Faster than he'd anticipated, the rest of Harry's summer passed without incident and the children boarded the Hogwarts Express bogged down in snacks and hugs from the adults who sent them off.
It was more somber than usual on the train, however. One by one, the quartet's other friends and classmates stopped by to gossip about the World Cup.
"It was really scary," Neville admitted. "Luckily Gran and I had seats near an exit, so we were able to get out. Did you hear about Lucy Talmadge, she was a first-year last term… I heard she'd been crushed to death under the stands."
Seamus, who had been incredibly excited about the match, was very shaken by the events.
"I was sitting with Dean and his family. We were too busy cheering about the win that we didn't notice anything was wrong until the walls started caving in. A huge piece cut off our exit. Dean's mum gave us all Bubble-Head Charms because the air was so thick with dust we couldn't breathe. His little sister wouldn't stop crying. Our seats were near the pitch, so we headed towards it to get out of the way of anything falling. Merlin, we watched it go down. It started at the base and a wave of air rippled upwards. All those levels of people crashing to the earth. It was so loud. Then the rubble began to reach us, and a huge piece crashed into the ground right in front of me. Some of the adults worked together to put up a shield around us, and there were about twenty of us buried under there for hours. I thought I was going to die."
They'd sat in silence for a while until another round of visitors came and brought it up again and again. As Sirius had warned him, loads of students valued Harry's opinion on the subject.
"Do you think You-Know-Who is back, Harry?" Lavender Brown asked. Most of the Gryffindor fourth-years had shoved themselves inside their compartment at this point.
"Well, we know the terrorists were wearing Death Eater robes," Harry said in his most calm and adult-like tone. "So I don't think it's wise to rule anything out at this point. They could have been acting alone, or they might not have. We'll simply have to wait and see."
"Well, well, well. What do we have here? Holding a press conference, Potter?" Malfoy sneered as he passed by their compartment. Harry gave him an odd look. Malfoy had been trying to start a feud between them for years, to no avail. However, his comments were particularly unwelcome and grating in the somber mood of the compartment. I f Harry had to listen to another one of his uncreative and passive-aggressive comments about how Harry was an orphan, well… Draco Malfoy was starting to become pretty annoying.
"Obviously," he said. "Say, you've got inside sources. Do you think Voldemort is back, Malfoy?"
The boy flinched at the name.
"Well, you'd better hope he isn't, Potter. Or he'll be coming after you and your mudblood sidekicks." The boy spat.
"The fuck did you just say?" Harry stood - he'd murdered for less, after all - but Luna dragged him back into his seat by the hem of his shirt.
"Harry! Murder is wrong!"
"Sorry Luna!" he said. "He just said a slur though?"
"He was referring to me, so I get to decide," Hermione huffed. "And there's too many witnesses, Harry!"
"If he says three slurs you can murder him," Ron said diplomatically.
"Hell yeah! Come on then, Malfoy. Test me."
The rest of the compartment and Malfoy stared at them, stunned.
Neville cleared his throat.
"Oh boy, look at the time. I think we'd all better get changed into our robes, yeah?"
They received no further visitors.
...
The Sorting Hat ceremony went smoothly, and everyone tucked into their meals without as much chatter as usual, as the mood was still gloomy. When Dumbledore finally stood, it went quiet.
"Welcome students. Welcome. This year will be an exciting one and I am truly glad you will all be able to witness a historic and exhilarating event. It is the best thing, when one's spirits are low, to be surrounded by friends and joy. But first, we must take a moment to acknowledge those students who will unfortunately not be joining us this year." He raised his glass and spoke the names of the seven students who had been killed at the World Cup. At the end of the table, the group of second-years began to weep.
This was very sad and all, but Harry found his focus set on an odd sight as Dumbledore raised his glass. His hand was cursed, a deeply Dark thing, trailing a blackened burn across the man's entire hand as though he'd dipped it in ash.
Dumbledore continued after a moment of silence. "And to those who are still recovering, we are hopeful they will join us soon. Now, on to some happier news -"
He was interrupted as the door banged open and a weird old guy came in, his face busted up and he had a peg leg for some reason. To any sane person, this would be weird and slightly disturbing. Harry thought it was cool as hell though.
"Ah, students, may I introduce our new DADA Professor, Alastor Moody," Dumbledore said.
"The auror?" Ron said with a grin. "D'ya reckon he's going to teach us some dueling?"
"He has way too many nargles," Luna said. "And his magic looks really strange. I hope he's okay."
"He looks like he's killed people," Harry said, his words the peak of praise.
"Well I hope he's competent," Hermione said.
Dumbledore continued talking.
"As I was saying, I am pleased to announce that this year, Hogwarts will host the Triwizard Tournament."
There was a chorus of excited chatter. Fred and George began to loudly proclaim their imminent fame. The noise settled after a moment and Dumbledore lectured about the history of the tournament, making Hermione huff at his casual mention of its dangerous and deadly nature. The news of a contingent of students from Beauxbatons and Durmstrang was particularly exciting and led to more murmuring.
.....
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