Start Of Term

They all walked up the front steps of the castle together. Ron, Harry and Ginny walked into the Great Hall, as Charlie went off to join the rest of the staff.

The great hall was lit with hundreds of floating candles. Students filled in and sat at their house tables. Ron and Harry sat across from Hermione and Ginny at the Gryffindor table. Harry noticed Malfoy and his gang sneering at them from Slytherin. Harry had enjoyed not having had a run in with them, yet.

He turned his attention to the staff table. Charlie was sitting on the end of the table closest to the Gryfinndor table. He was speaking with tiny Professor Flitwick. Next to Professor Flitwick sat Professor Sprout, the Herbology Professor. Madame Hooch was next, and after her there was an empty spot. Harry assumed this spot would be for Hagrid, who was leading the new students on their traditional trip across the lake. This assumption was headed up by the fact Hagrid's large tankard sat at the place. Professor Dumbledore sat on the other side of the empty place. This would be where Professor McGonagall sat. Miss Slayton sat next to the empty space, Professor Snape was on the other side. She was having an animated discussion with him, and it was evident she didn't like what he was saying (she kept rolling her eyes at him).

Next to Professor Snape sat an unfamiliar teacher. 'This must the new Defense Against Dark Arts Professor,' Harry thought. He was a large heavy set man, with dark hair and thick, knitted eyebrows. He sat and watched the students file in and he actually looked bored! Harry couldn't believe it.

At this moment Professor McGonagall entered with the sorting hat and stool. She sat them up in front of the staff table. The house tables grew quiet. Hagrid followed in with the new first years. Many of them were awestruck with the sights around them. They walked and stood before the sorting hat.

The sorting hat began to sing:

Everyone draw close and you shall hear

A tale of four great wizards we hold dear.

A thousand years ago they met on this date

And unknowingly then sealed our fate.

Educate the young they did know

Was the right way to go!

In all different values they did seek

Among those they wished to teach.

Gryffindor- Bravery he did prize

for born leaders he would rise.

Industrious Hufflepuff placed his test,

to treasure loyalty above the rest.

Ravenclaw, she's clever bloke,

Winning attitudes she invoked.

Powerful Slytherin- it was his summation

to value resourcefulness and determination.

But how to sort once they were dead?

They were filled with thoughts of dread.

How about a hat bewitched,

With magic sewn in every stitch?

So Gryffindor cast me away,

And still I sort to this very day!

With insight they filled me to the brim,

So that I may see the you within.

So don't be wary and don't delay,

For I've never been wrong to this very day!

Put me on your head and we shall see,

The proper house for you to be!

The Great Hall erupted with applause and cheers. The first years stood nervously waiting for their name to be called.

"Abel, Kelly" called Professor McGonagall. A timid, tiny Kelly Abel walked up and sat on the stool, placing the sorting hat on her head. "HUFFLEPUFF!" shouted the hat, and Kelly Able went to join her house.

The hat continued sorting, but Harry's attention was focused on thoughts of food. He hadn't eaten since breakfast that morning. Every now and then he would catch a new name... "Douggary, Craig" and the house they were sorted to "SLYTHERIN" ... but he spent most of the time starring up at the enchanted ceiling.

"Finkel, Caitlyn." Professor McGonagall said. A minute later the hat shouted "GRYFFINDOR!"

The sorting continued as one by one the new students cautiously took there place on the stool and were sorted into houses. "Lewis, AJ!" (also a Gryffindor). Finally Harry heard the last name, Terrance Zands who was sorted into Ravenclaw.

Professor Dumbledore stood up as a hush fell across the Great Hall. He raised his arms and announced "Let the Feast Begin!". The plates filled themselves with food and the hall resounded with the sounds of hundreds of hungry students eating. When the first course was done another appeared. As the last student finished the last bit of his dessert and the plates cleaned themselves, Professor Dumbledore stood again, and again a hush fell over the crowd.

"I would like to take a moment and welcome all of the students, new and old, to a new year at Hogwarts. We have several new faces joining our staff this year. Professor Bantel will be taking over Defense Against Dark Arts this year," he gestured to the heavy teacher, who still looked bored. The students applauded him. Harry wondered if this professor would only stay one year, too.

"Professor Weasley will be taking Care of Magical Creatures for this year, as Hagrid will be assisting me with other duties." Malfoy lead a quiet 'boo' at the Slytherin table. It could hardly be heard over the cheers coming from Charlies's four siblings sitting at the Gryffindor table. Professor Dumbledore looked over his half moon glasses and said "I will remind all our students that the staff at the school commands the up-most respect.

" We also have created a new position this year, out of necessity I am afraid. Miss Slayton will be joining us as a fill in professor and an assistant. You will see her in various places through out the year and she will substitute in classes as necessary" The students applauded Miss Slayton. Harry noticed that Charlie was watching her every move.

"I will remind you at this time that the Forbidden Forest is forbidden. Hogsmead is to only be visited by third-years and up who have their permission slip signed. You are not to roam the halls after-hours. Please check with Filch for the updated list of forbidden objects, I believe he has extensively updated his list this year. The quidditch season will resume as normal this year, the house teams may begin practice in two weeks, giving you some extra time to brush up on your skills." This prompted a loud cheer by all of the houses. The last time Hogwarts had quidditch, the Gryffindor team beat Slytherin for the first time in seven years. Charlie Wesley had been on the team then. The applause died down and all eyes expectantly turned back to Professor Dumbledore. "Now there is a bit of exciting news to give you, and you all must thank Miss Slayton, for this was at her instance, Miss Slayton, why don't you tell the students?"

Miss Slayton rose to her feet and confidently addressed the student body. "This fall, just a couple of weeks after Halloween, we will be having a Fall Ball. Like the ball last year, it is open to fourth years and up. First through third years may come if invited by an older student. Now, you first through third years who don't get to go are not going to be confined to your common rooms. Madam Hooch is going to host a quidditch tournament for you on the afternoon of the ball. We are bending the rules a bit, there will be two large teams. It will be interesting to see all of you students on the field! Please see Madam Hooch for more details on that. There will be more information on these events in the future as well. Thank you." she sat down. There was excited murmurs through the student body. A Dance and a quidditch tournament? This would be cool.

Professor Dumbledore rose again. "That covers announcements. Prefects please see the head of your house to obtain your passwords. You are dismissed. We all have a busy day tomorrow."

The students filed away from there tables and followed the Prefects to their respective houses. Hermione was the Gryffindor Prefect this year. She went and spoke to Professor McGonagall for before heading to the dorms. They walked down the hall, and up the stairs to the portrait of a fat lady dressed in pink silk. "Password?" she asked

"Incucatus" Hermione said. The students entered the dorm.

"Incucatus, incucatus, incucatus..." Neville Longbottom could be heard saying over and over under his breath.