AN: I know when I updated last I said I'd try to add another chapter that day but I had a little trouble with it in the beginning and then I lost my disk. I also promised that I'd write a long chapter, which to my standards I think I did. Thank you to Serpena for always encouraging me to write more. To everyone from Villagers who reads this, I miss you! Please everyone read and review I really appreciate it. Thanks.
LHG
Harry hurried off the train following Hermione. He understood what he had to do but he just followed Hermione's lead since she had already supervised the first years the year before.
"Firs' this way. Hello Harry. 'Ows yer summer been," Hagrid asked. Harry gazed up at the shadow of a figure twice as tall as an average man.
"Hey Hagrid. It's been fine. See you, then," Harry said. Harry started walking towards the carriages when he bumped into Leah looking very confused.
"Harry, where am I supposed to go?" Leah asked. "Where's Hermione?"
"I doesn't matter right now just follow me," Harry answered. Harry set off into the darkness towards the carriages Leah trailing close behind. When they reached the carriages Leah let out a gasp. Harry turned to her seeing her looking wide eyed at the theastrels. "What are those?" she asked. Harry could hear the fear in her voice as she continued to stare.
"You can see them?"
"Of course I can see them. Do you think I'm blind?" Leah retorted.
"It's not that," Harry explained. "The only people that can see theastrels are people who have seen death. Have you ever seen anyone die before?"
"No, but if I haven't seen anyone die then why can I see them?" Leah said.
"I don't know but maybe Hermione'll have a good reason," he finished.
They met up with Ron, Ginny, Hermione and Neville who were saving them seats on the carriage. When they finally entered the castle there was a long line to get into the Great Hall. Harry was just about to step inside when he felt something tugging on his robes.
"Harry come on," Hermione said impatiently. "Where we going?" he asked as she pulled him away from the crowd. "Didn't you hear McGonagall she said she wanted to see us in her office," Hermione said answered still pulling Harry along. In a matter of minutes they had arrived at her office.
"The three of you please come with me," she said briskly. She closed the door behind them.
"Please be seated," It was then Harry realized that Dumbledore wanted to speak to them. He looked around and also realized that when McGonagall meant the three of them she referring to him, Hermione and Leah, not Ron as he had thought. "I think you are all wondering why I have asked to speak to you. As you must already know Leah is a new student here. We are going to sort her in here before the first years," As he spoke he went to he picked up the tatty old sorting hat and placed it on her head. They sat there for a few minutes when finally the Sorting Hat shouted, "Gryffindor!" Quickly McGonagall took the hat back from Leah's head and hurried off back to the Great Hall with the stool and hat in hand.
"Now, Miss Granger and Mr. Potter, do you understand what this means?"
"Excuse me professor but what are you talking about?" Harry said.
"I am putting Miss Granger in charge of getting tutoring Leah with the work she missed. Harry you will be in charge of teaching Leah to fly. Leah you must understand your position carefully. We do not know what learning level you are on. I want you to be cooperative. We are going to give you prefect privileges for this year, but if you do not maintain good grades you will lose these privileges next year. You, unfortunately unlike all the other students are not eligible to become head girl. That is the reason you are being given these privileges. Do not abuse them," Dumbledore finally finished.
"I promise I won't professor and I'll work as hard as I can to catch up to the other students," Leah said.
"Now then let's go down to the feast I expect the staff is wondering where I am," Dumbledore said. They stepped out into the corridor and headed down to the feast.
"What took you so long?" Ron said when they finally sat down at the Gryffindor table.
"Dumbledore wanted to talk to us. He told Harry and Hermione that they have to help me catch up to everyone else. Well, actually Harry's just gonna teach me how to fly," Leah jumped in quickly.
"Yeah and get this Leah's got prefect privileges," Hermione said. Harry was still trying to ignore Ron, but it wasn't very easy.
"How?" Ron exclaimed jealously.
"Dumbledore said it's because I'm not eligible for head girl. I really don't understand why I got it,"
"Oh, ok then," he said coolly.
"You don't have go get mad at me too, ok. It's not mine or Harry's fault we didn't ask for it," Leah said with annoyance. Dinner went on in silence for a few more minutes when Dumbledore suddenly stood up. The whole hall went quiet within a matter of seconds, "Welcome back to Hogwarts for yet another year of learning. I would like to welcome Professor Serpena Snape. She has willingly accepted this position as a favor to me. I would also like to welcome Professor Wood. He is taking the place of Madame Hooch, who unfortunately had an accident while on a broomstick and tragically died. I would like to remind everyone that no one is to go into the Forbidden Forest. Quidditch try-outs will be held at the end of this week. Please see your team captain for the date and time. Now I think it is about time you all go to bed," Dumbledore said.
As everyone trooped out of the Great Hall sleepily Hermione and Harry called, "Gryffindors this way," As the shy first years diligently followed them Harry seemed to notice Leah was following also. He led them all up the stairs and down corridors until they finally reached the portrait of the Fat Lady. "Glumbumble," Hermione said as the portrait swung open. Leah looked around in amazement as Harry told the first years where to go. "Come on Leah I'll show you to your dormitory but then I want to start catching you up. You have a lot to learn before you start class tomorrow," Hermione led the way to the dormitory. Harry climbed the stairs to his own dormitory. Ron had already fallen asleep but Dean, Seamus and Neville were still awake. They were talking about the new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher.
"I hope she isn't like Snape. Don you think she's his sister?" Neville was saying as he pulled his pajamas on.
"I don't know. Maybe she's his daughter." Said Seamus while he got into his bed. Dean, who was still hanging up posters seemed to think for a second before he said, " She seems too young to be his daughter," Then suddenly he made a face that showed he was disgusted by the thought. "Maybe she's his wife."
"Ugh Snape married!" Harry said. " That's wrong!" (AN: no offense Serpena) After his long day he got sleepily into his four-poster and pulled the hangings shut and fell asleep.