Disclaimer: I do not own any of these characters.once my lawyer looks over a few things however, who knows.

A.N.: Hey, so here's the next chapter ENJOY and don't forget to review.

Chapter 9

It was with a lighter heart that Harry entered the Great Hall. Accompanied by a wise-cracking Ron, a nagging Hermione and a quiet Katie, Harry could hardly believe that he had been sad. He had even forgotten about Malfoy.almost.

"Oh Potter!" came a drawling voice from behind him. Harry stopped short, causing Katie, who was walking behind him, to run right into his back. Harry's mind temporarily blanked except for "Yeah baby" as her breasts pushed up against him. With that out of his system, anxiety filled his body, rising up to his throat. What the hell did Draco want to do to him now..

"Potter!" said Draco, coming to stand right in front of him with the two huge morons he called friends standing on either side of him, blocking Harry and his companions passage into the Great Hall.

"Yeah you better stop," said Draco, a disgusting smile creeping to his face.

"Harry doesn't have to do anything he doesn't want Malfoy!" said Hermione, putting her hands on her hips.

"Oh, I believe I did give him the choice," said Malfoy without taking his evil eyes off Harry's scared ones. "Besides, I'm not going to-" Draco stopped suddenly and glared at the three protectors. He was no dumbass...Picking a fight in the middle of the Hogwarts dinging room in full view of the professors, students, ghosts and Filch wouldn't be the smartest move. Looking straight at Harry's vibrant green eyes only, he said "Don't worry Potter. I'll find you later."

With a jerk of his golden head towards Crabbe and Goyle, he turned around and led them to the Slytherin table. Draco's eyes were still fixated on Harry, who seemed to be being questioned by his little posse. He saw the boy who lived shake his head and head towards his house table. Soon, Malfoy told himself, a small grin coming to soften his hard porcelain face, Harry will be mine.

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Harry and his friends had finally made their way to the Gryfindor table. Ron seated himself to Harry's right while, much to Hermione's annoyance, Katie sat on his left, giving him a quick smile before Angelina stole her attention. Hermione was forced to sit across from Ron, sending Harry worried glances, Ron frustrated noises and Katie death glares.
The only one who noticed this, however, was Ron. He couldn't take the noises that were coming out of her perfect lips or the death glares her lovely hazel eyes were shooting out, but he grudgingly agreed with the worried glances she was giving Harry. He found himself giving his best friend the same looks. WHAT was wrong with him? Why the hell han't he tried to contact him OR Hermione over the summer? And what had he done anyway?

Every time Ron questioned Harry about it he either changed the subject or ignored him all together. "Ah well," Ron though, starting to dish mashed potatoes into his plate. It was only the first day afterall. Maybe Harry had actually let what some of what the Durselys had to say get to him.or maybe something worse happened. Ron's brow furrowed as he thought that, picking up his fork and knife. But what could have happened?

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The rest of the meal went off without any problems. Dumbledore made his usual announcements (there were 2000 forbidden objects this year, anybody caught going into the Forbidden Forest would die, magic used in the corridors was strictly blah blah blah). After the predictable things were said, Dumbledore looked down at the students before him, his expression unreadable.

"I have two additional announcements to make," he said, causing a wave of chatter to rush over the hall. One of them had to be who the newest defense against the dark arts teacher was of course, but what was the other one?

Harry stared at Dumbledore bemused. He could hear Hermione chattering on about who it might be. Maybe he really WOULD chose Hermione to teach the class. And maybe the other announcement was that Malfoy would die. Yeah that would be good.

"The first, as you all probably have guessed, is that we have yet another new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher. We had a horrible time trying to find one who was.up for the challenge as all the proffesors in the past have not lasted to see another year as educator. Only one person applied this year. That person is Proffesor Severus Snape."

A shocked silence filled the Hall as all eyes turned to look upon smug Snape, drinking from his wine goblet. Something cold filled Harry's stomach. There was absolutely NO WAY he would be able to pass Defense Against the Dark Arts this year.no way no way no.

The only table that made any noise was, of course, the Slytherian table, breaking into cheers and whistles. Their merriment was lost as the other three tables and all the teachers sitting at the great table remained silent. This didn't seem to bother Snape however as he still sat and drank, looking as happy as a child who was told they never had to go to school ever again and could sit at home watching Newsies all day.

Dumbledore continued into the second part of his announcement, ignoring the reactions of the students and adults alike.

"Of course hiring Proffesor Snape as your Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher, that meant we had to hire a potions master. Your new teacher shall be Proffesor Askid, who should be arriving tomorrow.

"The second announcement," said Dumbledore, slightly louder as the students in the Great Hall started to talk amongst themselves. "Is that, with great pleasure, I announce Professor McGonagal's FORTY FIFTH year serving here at Hogwarts."

He paused as the Great Hall broke into polite applause as Proffessor McGonagal blushed and hid behind her hat.

"In honor of this grand achievment, we shall be holding a Masquerade ball for her on Halloween. There shall be no classes on that day as the ball shall take place from Noon onto Midnight with a break for a grand feast in between. To show your appreciation of a day off from learning, I expect each and every one of you to come dressed in costume. I myself shall be going as a bumble bee." Dumbledore smiled as this brought a tittering of giggles among the students.

"There is nothing more to be said. Heads of Houses, please escort your younger, dumber peers to your Common Room and give out the passwords. Good bye everybody and happy learning."

A.N. Yeah it's done and it's longer than it has been, isn't it? I think so. Don't forget Newsies fans- Click on Liams Kitten and then her story, it's GREAT. GOOD NIGHT WISCONSIN!!!!