CHAPTER 4

An Announcement

It was weird walking into the Great hall and looking at the teacher's table and not seeing Dumbledore at the center. As Harry looked around he knew he was not alone in feeling this. He saw the solemn look on many peoples face. He saw that many students were missing, including Seamus. The room felt slightly empty. Harry looked at each of the House tables his eyes finally falling on the slytherin table. Malfoy was trying to find where to sit, but as he approached each person they glared at him or put their bag on an open seat. Harry knew how that felt. What Lee had said on the train rang in his ears. Maybe Malfoy had changed, but Harry still didn't see any reason to trust him. He sat down in between Ron and Hermione. McGonagall stood up where Dumbledore used to stand. The room went suddenly quiet.

"Before we start the sorting I want to welcome you back to Hogwarts, and I wish to thank you for coming back at all. I know after what…" She paused and took a deep breath, "what happened last year it takes a lot of strength to come back to a place where something so unforgiving has happened, but you have to know that you are not alone in your suffering and that you have people who you can talk to here at Hogwarts. And if anyone needs someone to talk to come talk to me. The password is Albus." Just as she finished he sentence Hagrid came in with the sorting hat and a line of shivering 1st years. He put the hat on the stool in the front of the room. The hat's eyes opened and the rip that was his mouth began to move.

"Big changed have come in past

But it's the friendships that make things last

Accept the losses that you've faced

The friends

The family

The enemy's

Take things for what they are

A new start

A time to begin again

A time to mend

I may be old you see

But my mind is as sharp as my wit

Safe you will be

If you will see

That forgiveness is key

So new ones place me on your head

And your future will be whispered in you ear

Just wait and see."

The room broke into applause. Harry and the Gryffindors stood up. The sorting hat was right, now was a time of change.

'I just hope that it'll be a change for the better' Harry thought. He sat threw the sorting with his friends. Each one of them had something on their mind that prevented them from seeing who sat at the teacher's table. The sorting hat called out the last name and McGonagall stood up once again.

"Before we start the feast I have a few announcements. Now more then ever the forest is off limits. I would also like to take this opportunity to welcome our new transfiguration teacher Nymphadora Tonks." Harry, Ron, Hermione, and Ginny were snapped out of their daze with this announcement. Huge smiles came across their faces when they saw who else was there, "I would also like to welcome back Reamus Lupin who will once again be teaching defense against the dark arts as well as being the new head of Gryffindor house."

The students broke out in thunderous applause at this announcement. "I would also wish to inform all students 3rd year and up that a couple of out 7th year students are organizing a production of the muggle musical 'RENT', if you are interested I should have more information by tomorrow evening. Now… Tuck in."

McGonagall sat back down and the food appeared. The room was abuzz with talk of the show.

"I think that we are going to have a good turnout." Harry said piling food on his plate.

"We should go and talk to McGonagall after diner." Ginny said.

"Sounds good to me." Harry said. Harry and Ginny's eyes met for a few seconds, before they looked away nervously. Harry wondered if things would even be the same.