The Boys Who Lived

Chapter 7: Of Misery & Fluff and Far Too Much Toad

The morning of September 1st rolled around as the sun began its daily ritual of rising in the early dawn. Being still very early in the morning, the residents of Number Twelve Grimmauld Place were sleeping peacefully in their beds, save two.

Mrs. Weasley busied herself cooking breakfast for the large group, knowing that once the children were awake she would be in nonstop motion until seeing them off to Hogwarts. Her hurried movements around the kitchen were watched by the large squashed faced, half kneazel, Crookshanks; he was waiting eagerly for a dropped bit of the fry-up she was currently preparing.

Two floors up, in the room shared by the two fifteen year old Gryffindor boys, Harry lay on his bed quietly thinking. The silence in the house allowed his mind to broach a topic that, until last night, he had successfully avoided. What was he going to do when he returned to Hogwarts? When his two best friends and he talked about it last night, for a while he had felt a bit removed from the conversation. The words he had spoken almost a reassurance to all three people in the room. However, once he had laid down for the night with the absence of conversation to detour him, he found he could think of nothing else.

He knew that the moment he stepped onto Platform 9 ¾ he would be the main topic of conversation. It was impossible for them not to talk about him… there were so many things to choose from, such as his “false” claims that Voldemort had returned, or his perverted relationship with Cedric, or his abuse and starvation at the hands of the Dursley’s and Harry’s favorite one of all, his mentally unstable mind and his dangerous behavior. From the moment he had found out that he was a wizard four years ago, his life had been nothing but fodder for the wizarding public.

Now, Cedric’s and his homosexual relationship was splattered all over the wizarding world. He was afraid to step onto that platform, to feel the eyes of those judging him. He wasn’t afraid very often, he didn’t feel that way to boast or puff out his chest in pride. No, it was more of an acceptance that his life would always be filled with embarrassing moments, scandals about his life and dangerous situations. However, he felt fear now; he was terrified of what his fellow Gryffindors, his friends, would think of him. Most of all, he was afraid of what Cedric would or would not say to him.

When he thought of facing Cedric, he heart sped up and his palms got sweaty, his fear by far overtaking the famed Gryffindor courage. He feared that he would get one good look at Cedric and he would launch himself into the older boys arm, trying to burrow into the warmth and security Cedric had always given to Harry. Still, after these last three weeks, he had a tiny shred of hope that Cedric would want him back and forgive Harry for what had happened.

Though a little voice in his head whispered that he had been lucky to get Cedric the first time, he wouldn’t be given a second chance. Harry had secretly wondered how he had been fortunate enough to be able to call Cedric his boyfriend. Cedric was tall, gorgeous, popular, intelligent and kind, why would he ever want Harry? He was tiny, rail thin, awkward and shy, filled with complications and hunted by the most feared dark wizard the magical world hand ever known. He was freak even by wizarding standards!

Harry heard footsteps coming up the stairs, most likely Mrs. Weasley making her round of wake-up calls to the sleeping occupants in the house. The muffled clomping the shoes made on the carpet below them, stopped at the door. He heard the aged wood creak open as Mrs. Weasley entered the room.

“Boys, it is time to get up.” She said in a motherly tone as she went to Ron’s bed first, softly trying to shake him awake.

“ ’o away!” Ron said, his voice dampened by the pillow he currently had his face shoved into. When she continued to try to wake him, he exclaimed, “Shove off!”

“Ronald Weasley, get up this instant! We need to be at King’s Cross Station in two and a half hours and there is still much to be done!”

Ron reluctantly took his face out of the pillow it rested in and pulled back the covers to stand.

Satisfied that her youngest son was awake, Mrs. Weasley turned to awake her “adopted” son next.

“It’s alright Mrs. Weasley, I’m up.” Harry stated as he sat up in his bed.

“Lovely dear, I have breakfast prepared in the kitchen so once you wash up, come down and eat.”

“Okay.”

She made her way out of the room, shutting the door as she left.

Ron’s mouth opened up, a loud yawn filled the air and he said “Guess we better get ready to go down to breakfast. If we don’t the twins are liable to have eaten all the sausages again!”

Harry laughed at the expression on Ron’s face; it was a mixture of outrage and alarm. Ron took the subject of food very seriously and when faced with not getting his fair share, he was positively fearsome.

The two boys quickly got showered and changed before heading down for breakfast. Upon entering the kitchen, they sat down at the large aged table. Harry slipped into a spot beside Hermione and across from Sirius and Remus. He quickly filled his plate and proceeded to eat, unaware of the apprehensive looks from his godfather and adopted godfather sent his way.

“So, pup, are you ready to go back to Hogwarts?” Sirius asked as he took a sip from his cup of tea, his arm lying on the back Remus’ chair, carding through his lover’s hair absently.

“Well, i’m not thrilled about what I will be going back to, but I am looking forward to being there. It’s home to me…” Harry said with a sad smile.

“Well, you know anytime you need to vent or need advice, Sirius and I will always be here for you, Harry.” Remus pledged, his soft tranquil voice a calming effect on Harry’s frazzled nerves.

“I know, Remus. Thanks.”

Remus nodded his head and returned to reading the paper in front of him.

The rest of the breakfast was spent talking and laughing. The children used their final hours of summer hols to the fullest, before the start of another grueling year. The twins took it upon themselves to entertain the masses, telling several jokes, one so dirty it made most at the table blush in embarrassment. Hermione and Ginny blushed and tried not to look at anyone in particular. Remus spit out his tea as a laugh over took him. Ron and Harry fell to the floor, laughing so hard they were crying and well Sirius… to it all in stride, sending out a barking laugh and slapping Remus on the back to prevent choking.

The twins, oblivious to the fact that their mother had returned to the kitchen a minute before, were treated to a severe lecture from Mrs. Weasley. Her hands flying, cooking spoon in hand, as she seethed with anger and threatened to wash their mouths out with soap. The twins looked properly chastised until Mrs. Weasley turned her back on them and then they gave evil grins to group, they took their leave and aparated to their bedroom.

Before long it was time to leave for King’s Cross Station. The children with Mrs. Weasley, Remus, Tonks, Shacklebolt and Sirius, as Padfoot in his animagus form, made the journey on foot to the station. Padfoot took this rare moment to play in the open air. He ran and jumped, chased birds and ran squirrels up trees. He barked incessantly at everything and rolled around on the ground, eliciting laughs from the kids and a scolding from Mrs. Weasley.

Finanlly, when they arrived at the station, they took turns in small groups to cross the hidden entrance onto Platform 9¾. Once the last of the group made it through, they moved through the crowd towards the bright red train known as the Hogwarts Express. As they did so, their movements were watched by every eye within sight, the fact that Harry Potter was there did not go unnoticed.

The mild talking on the platform before increased to a dull roar as the gossiping began.

“How dare he even show his face here?”

“… I heard that he and that Diggory kid have been together, that way, since his first year...”

“My Jenny told me that all the children are terrified of him, but they are too afraid to say something…”

“…Dumbledore is obviously protecting him; I always knew he was senile!”

The crowd talked on, no one trying in the least to quiet their accusations as Harry and his friends walked by, each glared at him as they talked. Mrs. Weasley, god love her, was staring down anyone who dared to make a move towards Harry. Padfoot was tromping through the crowd, biting and nipping anyone who hand a cross word to say about his godson.

Reaching the train, they quickly loaded their trunks and said their goodbyes.

“Now, you all be good and stay out of trouble. Fred, George, if I get one mode letter about you getting detention…” Mrs. Weasley reprimanded the twins, a finger pointed fiercely into each twins’ chest.

“Honestly mother it’s not…” Fred said.

“…our fault that…” George continued.

“…the teachers are lacking in…”

“… understanding true comedic genius!”

She glared at the twins, her narrowed eyes stared them down. They gave her identical innocent expressions and then smiled angelically. Mrs. Weasley finally gave up; it was a lost cause really. She hugged all her children, then Hermione and saved Harry for last. “Harry dear, try to be careful, I know this might be out of your control, but do try. Keep your spirits up and eat as much as you can, you are far too thin!”

“Yes, Mrs. Weasley.” Harry replied as he was enveloped into a firm hug and kissed on the forehead.

Mrs. Weasley stepped back, a few tears in her eyes and allowed Remus to step forward.

“Harry, just keep alert and mindful of those around you. Sirius and I will see you at Christmas.” Remus said and then placed a note in Harry’s hand. “Padfoot forgot to give this to you before we left. Keep safe, we love you cub!”

Remus hugged Harry, ruffling his hair slightly and smiled as he was muscled out of the way by the big black dog beside him. Padfoot wiggled in between the two and nuzzled his head into Harry’s side. Whining pitifully, he licked Harry’s hand and giving it a playful nip. Harry laughed and kneeled down to wrap his arms around his godfather.

“I love you, Padfoot. Try to keep out of trouble and not drive Remus too crazy!” Harry teased.

Padfoot gave a low growl, an offended look on his face. Harry laughed, hugging his godfather once more and was rewarded by a wet sloppy lick to the side of his face.

“It’s time to get on the train, children. Now, watch over each other and keep on your best behavior!” Mrs. Weasley said a pointed look at the twins as she did so.

Harry gave Padfoot a scratch behind his ear and hugged Remus one more time, before following the rest of his friends onto the train. They chose an empty compartment towards the back of the train and after a few minutes Ron and Hermione left to begin their duties as fifth year prefects for Gryffindor. Before long Fred and George were involved in a game of exploding snaps with Lee Jordan, would had joined them shortly after the train began the voyage to Hogwarts. Ginny had left them to go find her friends and so Harry sat back and watched the three seventh year boys as they played.

Deciding to get a little fresh air, Harry told the boys he would be back and opened the door and stepped out. Walking to the back of the train, he entering the luggage car and went through to the back and out onto the small railed ledge at the very back of the train. He stood there enjoying the peaceful quiet and closed his eyes, allowing the soothing wind surrounding him to ease his troubled mind. A few minutes later he heard the door open and turned around to see Cedric standing in front of him.

“Cedric?” Harry questioned, surprised by the older Hufflepuff’s appearance. He had expected Cedric to be at Hogwarts already, not on the train with the students.

“Hello, Harry.” Cedric said.

o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o

Cedric was sitting in the last seating compartment on the train thinking about his life over the last few months. His life had taken a sharp turn, for the better, just before the end of his seventh year at Hogwarts. As Harry and he had grown closer, Cedric had felt more at peace with himself that he had ever been. Harry was everything he hoped to one day to have in a boyfriend and Cedric was thrilled at the chance to make Harry his. The pull he felt whenever the younger boy was near, made him gravitate to Harry, seeking out his company at every chance.

When summer came along and he was away from Harry, he worried that Harry would not miss him as much as Cedric did. Writing him was the only way he could make sure Harry knew he was in Cedric’s thoughts. In those letters written back and forth, he was amazed at the depth of feelings they had written to each other. Though not coming out right and saying how they felt, they had expressed how much they missed each other and couldn’t wait until Cedric was back in England. Also in those letters, they began to get to know the other even more; sharing stories about themselves that they rarely told others.

Once he was back in England and they spent the day together, Cedric was sure more than ever, that Harry was exactly what he wanted. That night in Harry’s room, the kissed they shared unlocked the tight rein on his lust for the young Gryffindor. Those soft kissable lips tasted sweet against his. The body attached to those lips made him burn to press Harry up against the wall near them and make Harry scream Cedric’s name as he came. The thought of those lips crying out his name and no one else’s made the ache so much more intense. But, they had been interrupted by that pathetic family who abused Harry and withheld so much from him.

His relatives were another issue he still was angry over. Cedric was livid that Harry was forced to stay there summer after summer, deprived of food and love for no reason. He had even gone so far to talk to his father about the problem… of course that had been before the Daily Prophet had delivered the one secret that would drive his father and his relationship to sever forever.

That day he had been blissfully unaware, up in his bedroom getting dressed for the day. His bedroom door had been flung open and his father stormed in before slamming him up against a nearby wall, shoving the paper in his face. On the cover was a sight he had hoped never to see, or at least much later in the future when he was prepared for his father’s hatred.

“What the fuck is this?!” Yelled his father as his forearm pressed into Cedric’s windpipe, cutting of his air supply. “My son cannot be a bloody queer, I will not allow it!”

Cedric stared in horror as his father’s face contorted into rage, his veins near bursting and his face turning a deep red as his anger exploded. Cedric felt his head slammed into the wall behind him and then he was thrown to the floor as his father kicked him in the side several times.

“I will not be embarrassed by a son that is a pansy arsed pillow biter. Get your things and leave this house and don’t comeback. I no longer have a son anymore.” He said as he delivered once last kick to Cedric’s side, a crack filled the air as a rib was broken with the final kick.

With one last disgusted look, his father walked out of the bedroom without a second glance.

Cedric had laid there for a while, in too much pain to move. The shock and fear making his mind scream, asking what he was going to do. His heart ached with pain at his father’s betrayal; not only at his disowning of Cedric but, in the blows he had inflicted on his body. He had known his father wouldn’t be able to accept him being gay, but he had never thought he would go so far as to physically attack him.

After a few minutes, Cedric pushed himself off the floor, groaning in pain as his side flared up in pain from the wounds. Taking a couple deep breaths to steady him, Cedric went to his closet and pulled out a special trunk with five compartments spelled to be several times its normal size. With his wand, he spelled his things to begin packing themselves. Quickly his room turned from a tidy, but over filled bedroom, to a bare room with nothing but a queen four poster bed, a wardrobe and a desk. One final look around his room, he had aparated from his home for the last time.

From that moment until coming to King’s Cross Station, he had spent at the Leaky Cauldron, holed up in his room thinking about what he was going to do and healing from his injuries. That first afternoon he had received a letter from Harry asking how he was; saying he was sorry about what happened. In his pain, he had sent Harry a short note telling him he need time to think. The three weeks at the Leaky Cauldron had crawled by and throughout it he had wallowed in his pain. He didn’t think about the fact that Harry was going through what he was and so much more. He hadn’t read the article about Harry and he or any other papers in the following weeks, unaware of how Harry was being blamed and ridiculed by the wizarding public. It had all been thrown in his face when he had arrived at the train station and looked on in anger and grief that his Harry had to again be persecuted for something he couldn’t control.

Harry had suffered more than his fair share of pain and humiliation and when he needed Cedric most, Cedric had abandoned him for his own selfish reasons. At that moment he had made a vow that he would protect Harry, try and keep him from feeling the betrayal of the public that had revered him not too long ago. Even if Harry could never forgive Cedric for his abandonment, Cedric would be as much to Harry as the younger boy would allow.

It was with that last thought that he had watched as Harry passed him compartment and walked on. Cedric knew that the only part left of the train was the luggage car. With a frown, Cedric had stood up, saying he’d be back to the seventh years he had been sitting with and left to follow Harry. Entering the car, he looked around and didn’t see him. Thinking for a moment that maybe he had missed Harry turn around and go back they way he’d come, Cedric turned and began to leave the car. But, with a smile he realized that there was a small area at the back of the train where people could stand outside. He walked to the back door and opened it. Harry at the noise of the door opening, turned around and his eyes widened in shock.

“Cedric?” Harry asked, a frown marring his beautiful face.

“Hello, Harry.” Cedric said a hopeful smile on his lips.

Harry stood looking at Cedric, the frown still on his face as he nibbled his bottom lip.

“What are you doing here; I thought you would be up at the castle with the teachers?” He questioned.

“No, Headmaster Dumbledore wanted me to arrive with the students.” Cedric said. When he had been visited by the older wizard he couldn’t understand why Dumbledore hadn’t relayed his message through owl post instead of visiting. When Headmaster Dumbledore had told him he would be traveling on the train to Hogwarts instead of aparating or by portkey, he found it strange, but accepted it. The wizard had spoken briefly about Harry, but Cedric had been too caught up in his own problems to be company and so the headmaster had left after a short visit. However, now it was apparent why he chose to visit… the meddling wizard had orchestrated their meeting.

“How are you, Harry?”

“I’m fine, nothing I can’t handle.” Harry replied his voice and face trying to put up a brave front.

Cedric stared at Harry for a moment and then said quietly, “I wanted to say I am sorry, Harry. I shouldn’t have treated like I have been.”

o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0oo

Harry nearly missed the apology; the words were spoken so quietly that the howling wind around them almost carried the sound before he could hear it. His frown deepened once he understood what Cedric had said. Why would Cedric apologize? It was Harry’s fault that everything had happened, not Cedric’s. The older boy had reacted like anyone would have after something like that.

“Cedric, it’s not your fault, it’s mine. I’m more trouble than I’m worth. This would have never have happened if you hadn’t been dating me… It’s me would should be asking your forgiveness!”

Cedric elegant face turned into a frown for a moment before becoming a scowl. He then pulled Harry against his body, wrapping his arms around Harry’s smaller frame and looked down into Harry’s face.

“Harry, stop blaming yourself. This is not your fault. You couldn’t help what happened and you are not to blame for it. My being gay was going to come out sooner or later and my father was going to do what he did whether it was printed in the Daily Prophet or the news had come from my mouth.” Cedric raised one hand to cup Harry’s cheek and said, “I am the one who owes you an apology.”

Harry opened his mouth to deny the words, but Cedric used his hand to cover Harry’s mouth. Once Harry closed his mouth, Cedric rubbed his thumb against Harry’s lips, looking at them for a moment with desire in his eyes.

“I shouldn’t have left you; abandoned you after what happened. I was selfish and thought only of myself after the article came out. You were being torn apart by ruthless politicians and morally lacking reporters; betrayed by the people you have saved so often and I wasn’t there to stand beside you. I should have been there to hold you and love you, to keep you safe, but I wasn’t. I am so sorry, that I failed you, Harry!”

Pulling Harry into a firm hug, Cedric ran his fingers through the hair at Harry’s nape and kissed his forehead. Harry felt tears leak out from his closed eyes and wrapped his arms around Cedric’s waist, holding onto the support he offered. Then lead looked up into Cedric’s eyes.

“Cedric, you had a private and personal thing about you, printed all over the wizarding world. Your family was thrown into something you didn’t want them to have to go through and so of course you took time for yourself. It was a huge mess and you needed time to make sense of it all. You did what any normal person would have done. I don’t think you need to be forgiven for doing something you needed, but if you feel like I need to forgive you, then you’re forgiven.” Harry stated and then lifted up on the balls of his feet and kissed Cedric.

The kiss took over them, their mouths fusing together, tongues dancing against each other. With the kiss, their passion and lust took over, their time apart fueling the flames that licked at their heels. Harry lifted his arms to drape around Cedric’s neck, holding him close to Harry as the kiss deepened. Cedric’s hands wandered down Harry’s waist and around to his back, placing one at the small of Harry back, the other lowering to cup a firm cheek on Harry’s arse.

Harry mewed in pleasure as their growing erections rubbed together, bringing forth a shiver that raced throughout his body. At the mew, Cedric backed up through the door to the luggage car behind them, closing the door after he did so. Then he put his other hand onto Harry’s arse, lifting him up off his feet as Harry wrapped his legs around Cedric’s waist.

Cedric pressed Harry’s back against the wall of the car, bringing their cock’s together again. They both moaned at the contact and thrust against each other, crying out in pleasure from the movement. Pulling his lips away from Harry, Cedric stared at the beautiful creature in his arms, astounded that he was allowed to touch someone so extraordinary.

“Baby, you are so beautiful… you make me so hard…” He whispered as his licked and nipped the slender alabaster skin on Harry’s neck. Sucking the skin, he marked it, claiming Harry to all who saw the mark. Harry was his, his to protect, his to love, his to cherish, his to lick, his to kiss, his to fuck… HIS! “Mine! You’re mine, Harry…” He murmured as he thrusted harder against Harry, their groans mingling into a continuous groan of pleasure.

“Yours! Always yours!” Harry cried as he felt a wonderful tingle rush through his body, signaling his coming orgasm.

Cedric pounded against Harry, the action sending Harry slamming against the wall behind him over and over again. The rhythmic thumping plain to anyone who heard, that they were in the throes of passion, moving together to achieve only one goal. A sweet, blindly perfect, heart stopping, make you want to cry out its so good, orgasm!

With a nearly silent squeak, Harry came, pulsing into his boxers and tightening his grip on Cedric’s neck. Cedric gave five more forceful thrusts before he reached his orgasm, cumming so hard he felt like he would pass out from the pleasure. As they both stayed there, basking in the afterglow of a truly superb orgasm, Cedric brought his lips to Harry’s. He slipped his tongue in between those bruised lips, tasting the unique flavor that was all Harry.

“God, I missed you!” Harry groaned as he pulled back a little bit and stared into Cedric’s eyes.

“I’m sorry; I was such an idiot to stay away from you!” Cedric whispered as he placed little kisses on each of Harry’s eyelids and the tip of his nose and back down to his lips. “I promise I won’t do that again… nothing will take me away from you again. I love you.”

Harry opened his eyes, too stunned to say anything. He loved him? Cedric loved him? “Really?!” He asked, hoping he hadn’t heard him wrong.

“Yes, really… I have for a while but, was to idiotic to do anything about it.” Cedric answered, and smiled placing another kiss on Harry’s lips. “I love you, Harry.”

The radiant smile that burst from Harry, near blinding in its intensity, caused Cedric’s to grow.

“I love you too!” Harry breathed as he brought Cedric back to him, pressing their bodies tightly together. Arms wrapped around Cedric’s neck, he kissed Cedric’s lips, lapping the lips playfully with his pink tongue, causing a moan to escape from those lips. “I love you. I love you. I love you.”

“Good because you’re not getting rid of me!”

Giggling, Harry continued to kiss and lick to his heart’s content. They stayed there for a while, enjoying the pleasure the other inspired in them, until the five minute warning bell sounded. Groaning in dismay, Cedric placed one last kiss on Harry’s mouth and then put the smaller boy down. Using his wand he did a quick scourgify on himself and then on Harry. Then putting an arm around Harry’s waist, he them led from the luggage car.

They made a quick stop at Cedric’s compartment to get his things and then went on to where Harry had left his friends. Entering, Harry saw that Hermione and Ron were done with their prefect duties. Walking inside they were greeted by everyone, Harry’s friends all had an identical knowing look on their faces.

“Hi, Harry, Cedric.” Hermione said as she moved down on the seat as much as she could for them to sit down.

The seat was barely enough for one person to sit down, so Cedric sat down and pulled Harry onto his lap, wrapping his arms around his waist and resting them on Harry’s lower stomach.

“Hey.” Harry said with a smile.

The compartment was silent for a few seconds and then one of the twins said, “So, i’m guessing from the way you look you got back together?”

At Harry’s questioning look, Hermione laughed and reached over to straighten Harry’s clothes and run her fingers through his messier than usual hair. When Harry’s blush the rest of them laughed.

Cedric chuckled and he whispered into Harry ear, “You look adorable, all flushed and debauched like this. It makes me want to take you back there and have my way with you again!”

Harry’s blushed even more and burrowed his head into Cedric’s neck in embarrassment, but also pleasure at Cedric’s words. The group laughed even more at Harry’s deeper blush, wondering what exactly Cedric had said to make him turn that shade.

“Harry, you better put your robe on, we’re just about there.” Hermione said as the train began to slow down.

Harry reluctantly moved from Cedric’s lap and put on his robe. Picking up his bag from the over head shelf, he took the hand Cedric offered and left the train, his friends following behind him.

They made their way to the horseless drawn carriages and Cedric, Harry, Hermione and Ron got into one. The slow ride from the train station to the castle was spent talking about the upcoming school year, or the welcoming feast from Ron. During the ride, Cedric had an arm wrapped around Harry’s shoulders as Harry leaned into Cedric’s side, laying his head on the strong shoulder beneath it. They stayed that way until the carriage reached the castle and they stepped down to walk into the main entrance where the feast was about to begin.

o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o

As the students walked into the Great Hall for the feast, Harry noticed all the teachers had assembled at the head table except one, Hagrid was nowhere to be seen.

“Where’s Hagrid?” Harry questioned.

“Don’t know, mate. Maybe he’s on a mission for the Order or something.” Ron answered quietly as they walked to the Gryffindor table to sit.

Harry realized Cedric was following him and turned around and asked, “Aren’t you supposed to sit at the head table or something?”

“No. Headmaster Dumbledore said that even though I am not a student, i’m not a teacher either and I shouldn’t have to sit around with a bunch of boring old fuddy-duddies. So I can sit wherever I like.” Cedric answered.

Hermione, with a shocked looked on her face she exclaimed, “Cedric, just because they are old and boring doesn’t mean you can be disrespectful!”

Laughing, Cedric said, “Hermione, those were his words, not mine.”

“Oh, okay, I guess its fine then…” Hermione replied as the wind was knocked from her overgrown sails.

Harry and Ron laughed, Hermione sent them a scathing glare and plopped down onto the bench and proceeded to ignore them. Ron chose to sit beside her even though she paid no attention to him, while Harry and Cedric sat directly across the table from them.

“I wonder who that is?” asked Hermione as she stared at the head table.

Sitting at the head table beside Professor Snape was a small toad like woman with a wide overly large flat face, short perfectly coifed hair with tiny pink bows in it and a sickeningly sweet expression on her. She was speaking to Snape and from whatever she was saying it was he irritating him, if the scowl on his face and the glare he was sending her, were anything it judge it by. The woman was either ignoring the looks he was sending her or was completely oblivious, because she just kept on talking.

“Maybe she’s the new DADA teacher?” Harry mused.

“I think she is, from what I understand she was sent from the Ministry… Dumbledore said something about not finding a teacher in enough time, so they sent a Ministry approved teacher to fill the position.” Cedric said as he placed an arm on Harry’s shoulders and pulled him against his side.

They all continued to look at her and wondered what exactly the Ministry was up to. Before long all the students had arrived and the first years came tromping through the huge wood doors, Professor McGonagall preceding them. The professor took out a battered three legged stool and put the old, dirty, age worn sorting hat upon it. Then the sorting hat began to sing its yearly song. When the song was finished, the sorting of the houses began and the hat calling out various houses as first years put it on their heads.

Once sorting ended, Dumbledore stood to his feast and encouraged the students to eat just as a banquet of food appeared on each table. At this, Ron gave exclaimed, “finally, I’m starving!” to which the students within earshot laughed.

At the end of the feast, Dumbledore stood up once again and silently commanded their attention. “It is my great honor to welcome you all to another year. I just have a few words to say, so if you will indulge me. The Forbidden Forest is just that, forbidden. First years please make note of this, a few returning students might need to do so as well. Mr. Filch, our caretaker, has informed me he has added a few more things to the list of objects forbidden within the castle. I believe the list now stands at five hundred and thirteen items as of last count. You may find a current list at Mr. Flich’s office, if you feel so inclined.”

Some students, as in Fred and George Weasley, took the list as a challenge and every year tried to find new and interesting ways to add to the list. Some items on the list were absolutely harmless and boring, but used in the hands of the Weasley twins; they were a tool of pure pranking genius.

“Furthermore, I would like inform you of some slight changes in the teaching staff. I am pleased to invite back Professor Grubbly‐Plank, who will be taking Care of Magical Creatures lessons. Also, I would like you all to welcome our new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher, Professor Delores Umbridge. Now, the tryouts for quidditch will be held-”

Dumbledore was interrupted by a soft “hem, hem” as Professor Umbridge stood to her full height, which as it was, brought her up no more than two inches from the height she had while sitting. He looked inquiringly to her. She smiled sweetly to him and began to speak. Her speech was a long winded diatribe of criticisms of the headmaster and the teaching staff, incased in a sweetly implied demeanor and overly forced smiles. She spoke of the Ministry’s interest in Hogwarts curriculum and what was in the best interests of the students attending. She went on to talk about keeping traditions and not making changes to curriculum for unfounded reasons, about accountability and pruning of outdated or new changes that should be prohibited.

When she finished, she sat down with a beaming smile on her face as if she had informed them all of some greatly over looked travesty. All those in the hall had varying looks on their faces. Some, like the teaching staff, had barely controlled outraged looks on their faces at her audacity. Others, like the slytherin students, had smug grins and a knowing look in their eyes. Others had confused expressions, having completely missed the point of the speech.

“What was she going on about?” Ron said sporting a baffled expression, having not understood her thinly veiled message.

Harry and Cedric glanced at Ron and nearly laughed, with his confused expression as he ran a hand through his hair, it was clear he hadn’t caught her meaning.

“She saying that the Ministry is trying to meddle in the way Hogwarts operates.” Hermione said through clenched teeth.

“Oh.” Ron said as all four students looked up at the woman who would more than likely make this year at the very least difficult for them.