Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter.
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When we got to Hogwarts we went straight into the Great Hall for dinner, as usual it was loud, noisy and crowded. I sat down at the Gryffindor table with Harry, Hermione and Ron and just as the new first years were about to be sorted I looked across at the Slytherin table. Almost immediately my eyes landed on a boy with slightly longer blonde hair. He soon turned around as briefly smiled at me as if he had felt my eyes on him and I couldn't help but smile back.
That was another thing apart from my Gryffindor friends that I had almost forgotten I'd missed during the holidays and despite being able to see the Malfoy's during the holidays I was eager to talk to him again.
After all the houses had their new students the choir got up and sang to us, I tore my eyes away from Draco's to watch as they did their piece and I loved it. Admittedly holding a toad wasn't exactly something I'd be into, but the sining would more than make up for it. I had to ask Professor Flitwick to let me join! The song itself also seemed eerily appropriate for this year given what had happened on the train earlier...
Double, double, toil and trouble.
Fire burn and cauldron bubble.
Double, double, toil and trouble.
Something wicked this way comes!
Eye of newt and toe of frog,
wool of bat and tongue of dog,
Adder's fork and blind-worm's sting,
lizard's leg and owlet's wing.
Double, double, toil and trouble.
Fire burn and cauldron bubble.
Double, double, toil and trouble.
Something wicked this way comes!
In the cauldron boil and bake,
fillet of a fenny snake,
scale of dragon, tooth of wolf,
witches mummy, maw and gulf.
Double, double, toil and trouble.
Fire burn and cauldron bubble.
Double, double, toil and trouble.
Fire burn and cauldron bubble.
Double, double, toil and trouble.
Fire burn and cauldron bubble.
Something wicked this way comes!
Once the song was finished the choir dispersed and they returned to their seats just in time for Dumbledore to stand up and go over to the stand where he usually spoke.
'Welcome to another year at Hogwarts! I have a few things to say to you all, and as one of them is very serious, I think it best to get it out of the way before you become befuddled by our excellent feast... First, Professor Lupin, who has kindly consented to fill the post of Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher. Good luck, professor!' He indicated to the new teacher as he stood up from his place at the teachers table. We all proceeded to applaud him.
'Of course! That's why he knew to give you the chocolate, Harry.' Hermione reasoned.
'Potter!' A sharp voice got our attention and Harry and Ron turned around to see Draco and one of his goons looking at them. 'Is it true you fainted? I mean you actually fainted?!' The boy beside him put the back of his hand and melodramatically pretended to faint.
'Shove off Malfoy!' Ron growled putting his hand on Harry's back and turning him to face away from the Slytherin bullies.
'How did he find out?' Harry asked quietly.
'Just forget it.' Hermione replied, while I stared at Draco and the creep a minute longer, giving me just enough time to shoot them a death glare!
I knew that he was meant to be unkind to the Gryffindor's, especially Harry, as part of his cover as a Slytherin student, but hearing him mock and ridicule Harry made me sick, whether he had to do it or not I still hated it. However I had to return my attention to the front as the Headmaster began speaking again.
'As to our second new appointment, well, I am sorry to tell you that Professor Kettleburn, our Care of Magical Creatures teacher, retired at the end of last year in order to enjoy more time with his remaining limbs. However, I am delighted to say that his place will be taken by none other than our own Rubeus Hagrid, who has agreed to take on this teaching job in addition to his gamekeeping duties.' He said and I saw McGonagal nudge Hagrid telling him to stand and we all cheered for him until he sat down again.
'Whoo hoo!' Hermione and I called clapping loudly along with everyone else.
'Finally, on a more disquieting note... At the request of the Ministry of Magic... Hogwarts will, until further notice,play host to the dementors of Azkaban...' Immediately everyone began whispering and murmuring amongst themselves.
'This is bad.' I said quietly and the others nodded.
'Until such a time as Sirius Black is captured. The dementors will be stationed at every entrance to the grounds. Now whilst I've been assured that their presence will not disrupt our day-to-day activities... A word of caution. Dementors are vicious creatures. They'll not distinguish between the one they hunt and the one who gets in their way. Therefore, I must warn each and every one of you, give them no reason to harm you. It is not in the nature of a dementor to be forgiving... But you know, happiness can be found even in the darkest of times...' He moved his hand over one of the candles on the stand and it's flame went out. If one only remembers to turn on the light!' He reversed his previous action relighting the candle! 'Well, I think that is everything of importance. Let the feast begin!'
Instantly huge plates of food appeared in front of us and we all dug into the delicious meal that had been prepared for us. In between eating we continued to talk and tell each other of what we did in our holidays as we had never gotten to do that on the train and as we talked I found myself turning to look at the teachers table and locking eyes with none other than my father. He gave me a small smile though I saw something shimmering in his obsidian eyes and I knew that as soon as the feast finished I had to go and talk to him.