Summary: At Hogwarts, Ginny, Neville and Luna revive the DA. Spoilers for Deathly Hallows.

A/N: I'm obviously not the greatest poet…


Chapter 2

Luna hopped off the train onto the platform before her and Ginny followed, casting a glance back into the train where Neville was standing in the corridor, talking quietly to two boys from his year. When Ginny looked back at the platform, Luna had vanished in the mass of students who were pouring out of the train and along the station.

"Don't block my way, Longbottom," she could hear an all too familiar voice back inside the train. Looking back up to Neville, Ginny had trouble staying near the door of the train, as she was pushed along by other students on their way out. She watched Neville stepping aside, making the way free for Draco Malfoy who threw some insulting phrase at Neville, before he got off the train as well.

Ginny could have said something, could have pointed out that Draco was mostly words, that he had not appeared that brave when he had run away at the end of last year after Snape had killed Dumbledore for him, but she knew better than to start any fights with him, drawing attention to herself in an unnecessary way, something she should save up for more worthwhile things. She knew though that Harry would not have been able to help getting back at Draco. But she wasn't Harry.

"Come, Neville," she called, and he nodded, climbing out of the train after Seamus Finnigan. Seeing Seamus reminded Ginny that Dean had not been on the train. He would probably not come back to Hogwarts at all, she guessed. It was only one more reason why they had to do something against this new regime.

The flow of students became finally smaller, and Ginny could make out the pile of first years who were assembled around the certainly not to miss figure of Hagrid further down the platform. Hagrid looked over to her for a moment, a searching look on his face and Ginny wondered if he had known at all that Harry, Ron and Hermione would not come back. She smiled at him.

"Ginny?"

She turned around and saw that Neville was waiting for her now.

"I'm coming."


In the great hall it was even much more obvious that there were fewer students this year. On all tables many seats remained empty. The line of first years waiting to be sorted was shorter as well which was no surprise as only students from wizarding families were there, but none of the usually considerable number of Muggle-born first years, stepping new into the wizarding world.

Ginny looked up to the front where the teachers were sitting. On Dumbledore's old place, Snape had seated himself tonight, and there were two faces Ginny had not seen before. An almost calming continuum was Professor McGonagall who was holding a list of the first years standing ready to be sorted into their houses. She did not move to speak though. Ginny had almost forgotten about the song of the Sorting Hat into that it was breaking now.

This castle was built long ago

thought to persist forever

its ideas now though

blacken in a fever,

threatened to forgo

as grievously as never

Hence defend and aid

regardless of your house,

with greatest weight

do rouse

to ban the evil

from this hall

and revel

in its fall

Ginny's eyebrows had risen slowly. She glanced carefully at Snape once the hat had finished, but the new headmaster's expression remained unmoved.

"It's courageous, the hat, isn't it? Or stupid maybe," Seamus Finnigan, who was sitting next to her, whispered.

"It has nothing to fear. I mean, what can they do to a hat?" Ginny questioned, guessing though that the hat wouldn't get an opportunity to sing so soon again. Seamus shrugged.

Ginny was not sure where it started, but guessed that it was at the Gryffindor table that somebody applauded the hat and more and more people joined the acclaim. It was only because she was used to her strict exterior that Ginny thought to detect a hint of pleasure in Professor McGonagall's expression.

The clapping died down quickly though and the head of Gryffindor house started to read aloud the names of the first years. The Sorting itself gave Ginny almost a sense of normality which vanished soon though when after the procedure had ended it was not Professor Dumbledore that raised from his seat, but Snape.

"I welcome you to the new school year," he said simply. "I hope you are all very keen to study hard and to behave accordingly to your privileged status at this school."

Privileged status. If he meant that all of them were pure-bloods or at least half-bloods then he could stay away with it, Ginny thought. She could sit here, protected by her blood status, but could think only with a pang of all those people who had not been able to come back this year, were maybe even on the run now.

"I have only few announcements to make regarding our staff," Snape continued. "Professor Amycus Carrow is going to teach Defence Against the Dark Arts this year and Professor Alecto Carrow is going to take over the post of teacher for Muggle Studies."

Ginny was surprised that there would even be the subject Muggle Studies this year. She could not imagine that they would continue teaching the way of living of Muggles and encourage close wizard-Muggle-relationships.

"The subject of Muggle Studies will be required for all of you this year, following a new decree from the Ministry of Magic," Snape went on and Ginny was wondering more and more what they were going to teach there. "Let's start our dinner now."

Dinner appeared on the tables and Ginny saw that the house-elves were still working as hard as usual, the variety of dished not diminished. She loaded her plate, thinking of Ron who would have relished in this dinner.

Once the meal was finished, Ginny leaned over to Seamus. "Keep your fake galleon at hand," she told him quietly. He looked puzzled, but pleased. Ginny stood up and joined Luna walking out of the Great Hall.

"Can you tell the Ravenclaw DA members to keep an eye on their fake galleon?" she asked the other girl.

Luna nodded. "Yes, I'm going to tell them about it." Ginny wondered for a moment if they were going to listen to Luna.

Luna departed, and Ginny watched her skipping up the stairs to the Ravenclaw common room for a moment, before she walked up to her own common room.

TBC