The Sorting Hat's New Song
The carriages rattled and swayed toward the castle. Siria watched the silhouettes of the strange, reptilian horses pass over the window. Luna said she saw them, but it was that Neville saw them that comforted her. Neville wouldn't lie about something so… uncomfortable. [B5, 200]
"Did everyone see that Grubbly-Plank woman?" Ginny asked (B5, 200). "How can Hagrid not be back?" Siria locked eyes with Ginny and shook her head very slightly.
"I'll be quite glad if he's gone," said Luna. "He isn't a very good teacher, is he?" (B5, 200)
"Excuse you?" Siria cried.
"Yes, he is!" Ginny & Ron said angrily (B5, 200). Ron and Siria glared at Hermione.
"He's… Hagrid's very good," Hermione said (B5, 200).
"Well, we think he's a bit of a joke in Ravenclaw," Luna told them, completely unfazed (B5, 200).
"You've got a rubbish sense of humor then," Ron snapped. Undaunted, Luna watched Ron like she was reading a Quibbler article. [B5, 200-201]
Siria tossed Ron another of Kreacher's sandwiches and looked around their carriage. "Anyone else want one?" She asked. "I swear the Sorting gets longer every year." Hermione shook her head.
"Of course they're longer," Hermione said as Neville and Siria split a sandwich. Luna accepted one, but to stare at the edible face Kreacher had made. "There are more students."
"Oh," Ron and Siria shrugged to the other.
"Siria, there was a war," Hermione reminded them. "Ginny and Colin have years about as small as ours, but the following year had more students. Haven't you noticed how many students are in Dennis's year?" Hermione eyed them. "More people were having kids. I imagine this year will be much larger than the others."
As usual, Hermione was correct. After Professor Grubbly-Plank settled at the staff table, Professor McGonagall came in. She led a long line of first years, the longest Siria had seen. The chatter of the Great Hall died out when Professor McGonagall placed the Sorting Hat down on the stool. The first years eyed it as though it may attack them. [B5, 204]
The school waited in silence. Then, at the rip near the brim of the hat, it opened into a wide mouth. It belted out its song, which echoed through the silent hall. [B5, 204]
While the Sorting Hat changed its song each year, it had not sung one like this. Normally, the Hat would describe each of the Hogwarts Houses and tell the first years that they had nothing to fear. This year, it confessed that, while it Sorts the students because that's what it was for, it worries that Sorting will divide them and leave them vulnerable to "external, deadly foes." [B5, 204-207]
And we must unite inside her
Or we'll crumble from within
I have told you, I have warned you…
Let the Sorting now begin [B5, 207]
Though everyone clapped, as they always did, there were whispers in the applause. Hermione's round brown eyes were large and full of anxiety when they fell on Siria. "Do you suppose there's a record of the Sorting Hat's songs?" Hermione asked.
"Maybe in the library?" Siria suggested. "They had those old Daily Prophets." Hermione scanned down the table, to see Nearly Headless Nick near the Weasley twins.
"Why do you want the old songs?" Ron asked.
"I want to know if it's ever given a warning before," said Hermione.
Professor McGonagall gave a burning look to the students talking in the Hall. She unrolled the scroll of names and silence washed over them.[B5, 207]
"Abercrombie, Euan." Professor McGonagall read. A terrified, tiny boy stumbled to the front of the first year students. He put the Sorting Hat over his head. His ears stopped the Hat from swallowing his head. The Hat considered for a moment, in the silence, then shouted "GRYFFINDOR!" [B5, 207]
The Gryffindor table erupted in applause for Euan Abercrombie (B5, 208), but they weren't the only ones. Hufflepuff had scattered applause, started by Cedric Diggory. Bianca Storm started at the Ravenclaw table.
"What's going on?" Siria whispered to Hermione, who had not seemed surprised at all. She shrugged, innocently, but focused her eyes on the next student, "Anders, Lucia." When the Sorting Hat shouted "SLYTHERIN" more students from Hufflepuff and Ravenclaw clapped. There was scattered applause from Gryffindor as well, with Hermione clapping too.
"Baker, Rosemary" was placed into Ravenclaw. Students from every House table clapped for her. They did the same with the rest of the students. The applause grew louder and less scattered. By the time the Sorting Hat finished by putting "Zeller, Rose" into Hufflepuff almost everyone clapped for her.
Professor Dumbledore rose to his feet. "To our newcomers," he said with a large smile, "welcome. To our old hands, welcome back! There is a time for speech making, but this is not it. Tuck in!" [B5, 208]
An appreciative laugh came with the applause for him, which ended as quickly as it began once the food appeared (B5, 208). Ron swept food onto his plate so quickly that Siria was almost sure he didn't know what he grabbed. Hermione barely finished loading her plate when Ron got seconds. Siria scanned across the Great Hall, to the Slytherin table. There were more people in her way than there used to be, but they were mostly much shorter than her. Had there really been that many more students?
Cassius caught Siria's eye. "Why clap?" He asked.
"Hermione," Siria said, without looking away from Cassius, "why did everyone clap?"
"Two things, really," Hermione confessed. "Cedric and Storm are worried about Hogwarts unity, like the Sorting Hat is."
"Wha's ha hecon'?" Ron asked through a mouth of food.
"You were there and you don't know?" Siria asked.
"You understood him?" Hermione asked.
"He asked what the second one is— I speak full-mouth," said Siria when she felt Hermione's eyes on her. "So, what was it?" Hermione turned from Siria to Cassius and sighed.
"I'll tell you later," Hermione said.
"Later," Siria repeated to Cassius with a shrug.
Dinner gave way to dessert. When there was a healthy sprinkle of chatter through the Great Hall, Dumbledore got to his feet. The chatter cleared and Dumbledore smiled at them. Siria yawned as visions of her dorm filled her head and Dumbledore began the start of term notices. [B5, 210]
They were the usual reminder that the forbidden forest is off limits, Mr. Filch has severaled banned items for the corridors, and the staff adjustments. He did not mention Hagrid at all, only that Grubbly-Plank would be covering Care of Magical Creatures. "We are also delighted to introduce Professor Umbridge, our new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher," said Dumbledore [B5, 211].
Siria scanned over the staff table. She had not noticed Professor Umbridge until Dumbledore turned behind him, in the middle of announcing Quidditch tryouts. Umbridge was a very short woman, who looked even smaller beside Dumbledore. It took a moment for people to realize Dumbledore had stopped because Umbridge stood up. The woman was barely taller than Dennis Creevey and seemed the same height sitting as standing. She had mouse-brown hair with an Alice band that matched her fluffy pink cardigan. [B5, 203 & 211]
Dumbledore was taken aback for just a moment, before he took his seat. Umbridge beamed down at them with a smile of rather sharp teeth. She cleared her voice in a "Hem, hem," to draw attention, which she had, though not how she had wanted. No one had seen anyone interrupt Dumbledore's speech before. Professor McGonagall's lips were pressed to thin they disappeared. Snape's eyes narrowed so much that they were hardly visible. Professor Sprout's eyebrows disappeared into her hair. Many students smirked with expressions that read "You don't know how things work here, do you?" [B5, 211]
"Thank you, Headmaster," Professor Umbridge simpered in a voice that was far too girly for Siria to have expected it, "for those kind words of welcome." She gave another "hem, hem," and Ron exchanged a look of disgust with Siria. "Well, it is lovely to be back at Hogwarts, I must say! And to see such happy little faces looking back at me!" [B5, 211-212]
Siria saw Cassius cover his face. Not one seemed to be smiling. Many of the smirks had been replaced with looks similar to Ron. No one appreciated being spoken to like they were a child. Fred and George already looked mutinous.
"I am very much looking forward to getting to know you all, and I'm sure we'll be very good friends!" Umbridge told them (B5, 212)
"I'll be her friend as long as I don't have to borrow that cardigan," Parvati whispered to Lavender. The two struggled to giggle in silence.
"Or get makeup tips," said Siria. She shook her head at the clumpy lipstick Umbridge applied over her cracked, dry lips.
Umbridge cleared her throat again and began to recite a very practiced speech. Ron tuned out first, with Siria not far behind him. They were tired and full, and Umbridge's voice was dull and businesslike. Hermione was attentive as ever, but she could focus on Professor Binns's History of Magic lessons. Siria covered her mouth with a closed fist as she yawned and scanned the Great Hall.
Cedric Diggory was as focused as Hermione. His face was passive, in a clear focus, where Hermione's brows were furrowed. Ernie MacMillan's eyes were glazed over, but he was at least still facing Umbridge. Bianca Storm examined Umbridge closer with every sentence. She seemed to be sizing Umbridge up. Luna Lovegood returned her attention to the Quibbler. [B5, 212-213]
Across the hall, at the Slytherin table, Cassius's group of friends listened intently. Daphne stroked Astoria's hair, as she listened without looking at Umbridge. Alice looked ready to whip her wand out and attack Umbridge. Cassius clenched his fist over his mouth and glared at Umbridge.
Siria yawned in almost sync with Ron. She didn't get what all the fuss was about. Umbridge said something like "progress for progress must be discouraged" and "some old habits will be retained," but Siria was just too tired (B5, 213). She reached to rub at her eyes, but stopped and settled for closing them.
"Oh, Siria," whispered Lavender, "that's lovely." Siria's eyes fluttered open. "Close them, Parvati didn't see," said Lavender. Siria closed her eyes again and yawned.
"That's a good color on you," said Parvati. Siria smiled and cracked her eyes open.
"Thanks, Chloe— the woman who designed the Yule Ball dresses and robes—did it," said Siria.
Dumbledore clapped. Lavender, Parvati, and Siria looked up to see Umbridge sat back down. Applause scattered through the Great Hall, and showed how few people had listened or liked what they heard. Dumbledore smiled at Umbridge, thanked her, and continued his announcements. [B5, 214]
"Yes, it certainly was illuminating," Hermione echoed Dumbledore's choice of words (B5, 214).
"Don't tell us you enjoyed that," Ron yawned and Siria yawned in reply. "That was about the dullest speech I've ever heard, and I grew up with Percy," said Ron.
"Illuminating, not enjoyable— I'll tell you later," said Hermione. She looked around and sighed. "We've got to take the first years to the tower." [B5, 214]
"What's the password?" Siria asked.
"Mimbulus Mimbletonia," said Hermione.
"You're joking," said Siria.
"Naw, it's some weird plant" said Ron. Siria, unfortunately already knew this.
The clatters and bangs of people getting up and being dismissed sounded (B5, 214). Siria nodded to Hermione and Ron, as they left to get the first years. She flagged down Neville, who had been with Dean Thomas and Seamus Finnegan. Siria linked her arm through Neville's. It would be easier to catch him that way, or less painful when he pulled her down by accident.
"Getting a lot of stares today, Ms. Potter-Black," Seamus noted with a smirk, as they climbed one of the moving staircases.
"They're admiring my makeup," Siria lied. With Lumos and the Daily Prophet, it wasn't a surprise.
"If I hadn't seen it myself, I wouldn't have believed it either," Seamus confessed.
"Good thing you saw then," said Siria.
"Gran always said You-Know-Who would come back," said Neville. "She cancelled our Daily Prophet subscription because of what they've been writing about you and Dumbledore (B5, 219)." Siria squeezed Neville's arm with a smile.
When they reached the Fat Lady's portrait, Siria opened her mouth to provide the password. Neville, however, beamed and told them "I'll actually remember this time— it's Mimbulus Mimbletonia." The Fat Lady nodded and her portrait swung open. The four climbed through into the mostly empty common room.
There were a few students warming their hands before bed, but the usually crowded common room was otherwise empty. Siria took a seat in her favorite armchair, beside the fireplace. Neville took a seat beside her.
"I'll wait with you," Neville said to Siria. The two of them waved and said their goodnights to Dean and Seamus. Siria leaned into Neville's chair some and dropped her voice.
"Neville, would you be interested in continuing the late night lessons?" Siria asked. Neville nodded. "They'd be like the Tournament ones, but less focused on Cassius and I learning, and more on us maybe…" she chuckled. Neville nodded the entire time and only nodded faster as she continued. "Even if I'm sort of teaching?" She asked.
"Absolutely!" said Neville, much louder than he intended.
A few people turned to look over their shoulders and whisper about Neville and Siria. Fred and George pinned a paper to the notice board [B5, 216]. They winked and Siria, who waved back. The twins headed to their room and the other students returned to warming their hands or went up to the dorm rooms.
Colin and Dennis sat with Neville and Siria when they arrived. About half the Gryffindors returned before Hermione and Ron arrived with the first years. Neville and Siria rose to meet them, with Colin and Dennis right beside Siria. "Boys, that way," Ron said with quick wave of his hand in the direction of the boys dormitory. "Girls, you're in the other one," he told them. Siria smiled at Hermione as she rolled her eyes.
"He's looking at you," Colin told Siria, who smiled while she scanned over the first years. Enough of them were looking at her to leave her unsure who he was referring to.
"You're free to enjoy the common room or head to your dorms," Hermione dismissed the first years. She and Ron walked to Siria as a few of the first years dispersed. Some remained to gawk at Siria.
"You're famous as ever," Ron said with a bit of a grumble. Siria bit back a click of her tongue and locked glances with Hermione for a moment.
"If anything," said Neville,"Siria's probably more famous." Siria pressed her lips together in silent struggle. Of all the things he could have said to Ron, that was probably the last thing Siria would have wanted.
"Ron," said Siria, "would you mind giving Neville one, when you get up to your dorm?" She stared intently into his eyes until a look of recognition washed over.
"Totally!" Ron agreed. "Not a problem."
"One—" Colin started and Siria placed her hand on his shoulder. "Oh! Brilliant," Colin smiled.
"We ought to get up to bed," Hermione told them.
"You two especially," Siria told Colin and Dennis. "And don't you dare start trouble with that Umbridge woman," Siria added. "I mean it."
"We won't if you don't," said Dennis.
"I don't start trouble," Siria told them. Hermione raised an eyebrow at Siria. "I'll be good, so you ought to too." She hugged them, said good night to Ron, and headed up to her dorm with Hermione.
The first year girls who stayed in the common room followed not far behind. Hermione rubbed under her eye as they climbed the spiral staircase. "Remember to clean the makeup off," Siria told her.
"You know, Cedric looked like he was going to sock Malfoy in the prefect compartment," Hermione confessed. "Malfoy made an offhand comment, but," Hermione paused and turned her gaze to the stairs as she blushed. "Well, Storm set Malfoy right and he didn't say anything else," Hermione smiled.
"Shame," Siria sighed. "I'd pay to see Cedric beat up Malfoy."
They opened the door of them dorm and greeted the other girls. It wasn't long until everyone was changed and ready for bed. Siria set up her desk and pulled out two sheets of parchment. She had barely started when Lavender interrupted.
"Who in Merlin's name are you writing to?" Lavender asked. "Did you forget something?"
"It's just something small for Kreacher," Siria said. "He wants to work on his penmanship, so we're writing letters."
"And the other is for…?" Pavarti smiled. She leaned over Siria's shoulder. "What is that?"
"It's Korean," Siria blushed, "I'm writing to Maddy Swelyn's cousin."
"Is he— are they cute?" Lavender adjusted herself. Siria rolled her eyes, but the blush deepened.
"We aren't like that, but… yes," Siria focused on the letter. "She's very cute, but also very taken."
"Lily Moon isn't seeing anyone and I think she's smitten with you," Pavarti told Siria.
"Thank you…" Siria grumbled.
Chloe told her to "just be a teenager— go break some stuff and fall in love." Siria sighed as she cuddled beside Hermione. Could it really be so easy? Could she keep up with her coursework, lead the night sessions, give her all in Quidditch, and date someone? The thought of it all exhausted her. She also had to walk across eggshells around the Ministry woman.