Harry Potter and the Heir of Gryffindor(01) - Sahits

Chapter Eight: Letters"So who's our study captain?" Ron was asking Hermione on the way to Care of Magicalcreatures. Hermione, in a typical move, had spent the entire day gathering all thespecifics on the tournament as she could and Ron followed at her heels like a disciple."Professor McGonagall. First meeting is tonight in the library-seven o clock sharp.""Who are the others?""I believe that Professor Flitwick is Hufflepuff's Captain, Slytherin has ProfessorTrelawney, and Ravenclaw's is. . . ""Warwick," finished Ron, sadness in his voice. "Oh, why can't she be a Gryffindor?""Actually," came the voice of Professor Gray walking up behind them, "there's been achange of plans. Professor Warwick is going to be hosting the event. I am going to fill infor her, coaching the Ravenclaw team.""Professor Gray," Harry repeated incredulously, "you are really?""Don't sound so surprised," he smiled."Ah, so you're a turncoat, are you?" Ron teased."Hardly, Mr. Weasley. But I must admit that I am quite chuffed that I'm to be coachingthe smartest lot in the school. It'll make my job a lot easier!"Hermione smirked. "Ha! We'll see about them being the smartest lot in the school.""Miss Granger, even as a Gryffindor, I must admit that is the truth.""Ah, but we have Hermione." Ron patted her on the back."Yes," he said glumly. "Listen Miss Granger: best watch what you eat--they really wantyou off the team.""WHAT?" She looked faint.He laughed and shook his head. "See you in class, you three."The three smiled at his disappearing figure, Harry especially. "Great bloke, Sirius. Isn'the?" He smiled at Ron and Hermione, expecting an immediate concurrence. . . but hewas instead met with two faces completely drained of color.And Harry realized he'd made a big mistake.Ron grabbed Harry's arm forcefully, his voice in a loud whisper. "Sirius? Are you tellin' usthat Professor Gray is Sirius Black?"Harry wished the ground would have just swallowed him whole."How long have you known?," Hermione demanded."Er . . . since the first day of class.""And you never told us?!" Ron looked disgusted."Dumbledore specifically told me not to tell anyone-- not even you two!""But we're your best friends! And we love Sirius as well--""Even Sirius wanted me to keep it secret from you! He trusts you, but, well-- this is a bigdeal here, you know? One accidental slip and--""You mean an accidental slip like the one you just made?" Hermione's arms were foldedin triumph.Harry grimaced. "Just. . . be extra careful, all right? I mean. . . remember how peoplereacted when they found out Professor Lupin was a werewolf? Imagine how they'd act ifthey found out that Sirius Black is teaching their students."*"So how did the first study session go?" Harry asked.Hermione simply gushed about how wonderful it was for about ten minutes straight. Rondid look excited, but perhaps decided to leave it to Hermione to do all the explaining."It's going to be fantastic, Harry. See, each week we focus on one of the featuredsubjects-- this week it's History, right Ron? So she gives us a study parchment with keydates and we break up into independent groups and research what we've been assignedand then talk about them for the rest of the study period-- it's lots of interaction. Justbrilliant, really.""It's a lot," Ron managed to get in. "I dunno how I'm going to get all of it done plus mynormal work.""Oh, I'll help you Ron, you know that."It was a good thing Hermione offered it, because Ron really did need it. Ron had neverbeen an excellent student, so the added workload really threw him off his balance. Ron48