It wasn't the jovial face of Hagrid calling for the first years to join him when the Hogwarts Express pulled into to station at Hogsmede. Instead the students were greated by the stocky, red headed Charlie Weasley who was to be taking over the Care of Magical Creatures classes. "First years over here" he called out to be heard over the still rumbling engine of the train. The new professor found himself in two pairs if arms, one belonging to the bespectacled, green eyed Gryffindor Quidditch Captain, and the other the once byshy haired know-it-all Head Girl.
"Hey Harry, Mione" he chuckled. Many of the Wesley family had not seen Harry and Hermione since Ron and Fred's funerals. Molly had become a shell of herself. She was still quick to anger but spent her days weeping watching her clock with the two missing hands of Ron amd Fred. The rest no longer hovered over Mortal Danger but scattered between home, work and now school.
After greeting Charlie, the small group of friends walked towards the carriages. Every one of them could now see the skeletal forms of the thestrals harnessed to them. They all climbed into one which set off at its usual slow and steady pace.
It wasn't long before Harry and Hermione were seated at the Gryffindor table in the Great Hall. The atmosphere inside was tense. There were very few Slytherins sitting at their table. Many had been transfered to Dermstrang after the fall of Voldemort, their parents unwilling to allow them to return to the hated and untrusted house of snakes.
A much older looking Minerva Mcgonagal stood before the student poplace, a small group of first years standing at the back of the room being led by the small form of the Deputy Headmaster, Professor Fillius Flitwick.
"Before we begin the sorting ceremony I wanted to ensure you all that whilst many are no longer with us they are not forgotten. The houses here are family, and it is time for unity, understanding and to remove prejudice of any kind from these halls. " she spoke firmly looking at all four house tables in turn as if challenging them to contradict her "let the sorting begin."