The train pulled into Hogsmeade station shortly after Neville calmed me down. We exited the train together and found Hermione and Ron walking alone. They figured Harry was already heading up to the Castle so we just walked together and sat down at the table together. Ginny joined us with Dean, so it was the six of us sitting alone for a hot minute until Seamus came over and sat opposite Hermione. However, by the sorting, there was still no Harry.
"Where is he?" Hermione spoke nervously.
"He's probably talking to Pomfrey or something, you know his tendency of getting hurt, on the train rides," I said as the last student got sorted and McGonagall took the hat away and Dumbledore clapped his hands so the food could appear on the table.
"Still, it doesn't feel right." Hermione shifted in her seat, not touching a bit of food, while Ron starts filling his plate and mouth with food. I was locked in a conversation with Neville about Quidditch (I was very excited to be able to play again now that I am all healed and can officially play again) when Hermione tapped my shoulder and asked me a question.
"Are you sure Harry was with Slughorn? You know, earlier on the train?"
"Yes, Mione. I'm sure." I said taking another bite of mashed potatoes. "Quit overthinking everything and enjoy the feast. Look at Ron, he's clearly not too worried." I pointed at my twin who had his mouth half-full with a dessert. That was clearly not the right thing to do because Hermione grabbed a book from her bag and started beating Ron's shoulder with it.
"Will. You. Stop. Eating? Your best friend is missing!"
"Oi! Turn around you lunatic!" Ron said aiming his spoon towards the Great Hall doors where Harry was walking in, the sleeves of his robe covered in blood and he was holding a bloody tissue up to his nose.
"He's covered in blood again. Why is it he's always covered in blood?" Ginny remarked. I chuckled at her comment and replied.
"He is Harry bloody Potter, so I guess that's why." Ginny nearly went into a laughing fit, choking on the food making Dean slap her on the back. "Sorry, Ginny. I didn't realize you were taking a bite of food.
"It's okay, I deserve it after what I said last night." Ginny reached over and took my hand. "I didn't mean it, you know that right?"
"I know, Gin. I know." I reached over and took her hand causing both Dean and Neville to awe at our apology to each other.
"Very best of evenings, to you all!" Dumbledore said beginning his start of year speech. "First off, let me introduce the newest member of our staff. Horace Slughorn. Professor Slughorn, I'm happy to say that he has agreed to resume his old post as Potions Master. Meanwhile, the last opening in our staff for the position of Defence Against the Dark Arts will be taken by Professor Snape."
"S-Snape is teaching Dark Arts?" Neville spoke with a slight hint of fear. As much as Neville has grown out of his scardy cat shell, he is still timid around Snape. Seeing as Snape has practically bullied Neville since we arrived here in 1991.
"Don't worry, Nev. You will be great in class. Just remember all we learned in the DA last year, and how brave you were in June!"
"Yeah, you're right." He said, sounding not even the slightest bit relieved. I scanned the rest of the Hall trying to see what other students might need some cheering on during the next year and locked my eyes on the Slytherin table where Draco was sitting. Normally he was talking with his friends and laughing, except tonight he was just staring at his empty plate as if he wasn't even present.
"Now, as you know," my attention was drawn back to Dumbledore as he began to speak once again. "Each and every one of you was searched upon your arrival here tonight. And you have the right to know why. Once, there was a young man, who, like you ... sat in this very hall, he walked this castle's corridors and slept under this very roof."
"He's talking about him ... isn't he?" Ginny said with a shiver. I reached over and rubbed her hand as Dumbledore continued on.
"He seemed to, all the world, a student like any other. His name? Tom Riddle." Ginny let out a small whimper now, causing me to rub harder on her hand and Dean to wrap his hand around her waist.
"Watch your hand, Thomas. I still haven't forgotten this summer." I said. Dean smiled weakly at me and raised his hand a little bit so it wasn't so close to her ass. The Great Hall murmured as people wondered who this "Tom Riddle" is, except for us who knew. We just sat and waited for Dumbledore to reveal it to all.
"Today, of course, he's known all over the world by another name. This is why, as I stand looking out upon you all tonight, I'm 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." He seemed to be looking over at the Slytherin table, but I just figured it was where he happened to be looked when he spoke and didn't have any actual meaning in his looking.
"Now, off to bed. Pip pip!"
We all walked out of the Great Hall and started heading off to the Common Room. I noticed Harry and Ron talking to Hagrid. I told Neville I'd see him upstairs in a few and went over to join them all. As I approached their conversation was ending.
"Anyway, I'll see yeh tomorrow, firs' lesson's straight after lunch. Come early an' yeh can say hello ter Buck — I mean, Witherwings!" Raising an arm in cheery farewell, he headed out of the front doors into the darkness. Harry and Ron exchanged a look with each other.
"Are you taking Care of Magical Creatures, Ron?" Harry asked.
"Nope. You?"
"Nope."
"Is Hermione?"
"No way," I said. "She said she had better things to do than waste her time with a class she won't need at the Ministry."
"Well, at least Hagrid can count on having you in his class," Ron said patting me on the shoulder.
"Now wait one moment, Ronald Weasley. Who said I was continuing on with that?"
"Your not? But what happened to you being like Charlie?"
"You know Mum would rather die than let me near a Dragon or any other creature. Besides, I like teaching better."
"So, let me get this straight," Harry said walking over, "None of us are going to be in Hagrid's class tomorrow morning."
"Yep."
"Sadly."
"Great. Now Hagrid will hate us all." Harry remarked as we headed off to the Common Room.
"Hey, at least he still has Ginny until the end of the year right?" Ron asked.
"Yeah, but she doesn't find his class that interesting and is going to stop after this year," I said as we walked up the stairs.
"So that's it, we're all leaving Hagrid?" Ron practically shouted it as we neared the portrait hole.
"We'll still see him around the Castle and grounds, Ron. It's not like we're going to leave the school and have an adventure." I said.
"I know but, I still feel bad. Dung Beetle." Ron said as we approached, the Fat Lady slowly opened the door and we walked into the Common Room.
"It will be alright, Ron. Goodnight." I said as Harry and Ron went upstairs. I scanned the Common Room and saw Neville sitting on the floor by the fire. I walked over and laid down on the floor beside him and laid my head on his legs, staring up at him.
"Well, hello there. Do I know you?" Neville teased while messing with my hair. "What was that all about?"
"None of us are taking Hagrid's class next semester."
"Is that bad?"
"Considering, Harry, Ron, Hermione, and I were some of his favorites ... yeah." I looked over at the flames. "To think, I was just starting to think this year would be a fun one."
"It still can be!" Neville said fixing my gaze back up to him. "I'll make a deal with you. If you try and look at this year with as much positive light as you can then ... then ... then you can teach me how to play Quidditch."
I flew up and looked at him.
"Who are you and where is the real Neville Longbottom?"
"I'm serious, Lori. If you just try and keep that beautiful smile on your face ... then you can teach me how to play."
"But ... it took me days on convincing to get you on a broom this summer! Now you're just willing to get on the broom and fly around the bloody pitch?"
"Well, seeing how excited you are to play Quidditch again ... made me realize that I need to have an understanding about it and well ... I have a feeling I should know how to play for the future."
"Alright, we have a deal." I said hugging him, "Though the second you start to even fall off the broom the deal is off and we are NOT continuing your lessons."
"Don't have to tell me twice."
We spent the rest of the night sitting and just talking about random bits and things. Neville was worried if he could continue Transfigurations with an "Acceptable" and wondered if he was actually going to be able to keep up with his work. I told him he had nothing to worry about right as the clock struck midnight telling us it was time to head to bed.
"Night, Love."
"Night, Princess."