Chapter 10, Life at Hogwarts

Sirius Black looked on as he was sitting at the Gryffindor's table as Snuffles. He couldn't believe what he was witnessing. Could his godson truly be in love with his best friends' girl? Truly Harry is the spiting image of James, but how could history repeat itself in front of him.

As the new teachers were beginning to be seated at the table Snuffles was lost in thought as Remus Lupin took his seat as the new Defense Against The Dark Arts Professor. Boos and hisses could be herd from the Slytherin table as some of the Slytherins recognized him. Draco Malfoy was particularly rude as he croaked a howl from the table. The headmaster caught Draco's eyes and Draco sat up properly before any discipline could have been given.

With a nod and a gesture from the Headmaster, Professor McGonagall opened the doors and in walked the new first years. Scared and frightened, the first year students stared at the ceiling and Harry couldn't help but to remember his first experience with Hogwarts. How Hermione recalled the entire text of Hogwarts a History and how Ron whispered into his ear about how there wasn't a witch or wizard who didn't go bad who was in Slytherin.

Harry gazed longingly at Hermione as she sat at the table looking intent at the first years. "You think she is probably sizing them up mate?" Ron whispered.

"Probably that is what she is doing. You looking forward to being a prefect?"

But before Ron could answer Harry laughed out loud as did the rest of the students, as Peeves the poltergeist, appeared from out of no where pouring butterbeer onto the old hat. Professor Dumbledore was furious with Peeves and banished him from the dining hall. Professors McGonagall and Dumbledore picked up the old hat and poured some of the beer out as the hat hiccupped and burped out this song:

"Well the time has come,
and another year b-b-begun, **hiccup**

Please listen to my old tale,
It is sure to be fun. **burp**

Once four wizards started something great,
Then there was a rift and it caused me a headache."

You could be in any of these houses,
So to thy own self be true.

For if you don't like your house,
I say Poo-poo. **burp**"

Ravenclaw is for the smartest of this crew,
So have a ready mind or maybe the eagle is not for you… **hiccup**

Hufflepuff stands for those just and loyal,
Future badgers should be ready to serve and be ready to toil…

Gryffindors are the bravest of them all,
Lions are the most hearty and love to stand tall

Slytherins are the snakes of this school,
So to the most cunning of the group I say Fu…."

Before the hat could speak Professor McGonagall yelled and put her hand to the hat's mouth, "Professor I think that is enough from this hat!"

Trying to suppress the laughter and applause that rang thru the dining hall, the Headmaster called for silence and eventually the headmaster had control again.

"Minerva, could you please fetch me some coffee."

"Are you sure you want coffee at a time like this Professor?" McGonagall mumbled.

"Its not for me… its for the hat. Or maybe you would like to wait to eat for another hour or two." Dumbledore spoke quietly.

The sorting hat shook itself and made a smile at Professor McGonagall. She came back in about 2 minutes with a cup of coffee. A bit restless the first years were terrified of the hat as Professor Dumbledore spoke to them.

"Now younglings, don't be frightened come sit on the stool and I promise the hat won't act up on you."

Professor McGonagall began to read the names, "Liam Roberts"

"GRIFFINDOR!" ** hiccup **

Harry smiled and clapped with his house, as the first student was a Gryffindor. Slowly the rest of the names were read. There were 8 in Gryffindor, 4 in Slytherin, 6 in Ravenclaw, and 9 in Hufflepuff. Then at last the last student was standing looking at the hat. He was different; he was a transfer student. Ron turned to Harry and said, "Hey! I know him. He grew up near me and went to the bloody place Krum went to school at, Durmstrang."

A hush came over the table as Professor McGonagall read his name, "Jonathan Clift-Riddle"

Ginny, Harry, Hermione and Ron all exchanged glances at each other. "Another Riddle!" Harry thought. "GRIFFINDOR!" was the only words exchanged as the look of shock great feast had begun.

At the end of the feast Jon or JC as he liked to be called, introduced himself to everyone at the table. Harry shook his hand and Jon exclaimed, "Your Harry Potter! Wow! Man.. I have wanted to meat you for sometime. Great job you did with that tournament! Congratulations on that win and so sorry to hear about Cedric."

Harry nodded and said thanks and Jon moved onto another person before Professor Dumbledore addressed the students.

"Welcome to another year at Hogwarts. I trust that each of you is eager to start this year off. And considering the time due to our incident with Peeves, I only have a few things to say. To my left we have a few new and old professors rejoining us. Professor Lupin, is here again to teach Defense Against the Dark Arts, and we are quite proud to have our newest Potions Professor, Ms. Anaranë Snape."

Every boy in the hall could do nothing but stare at the new professor. She stood up and lifted her cloak to reveal long brown locks with curls and the most hypnotic icy blue eyes anyone had ever seen. Turning to replace her thick cloak Ron tuned to Harry and said, "Whoa. She's-a-a-a-.." "Veela Ron, yep she is a ve-e-e-e-ela." Hermione said sarcastically. "No Hermione," Harry interrupted, "She is a Snape!"

Professor Dumbledore turned and dismissed the tables to their houses and let the prefects stand and take charge of the students.

"Right mate, I got to get a move on…I've got my duties to perform. This was the best sorting ever!" Ron announced and then exchanged looks to terrorize the first years. "Now where is that troll… " Ron said as he led his group off into the darkness of the castle.

"First years this way, please try to step up." Hermione spoke up. It was the first thing Hermione spoke all night. Harry smiled to himself and decided to visit her tonight with his dad's invisibility cloak tonight.

Jon came over to Harry and spoke, "Hey Harry, would you mind showing me around this place, I think I'm a bit too old for the first years and besides, Peeves looks like he is getting ready to do something to the first years over there."

Harry spun around and noticed Peeves was just coming into the hall and was getting ready to spill green goo all over the Ravenclaw first years. Cries of "eww" could be herd as the girls were all drenched with goop.

"Sure, but Jon, how did you know what Peeves was going to do?" Harry asked. "He wasn't even in the great hall?"

"Oh, so sorry, I should tell you that I can see things."

"Yeah right and I'm a weird sister."

"Well, no your not a weird sister, but I know you love your best friend's girl and your dating his sister."

Harry felt his temper rise inside of him, "Yo! That isn't cool. You need to just step…"

"Harry relax. Professor Dumbledore asked my dad if I could come here and finish my education because of you. You see Harry. You have the same power and I'm here to help you harness it."

"Right…. I'm so sure that he did."

"He expected resentment from you actually and well, I'm going to tell all how to do this with that ring on your hand. Hey so let's get a move on before that Peeves git comes back and hoses us down with that dam m goo."

"Right I guess… let's go." A hesitant Harry said.