Chapter 1: The New Professor
Harry stepped onto the Hogwarts Express much like how he had done so for the past three years on the first of September. He walked down the corridor, looking for an empty compartment as the train took off. Reaching about the middle of the train, he entered a seemingly empty compartment and sat down.
Inside, was a man, who looked to be in his twenties. He had messy blond hair, and the thickest pair of eyebrows Harry had ever seen. He was in a green business suit, that was a muggle-style, Harry guessed that the man had entered through Kings Cross as well. The man, like Remus, had been sleeping.
Harry took a seat on the other side of the man, whom he presumed to be a new teacher, like Remus. 'I wonder if he's the new DADA teacher,' Harry thought. Soon enough, Ron and Hermione joined him in the compartment.
"By the way, Harry, do you know who this man is?" Ron asked, after which stuffed a chocolate frog in his mouth.
"From my guess, I would say he's a new teacher, probably for DADA," Harry replied.
"Ron, of course, it's a new professor! Why else would he be here?" Hermione asked incredulously.
"Oh! How was I supposed to know?" Ron exclaimed, before the two doves into a heated argument. Somewhere along the lines of which, the professor had woken up from the arguing.
The professor scanned his surroundings, absorbing what as happening, and said, "Now, now, there's no need to argue."
"Oh! Professor, have we awoken you?" Hermione exclaimed, looking apologetic. The professor shook his head.
"No, it's actually around time to arrive at Hogwarts, so I must thank you for waking me up." The professor said. "I'll need to get going now, I'll see you three in class."
—
Upon arriving at the Great Hall, Harry met up with Ron and Hermione. The trio sat down at the table and started chatting before the sorting started. Then, the sorting hat had begun singing its song.
"A thousand years or more ago
When I was newly sewn,
There lived four wizards of renown,
Whose names are still well known:
Bold Gryffindor, from wild moor,
Fair Ravenclaw, from glen,
Sweet Hufflepuff, from valley broad,
Shrewd Slytherin, from fen.
They shared a wish, a hope, a dream,
They hatched a daring plan
To educate young sorcerers
Thus Hogwarts School began.
Now each of these four founders
Formed their own house, for each
Did value different virtues
In the ones, they had to teach.
By Gryffindor, the bravest was
Prized far beyond the rest;
For Ravenclaw, the cleverest
Would always be the best;
For Hufflepuff, hard workers were
Most worthy of admission;
And power-hungry Slytherin
Loved those of great ambition.
While still alive they did divide
Their favourites from the throng,
Yet how to pick the worthy ones
When they were dead and gone?
'Twas Gryffindor who found the way,
He whipped me off his head
The founders put some brains in me
So I could choose instead!
Now slip me snug about your ears,
I've never yet been wrong,
I'll have a look inside your mind
And tell where you belong!"((c)J.K Rowling)
From there, Professor McGonagall had started to call names up to the stool where the hat sat. "Ackerly, Stewart!" The first to be sorted became a Ravenclaw.
And so it continued, each table cheering as another first year entered their houses. After all the first years had settled at their respective tables, Dumbledore stood up.
"Now is not the time for speech-making, there will be time for that later. That being said, tuck in!" With those words, came along the food, whom everyone dove into.
—
"It is my painful duty to inform you that the inter-house Quidditch Cup will not take place this year," Dumbledore said, gaining the shock of every student. Some managed to gasp out a loud "WHAT?!" Some looked ready to faint.
"However, there is only boredom for so long, as starting this October, to the end of the year will be an event I am sure all of you will enjoy. I have the great pleasure of announcing that this year at Hogwarts—" Dumbledore was cut off by a loud bang of the doors opening.
There at the entrance stood Mad-eye Moody. "May I introduce, our new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher, Professor Moody. Speaking of which, we have another new teacher to welcome to our stands. I also introduce you, Professor Arthur Kirkland, who will be replacing Professor Binns as the History of Magic teach—"
Loud cheers erupted from all the tables, and everyone clapped. Even the Slytherins. Whistles and shouts of joy could be heard, even down to the very base of Hogwarts castle. Some cried tears of sheer joy.
As the applause died down Dumbledore continued, "As I was saying, Professor Kirkland here will replace Professor Binns as the History of Magic teacher for a few years.
"Now continuing on what I am very proud to announce. We have the honour of hosting a very exciting event over the next coming months, an event that has not been held for over a century. It is my greatest pleasure to inform you that the Triwizard Tournament will be taking place at Hogwarts this year!
"The Heads of the participating schools, along with the Ministry of Magic, have agreed upon an age restriction on the contenders this year. Only students seventeen years or older will be allowed to put forward their names." There were many groans following this statement.
"The tasks will be dangerous, and it is highly unlikely that students below sixth and seventh year will be able to cope with them. I will personally be ensuring that no underage student hoodwinks our impartial judges into making them a champion. Therefore, I beg you not to waste your time submitting yourself if you are under seventeen.
"The delegations from Beauxbatons and Durmstang will be arriving in October and will remain until the end of the year. I know that you will extend every courtesy to our foreign guests while they are with us, and will give you whole-hearted support to the Hogwarts' champion when they are selected. And now as it is late, I acknowledge how important it is to be alert for lessons tomorrow morning. Bedtime! Chop, Chop!"