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Derfel · 04-08-2010, 08:53 PM

Chapter 3: A new term

The dawn rose grey and miserable, totally at odds with the moods of Lily and Albus as they made final adjustments to their homework. Another year at Hogwarts awaited them.
Their parents, on the other hand were feeling the now familiar pang of realisation that they wouldn't see their children for several months.
Adding to this worry today was Lily's obsession with the boy they had dubbed 'death boy' in private conversation. Ginny just hoping first impressions were wrong; trying to bury the sensation of fear she had felt. Forcing a smile on her face she turned to Harry, "Everything ok?" He looked like he needed more support than ever this year.
Snapping out of his own reverie at his wife's voice, he replied, "yep, nothing wrong here." Liar! He told himself. Why are you still trying to protect her? A small voice spoke again in his head.
"You've always been a bad liar, Harry," Ginny poked his chest at 'liar',"tell me what's up."
"Can it wait until the train leaves?"
That was the last thing Ginny wanted to hear. It suggested her children were in danger.
********
Ogranak nervously looked at and studied every face on the road outside his home. Looking for anyone new - he knew enough about doing things in the shadows to know being followed was a bad thing - especially when being followed by you own side.

He noticed one of Krull's creatures hovering behind a bush - the fool had forgotten to cover his badge of office - the image of Krull's god, Dedun, a bright red against the pale skin of his cheek. The elation of spotting the goblin immediately replaced by icy dread; he was suspected of a treachery he was yet to commit.
Taking a deep breath, Ogranak quickly formed a plan in his mind; hating leaving so much to chance but knowing he didn't have much choice, he headed for the bank, uncomfortably aware of 2 black speck burning a hole on his back.
******

A quick glance around the platform revealed no "undesirables" as Ron called them - boys who were interested in their daughters - but even so, Harry pulled Albus aside to speak briefly to him about keeping Lily safe from them.
Watching her husband, Ginny knew what he was telling her youngest son and from Albus' expression, she knew he was thinking about whether or not to finish his father's sentences.
"What are they talking about, mum?" Lily asked. She was already in her school robes and looking disappointed that she couldn't find someone.
"The same thing that they have every year you've been at Hogwarts, Lily," Ginny smiled warmly at her daughter, "you remember everything I told you the first time you went?"
"Yes, mum, I can.." Lily then went on to list every bit of advice Ginny had given her about dealing with boys in a bored voice that made her mother laugh.
"I'm sorry hunny, with your brothers needing constant nagging, I keep forgetting you only need to be told things once."
A small frown appeared on Lily's face, "Have you heard from James recently, mum?"
"No, the last your father or I heard, he was doing fieldwork in the Black Forest."
"But that was over a year ago." Lily protested.
"I'm sure he'll be back soon, Lily," a new voice spoke behind them.
"Teddy!" Lily shrieked and flung her arms around the man who used to visit her parents on a regular basis, "Where have you been?"
"That would be telling, Pygmy Puff?" Teddy, who looked like a young version of his father, whipped off his hat to reveal the puff sitting on his head, which he lowered to allow Lily to touch the small creature. It trembled at her touch and the sudden noise around it before walking on to Lily's hand as if knowing it was the safest place to be. "Aww, it's so cute! Can I keep it mum?"
Ginny nodded at her daughter before speaking to Teddy, "What brings you here all of a sudden? You haven't had another argument with Victoire have you?" Her eyes narrowed in mock suspicion.
"What? No!" Teddy stammered, "I merely wanted to see these guys off before they began this important year.."
"Hi, Teddy," Albus and Harry had rejoined the group. Albus eyed Lily's new pet with jealousy and expectation.
Catching the boy's glance, Teddy spoke again, "sorry Al', the owl hasn't delivered yours yet, I'll send it to Hogwarts for you, ok?"
Looking slightly more hopeful, Albus nodded then glanced at his watch; panic spreading across his features as he realised the time. "It's time to go? Where are Rose and Hugo?"
"On the train already," Teddy answered before helping the 2 youngsters get their things on board. "Wanted to ensure a compartment this year I think. Middle carriage."
"Thanks, Teddy. Bye mum. Bye dad!" Lily and Albus spoke in unison, leaning back as the door was closed.

Slowly, the train began to leave the platform, the familiar clanks and hisses a source of comfort in the silence as parents watched their children wave goodbye.
As the train disappeared, Harry turned to look at his godson but was surprised to see Ron and Hermione there instead. "2 questions; where have you been? Where did Teddy go?"
Hermione answered, pushing Ron aside so she could more easily vent her thoughts on Harry. "Well, I was by the middle carriage with our children and talking to a very gaudily dressed Lavender Brown while Ronald," she inflicted a lot of scorn on her husband's name, " was off scouting for undesirables. I'm sure I saw him offer 1 boy money."
"Ron!" Ginny punched her brother then stared at him with the kind of glare her mother had used regularly with the twins, causing Ron to wince and quickly step away from the group, nearly falling off the platform onto the rails in his haste to get away.
****
"No Scorpius?" Albus asked as he lead his sister into the compartment, marvelling as always, about the pristine state of the carriages as the door slid silently back across to close off the seats.
"Of course not," Rose's reply had an edge to it as if annoyed with explaining something obvious for the millionth time. "He's got head boy duties to do hasn't he.. Idiot."
Silenced, Albus sat down opposite Hugo and set up a chess board for them to play while the 2 girls gossiped. All the while hoping his own "hot rating" wouldn't come up. However, when the words 'Cei' and 'gryffindor' came up and his sister turned bright red, Albus tore his attention from the chess board to speak harshly to Lily. "6th Year Cei? He's a loner because he's evil Lily. NOT because he's quirky!"
Lily's anger flared up at that, "How can a gryffindor be evil, Albus? Hmm?"
"Do you not recall what happened to those slytherins that attacked him? One is still having mobility issues."
"He's evil because he defended himself? How does self defense make him evil?"
"He didn't look repentant!"
"Maybe he didn't do that injury."
"Why would a slytherin attack a slytherin?"
"To frame a gryffindor!"
"You're wrong!"
"You're wrong!"
Their voices had been getting louder with every word, causing one of the new prefects to barge in and ask them to shut up as it was scaring the cream in the cupcake cauldrons.
An uneasy silence strained the atmosphere some more as the 2 Potters took deep breaths and avoided looking at the other, each convinced they were in the right.
Rose looked pointedly at her brother, her glance telling him to think twice about saying his piece about the renegade gryffindor. Something not lost on Albus as he tried to focus once more on the chess board.

The atmosphere remained strained until the train reached Hogsmeade. Dark clouds and echos of ancient magic preventing anyone from seeing the still light sky.
Heavy rain as the carriage doors opened didn't help matters. Each student grumbling about being wet before even Peeves got his hands on them.
"Firs' years! Firs' years over here!" a barely glowing lantern indicated the presence of Hagrid as he gathered all first years for their scenic introduction to the castle.
He smiled down at the 4 of them as they passed, "cheer up guys!" He called after them, momentarily frowning at the lack of response.
Even in the great hall, Rose found the silence of her cousins deafening - she was unable to hear the headmaster's speech or anything the sorting hat said. Even Hugo, who had joined his friends at the other end of the table shrugged when she caught his eye.
"Scared of your final year already, miss Weasley?" Sir Nick asked, misinterpretating her worried expression.
"Oh. Not at all. I'm actually looking forward to it. It's my cousins I'm worried about. They had an argument on the train see." She paused then added, "about Cei."
"Ah, our resident questionable." The tone suggested they were carefully chosen words. "Let me guess, miss Potter has taken a fancy to him and master Potter or perhaps even your famous uncle, doesn't like him?"
"Yes. How did you..."
"Hmm, I wonder how long before our esteemed Herbology teacher finds out?" With a wink at Rose as he made the last remark, Nick floated to a group of first years who were staring wide eyed at the food that had appeared before them.

A/N: As always I hope you enjoyed this latest chapter and look forward to your comments.

Chapter 2

Chapter 4

04-08-2010, 08:53 PM	#15 (permalink)
Derfel Jarvey Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Wales Posts: 637 Hogwarts RPG Name: Ambrocinius Fifth Year	Chapter 3: A new term The dawn rose grey and miserable, totally at odds with the moods of Lily and Albus as they made final adjustments to their homework. Another year at Hogwarts awaited them. Their parents, on the other hand were feeling the now familiar pang of realisation that they wouldn't see their children for several months. Adding to this worry today was Lily's obsession with the boy they had dubbed 'death boy' in private conversation. Ginny just hoping first impressions were wrong; trying to bury the sensation of fear she had felt. Forcing a smile on her face she turned to Harry, "Everything ok?" He looked like he needed more support than ever this year. Snapping out of his own reverie at his wife's voice, he replied, "yep, nothing wrong here." Liar! He told himself. Why are you still trying to protect her? A small voice spoke again in his head. "You've always been a bad liar, Harry," Ginny poked his chest at 'liar',"tell me what's up." "Can it wait until the train leaves?" That was the last thing Ginny wanted to hear. It suggested her children were in danger. ****** Ogranak nervously looked at and studied every face on the road outside his home. Looking for anyone new - he knew enough about doing things in the shadows to know being followed was a bad thing - especially when being followed by you own side. He noticed one of Krull's creatures hovering behind a bush - the fool had forgotten to cover his badge of office - the image of Krull's god, Dedun, a bright red against the pale skin of his cheek. The elation of spotting the goblin immediately replaced by icy dread; he was suspected of a treachery he was yet to commit. Taking a deep breath, Ogranak quickly formed a plan in his mind; hating leaving so much to chance but knowing he didn't have much choice, he headed for the bank, uncomfortably aware of 2 black speck burning a hole on his back. **** A quick glance around the platform revealed no "undesirables" as Ron called them - boys who were interested in their daughters - but even so, Harry pulled Albus aside to speak briefly to him about keeping Lily safe from them. Watching her husband, Ginny knew what he was telling her youngest son and from Albus' expression, she knew he was thinking about whether or not to finish his father's sentences. "What are they talking about, mum?" Lily asked. She was already in her school robes and looking disappointed that she couldn't find someone. "The same thing that they have every year you've been at Hogwarts, Lily," Ginny smiled warmly at her daughter, "you remember everything I told you the first time you went?" "Yes, mum, I can.." Lily then went on to list every bit of advice Ginny had given her about dealing with boys in a bored voice that made her mother laugh. "I'm sorry hunny, with your brothers needing constant nagging, I keep forgetting you only need to be told things once." A small frown appeared on Lily's face, "Have you heard from James recently, mum?" "No, the last your father or I heard, he was doing fieldwork in the Black Forest." "But that was over a year ago." Lily protested. "I'm sure he'll be back soon, Lily," a new voice spoke behind them. "Teddy!" Lily shrieked and flung her arms around the man who used to visit her parents on a regular basis, "Where have you been?" "That would be telling, Pygmy Puff?" Teddy, who looked like a young version of his father, whipped off his hat to reveal the puff sitting on his head, which he lowered to allow Lily to touch the small creature. It trembled at her touch and the sudden noise around it before walking on to Lily's hand as if knowing it was the safest place to be. "Aww, it's so cute! Can I keep it mum?" Ginny nodded at her daughter before speaking to Teddy, "What brings you here all of a sudden? You haven't had another argument with Victoire have you?" Her eyes narrowed in mock suspicion. "What? No!" Teddy stammered, "I merely wanted to see these guys off before they began this important year.." "Hi, Teddy," Albus and Harry had rejoined the group. Albus eyed Lily's new pet with jealousy and expectation. Catching the boy's glance, Teddy spoke again, "sorry Al', the owl hasn't delivered yours yet, I'll send it to Hogwarts for you, ok?" Looking slightly more hopeful, Albus nodded then glanced at his watch; panic spreading across his features as he realised the time. "It's time to go? Where are Rose and Hugo?" "On the train already," Teddy answered before helping the 2 youngsters get their things on board. "Wanted to ensure a compartment this year I think. Middle carriage." "Thanks, Teddy. Bye mum. Bye dad!" Lily and Albus spoke in unison, leaning back as the door was closed. Slowly, the train began to leave the platform, the familiar clanks and hisses a source of comfort in the silence as parents watched their children wave goodbye. As the train disappeared, Harry turned to look at his godson but was surprised to see Ron and Hermione there instead. "2 questions; where have you been? Where did Teddy go?" Hermione answered, pushing Ron aside so she could more easily vent her thoughts on Harry. "Well, I was by the middle carriage with our children and talking to a very gaudily dressed Lavender Brown while Ronald," she inflicted a lot of scorn on her husband's name, " was off scouting for undesirables. I'm sure I saw him offer 1 boy money." "Ron!" Ginny punched her brother then stared at him with the kind of glare her mother had used regularly with the twins, causing Ron to wince and quickly step away from the group, nearly falling off the platform onto the rails in his haste to get away. **** "No Scorpius?" Albus asked as he lead his sister into the compartment, marvelling as always, about the pristine state of the carriages as the door slid silently back across to close off the seats. "Of course not," Rose's reply had an edge to it as if annoyed with explaining something obvious for the millionth time. "He's got head boy duties to do hasn't he.. Idiot." Silenced, Albus sat down opposite Hugo and set up a chess board for them to play while the 2 girls gossiped. All the while hoping his own "hot rating" wouldn't come up. However, when the words 'Cei' and 'gryffindor' came up and his sister turned bright red, Albus tore his attention from the chess board to speak harshly to Lily. "6th Year Cei? He's a loner because he's evil Lily. NOT because he's quirky!" Lily's anger flared up at that, "How can a gryffindor be evil, Albus? Hmm?" "Do you not recall what happened to those slytherins that attacked him? One is still having mobility issues." "He's evil because he defended himself? How does self defense make him evil?" "He didn't look repentant!" "Maybe he didn't do that injury." "Why would a slytherin attack a slytherin?" "To frame a gryffindor!" "You're wrong!" "You're wrong!" Their voices had been getting louder with every word, causing one of the new prefects to barge in and ask them to shut up as it was scaring the cream in the cupcake cauldrons. An uneasy silence strained the atmosphere some more as the 2 Potters took deep breaths and avoided looking at the other, each convinced they were in the right. Rose looked pointedly at her brother, her glance telling him to think twice about saying his piece about the renegade gryffindor. Something not lost on Albus as he tried to focus once more on the chess board. The atmosphere remained strained until the train reached Hogsmeade. Dark clouds and echos of ancient magic preventing anyone from seeing the still light sky. Heavy rain as the carriage doors opened didn't help matters. Each student grumbling about being wet before even Peeves got his hands on them. "Firs' years! Firs' years over here!" a barely glowing lantern indicated the presence of Hagrid as he gathered all first years for their scenic introduction to the castle. He smiled down at the 4 of them as they passed, "cheer up guys!" He called after them, momentarily frowning at the lack of response. Even in the great hall, Rose found the silence of her cousins deafening - she was unable to hear the headmaster's speech or anything the sorting hat said. Even Hugo, who had joined his friends at the other end of the table shrugged when she caught his eye. "Scared of your final year already, miss Weasley?" Sir Nick asked, misinterpretating her worried expression. "Oh. Not at all. I'm actually looking forward to it. It's my cousins I'm worried about. They had an argument on the train see." She paused then added, "about Cei." "Ah, our resident questionable." The tone suggested they were carefully chosen words. "Let me guess, miss Potter has taken a fancy to him and master Potter or perhaps even your famous uncle, doesn't like him?" "Yes. How did you..." "Hmm, I wonder how long before our esteemed Herbology teacher finds out?" With a wink at Rose as he made the last remark, Nick floated to a group of first years who were staring wide eyed at the food that had appeared before them. A/N: As always I hope you enjoyed this latest chapter and look forward to your comments. Chapter 2 Chapter 4 __________________ The ballad of Gryffindors sword 16+ Chapter 12 up! Last edited by Derfel; 06-18-2010 at 08:20 AM.