Potter Sibling Trilogy Plus One Book 2 (continued from Book 1)

Chapter 4 - Returning to Hogwarts

~Bella's POV~

Moody, Tonks and Sirius walk with us through the station to Platform 9¾. Sirius signals the four of us into an empty waiting room.

"What's up?" Emberlee asks.

"I wanted you four to have this."

He holds out a piece of paper and Harry takes it, opening it as the rest of us stand behind him to look.

"The Original Order of the Phoenix," Sirius says. "Marlene McKinnon," he says as he points. "She was killed two weeks after this was taken. Voldemort wiped out her entire family. Frank and Alice Longbottom..."

"Neville's parents," I say.

"They suffered a fate worse than death, you ask me. It's been fifteen years. And still a day doesn't go by I don't miss your dad."

There's silence.

"Do you really think there's going to be a war, Sirius?" Hollie asks.

"It feels like it did before."

Harry folds the photo and holds it out to him.

"You keep it. Anyway, I suppose you're the young ones now."

Moody taps on the glass and we all look as he holds up his pocket watch.

"See you later then," Emberlee says. "Can't be seen hanging out with you lot when you're meant to hate me."

She leaves first, being disguised as Rebel since before we left headquarters.

"Come on you three," Sirius says before he leads us to the wall between Platforms 9 and 10. "This is where I leave you," Sirius says so we go through the wall where there are lots of students boarding.

As we walk along the Platform, I see Voldemort standing there so I stop and we stare at each other.

I hear voices in Parseltongue and it seems Harry and Hollie can't see him.

I suddenly open my eyes and find myself on the train - it was just a dream.

I sit up and look at Edward who is sitting opposite me and must have seen something on my face because he moves over next to me and takes my hand.

"Bad dream?"

I nod before I snuggle up to him.

When we reach the stop where the carriages are to take us to Hogwarts, I feel breathing on the back of my neck and turn to see a strange black skinny horse with a reptilian-like face.

"What is it?" I ask.

"What's what?" Ron asks.

"They can't see it," Edward whispers. "It's a Thestral."

"Never mind," I say. "I thought I saw..."

Edward leads me to the carriage and I stare at the creature until I notice an unfamiliar face on board.

"I can see them too," she says.

We climb onto the carriage.

"Everyone, this is Looney Love..." Hermione begins. "Luna Lovegood."

I snigger, realising what her mistake was.

There's an awkward silence.

"What an interesting necklace," Hermione says.

"It's a charm, actually. Keeps away the Nargles."

We all look at her oddly and I understand why Hermione called her Looney.

"Hungry. I hope there's pudding," she says before the carriage starts off.

"What's a Nargle?" Ron asks quietly though I'm sure she heard him

"No idea," Hermione says.

~Hollie's POV~

At dinner, only my siblings, Edward, Ben, Neville, Ron and Hermione will sit with us. Even Bam, Ryan and Merida are sitting away from us.

Bella looks at Bam who turns away.

"So much for being in love with me. Can't even look at me now."

"Don't worry about it, babe," Edward says as he puts his arm round me.

"Good evening, children," Dumbledore says. "Now, we have two changes in staffing this year. We're pleased to welcome back Professor Grubby-Plank, who'll be taking Care of Magical Creatures while Professor Hagrid is on temporary leave. We also wish to welcome our new Defence Against the Dark Arts teacher, Professor Dolores Umbridge. And I'm sure you'll all join me in wishing the professor good luck. Now, as usual, our caretaker, Mr Filch, has asked me to remind you..."

Umbridge clears her throat so Dumbledore turns to her as she stands and moves round the table.

"She was at my hearing," Harry whispers. "She works for Fudge."

"Thank you, headmaster," she says as she approaches the podium. "For those kind words of welcome. And how lovely to see all your bright happy faces smiling up at me. I'm sure we're all going to be very good friends."

"That's likely," Fred and George say together.

"The Ministry of Magic has always considered the education of young witches and wizards to be of vital importance," she continues. "Although each headmaster has brought something new to this historic school..."

She nods at Dumbledore who nods back.

"Progress for the sake of progress must be discouraged. Let us preserve what must be preserved, perfect what can be perfected, and prune practices that ought to be prohibited."

She giggles before she returns to her seat.

"What a load of ball," Emberlee smirks in our direction.

I smirk back at her.

"Thank you, Professor Umbridge," Dumbledore says. "That really was most illuminating."

"Illuminating?" Ron asks. "What a load of waffle."

"What's it mean?" I ask. "Why is she here?"

"She's here to make sure that we keep our mouths shut and behave according to Ministry rules," Edward informs us.