As the train pulled into the Hogwarts station the movement jerked Ron out of his seat and onto the floor. Hermione and Harry immediately helped him up. Ron shoved them off and stormed out of the compartment. Harry watched his friend depart in wonder but shrugged and followed him with Hermione on his heels. They spotted Ari and her friends outside on the platform. Ari smiled and waved at Harry who in turn waved back. As the group approached Raven looked them all over suspiciously. Her eyes landed on Harry giving him a dark look before turning and walking towards the carriages. Ari rolled her eyes at the blonde's departure but followed after with Mage not far behind. As people climbed into carriages Harry stared at the skeleton horses pulling them. Luna seemed to notice his staring and explained what they were. A little uneasily Harry climbed into the carriage with the others close behind. As the door closed he saw Ari and her friends being pulled away ahead of them.

The carriages pulled up at the castle. Ari climbed out and breathed in the fresh air taking in the sight of the brightly lit castle she hadn't seen since her first year. Raven climbed out and glared ahead of her at the castle. Her arm burned but she kept her face stoic as Ari turned to give her a smile. Mage just rolled his eyes and tried to hold steady to the basket full of newborn kittens. Pureheart jumped out of the basket and into her mistress's arms. Harry's carriage pulled up as another disappeared. He climbed out and felt eyes on him. Ignoring them he walked over towards Ari who just smiled brightly at him before hopping up the steps and into the castle with Mage and Raven close behind. A sour look passed Harry's face when he saw Professor Snape standing at the front entrance. The man eyed him intently before turning away to focus on the rest of the students. Harry walked past the Potions Professor without looking at him. Once inside the castle they were warmed of the cool night air. They were greeted by ghosts and paintings going about their business. Harry smiled and waved when he saw Nick.

"Hello Harry, how are you doing this evening?" asked the ghost politely.

"I'm fine Nick thank you," Harry nodded.

He waved farewell before continuing his way to the Great Hall. On the way someone stuck out their leg and tripped him. Luckily he only stumbled slightly but turned to glare at Draco Malfoy who stood smirking proudly with his cronies.

"Welcome back to school Potter, I had no idea that they let convicts in Hogwarts." Malfoy spat with a smirk.

Harry glared at him and stepped forward but was pulled back by a soft yet strong hand. Turning he was surprised to see Ari standing there giving Malfoy an annoyed look. Her face was painted with a clear look of annoyance.

"Back off," she said simply.

Malfoy glared at her before storming off without response. People stared at her surprised that one statement from her made Draco Malfoy leave wordlessly. She glared at the people making them quickly bustle away to the Great Hall. Harry was shocked.

"How did you do that?" he asked.

Ari turned and smiled at him with a wink. "It's a secret."

More students began to file into the corridor crowding it. Ari turned and disappeared into the crowd. Harry turned to see Hermione and Ron staring at where she stood strangely. They followed the rest of the people towards the Great Hall. Mage was standing by the doors waiting with a very displeased Raven and a bouncy Ari. When they moved to enter the Great Hall Raven was grabbed by a tall boy with long brown hair. She turned to glare at him but he dragged her away. Ari stared confused at her but ignored it and entered the Great Hall smirking when she spotted the person she'd been looking forward to seeing all night. He scoffed and looked away in annoyance. Harry waved as he, Hermione and Ron walked towards the Gryffindor table while Ari and Mage went to the Ravenclaw table. The sorting began as soon as everyone was seated.

Once it was over Harry eagerly began to eat the food on his plate. Hermione elbowed him to slow down or he would make himself sick. He just rolled his eyes at her but slowed his eating. Ron was arguing with Dean over Quidditch teams. Harry tensed as he once again felt eyes on him. He had just finished his second serving of roast when Dumbledore stood up and caught everyone's attention. He waved his hand at the Ravenclaw table making people turn to see Ari standing up and walking uncertainly towards the podium. He smiled kindly at her his eyes twinkling as he put his hand on her shoulder.

"I would like to welcome back Miss. Ari Ashmead. She has been interning at the Ministry of Magic since her first year here. She has been kind enough to return and finish her education here at the school." Dumbledore announced. Ari lowered her head as her cheeks tinted pink with embarrassment.

When he asked if she wished to speak she shook her head and walked back to her seat shifting uncomfortable as people continued to stare at her. Mage patted her shoulder as she put her head on the table trying to will her cheeks to return to their normal color. Dumbledore continued to speak of the upcoming year while everyone dug into their desert. Everyone went silent as a pudgy woman cleared her throat loudly interrupting the headmaster's speech. They stared as she stepped towards the podium while everyone continued to stare at her shocked by what she'd done. She was introduced as Dolores Umbridge, she would be the new DADA professor and she worked in the Ministry. Harry glared at her when he recognized her as the woman from his trial. As she droned on about her plan people began to get bored listening and fought to stay awake. Raven entered the Great Hall halfway through the annoying speech. When Umbridge finished Ari pushed her food away from her.

"I am so not hungry anymore." Ari said making a face at her food.

Mage snickered but agreed pushing away his own food. Hermione thought over what Umbridge had said and couldn't believe the audacity of the woman! Ron complained about how long the speech was which earned him and elbow in the side from Hermione. The feast finally ended and people rushed out of the seats wanting desperately to get out of the Great Hall and away from Umbridge.

Once outside the Great Hall Harry breathed a tried sigh of relief. Hermione and Ron stood beside him waiting for the large crowd of students to disperse so they could walk easily up to the Gryffindor tower. His attention was turned when he heard arguing. He spotted Ari was arguing with Raven. She looked really annoyed and pissed. Mage was beside them ignoring everything. Harry's gaze lifted away from them and saw some of the teachers already out in the corridor talking discreetly amongst themselves. McGonagall looked clearly perplexed and surprised; Harry guessed it was about Umbridge by the looks of how she was heatedly conversing with Flintwick and Sprout. Snape exited the Great Hall and glared when his eyes landed on Harry staring. He turned his gaze away as soon as they locked eyes. Snape scanned the students and spotted who he was looking for. Walking over he grabbed Ari's arm and dragged her away from her friends and towards his quarters. Harry watched confused but followed when Hermione shoved him forward to go to the tower.

Once they got to the Common Room they breathed sighs of relief. Hermione mentioned something about unpacking tomorrow and showering tonight going to bed. Ron yawned as he and Harry trudged upstairs to the boys' dorms. Harry was angry after his fight with Seamus so he quickly dressed into his night clothes and climbed into bed falling into a nightmare filled sleep.