AN: Finally, school starts. I promise things will begin to pick up...this is turning into a book the size of a J K novel. First of all, thank you a million times over for the great reviews. Keep them coming. Two of them (Diana and Isaac) really touched my heart. A couple of you actually gave me ideas for some bumps in the road as far as plot development in future chapies. Just out of curiosity, not that it matters, but have any of you found any of my "snitches"? I hope you continue to enjoy the story. I sure am enjoying writing it! Cheers!

DOA/N: Yeah, for those of you who were wondering, that means she won't quit on y'all (And if she does I'll sneak you the chappies anyways:-P)

The Sorting Hat Sings Again

"He's been released! He's been released!" Hermione landed with a bounce on the foot of Harry's bed. Thumping the paper on Harry's chest.

Ron had the good graces to lean on the door jam to Harry's bedroom door. "Your interview worked, even if it was a bit cheeky."

Harry groped for his glasses on his nightstand. He made a mental note to lock his door at night from now on. Grabbing the paper from Hermione, he read the headlines, "'Stan Shunpike was released from Azkaban prison for lack of concrete evidence that he was a Death Eater and in the employ of You Know Who.'"

"Wow," Harry said as he read further, "They must have really liked that fairy tale I told. They compensated him for lost wages. He's receiving psychiatric care on an out- patient basis for trauma suffered while in prison as well."

Maybe it was worth prostituting himself-just a little bit-if it meant Stan finally got a fair deal, but it sure didn't feel like it.

"Coming to breakfast?" Ron asked. "There's still a million things to do before the students get here tonight."

"Only if you two wait in the living room," Harry grouched. "Unless you want your girlfriend here while I hop out of bed in my skivvies."

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The sound of first year students floating across the water and the squeak and rumble of thestral pulled carriages filled with the others grew louder. Soon they would come pouring in the main hall doors led by Hagrid. It sounded so strange to Harry from his new vantage point.

The other staff were in the great hall waiting for the students to be seated. Harry was assigned to escort the first years in to be sorted. If this had been any other normal year, he and his friends would be in those carriages. The only thing on their minds would be reuniting with class mates and filling their belly's with all the wonderful food that filled the tables the first night of school. Instead of planning what they would do during the first Hogsmeade weekend, they were given adult jobs and adult responsibilities. It scared Harry to death.

What if he didn't teach the kids well enough? What if he didn't find the Horcruxes? What if the Death Eaters attacked? What if Ginny got tired of playing it cool at school? What if he did? What if some one else he loved was killed? What if he was a total failure at everything?

Harry's thoughts were interrupted by Hagrid opening the great double doors with a bang. Students of all ages flooded into the hall. More than one stopped and stared at Harry standing on the bottom step of the main stair case dressed in teacher's robes and sporting a cane and beard as they filed into the great hall.

Seamus and Dean looked at him and gave a "What's up?" shrug with their hands. Harry just shrugged back in an apologetic, can't talk now, way. Crabbe and Goyle lumbered in together, looking lost and nervous without their leader, Malfoy to order them around.

Trying to look nonchalant, Harry began to slowly twirl his cane behind his back. When he grabbed the walking stick earlier, he thought it would make him look cool to the incoming students...like a little kid who thought dressing up in his dad's old uniform would make him a real soldier. Now it just made him feel that he looked foolish.

The night began to look up as Ginny entered with a group of friends. Of course, she looked marvelous. She deliberately moved to the outer edge of the crowd to get near Harry.

"Good evening, Mr. Potter, sir." she greeted him, her eyes dancing merrily.

Harry bit his cheeks hard not to burst out laughing and bounced a bit on his toes. He redirected his gaze above the heads of the students toward Hagrid trying to herd the first years in the right direction.

"Miss Weasley," he answered in his imitation of a pompous professor voice.

Ginny and her friends broke into giggles and dove into the Great Hall.

"First years over by the main stairs." Hagrid could be heard calling over the chatter. "Over by Mr. Potter. This way, tha's right. Good evening Mr. Potter. I'll just leave these new students with you, then, and be on my way. Clarissa will let you know when they are ready."

Most of the other students had already entered the great hall. Hagrid rounded up the stragglers and shut the doors. Harry looked down at the first years. They were the smallest group of beginning students in the history of Hogwarts, only twenty. Over half of them looked scared to death or homesick. Very few were actually looking around with the excitement he remembered feeling that first night. They were also much shorter, more babyish than he had been, of that he was sure.

"Welcome to Hogwarts." Harry began his speech with a smile that he hoped would make him look non-threatening. "In a few moments you will be going in through those doors to be sorted into your individual houses. They will be your homes away from home. (a couple of the homesick girls wailed at his choice of words) Er. When you go in line up and wait for your name to be called, sit on the stool and once the Sorting Hat has called out your assigned house, go sit at that table and get ready for the biggest feast you've ever seen." Clarissa poked her head out and gave him the signal. He nodded back. "Okay now line up and follow me."

Feeling like a mother duck leading her hatchlings, he walked into the hall pretending he'd done it a million times before. He stopped the youngest students a few feet away from the old three legged stool set front and center of the staff tables. McGonagall was seated in the throne-like chair that once belonged to Dumbledore. On either side of her were the professors. On a level down and to the left, indicating rank, were the four new teachers and security personnel.

Treating it as though it were a holy relic. Clarissa carried out the familiar battered old hat. Reverently, she set it down on the stool and it instantly came to life. The rip in the brim opened like a mouth and began the new year's song.

"Dark days have come to Hogwarts

War is upon us, that is true

But here I am to offer help

Just listen to what I sing to you.

"Stick together, comrades in arms

Remember, with unity, in the soul and heart

And the enemy at the door

Shall never, ever drive us apart.

"Slytherin, your reputation has earned

A large black mark, this much is true

Use your all leadership skills

So honor will be restored to you.

"Ravenclaw, your intelligence

Will soon be put to work

Be cunning, clever, diligent

Your duty never shirk.

"Hufflepuff, strive to learn

Be strong and true and brave

Then the hurrahs will loudly sound

When the day you will surely save.

"Gryffindor, your stout hearts

Will be called upon to shine

Your courage and strength will be remembered

When days once more are fair and fine.

"So put your trust in dusty old me

And quickly put me on your head

I will place you where you can do best

To grasp victory from this time of fear and dread."

The song finished, Clarissa picked up the hat again and began to call off the names of the new students. Beginning with Abernathy, Rebecca and ending with Yosiff,Joshua, each student took their turn sitting on the stool. The Sorting Hat was placed on his or her head and told which house fit their particular strengths.

Eight of the newcomers were sorted into Gryffindor, seven into Ravenclaw, and five went to Hufflepuff. A very glum group of returning Slytherins watched as Joshua walked over to the cheering Gryffindor table, realizing not one new student would be joining them.

"Weird looking isn't it?" Ron muttered to Harry sat next to him and together, they gazed down the rows of the house tables from their new point of view.

"Eerie. I never thought those tables were so long." Harry murmured back.

"It looks so lonely." Hermione said. "There's so few of us."

Harry nodded. There were less than half of the students attending than in the past year.

McGonagall stood and all eyes turned to her. She took a deep breath, and began her speech. "I'm sure you've all surmised that there will be quite a few changes at Hogwarts this year and you're eager to know what they are. But time honored traditions help to ground us. So in the words of our beloved Professor Dumbledore, tuck in."

Instantly all the tables filled with foods of every kind and all were very occupied in enjoying the feast from kidney pie to pudding. Measuring the mood of the students, Harry thought things could be worse.

They began the feast very somber, hardly speaking, but as their bellies filled the talk turned more cheerful. The laughter was freer, the curious glances at the new staff, bolder. When the talking began to grow into a dull roar, signaling that everyone was sated, McGonagall stood once more and asked for everyone's attention.

"Strange and ordinary things happen everyday. Tonight, before the head boys and girls lead you off to your beds, I wish to talk of both.

"First the ordinary, I must stress most emphatically that there are certain rules are in place for your safety. Please obey these rules without question. First years, please note the Forbidden Forest is just that...forbidden. There are those in the upper grades who have allowed themselves to forget this rule to their peril.

"Mr. Filch has once again gifted us with a list of forbidden objects. Note that most joke items from Weasley's Wizarding Wheezes are on this listFor a full account, contact the Head Custodian.

"Those who would like to try out for their house Quidditch teams, please sign up with your perspective Head of House. Due to the abysmal lack of students, any one with a broom may try out this year, including first years.

"And now to the strange. There are classes which have been changed, split and added. Defense Against the Dark Arts has been split. The class, Defense Against Dark Creatures will be taught by a professor who was once one of our most popular teachers in the school, Professor Lupin. Defense Against Dark Magic will be taught on the OWL level be Professor Tonks-Lupin and the NEWT levels will be taught by another returning to our fold, Professor Moody."

The students, with the exception of the pitifully small group of Slytherans, erupted into wild applause. Moody and the Lupins stood and acknowledged the support. Raising her hand, the Headmistress let them know she was not finished.

"We are also adding two classes that all who study and work in these halls will be attending. They are Meditation and Concentration Enhancement taught by Professor Morgaine McPonndeer and Non-Magical Self Defense taught by Professor Colleen O'Brawlien."

Polite applause greeted the two new professors. Harry saw that more than one pointed and whispered to his or her neighbor speculatively.

"Centuries ago, before a middle class was accepted in Great Britain, the role of apprentice assisted those who's gifts and talents proved they were destined for higher callings than their station allowed. For different reasons, Hogwarts has seen fit to resurrect that time honored tradition.

"Four class mates who have come of age have shown themselves worthy to pursue apprenticeship. They have fought against the Dark Forces. Their loyalty and talents are stuff that legends are made of. I am personally very pleased that they all four called Gryffindor home.

"Therefore, it is my great privilege to introduce the teacher of Owl students in Transfiguration and the Head of Gryffindor house, Hermione Granger, the Assistant Instructor in Herbology, Neville Longbottom, the Beginning and Intermediate Flying instructor and Quidditch Coach, Ronald Weasley, and finally the instructor of first and second year Potions and Assistant Quidditch Coach, Harry Potter."

The entire room exploded. There were cheers and jeers from all sides. Expressions of delight, shock, envy and disbelief intermingled in a cacophony of vocal expressions. Crabbe and Goyle sat at their table starring at each other stupidly, not knowing how to react. Pansy Parkinson and the remnant of her gang looked as if they smelled fresh dragon dung.

One person did surprise him. One lone Gryffindor sat, not applauding, looking shocked and, for some reason that totally defied reasoning, bitter. Julie Fletcher, the little second year who had escaped who knows what sat while all around her rose to cheer. Her tiny hands were balled into fists and she was quite pale. Her beautiful enormous violet eyes met his with burning anger. Then, as if she realized she'd forgotten herself, she plastered on a smile and stood and applauded.

McGonagall allowed the cheering to die out before trying to carry on. "These apprentice teachers will be taking classes that are far more advanced than NEWT levels in certain areas of study taught by assorted professors and Aurors.

"They will be joined by students who have also shown heroic courage in the face of mortal danger and other seventh and sixth year students who have shown academic aptitude. The lists of these students will be posted in the individual houses. Any one else wishing to participate in these special classes and have achieved at least four Exceeds Expectations scores on their O.W.L.'s. are welcome to apply."

"The Heads of your houses will meet you in your respective common rooms to answer any individual questions. Please postpone your beginning of the school year frivolities until after meeting with them. Also do them the great favor of not keeping them too awfully long. Classes begin bright and early tomorrow and I would rather have my staff well rested."

McGonagall reached down and picked up the chalice she'd been drinking from. "I'd like to end this evening on a reverent note. There is one person who is absent that we sorely miss. To ignore this absence will not make the feeling less. So I ask you to stand and raise your glasses.

"To Albus Dumbledore. May our studies and deeds honor his memory. May we live up to all he hoped us to be."

Everyone stood and toasted the great man they all loved and respected. There were a few with tears in their eyes. Hagrid made a large snuffing sound. After a moment of silence everyone began to leave.

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"I'd never thought I'd be spending the first night of school waiting in the faculty lounge for a late night meeting instead of partying with my mates," Ron glumly echoed Harry's sentiments exactly as he cracked open two butter beers for them.

"I know what you mean. When did we grow up and get responsible?" Harry said taking his first swallow.

"How long a wait do you think it will be?" Ron asked and then chugged down half the bottle and let go with a huge, very un-grownup belch.

"I hope it's not to long," Tonks yawned. She was curled up in a ball on Remus' lap in front of the fire. "I'm all for a big comfy quilt and a long sleep."

"They're bound to be a while." Remus answered, absentmindedly stroking his wife's hair. "Minerva dropped the proverbial bombshell on them tonight."

"I hope none of our friends are mad at us." Neville muttered. "I never liked being singled out. It makes me feel like a showoff."

"All I can say is this will be an exciting year," Hagrid said. "Even before any real fighting starts happening. Me, I'm lookin' forward t' it. Feels like we're doing somethin' instead of twiddlin' our thumbs and waiting for the other side to make the first move."

"There should be quite an uproar when they realize two Muggles are teaching classes." Colleen said. She sat on the floor, hugging her knees and watched the flames flicker in the fireplace. Harry couldn't get over the impression that he was seeing a sprite or wood nymph every time he looked at her.

"Questions, questions, questions." Squeaked Flitwick as he entered the room. As head of Ravenclaw, he'd spent the past hour in their common room addressing their concerns. "The feel of the mood is good though. Most of the sixth and seventh years are applying for the advanced studies as their schedules permit. A couple of them are hoping the apprentice program continues in the future."

He helped himself to a small glass of sherry from a decanter set on the table filled with beverages and snacks and found a seat between Hagrid and Professor Sinistra.

Hagrid regarded his old diminutive friend. "I'd like it if it did. I could use an apprentice meself. It'd be fun ter teach them about the forest and all the interestin' creatures in it that classes won't allow to be taught."

Harry almost choked. Any apprentice of Hagrid's would have to be a whole lot braver and slightly more crazy than he was.

Professor Sprout bounced in with a smile, bringing in the report from Hufflepuff. "That went better than I thought. The first question on most of their minds when I mentioned we'd be out in the field more often, Neville, was if we could get enough Gillyweed to gather samples from the bottom of the Black Lake.

"The older ones are excited about those advanced classed. Ernie McMillan and Zacharias Smith already said they want to sign up."

Hermione came in and collapsed into an overstuffed chair. Ron went over and perched on its arm. Leaning over, she used his lap for a pillow, she sighed in a weary way.

"If I ever get those kids to see me as a teacher instead of their classmate, I'll be doing good. At least Dean and Seamus are backing us up. Ginny's helping too, but its hard as she's either our friend, girlfriend or sister...She says 'Hi', by the way, Harry."

Slughorn, his belly preceding him, strolled into the room and picked up a bottle of mead and poured himself a large glass. "There's definitely a cauldron of trouble brewing in the dungeons. They're more than a bit jealous. No one wants to sign up for the advanced classes. I'll be having a time undoing all the damage that Severus and that Malfoy boy did over the years. I never saw a group of children so prejudiced against Muggle born and Half-bloods." He shook his head sadly.

Ron gave a half laugh. "It was almost sad to see Crabbe and Goyle. The Goon Squad without the head Goon."

"I'd keep my eye on them anyway." Moody growled. "They'll still be holding a grudge with losing their self-appointed Head Boy and Potions Master. They'll want to take it out on those four and Harry in particular. Even if they don't sign up for classes, knowing their parents, they've been though plenty of training this summer with teachers who bear a tattoo of a skull and snake on their forearms."

Professor McGonagall chose that time to enter the staff lounge. "It seems the shock of my announcements have worn off and the hilarity has begun. Ladies, please be aware that Messrs. Weasleys' roving dung bombs are all over your corridor.

"We've a long row to hoe, ladies and gentlemen. Ready for it to begin?" She peered at her staff over her square spectacles. "Me neither." She poured herself a small sherry and raised her glass. "To the new school year and whatever it brings. May we end it in peace."

Everyone in the room raised whatever they were drinking and answered, "Here. Here."