Harry and Hermione returned to the train just to find that there were arguments in progress between some of the Slytherine and the Gryffendor students of Hogwarts. Harry and Hermione had to break up quite a few of them. Ron and some of the other prefects were also there to break the fights up.
Some of the other fights included Slytherine of Hogwarts and other houses of all the other schools not just Hogwarts. These fights worried Harry and Hermione a lot because they were worried that there were going to be a lot of them and that there is going to be a lot of tension in between the schools now.
After talking to the fighters between the Gryffendor students and the Slytherine, Harry made a conclusion that the Gryffendor students were basically protecting and preventing the Slytherine students from doing harm to the others.
"Hermione, I think that the only house we are going to have a problem with now is the Slytherine. That was one of the concerns that the teachers and us had regarding our school being able to work with the Americans. We are just going to have to work with these students to get them to play nice. God help us if this really gets out of hand," said Harry to Hermione after they had retired to the Head students car with the other head students.
Hermione nodded in agreement and started discussing with the other head students on ways of preventing this from happening again. Harry started writing a letter to the headmasters to be sent by Hedwig in a bit regarding what had happened so that they could be prepared. Before continuing on with the letter, Harry asked a question regarding one of the students.
"Has any of you seen Draco and his goons?"
They all said no. Harry went on to state this in the letter.
After sending the letter with Hedwig, Harry sat down and rested. He started having a bit of an asthma attack and took out his inhaler and used it. Hermione saw this and sat down next to him and started massaging his back to calm his breathing down.
"Are you ok Harry?" asked Hermione.
"Yea, I think all this excitement worked me up. I should be ok in a bit. What about you?"
"I
am fine. I saw that you sent off the
letter to the school. I wonder what is
up with Draco and his goons. Do you
think that they are going to show up later on?"
Harry just nodded and answered, "Yea I do. I wouldn't put it past him to try and sneak on to carriages to the school with out us knowing. I think we need to keep an eye out for him."
Hermione nodded and went and told the prefects and the head students this so that they could be prepared.
Hermione started realizing something regarding Malfoy and asked Harry this when she returned, "Wasn't Draco prefect for Slytherine this year?"
"Yea he was but his father sent a owl to Albus stating that due to a family issue, Draco would be coming on the regular Hogwarts express. That is fishy as it is. Oh well," replied Harry.
Hermione came up with an idea about maybe getting some of the Hogwarts students to work with all the houses of Hogwarts to work to welcome the other schools.
"Harry what if we form a group that would be able to settle differences between our students and the Americans and some of the inter-house fighting here at Hogwarts alone?" asked Hermione.
Harry pondered the idea and nodded, "Yea that is an idea and I have a suggestion as to who should lead it, Ron."
Hermione nodded and they both set out to find Ron since he was doing his rounds of the train making sure that the students were getting ready and keeping out of trouble.
Harry approached him, "Ron can you join us up front. We have an idea and would like to talk to you about it."
Ron nodded and walked with the two back to the front of the train where they sat down to discuss the idea that Hermione had.
After explaining the idea, Harry went on to make some rules that Ron and the rest of the team has to follow. One of the rules was that they couldn't get into fights and try not to cause any problems themselves.
Ron, knowing his temper and all, had trouble with this particular rule, "Harry, Hermione I appreciate you asking me to lead the team and all, but I can't guarantee my being able to control my temper and all. I think I will pass on the offer. Sorry."
Harry and Hermione just looked at each sadly. They had hoped to at least get Ron involved in some of the things they were doing but now they knew that Ron wasn't really going to accept anything that would prevent him from doing what he wants.
Harry nodded to Ron, "Thank you for being honest to us Ron. We really did want you to be able to do something important during the year other then being a prefect and all. But it is a volunteer position and we will not force anyone to do the job. So now that that is out of the way, I wonder how Professor Trellawny is going to predict my death this year. I am so glad I am not taking that class any more. I am so tired of her predicting my death all the time. I actually took up Ancient Runes instead of Divination for my exams last summer."
Ron and Hermione laughed at that. The three started discussing what could happen this year with all the new students and all in the classes.
"From what I have been told, DADA classes are being shared between some of the schools. Sikandar and Sarah are teaching the bulk of the classes with some help from the other teachers from the other schools. Transfiguration classes are along the same lines. I also believe that Divination classes are also going to be shared since it is not a popular class in America. I am not sure about Herbology and Charms yet. We wont know till we see the class sizes and all. CoMC classes are basically going to be taught by the respective schools but in the same vicinity as the other classes. Potions are going to be separate also, mainly because of the fact that it is going to be dangerous having too many students in one class doing the same thing. I believe smoke buildup would be too much for some of the students from too many cauldrons boiling at once. Anyway the bright side is that Snape is no longer teaching here. I know Professor Figg will be very fair to all the students. Hermione and I will be in the Potions classes to help her from time to time. Actually, I believe I will be spending my time between different subjects to help out. I know Hermione is going to say this but we both suggest that you pay attention this year because you have your OWLs this year and they are not easy at all," said Harry.
Hermione nodded, "The OWLs are very important indeed Ron. Don't take our passing the tests real easy as a indication of how the tests are. We did well because we had a lot of help from our powers of being able to absorb the information presented to us really easily. Anyway we will help you as much as we can but we are going to be busy as it is. We should be at the castle in a little while. Why don't you go and make sure that everyone is ready. Also remember to keep an eye out for Draco and his goons once we get to Hogsmede."
Ron nodded, "Yea we are almost there is see the out line of the castle in the far distance. I will make sure everyone is ready. Let's hope there is a really good reason for Draco not showing up other then knowing about the attack."
With that everyone got ready to get off the train at Hogsmede. Harry and Hermione decided to apperate off the train and wait at the station for any signs of Draco and his goons. Just as suspected, they found him standing on the platform waiting for the rest of the students to come.
They approached the three and made their presence known, "Mr. Malfoy, Crabbe, and Goyle, please come with us."
Harry and Hermione with wands out escorted the three onto a waiting carriage and rode up to the castle. They walked the three up to the headmaster's office. The gargoyle opened with out a password since it was instructed to when Hermione and/or Harry were there.
Once everyone entered the office and took seats, Professor Dumbledor was the first to address the three, "Mr. Malfoy, why were you not on the train to Hogwarts and if you had missed the train why didn't you send notice up to the school letting us know you were not able to make the train and that you were going to be at the station waiting for the train. As it is you failed to show up with the rest of the prefects as required by us this year. You have an excuse I hope."
Draco just stared at his hands realizing that he had been caught and his father would not be happy about it. He just shrugged his shoulders and said that his father had told him to come to Hogsmede before the train arrived and that is all.
Harry and Hermione could tell that this was not all the truth but didn't have anything to prove their ideas or beliefs.
Professor Dumbledor also saw this and decided that because of this Draco was losing his prefect badge for not showing up for the train when he was supposed to and not informing the school of his need to change his arrival and not having a reasonable excuse for not showing up for the train.
"Mr. Malfoy, due to your refusal to show up on the train or informing the staff or my self of your missing the train and flooing to Hogsmede instead, we are going to have to revoke your prefect badge and privileges. The reason you gave us that you were not on the train and that you were waiting on the platform in Hogsmede still does not give you an excuse to not send us an owl that you were not able to make the train. Since school has not started yet we cannot take off points from Slytherine so be happy about that. Now the students have all reached great hall by now, why don't we join them. Malfoy, Crabbe, Goyle please go on down to the great hall. Harry, Hermione would you stay for a minute please?" stated Dumbledor.
After they were sure that the three had left the gargoyle and were on their way to the great hall, Harry spoke up, "I don't think we are going to hear the end of that from the Malfoys, especially Lucious. I think that Malfoy senior will not be happy about his son losing his prefect badge. I think it is time to head down to the great hall. The first years should be just arriving."
Everyone nodded and headed out the door to the great hall. What they didn't know was that Malfoy had sent an owl to his dad before heading to the great hall about the incident.
After everyone was seated, the sorting began. It started with the Hogwarts 1st years and transfers and then ended with the Hollywood 1st years. In total the following was the spread of students.
Hogwarts:
Gryffendor 5 Boys 5 Girls
Hufflepuff 4 Boys 3 Girls
Ravenclaw 6 Boys 4 Girls
Slytherine 6 Boys 3 Girls
Salem:
Gryffendor 6 Boys 5 Girls
Hufflepuff 3 Boys 5 Girls
Ravenclaw 4 Boys 4 Girls
No Slytherine
Brenham:
Gryffendor 5 Boys 4 Girls
Hufflepuff 4 Boys 4 Girls
Ravenclaw 6 Boys 3 Girls
Slytherine 3 Boys 3 Girls
Hollywood:
Gryffendor 5 Boys 5 Girls
No Hufflepuff
Ravenclaw 6 Boys 7 Girls
Slytherine 4 Boys 3 Girls
After the sorting took place Professor Dumbledor stood up and was about to make his usual announcements when Mr. Malfoy (sr.) barged into the great hall. Professor Dumbledor turned to Harry and told him to make the announcements while he dealt with the new comer.
Harry stood up and performed the sonorous charm on his throat before beginning to speak.
"Good evening everyone and welcome to Hogwarts. I would like to welcome students from Hollywood School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, Salem Institute of Witchcraft and Wizardry and Brenham School for Wizards and Witches. I would also like to welcome all new Hogwarts students and all returning students. There are a few rules that need to be followed at all times. One of these rules is that the forest that surrounds Hogwarts is strictly forbidden from entering unless you are escorted by a teacher or Hagrid. Mr. Filch has informed us that he has 30 new items that are forbidden from being used in the school. No magic is allowed to be used in the hallways and no fighting, Magically or physically, may be done outside of dueling classes or some of the other practical fighting classes that will be offered. There are going to be a few new classes and other things that are going to be available this year. First of all I would like to introduce a few new teachers today. The new Defense against the Dark Arts teachers are Sikandar and Sarah Durrani. They are also the headmaster and headmistress of the combined schools. We have a new potions professor since our former professor is now the assistant Headmaster of Dermstrung School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Her name is Professor Arabella Figg. Now we have 5 professors that will be assisting the other professors in most of the subjects including Potions, Charms and Transfiguration classes. Well that leads me to introducing my self. I am Harry James Potter Durrani and I am one of the 5. Next to me is Hermione Durrani, my fiancé and the second of the 5. Actually both Hermione and I will be the Head Boy and Head Girl of the combined schools. Next to Hermione is Virginia Potter Durrani. The last two are Amanda Potter Durrani and Cho Chang Durrani. All of us make up the group of assisting professors. This year we are implementing a curfew for everyone. First of all no one is allowed outside the castle unless you are escorted by a professor after dark. Everyone needs to be in their common room no later then 9:30 and if you are going to be out of your common room, you must be escorted by a professor or one of the head students. The first Hogsmede trip for 3rd years and older with permission from their guardians, will be on 27th of October. For those not going to Hogsmede, there will be activities for the you to enjoy. Further announcements will be made about the activities closer to the visit day. Hermione, Timmy Granger, and myself are in the process of making plans for a Tae Kwon Do class but have not finalized it and we are not sure if the class will be held at all. Oh and as to Quiditich, there will be an inter-school cup instead of an inter-house cup. Eat up everyone!"
With that everyone started eating. While everyone was eating, Professor Dumbledor came back into the great hall, followed by Malfoy senior and Draco. Draco and his father came up to Harry and his team and started talking to them.
"Well Mr. Potter seems that you finally got your family that you always wanted and a adopted father that so happens to be the headmaster of the combined schools. I wonder how you managed to do that. What you bought them." Malfoy senior said the last bit with a sneer on his face and a very sarcastic attitude also.
"Mr. Malfoy, I really do not appreciate you making those comments about my family. Sikandar and Sarah are very old family friends and are my godparents. The ministry has seen it fit to allow them to adopt my sisters and me and I am really happy for it. No disrespect meant to Sikandar but no one will ever replace my father, James Potter. Sikandar and Sarah are the only ones I can now officially say I am proud to look up to them for advice and family support," replied Harry calmly.
Sikandar and Sarah smiled brightly at Harry and how he was handling Malfoy senior. Hermione held Harry's hand to calm him down and to show her support for him. Draco saw this and it was his turn to make comments.
"I can see that you even stooped so low to go out with a mudblood. There are so many other girls around here that would be happy to be your girlfriend," Draco commented.
Harry stood up and said, "Draco, if you ever call Hermione a mudblood again I will make sure you are thrown out of Hogwarts by your ears. That applies to any muggle born and half and half students. Now either you sit down and finish your dinner or you go on to your dorms since most of the students are already getting up to do so."
Draco backed up when Harry stood up, knowing full well that Harry would hurt him if he could. "Potty why should you care what I call Hermione since she is a muggle born."
Harry answered Draco's comments, "Draco I will only tell you this once, and Hermione is a Heir of Hogwarts and Merlin like my sisters and I and her father."
Draco and his father were taken aback at that comment, "Who is her father?"
Sikandar stood up and said, "To answer your question Mr. Malfoy, I am Hermione's father and Sarah is her mother."
Mr. Malfoy senior decided to do something that was really foolish; he pooled out his wand and pointed it at Harry. He yelled "Crucio," at Harry. Harry was not fast enough to block it and fell to the floor screeming. Hermione was fast enough to pull out her wand and yell the disarming spell at Malfoy senior. Draco had his wand out and decided to fire a stunning charm at Hermione to keep her from getting his father's wand from him. By then both Hermione and Harry were on the floor. Both Malfoys were also on the floor because a number of students hit them in the back with stunning and disarming spells.
Professor Dumbledor stood up and dismissed the students to their dorms and had two professors escort Harry and Hermione to the hospital wing while he and the other professors escorted the Malfoys to his office to await the ministry officials and the aurors that were sent for.
Later that evening, Albus came into the hospital wing to check on Harry and Hermione and found that a couple of monitors were attached to Harry. He approached Poppy and asked her, "Poppy how is he doing?"
"Albus I will not lie, he is in real bad shape. Just as they brought him in here, he had an asthma attack. It was really bad. I gave Hermione a sleeping potion so she could rest but it is going to be a very touchy situation with Harry for the time being. His pulse-Ox is low right now and I have him on 100% O2 through a nasal candular (tube that has small outlets that are placed in the nose to provide oxygen into a patient) and the levels are creeping up but it is taking its time. I hope it gets better soon. What happened to the Malfoys?"
Albus answered her, "Both have been taken to prison. Malfoy senior keeps saying that it was out of defense of his son but the use of an unforgivable is not excusable even for defense against an unarmed person. Anyway Draco is expelled from Hogwarts for good."
Poppy nodded and went back to her office while Albus went and joined Sikandar and Sarah and sat next to both Harry and Hermione.
The next day, Hermione woke up and screamed for Harry.
Sarah went to her bed and sat down next to her and hugged Hermione to calm her down. "Hermione dear, Harry is in the bed next to you. You need to calm down for the both of you. He is right now in a coma. He had an asthma attack soon after we brought the both of you here after the attack. Poppy is not certain when he will wake up but we hope soon."
Hermione just sat down and started crying. She didn't want to lose Harry this way. Sarah came over and hugged her. "Hermione, I know he will be ok. He has been through a lot and has a future waiting for him. We just have to be strong for him and wait for his body to heal itself. I am going to send a message to the doctor in Houston to see if he has any other suggestions on what we should do since Poppy doesn't have the extensive experience he has on the subject."
Hermione dried up her tears and nodded, "Mom I don't think Harry would mind if you use Hedwig for this. I know Hedwig would be happy to help you."
Sarah nodded and took a piece of parchment and started writing a letter.
Dear Doctor Smith,
Harry has managed to be hit by a Crucio curse last night and has been in a coma since. His pulse-ox levels were down to just about 70% with out oxygen and was put on 100% flow through a nasal candular and has been gradually coming up since. Right now we are not sure what else we can do for him, and wonder if you could suggest anything else for us to do.
Yours sincerely,
Sarah Durrani
After checking for anything else she had missed in the letter, Sarah was about to go up to the Owl tower when Hedwig flew in threw an open window.
Sarah saw this and commented, "That is one smart bird. Hedwig can you take this letter to Dr. Smith in Houston. It is important that you get this to him as fast as you can. Thanks girl."
Hedwig nipped Sarah's finger affectionately and took off out of the window as fast as she could for her destination.
Meanwhile, Mrs. Weasley came into the hospital wing and went over to where Sarah and Hermione were sitting.
Hermione noticed Mrs. Weasley, "Hello Mrs. Weasley. How are you doing?"
"Hello Hermione dear, I am doing fine but looks like Harry isn't. What happened?" answered Mrs. Weasley.
Hermione broke down with just the thought of what happened and Sarah had to answer Mrs. Weasley's question, "Harry and Hermione caught Draco Malfoy trying to sneak into the school with out taking the Hogwarts express from the Kings Crossing station in London. Albus had stripped Draco of his prefect badge for two reasons. One was not showing up for the Express as agreed upon when he was authorized by Albus to not come in when the other prefects did and the other reason was because he didn't give a reason why he didn't send an owl for his missing the train. Anyway Malfoy senior showed up after Draco sent him an owl about him losing his prefect badge. Albus talked to him and it seems that Malfoy was not able to get his son's badge back for him. We are not sure what exactly they were planning on doing in regards to Draco but we will never know. Albus being a gracious host invited Malfoy senior to join them for dinner in the great hall and they accepted. The Malfoys came into the great hall and approached Harry and Hermione at the head table. Draco started making some rude comments about his sisters and Hermione and also about Sikandar and me adopting him. He then called Hermione a mudblood and Harry yelled at him and told him to never call her or any muggle-born student that again because if he does he will be losing a lot of points from his house and if it continues he will be expelled. Draco got mad again and then made a few other comments and Harry told him that Hermione was not a Muggle-born and that she was one of the heirs of Hogwarts and Merlin. This didn't sit to well and from what I can guess, Malfoy realized that this would be a great time to kidnap or injure the two of them. He used the cruiciatus curse on Harry. Hermione tried to disarm him but Draco cursed her. Sikandar and I disarmed both Malfoys but we were not able to do it in time to prevent this from happening. Harry has level three asthma and the curse has really aggravated his condition. He has been out since last night."
Mrs. Weasley just nodded and looked solemn about what had happened, "Harry is a strong boy for his age. I know he will pull out of this and get better. I just hope he gets better soon because the students are not going to do well without him and you Hermione."
Mrs. Weasley walked over to a chair across from Hermione and Sarah and sat down and took the only free hand of Harry's in her hand. A little while later, Amanda and Virginia came in with Cho following behind. They conjured up some chairs and sat down next to both Mrs. Weasley and Sarah (Hermione was at the head of the bed next to Harry's head).
"Hermione how is he doing. Albus told us that he was in a coma but nothing more," asked Amanda.
Hermione by now had calmed down enough to explain what the condition of Harry was in. After telling the entire story, Amanda and Virginia started crying while Cho was really shocked and close to crying herself. Hermione got up and went over to Harry's sisters and pulled them into a group hug. Cho joined in the hug and they all sat down and just watched over Harry.
Hermione, still being weak was the first to nod off with her head on Harry's bed near his head. After a while, Mme. Pomphrey gave up trying to get Hermione to lay down on her own bed and expanded Harry's bed so she could curl up next to him to assure her he was still there.
Classes started the next day for all the students. Hermione was allowed to stay with Harry at all times while he was getting better. The morning after sending the letter to Harry's doctor in the states, they got a reply telling them that they were doing the best they could do and that they would just have to let Harry's body repair itself on its own. He said that there was a possibility that Harry would be back to normal in a day or two, but to expect it to take longer.
The first classes that saw some problems caused by the Slytherine was the 5th year Gryffendor/Slytherine double potions class. It would seem that Blaise Zambini decided that it would be nice to start tormenting the Gryffendor students about them being abandoned by their fellow classmates that were looking for more fame and more power. What had surprised most of the Gryffendor students was that Pansy Parkinson took up their side and defended Harry and Hermione's decision to start teaching.
"Blaise if you are so smart, do you think you can do both your OWLs and NEWTs in one month. That is what they did. I can't believe you call yourselves Slytherine. Harry has saved our lives more times then any of us including me can count. One of these days you will learn that power and fame doesn't make a person who he is. Look at what happened to Draco, just because his dad was rich, he thought he could get away with not showing up on the train and then showing up on the platform in Hogsmede to try and act like he was on the train. I always wondered if Draco ever got his prefect badge back after he went crying to his father because I didn't see it on him when he attacked Harry and Hermione. So fame of his family and power has no bearing on what will happen. I know for one by watching how Harry acts, he doesn't like his fame. He never uses his title as the boy that lived to win girls. He turned down half of us asking him to go to the Yule Ball last year. He wanted to ask someone he felt like going with then with the ones that were asking him to. If I am not mistaken, Hermione never saw Krum more then a friend and not a famous Quiditch player," yelled Pansy.
Blaise was fuming at this point, but Cho, Amanda, and Professor Figg coming into the classroom interrupted their whole argument. "Sit down everyone, my name is Professor Arabella Figg and this is Amanda and Cho Durrani. They will be one assisting me till Harry and Hermione are released from the hospital wing. Unfortunately we have no actual time frame for those that are wondering when that is going to happen. Sorry. Now I am not anything like your previous potions master, I will not judge your potions in regards to the house you are in. I would like everyone to start working on the potions on page 50 of your textbook. Ms. Parkinson can you partner up with Mr. Weasley please. Thank you," said Arabella.
Pansy was relieved to be working with someone in the Gryffendor instead of the Slytherine. Her outburst earlier seemed to have alienated her housemates all of a sudden from her.
Ron felt the same way. He was surprised at her comments to that Blaise jerk and he didn't have any problems with working with her. They worked well together and for the first time in a while, Ron was able to complete his potions work with success.
After class Ron and Pansy stayed behind while the rest of the students went to their next class. The Slytherine were giving Pansy death stares at the same time while they were leaving.
Ron was the first one to speak after all the other students left, "Pansy what you said back there before class was very nice of you. Thank you."
The others asked what he was talking about and Ron went on explaining about how Blaise started making bad comments about Harry and Hermione and Pansy turned around and started backing Harry and Hermione up and started yelling at them.
Amanda smiled at Pansy and stated, "You know Pansy, the only problem that is going to happen is that you are going to be a target now."
Pansy nodded and started talking, "I wanted to talk to you all including the headmaster about maybe being resorted out of the Slytherine. This summer my parents who are death eaters took me to an initiation ceremony for new Death eaters and wanted me to join the death eaters. I refused and managed out of rage to apperate away. Now I am more of a target then ever. Is there any way maybe I can talk to the headmaster?"
Amanda, Cho, Arabella, and Ron just looked at each other and thought about it. Being the eldest and more senior of the three teachers, Arabella made the move, "Pansy come with us, Ron go on to your next class, Cho, Amanda please continue with the next class, you know the topics we are covering."
With that, they separated, Arabella and Pansy went to the headmaster's office, Cho and Amanda awaited their next class which was 1st year Ravenclaw and Slytherine students, and Ron went on to Divination with a note to excuse his lateness.
Pansy and Arabella went to the headmasters office to find that Professor McGonagell was there too. It was better this way.
"Ah Arabella, what brings you to my office, I thought you had class right now. Please come in Ms. Parkinson and have a seat. I take it this has to do with Ms. Parkinson, Arabella?"
Arabella nodded and repeated the story that Pansy had told her and about the fight that occurred between her students before class where Pansy took Harry and Hermione's side instead of her fellow housemates. Pansy just nodded in acknowledgement about the story's details.
Albus got up and started pacing back and forth in deep thought. After awhile, he sat back down and turned to one of his cabinets and using his wand pulled a file out of it. He then turned to Professor McGonagell and motioned her to sit down.
Albus began talking, "Pansy, even if you were sorted into another house you would still be a target from the Slytherine. I have been looking at your scores over the last 4 years and you are third behind Harry and Hermione. I would like to offer you another idea that if you feel you are up to it, you will have the protection of the entire staff and even the Heirs for you more concentrated. If Professor McGonagell agrees with me I would like to offer you the chance to do what Harry and his family did last summer but not in such a short time. In your case I suggest you complete your OWLs and NEWTs before Christmas. In the mean time I am certain that Harry and his team would be happy to have you work with them helping teach the classes."
Professor McGonagell (Minerva) commented on the idea in a positive way, "I agree with the idea Albus, Pansy has a strong mind and head for the work and I don't see any problems with her joining Harry's team. Now all we need to do is get Harry out of his coma and tell him so he can settle things for you."
Pansy was shocked with what she just heard, she didn't know that Harry was that bad. She had heard that the cruiciatus curse has different effects on a person's body depending on the length of time it was put on the person but a coma was not a result of the short time that it was put on Harry.
Pansy asked about this to Albus, "Professor, what exactly is wrong with Harry? I know there has to be another underlying problem that would be the only way he would be in a coma after the curse."
Albus's eyes lost its brightness when she asked the question, "Pansy, Harry has Level 3 Asthma. The Cruiciatus curse caused Harry to have a very severe asthma attack. Right now all we can do is wait till his body heals itself before he will wake up. His doctor in Houston said it maybe a few days to a week before he wakes up. Alright if you want you can go down to the hospital wing and stay with Hermione there. It is probably better for now since we have to get things sorted out schedule wise and room wise for you. That is if you want to do this."
Pansy looked down at her hands in thought and finally looked at the headmaster and told him, "Professor I would like to join Harry's team. I think it is best that one of you come with me down to the hospital wing so that Hermione doesn't get scared. Thank you both for letting me do this. It means a lot to me."
Albus's eyes gained the bright twinkling again now that things were going down the right path. He told Pansy that he would go down with her since Minerva and Arabella had to go to class now. He would also take care of her belongings so she wouldn't have to worry about them.
Albus and Pansy walked out behind Arabella and Minerva and headed to the hospital wing while the others headed to their respective classrooms. When they entered the hospital wing, they were greeted by a little uptight Hermione.
"Albus why is she here?" asked Hermione.
"Hermione, I know we have had our problems in the past but I really am not an evil person. Like Draco, my parents are also death eaters also. Unlike Draco, I choose to never join Voldermort and his followers. I managed to run away when my parents took me to get initiated. I asked Professor Dumbledor for help in this case and he has offered to let me do what you and your family did last summer. He believes that I will be able to handle the course load with the help of both you and Harry," explained Pansy in a somber voice.
Hermione looked into Pansy's eyes as she told her story and came to the conclusion that she was telling the truth. She got up and went and hugged Pansy. Meanwhile, Albus just let Pansy say what she had said then decided to add a bit more to the story after Hermione started hugging Pansy.
"Hermione there is more to the story. This morning, a group of 5th year Slytherine were berating Ron and the other 5th year Gryffendor house mates about the fact that you and Harry used his fame to get your way into becoming more powerful in the school and being special and being able to get away with things. Pansy cut Ron off from doing something he would have lost points for by verbally defending you and Harry and the rest of your family. Arabella had come in at the end of the fight and watched the whole thing from a distance. She took the initiative to separate Pansy from her class mates and Gryffendor students were happy to let her sit with them. Lets just say that this was the first potion that Ron was able to complete with the help of Pansy. Pansy then stayed after class with Ron, Amanda, Cho and Arabella and she pleaded for their help in getting her out of Slytherine. Even if that meant being resorted. Arabella brought Pansy up to my office and it was just by happenstance that Minerva was there and between the three of us we came up with the solution of having Pansy joining your team if you and Harry agreed. I know that Harry would be more then happy to let her join the team if it means that the Slytherine can not harm her. She was 3rd behind you and Harry for the past 4 years in your grades in your year, if that gives you any idea of our decision."
Hermione had brought Pansy to one of the seats next to her where she was sitting and keeping ritual watch over Harry. She just smiled at Pansy and said, "Thanks Pansy, I know it took a lot of courage to do what you did in class this morning. Both Harry and I would be happy to help you study for your exams so don't worry about it. By the way how did you know we completed our exams in a short period of time last summer? Not many people know this."
Just as Pansy was about to answer Hermione's question, Virginia, Cho and Amanda came into the room. Virginia answered for Pansy; "I have been talking to Pansy since she came with the other prefects came last summer. I was going to bring up the situation to Albus this afternoon but it seems that I was beat to it. Arabella already told us about your joining the team and I welcome you to our team."
With that everyone went and hugged Pansy before finding chairs and sitting down. Albus started talking again, "Well I see that you are in good hands here Pansy. It is my suggestion that Pansy stays here with Hermione till Harry comes around. I think that you will be able to study too. I have set up quarters near Harry and Hermione's room for Pansy so she would be near you guys. Good day you all and I will hopefully see some of you at dinner tonight."
With that Albus left the room. Dobby and Winky showed up with trays of sandwiches just as Ron came into the Wing.
"Hey Pansy I wanted to say again thanks for helping out back there in potions. I take it the rest of you know what happened?" asked Ron.
They all nodded. Pansy stated, "Your more then welcome Ron. I can't stand how these idiots think that Harry loves his fame. In the 4 years he has attended Hogwarts I have never seen him actually want his fame. I remember last year when the paparazzi wizard reporters always bombarded him kept trying to get him to talk about his role in the tri-wizard tournament. I felt for him. Hermione, you and Harry are really meant for each other. You both compliment each other real well. I was happy to hear that hey had proposed to you this summer. I know you will have a long life together. I just wish he would get better soon. The school is not the same with out him."
They all nodded and in a subdued manner, they all ate lunch and talked about what was going to be happening this year. After lunch, Amanda, Virginia, Cho, and Ron went to class while Hermione decided that she needed to take a nap and laid down next to Harry. Pansy took a blanket and covered the two up before taking out one of her books and starting to read.
This carried on for another two days until finally Harry's O2 levels were at 100% unassisted (no additional oxygen provided by nasal tubes). Harry woke up finally around lunchtime that day, which was Sunday as a matter of fact. He was surprised to see Pansy there but after Hermione and Ron told him the details with Pansy filling the details as she went along, he welcomed her to the team. Pansy was happy to see that Harry accepted her to his team and what she over the last three days felt was a family. They had all treated her like she was part of their family including Sikandar and Sarah.
After another day in the hospital Harry was finally released to go back to the general public. Everyone was excited about it and couldn't wait to have him back. Amanda and Cho filled in Hermione and Harry on what was being covered in their subject so that they can be ready for the classes that day. It had been decided that because of Harry's health being touchy, there would be no Tae Kwon Do classes until further notice.
Harry joined his family at the great hall that next Monday for breakfast after getting ready. During breakfast, many students from all the houses and the schools came by and welcomed him back. Harry smiled and when they were certain that everyone was in the hall he stood up.
"Good morning everyone, I just wanted to thank you for your get well cards and messages. I am happy to say that I have been released to return to my duties as a teacher. On a rather low note, due to my health being as touchy as it is, the Tae Kwon Do classes has been suspended until further notice. Oh we also have a new assistant professor on our team. I would like to introduce Pansy Parkinson as the new member of our team. Please I would like all of you to offer her the same respect that you give all the other teachers. Thank you."
With that said, Harry sat back down and finished his breakfast. After breakfast Harry, Hermione, and Pansy went to the dungeons with Arabella while Cho and Amanda went to the Charms classrooms to help Professor Flitwick out.
After taking their seats in the now very bright and friendly Potions room, the 5th year Gryffendor and Slytherine students filed into the room. When they saw Harry, Hermione and Pansy sitting up front most of the Gryffendor students went up and greeted them. After everyone was seated and the bell rang for the classes to start, Arabella stood up and started talking.
"Good morning class. As you can see we have three new assistants today. From what I have been told this is going to be a more fixed setup from now on. I am pleased to have Harry back with us. I would also like to remind you all that Pansy is now considered a teacher and I expect you all to respect her as one. Today we will be covering the healing potion covered on page 32 of your textbooks. Please take out the necessary ingredients and start," said Arabella.
Harry and Hermione worked the side closer to the Slytherine while Pansy worked most of the Gryffendor students with most emphasis with Neville. Amanda had told Pansy that he was doing a lot better now that Snape was not in the classroom but she still suggested that she helped him or at least kept an eye on his work.
Zambini kept trying to cause problems for the rest of the students especially the Gryffendor students. Harry finally had enough of that and spoke up.
"Mr. Zambini, if you try to sabotage another student's, you will fail this potion and have detention with Mr. Filch till Halloween. Am I understood? This potion will not create itself and so far you are failing the potion."
Zambini was fuming. Harry noticed this and decided that he would stay within an arms length of Zambini till the end of class. In the end, everyone but Zambini completed the potion correctly. Harry noted this and made a comment.
"Mr. Zambini 5 points from Slytherine for failing to make your potion correctly. Now if Neville and Ron can make this potion correctly then there is no reason why you couldn't."
Zambini decided that he had had enough of Harry's taking to protecting his targets. It's bad enough that he has to be caught trying to mess with other students potions, but he also didn't even get his right. He decided to try and humiliate Harry and Hermione in front of the other students.
"It's not my fault that you let your fame and power cloud your mind and make you think that you can do anything you want. First you kill the Diggery boy and get away with it, then you have to force our favorite potions master out of Hogwarts."
Harry was doing his best to keep his emotions in check. Hermione saw the fire that was dancing in Harry's eyes and made her way to him and put a calming hand on his shoulder. It took Harry a while to recover his anger.
Meanwhile Arabella also came forward and yelled at Zambini, "Mr. Zambini that is wholly uncalled for. 50 points from Slytherine and 1 week detention with Mr. Filch."
Arabella was hoping that this would end any more conversation between Harry and Blaise but she was wrong.
Harry finally got enough energy and started calmly speaking to Blaise, "Zambini don't go accusing me of killing Cedric Diggory. You have Voldermort and the traitor Peter Pettigew to thank for that. No body accuses me of killing Cedric, not even his parents and his girlfriend. As for Professor Snape, I can honestly say that he was finally able to get a better job then what he had here. He took up the position of assistant headmaster of Durmstrung so don't accuse us of forcing him to leave so we can have someone that is not biased of each of the houses. I can honestly say that I finally got to know the true side of Severus this summer and we became really good friends. Now Mr. Zambini you have 5 minutes to get to your charms class or you will be late. Good day."
Blaise realized this and grabbed his books and headed for the door since he knew that he wasn't going to get a note from the teachers after he verbally attacked him. He felt he was lucky to get away with the little punishment he got as it is.
As soon as Blaise was out the door and beyond hearing range, Harry collapsed and started sobbing. Hermione, who was expecting this was able to keep Harry from hurting himself and was also able to get him to the front of the classroom because the students of their next class were coming in.
Hermione tried to calm Harry down by saying a few calming words to him. "Harry don't let Blaises comments get to you. You know we all believe that you didn't kill Cedric and his death was not anything you could prevent. If anyone is to blame it is Voldermort."
Harry just hugged Hermione for a bit more then finally was able to settle down with his thoughts. Hermione and Pansy spent the rest of that class helping the students while Harry used the time to gather his thoughts. After class they went down to the great hall for lunch. Harry just stared at Blaise when he walked in and Blaise did his best now to show how scared he was of Harry now.
During lunch, Hermione told her parents what had happened during class that day and they both looked as if they were going to kill someone. After further discussion they decided that they should discuss with the rest of the school what should have been done a while back. Professor Dumbledor decided he would do the honors of making the announcement.
"Good afternoon students. It has come to my attention that some of you are still blaming Harry for the death of Cedric Diggory's death. I would like to make it clear that Harry was not responsible for Cedric's death. The next time I hear someone make that accusation to Harry or anyone else, I will personally take 150 points from your respective houses. I want to emphasize that accusing someone in the death of a fellow student and friend's death is not easy. Harry has been tested under truth serum in the Ministry of Magic itself to affirm his innocence. The records are public knowledge and you may contact the ministry to verify that. It has also come to my attention that the Hogwarts Slytherine are blaming Harry and his team for the loss of Professor Snape. They are accusing them of trying to get rid of him so that they can get away with taking points off of their house. Please understand that Harry and Hermione especially became very close to the potion master and would never do that. Professor Snape was offered the position as Assistant Headmaster of Durmstrung School in Bulgaria. He has actually received a better job and we are happy for him. I wish you all a good afternoon."
Once Albus sat down, everyone basically started talking. The Slytherine were slightly taken aback at what the headmaster had said about their former head of house. The revelation of Cedric's death and that the ministry had certified Harry not guilty of the death of Cedric had also hit home. They all had heard about the blow up between Blaise and Harry and some of them were ready to kill him and others were shamed to being Slytherine.
The rest of the week went by quite well. That Saturday, everyone was looking forward to the beginning of term Dance that night. Harry and Hermione had gotten ready an hour before everyone else. Pansy was going with Roger Davies, Cho was going with Ron, Virginia was going with Semus Finnigan and finally Amanda was going with Timmy Granger. They all went down to the great hall and waited for the rest of the students to come to the great hall. At exactly 7:30 they opened to doors and everyone entered the hall. The hall had been decorated quite well and there was a stage for the band to play on.
Harry and Hermione took seats next to Sikandar and Sarah as usual. Everyone else took their seats. All the students took seats on the tables assorted around the dance floor. Dinner was served as usual with everyone eating and talking. Once the dinner was finished, the band started playing and everyone started going on the floor. Harry and Hermione also went on the floor and begun to dance. Cho and Ron joined them a bit later. By the end of the night, Harry's asthma started kicking in and he finally had to give up with the dancing for the evening. At the end of the evening, Albus stood up and dismissed the students back to their dorms. Harry and Hermione left with them and headed to bed because of Harry's asthma attack.
(A/N: I hope you all like this chapter. This chapter was supposed to be longer but because of hardware failure I had to rewrite it. Please do review.)
To all of my reviewers, thank you for reviewing.