The Great Hall at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry was always the first place students met at the beginning of each term. Newcomers would be subjected to the Sorting Hat; in order to determine which house best suited them; Gryffindor, Ravenclaw, Hufflepuff or Slytherin. Meanwhile the older students would sit at their respected tables, cheering on their new house members and awaiting the feast.
The hall was decorated the same as always. There were five long tables: one for each of the four houses, and at the top of the hall, one for the teachers. Banners displaying the house colours and crest were hung above each of the four student tables. Nearly a thousand candles floated above them, providing the hall with light. The ceiling, however, matched the sky outside; dark with looming gray clouds and the occasional bright light of a distant star.
It was September 1st of 1976 and the sorting had just ended. All the new students were seated and a man with sparkling purple robes and an auburn, but slightly graying beard rose from his seat. All previous conversations ceased as he began his annual start-of-term speech.
"For those of you who don't know," he began. "I am Albus Dumbledore, the Headmaster here at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Before we start this beloved feast, our caretaker, Mr. Filch, has asked me to remind you that no magic is to be used in the corridors between classes. This includes items such as Fanged Frisbees and Stink Pellets. A complete list of forbidden items can be found on his office door. Also, first years should be aware that no students are allowed to enter the Forbidden Forest at any time. A few of our older students could profit from this reminder as well." His eyes twinkled from behind his half-moon spectacles as he scanned the crowd of familiar faces.
"And one last thing," he said, his tone becoming much more serious. "As most of you are probably aware, we are in the midst of a terrible and tragic war right now. The sorting hat touched on this, but I feel the need to emphasize. There is no better time than now to connect with your classmates. Inter-house unity is what will protect, and save us from Voldemort," many in the hall, teachers included, gasped and shuddered at the use of his name, "and his followers. And on that note," Dumbledore paused. "Tuck in!"
As soon of the words were out of his mouth, large quantities of food appeared on each of the five tables; everything from roast chicken to Yorkshire pudding. The first years were amazed by the sudden appearance, most of them not yet accustomed to the use of magic, but the higher years were still silent, mulling over Dumbledore's comment. Three sixth year girls, each sitting at separate tables, had no idea how much their "inter-house" views would change within the next year. These sixth years were the girls who would steal the hearts of the young marauders.