The Hogwarts Gazette Is Born!

written by: Hermione Granger

School is back in session at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry! The First Years were Sorted just last night, with Hufflepuff gaining the most new students. Surprisingly, Slytherin was second. Gryffindor was third, and Ravenclaw was last.

My friends and I have decided to write this weekly paper about plain old news going around the school. I know, we've all been through war and we're all still hurting. But I think a little fun could get us right back on our feet, don't you? All of these issues are completely free of charge.

There isn't much to report, just the birth of our little paper entitled the Hogwarts Gazette! There's also a bit of gossip going around that a Hufflepuff Prefect was seen disappearing into a compartment with a Ravenclaw. There are many speculations about who the mysterious Ravenclaw could be, and what exactly the couple was getting up to in there.

Sports!

written by: Ronald Weasley

Welcome to this week's sports section! I'm your host, Ron Weasley. Let's take a look at what's going on in the Wizarding World of sports at the moment, shall we?

The Appleby Arrows faced off against the Holyhead Harpies two days ago. The game was intense, though at one moment, one of the Harpies' Chasers nearly lost her glasses. Rowan Hart, the Arrows' Seeker, caught the Snitch just before crashlanding into the grass. I hear there was a huge afterparty afterwards. The Arrows will be playing the Tornadoes in three days time.

The Gryffindors will be hosting team tryouts next Wednesday, at seven o'clock. This year's Captain, Harry Potter, asks that no other Houses come down to the pitch and try out, as it was "not funny two years ago, it isn't funny now, and I'll be reporting you to the Headmistress if you do it again."

The first match of the Quidditch season will, of course, be Gryffindor vs. Slytherin. Rival Seekers, Draco Malfoy and Harry Potter, will be facing off against each other, so it's sure to be a real show. Yours truly will be in the hoops for Gryffindor.

Dear Seeker

written by: Anonymous

Welcome to Dear Seeker! I guess this is like a sort of Dear Abby thing, for all of you Muggleborns and Half-Bloods out there. But for those of you who don't know what that is, basically you can send a question to me and sign it with an anonymous name, and I'll answer it for you. I'm basically giving you advice on things.

I haven't got any questions yet, but hopefully someone will send in some soon.

That's all for now.

Harry headed to Potions class, his bag slung over his shoulder as he walked beside Ron and Hermione. Hermione was excitedly chattering about the Hogwarts Gazette, how she was so excited for people to read it and how she hoped it was a huge success. Ron's expression looked slightly pained as he half-listened to her, nodding along and making noises in all of the right places. Harry sighed, then stumbled as someone rammed right into him.

"Watch yourself, Potter." a tired voice said, his tone half-hearted. "You could send us both sprawling."

Harry could recognize that voice anywhere. But Draco Malfoy seemed off. He looked very pale and tired, his eyes downcast and his hand constantly scratching at the spot on his arm where Harry knew the Mark to be.

"Malfoy." he tried, waiting for a reaction from the blonde. "I think you ran into me first."

"Probably." Draco shrugged his shoulders. "But, whatever. See you in class."

Then he strode off down the hallway, disappearing into the Potions classroom. Harry stared over at Ron and Hermione, who were looking back at him with mirrored expressions. Hermione looked like she was trying very hard to figure something out, and Ron simply looked dumbstruck.

"What's up with him?" Harry whispered as they continued walking. "He's different. He didn't even sneer at me."

"I don't know, Harry." Hermione said darkly. "But I don't think he's the same person we know anymore."

Harry frowned, walking into the classroom, his eyes immediately landing on Draco. The blonde boy sat by himself, away from the other Slytherins. His Potions book was held up to his face, and everyone seemed to be ignoring him completely. Hermione tugged on his arm, and he forced himself to tear his eyes away as he sat down.

But Harry wasn't done with this whole Draco thing yet. He had vowed not to rely on them this year, but it looked like he'd be getting out his dad's old Cloak and the Map out once again.