All the heads of the students in the Great hall seemed to ripple as if on water toward the large doorway of the hall. Some students, such as Colin and his little brother, Dennis Creevey, had to stand up to be able to see the five people walking along the House tables toward Dumbledore. Harry immediately recognized one of them and elbowed Ron hard in the ribs.
"It's Fleur!" Harry glanced at Ron, who was wearing an expression of total disbelief.
After recognizing Fleur, he gave a joyous wave which she returned with a smile and a wink as she gracefully kept up with the other four, who kept the hoods of their cloaks over their heads. Each one of these cloaked figures moved swiftly toward Dumbledore, and Harry noticed that each one was built quite differently.
Dumbledore was standing before them as they approached with open arms. The four mystery students had finally taken off their hoods, and were shaking Dumbledore's hands with very merry expressions of glee.
"May I introduce our new alumni and teachers at Hogwarts" The Great hall started to roll with applause as the new students looked out at all the students, while Fleur was standing at the end of the row of teachers behind Dumbledore.
Dumbledore started the introductions with the short girl named Katherine Dient, the second tallest boy, Michael Tenshi, the boy shorter than Michael as Edmund Cyclane, and the boy that towered over all of them as Wayne Samston. All had light skin and varying light-brown hair except for Michael who had an Asian look to him with slightly darker skin with black hair.
"These students have been accepted from the Phoenix School of Magic in the United States." A large "ooh" followed while Dumbledore asked for silence.
"They will be placed in the sixth year class because of their extensive knowledge of magic. I believe their education in magic started when they were 5 years old?"
The other students nodded silently in assent.
"Their knowledge of magic extends farther than most of you know, since there are many more branches of magic besides casting spells with wands. However as students at Hogwarts, they must be sorted like the rest of you."
Immediately, the tension in the Great Hall amplified as if a volume knob had just been turned. Whispers and quiet conversations where flying all about on the topic of who might be sorted to their own house. The sorting hat had once again been placed in front of the students on a small stool, where the four students were clustered around.
Katherine was the first one to sit on the stool while placing the hat on her head. After several seconds, the Sorting hat exclaimed "HUFFLEPUFF!"
The Hufflepuff table exploded with cheering as the first American exchange student was sorted into the house.
Michael took the hat next and sat on the stool very intently, very aware of all the gazes of the students in the great hall. After a minute, the Sorting hat yelled out "RAVENCLAW!"
The Ravenclaw table cheered madly while the Weasley twins were cat-calling him as he sat down. Harry noticed that he was sitting right next to Cho Chang, Harry's crush since third year. Harry felt his stomach sink as they immediately started to talk animatedly.
Edmund was sorted into the Gryffindor house while Wayne was sorted into Slytherin. Harry glanced over to the Slytherin table just to see Malfoy standing up to shake Wayne's hand.
Dumbledore stood up once more and said, "Now continuing the notices for this year. Tomorrow, a very select few of you will receive a special letter during breakfast of an opportunity of joining a class that I hope u will accept, since this is a chance of a lifetime to learn about other forms of magic. However, this is all I will tell you for now, since the letter will explain the rest."
"Due to our few openings for teaching at our school, I would like to introduce the teachers that will be filling these positions."
"Our new Potions-mistress," said Dumbledore "is last year's Triwizard tournament Champion for the Beauxbatons Academy, Fleur Delacour." Polite applause was given while she gave a small bow while her silvery hair swirled around.
"And our new Defense of the Dark Arts teacher," said Dumbledore "is Professor Snape."
Harry heard Ron mutter "NO!!!" but he was barely audible since the Slytherin table had exploded in cheer and yelling. All the other students in the Great hall seemed to have had the same attitude as Ron, in that they were all sulking and muttering about how rotten the year was going to be.
"Now! With new students and teachers in your midst, this year will be filled to make your heads filled," Dumbledore beamed "but now is the time to sleep so that tomorrow, your schedule won't kill."