Hi again, I have a big thankyou for my dedicated reviewers, Jinawee, Iaveina, Lotrox and Summer-sunrise. It's great to know that some of you look forward to my updates. Of course, if i had more reviews, i might update more often... Leave it with you. Enjoy. xx

Chapter 25:

Five hours later saw the trio standing outside the gates to Hogwarts. Ron and Hermione had apparated, but Harry had taken up the offer of one of the twin's Safety Pins to portkey him back to the school, unsure if he had the energy in him to apparate safely.

He staggered a little as he reappeared, but Ron was ready to steady him with a small grin.

Harry just rolled his eyes at his friend and stared up at the long trek they had ahead of them.

"You sure you're going to make it?" Hermione asked, not wanting to Harry to get all defensive as he had back at the shop when they were trying to convince him to stay there one more night.

"I'll be fine." Harry stated shortly, and started walking up the path. Even though the energy drink the twins had given him had helped, he knew he needed to conserve as much strength as possible if he was going to make it through the whole of the feast.

"You do look awful though, mate." Ron said, falling in step beside him.

Harry didn't answer, secretly agreeing with his friend. He had seen himself in the mirror as he had washed at the twins flat. His face didn't look dissimilar to those of the dead bodies that had been chasing him in his dreams. His skin had been pale, with dark shadows under his eyes and a blue tinge to his lips and ear lobes. His fingers felt cold and he was struggling to stop shivering as he walked on the reasonably warm and still evening.

"What would everyone say if they saw their hero looking like this …?"

"Enough, Ron." Harry muttered and his friend fell silent. "They'd probably say just as much if I wasn't there at all. Not to mention that McGonagall and Remus would send out an instant search party for me, leading to questions that you know we can't answer. If I'm there, they'll just have to accept what I look like. With all the new students to sort and lesson plans to finalise, it'll probably be a couple of days before they get to ask questions, and by then I'll be fine."

Ron nodded with a loud sigh, and Harry sensed his friend deliberately slowing his stride in order to not tire Harry out. Whilst part of Harry was annoyed at this gesture, another part of him was grateful that his friend was aware of his weakness and was trying to help him.

It took them most of the hour to get up to the school, with Harry needing two rest breaks on the way. As they approached the front doors they noticed the thestral-drawn carriages moving away from the school building.

"We're late." Hermione said, and Harry had to smile a little at the sound mild panic in her voice.

"Not by much." Ron said, "I doubt the first years have been sorted yet."

"Let's hurry then." she said, and leapt up the well-worn stone steps two at a time.

Harry and Ron followed her, coming face to face with a crowd of short wizards and witches, all of whom had turned round at the opening of the front door and were now staring at them with a look of wonder on their faces.

"Potter! Granger! Weasley! You're late!"

Harry and his friends bowed their heads slightly and meekly walked past Madam Hooch as she held open one of the doors to the Great Hall for them.

Harry had to bite back a couple of swear words as the whole hall turned to face them, obviously expecting the first years and instead seeing the trio.

He tried to stand behind Ron as much as possible, but knew that the whispers of his appearance would start long before they made it to the seats Ginny was saving for them.

They made their way along the back of the hall and quickly took their places, Hermione leaning over and quickly whispering in Ginny's ear when she started to stare in shock at her boyfriend's appearance.

The youngest Weasley looked to her friend, then back to Harry who was sat opposite her. She mouthed a question and Harry nodded.

"Just tired." he mouthed back, and even though she still looked concerned, Ginny just reached over the table and gave his fingers a squeeze before turning her attention back to the sorting hat, who was half way through his song.

"And though we have lost a dearest friend

And likely to loose many more,

Remember, and learn beneath this roof

Just what true friendship may have in store.

Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw,

Slytherin and Gryffindor.

Stand together, and learn what you can become

For once united, this war is won."

Harry joined the others as they applauded the hat, and wished he had heard the beginning of the song for it must have held more reference to Dumbledore.

As he looked around the hall, Harry was shocked to see a vast number of empty spaces, especially at the Slytherin table. But the lack of students seemed to be counterbalanced by the great increase in teachers sitting at the head table. After scanning the line Harry noted that most of the Order were sat either side of the Head chair, and assumed that McGonagall had posted as many positions for them as possible in order to keep the school safe.

As the sorting started, Harry noticed Remus staring concernedly at him from the staff table. Harry just sent him weak smile and rested his head on one hand. It had began to throb in time with the applause each house was giving to their new recruits and the pain was starting to make him feel sick.

Once the last Ravenclaw was sorted, McGonagall stood up and took her place to give the start of term speech. Harry perked up a little to listen to her words, though was still unable to lift his aching head entirely from his hand.

"Last year, a great many things were brought to light." the new headmistress started. "The return of Lord Voldemort being the most life-changing thing that could effect any one of us." Harry noticed her hesitation when she spoke the Voldemort's name, but silently applauded her for at least trying. "And many things darkened our time here at school. The death of the greatest headmaster to have ever walked the corridors of Hogwarts has effected each and every one of us, and I won't pretend to have the same strength and wisdom that he so willingly shared."

McGonagall hesitated slightly, her gaze resting on Harry's. With a slight smile of support from him she continued, and Harry noted out of the corner of his eye that many Gryffindors and a couple of Ravenclaws had looked to him to see what their headmistress had been gazing at.

"But that is no reason to feel defeated, or scared." she announced in a stronger voice. "Rest assured that, even though Albus Dumbledore is gone, the wards that protect the school are as strong as ever. He gave his life to ensure that we can live our own, and may Merlin himself curse you if any of you don't take that chance with both hands and make as much of the opportunity as you can.

"There is a war on the way." she said, "But the teachers of this school are determined that each and everyone of you will have some say in the outcome of it. However much I hate to include any of you in this, many of you are already entangled in it's web. Many of you have lost loved ones, or know people who have fallen for the Dark Lord's ways. And because of this, you deserve the chance to learn the skills necessary to survive, and to help.

"Our aim this year is to continue as normally as possible. Quidditch will continue, Hogsmeade visits will be run under supervision, and other school clubs will be encouraged. But it is important that you never forget that it is a dangerous world out there at the moment, and equally important that everything you learn this year may have direct consequences to whether or not you and your friends will survive this war.

"Somewhat against the Ministry's wishes, lesson plans this year have been more focused to skills that will benefit you and your families during this time. Remus Lupin has returned to teach Defence Against the Dark Arts …"

She raised an arm to Remus as he stood and nodded to the students, and a loud applause erupted from the older students who had been taught under him.

" …With the assistance of several Ministry trained Aurors." she added, indicating Moody and Tonks who sat at the end of the table.

"And in addition to your usual lessons we are also introducing several extra-curricular classes that not only will teach you valuable, real-life skills, but will also count towards extra credits for your OWLs and NEWTs."

She once more turned to the staff table. "For Sixth years and above, I introduce Bill and Fleur Weasley, who will be running extra classes on wards and curse breaking.

"For younger years, Madam Pomfrey has agreed to run basic healer tutorials.

"And for fourth years and above, Harry Potter has agreed to continue his practical defence classes."

The cheer that sounded at the last announcement made Harry's chest swell with pride, and he saw many of the old DA waving at him excitedly.

"These groups will be open to all houses," McGonagall said, particularly to those still sitting at the Slytherin table. "And enrolment lists are hanging in every common room."

She cast her eyes over her student body, pleased that she saw many eager faces and whispered conversations going on. "Finally, in addition to the usual rules and regulations that this school runs by, I will stress that no student is to leave the school grounds, that includes visiting the Forbidden Forest, and is not to be out of their common rooms after curfew. There will be nightly patrols in the school and there are several more safety measures that will be put in place as the year continues. I promise you that things will run as normal as possible for as long as they can. But Voldemort has several reasons for wanting Hogwarts to fall, and I trust that, should the time require it, each and every one of you will obey our orders without question, and make us all proud by staying safe."

The hall fell silent after her words, and McGonagall let the weighty silence press on all the students.

"But enough of depressing talk." she said, with a small smile on her face. "Enjoy the feast."