Chapter 7: Professor Shercliff

The first thing Harry heard as he got off the train was the familiar, "Firs' year this way! Firs' years this way! All right you three?"

Harry waved at Hagrid as the terrified first years made their way to the boats. It was fairly cold out and Harry did not envy the people having to cross in the boats. It took a few minutes before the carriages arrived. He saw the demonic Thestrals pawing the ground impatiently and couldn't help but stare. He may have used them to get to the Ministry of Magic last year, but he still wasn't used to seeing the black Pegasi. He, Ron and Hermione got into a carriage.

As the carriage moved, Hermione stared out the window with a thoughtful expression. "I wonder what it would be like to actually see them?"

"See what?" Harry asked.

"The Thestrals." Hermione waved at the window. "I wonder what they look like. I mean, I know what they should look like, but I haven't actually seen them before."

Ron looked out the window, puzzled. "Yeah, I can't see them either. I mean, Sirius... died, so why can't..."

"We never actually saw him die," Hermione replied promptly. "Harry and Neville were the only ones who... Oh, I'm sorry Harry!"

Harry had looked out the window, looking a little sad. "It's okay Hermione."

None of them said a thing as the carriages pulled up to the gates of Hogwarts. Harry stepped and looked up at the massive castle that was Hogwarts. "It is good to be back though."

"It is, isn't it," Hermione agreed. "C'mon, we better hurry."

"Yeah, don't want to miss the feast," Ron muttered to Harry.

They entered the doors, stepping into the Entrance Hall. All the way to the Great Hall, Harry and Ron's stomach's were growling. Hermione kept muttering about them.

The Great Hall was packed full of students. The three of them made their way to the Gryffindor table. They found seats near Nearly Headless Nick. He bowed to each of them.

"Good evening, my young friends."

"Hi Nick," Harry replied, looking abashed. He hadn't forgotten the talk they had last year. "Um, about last year..."

"It is alright," Nick said with a wave of his hand. "I understand how you feel."

Harry nodded and turned back to his friends. "About Sirius."

Hermione nodded in understanding, but Ron was too busy staring up at the staff table to notice anything.

"Ron!" Hermione hissed. "Pay attention!"

Ron jerked slightly. He looked disgusted. "You are not going to believe this. The Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher..."

Harry felt his heart stop. It couldn't be Umbridge, could it? "What? What's wrong?"

"Just look up at the staff table!"

Harry and Hermione did look. Professor McGonagall was with the first years, as was Hagrid. Flitwick was talking with Spourt. And Dumbledore was talking to Snape. Only this Snape didn't have greasy hair, his face was tan and he looked younger. And there was another Snape at the end of the table, looking surly. There were two Snapes!

Harry stared from one Snape to the other. The one talking to Dumbledore was not Snape. Now that Harry actually looked, the two didn't look alike that much. Only the long black hair and black robes were the same. But the man did look a lot like Snape at a quick glance. Harry noticed that most of the students were doing a double take, and there were a lot of moans. Except from the Slytherin table; they were all grinning.

Harry stared at the man. There was something familiar about him and it wasn't just because he looked like Snape. Harry knew he had seen the man before, but where?

"He does look a little like Snape," Hermione nodded. "But that doesn't mean he'll be like him."

"He better not," Ron muttered.

They were joined by Ginny and Neville. They also did a double take when they saw the Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher; Neville looking a little pale. Snape was one of Neville's greatest fears after all.

Finally, Hagrid had taken his seat at the staff table and Professor McGonagall was leading the first year students into the Great Hall. All of them looked pale and frightened. McGonagall retrieved the stood with the Sorting Hat on it. Everyone waited for the brim to open and for it to start singing.

"In days of day that have long since past,

I have watched the castle all this time,

Watching student after student come,

And I have sorted everyone one.

Perhaps you will be in Gryffindor;

The most noble and brave of them all.

Or maybe in Hufflepuff;

The hardworking and diligent are all there.

Then again, you could be Ravenclaw;

The wisest and the brillant you will find.

And finally, there is Slytherin;

The cunning and the scheming are there to find.

No matter where you go, remember this:

A terrible time is coming to all,

And we must all be as one.

United we stand, divided we fall,

Remember my words, or we will all fail..."

Everyone applauded the Sorting Hat, but there were a few whispering like last year.

"Still giving us the same warning," Ron said, "only in the form of a different song."

"It's a warning we should listen to," Hermione reminded hum.

Harry wanted to agree, but joining with Slytherin? Unless Harry met some nice Slytherins, he couldn't see that happening.

Everyone turned their attention to Professor McGonagall as she unrolled the scroll in her hands.

"When I call your name, you will come up and put on the Hat. It will call out the house that you belong to, and you are to go to that table."

"Blackwood, Aaron!"

A boy with a prideful stride walked up and put the Hat on. A second later the Hat yelled out, "Slytherin!"

The Slytherin table burst out into applause as Aaron Blackwood went to join them.

"Collins, Tricia!"

"Hufflepuff!"

Harry looked up at the staff table; the new teacher was staring at him! Harry stared back for a moment before the teacher turned away to look over the rest of the students. He felt a slight chill.

"Are you alright?" Hermione whispered.

Harry smiled and nodded as "Fisher, Tyler!" joined the Gryffindor table.

Harry couldn't help but wonder what this Defense teacher would be like. After all the only decent one had been Remus Lupin; all the others had been evil, or in Lockhart's case, stupid. Couldn't he have one Defense teacher that wasn't interested in him at all?

Finally, "Wells, Michael!" was placed into Ravenclaw, and Dumbledore stood.

"Welcome everyone. Later will be the time to talk, but for now... Tuck in!"

Everyone looked down expectantly as food appeared on the golden plates. Harry and Ron dove right in.

"Ahhhh, this is better," Ron replied.

Most of the talk centered around Voldemort, though no one would speak his name. Harry could only roll his eyes at what some people were saying what the Dark Lord was up to. That didn't have a clue.

Harry took another look at the head table. The new teacher was finishing some steak and potatoes, talking with Hagrid. He didn't know why the new professor was so fascinating to him.

Finally, desserts came and left and Dumbledore stood up again. All the talk died down and all the attention turned to the Headmaster.

"I say again; welcome old and new to Hogwarts. There a few start of term notices that I shall get out of the way first. Firstly, Mr. Filch, our caretaker, wanted to remind everyone that magic is not to be used in the corridors. And that the list of banned items has now included anything with the brand name, Weasley's Wizarding Wheezes."

This caused a few laughs, and groans from all the students. Dumbledore just smiled in amusement.

"The Forbidden Forest is out of bounds to all students; as is the village of Hogsmeade to all students below third year."

Dumbledore looked around before continuing.

"Again, we have a new appointment to Defense Against the Dark Arts. Everyone, please welcome. Professor Shercliff."

Professor Shercliff stood up and gave a little bow. All of the teachers clapped for him. The students did too, but it was rather quiet. Harry, Ron and Hermione all exchanged looks.

"Shercliff... Why does that sound familiar?" Harry wondered.

"That's the name of the author of our new Defense texts," Hermione replied.

Ron groaned, and Harry silently agreed. They certainly didn't need another Lockhart.

"Great... Just great..." Ron groused.

"It might not be the same person," Hermione reasoned. "It might be a relative, or someone completely different altogether."

Harry didn't think that was possible, but he didn't say anything.

Dumbledore waited for the noise to quiet down before he continued. He looked much more serious now.

"We are in for some trying times, now that Voldemort is back." He waited for the shuddering to die down. "There will be a few security measures that will be used for your safety. And I would like to add that now, more than ever, is the time for all of us to work together. United we stand, divided we fall."

Again, he waited a moment for the whispers to die down. "Now is the time for all of us to go to bed. Classes start tomorrow. Off you all go."

Everyone stood, preparing to head to their dormitories. Hermione gave Ron a look, and he began calling for the first years to follow him. Before Hermione could go, Harry grabbed her hand.

"Wait. What's the password?" he asked.

"Oh, right. It's 'angel wings'." She smiled. "See you there Harry."

Harry sort of stared at her as she left with the Ron and the first years. He had an odd feeling in his chest, but it was a good feeling.

Than he felt the hairs on the back of his neck prickle; someone was watching him. He turned and saw Shercliff giving him another look. Shercliff gave a half smile before turning away. Harry shook it off and headed toward Gryffindor Tower.

"Harry... wait!"

Harry turned to see Ginny and Neville running to him. He waited for them to catch up.

"What's up?" he asked.

"Just wanted to walk with you there," Ginny replied, grinning.

Harry smiled and the three took off.

"So what do you think of the new Defense teacher?" Neville asked. "Do you think we'll be having the DA this year?"

Harry smiled in remembrance. He had a lot of fun with the DA, until that sneak gave them away. But would they really need it now that Umbridge was gone?

"I don't know actually," he admitted. "I'll guess we'll have to see what the new professor is like."

Both of them nodded, but they didn't look happy. "The DA was a lot of fun," Ginny sighed.

"And I learned a lot from that," Neville added.

They didn't say much until they reached the Fat Lady.

"Password?" she asked.

"Angel wings," Harry responded properly.

"Of course." The portrait swung open and they entered. Nobody was really in the common room, and certainly not Ron or Hermione.

"Well, I'm off to get some sleep," Ginny said. "Good night boys." She left for her dormitory, Harry and Neville to theirs.

Ron, and other two boys, Seamus Finnigan and Dean Thomas, were already in their night clothes. Ron wasn't looking happy.

"First years keep getting boastful," he growled. "We were never like that when we were first years..."

Harry decided it was best not to mention anything, and nodded hello to Seamus and Dean. Dean smiled back, but Seamus turned away, looking ashamed. Harry guessed this had to do with last year. Harry and Neville got their night things.

Harry said good night to Ron and fell onto the bed. As his eyes began to close, we couldn't help but wonder what this year would bring...


A/N: Sorry for the long wait. Life's been a little hectic lately, I'll try to update regularly. Thank you for everyone who reviewed.