A/N- Here we finally return to Hogwarts. One professor is an OC, the others are property of JKR. This is the train ride & the welcome feast. Enjoy!
Harry wrote Hermione a few times over the remainder of summer break. He felt good their friendship had recovered from his own mistakes. When the Dursleys took him to King's Cross he saw the Grangers there with Alexander. He had to admire that Hermione didn't just dump her muggle family for her magical one. And it was pretty neat that Theo was being included by the Grangers too, just because he was her biological brother.
He introduced the Dursleys to Alexander and the Grangers and they exchanged hellos before saying goodbye to the magical teens. Alexander would be entering the platform with them to see them safely onto the train. "Do you have your permission slip?" Petunia checked.
"Yes," Harry nodded. "I tucked it into one of my books for safe-keeping," he explained.
"Have a good term," she said, giving him a quick hug. Harry returned it and with one last goodbye Alexander escorted the four teens into the train station.
%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
Platform 9 ¾ was packed. "Behave yourselves and study hard," Alexander told his children. "And take care of each other. Theo, listen to your sister. Hermione, keep him in line."
"Hey!" Theo complained, "I'm a good student."
"Yes but Blaise is a bad influence," Alexander winked at his son, making Blaise protest while Hermione and Theo laughed. "Have a good term. I'll see you at Christmas."
Hermione, Theo, and Blaise went onto the train to find a compartment while Harry went looking for Ron. Hermione let Crookshanks out of his carrier once they found a place to sit, "Here you go. When we get to the castle, though, you'll have to get back in the carrier."
Crookshanks stretched and settled onto her lap. "That cat is so spoiled," Theo shook his head.
"He is not," Hermione responded. "He's a very good cat."
"He left a dead mouse in my shoe," Theo reminded her.
"He was showing you his prowess at hunting prey," Hermione scratched his ears, "Weren't you Crookshanks? You're a good little hunter." Crookshanks meowed and rubbed his face against her hand before closing his eyes and taking a nap.
"He's not exactly little, Hermione," Blaise pointed out.
"He's sweet," Hermione said, picking up a book. "And yes he's big but he's just a big cat." Her father had explained that Crookshanks was likely part-kneazel, which had Hermione reading up on them. From what she read, Crooks did seem to be part-kneazel but that didn't bother her. She saw it as a boon. He was smarter than your average cat and she thought his squashed face was adorable.
%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
To Harry's displeasure, Ron and the Weasleys weren't yet on the train. He did see Draco Malfoy, who was oddly enough smiling. It kind of creeped Harry out, honestly. He was quite used to seeing a scowl or smirk on Malfoy's face. An actual smile was unnerving.
Harry found a compartment to share with Ron and decided to wait for him. Ron's letters that summer had been more abbreviated than usual, so Harry wasn't entirely sure how Ron was really coping with the events of that summer. Where Hermione's letters were long and full of detail, Ron's were a few sentences at best and mostly about the Chudley Cannons' games. Harry read very little about how Ron was doing or what he was up to aside from an occasional complaint about degnoming the yard or having to do some other chore Molly had assigned him.
When the Weasleys finally arrived, just ten minutes before the train departed for Hogwarts, Harry stuck his head out the train's window, "Ron! Over here mate!"
Ron entered the compartment, "Hey mate," he said with a smile. "Shame you couldn't come see us this summer. Must have been horrible with the muggles."
"The Dursleys were great," Harry frowned. "And it was important for me to be there as they came out from Dumbledore's spell."
"Just sounds like a massive conspiracy against Dumbledore if you ask me," Ron muttered.
"Dumbledore bloody admitted to his crimes!" Harry couldn't believe what he was hearing. How was Ron so blind regarding Dumbledore? But for Dumbledore, Ginny probably would have been discovered sooner and maybe wouldn't have faced the long prison sentence she currently had.
"But he's the greatest wizard since Merlin, Harry," Ron rolled his eyes. "Anything he did he had reason to do."
Harry had heard enough. He grabbed his trunk and Hedwig's cage, "You're wrong, Ron. Dumbledore is a criminal and only thinks he knows best. That 'wisdom' saw your sister nearly kill several people last year. See you at school." Harry left the compartment before he really snapped at Ron. He wasn't tolerating any conspiracy theories about Dumbledore's innocence. That man had targeted him. And without Dumbledore around, Harry's life had dramatically improved.
When Harry made his way to the compartment Hermione and Theo were sharing he found Seamus and Dean already there. Neville was too. "If it's too crowded I can go," Harry said awkwardly.
"Just get in here Potter," Theo rolled his eyes, "Your reunion with Weasley not go as planned?"
"Ron thinks there's a conspiracy against Dumbledore and that Dumbledore had a good reason for everything he did," Harry grimaced.
"Ron is crazy," Seamus said.
"Completely barmy," Dean agreed.
"He's just upset his family has received so much negative attention and press," Hermione dismissed. "It's easier for him to act like nothing happened and everyone was framed rather than to face the truth," she shrugged. "It's basic psychology, really," she added at the looks of surprise she received from the boys.
"Sometimes I wonder if there's anything you don't know," Theo mused.
"Plenty," she answered. "But I'm a good learner and I retain knowledge well."
"Incredibly well," he praised her. Hermione smiled.
%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
It was an uneventful train ride up to Scotland, which for Harry was unusual but nevertheless enjoyable. When they arrived at the Hogsmeade station they piled into carriages, Harry riding up with his other three roommates. From an outward glance, Hogwarts seemed the same as ever. Hagrid had even said hello to Harry as he'd entered the carriage.
But despite outward appearances, talk had been sweeping the train about who could end up being the new potions master and defense teacher. No one knew who it could be and all were hopeful they'd be capable, which was more than could be said about Dumbledore's typical hires. There weren't many students who were sad Dumbledore was gone. The ex-headmaster hadn't been well liked as they'd learned firsthand the previous year how he failed to protect them and especially muggleborns; so for them it was a relief he was gone and that someone else was in his place.
Entering Hogwarts Harry felt that familiar warmth the castle seemed to create in him whenever he arrived at the start of the year. He entered the Great Hall to see Severus Snape in the headmaster's seat at the head table. He looked up and down it, seeing the same faces as last year, mostly. McGonagall was obviously missing since she would bring in the first years. And there were a few new faces.
Theo said goodbye to Hermione and went with Blaise to the Slytherin table to take stock of their new professors. "Isn't that your aunt?" Blaise asked Draco. Up at the head table, sitting near Professor Sinistra, was Andromeda Tonks.
"Yes but I don't understand why she's…" Draco's mouth went dry as Narcissa Malfoy entered the Great Hall through the staff entrance, "Mother?!"
"Draco why are your mum and aunt at the staff table?" A confused Goyle asked his friend.
"I have no idea," Draco answered. "She didn't mention working here. I know she was looking for a job and was offered something but she wanted to keep it secret so she didn't 'jinx it'…" Draco rubbed his face in his hands, "Oh Merlin this could be so embarrassing."
"Based on Malfoy's reaction I think it's safe to say that is most definitely his mother and aunt," Seamus chuckled.
"He looks very pale," Hermione mused with a concerned look on her face.
"Isn't he normally that color?" Dean snorted.
"Can't blame him," Neville said. "I wouldn't want my grandmother teaching at Hogwarts."
"Our mum would torture us for fun," Fred groaned at the thought. "Poor Malfoy."
Now certain of the two witches' identities, Harry turned his attention to the other two new faces at the staff table. Harry didn't have a clue who they were. One of the four had to be the new Potions Master/Mistress. Another was likely the DADA professor. Why were there four? "Did we need four more professors?" Harry asked.
"Muggle studies," Dean answered. "The board of governors replaced the last one as he knew nothing real. Mr. Nott knows quite a bit about the muggle world and just a few easy questions proved the professor was in way over his head," he elaborated.
"And Professor Kettleburn retired from teaching Care of Magical Creatures," Neville added.
"I wonder what Malfoy's mum is teaching," Seamus mused. "Potions or DADA are the two likely choices."
"I guess we'll find out after the sorting," Harry said, smiling at Hagrid as the half-giant entered and sat down at the far end. Harry had to admit, Snape looked happier than he'd ever seen the potions master look as he settled into his seat at the center of the head table. He didn't have a frown on his face for once.
"I wonder who the new head of Slytherin will be," Hermione wondered aloud.
%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
The Great Hall quieted down as the first years entered with Professor McGonagall. Harry enjoyed the Sorting as a spectator for the first time in his Hogwarts career. After it was over and Professor McGonagall had returned from putting away the hat and stool Professor Snape stood, "Welcome, students, to Hogwarts. A great deal has changed since last year. I can promise that I will not be the invisible headmaster my predecessor was. I would like to introduce our new additions to the Hogwarts staff. First is Professor Joseph Fox, who will be taking over Potions." The black wizard sitting next to Professor Flitwick stood to some polite applause. "Next is Professor Wilhelmina Grubbly-Plank, who will be taking over Care of Magical Creatures." The witch stood and Harry noticed she looked about Professor Sprout's age. Certainly not as young as Professor Fox. Although if Harry thought back to Potions class with Snape he recalled Snape mentioning that fewer people sought potions masteries these days. "Taking over Muggle Studies will be Andromeda Tonks," Snape continued, "and taking over Defense Against the Dark Arts will be Narcissa Malfoy."
There was plenty of applause for the last two new hires, both being former Slytherins. Although while his house was enthused, Draco Malfoy looked a little nauseous at the thought of his mother teaching classes. Harry felt a bit of sympathy for Malfoy. While Harry might get along very well with his aunt now, he certainly wouldn't want her to be his teacher. That would just be awkward. Not just with their relationship but with his fellow students.
Snape looked around the hall, "There will also be some policy changes. Inter-house unity is an important aspect of Hogwarts that far too often has been ignored. So this year we want to work on it properly. Excluding specific occasions such as the welcoming feast and the end of year feast, students may sit at whichever house table they wish. If you want to eat meals with your sibling or friends who are in another house, we welcome that. We are also interested in any ideas any of you might have to make Hogwarts feel more inclusive to muggleborns and promote inter-house unity. If you have any specific ideas, please contact Professor Tonks or myself. If you would like to do it anonymously, there will be a suggestion box outside the headmaster's office near the gargoyles which you can submit your idea to. It'll be looked through weekly by myself and Professor Tonks and we will do our best, as will the board of governors, to make them happen if we believe they're doable."
Hermione and Dean lit up at that. Even Harry had some ideas he thought would improve Hogwarts for muggleborn students. "Hermione do you have any parchment?" Dean asked her.
"No but I have a little notebook and a pen," Hermione said, pulling a palm-sized notebook out of her robe along with a pen to hand to Dean.
"I want to write down some suggestions while they're fresh," he explained before opening it and beginning to write his ideas down.
"It'll be great, getting to eat meals with Theo whenever we want," Hermione smiled.
The rest of Snape's speech was pretty standard. Stay out of the Forbidden Forest, no magic in the corridors between classes, and other things that they had heard Dumbledore caution students against before. "And now before we eat there is one last thing to be announced. The heads of houses are typically the professors who cover the core subjects all students take at least the first five years. With that in mind, the Board of Governors saw fit to leave the final decision to the professors who have history with Slytherin house. Which isn't all that many, of course," he looked at his former house.
It might not have been known to the school, but Severus had always enjoyed being head of house for Slytherin. But it was more than being a Slytherin. Alexander Nott had correctly pointed out that the few families who did have very dark leanings still would need to be pacified by the choice for head of house, even if in reality the professor in question didn't have those dark leanings any more than Snape did. "I am pleased to announce the new head of Slytherin is Narcissa Malfoy," he declared. There was loud applause at Slytherin's table, though Severus could see that his godson looked very green at the thought of his mother also being his head of house. While he felt sympathy for Draco, he had to do what was best for those children of Death Eaters and there was no way any of them would start something over Narcissa Malfoy being the new head of house. Snape clapped his hands and food appeared on the house tables for students to begin eating.
Hermione was thrilled with Professor Snape's speech. She would get to have meals with Theo and she had plenty of ideas for improving Hogwarts. As they ate dinner she and Dean thought up ideas, Harry throwing a couple in here and there. She and Dean had no issue with talking to Professor Snape about their ideas but they wanted to have a list of the things they thought would improve the school when they did.
%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
After they ate dinner prefects walked down the house tables, telling the older students the password before Snape sent them all to bed. Theo and Blaise walked down to the dungeons, the whole house in full approval of their new head and already looking forward to the new school year. Snape wouldn't hire a bad potions professor and with him in charge Hogwarts would improve, they were certain.
Theo wondered how his house would handle muggle things being brought in. Narcissa had a fair amount of knowledge about the muggle world, from what Draco had said about his summer. Draco had taken to it mostly, in Theo's opinion, as an act of rebellion against his father. He doubted very many in Slytherin would take it as well as Draco had. Time would tell. He was sure his sister and Dean already had a long list for the new headmaster to consider.
%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
The next morning there was a notice outside the Great Hall in the form of the Fat Friar and Nearly Headless Nick. They informed students as they approached that they would be required to eat breakfast at their house tables so the professors could hand out schedules quicker but that for lunch and dinner they could eat where they wished. Hermione thought it was a good idea to have the ghosts inform them of such changes as a written notice could be easily missed.
As they entered the Great Hall she smiled at Theo who gave her a smile back. So far third year seemed to be off to a good start. She looked forward to her classes.