Disclaimer: I don't own the characters. They belong to the Queen, J.K Rowling. I just own the plot, kinda… I've gotten the ideas from a couple of other stories I've read.
Chapter 1: Return to Hogwarts.
The Great Hall was filled with excitement after returning to the newly restored Hogwarts. At the heads table, Albus Dumbledore sat and looked over the students. Voldemort was destroyed once and for all by Harry Potter the previous year during the Battle of Hogwarts. It had taken the rest of that year and the beginning of this one to rebuild the historic school and was back up and running. Because of the closure from the previous year there were double the amount of first years and because of the Battle and War going on in their last year the seventh years of 1998 (Harry's year) were able to return and study for their N.E.W.T.S.
Just then the double oak doors of the Great Hall flew open and in walked the Golden Trio. The-Boy-Who-Lived and saviour of the Wizarding world, Harry Potter, along with his best friends Ron Weasley and Hermione Granger. The Great Hall went momentarily silent before erupting into cheers and whistles for the saviours of their world.
The Trio smiled warmly and made their way to the Gryffindor table and sat next to the now seventh year, Ginny Weasley. As they took their seats Professor McGonagall tapped on her water goblet and said rather warmer than usual, "Your attention please!" On queue everyone in the Hall once again fell silent as Professor Dumbledore stood to make a quick speech before the sorting ceremony.
"Welcome everyone, as a large number of first years are eagerly waiting outside, I'll make this quick. I know most of you older students participated in the events that took place early last year and I would like the say an enormous thank you for what you have done, not only for the school but the entire wizarding world itself!" As he said this he looked at Harry, who smiled up at the headmaster.
"Now with that out of the way, could I ask the seventh years to stay behind after the feast. NOW LET THE SORTING BEGIN!"
McGonagall walked out of her seat and placed the stool and old hat in front of the whole school and went up the aisle and out the doors to fetch the first years in the Entrance Hall.