Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter. Everything belongs to J.K.R and WB and whoever is involved with the editing + publishing + distributing of the books.

Pairings: Harry/Ginny, Draco/Hermione, Ron/OC Rating: R Setting: Story starts summer before 6th year.

I know now that the fifth book is out, a lot of the facts or events in the story are not true anymore. But just look at it as a semi-Alternate Universe ok?

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Following behind Ron and Hermione into the Great Hall, Ginny spotted Harry and unconsciously let out the breath she had been holding. He is safe. {Of course he is safe. He is at Hogwarts...where Dumbledore is.} After all, wasn't Dumbledore the only wizard that Voldemort was afraid of? But she knew from first hand experience that there are things that not even the sturdy enchanted walls of Hogwarts could keep out.

Ron sat down next to Harry and Hermione sat across from them.

"Ginny, what are you doing, standing there? Come sit down." Hermione said.

Ginny sat down next to Hermione and raised her eyes to look at Harry. {Don't blush. Don't stammer. Don't make a complete fool of yourself. You've been successful for a year already. You can do this.}

"Hey Harry. How are things going?" She was surprised at how steady and clear her voice sounded.

Harry didn't even look up and mumbled dully.  "Hi Ginny. I'm fine, thanks." It sounded so practiced, as if many people had asked him the same question so many times that it was a reflex answer. Ginny gave him a small smile but he didn't notice. Feeling her stomach twisting and heart pounding, Ginny licked her lips nervously. She knew he had a lot on his mind, with Neville's disappearance and worrying about the safety of those who are associated with him...but couldn't he spare her one look? {Stop being selfish.} Ginny berated herself. Harry had given Ron and Hermione the same treatment.  Ron knew when to leave his friend alone and Hermione launched into a conversation about which N.E.W.T.S. she was considering taking.

Professor McGonagall appeared at the double doors leading into the Great Hall, with a line of new first year students behind her.  As she lead them towards the front of the room, where the teachers were sitting, everyone in the Great Hall fell silent, all watching the start of the sorting ceremony.  Bringing out a four-legged stool, Professor McGonagall placed a worn, dirty, pointed wizard's hat on top of the stool. 

After a few seconds had ticked by in silence, the hat opened its mouth and began to sing. 

Last year I have warned you

I see that none had paid me heed

All I had sang went in one ear and out the other

"Oh the Sorting Hat's entertained us yet again" must be your thoughts I gather

I was made to fulfill the wishes of the Hogwarts Four

Gryffindor's wish for students full of bravery and chivalry

Ravenclaw's wish for students who were wise and eager to learn

Hufflepuff's wish for students who were unafraid to toil and remain loyal

Slytherin's wish for the students that were pure and believed that the ends justify the means

To continue the sorting I am not too keen

For I do not wish to be

The one to lead the beloved Hogwarts to its downfall

Yet I must do what I was made to achieve

Though my duty feels like a curse

To quarter the students each year with my verse

The Hogwarts Four couldn't see that a few select qualities doesn't make the person who they are

The Hogwarts Four couldn't see that it is all these qualities and more that makes a person whole

How glorious and magnificent the start of Hogwarts was!

I was there since the beginning to witness it all

United, we will stand and drive the threat away that is getting close to our walls

Divided, not only will we perish but so will everything else that is dear to you all

I warn you to heed the Sorting Hat's advice

This rift between houses needs to mend

Or else more than just Hogwarts will meet its end

I leave you this year with these words

And hope that we will see another year within this castle

Let the Sorting begin.

The Great Hall was silent.  The first years were wide eyed with apprehension, the older students were shocked by the song and the professors stared at Dumbledore, waiting for him to say something.

Every year's song was sang pleasantly with the exception of last year's when the Sorting Hat had felt honor-bound to give the school warnings.  It had sounded grave and regretful last year.  This year, every student, every professor, every ghost, every being in the Great Hall felt the anger present in the Sorting Hat's voice.  Its voice trembled at some parts with anger. At other parts, the Sorting Hat sounded wistful and sad.

Urgent whispers erupted in the Great Hall as the students wondered if the Sorting Hat had just predicted the fate of all.

After the Sorting, Dumbledore cleared his throat. "The speech will come later, go on, eat."

Food appeared on the plates as always and the whole school started to chatter about what had happened.

Hermione could hear bits of conversation floating to her from the other tables while she silently ate.

"What do you suppose the Sorting Hat wants?"

"Oi, didn't you hear? It sounds like the ol' hat wants the houses to work together or something."

"No no no- its probably just trying to scare us-"

"What do you mean its trying to scare us, are you daft-"

Shaking her head, Hermione looked from Harry to Ron. Ron looked puzzled and shrugged his shoulders. "We need to talk about what the Sorting Hat meant. We really didn't pay attention to what it said last year, and it sounded pretty angry." Hermione said.

"Honestly, do you think a hat will be able to tell the future? Weren't you the one who dropped out of Divination?" Ron said.  Hermione pursed her lips and frowned at him. "This is different."

Harry agreed. "We'll talk back in the common room."

Soon, Dumbledore stood up to announce the usual start of term notices.  "Welcome new students, to Hogwarts, and welcome back to our older students. As usual, the Dark Forest is forbidden to all students or else they will face immediate expulsion this year. Mr. Filch, our caretaker, would like to remind all students that magic is not permitted in the corridors between classes and to check the list fastened to Mr. Filch's office door for the numerous other things that are also not allowed in the corridors. It seems to have become a tradition for a new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher each year and we all hope that this returning staff member will be able to stay with us for a longer period of time.  Please welcome back Professor Lupin!"

The Great Hall went wild, applauding and whistling while some stood up on their seats to wave wildly.  Harry looked up and smiled at Professor Lupin, who smiled back.

Dumbledore smiled and raised his hands to quiet the students. 

"Yes, yes I know, this is great news but please do try to contain it until you arrive at your common rooms. The second important news I have for everyone is a new student is coming into our school.  Not as a first year, for she had home schooling her whole life.  She will join Hogwarts as a fourth year student. I am delighted to introduce Vera Pettigrew."

Color disappeared rapidly from Harry's face.  Ron and Hermione had dropped their forks with a loud clatter.  Ginny, who had been told the story about Sirius Black and Peter Pettigrew a few months ago bit her lip and hoped that this new student isn't bad news.

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A/N: I'm sorry to those who haven't read the 5th book yet. The song I wrote for the Sorting Hat wouldn't make sense then. 

If you want to know what the song the Sorting Hat sang in the Order of the Phoenix go to this link, I typed the whole song up.

www.angelfire.com/anime5/last_regrets/sortinghatfifthyear

Also, I despise Mary Sues so rest assured that Vera Pettigrew will NOT be a Mary Sue.