Chapter
7
A/N:
Okay I'll admit it. This chapter stinks. (sorry guys) In fact, I know I haven't
put too much action in this storyL . If you're patient though,
the next chapter might be kinda actually interesting. You see I'm still working
on Wizard Switch and it's hard doing two fics at the same time. Oh yeah, and
apology to Sweets cos I didn't put Sirius in this chapter. Sorry! I'll try
though. Anyways what're u doing reading this? Get on with the story!
The Entrance Hall was buzzing with the
chatter of the students, still excited about Weasleys' Wizard Wheezes. Harry
felt a new admiration for Fred and George; what they were doing was exactly
what they all needed.
They entered the Great Hall, where the
Sorting and the Welcoming Feast would take place. As usual, it looked
magnificent; burning candles lit the room, and there were tall suits of armor
everywhere. Harry, Ron, Hermione, and Ginny went to sit at the Gryffindor House
table. There were three other tables: Ravenclaw, Hufflepuff, and Slytherin.
Nearly Headless Nick, the Gryffindor ghost, gave them a cheery hello. The
ceiling, which was enchanted to look like the sky, was clear and
beautiful. All in all, everything
looked perfect. Harry looked up at the High Table where the professors sat. He
immediately noticed two missing people.
"Haven't
they gotten us a new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher yet?" asked Harry.
Ron
shrugged. " I dunno, but Harry, Snape's missing too! Must be a good sign."
Harry
and Hermione grinned. "Probably," said Harry. Snape wasn't Harry's least
favourite professor for no reason. It was because Snape loathed Harry, as he
had his father when they had been enemies at school. Snape was head of
Slytherin House, and unlike McGonagall, he always favored his house while he
enjoyed talking points away from Gryffindor.
Usually,
points were added up and the house with the most points would win the House
Cup. Harry had helped Gryffindor win the cup for three years in a row, partly
because he always won his house team Quidditch matches.
Harry was famished, but the Sorting
was to take place before the Feast. During the Sorting, the first years got
chosen into their houses by the Sorting Hat.
The
hall fell silent as the extremely nervous first years lined up in front of the
high table. Professor McGonagall placed the hat on a stool, and it sang it's
new song, met by thunderous applause. Then McGonagall started calling out the
names of the first years. Each put the hat on his head and in turn the hat
shouted the name of the house the student was most suited for ; Gryffindors for
their outstanding bravery, Ravenclaws for their intelligence, Hufflepuffs for
their loyalty and hard work, and last(but definitely least) Slytherins for
their ambition and love for power. The houses were named after the four
founders of the school.
Harry cheered along with the others on
his table the first years that were made Gryffindors.
When the Sorting was finally over,
Albus Dumbledore stood from the center of the high table, his long beard
gleaming in the candlelight and his eyes twinkling. He was wearing green robes
with stars and moons all over them. He smiled at them all, then said, "Welcome
to a new year at Hogwarts. There are many announcements to be made, but as I am
sure no one will hear a single word until they are properly fed, it shall be
done as usual after the feast. For now- enjoy!"
As he spoke, the hundreds of plates
and goblets on the tables filled with delicious food and drinks. They ate and
ate, talking mostly with the other Gryffindors about the summer's events. When
they couldn't swallow another thing, the plates disappeared, and Dumbledore
stood up again. The room fell silent.
"Now
that we have eaten, there is much to be said. I will not pretend that we are
not in an extremely serious situation right now, though I am sure most of you
are aware of it. Therefore, I know you will understand that many more safety
precautions have to be taken this year. And I mean by that, Hogesmade trips
will be supervised, as well as Quidditch practices, and any time you wish to
exit the castle to the grounds at night. Prowling around at night will be dealt
with more severely and seriously. Of course, as usual, the Forbidden Forest is
out of bounds to all students."
He
paused. Harry looked around at the other students. Not many looked happy about
having everything they did supervised by teachers, but it was for their own
safety.
Dumbledore
continued, " This year, we have a new rule. Our staff has grown tired of the
constant fighting between houses, and mainly between Gryffindor and Slytherin.
We are all on one side here, and we should stay united in these difficult
times. So any fights, duels, or serious arguments among students will cause a very
harsh punishment for them, and I am serious. This year, we are going to declare
a truce between the four houses, specifically Gryffindor and Slytherin. You
will be informed of the details later."
Harry
gasped, along with many others. Dumbledore was asking for the miracle to end
all miracles. There were calls from both House Tables.
"
A truce! A truce with them?!"
"
Same side!! All Slytherins are HIS supporters!"
"
Peace with them? With muggles and dirty bloods?!"
Dumbledore glanced around sharply. " If
anyone has any objections, they may talk to me later personally. As for being
on the same side, Mr. Finnigan, I'm sure we all are or else we would not all be
sitting here in this hall at this moment."
Seamus
turned slightly red.
"What
about Mal- " started Harry, then
hastily shut his mouth as Hermione nudged him in the elbow.
"Mr.
Potter?"
"Nothing
sorry," muttered Harry under his breath.
"Right
then. Professor Snape will not be with us the whole year. He will be coming and
going, for he has important duties outside Hogwarts to fulfill. (At this, the
Gryffindors didn't even bother hiding their smiles) We have a substitute
Potions professor, as well as a new Defense Agains the Dark Arts teacher,
however, they have both not arrived yet."
But he had barely spoken when a very
tall wizard entered the hall and walked over to the high table.
"It's
Destire!" gasped Harry.
Sure
enough, it was the wizard they had met at the ceremony. He was wearing deep
blue robes and his wavy brown hair was cut short. Harry realized that his eyes,
like his own, were an intense green. As Destire approached the table, he shook
hands with Dumbledore, who said,
"Allow
me to introduce Professor Marcus Destire, who has left his position in the
Department of Wizard Safety and Health Care at the Ministry for this year and
will be joining us as the new Defense teacher."
The hall broke into polite applause,
and Destire smiled then sat down. At
that moment, another person entered the hall. She was average heighted and
thin, with long blond hair, and she was wearing pink and black striped robes. She
too walked over to the high table and greeted Dumbledore. Smiling, the Headmaster
said, " This is professor Aruna, our substitute Potions Professor."
There
was applause again, and Professor Aruna waves at them all in greeting before she
sat down.
"Did
we luck out or what?" exclaimed Ron excitedly. "From greasy haired, extra mean Snape
to this lovely witch!"
Harry
laughed, Hermione rolled her eyes.
The announcements done, the students exited
the Hall and went up to their Common Rooms. As they approached the portrait of the
Fat Lady, a prefect told them the password, (Wizard Wheezes) and they entered .
A fire
was crackling merrily in the hearth, and the room looked as cozy as ever. Harry
and Ron went up to the fifth year dormitory which they shared with Dean, Neville,
and Seamus. Muttering a good night, Harry crawled into his four-poster, drew back
the curtains, and fell asleep immediately.
There,
told you it wasn't good! (Frowns worriedly) Well I hope it was at least acceptable.
I promise you the next one will be – um- interesting, like I said. Ok that's all.
Au Revoir!
(I dunno I just felt like speaking French)