Harry, Ron and Hermione and all the other Gryffindor's preceded into the great hall at the start of their 5th year at Hogwarts, the first years marvelled at the ceiling where Dumbledore had created a summery scene to welcome in the new school year. The other students were getting used to it, whereas Ron, Harry and Hermione had gotten into a little game of theirs; looking at the teacher's desk and guessing which one had been replaced and this year there was a missing gap where the defence against the dark arts teacher would sit. One by one the Hogwarts houses were filing in to the main hall. When everyone had been settled down and the food had been served, Dumbledore called for attention and began his welcome speech "First of I want to welcome one and all to the new year at Hogwarts. Before I let the feast commence I wish to pass on two messages. Number one as you may or may not know I am going to be travelling throughout most of the year and I have hired an old friend to look after not only the school but the defence against the dark arts post. The other message is that once again our school will hold host to the dementors." To the news most of the older students sighed under their breath. "We will be hosting Dementors because the ministry fears that Hogwarts and the Wizarding world—he was cut off with the sound of the great doors opening. A hooded, cloaked figure walked in he was dressed in white and was accompanied by a tall staff with a Gem placed at the top. The figure walked up to the podium and exchanged pleasantries with Dumbledore. "Ladies and gentlemen I'd like to introduce to you the person who is going to be taking the place as headmaster and defence against the dark arts teacher, his name is Gandalf, and I'll let him introduce himself"

"Thank you professor, now I am aware that the professor has told you why I am here. Your Headmaster needs to go travelling; an escape away from the school life and to go travelling and sightseeing. The professor has asked me to look after the school and the defence against the dark arts post for two reasons: I am a senior mage and I have experience leading and fighting the dark arts and I can teach you what you need to know in order to survive our dark world. I will not prolong the feast anymore, thank you for your time" Gandalf stood down from the podium and sat down at his seat. "As Gandalf said he doesn't want to prolong the feast and neither do I Enjoy" said Dumbledore as he waved his arms and food appeared along the lines of tables for each house.

As per usual Ron was scoffing his face full of anything he can get his hands on while Harry and Hermione were taking a more civil Approach to the matter of eating their fill. "I wish to interrupt you only once more, can I have a word with the prefects and the 7th years" said Dumbledore. Table by table the prefects and the 7th year students got up and wondered over to the podium where Dumbledore had a task for them. "Ok, are you all here" he said

"Gryffindor"

"Yes sir" said the prefects and 7th years Fred and George being two of them

"Ravenclaw"

"Yes sir" said the prefects and 7th years

"Slytherin"

"Yes sir" said the prefects and 7th years

"And finally, Hufflepuff"

"Yes sir" said the prefects and 7th years

"Good, now as of my absence, you will still have the heads of house looking after the first years but could I ask something of you; can the prefects watch over the 4th and 5th years of your house and the 7th years, can you look after the 2nd and 3rd years from you houses please"

"Yes of course Professor" Said Percy speaking for every student there

"Splendid, right, that was that. Now go and enjoy your feast before the New Year begins" said Dumbledore.

After the feast was over Gandalf, Dumbledore, Snape and McGonagall had the task of escorting the students to their respective house dormitory Gandalf escorted the Ravenclaw's to their dorm where Luna gave the password that unlocked the dorm. Dumbledore escorted the Hufflepuff's to their dorm and Ernie did the same. McGonagall took her Gryffindor's to their dorm where Harry gave his password and Snape took the Slytherin's to their dorm and Malfoy gave the password. Each Teacher who escorted a house got told to say the same thing to their house before leaving them for the night this message was "Hogwarts is in grave danger this year, because of this the higher years will be looking after and protecting the lower years as much as you can, the teachers will also be doing this especially the teacher that has escorted you to your house, we will be taking you to from your dorm to the main hall for meals and for important events although during lesson time your peers should be looking after each other, with that said I bid you Good night" after the teachers have said this the left each house to prepare for bed and eventually go to bed and prepare for the morning routine.