The Feast and the DADA Teacher.

'What's the bet they're talking about me and Malfoy and Voldemort?' Harry muttered to the others.

'Very high, mate, very high.' Ron answered back, sitting down and waiting eagerly for the food.

'Harry, why were you talking to Malfoy?' Dean asked.

'For reasons that I really can't explain.' He told Dean. He turned back to the others. 'Hermione there are some good things about Malfoy liking you, you know. He's actually an okay guy.'

'Harry, you are to say nothing to these people about Malfoy's crush on me, do you understand?' Hermione asked.

'I know, I know, Hermione, I won't tell anyone.' Harry promised.

'Good.' She said and turned to face Dumbledore, who had stood up and asked for silence.

'It is now time for the sorting.' Dumbledore called and the shaking little first-years entered. They stood at the front of the school facing the Staff Table. They listened quietly as the Sorting Hat that had been placed on its stool by Professor McGonagall and was now singing its song.

Everyone clapped when it finished and waited for the Sorting to begin. McGonagall read out the names, and Harry noticed that girl that looked like Malfoy standing at the back of the crowd. She caught his eye and smiled a little. He returned the smile and looked back at the Hat.

'Malfoy, Sierra.' McGonagall called out. The girl moved forward and sat on the stool. The Hat did the same thing to Sierra as it did to Malfoy back in first year, as soon as it touched her head, it called out her house. 'SLYTHERIN!'

Slytherin called and cheered for their Malfoy new-comer. Draco himself had moved over to make room for her and hugged her tight.

'What, is that his wife?' Seamus called down the table.

'Seamus! Shut up!' Hermione called back at him. 'You don't even know her! Don't judge her yet. She might be nicer than you! Though that wouldn't be hard to beat!'

Gryffindor all turned to laugh at Seamus and then went back to looking at McGonagall.

Harry caught Malfoy's eye and mouthed at him what happened. He nodded and told his cousin or sister or whatever she was what they were laughing at. She smiled and nodded slightly. They listened to the rest of the Sorting before Dumbledore stood up and said his usual few words.

'Enjoy! Eat! Talk! Laugh!' Then he sat down.

When everyone had started talking again, Seamus yelled to Malfoy.

'Oi! Malfoy! Bit young to be married, aren't you?'

'Seamus! 10 points from Gryffindor! If I hear you talk ill to anyone else I'll make it 20!' Harry yelled down the table at him.

'What? Has Potter gone soft?' He yelled at him.

'20 points from Gryffindor! Keep going Seamus! Gryffindor are just going to hate you even more!' Harry yelled. His fellow Gryffindors were already glaring at him to stop but he kept going.

'You know what, I don't think I will. You're a liar Potter! You and Dumbledore both! You're nutters!' Dumbledore heard this and stood up.

'Mr. Finnegan!' Dumbledore thundered. 'Would you kindly see me in my office after the feast! Thank you! Mr. Potter, please join us if you wish. But I would like for you to complete your prefect duties first.'

'Yes Professor. Oh, Seamus, 50 points from Gryffindor for insulting a prefect and the Headmaster.' Harry said. He could see the Gryffindors all glaring at Seamus and eating their meals in silence.

Harry turned around and winked at Malfoy, who nodded in appreciation back, as did Sierra. They finished the feast and Dumbledore stood up again.

'Good Afternoon students! I hope you had an exciting holidays! This year we welcome back an old Defence Against the Dark Arts Teacher that I'm sure you all liked. Professor Remus Lupin!' At the mention of Lupin's name, the whole school broke into cheers. As far as they were concerned, Lupin was the best Defence teacher they had ever had. Lupin nodded his head and smiled at the students who gave him such a rousing applause. 'Now, for our new students, I would like to say that the Forbidden Forest has its name for a reason! Do not go in there! Please check the list tomorrow morning that is sure to be in your Common Room notice boards, put up by Mr. Filch, telling you what is banned at Hogwarts. Please take these things into consideration. Now, off to bed with you! Have a good night's sleep and be ready for classes tomorrow.'

'Come on, Harry. We have to get all the first years together.' Hermione reminded him.

'Oh yeah. First years! First years over here! Don't be shy! Come on!' Harry bellowed over the noise of the Great Hall.

'Nice Harry, real smooth.' Hermione said as they made their way to the doors with the First years in tow.

'You're Harry Potter, aren't you?' One of them asked.

'Yes I am.' Harry replied, still walking along to the Gryffindor Common Room. Ron followed along behind.

'No wonder why he's Prefect.' Another one of the boys said to his friend.

'Yeah, Dumbledore loves him too much.' Draco had come up beside Harry and patted him on the back. He too had the Slytherin First years in tow behind him and Pansy.

'You're real funny Draco, keep it up.' Harry told him sarcastically.

'Aren't I just?' Draco said and they split their separate ways. Slytherins to the Dungeons, Gryffindors to the Tower.