Author's Notes: I wasn't planning on writing a new chapter for a few days, but since I already have people asking for more just a few hours after I posted the first one I've been working on this one as fast as I can. After reading this chapter tell me what you think of my new characters. Ten points for guessing where the names come from.

Disclaimer: Still own nothing.

The great hall was filled with the sounds of students talking with each other as Professor McGonagall led the new group of first years in for the sorting. Most of the older students were waiting for Dumbledore to announce the sorting, but a small group at the Gryffindor table was silently looking around as if waiting for something to happen. Ron Weasley, Hermione Granger, Ginny Weasley, and Neville Longbottom were all worried that Harry wasn't anywhere to be seen. Ron sighed as he looked at the doors of the Great Hall again.

"When do you think Harry is coming back?" he asked to nobody in particular. Hermione lowered her head and closed her eyes.

"I don't know Ron; if he really went to Mount Olympus then he may not come back for several years. Nobody really knows how time differs there." Ron sighed again in defeat, as Ginny looked at her quizzically.

"Hermione, what exactly is Mount Olympus?" Hermione thought for a moment before answering.

"Well, Mount Olympus is supposedly the home of all the Greek Gods. In Muggle Mythology, it is a mountain in the heavens that no mortal can reach, where the Gods hold council to debate issues in the human world. That's all the information I could get." She said, looking dejected at the fact that a book couldn't give her all the information she desired.

"Look guys," Neville said, startling everyone by talking for the first time that evening. "We just have to give it time, Harry will be fine. Have same faith in him. Besides, Dumbledore was there when they took him, and he didn't seem to upset by it. Look at him now." They all glanced up at the Staff Table where indeed, Dumbledore was smiling at the new first years. He stood up, and with blue eyes twinkling knowingly at the four Gryffindor's, addressed the Great hall.

"Good evening everybody, if you would settle down the sorting will soon be underway."

The four of them stopped their conversation and fixed their eyes on the sorting. After fifteen or so minutes, the last first year was sorted into Hufflepuff and Dumbledore rose once again.

"Welcome back to Hogwart's everyone. As always, there is a time for speaking, and now is not it. Tuck In."

As the tables were filled with food, Ron immediately filled his plate and began shoveling food into his mouth at inhuman speed. Neville smirked at him while Hermione and Ginny looked at him incredulously.

"What?" He mumbled through large bites, "Just because Harry isn't here doesn't mean he wouldn't want me to eat." They all laughed, knowing that while they did miss Harry, at least he was safe from Voldemort for the time being. As they ate, conversation slowly turned from Harry to themselves. Hermione looked at Neville and smiled.

"So Neville," she began, "You used to be so shy and reserved, what happened?" Neville just shrugged noncommittally.

"I guess I decided that if you three plus Harry were going to be brave and could stay strong against Voldemort, then so could I." They all looked at Neville in surprise; not only did he sound incredibly confident for him, but he said Voldemort's name without flinching. Ginny looked at him appraisingly, wondering how she hadn't noticed how good he looked. He had come a long way since first year. Standing at almost 6 feet tall, his brown hair came down and covered his brow, while his warm brown eyes also had a determined glint to them. He had also come into his body nicely, filling out with a nice amount of muscle. Overall, he was a guy who she knew they could count on in the future. She smiled, thinking how much she appreciated having friends like these. Hopefully when Harry got back they could become good friends as well. She looked at Ron and Hermione and noticed how close together they were sitting. Catching Ron's eye she raised an eyebrow at him and flickered her eyes to Hermione and back. He just blushed and looked back down while she smirked. So, it seems Ron finally decided he likes Hermione. Well good for him. She thought to herself. After the last of the deserts finally disappeared Dumbledore stood up and clapped his hands together.

"Welcome back once again to another year at Hogwarts. A few notices. Please remember…"

Before he could say anything else, the candles in the great hall all dimmed. The students started whispering and wondering what was going on, but Dumbledore just shook his head, smiled and sat back down. A few moments later, the doors to the Great Hall burst open with a massive gust of wind, causing the students to panic. A first year girl who was sorted into Gryffindor screamed and pointed towards the door, and everyone followed her finger to look at the four shadowed figures standing there. They could tell that three were men and one was a woman, but they were all wearing hooded cloaks so nobody knew who they were. The man on the right snickered at the shocked faces in the hall, and turned to the one in the middle.

"Well Harry, it looks like our dramatic entrance caused quite a commotion." The man in back didn't say anything, just stood with his arms crossed. The girl, who was to the left, sighed and shook her head,

"Honestly you two, you would think after all this time you would have grown up by now." The one on the left smirked at her, saying, "And after all this time you would think that you would go out with me by now two. I won't hold my breath if you don't hold yours." This got a small smile from the man in back, while the girl's lips turned up in the smallest of grins. The man in the middle of them all just looked around, then stepped into the Great Hall and lowered his hood. There were a few gasps from around the room, but Hermione Screamed out "Harry!" and ran up to meet him in a bone crushing hug, but stopped a few feet away to get a look at him and his companions, who had stepped in with him and lowered their hoods as well.

Harry looked to be about 6'1, still as skinny as ever but a little more lean and built. His jet black hair had grown quite long, down to his shoulders, and was moving around as if it were wind itself. He also had a two white streaks going through it down the sides. Instead of his robes, he wore a white tunic with dragon hide gloves and boots. He was carrying a 6 foot tall staff and had a bow and arrow across his back. His eyes, while still green, were shining brighter than she had ever seen them. Looking into them, she noticed he was smiling down at her, and she smiled back, capturing him in a hug.

"Oh Harry, we missed you so much." She whispered, clinging to him for dear life. The man or more like boy, to his right chuckled at her antics.

"Well Harry," He said in a smooth, seductive tone, raising an eyebrow at him "Aren't you going to introduce us to your beautiful friend here?" He turned to Hermione and looked at her with his deep, golden eyes. "Carden Black, what a pleasure it is to meet you." He brought her hand to his lips and gently brushed her wrist against his mouth. Hermione was startled, and blushed. He was around 5'11 with a stocky build. He had broad shoulders and arms, with thick legs as well. His hair, which was completely blood red, came sweeping down across his left eye into a point, which was black. His skin was tan and pale at the same time, as if her eyes couldn't decide which one. His cloak, which was also blood red, covered his tight black shirt and his lose fitting jeans and she gulped when she realized just how low on his hips they sat. Across his back a pair of swords was crossed in their sheaths, and on his wrists were two metal bands the reached up to his elbows. "He," thought Hermione, "May be the most gorgeous creature I have ever seen." That's when it hit her.

"You're a Vampire aren't you?" She blurted out. He just looked at Harry with another grin.

"You weren't kidding when you said she was the smartest witch you knew were you?" Looking back at her he gave her a wink and purred,

"That doesn't bother you does it?" She could feel herself getting faint, and she knew from all her readings that Vampires had natural attraction abilities to make it easier to catch their prey. She shook her head and when he smiled back at her she noticed that all four of his canine teeth were extended. She shivered a little at that and he just laughed out loud again. Then, leaning in to her ear he spoke again.

"Not that anyone is counting, but I am also a werewolf." She looked at him shocked and stuttered out

"H-ho-how?" He raised his eyebrow once again.

"Trust me, you don't want to know." The girl to Harry's right smacked him in the back of the head.

"Leave the poor girl around you incorrigible beast." She turned to Hermione and gave her a warm smile. "Hello, I am known as Allya." Allya was around 5'6 with long flowing golden hair. Her eyes were a piercing blue, which held wisdom and power but at the same time were comforting and friendly. Her ears were pointed at the tip, as was her shin. Her ivory skin was flawless, and she seemed to have a silvery glow about her. She was wearing flowing blue robes that were fitted to show off her curves and flared at the bottom, flowing around her like a river. Her waist was adorned with a glittering belt of sapphires and diamonds, holding several small vials and a larger flask along its length. Across her back were a thin bow and an elegantly curved sword. The handle of the sword was shining silver, and the blade looked to be made of ice. The bow was made of looked like transparent silver, and no quiver was seen anywhere on her. She had an air of regality about her that commanded respect, but at the same time made Hermione feel safe. She looked up at her and said.

"You're an Elf aren't you?" Allya smiled at her,

"That is correct. I am Allya Tyraear, Princess of the Rilynnneldth Elves. I am pleased to make you acquaintance." Carden snorted at this.

"Always with the formalities Allya. If these are Harry's friends then I think that we will be," He paused, looking Hermione up and down maker her shiver again. "Getting to know each other quite well won't we?" He smirked saying this, and Harry rolled his eyes.

"I swear Carden; sometimes I wonder why I put up with you." Carden just gave him a wolfish grin and shrugged his shoulders. The boy in back stepped forward and extended a corded arm towards Hermione.

"I apologize for my companions; my name is Ragnar, Warrior of the Earth." He stood at a towering 6'4 and was built like, well a warrior. He had scars covering his thick arms, and one ran vertically down his left eye. His earth brown hair was pulled back into a low ponytail, and his brown eyes held wisdom as well as pain. His skin was incredibly tan and thick, but overall he exulted a felling of power. Under his cloak he wore a simple unbuttoned brown leather vest. His legs were covered by a pair of doe skin trousers and he had no shoes on. Across his back had two massive battle axes and strapped to each bicep was a tomahawk. Hermione shook his hand and smiled. When she stepped back she noticed the Great Hall was silent, watching the interaction with wide eyes. She looked back to Ginny, Ron and Neville and saw they were nervously looking at her and the newcomers, wondering what they should do. Before anybody could say anything else there was a noise from the staff table that caught everyone's attention.

"Hem, hem. Excuse me, Mr. Potter?" Harry looked up at the staff table and saw a short, toad like woman looking at him with narrowed eyes. He sighed,

"Yes?" She shook her head at him smiling.

"Perhaps you and your, friends, could sit down and stop interrupting the headmasters speech?" Carden looked at her with hatred in his eyes and let a low growl escape his lips. Before he could say anything though Harry put a hand on his chest and kept him from stepping forward.

"Not now Carden, calm down." Carden looked at him with a raised eyebrow.

"She smells distrustful Harry, I don't like her." Harry just smirked at his friend.

"Later friend, for now let the headmaster finish talking." Looking back at the headmaster he was smiling at Harry with twinkling eyes and stood back up.

"Ah yes, as I was saying. Please remember that the Forbidden Forest is forbidden for a reason. Also, we have a new Defense against the Dark Arts teacher this year. Please welcome, Professor Umbridge."

There was a small amount of clapping as Professor Umbridge stood up and began talking about the Ministry, and how things were going to be from now on. Hermione looked over at Harry was looked angry, but that didn't compare to Carden and Allya who looked positively murderous. After several minutes of talking about "Pruning what needs pruning," Umbridge stopped talking and Harry and his companions stormed out of the hall. Hermione looked at Ron, Ginny and Neville, who all looked relived that their friend was back, but worried about how much he had changed. As they headed back to the dorm, Hermione couldn't help but wonder how much Harry actually had changed, and what happened on Mount Olympus. But the thought that nagged at her the most was, "Why is the ministry trying to gain control of Hogwarts, and why is Dumbledore letting them?"

A:N Once again, Thanks for taking the time to read my story, and double thanks to the 4 who have reviewed so far. Thoughts so far? Leave a comment in the review section.