Disclaimer: All Characters and settings are the property of JK Rowling. This is her Sandbox, I just play in it!

Harry, who for once had arrived early at King's Cross, slipped unnoticed though the main concourse towards the barrier to Platform 9 ¾. Even if someone who knew him had seen him, it would be very unlikely that he would be recognised. Instead of the usual Dudley cast-offs, he wore a pair of well fitted black jeans and an emerald green shirt. Over the top he wore a black jacket that only magicals might recognise as dragon skin and not leather, and on his feet he wore a pair of shoes made of the same material. He had gotten a haircut that had tamed his usual messy hair and he had a new pair of rather stylish, square framed glasses that did nothing to hide his vivid green eyes.

Arriving at the barrier, he strode straight through and stepped onto the platform. Without pausing, he walked up to the train and climbed aboard. Walking to one end, he found an empty compartment and stepped inside. He closed the door behind him and gave a sigh.

From inside his jacket, he took a small, square object. With a flick of his wrist, his wand appeared in his hand and he tapped the object. It immediately grew until it was about 3 foot long and about half as wide. Now it was back to full size, it was clearly a trunk and Harry stowed it on one of the racks. He then waved the wand at the door, muttering under his breath. There was a shimmer of magic in front of the door, but otherwise nothing appeared to happen.

Securing his wand back in the holster on his right wrist, he took a book bag from inside his jacket and settled into one of the seats. Opening the bag, he took out a thick, leather bound book and opening it, began to read.

He had been seated there for about 20 minutes when the door to his compartment opened. He looked up and saw the familiar figure of Hermione Granger, already wearing her uniform with silver prefect badge, standing in the doorway.

"What do you want?" Harry demanded, somewhat harshly.

"What do you mean?" She asked, taken aback by his tone. "We always sit together on the express!" She added.

"We have done in the past." Harry agreed, his tone not at all friendly. "But since you decided to callously ignore me all summer, I figured you had moved on!" He finished.

Hermione flinched at his comment, knowing it was true that she had only sent him one letter and that was at the beginning of the summer.

"I was told not to write to you." She replied, flinching even more as Harry's emerald green eyes bored into her.

"And who pray, told you this?" He asked, already knowing the answer but wanting to see if she would admit to being a sheep.

"Professor Dumbledore." She replied softly.

"And did The Great Whiskered One give you any reason for this?" He asked. Hs tome was still calm, though there was an edge to it.

"He said you needed time to get over Cedric's death and he wanted you protected from what was going on." She added, biting her tongue to stop the retort about the Headmaster.

"You mean the slanderous claims made in the Prophet among other things?" He asked.

Hermione looked shocked, she had not expected him to know about it. It was then she noticed his clothes, at that gave her another shock.

"How did you know about that?" She asked.

"I've been reading the Prophet every day." He replied.

"Your relatives allowed you to get the Prophet delivered?" She asked shocked.

At this remark, Harry's eyes narrowed.

"So you thought I spent the entire summer in Durzkaban?" He demanded. "And you still didn't even bother to send me a postcard?"

"You didn't?" She asked. She was about to ask about the clothes but realised now was not the best time.

"No." Harry replied. "Unlike some I could mention, I have at least one person who cared enough about me to keep in touch. When they realised I was not in a good place, they got me out of there. A good job too otherwise I probably would not be here now talking to you!" He added.

"What do you mean?" She demanded.

"Don't pretend you care!" Harry retorted.

"I do care!" Hermione replied indignantly.

"Yet not enough to write to me!" Harry snapped back at her.

Hermione had went red at that and looked like she was about to cry.

Harry, seeing this reeled his temper back. He might be angry with her, but he did not hate her and did not want to see her upset.

"Hermione, if you want to make it up to me I am prepared to give you a chance. But not here or now and only if you apologise!"

Hermione looked up and gave him a tentative smile, realising that she had not lost him completely.

"Thank you Harry." She replied slowly. "And I am sorry that I didn't keep in touch." She added.

Harry nodded in acceptance of the apology, but would wait to see if she meant it.

"Do you mind if I leave my trunk in here?" She asked. "I have a Prefect's meeting to go to and then I have to patrol the train, but I should be able to join you at some point." She added.

"I rather you didn't." Harry replied. "I would prefer to be on my own. I did put up a notice-me-not charm, but you seem to have seen through it!" He remarked.

"Oh. Those only work for people who are not actively looking for you. If you want to not be bothered by people actually looking for you, you need a repelling charm." She replied, starting to go into her lecture mode.

"Right." Harry replied firmly, cutting her off before she could really get going. "I'll put one of those up when you leave then."

Hermione looked disappointed but decided not to argue. Then she remembered something.

"Harry. Why did you turn down the Prefect's position?" She asked. "I'm now stuck with Ron Weasley and you know how lazy he is!"

"Turn it down?" Harry looked genuinely puzzled. "Hermione, I have not received any letters from Hogwarts this summer. I even had to check for the book list at Flourish and Blotts. How could I have turned it down?"

Hermione paled, then she went red.

"I can't believe she lied to me!" She said in a hard tone.

"Who?" Harry asked.

"Professor McGonagall." Hermione replied shakily. "When Ron received his Prefect badge, I wondered why. I saw her a few days later when she came to the Burrow for a meeting. I asked her if there was any reason why you had not been selected. She told me you had turned it down!"

"Well I assure you I have not either spoken to her or sent her a letter. In fact I have had no direct contact with anyone from Hogwarts since the end of last term." He replied firmly.

"I'll have to think on this." Hermione said quietly as if one of her core beliefs had been shaken.

She quietly exited the compartment and closed the door behind her. She took a few steps and then turned. The compartment had vanished from sight, she knew she could find it again if she wanted to. But she restrained herself. Harry clearly wanted privacy and she had to find a place to put her trunk.

Inside the compartment, Harry put his wand away and resumed reading. Hoping not to be disturbed again before they arrived in Hogsmeade.

Hermione made her way along the corridor looking for a compartment with someone in it that she knew. Since it was still early, most of the compartments were still empty. She did find one however that had a familiar looking blonde haired girl in it, reading a magazine upside down. Knocking on the door, she opened it.

"Hi, do you mind if I sit in here?" She asked.

The girl smiled and waved her in. She had large blue eyes and her wand was tucked behind her ear.

"Please come in." She said in a dreamy tone.

"Thank you." Hermione replied. "I'm not sure if we've met. I'm Hermione Granger!" She held out her right hand.

"Luna Lovegood." She girl replied in the same dreamy tone. "Did you know you have an infestation of Wrackspurts?" She asked.

"Please to meet you Luna." Hermione replied. "And what are Wrackspurts?" She asked, wondering if she even wanted to know the answer.

"They are little creatures who can inhabit a Witch or Wizard's brain. They cause confusion and memory problems." Luna replied, delighted that she was not being made fun of.

"Oh!" Hermione replied, not sure what to say. She was fairly certain that Wrackspurts did not exist but after what she had done to Harry, she did not want to upset someone else by laughing at them.

Luna went back to her magazine, which Hermione could see, even upside down, was called The Quibbler. Hermione put her trunk on the rack and took out a book from her own book bag. She checked her watch and saw she still had half an hour before she needed to be in the Prefect meeting, so she opened the book and began to read.

About 20 minutes later the door opened and Ginny entered with Neville.

"There you are!" The Red-Head said. "I was wondering where you were!"

"I told your Mum I would Floo in early. You know I don't like rushing." Hermione replied.

"That explains why she wasn't worrying." Ginny replied. "Hi Luna." She added, addressing the Blonde girl."

"Hello Ginevra." Luna replied, causing Ginny to scowl as she was not keen on her full first name.

Ginny turned back to Hermione.

"Have you seen Harry?" She asked.

"I saw him earlier. He wanted some peace and quiet so I left him alone." Hermione replied.

Ginny nodded but didn't say anything.

Hermione then looked at her watch, saw the time and got up.

"I'll see you all later." She said. "I've got to get to the Prefect meeting." She said, putting her book away in the bag and tucking the bag inside her robes. She then turned to Ginny. "Do you know where Ron is?" She asked.

"I think he was sitting with Seamus. At least Seamus was stupid enough to challenge my idiot Brother to a chess match!" Ginny remarked.

"Well I hope he gets to the meeting on time!" Hermione responded, exiting the compartment and heading down the corridor.

She soon made it to the Prefect's carriage and let herself in. She was not the first to arrive, but was by no means the last. She looked around and saw several familiar faces.

Roger Davies was sitting there, wearing the Head Boy badge with pride alongside his Quidditch Captain badge. Padma Patil and Anthony Goldstein were sitting next to each other opposite Roger and all three gave her a nod. There were several others in Ravenclaw and Hufflepuff robes whose names she did not know, they also gave her a nod before returning to their own conversations.

"Granger." Roger said with a warm smile. "Do you know who made the other Gryffindor Prefect this year?" She asked.

"Ron Weasley." She replied.

"Are you serious?" Padma asked looking dumbfounded. "Weasley got the job over Harry Potter? I mean even Longbottom would have been a better choice!"

"That was my reaction as well." She replied. "I spoke to Professor McGonagall to find out specifically why Harry had not been made prefect. She told me that he had turned it down! I found out later that that was a lie!"

"I can believe that!" Roger remarked. "While I only know Harry through Quidditch, what I do know of him tells me that he would not turn down the job without a very serious reason."

"Well I trusted her." Hermione responded. "It was only when I managed to find Harry on the train this morning that he confirmed he had never even had a letter from Hogwarts this summer."

"I take it you know what has been going on?" One of the Hufflepuffs spoke up. "The Prophet was printing all sorts of headlines about Potter being delusional and a liar. Then suddenly, they printed a full page apology and have been quiet since. My Dad works for the Ministry in the Floo office and apparently legal papers have been flying all over the place. Fudge and his Toad have been squashed!"

"How did that happen?" Hermione asked. She had not seen the apology but had noticed that there had been nothing for at least the last two weeks.

"Apparently they tried to take Potter to court for underage magic usage and breach of the Statute of Secrecy. Whatever happened in the court, and only people who were actually there know exactly what did happen, caused everything Harry Potter related to be shut down." The girl replied.

"How do we not know what happened in the court? Doesn't there have to be some sort of record?" Hermione asked.

Just then the door opened and Hannah Abbott entered. Just behind her was a Red-Headed girl that Hermione recognised as Susan Bones.

"It happened." Susan spoke up. "Because someone initiated the Oath of Secrecy. Only a handful of people can do that. The Minister, the Toad, my Auntie who is Head of the DMLE and the Chief Warlock. But as Professor Dumbledore has been suspended from his post, I suspect it was the Minister since he had the most to gain from it being kept quiet. Either him or the Toad." She added.

Hermione looked from Susan to the older Hufflepuff.

"Who is this Toad you mentioned?" She asked.

All the older students as well as Susan laughed at that.

"The Toad, as we call her." Roger replied unable to wipe the smile off his face. "Is the Senior Undersecretary. One Delores Umbridge. And believe me, she does look like a toad!"

"Oh." Hermione said, for the second or third time in less than an hour, she was unsure what to say.

"So where is he?" Hannah asked. "I take it Harry is the other Gryffindor Prefect?"

"Harry is in one of the compartments." Hermione replied, not wanting to tell them where he was. "And no, he is not the Gryffindor Prefect. That job has fallen to Ron Weasley!"

"Has McGonagall gone insane?" A new voice said with feeling. It was Eleanor Branstone, the 7th year Gryffindor Prefect, who had just entered.

"Not sure." Hermione replied. "But when I spoke to her to ask why Harry had not been considered, she lied and told me he turned it down."

"Are you sure?" Eleanor asked with concern.

"I spoke to Harry this morning on the train. He confirm he had not heard from her at all. He didn't even get his book list!" Hermione replied.

"That's worrying. When someone who has done so much for Hogwarts, not to mention winning the Tri-Wizard Cup, does not make the grade, you have to wonder if there is another agenda going on!"

Everyone nodded. Then a familiar voice caused them all to shudder.

"Out of the way Bones!" Drawled the easily recognisable voice of Draco Malfoy. "You are clearly not a Prefect so go and find a seat elsewhere!"

Hermione looked out and saw Susan flush but not say anything. She turned and left, heading back down the train. Then Draco, followed by Pansy Parkinson and several other Slytherin Prefects entered the carriage. He saw Hermione immediately and frowned.

"Standards certainly are slipping!" He remarked. "How did a Mudblood like you make Prefect?" He asked.

Hermione was about to express her displeasure when one of the older Slytherin Prefects took Draco by the shoulder and whispered something in his ear. Whatever it was, it was clearly a reprimand as it caused the Blonde to flinch. He still glared at Hermione.

"Where's Scarhead?" He asked. "He should be here by now!"

"If you mean Harry, he is not the Gryffindor Prefect this year!" Hermione said quietly, though still loud enough to be heard.

This caused Draco to cackle with laughter.

"I guess there was some truth to those stories after all!" Draco remarked. "I wonder why they stopped printing them?" He added obviously confused.

Several of the other Prefects exchanged glances. Clearly Draco was not as in the know as usual, something else that had changed.

Just then the train gave a jerk and, with a whistle, pulled out of the station. Roger then, got up closed the carriage door and cleared his throat.

"Is everyone here?" He asked, looking round and doing a head count.

Hermione looked round before speaking up.

"Ron's not here!" She remarked.

Just then, the carriage door flew open and Ron Weasley ran in. His robes were a mess and his tie was askew.

"You're late Weasley!" Roger said, glaring at the Red-Head until he sat down.

Roger and the Head girl who was from Hufflepuff, explained how things worked and they discussed patrols both on the train and evenings at the castle. Questions were asked and answered before the meeting broke up, over an hour later. Some left as they had first patrol or they wanted to sit with their friends. This included most of the Slytherins and Ron Weasley who wanted to get back to his chess match. Hannah turned to Hermione.

"What are you going to do about Harry not making Prefect?" She asked as soon as the carriage door closed.

"I'm going to resign!" She replied.

That remark caused numerous gasps round the carriage, though some were obviously thinking as well.

"Why?" Hannah asked.

"Professor McGonagall lied to me. Not only that, but as Eleanor said earlier there is clearly an agenda here. In either case, I no longer trust my Head of House. That being the case, I can no longer be Prefect." Hermione responded honestly.

Hannah nodded.

"While I'm not as close to Harry as you, for him not to make Prefect makes a mockery of the system. I refuse to be part of it. I'm ashamed of the actions of my House over the past few years so I'll be handing my badge in to Professor Sprout tonight either during or directly after the feast." She said, the loyalty of her House shining through.

There were several other nods from the other Prefects while Roger and the Head Girl looked at each other and nodded.

"We agree." Roger spoke up for the pair of them. "However, to make it more effective, you should go first Hermione. Then they'll realise the state they're in."

There were more nods and murmurs of agreement. Hermione who had also nodded in agreement, had been paired with Eleanor for her patrol of the train, looked at the older girl.

"Where do you want to meet?" She asked.

"I'll come and find you." She replied. "I'm going to sit with Angelina, she made Quidditch Captain this year."

"I'm sitting with Ginny, Neville and a girl called Luna." Hermione said.

"I'll walk with you." Eleanor said, getting up. She then waited for Hermione to join her before they made their way out of the Prefects carriage and down the train.

Harry was sitting quietly reading in his compartment. He felt the jerk of the train pulling away. He then reached inside his jacket and pulled out a vial filled with a thick purple potion. Pulling the stopper, he downed the potion in one go, pulling a face slightly at the taste. He put the vial back in his jacket and removed a packet of sandwiches and a bottle of water.

Settling back down again, he ate and drank whilst reading. He did not move for several hours apart from taking another potion before eating some more sandwiches.

It was dark by the time the train pulled into Hogsmeade station. Harry closed his book and replaced it in the book bag. He had changed into his robes and with a quick notice-me-not charm, left the train in the crowd. He made his way over to the carriages and climbed into one. He was joined by several second and third years, none of whom he knew and none of them noticed him.

Soon they were at the castle. But, instead of joining the others as they headed to the Great Hall, Harry slipped away and headed to the stairs.

Using several shortcuts he was soon outside the Gryffindor common room. It was then he realised that he did not know the password. Removing the charms, he stepped up to the portrait of the Fat Lady.

"Password." She said imperiously.

"I haven't been told it." He replied honestly.

"Shouldn't you be at the Feast Mr Potter?" The Fat Lady asked.

"I suppose I should, But I can't face the Great Hall tonight." He replied.

"Well since I know you are one of my Lions, I will let you in this once. Be sure to find out the password for next time!"

With that, the portrait swung open and Harry stepped into the Gryffindor common room. He went over to one of the sofas and sat down, pulling out his book bag. Removing another book, he settled down and began to read.

Hermione, along with everyone else entered the Great Hall. All the students sat at their respective House tables and waited for the arrival of the First years so the sorting could begin. While she waited, she looked around and, to her consternation, could not find Harry. She turned to Ginny who was sitting next to her.

"Have you seen Harry?" She asked.

"No." Ginny replied. "Now that you mention it, I haven't seen him once. Not on the train, not on the platform, not in the carriages and I can't see him at the table. We need to let Professor McGonagall know. Hopefully he is just avoiding us. Are you sure he was on the train?"

"Yes. I saw him in a compartment and I have no reason to think he got off. He did want to be alone though, so maybe he just skipped the Feast?" Hermione replied, clearly worried.

Neither girl had any time to say or do anything further before the doors opened and Professor McGonagall entered, leading the First years in two lines.

The Sorting proceeded smoothly, Hermione knew no-one so, apart from clapping all new Gryffindors, she stayed silent until the Sorting was over.

Once the Headmaster had said his usual words, looking down the Gryffindor table for something and clearly not finding it, he began the Feast.

Hermione did not eat with her usual gusto. Instead, she picked at her food and killed time until the Feast was over. She looked at the staff table and saw the Headmaster whisper something to McGonagall. Her Head of House also looked up and down the Gryffindor table, presumably looking for the same thing. She assumed it must be Harry so she expected to be questioned by her before the end of the Feast.

Eventually the food was all cleared away and the Headmaster stood up.

"Now that we are all sated, I have a few start of term notices to give out. Firstly, let me welcome a new member of staff who will be teaching Defence Against the Dark Arts, Professor Umbridge!"

There were several gasps as a small figure, who did indeed look exactly like a toad, got up from her chair. She was clad in pink and had a simpering look on her face. Though it was hard to tell.

"Thank you Headmaster." The toad like woman replied in girlish tone. "I look forward to working with you all, making sure that the falling standards in this subject are brought once again, up to Ministry standard!" She was about to continue when Dumbledore interrupted her.

"Thank you Professor Umbridge." He said, slightly louder than usual. "In addition, I have need to remind everyone that the Forbidden Forrest is out of bounds to all students. And Mr Filtch informs me that the list of forbidden items, which now amounts to 612, is on his office door."

Hermione could tell that he was about to bid them all good night and get the Prefects to show the First years to their respective common rooms. Seizing her Gryffindor courage in both hands, she got up from her place and walked down towards the staff table. She could see concern in the faces of several of the staff, but no-one said anything.

As she reached the table, she unpinned her Prefects badge and placed it on the table in front of Professor McGonagall.

"I am resigning a Gryffindor Prefect." She announced in a voice loud enough everywhere in the Great Hall. "You lied to me Professor McGonagall! You told me Harry and turned down the position of Prefect. I spoke to Harry earlier today and he denies having had any contact with you all summer, you did not even send him his book list for the year. There is clearly some hidden agenda here that I want no part of. It is a huge slur against Harry that he has not been chosen, especially if you consider what he has done for the students and staff at this school. On top of that he is the Tri-Wizard Champion. If I were to accept the position of Prefect, knowing what I know, I would be supporting that slur. Harry means far too much to me for me to ever do that." Hermione stopped speaking and took a deep breath. She was about to turn to re-take her seat when Professor McGonagall stood up.

"I did not lie to you Miss Granger and I resent the implication that I did!" The Scotswoman's accent became thicker as she got agitated.

"When I spoke to you Professor, did you or did you not tell me that Harry Potter turned down the role of Prefect this year?" Hermione demanded.

"I did." Minerva McGonagall nodded in agreement.

"Well I spoke to Harry on the train earlier. He was shocked to hear that as he has not had a letter from you nor even spoken to you since the end of last term. He did not even get his book list for this year. So how was he supposed to have turned down the role if he has not spoken to you?" Hermione demanded. She knew she was repeating herself but she needed to get her point across.

Minerva turned to the Headmaster before looking back at Hermione.

"I apologise for the confusion Miss Granger. I have not spoken to Mr Potter at all. Professor Dumbledore informed me he had discussed the matter with Mr Potter and he agreed that it would not be in his best interests to be Prefect due to his other commitments." She replied. "Also, I gave Mr Potter's book list to the Headmaster who assured me that Mr Potter would receive it!"

As one, both Hermione and Minerva turned to face Dumbledore. Then man looked ashen as one of his plans was crumbling before his eyes. He was about to speak when another badge was dumped on the table. This one belonged to Eleanor Branstone.

"I resign too!" She announced in a loud tone. "It is a disgrace that Harry has not made Prefect and I want no part of such a corrupt system!"

Hermione looked round and could see at least ¾ of all the Prefects walking up to their respective Head of House and handing over their badges. This was crowned by the Head Boy and Girl both walking up to Dumbledore and placing their respective badges in front of him without a word.

Things soon turned into mayhem. The Headmaster got to his feet and cast a sonorous charm.

"Silence!" He cried. "Let's have no more of this nonsense. All Prefects collect your badges and escort your houses to their dormitories."

There was silence. Not one of the former Prefects even moved a step. After waiting a few moments, he decided to take another tactic.

"Will all Heads of House please escort their Houses to their common rooms. We will sort this out tomorrow!"

Minerva got up, alongside the other Heads and walked round the table and up to Hermione.

"Did you say you spoke to Mr Potter today?" She asked, clearly upset but trying to focus on something.

"Yes Professor. I saw him on the train before it departed. I noticed he did not appear to come to the Feast, but given the fact he hates attention, I thought he might have gone straight up to the common room." Hermione replied.

"I hope your right Miss Granger. I don't know how much you know of what went on over the summer with Mr Potter, but there are things I need to discuss with him."

"I know next to nothing Professor." Hermione replied. The two of them had begun walking out of the Great hall with the rest of the Gryffindors following them. "Under the instructions of the Headmaster, Ron and I were banned from sending him any letters or communicating with him in any way."

"That was a very silly thing to do Miss Granger." Minerva said. "I'm sure you are aware of at least some of the state he was in after last year."

"I was, but the Headmaster said that all he needed was time and we should give him that! I regret trusting him as it very nearly cost me Harry's friendship. Even now it will take me some time to earn his forgiveness."

"It is worse than you know." Minerva continued. "I'm not sure of the details but Mr Potter was not very well at all. According to information I have been given by his Guardian's legal representative, he was very close to self-harm or even worse before he was removed from the Dursleys."

Hermione gave a sob at this. She was now bitterly ashamed of her actions. She had effectively abandoned the boy who had risked his life on multiple occasions to save hers. She swore to herself that she would do whatever it took to regain his friendship. Then she realised what she had been told.

"Do you know who his Guardian is Professor?" She asked, hoping it was someone she knew.

"Sirius Black!" Minerva almost snorted the name as if she could not believe he could be so responsible.

"But how? Isn't he still a wanted fugitive?" She asked.

"I don't know Miss Granger. I was provided with the paperwork that showed the change of Guardian status as well as other details in reference to Mr Potter's education. I have not been told anything that I do not need to know. If Mr Potter is here in the castle, hopefully he will be able to answer your questions. I, along with every other teacher at Hogwarts, have been told in no uncertain terms that the only responsibility we have is to his education. I have a little more information as I am his Head of House but I am forbidden from sharing it with anyone without express permission."

By this time they had reached the portrait of the Fat Lady. Minerva turned and addressed the Gryffindors who were gathered behind.

"The password is 'Leones Superbia'." She announced.

This caused Hermione to chuckle. She had been taking Latin since 1st year and knew the phrase meant Lions Pride.

The portrait swung open and Minerva stepped through, followed by Hermione and the rest of the Gryffindors. As they entered the common room, they both sighed with relief at the sight of Harry Potter sitting on a sofa reading.

As soon as Harry saw Minerva, he got up and went over to her.

"What's going on Professor?" He asked.

"There seems to have been a bit of an outcry over you not been selected Prefect. Most have resigned in protest including Miss Granger here. In fact, she started it off!"

Harry looked at Hermione in shock. He knew it was her dream to be Prefect and then Head Girl.

"You didn't have to quit because of me Hermione!" He said, only just loud enough to be heard over the noise of the rest of the Gryffindors. Though you could not miss the look he gave her, he was touched beyond words that she would do that for him.

"You have done more for me Harry." She replied, taking his hand and giving it a squeeze. This simple gesture made him flush as well as giving him a huge smile.

Minerva meanwhile stood in the centre of the room and fired off a noisemaker to quiet everyone down.

"Everyone except the first years up to their dormitories please. Mr Potter, Miss Granger, can you also remain behind."

Soon everyone except the new First years, Harry and Hermione had headed up their respective stairs. Minerva turned to face the new members of Gryffindor.

"Normally this would be done by your new Fifth year Prefects. But due to what happened after the Feast, I will deal with it. If you are not already aware, these two are Harry Potter and Hermione Granger, both Fifth years. I will give you a basic run down on what you need to know tonight, then you can get to bed. Since tomorrow is Saturday, you will have two days to get used to things before classes start."

Minerva then gave a brief overview of what the new First years needed to know. She kept it short as they were all quite tired. Once she was done, she turned to Harry and Hermione who were waiting patiently for her to finish.

"I would like to speak to you both in my office after breakfast tomorrow morning. Neither of you are in trouble but I need to discuss some things with the pair of you." She said with a tired smile.

"Of course Professor." They both replied.

"Thank you. Now if you would both be so kind and show our new Gryffindors to their dormitories, I will bid you good night."

Both Harry and Hermione nodded and Minerva headed out of the portrait hole and towards the Headmasters office, where she expected there to be a long meeting.

After Minerva left, Harry and Hermione separated the boys and girls and showed them to the First year dormitories. They then went to their own to try and sleep.