The atmosphere in the Great Hall was rather subdued when the school trooped down the next morning. With the Hogwarts Express out of action, the students had been transported to Hogwarts via a series of portkeys. It had been a long operation that had gone on into the night, so Dumbledore had decided that the sorting would take place in the morning and that there would be no classes on the first day as a mark of respect for Roger Davies. The first years had slept in a pair of empty classrooms, under the supervision of a rotating shift of prefects.

Ron was yawning widely and was very grumpy. He had been assigned the early morning shift and had been awake since 4 o'clock. "I hope they get this over with," he muttered darkly. "I'm glad we've got today off, so I can get some sleep."

They took their places and Dumbledore stood up. Immediately, everybody stopped talking.

"Before we proceed with the sorting, we need to address the events of yesterday," he said. "Lord Voldemort launched a vile and disgusting attack against the most vulnerable in society. It is only thanks to the bravery of a number of Hogwarts students and the Ministry Aurors that you got through it relatively unscathed. Students from each of the Hogwarts Houses came together and fought side-by-side against the forces of darkness, and of that, I am very proud. You put your differences aside. You worked together. You protected the others. For that, I award 50 points to each house."

There was applause at those words.

"We should get more," muttered Ron. "There were more Gryffindors."

Hermione shushed him, irritably.

"Students Prefect Draco Malfoy, Prefect Pansy Parkinson, Prefect Cassius Warrington and Tracey Davies from Slytherin," Dumbledore said.

Everybody applauded. Ron did so with an extremely annoyed expression on his face. Dudley clapped his hands together a few times too. He may not like the Slytherins, but fair play, they had helped. Draco had saved his life. He glanced across at the Slytherin table, Malfoy, Davies, Parkinson and Warrington were being congratulated by their peers.

"Prefect Dean Thomas, Prefect Hermione Granger, Dudley Dursley, Ron Weasley, Fred Weasley, George Weasley, Ginny Weasley and Lavender Brown from Gryffindor," said Dumbledore.

Once more, the hall applauded, and Dudley felt somebody patting him on the back. Beside him, Ron was blushing but looked proud. Dean was grinning slightly. Hermione looked embarrassed. Dudley looked over at the Slytherin table and almost fell off his chair with surprise, even they had applauded—not as long or as loud as the Hufflepuffs, Ravenclaws or Gryffindors, but they had put their hands together a few times in acknowledgement.

"From Hufflepuff, Prefect Ernest Macmillan ,Susan Bones and Head Girl Patricia Stimpson," Dumbledore continued. For a third time, the Great Hall erupted into applause.

"Finally," Dumbledore said, as the applause died off. "We honor from Ravenclaw, Luna Lovegood, Cho Chang and Head Boy Roger Davies."

The applause broke out once more and Dudley saw Luna smiling as she was congratulated by her peers.

Dumbledore stayed standing after the applause died off. "In particular we honor Roger Davies. He wasn't Head Boy for long, but his actions yesterday would make all those who took that noble role before him proud. He gave his life to protect this school. For that, we honor him."

He waved his wand and a glass of wine appeared in front of every student. The younger ones, Dudley noticed, had cola in theirs.

"To Roger Davies!" said Dumbledore, raising his glass and taking a sip.

"Roger Davies!" echoed the students.

Dudley too raised his glass and drank.

Dumbledore, however, was still standing. "There is one more student we need to honor today," he said. "After Mr. Davies fell, he took control of the situation. It is thanks to his efforts that the Dementors and Death Eaters were driven back. He showed a level of bravery that exemplifies his great house. His heroism will go down in Hogwarts legend, so I have great pleasure in announcing a plaque will be awarded to Mr. Dean Thomas of Gryffindor for special services to the school."

Everybody applauded.

Dean looked absolutely stunned, his mouth had dropped open and he would have dropped his wine glass if Hermione hadn't caught it.

"A plaque?" he said, glancing around as if he didn't know the meaning of the word.

"You deserve it, mate," said Ron, thumping him on the back.

"Yeah, it's all thanks to you that we won," said Dudley, offering his hand. Dean shook it numbly, still looked stunned.

"Now," said Dumbledore. "It is time for the sorting."

Professor McGonagall stepped forward carrying the Hogwarts Sorting Hat and placed it on a stool.

It opened its brim and started to sing …

"In times of old when I was new

And Hogwarts barely started

The founders of our noble school

Thought never to be parted:

United by a common goal ..."

The song was longer than usual and ended with

"Yesterday the four great houses came together as one

You must remember to keep working together until the day is won."

"It's talking about the Battle of the Hogwarts Express," Ron said. "I expect it heard about it in Dumbledore's office."

"It clearly wants us to keep working together," Hermione said thoughtfully.

They stopped talking as the sorting began. Euan Abercrombie was sorted first, becoming a Gryffindor. Ron's stomach started growling part way through as Molly Mulciber became a Slytherin.

"Hurry up," he muttered.

Dudley grinned, it happened every year—Ron getting more and more irritated the longer he was denied food.

"At last!" said Ron as, after the feast was over, food magically appeared on the table in front of them. Ron was the first to start tucking in.

Partway through the feast, the door opened and a figure hurried inside. The person had a cape pulled up over their head which was glistening with rain. The person hurried over to the main table to speak to Dumbledore.

"Come on, Dud! You're missing the treacle tart!" Ron said.

Dudley looked down at the food and, forgetting about the stranger, tucked into a small piece of treacle tart. He was still trying to maintain his weight after all.

Once they had all finished dining, they leant back in their chairs, contented.

"Delicious," Ron said, smiling contently. Dudley nodded in agreement. The food was always so good here.

Dumbledore had stood up once more. "Now, before I send you all back to your dorms to settle in, relax and reflect on the events of yesterday, we have a new member of staff to introduce to you all. Please welcome our new Defence Against the Dark Arts teacher, Professor Nymphadora Tonks!"