Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter.

A/N: So I've decided to write this in first person, at least for this chapter. If you don't like it, please let me know and I'll revert back to what I've been doing. I just wanted to experiment a tad. From Harry's perspective. Please excuse any mistake I've made, it's the first time I've written in this style. Also, thank you to all of you who took the time to review, all ideas and suggestions are welcomed with open arms I assure you. Enjoy!

"Do they really have to be so obvious?" I grumbled unhappily as the three of us took our seats. I sat down heavily, my eyes narrowed angrily.

"You're a mystery to them." Hermione looked across at me, her gaze sympathetic.

"One second I'm the worlds biggest liar and cheat and the next I'm the chosen one." I glared at a couple of second years that were ogling at me, their eyes widening as they caught my gaze.

"At least they like you again." Ron shrugged, nodding his head toward a group of girls who had been watching. I bit back a smile when Ron sent them what he thought was a charming grin, only to have them ignore him. "Snobs." Ron muttered as turned his attention to Dean Thomas who sat beside him in an attempt to act casual.

"Yeah." Hermione glared at the girls direction. They were waving now, giggling and whispering to each other. "You're the stud of the school." She turned her head from them, her face hard as she stared at her empty plate, lips pursed together showing her displeasure.

I bit back an even bigger smile then. Offering the group a small smile and a wave I looked towards Hermione before speaking.

"Not my type." I spoke casually, shrugging with a small grin.

"Not your type?" Ron spluttered, turning away from Dean to look over at me. He looked at me for a couple of seconds before turning his gaze pointedly toward group of girls. "Do you need new glasses?"

"Not that I know of." I frowned at Ron; he really could be an idiot at times. "Perhaps I'm not a fan of the air headed bimbo Ronniekins."

"You could date anybody you wanted to." Ron looked at me, his eyes full of envy. "In the entire school." He shook his head in disbelief and I blushed slightly. I only wanted to date one and she was sitting right across from me.

"I think you're being over dramatic Ron." I muttered quietly.

"Oh please," Hermione's voice made me look up in surprise. "The entire female population of Hogwarts is in love with you." She blushed slightly before adding with a small smirk, "and probably some of the male population to boot."

"The entire female population?" I repeated, my heart hammering madly in my chest as I looked over at her. She blushed a bright red before answering, her voice surprisingly strong.

"Well perhaps not the entire population." She looked pointedly over toward the Slytherin table. "I mean, I have seen Millicent Bullstrode checking you out a couple of times but perhaps I'm mistaken."

"Bullstrode ay?" I looked over toward their table just as she looked up from talking to some of her friends. She met my gaze and smiled. Actually smiled at me and blushed. I turned back towards Hermione, my stomach squirming uncomfortably. "Bit of a daunting prospect that is." I remarked mildly, "I'd rather delve into the male population who adore me rather than go down that road."

"The Daily Prophet would love that." Hermione grinned playfully, her eyes twinkling.

Just as I was about to respond, the front doors opened. I sent Hermione a wink before craning my neck to catch a glimpse of the first years. There weren't many. I patted down my fringe self consciously as I felt their eyes search my forehead as they past me by, their wide innocent eyes sparkling with excitement and nerves.

"We were never that small were we?" Ron whispered into my ear loudly, his hot breath on my neck causing me to flinch back. I looked over at him and grinned. "Yeah mate. Hermione was even smaller I reckon, do you remember Neville?" I asked, as I snuck a glance over at him. He had grown a lot over the summer; barely recognizable from the 11 year old I had first met.

"How could I forget" Ron grinned at me, "Kept losing his damn toad didn't he?"

"Yeah, Trevor." I bit back a laugh as I remember him calling for the toad, his young faced worried. I smiled over at Hermione who was looking over at us curiously. I turned back to the line that was still walking down to the front, their heads turning in every direction, awe on their faces. I decided to have a bit of fun. "Play along," I whispered to Ron before clearing my throat. "I heard the troll is bigger than last year." I allowed my voice to carry a short distance; it caught the attention of a particularly small boy. His eyes widened to the size of saucers, his small face paling considerably.

"I know. I think I would have trouble getting by it." Ron added, this tone serious. "The hospital wing's going to be busy tonight."

We both let out a small bark of laughter as soon as the kid was out of earshot. Dean, Neville, Seamus and Ginny joining in as they could hear what we'd said. That was when I felt someone kick me under the table. Really hard.

"Ouch!" I continued to laugh as I looked over at Hermione. She sent both Ron and me death glares. "No need to get violent Hermione." I smiled at her innocently.

"That was a horrible thing to do!" She shook her head, her foot connecting with my other shin. "The poor kid's paralyzed with fear now thanks to you two!"

"Jeeez Hermione." I couldn't help laughing against through my pain. Even though she was glaring at me, I could see the amused sparkle in her eyes.

"Oh relax Herms." Ron waved his hands. "He'll calm right down when he finds out it's just a hat."

I let out another bark of laughter at that, causing heads to turn and look in our direction. Hermione shot daggers at Ron who was wearing a beaming smile. "You can't reach me from over there can you?" He taunted smugly. Probably not one of his smartest moves.

"No." Hermione agreed before looking over at Ginny. "But your sister can."

"Oh please Gin wouldn't do thaa---- Ouch!" Ron glared at Ginny who smiled over at Hermione. "Turned on your own flesh and blood." Ron shook his head in disbelief, his hand massaging his shin. "I'm gonna have a bruise now." He pouted.

"Yeah well I have two." I consoled him, patting him on the back roughly. "Toughen up princess."

"Would you two stop talking now?" Hermione hissed, "the hat's about to sing."

I obediently sat back as the hat began singing. I didn't listen. I was too busy watching the first years. I wasn't surprised to see so few, Tonks had been saying that not many were expected. Now that everyone new Voldemort was out there, it was believed parents would pull their kids out of school, disappear for a while. If this was any indication, it proved that to be true. I suddenly felt irritated at the prophet and more so the ministry. Hogwarts was probably the safest place you could be at a time like this. I caught Hermione watching me and we shared a look, I knew she understood what I was thinking. As the hat ended its song, a smattering of applause echoed throughout the hall. I took the time that the sorting was going on to observe the teachers table. Snape was there, the usual sneer on his face present and accounted for. He was making light conversation with Professor Flitwick who sat on his left, the little teacher gesturing largely with his hands as he spoke enthusiastically. I grinned in relief when I saw Hagrid. He caught my eye and gave me his usual friendly smile, a thumbs up accompanying it.

"Who's the new Dark Arts teacher?" Dean asked from a few feet away, his head craning to get a better look at the table. I frowned as I wondered the same thing. I looked toward the table and spotted a man I'd never seen before. He didn't look to happy to be there.

"Imagine if it's Snape." Ron shivered slightly. My frown deepened then. I looked over toward Neville at that and wasn't surprised to see him pale slightly at the idea.

"Oh don't even say that Ron." Neville muttered, loosening his tie around his neck. "Who would that leave Potions to?"

"Are you lot blind?" I remarked quietly, nodding toward the stranger, "who's that?" I directed the question mainly toward Ron.

Ron looked up and shrugged, "I have no idea mate. Never seen him before."

Before we could debate further, I looked toward Dumbledore who had stood up as the last student was sorted. He looked around the room, his gaze sweeping from each table, lingering on me before he started talking.

I've got to be honest. I didn't particularly listen. I got the gist of it. Uniting as one. Trusting each other and so on. I was too impatient to know who this guy was. Finally, after what seemed like an eternity Dumbledore turned toward the stranger and introduced him as Horace Slughorn. He'd be the new Potions master, allowing Snape to take over Defense. If I wasn't so mad I would have laughed at the sound that came from Neville, kind of like a whimper and a sob.

I looked over to Hermione, she sat, mouth parted slightly and a startled expression gracing her face. She must have felt my eyes on her because she turned towards me, "I didn't see that one coming."

Neither apparently, did anyone in the school. As Dumbledore made the announced I would guess three quarters of the school groaned, only the Slytherin's looked pleased. I looked over to Malfoy, his pointy little face was smirking. I rolled my eyes at him, of course he'd be stoked about this. Then all of a sudden, our dear old headmaster clapped his hands and the feast was underway. I let all the chatter wash over me as I ate. I wasn't in the mood to talk about how my summer had been. Besides, I had more important things to think about. Like, who the heck was this Slughorn and what was Dumbledore on? Allowing Snape to teach the dark arts. I sighed quietly before lifting my eyes to meet Hermione's. She smiled at me softly before whispering so only I could hear, "this is definitely going to be an interesting year."

I couldn't help agree with her. I mean, she's Hermione Granger. When is she ever wrong?