CHAPTER FIVE: The Return of Everyone Else
Harry stood in the darkness at the bottom of the front steps to Hogwarts Castle. It was finally September First - finally time for the rest of the students to arrive. He bounced on the balls of his feet as he eagerly listened for the approach of the carriages full of his classmates. It wasn't long before the sound of them crunching up the drive was heard, soon followed by the appearance of the carriages themselves.
The minute they stopped a mass of students flooded out. Harry looked eagerly for his friends Ron and Hermione but had just about given up on spotting them in the crowd when he felt a punch on his shoulder and turned to see Ron, with Hermione right behind.
"Harry! You survived with just you and the faculty1 I wasn't sure you would!" Ron said.
"Me, either," said Harry rolling his eyes, "It was deadly dull."
"Oh, Harry," Hermione said as she joined them, "But you were able to use the Library whenever you wanted, right?"
Both Harry and Ron sniggered at this. Hermione shot them a look which soon dissolved into a wry smile as she swept past them up the steps and into the castle. Harry noticed that she was followed rather closely by Ron. Harry followed them into the castle and then into the Great Hall which was finally full at last.
It was clear that Hermione was torn between sitting with them at the Gryffindor table or going to sit at the prefects' table. Harry knew she probably wanted to sit with the prefects but was afraid of hurting their feelings so he said, "See you after the banquet!" and pulled Ron away. Ron shot him a look but Harry ignored it, instead looking for a spot at the Gryffindor table away from the Creevy brothers. Quickly he slid in next to Fred and George just as Colin Creevy started to wave frantically at him whilst poking his younger brother, Dennis. Harry sighed. He had hoped by now that Colin and Dennis had gotten over their ridiculous fawning attitude toward him.
Ginny, who was sitting across the table took this in and stifled a giggle. "What's so funny?" Ron asked irritably.
"Oh, nothing!" Ginny said catching Harry's eye. As soon as Ron looked away she did a quick imitation of Colin mouthing "Yoo Hoo, Harry!" Harry resisted the childish urge to stick his tongue out at her and rolled his eyes instead. Ginny gave him a knowing grin and turned her attention to Neville Longbottom who seemed to be in particularly low spirits.
Neville was a clumsy, round-faced boy whose fearful nature hindered him from making use of what talent he had. Harry had discovered the year before that Neville's parents had been driven insane by supporters of Voldemort who tortured them with the unforgivable cruciatus curse. This was why Neville had been raised by his very formidable grandmother. Dumbledore had asked Harry to keep this knowledge to himself until Neville was disposed to share it, and Harry had kept his word. As he looked at Neville glumly listening to Ginny's bright chatter he wondered if Neville's dark mood had anything to do with the return of Voldemort. He imagined the news had caused fresh pain for Neville and his family.
Harry understood only too well what it was like to live with the consequences of having one's family destroyed by the Dark Lord. Even now, Harry knew that Voldemort and his supporters would probably be willing to kill anyone close to him to get at him and this was a terribly sobering thought. Still, Hogwart's was the one place he had always felt safe. Even the most worry-prone adult wizards who were close to Harry said over and again that as long as Harry was safe around Dumbledore.
As he waited for the first year students to file in for their sorting into the appropriate houses Harry looked around with some satisfaction. He had been looking forward to the start of term banquet for the last fortnight. Seeing the students chatter excitedly in the light of the suspended candles, seeing starlight in the enchanted ceiling, & waiting for the golden plates and goblets to be magically filled, Harry could almost forget the worries of the last several months and pretend this was a school year like any other.
And, really, he supposed it should be. Nothing had been asked of him and there was nothing in particular he could do at the present time, except learn as much as he could so he could look after himself. Perhaps he should stop moping about and treat this like any other school year. As he thought about this Harry's eyes wandered toward the front of the hall where staff table stood. As his eyes traveled over the familiar faces of the faculty he suddenly started. Arabella Figg was sitting there with the rest of the faculty. Moreover, she was chatting animatedly to Professor Snape. Harry shook his head slightly and looked again. Yes, Figg was there and, yes, she was chatting cheerfully with Snape who looked as if he didn't quite know what to make of it.
Harry felt a nudge in the ribs and looked over at Ron who had also taken this in. "Who's that up there with Snape? You don't suppose it's the new Defense Against Dark Arts professor do you?"
"No," Harry replied, scanning the rest of the table, "look, Moody is up there. Anyway, I don't know why she's here but that's Arabella Figg."
Rons eyes widened a bit and he turned to look again, "That's her? Wow, from what you said I guess I- I mean she's chatting up Snape of all people... I thought you said she was alright."
Harry scowled a bit, "She is!" he said firmly, "I don't know what's up. Although..." Harry trailed off
"Although what?" Ron asked
"Well, she was a student here when he was. Maybe they're just catching up?" he offered uncertainly.
"If you say so." Ron said giving the staff table a disappointed look, " I dunno, tho."
"Don't know what?" Asked Ginny catching the thread of conversation.
"What the new teacher is going to teach." Harry answered, preferring to not have to explain to Ginny about Figg.
Ginny glanced at the staff table, "Hmm. Moody is still here so what's vacant?"
Just then, they were interrupted by Professor McGonagall leading in a line of nervous looking first year students.
"Mercy!" Fred exclaimed dramatically to George, "Were we ever that young?"
"Still are." Ginny said quickly. Ron snorted and the twins tried to look affronted but didn't quite manage. George put a hand to his brow and continued in the same vein as his brother, "Alas, young Ginny, no. Our youth has quickly sped and the cruel world awaits us a few scant months hence!"
This time Ginny rolled her eyes while Harry and Ron groaned. Further conversation was cut short by the tattered old Sorting Hat opening a rip in it's brim and bursting into song:
"Oh, once a year I'm brought down here
to sort out the new students.
But never fear, my path is clear
and I am not imprudent.
For..."
(You get the idea... I wouldn't dream of even attempting the sorting hat song)
One by one the first year students sat on the stool and placed the hat on their heads. Most did so timidly, one even winced. Harry and the Weasleys cheered heartily with the rest of the house when a student was sorted into Gryffindor. As a pale skinned, dark haired girl took the seat Ron leaned over toward Harry and said quietly, "Urqhart, that begins with a 'u', right?" Harry nodded. "Good, I'm starved!" Harry sat up taller and craned his neck but he couldn't see how many more students were left to be sorted from where he sat. He supposed Ron couldn't, either, but he was right, they must be almost done. Indeed, a few more students and they were to "Young" who turned out to be last.
As the Ravenclaw table finished applauding, Dumbledore rose from his seat to address the students.
"The beginning of another year," he said warmly, "And I'm sure you're eager to begin the feast so I will keep my announcements short. All students are reminded that the Forbidden Forest is off limits and the faculty kindly requests you not try our patience on this issue." Harry thought he saw Dumbledore glance toward the Slytherin table at this, but couldn't be sure.
"The deputy headmistress and I have an unusual number of things occupying our attention this year and so a distinguished alumnae, Arabella Figg, has consented to assist us by joining the faculty as academic advisor." There was uncertain applause at this, as if the students didn't quite know what to make of this announcement or, for that matter, of Arabella Figg. "And Now," said Dumbledore ignoring the lukewarm response, "To the feast!"
At this the golden plates and goblets were filled and dozens of savory dishes filled the tables. As usual, the feast was excellent and Harry didn't mind taking a third helping from some of the dishes. When the last morsel of dessert had disappeared from the plates leaving them gleaming softly in the candlelight once again, Dumbledore rose to lead them in the Hogwart's Alma Mater Song. The faculty reluctantly rose as well, many with pained looks upon their faces.
Dumbledore raised his wand preparing to let the ribbon of lyrics fly out of it into the air. "Any tune you like, And-" With that he launched into the Song, singing along with the ribbon of changing lyrics in a sort of baroque style. Harry and Ron did their best to sing enthusiastically to whichever random tunes came into their heads. Ginny, pink at the ears, was making her way determinedly through what was, from what Harry could make out, a pleasant enough tune. Fred and George, on the other hand, had once again chosen to sing the Alma Mater to a very slow, laborious funeral dirge. To their obvious delight, this left them singing for a good minute or so after everyone else was done. Dumbledore smiled broadly at them and conducted them through the last bit as usual.
When the Weasley twins had finished Dumbledore looked up and said "To bed!" and turned to speak with professor McGonagall. There was the usual hubub and confusion as students made their way out of the hall. Harry could see Hermione rushing over to take the first year students in hand and lead them up to Gryffindor Tower.
"Comon," Ron said, pulling Harry in the opposite direction with gleam in his eye, "She already told me the password, lets nick down to the kitchens"
Harry followed gladly, he had been meaning to check on Dobby the house-elf who now was employed by Dumbledore in the kitchens. He was also curious to see if Winky, the former house elf of the disgraced Crouch family was still here. Last thing he had heard of poor Winky she was so distraught she couldn't function.
