Before dinner Dumbledore stood up and waited patiently for their attention.

"Good evening," he said with a pleasant smile when the buzz in the Great Hall died down. "Before we eat I would like to make a few announcements.

"Firstly, I would like you to welcome back Rubeus Hagrid, Hogwarts groundskeeper and teacher. He has been away for some time but he assures me he is ready to plunge wholeheartedly back into the Care of Magical Creatures curriculum. Some of you may already have had a class with him today and can appreciate his enthusiasm for the subject. Hagrid is a valued member of our staff and we missed him greatly while he was gone."

The Gryffindors led the applause. At the head table Hagrid turned bright red and wiped away great big tears of gratification.

"Next," Dumbledore went on, "I wish to warn you all again about the Forbidden Forest. Recently a new danger was discovered there." His gaze alighted on Harry's head for half a second. "Some two hundred and fifty snakes have infested the Forest."

Immediately a murmur rose and swelled through the Great Hall. A couple of people turned and looked at Harry, including half the Slytherins, who had obviously all been informed of the events of that afternoon. Harry refused to return their glares.

"Calm down," Dumbledore called, and the murmur died. "There is no cause for alarm. The problem will be dealt with. But naturally, none of you will be in the Forest." He looked around, blue eyes sparkling in amusement.

"And finally, my last announcement. The Quidditch house championships will begin before long. This year's captains are fine, responsible individuals who will strive to lead their teams to victory with the Quidditch Cup. Would the captains please stand?" One person at each table stood. "The Slytherin teams is captained by Daniel Warrington. The Hufflepuff team is led by Cecil Shrewe. Our Ravenclaws are led by Graham Grosvenor. And last but not least, the Gryffindor captain is Alicia Spinnet." Harry applauded wildly with the rest as the captains sat down. Alicia Spinnet was pink with pleasure.

Dumbledore went on. "On September 21st - that's the third Saturday of the month - each house will be holding tryouts for the positions left open by last year's graduating students. I'm afraid I'm not quite sure which positions are open on which teams, so students interested in playing will have to see the captain of their house about that.

"And this concludes my announcements. Now let's dig into our dinners!"

During the meal Harry asked Ron and Hermione, "Are you thinking of joining the team?"

Hermione was horrified. "Have you gone off your head? Me, on a broomstick?"

"I'd like to join," Ron said eagerly. "What positions are there?"

"Keeper," Harry said, "since Oliver Wood left Hogwarts last year."

"I want to try out," Ron said. Then his face fell. "But I haven't got a broom."

"You could use a school broom," suggested Hermione.

Ron was scandalized. "A school broom? Cleansweeps, Comets-Hermione, those are terrible! No, what I'd like is a broom of my own. Maybe even a Nimbus, all the brooms on the Nimbus line are excellent."

"You could ask your parents," Harry said.

"Racing brooms are not in their budget," Ron said stiffly.

"Maybe your Secret Admirer will come through with a broom for you," said Hermione.

Ron eyed her suspiciously. "Maybe."

"Harry," said someone behind him.

Harry turned around and looked into the blue eyes of Albus Dumbledore. "Professor?"

"Would you be so kind as to come to my office after dinner?"

"Well, yes, but-"

"Thank you." Dumbledore moved away, leaving Harry baffled.