After a short carriage ride where Neville, Ginny, and Luna debated on how greasy Snape's hair would be now that he was headmaster and created the rules, they walked into the Great Hall and Ginny and Neville sat at the longest table farthest from the door (Luna drifted her way over to the Ravenclaws). Unlike previous years, the Great Hall felt a little empty, especially for Neville. Glancing down the table, he realized the only people from his year were himself, Lavender, Parvati, and Seamus, only half of their original group. Neville turned to Seamus, who was sitting across the table looking particularly glum.

"Where's Dean?" he responded.

"Muggle-born, remember? With the Muggle-Born Registry and the proof of blood status required for all Hogwarts students instated in August, Dean decided to take his chances on the run. He was going to register until he found out the Umbridge was in charge. He panicked and left before they could find him and told his parents to skip town, too." Seamus looked around the hall. "Turns out he's not the only one with that plan. Where's Harry and Ron? They're not muggle-born, so what do they have to worry about?"

"Errr…" Neville stumbled, looking at Ginny for help. She simply shook her head in and sighed, knowing this would be a question she would be answering for the next week.

"Do you really think our wonderful headmaster would have welcomed Harry back with open arms? We all know how well that relationship went. And when does Harry go anywhere without Ron and Hermione?" Ginny replied.

"You've got a point," Seamus admitted. "At least we don't have to have any classes with Snape."

"Yeah, but did you read about the two replacements?" Neville said. "The Carrows. My gran was pissed when she read the article and called them… well, names she wouldn't normally use if she had remembered I was in the room with her."

"Do you know anything about them?"

Neville shook his head. "No. The kindest words gran used were 'low life weasel thugs,' and the rest isn't something I'd want Professor McGonagall overhearing."

"I'm sure she'd have a few words to add, knowing McGonagall," Ginny quipped.

"Not in front of Snape," Seamus whispered darkly. "The students aren't the only ones under close watch this year."

The three of them looked up at the staff. Snape sat in Dumbledore's chair, surveying the students and bearing a mild look of disdain. To the left of Snape was the Carrow brother, Amycus, the new Defense Against the Dark Arts Teacher. To the right of Snape was empty, to be filled the Carrow sister, Alecto. Professor McGonagall had been banished to the end of the table, though she didn't seem to mind not having to sit next to either Carrow sibling. Hagrid sat next to Amycus, back completely turned to the brother and almost seemed to be shielding tiny Flitwick and the rest of the staff from having any contact with the death eater.

At the front was a plain stool and the patched Sorting Hat looking as though they had been waiting all day for the evening. Before long the doors opened and a nasty looking witch was giving quiet but sharp orders for the first years to line up at the front. They stood there with terrified looks, glancing from side to side to see what the others were doing. Before long, the hat's brim opened wide, beginning its yearly tradition:

"Once again we gather round

The houses to be sorted

And yet I again I have to wonder

If this leaves our goal distorted

For long ago our founders four

Sought out those above exalt

To teach them all they knew

And mend their every fault

Yet vice exists in diverse ways,

Just as virtues can be found

Each founder had their favored traits

Selecting pupils whose qualities abound

For Ravenclaw, wit beyond measure

Was her greatest treasure

She selected students clever and bright

Those of academic splendor

For Slytherin, his eye on nobility

Preferred those with well known names

He selected students with a cunning mind

Eager to increase their wealth and fame

For Gryffindor, courage and chivalry

Defined his daily life

He selected students bold and true

On whom others can rely

For Hufflepuff, she often said

Talent was in need of discipline

She selected those ready to work

Giving more than the just minimum

Satisfied with their criteria

They knew just what to do

They gave me all their intelligence

So I could uphold their point of view

But once again I have to wonder

If this leaves our goal distorted

For every one of you could succeed

Wherever you would be sorted

Though I must divide you, still remember

You share a common goal

Learn from your virtues, turn from your vices

Together you can change the world."

Everyone clapped at the end and the witch who had lead the first years stood up to the front. Quickly the clapping died out as pulled out a piece of parchment, the names of the first years. She barked out each name menacingly, scaring each first year more than they already were. The group was much smaller this year than in years past. Hufflepuff seemed to get significantly fewer students this year with only four new students, whereas Slytherin seemed to dominate. Gryffindor and Ravenclaw, however, managed to bring in a respectable amount of students. After the final student had been sorted (Arlo Vance, Ravenclaw), Snape stood up to speak.

"Once again we find ourselves at the beginning of the school year. Before we begin the feast, there are several changes to the school that need to be addressed. First and foremost, we have two new teachers with us. Alecto Carrow," he gestured to the woman at his right, "will be filling the position of Muggle Studies. Muggle Studies will be considered a core subject and will be mandatory for all students enrolled, as it is important for you to understand our true relationship to the muggles." There were whispers amongst the students at this statement, and a few cold looks from several of the staff members.

Snape pressed on with his speech, undeterred by the interruption. "Amycus Carrow," he motioned to his left, "will be teaching Defense Against the Dark Arts. However, the name of this course has been long mischaracterized, and so it has been decided that the course will referred to as the Dark Arts." Neville heard a snort farther down the table and noticed Nigel Wolpert, a fifth year, was looking at the new headmaster mutinously.

Snape turned to Nigel and said in a low, cold voice meant for everyone, "You would be advised to do well in each of their courses as they are also sharing the responsibilities of deputy headmaster and headmistress. Alecto will be in responsible for student relations, including managing prefects and the head boy and girl, while Amycus will be responsible for all discipline."

Neville's eyes grew wide with the news and glanced around, just as everyone else was doing. Snape had already moved on with the rest of his speech, but he doubted that any heard the rest of what his was saying. He looked at Ginny sitting next to him, and an understanding passed between the two of them. Hogwarts needed the DA now more than ever; working together with Luna was a top priority.