Chapter Five: The Sorting Hat's New Warning

Harry awoke with a start, his scar burning horribly. He couldn't remember entirely what he had just dreamed. He knew it had to do with Voldemort and Wormtail not getting something. Harry realized he was sweating profusely and was encased like a mummy in his bed sheets. He freed his arms and pressed it to his forehead, trying to relieve the headache forming around the burning scar. When that wasn't working he de-mummified himself and looked over at the clock. 6:34 in the morning. The whole house would be waking up in about and hour or less.

Suddenly Harry remembered what it was that Voldemort wanted. The key to the locked Department of Mysteries door! The same door that held the power that Harry had. The entire dream came back to him in a rush. He knew that he had to get a hold of Dumbledore somehow, but knew that an owl was too easily intercepted and that Floo powder could be monitored by outside forces. Then it clicked. He checked to make sure Ron was still fast asleep in the bed across the room and then he looked up at the portrait by his bed. Phineas Nigellus snored softly, not yet awake from his slumber.

"Phineas!" Harry whispered. The portrait made no motion. "Oye, Phineas! Wake up!" Harry whispered a little louder.

"What? What! What do you want! Waking up a man at this ungodly hour. You would think someone could get some sleep around here but that's obviously not an option..." Phineas started to ramble before Harry cut him off.

"Listen, I need you to tell Dumbledore something. It's very important. I need you to tell him..." Harry began, but Phineas started complaining about being sick and tired of "hoodlum kids wanting him to do whatever whenever they wanted." Harry, now thoroughly irritated at being labeled a hoodlum and losing his patience quickly with his godfather's great uncle's portrait, interrupted him again and told him of his dream and how he awoke with his scar hurting. "\Just tell him that okay? Tell him I really need Occlumency soon."

Phineas finally agreed, though grumbling as he disappeared from the portrait.

Harry started to pace but realized that he must not wake Ron and Neville. He didn't feel like retelling his nightmare again, and he didn't want to scare his friends. He sat cross legged on his bed twiddling his thumbs, waiting for Phineas Nigellus's return.

The portrait picture of Phineas returned after ten minutes, grumbling something about "nuisances" and "no sleep."

"Dumbledore says he wants you in his office after the Welcoming Feast. He said he understands, thanks for telling him, and to get to Hogwarts tomorrow in one piece."Phineas asid in a bored monotine, yawning. "NOW can I get some sleep around here?"
"After you tell Dumbledore that I will be in his office when he wants me there!" Harry snapped, losing patience with the grumbling portrait.

Phineas looked rather offended and muttered as he left again something about "youth....manners....my day....punishment....good whipping."

Harry sighed and layed back down, not even having to wait for everyone to get up. Mrs. Weasley rushed inside and Harry feigned sleep. She roused the boys up and proceeded to wake the girls, telling them all that they must get packed straight away if they ever wanted to get to King's Cross Station on time. Harry realized for the first time that all his school supplies were at the foot of his bed. Mrs. Weasley, he later found out, had gone to Diagon Alley while they were busy in Sirius's room and had bought all their school supplies. In addition to these supplies, Harry also packed the three diaries of his parents and godfather. He wanted to learn everything he could about them.

They dressed in their best Muggle attire and boarded the Knight Bus that morning. Harry avoided the conductor, who luckily didn't see him. Moody, Tonks, Lupin, and Mrs. Weasley went with them to keep watch for Harry and his schoolmates. He hated the attention.

When they got to the Kings Cross station, they entered Platform 9 and 3/4 two at a time. They boarded the Hogwarts Express, saying their last goodbyes to their watchers and Mrs. Weasley, who had tears in her eyes like every year. They settled into a compartment and chatted happily and undisturbed for almost the entire trip. After they changed into their school robes (Fred and George had bought Ron a new pair of school robes and Quidditch robes) they bought goodies fro m the snack cart and were eating them when the compartment door slid open. Draco Malfoy, flanked by cohorts Crabbe and Goyle, appeared, leaning against the side of the compartment door, grinning with malice.

"Oh if it isn't Potty, Weasels, Squib, Loony, and Mudblood," he said maliciously. He turned to Ron. "Say Weasel, did your parents win any more Galleons over the summer? Or did they have to steal those robes for you to wear?"
Ron turned bright red and clenched his fists, but Ginny held his collar to prevent him from lunging at Malfoy. Malfoy turned to Luna.

"How's your dad? I heard he got a little *bite.* I always thought he was a nutter with a ritzy job, but now he's just a half-breed nutter." Malfoy said casually. Luna didn't even flinch and just sighed, but Neville was pink with anger. Malfoy noticed.

What's the matter Longbottom? Got a crush on old Loony here? I wouldn't waste my time on her if I were you. You could do better than that, since you are a pureblood. Anyone related to a half breed moght as well be one themselves..."

Neville, although still pink, maintained his calm.

"Tell me Malfoy, how's Azkaban treating your father?" Neville sneered, surprising everyone yet again.

Malfoy flinched and turned white in anger. He collected himself quickly.

"He's already out, you dim wit Squib." Malfoy said haughtily.

"Hmm. Then I suppose his name is mud at the Ministry now, eh? I mean it's a sad thing. You're untouchable, your whole family is. All that money and no one to spend it on. Tsk. Tsk," Harry said darkly.

Malfoy's eyes narrowed.

"You'll pay soon enough, Potter. You wait." And with that he stormed out of the compartment, leaving Harry to merely shrug off the empty threat.

They reached Hogwarts when the sky had just started to be taken over by dark ominous clouds. The first years gathered by a harassed looking Hagrid, who was too busy with them to notice Harry, Ron, and Hermione's waves to the half-giant. The older students rushed over to the carriages pulled by thestrals and had just gotten into the Great Hall when the first loud clap of thunder could be heard.

Everyone sat at their house tables and chattered noisily while they waited for the first-years to finish their boat ride across the lake that was a Hogwarts tradition.

Harry gazed at the staff table where Dumbledore sat in the middle chatting pleasantly with Professor Sprout. Professor Mc Gonagall (sp?) stood up and walked out of the Great Hall, presumably to greet the incoming first-years. Firenze looked rather bored, standing at the end of the table, listening to Professor Trelawney. They were both to be sharing Divination teaching positions that year.

Harry's eyes drifted to the new face in the sea of old ones. He realized the man looked like a cleaner, younger version of Snape. He assumed this man was the new Defense teacher and he hoped that he was a good one, unlike the previous year's Professor Umbidge, who thought it inappropriate to have students practice defensive spells and that the theory was good enough. Hermione and Ron seemed to notice the new teacher as well.

"He sure looks like Snape!" Ron said. "I wonder if they're related."

"Ooh I hope he's a good defense teacher. I wonder if he'll let us keep our DA club." Hermione mulled over this.

She didn't have a chance to say any more, for at that very moment the doors to the Great Hall swung open and Professor Mc Gonagall entered the room, followed by all the soaked first years standing in a line. Hagrid, their Care of Magical Creatures professor, ushered the last ones in there. The first years looked, as they did every year, very nervous and frightened. Professor Mc Gonagall set a stool in front of the line and set an old wizard's hat that was clearly worn and torn from years and years of use. Everyone quieted as the brim split into two lips and sung a song.

"The Sorting Hat Is what I am. To sort is what I do.

A grave tradition That I am A right of Passage Tried and true

Though my brim Is worn and torn And my concept Is rather old, Here I am To sort you out And find where You must go

Now you might say What have I got That would help me Make a choice

To find that out We must think about Our founders Four friends anew

They all loved Certain Qualities That made their Students shine.

Godric liked The bravest sort The cleverest Were for Salazar Ravenclaw loved Those of wit And Hufflepuff sought Those with heart

When these four left our World long past Whoever was to choose? That's when I became The sorting hat To find out which you suit

Now I must speak of the danger new I cannot refrain to say The scarred one in Gryffindor Will undoubtedly save the day

Guide him not But follow well His direction You take aim For with his help We will no doubt Live in peace again

So work hard and fair But just for now Slip me on your head And I will look To see what's there And let you follow The road ahead!"

Everyone was silent for a moment, but broke out into a loud applause. The sorting hat had given a warning last year, but was not entirely specific. Harry realized that many people were whispering, turning around, and pointing at him. No one could meet his eyes.

Everyone again quieted down as Professor Mc Gonagall called the first child foreward for sorting (Abbers, Christoffer). The sorting hat was quiet for a few seconds before shouting "HUFFLEPUFF!" This continued for quite sometime, Ron muttering throughout the ceremony that he wished they'd "hurry up and bring the feast. I'm starved!" Hermione tutted and looked irritated at Ron's lack of interest. Soon the last first year was sorted (Zimmers, Adrian) into Slytherin and Dumbledore rose to his feet.

" I will say nothing more than 'Fill up.'" He said, his blue eyes sparkling. He sat back down and with an elaborate wave of his wand, a feast appeared on every table. Everyone enjoyed each other's company and took Dumbledore's advice. By the time he arose again, everyone was completely full. "First off, I would like to welcome our new first years. We have one new teacher to add to our staff this year. His name is Dervidal Snape, our esteemed Potions teacher's younger brother. He prefers though, to be referred to as Professor Dervidal. He will be our new Potions teacher." Dumbledore paused allowing for the vigorous claps at Snape's removal to cease. "However that still leaves our Defense Against the Dark Arts position available, and I thought, as he has been wanting it for some time now, that Professor Snape should have it." There was a strong cheer from the Slytherins, and a loud groan and boo from the rest of the houses. Dumbledore cleared his throat.

"As for our usual announcements, the Forbidden Forest is off limits to everyone, even to certain Gryffindors......" he said, glancing for a long moment as he said this at Harry, Ron, and Hermione, who seemed to have a certain knack for finding their way in there unchaparoned. "There is to be no magic in the corridors and Mr. Filch has a list posted outside the Great Hall for various other banned items, including but not limited to Chocolate Frog wrappers and Exploding Snap packages. Class schedules will be given out tomorrow morning, along with another surprise, I am sure you all will want to hear of in the morning. Now. I would like to ask the first years to please follow this year's prefects to their Common Rooms. The rest of you are dismissed after the first years have exited the building. Rest Well and Good Night." With that, he left the room.

Harry remembered his meeting with Dumbledore and told the others to go ahead without him, that he needed to do something. They did so, although they did have a questioning look in their eyes. Harry made his way to Dumbledore's office, where the Professor stood outside, a tired smile appearing when he saw Harry approaching.

" Hello, Harry. Please come inside."

A/N: AHHHHH! Cliffhanger! Don't worry, I'm working on the next chapter! But give me ideas people, as I'm starting to get Writer's Block and I don't want to leave you in suspense!

Next Chapter: Harry talks to Dumbledore and notices a change in a friend....