The feast was the most delicious food that Amy could ever remember tasting. She ate until she was completely full and even then regretted not being able to eat more.

Cara sat next to her in silence for the entire feast, her raven black hair draped over her face so that it was not showing; a face that Amy was sure was streaming with tears.

Many of the Gryffindor's came up to Amy and talked to her, introducing themselves and telling her things about how much they liked Hogwarts. There were less people in Gryffindor than in the other houses but still Amy was sure that she would never remember everybody's names.

Amy noticed that as the people introduced themselves to her and the other first years that had been sorted into Gryffindor, four boys and another girl, they ignored Cara. Amy was confused, could it really be that they were ignoring her because her father had been a Slytherin? Apparently at Hogwarts prejudices lasted a long time.

Just as the puddings appeared Amy decided to ask Teddy, who was sitting next to her. He had been quiet through out the feast too, Amy presumed it was because Victoire had been sorted into Slytherin.

She nudged him and whispered, "Why is everybody being so mean to Cara?"

He replied gravely, "A long time ago at Hogwarts there was a battle, a lot of people were killed including my parents, the Slytherin's, including Cara's father deserted the students of Hogwarts and did not fight against the enemy."

"Oh," said Amy, it had suddenly become clear to her. "But Cara is not her father."

"I know that, and you know that," Said Teddy. "But many people here lost relatives in that battle, and all still carry great emotional burdens."

Amy realised that this "battle" had been a big deal and decided not to pry anymore, she found that finding this out had made her sympathy for Cara increase.

As they were talking a shout was heard from the Slytherin table, apparently the Slytherin's were not happy about having Gryffindor in their house.

"She's a blood traitor," shouted a girl with flowing brown hair and a face that made Amy automatically despise her.

Amy saw a man, with sleek blonde hair stride to the table and intercept.

She heard him muttering to the girl with the brown hair and then he concluded with:

"So this will not happen again, Miss Parkinson."

"Yes Professor Malfoy."

Amy turned to Teddy. "Who was that man?"

Teddy replied, grimly. "That's Professor Malfoy, head of Slytherin."



"Harry says that he's a bad piece of work, but that he does have feelings."

Amy found it hard to imagine that this man, who was currently sitting at the staff table sneering down at all of the students, but decided not to comment, after all she was new to the wizarding world and was sure she had much to learn.

As the noise level in the hall started to reach a dangerous level the woman at the centre of the table, raised a hand and slowly the hall quietened.

"Welcome to Hogwarts first years and welcome back to our older students." Said the elderly woman, dressed wholly in tartan. "I am your headmistress, Professor McGonagall, last year was an interesting and successful year and hope that this year will be the same, but with a few small differences. I trust that I will not find any more beetles in my office this year, yes I am talking to you Mr. Jordan."

She looked straight at a boy who looked around seventh year, sitting on the Ravenclaw table, he grinned happily at all the attention, much to Professor McGonagall's dismay.

The headmistress then carried on swiftly with her speech, "I must remind you all that the forbidden forest is out of bounds, this is not a joke and not simply because we do not want you to go in there, yes, Mr. Lupin. I realise that you got away from the spider last time, but this time you may not be so lucky."

Amy looked around and saw Teddy grimacing, the entire school were chuckling slightly.

"It's a long story," he muttered to Amy. "I may tell you about it later."

"Also," said Professor McGonagall. "You need to remember that spells are not permitted in the corridors and a new set of the rules of Hogwarts has been set up in the entrance hall, so please if you are considering any escapades refer to them."

Again she looked at the Jordan boy, who was smiling smugly. "Thanks for reviewing them just for me," He said. "I will consult them before I take my place as head Hogwarts trouble-maker again, I'll see how many new ones I can break." He then stood up and took a bow, to much applause from all the tables, then looked up at the ceiling, saluted and said, "All for you Fred"

"Yes, thank you Mr. Jordan, meet in my office after dinner." Professor McGonagall said with sheer annoyance. "Now it is time for bed, first years please follow your prefects, they will lead you to your dormitories. The feast is over."

There was an immediate roar of noise as everybody began standing up and babbling to their friends, many people walked up to Mr. Jordan and patted him on the back.

Amy heard a shout behind her and saw a tall girl calling: "First years, follow me please."

Amy followed him, Cara, the other girl and the boys behind her, they walked through the hall and out into the entrance hall and then up the staircase in the middle.

They carried on walking up staircases for what seemed forever to Amy, but it could just have been how tired she was. They finally reached a portrait of a fat lady, dressed in a pink dress.



"Password?" She asked loudly.

"Scotch Eggs" said the prefect.

The portrait immediately swung back to reveal a hole in the wall, the first years climbed through the hole into a room, everything in there was decorated with the Gryffindor colours, red and gold.

There were stairs at the side, "Girl's dormitories are up and to the right, the boys the same on your left" Said the prefect.

Amy and the other girls started climbing the stairs as all were tired and the common room was loud and humid. They reached the common room and Amy gasped staring at the three four poster beds that were in the room, she had never seen such luxury in her life. A blonde girl next to her also gasped and it was obvious that she too was not used to that level of luxury, Cara however seemed unfazed.

The blonde girl jumped onto the first bed, "Wow these are great aren't they, so since we're gonna be together for the next seven years we better get acquainted, what are your names?" She asked Cara and Amy.

Amy replied, "Amy Dursley, what's yours?"

"Ellie Groves" Replied the girl happily.

Amy looked round for Cara to reply but instead was staring at an envelope on her bed that was slowly smoking and threatening to burst open.