A square of sunlight fell directly on Harry's face. With a sigh, he opened his eyes and squinted into the bright morning sunlight. Stretching, he reached for his glasses on the nightstand. His nightstand.

He pulled back the covers, stood, and stretched again. Without bothering to get dressed, he walked down the hall and into the kitchen.

"Good morning," Sirius greeted Harry cheerfully.

"Morning." Harry grinned at his godfather. He could still hardly believe that one week ago, on the last day of his fifth year, Professor Dumbledore told him that Sirius's name had been cleared, and he could go live with him. Sirius's small house in Godric Hollows was messy and a bit empty, but Harry didn't mind. Anything was better than the Dursleys.

Harry grabbed a bowl and a box of cereal, and proceeded to make himself breakfast. He thought back over the last week. The Dursleys hadn't been at the train station to pick him up; Harry figured Dumbledore must have sent them news that their responsibility toward Harry was over. Instead, Sirius was waiting for him. Ron and Hermione had stopped to say hello to Sirius before promising to see Harry over the summer, and leaving with their parents.

Then Sirius took Harry to his new house. It was almost empty, because when Sirius went to Azkaban he couldn't take his things with him. However, Harry and Sirius each had a bed, there was a musty old couch in the family room, and in the kitchen there was a table and three chairs. Harry didn't mind that there wasn't much furniture, and that there was a lot of dust.

During the next few days, Harry and Sirius had a few good conversations: about Sirius's days at Hogwarts, about his friends, about Harry's parents. Harry was thrilled about getting to know his godfather better; it was the next best thing to having his parents around.

"I still can't believe you're finally living here with me. It's almost like having James back." A shadow of sadness flickered behind his eyes. Sirius and James have been best friends at Hogwarts for seven years, and they had still been very close after they graduated.

"I was just thinking the same thing," Harry confided.

Just then, there was a tap on the window. Glancing up, Sirius saw an owl, and let him in.

"He's from Hogwarts," Harry said. Opening the letter, he realized it was his grades. "My O.W.L. results! And the rest of my grades, too."

"How'd you do?" Sirius asked.

"Pretty darn good! Even Hermione would be happy with these grades," Harry answered. He had passed every class, even Potions. His O.W.L. score was great, and just then it seemed as if life couldn't get much better.

* * *

A month and a half later, Harry could still agree. It was his birthday, and Ron and Hermione were coming over. The house was cleaner and much more homey than it had been when Harry first arrived. He was living with Sirius, and basically got to do what he wanted, within reason. Life was pretty good.

The doorbell rang, and Harry opened the door to find Ron. "Hi," he greeted Harry, giving him his present. "How's life with Sirius been so far?"

"Great. The Dursleys seem almost like a bad dream. And in another month, we'll be going back to school. Sure, there'll be homework and lessons and Snape," he replied to Ron's groan, "but still, I'm a lot happier than I was six years ago, living at the Dursleys'. I've got great friends, and a great godfather."

"Yeah, yeah, enough with the deep mushy stuff." Ron shot Harry a grin. "Let's eat!"

Sirius had some Muggle things, so Harry and Ron were watching TV and pigging out on junk food when the doorbell rang again, announcing Hermione's arrival.

"Hi, Harry!" Hermione gave Harry a hug. "How's your summer been so far?" Handing him a present, she followed Harry inside and to the family room.

"Hermione, you won't believe this thing!" Ron cried. "It's a little box that shows pictures! My dad would love this!"

Hermione rolled her eyes. "It's called a television, Ron."

"Yeah, I know, but it's so weird. How do they get the people to show up? Are they in the box?"

Harry and Hermione sighed together. "They're not in the box. Don't worry about it. It's not that important," Harry added when Ron started to protest.

"Fine. So, now that the party's here, what should we do?" Ron asked.

"Well, how about we eat? Real food, or at least more real than this stuff." Harry gestured to the chips and pretzels and candy.

"Ok," Ron and Hermione said in unison. They followed Harry into the kitchen, where Sirius was just pulling a freshly baked pizza out of the oven.

"Hi, Sirius," Hermione said. "I didn't know you could cook."

"Don't worry, I've been living here for over a month and I'm still alive," Harry joked.

"Mm, smells good," Ron commented.

The trio of friends plus Sirius all grabbed plates and ate the entire pizza, chatting the whole time. When the pizza was gone, they all went into the family room so Harry could open his presents.

Ripping open the first package, from Ron, revealed a new Quidditch book.

"Thanks!" Harry cried. "Are you thinking about joining the team this year? Your brothers and all our Chasers are gone; only I'm left, and Seamus. I'm sure you would make it. You've got talent on a broom."

"Thanks. Yeah, I was thinking about it."

Hermione rolled her eyes and said jokingly, "Just what I need, all my friends to run off to the Quidditch field. Here, Harry, open my present."

"A book," Harry guessed, but when he picked it up, it was too light to be a book. Ripping open the paper showed a box. Opening the box, Harry saw a small book taking up half the box and a bag of Bertie Bott's Every Flavor Beans taking up the other half. "The Advanced Guide to Enchantments by Emma Chant."

"I got another one about Enchantments that's different. I figured if you want you can borrow mine and we can trade. I also got a book on Mental Magic, Spell Creation, and even one on Medicine."

Ron sighed. "I thought you promised you weren't going to try to kill yourself," he said.

"Oh, I won't," Hermione assured him. "Just a little extra reading to do in my spare time."

"Hermione, for you there is no such thing as 'a little extra.' You tend to go overboard," Ron pointed out.

"Is this for the advanced class?" Sirius asked. "Harry mentioned that you and him are two of the students taking it."

"Yeah. But some people," Hermione shot Ron a Look, "think I'm a little too excited about school. But that's not true! I just want to do well. Plus I find these subjects interesting."

Ron snorted. "Ron, does it really bother you if Hermione wants to do some extra reading?" Harry questioned his friend.

"Yes."

"Well, it shouldn't," Harry and Hermione said in unison.

Ron held up his hands in surrender. "Fine, fine, I won't say anything else. Let's just enjoy Harry's birthday."

Four hours later, Hermione's mom came and picked her up. Hermione would be on vacation from then until a week before school started, so Harry and Ron wouldn't see her any more. Promising to send postcards, she bid Harry and Ron goodbye.

Ron was planning to spend the night, so after Hermione left they went upstairs to Harry's room. The two of them stayed up until two in the morning talking about every aspect of Quidditch: the Professional teams, Hogwarts' four teams and who might join Gryffindor's since five team members had graduated, different brooms. Harry hoped Ron would make the Gryffindor team; Ron wasn't the greatest Quidditch player, but he was better than many others.

"You have a pretty good chance," Harry told him. "I bet you'll make the team."

"Really?" Ron asked excitedly. "I hope so. I mean, I'm not that bad."

"No, you aren't," Harry answered truthfully.

Just then Sirius poked his head into Harry's room. "Good night. It's getting late."

"Ok, ok," Harry and Ron said together.

* * *

Harry was in Diagon Alley with his godfather. He was due to meet Ron and Hermione any minute.

Just then Sirius spotted them and waved. Following Sirius's eye, Harry looked in that direction and saw his friends waving back at him excitedly.

"Harry!" Hermione called as soon as she was close enough. She ran up to Harry and gave him a hug. "How's your summer been? Mine was fantastic!"

"I know. You said so in all your postcards," Harry replied. "Hi, Ron."

"Hey. How's your last week of freedom been?" Ron asked.

"It wasn't bad. Besides, Hogwarts will be fun," Harry pointed out.

"Yeah, I suppose. Fred and George won't be there this year, though." Ron didn't seem too disappointed.

"All right, now what do you guys need?" Sirius asked. "Books first?"

They all agreed, and went off in search of their school supplies.

* * *

A group of first years stood nervously near the barrier to Platform Nine and Three Quarters. With the encouragement of their mothers, they ran at the barrier and through.

"Our turn, I guess," Harry said. Leaning causally against the barrier, he fell through. A moment later, Ron, Ginny, and Hermione followed.

The platform was filled with a flurry of activity. Parents rushed around, getting their children onto the train. Older students took their trunks onto the train, then came back to the platform and stood in small groups, chatting with their friends. The train whistle blew, announcing five minutes until the train was to leave. Harry, Ron, Ginny, and Hermione found a compartment to themselves, and sat back and relaxed.

"Off to another year," Ron commented.

As he did every year, Harry felt a thrill of excitement go up his spine. It was the beginning of another year; another year of good times and bad times, friends, lessons, Hogsmeade trips, and Quidditch. Harry could hardly wait.

Hermione felt the same way, and she voiced her thoughts. "I wonder what kind of adventures we'll go on this year. You can't deny," she continued as Ron made a noise to interrupt her, "that something has happened to us every year. But I wouldn't want our time to be boring. Of course, it would be nice if Harry could manage to avoid mortal danger for once."

"Hey!" Harry cried. "It's not my fault!"

Hermione shrugged. "But it's true."

"I guess. Still, I can't help it. Trouble seems to follow me," Harry said.

"Maybe it's genetic," Ron suggested. "Sirius and your dad were Hogwart's biggest troublemakers, besides my brothers."

Just then the compartment door creaked open, and the dimpled witch with the snack cart asked if anyone wanted something to eat. Harry, Hermione, Ron, and Ginny each bought some snacks and shared with each other.

The argument forgotten, Harry and Ron began discussing Quidditch and Gryffindor's new team. Hermione soon lost interest; after digging through her trunk for a minute, she found the book she was looking for and was instantly engrossed.

Ginny leaned back in her seat, pretending to listen to Harry and Ron. She wasn't, though. She became absorbed in her own thoughts. Sometimes she was amazed that other people could become bored. She could and would often grow lost, sometimes for hours, her thought meandering aimlessly across undefined paths. As long as she wasn't expected to pay attention, anyway. When something uninteresting required her attention (Professor Binns's class came to mind) she would wish she were alone, with only her thoughts as companions.

Ginny didn't know anyone who felt the same as she did. She was viewed as quiet and smart, the girl in the back who never said a word yet knew all the answers. But Ginny didn't know the most important answers: the answers to life, to happiness, to the carefree joy of others her age. Her wisdom stretched beyond her years, and to Ginny it was a curse. Sometimes she just wished-

"Ginny!" Ron was staring at her. "Hello, earth to Ginny. We'll be at Hogwarts in ten minutes. You might want to change into your robes."

"Ok." Ginny left the compartment, and the trio began discussing the upcoming year. Harry wasn't really paying attention to the conversation; he had noticed, for the first ever, that he hadn't seen Malfoy, Crabbe, or Goyle. Not that he missed them. It was just that ever year since, they had had some kind of Malfoy encounter on the train.

Ginny came back to the compartment, dressed in her black robes. With a squeal of brakes, the train jerked to a stop a moment later; the four of them trooped out together and made their way up to the carriages. It was beginning to drizzle, so after a quick wave to Hagrid they climbed into a carriage and began the trip up to the castle.

The carriage slowed to a stop; they got out and trudged up to the castle. Once in the large foyer, they shoved through with the rest of the students to the Great Hall. The ceiling was a stormy purple, to match the sky outside. Finding their usual seats at the Gryffindor table, they were quickly joined by Seamus Finnigan, Dean Thomas, Lavendar Brown, Parvati Patil, and Neville Longbottom. Ginny blushed when Neville sat next to her, but both were soon engaged in a heated conversation. Everyone stopped talking as Professor McGonagall walked carrying the tattered Sorting Hat, with a line of first years following her.

McGonagall placed the Sorting Hat on an old three legged stool, and it sang its song. When it finished, the first girl approached. She appeared mortified as she walked up to the stool, sat, and placed the Hat on her head. The brim fell over her eyes, and it wasn't long before the Hat shouted, "Hufflepuff!" The girl ripped the Hat off her head and ran to the Hufflepuff table. The older Hufflepuffs cheered as they accepted their new member.

The rest of the Sorting went quickly as each House received several new students to replace the ones that had graduated. McGonagall took the Sorting Hat and the stool to wherever it was kept during the year; Professor Dumbledore stood to make his usual beginning of the year announcements.

"Welcome to another year! I'd like you all to welcome Professor Cornell. She will be our new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher." There was some scattered applause. The older students had had so many Dark Arts teachers it wasn't even funny. She was of medium height, with long reddish brown hair, arched eyebrows, a short button nose, and a friendly smiled. She seemed very likable. "As always, the Forbidden Forest is forbidden to all students. First years, and some older students as well," Dumbledore cast his eyes around the Great Hall, "will take care to remember there is to be no magic in the corridors." Dumbledore made a few more quick comments, and then he sat and food appeared on the tables. Conversations began, and everyone dug into their food. Mashed potatoes, gravy, chicken, roast beef, corn, fresh bread, and other foods sent delicious smells into the air.

Pouring himself some pumpkin juice, Harry turned to Seamus and started discussing the Quidditch team. At the end of the year before, they had talked about what to do. Seamus was the Keeper, taking over Oliver Wood's job, but five more of their members had graduated, and tryouts needed to start as soon as possible so the new members could train. Harry was Captain, because he had played for Gryffindor since his first year; however, Seamus would be very important in helping Harry choose who would join the team.

As everyone began to move on to dessert, the Prefects handed out schedules. Harry took his and looked it over. The new Dark Arts teacher, Professor Cornell, had surprised everyone by being female. As usual, though, Potions was with the Slytherins and Herbology with the Hufflepuffs. His advanced class was scheduled four days a week, with a double lesson on Thursdays. The column marked TEACHER was blank. Harry recalled Professor McGonagall saying that several teachers would each be teaching different aspects of the class.

"So, what do you think?" Harry asked Hermione.

"Our schedule looks great! We're going to learn a lot more by being in the advanced class." she replied.

"I know. I just hope it isn't too hard," Harry said anxiously.

"Oh, come on, Harry," Ron joined in. "You'll do fine. Besides, it could help you with N.E.W.T.s or whatever."

"Maybe..."

"Now, if you're done eating, let's go upstairs," Hermione suggested.

Ron took a last swig of his pumpkin juice, and the three friends left the Great Hall together.

After climbing the familiar stairs, they reached the Fat Lady. "Memories," Hermione said, and the Fat Lady swung open. Climbing through the portrait hole, they saw group of friends standing around and talking to each other: going over summer events, hugging the friends they hadn't been able to visit for some reason or another, chatting excitedly about the fun they would have together in the upcoming year. Harry smiled. He remembered how coming to Hogwarts meant the end of the Dursleys, at least for nine months. How Ron got to be his first friend ever. Harry loved Hogwarts, and even though the next nine months would be busy with lessons and homework and tests, there would be time for fun. And that was the best part.

"Good night," Ron and Harry told Hermione, and climbed the stairs to the boys' dormitory together. Opening the door to their dormitory, which was now marked Sixth Years, they found Dean, Seamus, and Neville already getting ready for bed. Digging through his trunk, which was at the foot of his bed, Harry found his pajamas. Ron did the same. Pulling back the curtains, Harry flopped down on his bed.

"Good luck to everyone for a great year!" Harry announced. There was a round of good nights; Neville turned off the light and it was dark.

* * *

Harry stretched and sat up in bed. Pushing his curtains away, he watched Seamus pull one sock on, and then the other. Standing, he shoved his left foot into his already tied shoe, and then repeated the process with the right foot.

"Morning, Harry," he greeted.

"Morning," Harry replied, standing and beginning to get dressed. Today was the first day of lessons, and Harry was having mixed feelings. In a way he was excited, but part of him was wishing he didn't have to go to class and study. With a sigh, he took off his pajama and replaced it with his black robes. "Ron," Harry called. "Get up, it's time for breakfast."

There was a groan, and a moment later Ron pulled back his curtains and sat up sleepily. "G' morning," he murmured through a yawn.

"C' mon," Harry urged. "I'm hungry."

"Coming, coming," Ron grumbled, but he moved a little faster. Soon he was ready, and he walked with Harry down to the Great Hall. They joined Hermione; as they loaded their plates owls flew into the room. The older students were used to this daily occurrence, but several first years made noises of surprise. Hedwig dropped a letter from Sirius next to Harry's plate. Quickly reading it over, Harry could see it was a good luck letter for the upcoming year.

Breakfast ended, and it was time for the first lessons of the year.