Harry sat in his place at the staff table between Professors Sprout and Sinistra (well, now he supposed he should be calling them Pomona and Aurora). Students were beginning to filter into the Great Hall, and many were pointing and whispering at their respective tables about the new arrivals at the staff table. Harry tried to avoid looking at any of them.

He glanced over to his right to see Mal— Draco looking equally uncomfortable, and nervously rubbing his left arm. Ah, Harry supposed he was right to be afraid that parents would say hateful things about a former Death Eater teaching at Hogwarts. Surely some would, but Harry hoped it wouldn't be too bad. If Draco had been acquitted, and Harry had found it within himself to speak in Draco's defence at his trial, then the rest of the Wizarding World should have no problem accepting that it was safe for him to teach their children.

Harry refocused his attention as Professor Flitwick (Filius, Harry) led in the First Years. The Sorting Hat's song was nothing exceptional, outlining what each house stood for and the importance of unity, and then the sorting began. It took about forty minutes, and by the end of it Harry was starving. McGonagall stood to address the students.

"I will make my announcements brief: Welcome First Years, and to all the rest of you, welcome back. The forest on the grounds is forbidden, and students are not allowed inside unless specifically instructed by a professor. Mr. Filch has asked me to remind you that a list of items forbidden in the hallways can be found on his door, and that no magic is to be used in the corridors.

"I would also like to introduce the two newest additions to our staff: Professor Malfoy will be taking on the position of Potions Master, and Professor Potter will be your new Defence Against the Dark Arts instructor. That will be all for now. Let the feast begin."

The food and drink materialised in vast platters and pitchers, which never ceased to amaze Harry. It was strange to him how Hogwarts always seemed to feel like home — so familiar and comforting.

Of course, this place held it's ghosts for him (both literal and figurative), being the site of so many deaths and so much destruction. It was the place where Remus and Tonks had died, leaving Teddy parentless, and it was the place where he himself had died, and where so many had suffered under the Carrows. Still, it felt more like home to him than Grimmauld place had. Or his home with Ginny, which had always felt strangely empty, or (Merlin forbid) number four, Privet Drive. Perhaps someday he would find a place that felt like home— one that wasn't haunted by death and horror — but for now, he was complacent here.

By the time the meal had finished, Harry was beyond full. He didn't think he'd eaten that much in years; and perhaps he shouldn't have, as he now felt slightly sick. He saw many students leaving and heard cries of, "Gryffindor First Years! Follow me!" "Hufflepuffs! This way!" and so on, so he assumed it would be safe for him to escape. He edged around the hall, trying to avoid contact with as many students as possible. Eventually he escaped its confines, and made his way to his quarters, immediately collapsing on his bed and falling asleep once he arrived.