They each appeared in Dumbledore's office, clutching either the leather pouch, or Harry. Dumbledore smiled lightly as his own sign of greeting without speaking. There was a mildly uncomfortable silence that made Harry fidget under Dumbledore's stare.

"The password to the Gryffindor tower is 'Weasley's Wizarding Wheezes,' would you mind setting your stuff in while I talk to them?"

Harry paused for a moment, looking as though he'd rather stay.

"Go on then," Said Dumbledore. Harry sighed and walked out, dragging his trunk and Hedwig behind him.

Harry stared into the common room fire as soon as he got settled in, not really knowing what to do. He deeply wished his friends would've come to stay for the summer, but he knew that they had lives and families to attend to. Sighing, Harry put his hands behind his head and tapped his foot impatiently. Finally, Dumbledore entered the common room to talk to Harry.

"Well, Harry, I must say that Hogwarts may be a little boring for you without a muggle television, but every section to the library will be available to you, just don't overuse the restricted section, and Hagrid is back for the summer. You will be allowed to wonder wherever you want, except I'd prefer you either stay at Hogwarts or Hogsmeade. You will need a professor's permission to travel to Diagon Alley. You may practice quidditch, so on so forth, and one of us will instruct you every week with jinxes, spells, and curses."

And true to his word, every week, one of the professors that were still at Hogwarts, or ones that only stopped by, came to train Harry. Harry merely meandered lazily around Hogwarts, longing to talk with Ron, Hermione, Luna, Neville…at least somebody. He sent frequent letters to Ron until Ron told him that Harry was going to kill Hedwig.

-~*~-

It was dark, and Harry was sprawled across his bed as a copy of the Witch Weekly fluttered slightly with each snoring breath. A picture of Umbridge was on the cover, and she rattled the grungy bars furiously, scowling down at the large red print, "UMBRIDGE SENDS POTTER A DEMENTOR AND CAUSES PHYSICAL HARM TO CHILDREN. DETAILS INSIDE." Hedwig suddenly hooted loudly, awaking Harry. Toppling out of bed, and the magazine slipping under his bed, he got dressed quickly, and handed Hedwig an owl treat.

"Thanks for waking me before the banquet, Hedwig, you're the best." He said, and then ran out of the common room, and towards the Grand Hall.

The older Hogwarts piled in and sat down, followed by the timid looking first years. Luna, Ron, Hermione, Neville, and Ginny each sat as close to Harry as they could and immediately bombarded Harry with comments and questions.

"I'm sorry I couldn't come Harry, mum had to take us to Egypt, and I had no time to write you a letter, because Pig was busy with sending Hermione a letter, and for some reason he hadn't come back for awhile."

"Well, I'm sorry Ron, but I had to borrow him," Hermione said to Ron.

"How was it here?" Asked Ginny.

"I hope you weren't too lonely." Said Neville.

"Hem hem," said Harry, as he held up his hand and grinned. "Give me a moment to talk, why don't you? First of all, Voldemort—shut up Ron—found out where I lived, so I er…came here early, and well…yeah. Hagrid has kept me company, and it was quiet fun here, thanks."

Suddenly, Harry was nearly toppled over, and his vision turned from the grand hall into a large mass of Hermione's bushy hair.

"Her-mi-one! I can't breathe!" Harry gasped, and Hermione blushed as she released him.

Harry answered, as McGonagall brought out the stool with a large gray, patched hat placed on it. Everyone quieted as they awaited the brim of the hat to open and sing.

"While most of you think I'm ugly,

Others think I'm neat.

I'm here to tell you of a story,

That I will not repeat.

Several years ago,

The four founders were born.

And they were like no other,

None had talent like another.

Eventually houses grew apart,

Rival houses formed.

And although I do not wish to sort you lot,

It is what I'm meant to do.

To sum it up to all of you,

Lord Voldemort is back.

In order to defeat him,

None of you must slack.

You must all pledge alliances,

For this matter is very grim.

Though I sort you today,

Even though I do wish that wasn't the case,

Please remember: You may not all be alike,

But one thing here is true.

Not all of you from Slytherin,

Would join Voldemort so quickly.

And not all from Ravenclaw,

Answer questions so slickly.

Not all from Gryffindor

Are brave and royal,

And not all Hufflepuff

Are so just and as loyal.

If all of you found a different person,

Who does not only hold house qualities alone.

You might just find that they are different,

Instead of chilling to the bone.

May I sort you to the house you like best,

And may all of you be different from the rest."

"That was inspiring…Ready to pledge your alliance with Draco, now, Harry?" Asked Ron.

"Not in a lifetime." Harry replied blandly.

"Faye Willington," Shouted McGonagall, and this one individual caught Harry's attention. She had long straggly brown hair, and mud-caked clothing. Red welts spotted up her arms, as if she were a human Dalmatian. As she stepped up to the sorting hat, Dumbledore looked at her worriedly.

"GRYFFINDOR!" Shouted the hat. The first year attempted a bashful smile as she made her way towards the loud, hollering table.

"Amelia Gray!" Called McGonagall, and a small and skinny girl, also with long brown hair, stepped up to the sorting hat.

"RAVENCLAW!" The hat shouted before the hat even touched her head. The sorting continued, ending with a "Gerald Brochkoviche," whom was sorted into Slytherin.

Then Harry looked at the staff table, as he had forgot to do at first, and a man he had never seen before was sitting there calmly, as if he hadn't a care in the world. He had long blonde hair, he was wearing dark green robes, a carefree, round face, and his ears were pointed. But wasn't able to dwell on it too much, as Dumbledore began to say the First of the year notices.

"As all of you should know by now—" Ron and Harry exchanged amused glances, "—the Forbidden Forest, as its name proclaims, is strictly forbidden. Also, Filch has taken to remind me that the Weasley Twin's names are not to be mentioned in neither the hallways, nor it the 'Weasley is our King' song, either version. Though I believe the Gryffindor version is more suitable. Umbridge, thankfully, is banished from this school, and all of the teachers have been brought back. Since I'm on the subject of teachers, I would like to welcome Professor Craigan, who is of course, teacher of the Defense against the Dark Arts. I am done flapping my jaws for now, so tuck in!"

Dumbledore then swung his long, silvery beard over his shoulder, and ate whilst talking very animatedly to McGonagall, nodding his head here and there. Food magically reappeared ion the tables, taking the first years breath away as the gazed at the food. Harry had begun to fill his plate, piling the food very high, and each plate vanished in a few minutes. Harry went though six plates before Ron grabbed his hand.

"Leave enough for us poor deprived individuals who have only had one serving." He said, shaking his head sadly.

"Just one more plate?" Harry pleaded.

"You have had six plates already!" Said Dean, "Have you eaten at all this summer?"

"Yes," Harry defended. "I just have a high metabolism."

"You didn't last year." Said Ron.

"Yeah, well, I do this year." Harry finished lamely, and grabbed a roll. Seamus and Dean each shook their head and Ron snatched all the food he could before Harry ate it.

The trip back to the Common rooms was a sleepy one, and Ron and Hermione lagged through their prefect duties.

"Comon' you midgets." Said Ron lazily.

"Ron! Stop calling them midgets!" Hermione said angrily.

"Pygmies then. Comon' you pygmies!"

The first years looked thoroughly offended, but they were too interested by the castle to care.