Ooooh... Chapter 10 up! Yay! ::grins:: So... HEY did anyone go see the new
Star Trek movie? Nemesis? It was pretty good, I thought. A bit predictable,
and too dramatic or cliché sometimes, but other than that, definitely worth
seeing at least once. I can't wait to see LOTR: The Two Towers! YAY!
Although I'm MORE interested in when book 5 (HP and the Order of the
Phoenix, right?) comes out. Does anyone know a date? A rumor? Anything?
::sighs::
Note to all: Now, the difficult task to assign people schedules is coming up. I'm trying to be true to the books, but it's hard. G/S will still have CoMC together, as well as Potions. I'm going to manipulate some stuff, but bear with me. and don't nitpick! ^_^ Also, since Harry wasn't there, I really haven't got any idea about who was sorted into what house or what their names were - just imagine they're there, ok? _
Kyuu: I'll read those fics asap! Tell me what you think of this so far, kk? And please please please give me ideas on making Draco less OOC! ::cries::
The trait had arrived in Hogsmeade's station. After it had stopped, they stood and opened the door to their compartment, looking out into the corridor. Students were already scrambling to get off of the Hogwarts Express, and Harry and Draco waited for an opening to squeeze out. Knowing their luggage would be taken care of, they stepped onto the wooden platform and into the icy rain.
Over the cacophony of owls, cats, Neville's toad, Trevor, and the students' chatter, Harry could barely hear Draco's words. The pale Slytherin put his lips to Harry's ear and repeated, "C'mon - we take carriages to school. You missed that last year, didn't you?" Harry flushed as he remembered the incident with the Weasleys' flying car. The blonde laughed.
"Firs' years this way!" Hagrid's familiar roar could be heard over the calamity. Draco rolled his eyes as Harry waved to him. Beaming, Hagrid waved back, but stopped in shock as he saw who Harry was walking with. Grinning, Harry threw an arm around Draco's neck, who threw a glare at him, but tolerated the intrusion. Harry laughed, and left a very confused gamekeeper scratching his head in the rain.
As Harry couldn't see where his Gryffindor friends - he hoped - had gone, he and Draco climbed into a carriage near the end with only one other occupant - Professor Lupin. Lupin smiled at the two as they closed the door behind them. As the carriage set off by itself - perhaps there were invisible horses? - Harry could see Draco taking in the state of Lupin's robes and tattered suitcase. However, because of the wizard's prior kindness to him and Harry, he said nothing.
"Hello, Draco; Harry," the professor greeted them. "Feeling alright?"
Harry remembered the chocolate Lupin had given them after he woke up. "Yes, thanks," he replied. "The chocolate helped a lot."
Draco nodded too, and Lupin's smile broadened.
"Good," he said, placing his hands in his lap. "Because here are some more of those creatures." His cheerfulness did not hide the flicker of annoyance and dislike of the dementors.
Indeed, Harry could see through the window, that two more dementors guarded the Hogwarts gate. He leaned quickly back in his seat, shutting his eyes tightly until the wave of cold sickness had left him. The screaming did not come this time. When they'd passed the gates and Harry opened his eyes, both Draco and Professor Lupin were watching him with concern, although Draco's was hidden in his eyes alone. He smiled weakly at them, and gratefully accepted another small piece of chocolate from Lupin.
At last, the carriage rolled to a stop in front of Hogwarts. Draco got out first and held the door open for Harry and Professor Lupin.
"I'm not gonna faint again, you know," Harry said, flushing. He was briefly reminded of Arthur Weasley's over-protective-ness.
"Can't a guy be nice?" Draco asked, glancing sideways at Harry.
"If you were such a gentleman, then you'd escort me to the door!" he teased.
Draco bowed, his cloak sweeping to one side. "Right this way, sir," he said politely.
He lifted his head and grinned at Harry. They laughed. Eagerly they let the crowd pull them towards the doors. Once inside, Harry caught sight of Ron and Hermione, but couldn't get to them. Curious, he watched as McGonagall pulled Hermione to the side and led her down another hall. He'd ask later, he decided.
At the entrance to the Great Hall, he made his way to the Gryffindor table while Draco headed for Slytherin with a nod and the barest of smiles. They were back in public, after all. Harry sat down next to Ron, who scooted over obediently, but didn't say anything. Harry sighed and turned to Ginny, who blushed.
"D'you know where McGonagall took Hermione, Ginny?" he asked. She shook her head.
"No. She said something about discussing her schedule..." the youngest Weasley shrugged. A moment later, Professor Flitwick brought a three-legged stool to the front and the Hall grew quiet. The first years were lined up nevously, double-file, against one wall. Harry felt his stomach do a flip- flop. He knew exactly how they felt. He licked his lips nervously and glanced up at the staff table. Dumbledore was beaming at the first years, but he met Snape's gaze. The Potions Master's lips twitched, and he nodded to Harry, who smiled back weakly. His eyes flickered to Professor Lupin and to Hagrid. They both smiled at him. He wished his stomach would stop doing gymnastics.
He felt the hairs on his neck prickle, and turned his face to the Slytherin table. He found Draco looking straight at him. Calm down, Harry, his level gaze seemed to say. If you're going to be a Slytherin, be confident. Don't let anyone see that you're scared. It's okay. Harry held the other's gaze a moment longer, then broke it off as Flitwick cleared his throat. Harry realized that the Sorting Hat had already sung, and tried not to feel sick.
The little wizard at the front unrolled a long roll of parchment. "Abell, Gregory!" he called in a shrill voice.
A small, pink boy with sandy brown hair jumped and made his way forward. He tripped over the hem of his too-long robes, but successfully reached the stool without falling. Hesitantly, he picked up the hat and placed it on his head. It slipped down over his nose, and Seamus, sitting across from Harry, chuckled. After a moment, the Hat proclaimed the boy a HUFFLEPUFF! and Gregory ran off to join his new Housemates. Everyone clapped politely, and the Hufflepuffs cheered.
"Amons, Katherin," became the newest addition to Ravenclaw, and "Azerath, Mohan," was welcomed into Gryffindor. Soon, Harry stopped listening. He felt sick. What would he do? Would Ron and Hermione forgive him? Forgive him for what, exactly? What about Mr. and Mrs. Weasley? Hagrid? His professors? He tried to imagine peoples' reactions if he was put into Slytherin. He thought his professors would be surprised, to say the least, but kind. He thought Neville, Seamus, Dean, and Colin would probably be confused and act awkwardly around him. He knew Ron and percy would be dismayed, and Ginny hurt. Hermione would be disappointed in him, but try to be nice. He guessed that Fred and George would be okay, though. They seemed to get along with at least a couple of people in every House. He was glad of that. He sighed. What would happen would happen, no use worrying. His stomach didn't listen, though; he still felt sick.
"Zander, Rowan." The last first year, a boy with dark brown hair and pale skin came forward to be sorted into Ravenclaw. Harry paled. At that moment, Hermione sat down beside him.
"Where've you been?" Ron hissed. She opened her mouth to answer, but, at that moment, Dumbledore stood up. The Great Hall fell silent, and Harry closed his eyes.
"Welcome," the Headmaster began, "to all of our new first years!" Loud applause and cheers erupted, and Dumbledore waited patiently for a minute. "...And, of course, to all our returning students." More cheers. "Now, I know that you all are starving, but the Sorting is not quite done." He surveyed them gravely.
The students whispered furiously among themselves, confused.
"What's he mean, there aren't any more first years," Seamus whispered to Dean. "Is he blind?"
"Dunno. Maybe the kid's invisible," Dean suggested.
"I think he's finally lost it," confided Parvati.
"Shh. let him explain!" said Lavender.
Hermione and Ron looked at each other, then at Harry. Harry drew a deep breath.
"At the end of last year, continued Dumbledore, "it was brought to my attention that one of you was Sorted under... unusual circumstances. The Sorting Hat must not be influenced by outside sources. In order to insure the best conditions for this student, and for any other in the future who should find themselves in a similar situation, we have decided to allow a re-sorting." His gaze swept over the silent Hall and settled on Harry. His eyes softened. Harry looked back, nervously clasping and unclasping his hands.
Professor Flitwick cleared his throat and squeaked, "Harry Potter!"
The Hall gasped collectively. Harry Potter? The first years craned their necks to get their first glimpse of The Boy Who Lived. The rest, third years especially, muttered amongst themselves. Harry? What unusual circumstances? What other House could he possible belong in?
Harry sat, frozen to his seat. Ron hissed at him, and Hermione nudged him in the ribs. It was, again, Draco's level gaze, that got him to stand. Tearing his focus off of his... friend - he tested the word on his tongue - and not meeting anyone else's eyes, he silently made his way to the front. Aware of the hundreds of pairs of eyes locked on him, he took the proffered Hat from his Charms professor and sat on the stool. Taking a deep breath, he placed it over his head.
It still covered his eyes, he noticed wildly as the voice buzzed familiarly in his ear.
"Ho, ho! So, you're back, are you? Did you see the crop we got today? Some very nice minds, very nice. Not many new Slytherins, though. Very nice crop, yes..."
Harry gritted his teeth. "Get on with it, will you?" he muttered, clutching the seat of the stool.
"Patience is a virtue!" quipped the Hat. "You've come to me three times, you know."
"I know, and this'll be the last."
"You're not going to try to do my job for me this time, are you?" It sounded almost hurt. "I've been doing this for centuries. It's my only purpose, in fact. Don't you think I have a good idea of where to put you kids? But nooooo," it went on, "Mr. Harry Potter just has to be in Gryffindor. Won't listen to the Sorting Hat. No, not even a month of knowing about the existence of the wizarding world, but he knows where he belongs, yes sir!"
Harry rolled his eyes, exasperated. "Look, I'm sorry. But you can do your job, now, okay?" He tried to ignore the murmurs from the students looking on.
"I can put you anywhere?" asked the Hat suspiciously.
"Yes."
"Even if you're put in Hufflepuff?"
Harry blinked. "Wherever I belong," he answered slowly.
"Promise?"
"Promise."
The Hat was silent. "Well, that's certainly a pleasant change of attitude. It's been very nice getting to know you, Mr. Potter. Now that I know even more about you... Well, I guess I'm still convinced that you, Harry, Potter, belong in SLYTHERIN!" It yelled the last word gleefully.
Harry pulled the Hat off wincing. It had hollered right in his ear. He glared at the Hat, which seemed, to him, a bit smug-looking. As he turned around, though, he froze. The Hall was dead silent. Heart sinking, he completed the turn and sought familiar faces. Ron wouldn't look at him. Hermione gaped at him in open disbelief. Neville looked like he would cry, and Colin Creevy, somewhat to Harry's satisfaction, seemed to have gone into shock. Fred and George looked extremely surprised, but gave gave him weak smiles. As Harry's gaze swept the room, he saw varying degrees of surprise, horror, and unease. Finally, though, he caught sight of Draco, and smiled. The Slytherin - his fellow Slytherin, he corrected himself - was twitching his lips at him. There was no other way to describe it. Harry almost laughed as he saw Draco switching between three expressions - glaring at Harry's Gryffindor 'friends,' smiling at Harry, and trying to appear superior and arrogant simulataneously. He finally gave up, decided that no one's attention was on him, and beckoned Harry over, allowing his face to break into a rare full grin.
Harry jumped when he felt a hand on his arm. He looked down. "You may sit down, now, Mr. Potter," Flitwick murmured. His eyes were sad, although Harry couldn't tell whether it was because of the results of the re-sorting or because of the reactions from the students. Harry nodded to him, and, in the paralyzed silence, he walked slowly to the Slytherin table. Gratefully, he sank down in the space between Draco and the boy called Blaise Zabini. Draco smiled at him, a private smile. Two Slytherins can indeed be friends, Mr. Potter, he seemed to be saying. Harry let his head rest on his arms on the table. Draco's hand came to rest descreetly on his back, out of view. He could feel Ron glaring daggers at him, could almost hear the thoughts running though his "best friend's" head: 'He... he... I don't believe it. The traitor...! Slytherin... traitor... Harry...' Harry sighed inaudibly. Yes, that's certainly what Ron would be saying.
Finally, the unbearable silence was broken when Dumbledore began to speak again. "Well," he said, adjusting his half-moon glasses. "Well. I have a few things to say to you all, and as one of them is very serious, I think it best to get it out of the way before you become befuddled by out excellent feast..." Harry lifted his head. It was odd to be seated at this end of the Great Hall. He was now closer than ever to Snape, and Dumbledore sounded rather farther away. "As you all will be aware after their search of the Hogwarts Express, our school is presently playing host to some of the dementors of Azkaban who are here on Ministry of Magic business. They are stationed at every entrance to the grounds, and while they are with us, I must make it plain that nobody is to leave the school without permission. Dementors are not to be fooled by tricks or disguises, or even Invisibility Cloaks." Harry glanced at Ron, who was sneering at him, he realized with a start. Hurt, he turned away.
" - warn each and every one of you to give them no reason to harm you," Dumbledore was saying. "I look to the prefects, and our new Head Boy and Girl, to make sure no student runs afoul of the dementors."
The Headmaster paused, then smiled. "On a happier note, I am pleased to welcome two new teachers to our ranks this year. First, Professor Lupin, who has kindly consented to fill the post of Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher."
There was some unenthusiastic applause, but Harry and, he was pleased to see, Draco clapped hard. Lupin smiled at them and waved.
"What's up with Professor Snape?" Blaise asked quietly. Harry and Draco looked at the Potions Master.
Severus Snape looked livid. His expression went beyond anger - loathing, even... all directed at the mild Lupin.
"Is he mad about not getting the position?" Harry asked.
"No, he'd be used to it by now," answered Draco quietly. "He's got to know Professor Lupin from somewhere. See? He just nodded to him."
The Headmaster spoke up again. "As to our second new appointment, well, I am sorry to tell you that Professor Kettleburn, our Care of Magical Creatures teacher, retired at the end of last year in order to enjoy more time with his remaining limbs. However, I am delighted to say that his place will be filled by none other than Rubeus Hagrid, who has agreed to take on this teaching job in addition to his gamekeeping duties."
After a stunned silence, clapping broke out all over the Great Hall, especially at the Gryffindor table. Harry was the most enthusiastic by far from Slytherin, but, as he wasn't in a very festive mood, let his hands drop after a minute. Ron and Hermione were the last to stop clapping, and Harry saw Hagrid wipe his eyes with the tablecloth.
"Well, I think that's everything of importance!" said Dumbledore. "Let the feast begin!"
Chapter eleven coming up soon, I promise! I have midterms this week, but then I have two weeks vacation... I hope to get a move on then! ^_^ Reviews are read and fawned over...! ::Blushes:: it's my first (publicly available) fic! Be nice...
Note to all: Now, the difficult task to assign people schedules is coming up. I'm trying to be true to the books, but it's hard. G/S will still have CoMC together, as well as Potions. I'm going to manipulate some stuff, but bear with me. and don't nitpick! ^_^ Also, since Harry wasn't there, I really haven't got any idea about who was sorted into what house or what their names were - just imagine they're there, ok? _
Kyuu: I'll read those fics asap! Tell me what you think of this so far, kk? And please please please give me ideas on making Draco less OOC! ::cries::
The trait had arrived in Hogsmeade's station. After it had stopped, they stood and opened the door to their compartment, looking out into the corridor. Students were already scrambling to get off of the Hogwarts Express, and Harry and Draco waited for an opening to squeeze out. Knowing their luggage would be taken care of, they stepped onto the wooden platform and into the icy rain.
Over the cacophony of owls, cats, Neville's toad, Trevor, and the students' chatter, Harry could barely hear Draco's words. The pale Slytherin put his lips to Harry's ear and repeated, "C'mon - we take carriages to school. You missed that last year, didn't you?" Harry flushed as he remembered the incident with the Weasleys' flying car. The blonde laughed.
"Firs' years this way!" Hagrid's familiar roar could be heard over the calamity. Draco rolled his eyes as Harry waved to him. Beaming, Hagrid waved back, but stopped in shock as he saw who Harry was walking with. Grinning, Harry threw an arm around Draco's neck, who threw a glare at him, but tolerated the intrusion. Harry laughed, and left a very confused gamekeeper scratching his head in the rain.
As Harry couldn't see where his Gryffindor friends - he hoped - had gone, he and Draco climbed into a carriage near the end with only one other occupant - Professor Lupin. Lupin smiled at the two as they closed the door behind them. As the carriage set off by itself - perhaps there were invisible horses? - Harry could see Draco taking in the state of Lupin's robes and tattered suitcase. However, because of the wizard's prior kindness to him and Harry, he said nothing.
"Hello, Draco; Harry," the professor greeted them. "Feeling alright?"
Harry remembered the chocolate Lupin had given them after he woke up. "Yes, thanks," he replied. "The chocolate helped a lot."
Draco nodded too, and Lupin's smile broadened.
"Good," he said, placing his hands in his lap. "Because here are some more of those creatures." His cheerfulness did not hide the flicker of annoyance and dislike of the dementors.
Indeed, Harry could see through the window, that two more dementors guarded the Hogwarts gate. He leaned quickly back in his seat, shutting his eyes tightly until the wave of cold sickness had left him. The screaming did not come this time. When they'd passed the gates and Harry opened his eyes, both Draco and Professor Lupin were watching him with concern, although Draco's was hidden in his eyes alone. He smiled weakly at them, and gratefully accepted another small piece of chocolate from Lupin.
At last, the carriage rolled to a stop in front of Hogwarts. Draco got out first and held the door open for Harry and Professor Lupin.
"I'm not gonna faint again, you know," Harry said, flushing. He was briefly reminded of Arthur Weasley's over-protective-ness.
"Can't a guy be nice?" Draco asked, glancing sideways at Harry.
"If you were such a gentleman, then you'd escort me to the door!" he teased.
Draco bowed, his cloak sweeping to one side. "Right this way, sir," he said politely.
He lifted his head and grinned at Harry. They laughed. Eagerly they let the crowd pull them towards the doors. Once inside, Harry caught sight of Ron and Hermione, but couldn't get to them. Curious, he watched as McGonagall pulled Hermione to the side and led her down another hall. He'd ask later, he decided.
At the entrance to the Great Hall, he made his way to the Gryffindor table while Draco headed for Slytherin with a nod and the barest of smiles. They were back in public, after all. Harry sat down next to Ron, who scooted over obediently, but didn't say anything. Harry sighed and turned to Ginny, who blushed.
"D'you know where McGonagall took Hermione, Ginny?" he asked. She shook her head.
"No. She said something about discussing her schedule..." the youngest Weasley shrugged. A moment later, Professor Flitwick brought a three-legged stool to the front and the Hall grew quiet. The first years were lined up nevously, double-file, against one wall. Harry felt his stomach do a flip- flop. He knew exactly how they felt. He licked his lips nervously and glanced up at the staff table. Dumbledore was beaming at the first years, but he met Snape's gaze. The Potions Master's lips twitched, and he nodded to Harry, who smiled back weakly. His eyes flickered to Professor Lupin and to Hagrid. They both smiled at him. He wished his stomach would stop doing gymnastics.
He felt the hairs on his neck prickle, and turned his face to the Slytherin table. He found Draco looking straight at him. Calm down, Harry, his level gaze seemed to say. If you're going to be a Slytherin, be confident. Don't let anyone see that you're scared. It's okay. Harry held the other's gaze a moment longer, then broke it off as Flitwick cleared his throat. Harry realized that the Sorting Hat had already sung, and tried not to feel sick.
The little wizard at the front unrolled a long roll of parchment. "Abell, Gregory!" he called in a shrill voice.
A small, pink boy with sandy brown hair jumped and made his way forward. He tripped over the hem of his too-long robes, but successfully reached the stool without falling. Hesitantly, he picked up the hat and placed it on his head. It slipped down over his nose, and Seamus, sitting across from Harry, chuckled. After a moment, the Hat proclaimed the boy a HUFFLEPUFF! and Gregory ran off to join his new Housemates. Everyone clapped politely, and the Hufflepuffs cheered.
"Amons, Katherin," became the newest addition to Ravenclaw, and "Azerath, Mohan," was welcomed into Gryffindor. Soon, Harry stopped listening. He felt sick. What would he do? Would Ron and Hermione forgive him? Forgive him for what, exactly? What about Mr. and Mrs. Weasley? Hagrid? His professors? He tried to imagine peoples' reactions if he was put into Slytherin. He thought his professors would be surprised, to say the least, but kind. He thought Neville, Seamus, Dean, and Colin would probably be confused and act awkwardly around him. He knew Ron and percy would be dismayed, and Ginny hurt. Hermione would be disappointed in him, but try to be nice. He guessed that Fred and George would be okay, though. They seemed to get along with at least a couple of people in every House. He was glad of that. He sighed. What would happen would happen, no use worrying. His stomach didn't listen, though; he still felt sick.
"Zander, Rowan." The last first year, a boy with dark brown hair and pale skin came forward to be sorted into Ravenclaw. Harry paled. At that moment, Hermione sat down beside him.
"Where've you been?" Ron hissed. She opened her mouth to answer, but, at that moment, Dumbledore stood up. The Great Hall fell silent, and Harry closed his eyes.
"Welcome," the Headmaster began, "to all of our new first years!" Loud applause and cheers erupted, and Dumbledore waited patiently for a minute. "...And, of course, to all our returning students." More cheers. "Now, I know that you all are starving, but the Sorting is not quite done." He surveyed them gravely.
The students whispered furiously among themselves, confused.
"What's he mean, there aren't any more first years," Seamus whispered to Dean. "Is he blind?"
"Dunno. Maybe the kid's invisible," Dean suggested.
"I think he's finally lost it," confided Parvati.
"Shh. let him explain!" said Lavender.
Hermione and Ron looked at each other, then at Harry. Harry drew a deep breath.
"At the end of last year, continued Dumbledore, "it was brought to my attention that one of you was Sorted under... unusual circumstances. The Sorting Hat must not be influenced by outside sources. In order to insure the best conditions for this student, and for any other in the future who should find themselves in a similar situation, we have decided to allow a re-sorting." His gaze swept over the silent Hall and settled on Harry. His eyes softened. Harry looked back, nervously clasping and unclasping his hands.
Professor Flitwick cleared his throat and squeaked, "Harry Potter!"
The Hall gasped collectively. Harry Potter? The first years craned their necks to get their first glimpse of The Boy Who Lived. The rest, third years especially, muttered amongst themselves. Harry? What unusual circumstances? What other House could he possible belong in?
Harry sat, frozen to his seat. Ron hissed at him, and Hermione nudged him in the ribs. It was, again, Draco's level gaze, that got him to stand. Tearing his focus off of his... friend - he tested the word on his tongue - and not meeting anyone else's eyes, he silently made his way to the front. Aware of the hundreds of pairs of eyes locked on him, he took the proffered Hat from his Charms professor and sat on the stool. Taking a deep breath, he placed it over his head.
It still covered his eyes, he noticed wildly as the voice buzzed familiarly in his ear.
"Ho, ho! So, you're back, are you? Did you see the crop we got today? Some very nice minds, very nice. Not many new Slytherins, though. Very nice crop, yes..."
Harry gritted his teeth. "Get on with it, will you?" he muttered, clutching the seat of the stool.
"Patience is a virtue!" quipped the Hat. "You've come to me three times, you know."
"I know, and this'll be the last."
"You're not going to try to do my job for me this time, are you?" It sounded almost hurt. "I've been doing this for centuries. It's my only purpose, in fact. Don't you think I have a good idea of where to put you kids? But nooooo," it went on, "Mr. Harry Potter just has to be in Gryffindor. Won't listen to the Sorting Hat. No, not even a month of knowing about the existence of the wizarding world, but he knows where he belongs, yes sir!"
Harry rolled his eyes, exasperated. "Look, I'm sorry. But you can do your job, now, okay?" He tried to ignore the murmurs from the students looking on.
"I can put you anywhere?" asked the Hat suspiciously.
"Yes."
"Even if you're put in Hufflepuff?"
Harry blinked. "Wherever I belong," he answered slowly.
"Promise?"
"Promise."
The Hat was silent. "Well, that's certainly a pleasant change of attitude. It's been very nice getting to know you, Mr. Potter. Now that I know even more about you... Well, I guess I'm still convinced that you, Harry, Potter, belong in SLYTHERIN!" It yelled the last word gleefully.
Harry pulled the Hat off wincing. It had hollered right in his ear. He glared at the Hat, which seemed, to him, a bit smug-looking. As he turned around, though, he froze. The Hall was dead silent. Heart sinking, he completed the turn and sought familiar faces. Ron wouldn't look at him. Hermione gaped at him in open disbelief. Neville looked like he would cry, and Colin Creevy, somewhat to Harry's satisfaction, seemed to have gone into shock. Fred and George looked extremely surprised, but gave gave him weak smiles. As Harry's gaze swept the room, he saw varying degrees of surprise, horror, and unease. Finally, though, he caught sight of Draco, and smiled. The Slytherin - his fellow Slytherin, he corrected himself - was twitching his lips at him. There was no other way to describe it. Harry almost laughed as he saw Draco switching between three expressions - glaring at Harry's Gryffindor 'friends,' smiling at Harry, and trying to appear superior and arrogant simulataneously. He finally gave up, decided that no one's attention was on him, and beckoned Harry over, allowing his face to break into a rare full grin.
Harry jumped when he felt a hand on his arm. He looked down. "You may sit down, now, Mr. Potter," Flitwick murmured. His eyes were sad, although Harry couldn't tell whether it was because of the results of the re-sorting or because of the reactions from the students. Harry nodded to him, and, in the paralyzed silence, he walked slowly to the Slytherin table. Gratefully, he sank down in the space between Draco and the boy called Blaise Zabini. Draco smiled at him, a private smile. Two Slytherins can indeed be friends, Mr. Potter, he seemed to be saying. Harry let his head rest on his arms on the table. Draco's hand came to rest descreetly on his back, out of view. He could feel Ron glaring daggers at him, could almost hear the thoughts running though his "best friend's" head: 'He... he... I don't believe it. The traitor...! Slytherin... traitor... Harry...' Harry sighed inaudibly. Yes, that's certainly what Ron would be saying.
Finally, the unbearable silence was broken when Dumbledore began to speak again. "Well," he said, adjusting his half-moon glasses. "Well. I have a few things to say to you all, and as one of them is very serious, I think it best to get it out of the way before you become befuddled by out excellent feast..." Harry lifted his head. It was odd to be seated at this end of the Great Hall. He was now closer than ever to Snape, and Dumbledore sounded rather farther away. "As you all will be aware after their search of the Hogwarts Express, our school is presently playing host to some of the dementors of Azkaban who are here on Ministry of Magic business. They are stationed at every entrance to the grounds, and while they are with us, I must make it plain that nobody is to leave the school without permission. Dementors are not to be fooled by tricks or disguises, or even Invisibility Cloaks." Harry glanced at Ron, who was sneering at him, he realized with a start. Hurt, he turned away.
" - warn each and every one of you to give them no reason to harm you," Dumbledore was saying. "I look to the prefects, and our new Head Boy and Girl, to make sure no student runs afoul of the dementors."
The Headmaster paused, then smiled. "On a happier note, I am pleased to welcome two new teachers to our ranks this year. First, Professor Lupin, who has kindly consented to fill the post of Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher."
There was some unenthusiastic applause, but Harry and, he was pleased to see, Draco clapped hard. Lupin smiled at them and waved.
"What's up with Professor Snape?" Blaise asked quietly. Harry and Draco looked at the Potions Master.
Severus Snape looked livid. His expression went beyond anger - loathing, even... all directed at the mild Lupin.
"Is he mad about not getting the position?" Harry asked.
"No, he'd be used to it by now," answered Draco quietly. "He's got to know Professor Lupin from somewhere. See? He just nodded to him."
The Headmaster spoke up again. "As to our second new appointment, well, I am sorry to tell you that Professor Kettleburn, our Care of Magical Creatures teacher, retired at the end of last year in order to enjoy more time with his remaining limbs. However, I am delighted to say that his place will be filled by none other than Rubeus Hagrid, who has agreed to take on this teaching job in addition to his gamekeeping duties."
After a stunned silence, clapping broke out all over the Great Hall, especially at the Gryffindor table. Harry was the most enthusiastic by far from Slytherin, but, as he wasn't in a very festive mood, let his hands drop after a minute. Ron and Hermione were the last to stop clapping, and Harry saw Hagrid wipe his eyes with the tablecloth.
"Well, I think that's everything of importance!" said Dumbledore. "Let the feast begin!"
Chapter eleven coming up soon, I promise! I have midterms this week, but then I have two weeks vacation... I hope to get a move on then! ^_^ Reviews are read and fawned over...! ::Blushes:: it's my first (publicly available) fic! Be nice...