Disclaimer: JKR's characters; my situations.

A/N: This chapter gave me fits. I worked and worked to make the numbers of first years and mentors come out and it just wouldn't add up until my 12 year old son pointed out that I'd left out a Hufflepuff in Harry's year. I have a spreadsheet that explains it all. If any of you want to see it, let me know and I'll email it to you. Oh, and I have worked out Harry's and Nikki's class schedules, too, if anyone would like to see them.

Chapter 2

Mentors and Classes

While waiting at the Gryffindor table for the first years to come in and be sorted, Harry greeted his dorm-mates, Seamus Finnegan and Dean Thomas. Neither of them had been made prefect although Hermione's dorm-mate, Parvati Patil had been. All ten of the Gryffindor seventh years had also been made prefect, but, other than his quidditch teammate Katie Bell, Harry did not know any of them very well. Along with Ginny, Colin Creevey had become the second fifth year Gryffindor prefect. Harry dreaded spending prefects' meetings with the overly exuberant boy.

After what seemed like hours, the school's deputy headmistress, Professor McGonagall, led in the first years. The sorting hat sang a song about uniting the houses and then the professor began calling the terrified first years forward to be sorted. When the hat was done, Hufflepuff had gained the most new students with fourteen. Ravenclaw and Slyerian had gained twelve first years each, and Gryffindor had thirteen first-years. Hermione quickly did some math and determined that, since Harry and Neville had volunteered to mentor Slytherins, three of Gryffindor's first years would be mentored by non-Gryffindors. When she pointed this out, Ron tried to make Harry and Neville give back their Slytherins. Both boys refused and Ron tried to insist. Trying to offer a compromise, Ginny suggested that Professor McGonagall make that decision when they met for their mentoring assignments after the feast.

When the students finished eating, Professor Dumbledore, the school's aged headmaster, stood to give the usual start of term speech. This year's speech included safety measures being imposed due to Voldemort's return as well as the same notices about quidditch tryouts, banned items, etc., that Harry remembered from previous years.

Professor Dumbledore paused before making the announcements that would perk up his tired students. Then he smiled and said, "Professor Severus Snape has agreed to move to defense against the dark arts position this year."

A roar of thunderous applause emanated from the Slytherin table; after all, Professor Snape was their head of house and everyone knew he had wanted to teach DADA for years. The other students stared at Dumbledore in shock as Snape smirked in acknowledgement of the announcement.

Once the students had quieted down, Dumbledore motioned toward a portly man on his left, "Professor Horace Slughorn has agreed to come out of retirement to teach potions."

Another round of applause echoed through the great hall. This time from the three other houses who were ecstatic to get Snape out of potions classes.

Again, the ancient headmaster waited for the students to quiet before beginning his next announcement. "Upon request of a majority of parents and guardians," he said, "year rankings will be posted on the first day of each month. Each month, ten points will be awarded to the student ranked highest in each year. At the end of each term, ten extra points will be awarded to every student who has remained in the top ten of each year for the entire term. As an incentive to help the less studious, ten points will be subtracted from any student who remains in the bottom ten for the entire term, but 20 points will be given to anyone who has moved up at least ten spots. At the end of the year, every student who has remained in the top ten for all three terms will be exempt from end of year exams with the exception of OWLs and NEWTs, of course."

The entire student body erupted in cheers and applause.

"Yes, yes," said a smiling Dumbledore. "I am sure this will prove to be a great success. Now for my final announcements, all sixth year boys need to report to the DADA classroom on Saturday morning at nine. Fifth and sixth year prefects, please remember to return here after settling your first years in your houses. And now, off to bed!"

Harry was relieved when the students were dismissed. He had been informed that Ginny and Colin were responsible for making the first years follow them to the common room and that the other prefects were there to steer the stragglers in the right direction as well as to provide passwords to underclassman and non-prefect students. Hermione, of course, took her prefect duties very seriously. She also tried to boss Harry, Neville, and Parvati around, but Pavarti quickly reminded her that she, Harry, and Neville had been made prefects because of their grades while Hermione had been chosen the previous year for her potential grades. No one speculated on why Ron had been made prefect. An argument was only prevented by Ginny and Colin appearing in front of the other prefects and Ginny's reminder that they had a meeting to attend.

Although Gryffindor had seventeen prefects (ten seventh years, five sixth years, and two fifth years), only seven were required to attend the meeting. When the seven arrived in the Great Hall, Professor McGonagall was seated at the head table going over a list with the head boy and girl. She looked up at the arrival of the students of her house and bid them to sit at the Hufflepuff table, the house table nearest to the one at which she was sitting. Soon the other houses' prefects joined them and McGonagall came around the table, a sheaf of parchment in her hand, to join Conrad and Melanie.

"Good evening," said Professor McGonagall.

"Good evening," echoed the students.

"I know you've all had a long day," the professor continued, "but, since classes do begin tomorrow, we need to get this sorted out tonight."

Harry fought a powerful urge to yawn. He had been up since half past six that morning and it was now nearly midnight and his bed was calling; however, he made an effort to listen to his head of house if only to discover the name of his assigned first year.

Professor McGonagall had been speaking while Harry was fighting his yawn, at the mention of his name, he perked up to listen.

"Mr. Wright tells me that Mr. Potter, Mr. Longbottom, and Miss Lovegood have volunteered to help mentor the first year Slytherins, which is short of prefects this year. This does, of course, mean that three Gryffindor first years must be mentored by students in another house. Hufflepuff also does not have enough prefects to mentor all of its first years. Though the reason is due to plentitude of first years rather than lack of prefects. I must ask Ravenclaw, which has a plethora of prefects to help with the extra Slytherins, Gryffindors, and Hufflepuffs. Ravenclaws, do you wish to volunteer to help the other houses or would you prefer I just assign the extras to you?"

The Ravenclaws huddled together to decide what to do. Finally, Michael Corner stood to speak.

"Professor McGonagall," he said, "although we have no objection to helping the other houses, with the exception of one," he glared at Luna, "we believe it would probably be fairer if you just assigned the students to us."

"All right," said McGonagall. "Miss Grey has put the names of the first years from each house in one of these baskets. Hufflepuffs, please come forward."

The eight Hufflepuffs came forward.

McGonagall pointed at a yellow basket and said, "Fifth year prefects and Mr. McMillan, please take one name each. The rest of you take two names each. Once you have drawn your students' names, go over to Miss Grey and Mr. Wright so that they can record your selections."

The Hufflepuffs quietly pulled the names of all but one of their first years and made their way to the head boy and girl.

"Slytherins," said McGonagall, "please come forward and follow the same procedure."

The three Slytherins came forward and drew four names leaving eight in their green basket.

"Gryffindors, come forward," ordered McGonagall. "Mr. Potter, Mr. Longbottom, please remember to pull your names from the Slytherin basket. Mr. Potter, as quidditch captain, you should draw only one name."

Harry and Neville drew three names from the Slytherin basket leaving the last five for the Ravenclaws. The other Gryffindors pulled eight names from the red basket leaving four names for the Ravenclaws.

Before Professor McGonagall could call the Ravenclaws forward, Mitchell Tanner raised his hand. When the professor acknowledged him, he stated hesitantly, "Professor McGonagall, by my count there will be twelve Ravenclaws, four Gryffindors, and five Slytherins left in the baskets when everyone else is through. That's a total of twenty-two students. We only have twenty-one available slots. What's going to happen to the extra name?"

"That's a very good question, Mr. Tanner," praised McGonagall. "The last name will be shared by our head boy and girl. Since they are both seventh years, we decided it would be easier if they shared one student between them rather than asking someone else to take an extra one on full-time. Now, Miss Lovegood, please come and take the last Slytherin name. The rest of you, come forward and take names from any basket."

The Ravenclaw blue basket emptied quickly. Then someone took the remaining Hufflepuff name. Finally, all but one of the Gryffindors had been claimed. Professor McGonagall looked unsurprised at the final name. "Miss Grey, Mr. Wright," she called. The two heads had been very busy matching prefects to the names of first years on their two lists. "I believe you will be mentoring a very lucky first year from my own house."

Hermione, who had returned to her seat raised her hand and suggested, "Professor, couldn't Neville give back one of his Slytherins so that all of the Gryffindors could have mentors from our own house?"

"Really, Miss Granger," asked Professor McGonagall, "are you implying that our head boy and girl cannot adequately mentor a Gryffindor?"

"No, professor," said Hermione mortified and blushing, "I just thought the Slytherin might respond to them better than to a Gryffindor."

"Mr. Longbottom," asked the professor, "do you wish to do as Miss Granger has suggested?"

"No, professor," said Neville to the surprise of everyone except Harry and, possibly, Luna. "I volunteered to help two first years who will probably be told all Gryffindors are the enemy. If I can show them that isn't necessarily true, it will go a long way toward unifying Hogwarts. I think it will be a good thing for a Gryffindor to be mentored by a Ravenclaw and a Hufflepuff. That will also promote unity."

"Well said, Mr. Longbottom," said McGonagall. "Ten points to Gryffindor for flawless logic. Also five points to everyone who is mentoring someone from another house. Tomorrow morning at breakfast you will receive your timetables as usual. You will also receive a copy of your students' timetables. Once you've finished breakfast, meet with your students and be sure to walk them to their first class. Mentors will be able to leave their classes five minutes early for the first week of classes to allow you to walk your students to each of their classes. You will also be permitted to be five minutes late for your classes. After classes and on weekends, you will be available to answer any questions your students may have. You may want to establish a specific time and place at which you are always available, especially if you are mentoring a student from another house. If your student has a problem outside of your ability to solve, report it to either Mr. Wright, Miss Grey, or myself. If there are no questions, you may all go to bed."

"Professor," called Hermione.

The rest of the exhausted students groaned.

"Yes, Miss Granger," said the professor tiredly.

"What do we do if the mentoring relationship does not work. I mean, some of us may have personality clashes with the first years," said Hermione.

"You are all at least four years older than these students; however, if an unsurmountable problem exists and both parties wish to be reassigned, please see me about it," replied McGonagall. "Good night, everyone. I will see you at the first official prefects' meeting on Friday night."

"Good night, professor," echoed the students as they filed out of the great hall.

It had been a long day and they were all looking forward to climbing into their beds.

The next morning, Harry rose early. Since he would no longer be able to have a morning swim, he decided to substitute a morning run around the lake. He quickly donned track pants, a t-shirt, trainers, and the wand holster Remus and Tonks had given him for his birthday. After inserting his wand in the holster, Harry quietly exited Gryffindor tower and made his way outside.

He was surprised to see several other students already running around the lake at various speeds. Realizing that running used different muscles than swimming, Harry first did some stretches to loosen up his muscles and then started off at a slow but steady pace. He soon caught up to one of the runners and was surprised to see it was Dennis Creevey, Colin's younger brother, a fourth year Gryffindor. Harry nodded to Dennis and kept up his pace. Once he had made four circuits around the lake, Harry decided he had done enough and, after doing some post-running stretches, went back up to his dorm to grab a quick shower and to dress for the day. His dorm-mates were just awakening when Harry returned from his shower.

"Good morning, guys," said Harry cheerfully.

Ron groaned and asked, "Since when are you so happy in the morning?"

Harry grinned and said, "Come on sleepy head. It's time for breakfast."

At the mention of food, the ever hungry Ron yawned widely and climbed out of bed. He rummaged in his trunk for robes and shoes and made his way to the bathroom.

"I'm going to head on down so that I can meet my first year," Harry said to Ron's retreating back.

"'Kay," said Ron. "I'll see you down there."

When Harry entered the common room, Ginny and Colin were waiting for the first years to arrive so that they could escort them down to breakfast. "Did anyone wake them," asked Harry after greeting the fifth year prefects.

"I woke the girls," said Ginny.

"McClaggen said he'd wake the boys," said Colin speaking of a pompous seventh year boy, who claimed to be an expert in every field.

"You might want to go and check on them," warned Harry. "McClaggen is easily side-tracked."

"Thanks, Harry, I will," said Colin heading up the boys' stairway. By the time he returned, all the first year girls had gathered around Ginny.

"You girls go ahead to breakfast," suggested Colin. "The boys are going to be a few minutes. McClaggen never went in their dorm."

"Harry," said Ginny, "will you help me show these young ladies the way to breakfast?"

"Sure," said Harry.

Harry and the seven girls went through the portrait hole and made their way down to the great hall. Once there, Ginny led the girls to the Gryffindor table and they each took seats about mid-way down the table. Harry waited until all seven girls were seated before choosing a seat next to Ginny.

When Professor McGonagall saw that the majority of her students had arrived, she began passing out timetables. For the sixth years, it was a bit more complicated as she had to verify that each student had earned the required OWL score for the classes he or she wished to attend. Harry was quickly qualified for potions, herbology, DADA, charms, transfiguration, and care of magical creatures. He was also given a copy of Nicolette Ransom's timetable since she was the first year Slytherin whose name he had drawn.

After thanking his head of house, Harry grabbed his book bag and made his way to the Slytherin table. When Draco Malfoy saw him approach, he asked, "What's wrong, Potty? Lost?"

"No, Malfoy," said Harry politely, "though I thank you for your concern. I'm actually looking for Nicolette Ransom."

"What do you want with her," asked Malfoy rudely.

Harry smiled at the blond boy and, still maintaining his polite tone, said, "I'm her mentor."

A brunette with a head full of spiraling curls sitting at the far end of the table said, "I'm Nikki Ransom."

Harry moved to stand next to the first year. "Hello," he said as he smilingly checked her timetable, "I'm Harry Potter. If you have finished your breakfast I would be happy to escort you to history of magic."

The brunette returned his smile and carefully placed her napkin on the table. "I've finished."

Harry offered the diminutive girl his arm, which she took after gathering her books. The two exited the Great Hall and, after explaining about the trick stairs, Harry led Nikki through a passageway located behind an extremely ugly tapestry depicting hounds devouring a fox after a hunt, which just happened to lead straight to the history corridor. Harry saw Nikki through the door and then headed to his own first class, care of magical creatures.

Even with permission to be slightly late, Harry found it a stretch to get from the fourth floor history corridor out of the castle to the teaching area next to Hagrid's hut where the class was held. Harry was surprised to discover that he was the only student in the class. Obviously, the others had been frightened off by some of the dangerous creatures Hagrid had brought to the class in the past.

That particular day, Hagrid taught Harry about auguries, vulture-like birds that were capable of predicting rain. He had somehow procured a nesting mother and, overall, Harry found the lesson very informative. Hagrid promised to call Harry immediately should the chicks begin to hatch.

Then Harry had to leave to escort Nikki to her charms class. Since he had a free period, Harry had decided to begin the essay on debunked superstitions of auguries after leaving Nikki with Professor Flitwick. Harry finished the essay within the class period and then joined the other prefects waiting outside the charms classroom. Once Nikki appeared, Harry escorted her to lunch in the Great Hall and joined his fellow Gryffindors at their table.

Hermione and Ginny were sitting with three tiny first years whom Harry did not know. Upon realizing Harry had arrived, Hermione quickly introduced him to the two girls and boy. Harry recognized the girls from breakfast but had not caught their names. After greeting the five fellow Gryffindors, Harry took an empty seat beside Ginny and began to pile food on his plate and to eat. Ron, with two first year boys trailing behind him, joined them mid-way through the meal. When Ron did not bother to introduce the two boys to the others, Harry took it upon himself to make the introductions. Ron did not appear to notice as he was occupied shoveling food into his mouth.

Once he had finished his meal, Harry caught Nikki's eye and jerked his head toward the doors. Nikki nodded her understanding and the two made their separate ways to the corridor outside of the Great Hall. Harry led the first year to her transfiguration class and then hurried to the greenhouses for his own herbology class. After an in-depth lecture on the advantages of various types of dragon-dung fertilizer, Harry left early with the other prefects to escort their charges to their next classes.

After leaving Nikki in the dungeons for her potions class, Harry, followed by several Ravenclaws, barely made it on time to their own transfiguration class. When Professor McGonagall commented on their harried states, Harry reminded her that they had just had to make their way from the dungeons to the sixth floor.

The professor nodded and began her lecture on human transfiguration. Thanks to Tonks's summer lessons, Harry had no problem changing Ron's hair from red to blond and back again. Professor McGonagall gave him five points for being the first to successfully master the spell. Hermione, who had only managed to lighten Parvati Patil's ebony hair to brown, frowned at Harry but failed to say anything. At the end of the class, only Harry escaped the homework assignment, which was to practice the incantation.

The next morning, Harry again rose early and went for a morning run. He saw the same students as before, and, other than greeting them in passing, kept to his routine. After breakfast, Harry escorted Nikki to her herbology class and then hurried to his own defense against the dark arts class. Even though all prefects had permission, Harry was sure Snape would not hesitate to dock points if he were late.

Snape made his way into the classroom with his robes billowing behind him. Standing at the front of the room, he proceeded to give his students a lecture on the dangers of the dark arts and the necessity of protecting oneself from them. He then divided them into pairs and set them to casting silent spells. Since Tonks had already taught him to cast silently over the summer, Harry, who was partnered with Ron, stood waiting to protect himself from a spell Ron seemed incapable of casting.

Finally, Snape got tired of watching the two of them standing (most of the other students had cheated by whispering their spells) and decided to demonstrate the skill himself. He quickly cast a silent banisher at Harry, which Harry successfully blocked with an equally silently cast shield spell. Apparently, the potions master turned defense professor had not expected Harry to be able to defend himself and so was not prepared. As a result, the rebound from Harry's shield caught the professor directly in the chest and sent him flying across the room to land painfully on his bottom against the far wall.

Angrily, Snape rose to his feet and sent another spell at Harry. This time, Harry cast an even stronger shield spell since he figured Snape's spell would be stronger. Again, Harry's shield held and deflected the spell, only this time, several students had to scramble out of the way of the rebounded spell.

"Obviously," said Snape grudgingly, "you have finally studied over the summer, Mr. Potter. May I ask who taught you that particular shield?"

"My godfather's fiancée," replied Harry.

"Mmm," grunted Snape as he looked over the class. "Now that you've seen it demonstrated, you know silent casting is possible. For homework, three feet on the advantages and disadvantages of silent casting. Prefects, you may leave now. The rest of you have five more minutes to practice."

The prefects, most of the class, quickly gathered their things and hurried to meet their charges at their various classrooms. Harry, Neville, and several of the Ravenclaws had to get their charges from the charms classroom on the fourth floor to the quidditch pitch where flying lessons were to be held.