The sorting ceremony was just like it was last year – the hat sung a song and the first-years were sorted into houses.
After everyone was sitting at their tables, Professor Smith stood up.
"Welcome everyone to a new year at Hogwarts. I have been instructed to let everyone know that this year, due to the concerns about further attacks or kidnappings after last year, the castle is surrounded by dementors. Dementors are creatures you don't want to meet. They give off the feeling that all happiness is gone from the world and make you remember all of your worst memories. If you feel a feeling of intense cold, it is probably a dementor, and, unless you are at the very edge of the grounds, please come tell a teacher so we can put it back where it belongs. If you are a prefect, do not attempt to approach a dementor. It could be the last thing you know," said Professor Smith. "On that happy note, let's eat!"
Food appeared on plates all around. Eren dug into his plate of potatoes and roast beef, hungry after the long trip up.
"My parents almost didn't let me come back," Thomas mentioned from across the table. "They were worried the attacks would continue."
"Mine were too. They thought it would be a good idea for me to drop out seventh year so I would be safer, but I convinced them that if I finished my education, I'd be better prepared to protect myself. I'm planning to do auror training after I graduate, and my chances of getting to do that without complete NEWTs aren't very good," said Petra.
"You want to be an auror, too?" asked Eren, excited.
"Yeah. I'd always considered it as a possibility, and then last year when Mikasa got attacked… I wanted to prevent things like that from happening again. Also, that's what Levi's doing, so I'd know someone."
"Those are good reasons. I've always looked up to them. Ever since I was little. So you're quidditch captain this year?"
"Yeah, I got the letter last July. To be honest, I expected it to be Isabel after Levi graduated, but don't say that in front of her, or she'll get mad. Trust me, I've been spending enough time with her over the past seven years that I know she would."
Eren nodded. "I won't tell her. When are tryouts?"
"Next week. You can come if you want, I saw you practicing a bit last year before they started watching our every move. Maybe you'll make it in this year."
"I'll make it this year," said Eren as he returned to his potatoes.
Well, school started, so I'm not sure how much I'll be able to update from now on. But I will update when I get the chance to write. The reason I've been updating so much lately is that the pool was closed (I work as a lifeguard) so I didn't have to work. Anyway, I'll update when I can, but it probably won't be more than once a month once the pool re-opens.
