He kept going over the conversation he had had with Cho Chang in his mind again and again. If someone had told him yesterday that she would seek him out, apologize for the way she had acted last year, and all but ask to resume their relationship, Harry would have called them mental. This couldn’t possibly be for real. The two of them had had so many rows the previous year that there was no way they could have salvaged a romantic relationship. Nonetheless, she had asked if they could reconcile.
The compartment door opened and Harry expected Cho to be there again. Instead, it was Ginny, dressed in school robes with a red and gold “P” on the upper left fabric. She had a bright smile on her face as she and Harry looked at each other for a moment. “Come on, Harry,” she said. “You don’t want to get left behind.” She reached out and took his hand. Harry fixed his eyes on the flowing locks of red hair that swayed back and forth as Ginny led him at a half-run down the corridor and out onto the platform. It was packed with students from all years and Harry had a hard time moving. It was a good thing he was taller then most of the others, so he was able to pick out where Ron and Hermione were.
Keeping a firm grip on Ginny, he worked his way through the crowd. Harry could not ever remember having this much trouble moving about on the platform, nor could he remember there being this many students. The two continued to pick their way in between students, until Harry bumped into someone he couldn’t recognize. It was an adult wizard, but not a teacher. Harry tried to move back, but found his way blocked by Ginny. The wizard turned around and looked at him. “Pardon,” he said.
Harry let go of Ginny’s hand. “No, my fault. I wasn’t paying attention. It’s hard to see where I was going.”
The older wizard was a handsome man with slick black hair. His eyes were a deep blue and he had broad shoulders. “I can understand that. It was hard enough moving when there were only Aurors moving about. We should have realized it would be nearly impossible once the train arrived. But I’m sure Dumbledore would prefer safety to comfort.”
Harry nodded, knowing only too well that the headmaster of the school would do anything to ensure the well being of his students. He looked around the crowd and saw a number of older wizards and witches patrolling the platform. They seemed to be ushering students in all directions. Harry looked a little harder and saw Hagrid at the far end near the lake. Through the commotion, he could hear Hagrid calling out, “First Years, this way!” The smallest of the students started moving towards the largest of the teachers.
“I’m sorry but I have been rude,” the dark haired wizard said. Harry turned back to him. “Please allow me to introduce myself. I am called Sylvain.” He extended his hand.
Harry shook it. “Nice to meet you. I’m…”
“Harry Potter,” Sylvain finished. “Yes, I know all about you.” He turned his eyes towards Ginny. “And you must be…” He took a moment to think. “Ginny Weasley. I know of your family as well. Very powerful line, but not well respected among the more…arrogant wizards. A folly my family and I do not share.” He bowed to her and Harry, which caused them both to blush.
Sylvain straightened up. “I wish you both the best of luck in your coming year. I must go now. Be well.” He walked through the crowd and vanished among the black robes and cloaks.
Harry and Ginny stared at each other for a moment. “Well, he seemed nice,” Ginny finally said. “Very polite, but I’m not sure what he meant when he talked about my family.”
“I’m sure he was complimenting you, Ginny,” Harry answered. “He said it was a folly not to respect your family. I agree with him.” He smiled at her.
As the crowd started to thin out, they made their way towards where Harry had last saw Ron and Hermione. They were not at the same place any longer, but had moved towards the carriages that ushered second years and above to the castle. To most of the students, these were pulled by nothing but air, but to Harry and a select few, creatures called Thestrals were hooked to the cars. These large black, winged horses were intimidating and beautiful at the same time. Only those that had witnessed death first hand could see them. Harry would have given anything not to be able to see them to this day.
They quickly got into the car where Ron and Hermione were waiting for them. As he stepped inside, he thought he saw a flash of red-orange sprint by out of the corner of his eye. When he turned to look, he only saw carriages and students.
************************************************
The Great Hall was crowded with students bustling about from table to table talking excitedly to friends and classmates. The four house tables were set in the hall in their usual spots, with golden plates and goblets set along them at each seat. Harry and his friends walked towards the Gryffindor table and took seats near the head.
He looked up at the teacher’s head table and noticed a few empty seats. One near the edge he knew to belong to Hagrid, who was still with the first years. The two other were side by side between Professor Dumbledore and the astronomy professor, Sinistra. When the hall had gotten quieter, the doors to the hall swung open. The Care of Magical Creatures teacher strode in, followed by a train of first years. He left them to take a seat at the teacher’s table.
They formed a line in the center of the hall, as the doors slammed shut behind them, causing a few students to jump. Professor McGonagall walked to the front of the line carrying a three-legged stool and old pointed hat. It sat motionless for a moment, and then a break formed at the brim to form a mouth. It suddenly broke into song:
When I was young
And my first song
Had yet been sung.
Four great wizards
Came to be,
And together forged
The place you see
Though they were
Of a different mind,
About which student
They would find
They were alike
In that they would
Teach every student
That they could
Said Gryffindor whose
Heart was brave
“Give me those
Who would save
Their friends and
Family alike
And never back
Down from a fight”
And Ravenclaw with
A mind that’s true
Said “I’ll take those
Who would do
Great things with wisdom
And power of mind”
She thought many years
Beyond her time
And then twas Hufflepuff
Both loyal and true
“I’ll take them
Who are confused
With dragon’s heart
And wings of flight
My students will soar
And do what’s right.”
Then Slytherin whose heart
Was most ambitious
Would only take those
Who would do what
Was thought to be fictitious
For he was such
A powerful man,
He did things
No other man can.
So where do you belong?
I can tell you all
Just put me on your head
For there is none too small
I’m never wrong
I’m always right
I can sort all
Through the night
So let us start
If it be your whim
By my authority
LET THE SORTING
NOW BEGIN!!!
The hall erupted with applause and cheers for the hat’s song. Harry wasn’t sure, but he thought he saw the tip of the hat fall forward a bit, as if it were taking a bow. Professor McGonagall unfurled a roll of parchment and started reading names. He watched as each small wizard and witch walked up to the stool and placed the hat over his or her ears. Harry remembered this time in his own school life, and remembered it to be unpleasant for him. He feared that he would have no place at Hogwarts, that the hat would reject him for some reason. It had almost placed him in Slytherin house. Harry would have left the school if it had done that.
Once all the students had been sorted into their houses, with twenty-three new Gryffindors, Professor McGonagall took the stool and hat away. Professor Dumbledore stood from his chair, and the hall fell silent. “Welcome to you all, both new students and returning. I am pleased that another school year is beginning, and with it brings new faces. First, a bit of ill news, I am afraid. Professor Trelawney will not be joining us this year, as she has fallen ill.” Harry knew the real reason, and made a mental note to talk about this with the others. “However, the class will continue to be taught by Firenze, who took over the position at the end of last year. Also, we are beginning a new class that will be most beneficial to students who wish a career that deals with Muggles. In addition to Muggle Studies, we are also offering Muggle History. I feel that learning both the history of our world and the Muggle world will be most helpful to us all. In this way, we may further our relationship with them.
“Finally, we have acquired a Defense Against the Dark Arts professor who has, not only an extensive knowledge and desire to teach the subject, but who knows the students well and will be able to teach the course effectively. I am speaking of our own, Professor Severus Snape.” A wave of disbelief washed over the students, except for the Slytherin table, which cheered wildly and pounded their fists onto the wood.
Harry thought he had stopped breathing. Snape, he thought. He’s in charge of the defense class. Defense Against the Dark Arts was the one class that Harry could say he truly enjoyed, when the right teacher was teaching it. The greasy haired professor was smirking as if he had just been named Minister of Magic.
Professor Dumbledore waved his hands to quiet the hall. “Yes, we are all most eager to see how our own potions master will fare in this new subject. However, he will not be abandoning his regular post as potions professor. He has graciously accepted to teach both subjects…” Harry was about to faint. “…for years one through four.” The hall was silent again. Dumbledore continued, “While there is no doubt in my mind that Professor Snape could handle the work load, and I feel that combing the teacher for both potions and Defense Against the Dark Arts will be rewarding and informative, it would be better to have separate teachers for the younger students and those preparing for examinations.”
He clapped his hands and waved them towards the hall doors, which swung open again. “Please welcome our advanced Defense Against the Dark Arts professor, and our Muggle History professor, Kevin and Sara Hall.” Harry, Ginny and Hermione stood quickly to see the two familiar wizards walking through the hall, Sara clothed in a crimson robe and Kevin in a silver streaked, deep blue robe. They were closely followed by the four dogs, which formed a semi-circle behind them. There was another round of applause, which seemed louder from students who were in the house they stayed at.
They both had bright smiles on their faces as they walked towards the staff table. As they reached the front of the hall, Kevin motioned with his right hand. Lita and Stacy walked to the front of the Gryffindor and Ravenclaw tables. They sat on the first step leading up to the staff table. Sara gestured with her left hand, much as her husband had, and Chris and Shawn took similar spots near the Slytherin and Hufflepuff tables. The wizards stood still for a moment after their animals had taken their positions. Suddenly, they raised their wands above their heads and different colored sparks shot into the air. Bright explosions shot across the hall, amazing the students.
Harry and the others started another round of applause for the new teachers. Now he was sure this year would be worth going through. With Kevin and Sara around, things would be different. The newest additions to the Hogwarts staff took their seats at the table, looking pleased with themselves. Professor Dumbledore raised his hands to quiet the hall once again. “We welcome our new professors with open arms, and now with good food and drink.” The plates at the tables suddenly filled with food of all types.
Ron was quick to grab a slab of beef and a generous helping of potatoes. Hermione filled her plate with slices from the turkey and filled her goblet with pumpkin juice. Ginny and Harry made sure they got healthy portions from the ham that seemed to be under attack from every Gryffindor within arms length. Ginny looked at the step where Lita was sitting. The Golden Retriever looked serious, but Ginny could tell she was probably hungry. She took a slice of ham and tossed it to the dog. Lita happily ate the food. A few more students took the hint and started tossing bits of food to the dogs. Even a couple of Slytherin girls were kind enough to feed Chris.
Ginny looked up at Sara, afraid she might have made a mistake by feeding the dog. Sara smiled back at the young Weasley girl and nodded approvingly. Professor Sinistra tapped Sara on the shoulder and the two were soon deep in conversation. Ginny turned back to Hermione and started asking a few questions about being a prefect that she hadn’t gotten answered on the train.
Harry looked down the table and saw a face he had been meaning to get in touch with. He stood up and walked down the aisle towards Katie Bell. A seventh year Gryffindor, Katie was next in line to be captain of the Gryffindor Quidditch team. Seeing him walking towards her, she slid aside to make a seat for him. “I thought I’d be seeing you sooner or later.”
Harry took the seat next to her. “Why are you dropping out of Quidditch in your last year?”
Katie took a drink from her goblet. “Believe me, I didn’t want to. With this being my last year and all, my parents were really on me about studying and getting high marks on my N.E.W.T. exams. I didn’t do so well on my O.W.L.s. Anyway, something had to go, and I’m sorry to say that it was Quidditch.” Her face sunk a bit. “At least we won the Quidditch cup when I was on the team.” She brightened up a bit. “Well, no sense dwelling on it. The team is in your hands now.” She clapped him on the shoulder. “Do good, captain.”
Harry left Katie and her friends and rejoined the others. When the feast had ended, Professor Dumbledore cleared the tables. “Now, I know that you are all eager to get to bed, but allow me a moment for some announcements. First, for those who are new, or have simply not heard me these past years, the Forbidden Forest is off-limits to all students. No exceptions will be made. Second, we will be instituting a new security force for the protection of all students. A small band of ministry wizards will always be on hand, should anything get out of hand. This band will be under the watchful eye of our Defense Against the Dark Arts teachers, one of whom has his own contribution.”
Kevin stood up on Dumbledore’s gesture. He cleared his throat, “The dogs you see in front of you are no ordinary animals. They have been especially enchanted to aid in all forms of defense. Now the dog you see in front of your table will be your House dog. They will have access to your dormitories and be able to alert me to anything amiss in the castle.” He smirked. “If you thought Mrs. Norris was bad, try getting around my dogs.” There was a mild spate of laughter from the braver students who had fallen victim to the watchful eyes of the caretaker’s cat. “I wouldn’t try hexing them if I were you. They have a particular charm that repels most spells that any student here would know or dare use. Anything stronger…well, I’ll save a few surprises for anyone stupid enough to try it.”
He sat back down. Dumbledore spoke again. “On a more pleasant note, we are proud to announce that, this year, we will be having a series of balls for students of all ages. We are having these in the hopes that it will keep your spirits up and promote inter-house well-being. The first ball will take place on Halloween night. I hope that you will take part in this endeavor to maintain high morale. With that, I bid you all a good night.”
The students rose from the tables and walked towards the hall doors. Hermione pushed her way towards the front, dragging Ron behind her. She was shouting, “First years, follow me please!” Ginny and Harry worked quickly to follow them. Harry desperately wanted to talk with Kevin, but was too tired to think exactly what he wanted to talk about. It could wait until morning. As they worked their way through the students, he saw someone trying to get his attention. Harry leaned in close to Ginny, “What’s the password? I have to talk to someone before I go up.”
She stopped and turned to him. A puzzled look on her face, she said, “I can wait for you at the portrait hole if you want me too.”
Harry shook his head. “That’s ok. I don’t know how long I’ll be and I don’t want you to wait.” Ginny yielded and told him the password, Snowy Frost. They parted, Ginny walking up the stairs and Harry off to a side corridor. When the hall had thinned a bit, Harry met Cho beside a large statue of a former headmaster.
She was smiling. “Well, what do you say?”
He knew what she was referring to. While it wasn’t an unpleasant experience having a date for the ball, probably before everyone else, he paused for a moment. A voice inside him said this was a bad idea, restarting a failed relationship, but another voice told him to give Cho another chance. Harry listened to the second voice. “All right. I’d love to go to the ball with you.”
Cho leaned in and wrapped her arms around his neck. He slipped his arms around her waist as she moved her head into his neck. Before they broke, he felt a slight peck on his cheek. Cho backed away from Harry, beaming. She practically skipped down the hall towards the Ravenclaw dormitories.
Harry didn’t move for a few minutes; he was in awe. Cho was going out with him, and she had just kissed him. This year was definitely going to be the best one yet. He stood for what seemed like hours before he felt a tug at his robes. He looked down and saw Lita with a mouthful of black fabric. She was pulling him towards the staircase. “Taking your job rather seriously, aren’t you?” The retriever pulled harder. “All right, I’m coming.”
She let go of his robes and they walked towards the staircase. Harry was so delighted at what had just happened he didn’t notice a watching figure from the top of the stairs. It wasn’t until he heard the sound of fast moving shoes on stone that he looked up and saw a student with long red hair disappear out of sight.
“Ginny?”
Author’s Note: Cliffhanger!!! I’m good at those. Keeps you coming back for more. All right, enough taunting. Thanks to everyone who’s been loyal to my story so far. I know that the first chapters seemed to focus on Harry and Kevin, or Harry and Sara or Kevin and Sara, but I’m going to start to focusing on the students more, especially Harry and Cho…or is it Harry and Ginny… Did I post this in the right section? Oh well, more coming as fast as I can get it out.