INSTRUCTIONS

The conversation I had with Hermione last night was a burden off my chest. I was already sure that she will choose to help me, the only thing to do now was to wait for her to reach this decision. I had just finished my daily routine and entered the Gryffindor common room, to find a usually bare and empty room already clamoring with activity.

I could see the twins busy with someone I guessed was a terrified first year. The smile on the twins face and the fright on the kids face clearly told the tale of a failed product. I smiled and left them to their own devices. They were smart enough to sort all this by themselves.

Hermione was surrounded by a bunch of our classmates who were no doubt all discussing the students that would arrive from the other two prestigious schools of Europe. The girls had extra bit of flair in their dressing, hair and makeup. The efforts were visible even if you did not look too closely. The boys were all trying to boost their own egos for when they would eventually face the guys from Durmstrang or when they sweep the beauties from Beauxbatons off their feet.

Hermione saw me entering and excused herself from the group. She had a smile on her face. Seeing that made my day considerably brighter. It was as if the world was reminding me that everything will be alright, everything will be better this time around. It reminded me that I am not alone.

Hermione " Good morning, Harry. "

Me " Good morning. "

Hermione " Today is a relatively important day for the school and as such it will be hectic all day round. So, I just wanted to tell you that starting from tomorrow, you will be practicing with me for an hour daily. Do not think for a moment that I am okay with what you are about to do. I am only doing this because I do not wish for you to make a mockery of yourself and that too on the continental stage. But know this, the moment you get gravely injured or anything of that sort, I will do everything in my power to place you in a condition in which you are no longer fit to even walk, let alone compete. You better believe that what I am telling you is no threat, it is a fact and I will act without hesitation."

Me " Yes ma'am "

Hermione " No need to get sassy with me. Treat this fact seriously or you won't even know what hit you. Now go and get dressed. It seems, for the first time since we arrived at Hogwarts that you will be the one who is late. "

I did not dare reply. I just nodded my head obediently and proceeded to head back to my dorm.

By the time I was ready and out of my dorm, the bustling common hall had once again turned empty and silent. I headed towards the great hall where we were supposed to gather as instructed by the notice issued by the deputy headmistress of Hogwarts, Minerva McGonigal.

The hall was bustling with activity. It was as if I was once again back in the morning and the scene before me was only a bigger replica of what had happened in the Gryffindor common room. I took a quick glance at Daphne. It seemed as if it had been ages since I last took time to have a proper look at this sweet fiancé of mine. With everything that had been going on and the importance of this year, I had been much to busy to meet her even under the security of Gringotts. It was not as if the Greengrass family had not tried to contact me during the summer vacations, but I had them know about my busy schedule and promised to meet them sometime this year.

After a proper look at Daphane, I took my seat on the Gryffindor table beside Neville. Breakfast too was a hearty affair as anyone with common sense could guess. The only difference was that unlike most days when most of the staff too would be present for breakfast, there were a scant few teachers sitting in the chairs.

Once we were finished with the breakfast, professor McGonigal stood up from her seat and began dishing out the various new instructions that were to be followed now that the school will have additional students. Everything from classes to practical's and even quidditch timings were shifted to accommodate all those who were coming.

She informed us about the timings of the arriving schools, their designated accommodations and also presented the students who were selected to be the representatives of our school to guide the students during their stay at our school. It was no surprise that durmstrang boys were assigned to the Slytherin common room. The Beauxbatons beauties would be accommodating in the Hufflepuff common room.

Keeping in mind the importance of this tournament and the rules, the students that would be arriving had already cleared their O.W.L's at the very least. This meant that they would be taking electives based on their results. Every school and every teacher has varying standards when it comes to the cut-off of attending classes.

What might have been enough for them to attend those classes in their respective schools, might not be enough here and the same could happen vice-versa. To avoid all this confusion, the three schools had already had a joint discussion and reached a consensus. The arriving students were informed during the summer break of the requirements before hand. A complete list was then formulated of what they desired to take and what was the cut-off. If it is seen that they fell short for the course in Hogwarts but were qualified if they had continued the study in their own school, they would be allowed to take a small test by the respective teacher after arriving at Hogwarts and if they perform up to their standards they will be allowed to take that particular elective for the duration of their stay.

Another important thing to discuss was the decorum that has to be maintained in this school year. It was not about the behaviour that the students should have towards the students arriving from the other schools but towards each other. Any form of bullying or signs of harassment that would be usually left to the students to solve among themselves, as a way of building the overall character of the student, would not be tolerated this year. Every single sighting and complain will have a stern reaction from the staff. No form of disruption to the classes would be tolerated this year.

As I heard these instructions, I tried to recall why was it that me, Hermione and Ron had missed these instructions the first time around. We were busy dealing with the pain in my head this morning the last time around. Voldi had gotten a helper and had reunited with Nagini, regaining some of his powers.

I guess this was the reason why during the entire year last time around this was the only year when I did not see Slytherin and Gryffindor fighting openly. Even while they were bullying me, it was the entire school against me not just one particular group or house. If I was a bit more attentive I would have noticed these things.

Once the announcements were over, we were excused. There were no classes to be held today due to the preparations for tonight. Everyone quickly moved into their own groups and went about their own ways. Hermione moved with her friend group, Neville was quick to leave after Luna who had apparently walked away after seeing something fascinating and I moved back to the dorm.