The Great Hall was once again packed with students chatting animatedly to one another as Harry, Ron and Hermione took their seats at the Gryffindor table. A line of about a hundred trembling first years stood in front of the High Table waiting to be sorted. Professor McGonagall approached carrying a wooden stool and the ancient Sorting Hat. When she placed in on the stool, it began to sing a curious song about how important friendship is in these troubled times. When the song ended, the hall erupted in loud cheers from all four tables.
"What do you suppose that was about?" Harry whispered.
"I dunno but if it means being friends with a git like Malfoy, count me out." Ron whispered but recoiled at the disapproving glare given by Hermione.
The first years began to line up and put the Sorting Hat on their heads till it covered most of their face.
"RAVENCLAW!" it screamed as the little blonde girl under it stook it off shakily and headed for the cheering Ravenclaw table
"HUFFLEPUFF!" it screamed again.
"GRYFFINDOR!" And so it continued until all of the first years were sorted into their respective houses and Dumbledore approached the front of the hall to speak.
The room fell silent as Dumbledore addressed the school.
"Students of Hogwarts, I welcome you to another year of magic and learning. To those who do not know, we had some slight bumps in the road last year with Death Eaters attacking the school and the disappearance of Severus Snape."
The students all erupted into murmurs among each other at the mention of Snape and the Death Eater attack the previous year.
"On a more light-hearted note." He continued, "we have a charming new addition to the faculty, Lady Natasha, who will be taking the post of Defense Against The Dark Arts. Please make her welcome."
Applause filled the room as a rather small witch clad in an elegant purple dress stepped forward. Harry was certain however, that she hadn't been seated at the table a moment ago.
"Wizards and witches of Hogwarts School," she spoke in a voice that was clear but mysterious "Salutations. It is a great honour for me to be allowed to teach you Defense Against the Dark Arts. While I am here, I will also teach you about the ways of magic where I come from, but only if you promise to teach me about your magic." She smiled at them as the room erupted into loud cheers and strode off to the empty chair at the far end of the High Table next to Hagrid.
"I've read about a few different kinds of witches," Hermione said in an undertone "but most of them are really powerful and definitely not ones to get on the wrong side of." The three of them turned to the mysterious witch who was laughing merrily with Hagrid at some strange joke. Could this woman really be quite evil? Harry thought.
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*Sniff*. So...how ya liking it?