Disclaimer: I don't own the people J.K. Rowling does.
Harry glanced around the Great Hall. Everyone was grimmer this year. They all knew Voldemort had returned. Dumbledore rose from the staff table. The sorting had just finished. He spoke, "Welcome all to Hogwarts. I know you are all hungry but there are two announcements that cannot wait. One, I would like you to meet our new exchange student from Dumstrang. She is sixth year, Maria stand up, this is Maria Yond, she is in Gryffindor. Second our new Defense Against the Dark Arts Teacher will arrive shortly, classes will be delayed for us to introduce the school to him. Please remain in the great hall after breakfast." Professor Dumbledore sat down.
"Who do you reckon it will be?"Ron asked his mouth full of potatoes.
"Well, it will have to be some one good, won't it? I me with Voldemort, oh get over it Ron, back." Hermione stated.
"Yeah, maybe Dumbledore got an Auror or something," Harry replied. Since Sirius's death he had been more sullen and quiet, something Ron and Hermione were desperate to fix.
~~~
The next day all the Gryffindor rose from bed early and headed down to breakfast. Hermione ran over to Harry and Ron as she came out of the dorm, "Honestly, Maria could give Loony Lovegood a run for her money?"
"What?" Harry asked.
"The new girl, from Dumstrang, she is absolutely insane, she just sits there and when we ask her what she is doing she says 'Listening for them' What a lunatic! Oh no her she comes now"
Harry and Ron laughed; Hermione did not get this irritated this easily.
Maria approached the three friends, "Hello Harry, Ron, Hermione."
"Uh, hi Maria," Ron replied.
"So, Dumstrang, they teach Dark Arts there don't they?" Harry questioned suspiciously.
"Yes, quite useful, see you in the Great Hall." Maria left.
"What did I tell you, absolutely insane!"
~~~
After breakfast, there was a loud chatter, everyone wanted to see the brave fool who was taking the new job. Much to Hermione's annoyance, Maria spend the entire time 'listening for them'.
Professor Dumbledore rose from the staff table and the Great Hall was silenced. "Well, I can see there is a lot of anticipation for the person I am to reviel to you. This year, however, there will be four Defense against the Dark Arts teachers, due to the fact that one or two of them ma need to leave the castle for extended periods of time." Everyone fidgeted (except Maria) and this subtle mention of Voldemort. "Only one of them shall be arriving today. He has just returned from a long journey so please be courteous-"
Professor Dumbledore was cut of by the door to the Great Hall banging open. The room erupted in screams. Teachers started firing stunners and the new entry, all except Professors Snape and McGonagall. Professor Dumbledore stood quietly and the person approached Harry. The Stunners ricocheted of the man's Shield Charm. For the first time Harry turned to see what the commotion was all about. When he did he sprinted towards the man. Throwing his arms around him he cried, "Sirius, you're alive!"
Professor Dumbledore spoke over the now silent room, "I would like you all to meet Professor Black."
