Gryphon's Pride - 2

Lily had only allowed Harry to return to Hogwarts after using the combined influence of Potter and Black to add two electives to the curriculum and a small post of Aurors in Hogsmeade. Of the two, it was magnitudes more difficult to get the classes approved. The madness of arranging the Tri-Wizard Tournament helped cover her machinations.

She had managed to keep the tournament secret, and so Harry found out about it along with everyone else at the Welcome Feast. The addition of new classes and staff, not the sheer amount of time it took to get them on the schedule.

"On a positive note." Headmaster Dumbledore continued. "We are pleased to welcome four new professors to the Hogwarts staff. Professor Andromeda Tonks will teach Practical Applications of Magic. Professor Narcissa Malfoy will teach Alchemy."

The crowd applauded politely. Harry stole a quick look at the Slytherin table. Malfoy looked completely confused.

Andromeda Tonks was Sirius' cousin and a renown Medi-witch. Harry had met her a few times in the past, but her job didn't allow for much free time. Her visits were always short, even on the holidays. Harry knew her daughter and husband much better than he did her. How his mother had managed to get her to settle in for an entire year was a mystery.

"Our own Keeper of the Keys, Rubeus Hagrid, will now teach Care of Magical Creatures full time as he has earned his Mastery." Headmaster Dumbledore added once the polite clapping had finished.

The Hufflepuff and Gryffindor tables erupted in cheers. Hagrid blushed bright enough for it to be seen through his beard. Harry had been looking forward to the class before. Now he could hardly wait. His interest in magical creatures had grown after his encounter with the basilisk. The pragmatic part of his brain told him it was because it was likely he would face more creatures like that in his future. A much louder part of him said that his interest was because magical creatures were cool.

"Alchemy and Practical Magic will be available as an elective starting for Third Years." Dumbledore went on to say. "We have set aside the weekend to finalize your schedules with the addition of the new classes. Your head of house will collect your choices on Sunday afternoon."

Students arrived on Friday. They settled in over the weekend and classes started on Monday. The fact that his mother had managed to get two family friends hired was impressive. Narcissa was an easy one for the Board of Trustees as she was the wife of one of the members. Technically, Andromeda was a neutral party. Her reputation was hard to oppose.

"Two final announcements." Headmaster Dumbledore continued after the students had calmed. "Defense Against the Dark Arts will be taught by Alastor Moody."

The gathered students scanned the room for the newly appointed professor. No one stood out. They were about to move on when the doors to the Great Hall slammed open. A ragged man with a peg-leg stomped in. He was absolutely soaked and didn't seem to care.

Harry wasn't close to the man, but he could clearly hear the wizard cursing up a storm as he walked. Dumbledore greeted the man with a smile and motioned to an open seat at the staff table. Snape looked incredibly uncomfortable. That was already a point in Moody's favor.

"And for our final announcement." Dumbledore calmed the now chattering crowd. "Quidditch this year will be canceled."

All four houses erupted in protest. For the first time since Harry had arrived at Hogwarts they were truly united. Not that Harry noticed, he was among the angry crowd.

"In its place we will be hosting the Tri-Wizard Tournament." Dumbledore pressed on.

The Headmaster went on to explain the details, the age limit, and when the schools would arrive. Harry eyed his mother through the announcement. The additional training over the summer made sense now. She had been stressed but wouldn't explain why. There was a good chance that Harry would get pulled into things. The tournament would open the school grounds to outsiders which meant there were going to be a lot of unknown people around and it would be easier to slip in someone loyal to Voldemort.

Harry gave his mother a comforting smile when their eyes met. She returned it with a tight one of her own. He had one year of relative normalcy and really, really hoped that this year would be a repeat. If nothing else, he was planning on distracting himself with the influx of foreign witches.

"What do you think, Harry?" Ron bumped his shoulder. "Are you going to put your name in?"

"There's an Age Line." Hermione cut in. "No one under seventeen can enter."

"The twins will figure something out." Ron shrugged. "Well, Harry?"

"No." Harry shook his head. "My mom would kill me."

Ron patted him on the shoulder.

"Chin up." His friend said. "Think of the ladies."

"Ronald!" Hermione swatted him on the back of the head.

"I am." Harry smiled.

"Harry!" Hermione gave him a slap on the shoulder. "Boys." She grumbled.

"What about the new classes?" Ron asked, instantly distracting the witch.

"Practical Applications of Magic." Hermione practically vibrated with excitement. "That sounds so interesting. I don’t know how I will manage it though. My schedule is already full of Care of Magical Creatures, Runes, and Arithmancy."

"Hermione." Harry cocked his head to the side. "Are you sure you can handle all that? "

She nodded.

"How can you make that work?" Harry pressed.

"That's mental." Ron added.

Harry's eyes narrowed. He focused on her neck. A familiar thin gold chain rested against her skin.

"Hermione." He said slowly. "Is that what I think it is?"

"No." Hermione tucked the chain under her shirt collar.

"A necklace?" Ron asked.

"A time turner." Harry held out his hand. "Again? We've been through this before. Give it."

"I'm not going to give it to you." Hermione clicked her tongue. "Professor McGonagall trusted me to keep it secret. She said I did excellent after last year."

"Hermione." He put down his hand. "You know I love you-"

"Aw." Hermione smiled brightly. "I love you too, Harry. You're like the little brother I never had."

"What about me?" Ron cut in.

"You're the annoying cousin." Hermione stuck her tongue out at him.

"Hey!" Ron tossed a chocolate frog at her.

"Nice try." Harry snatched the candy from the air. "You aren't going to distract me. This is important."

Hermione crossed her arms with a huff.

"I've had to do extra hours a day for the last two summers." Harry softened his tone. "Even then, we take a day off between to recover and work on easier things. Last year practically made you go mad."

Hermione glared at him.

"You're the smartest person I know." He winked at her. "After me, that is."

"Not everyone has a dual mastership for a mother." Hermione grumbled.

"Still." Harry pressed on. "I couldn't handle this schedule. It's not like you can use the Time Turner to get extra sleep either. I know I can't convince you to drop all of them. Please, only take one extra class. Use the other period for review or study hall. Something to let your brain relax a little."

"Fine." Hermione muttered. "One of these days, Potter, I'm going to knock you out of the top spot."

Harry sighed.

"Enough of that." Ron pushed back into the conversation. "I am not the annoying cousin."