"Malfoy, I mean Draco, I think that it's very brave of you to stand up to your father," Hermione said. Ron and Harry rolled their eyes at Hermione's attempt to be nice the Slytherin. With one menacing look from her, Harry realized that if he didn't want to spend the rest of the trip being lectured, he would have to speak to Draco also.

"So...umm, Draco, how did you do in your OWL's," Harry, asked half-heartedly.

"Why do you care Potter? It's not we're friends or something," Draco replied.

"Listen Draco, I know that. I was just trying to be nice. It looks like we will be working together after all," Harry replied calmly.

"So Saint Potter wants to be friends after all these years. What a joke that would be, the Great Harry Potter befriending a Slytherin!" Draco said bitterly.

"Just sod off Malfoy. Why don't you go find your two goons or something," Ron said angrily.

"Shows what you know about loyalty weasel, or maybe you're just as thick as you are poor. I just told you that my father has disowned me, that means that most of Slytherin have disowned me too." Draco said. Realization crept over the three friends, now fully understanding just how much Draco had given up.

"I'm not trying to be this 'Saint Potter' you seem to have in your head, I was just trying to make small-talk Draco. If Professor Dumbledore has faith in you, so do I, unless you prove otherwise," Harry said genuinely.

"Well gee thanks for the vote of confidence, Potter." Draco said turning to leave the compartment. With one glare from Hermione Ron stood up to speak with Draco.

"Malfoy, why don't you just stay here, with us?" Ron asked. Looking around at all of their faces he decided he might as well stay. At least he would have a chance to make fun of them.

The remainder of the voyage passed by in a haze of conversation. Ron and Harry hadn't been the least bit shocked to find out that Hermione had garnered 12 OWL's just like Percy had. Hermione gave them a long lecture on how if they had studied as much as she had they would have done better too, which went on far longer that it ought to have done (As far as Harry and Ron were concerned, It should have finished the moment it started). Harry was quite proud of the 9 OWL's that he had achieved, and he thought Ron did well to manage his 7 OWL's. The subject gradually changed into talking about theories of what they were going be involved in at the ministry, all of the possible adventures to be had. Harry only wished that he would be apprenticed with his two best friends.

Before they knew it they were de-boarding the train, finally ready to start their 6th year at Hogwarts. The first years that already looked frightfully nervous, seemed to all turn a ghostly pale when Hagrid's booming voice called "Firs' years this way". Ginny and Luna ran to catch up with them.
"Where have you been? Did you forget about the prefect meeting on the train?" Ginny asked, looking curiously at Draco.

"The headmaster knows that we weren't at the meeting. He had some other things for us to do," Draco told her.

"I wasn't asking you Malfoy," Ginny said angrily. With a look from Harry she decided not to question his presence anymore. They all found seats on carriages and mage their way to the castle.

Entering the Great Hall at the beginning of term always made Harry happy. The odd group said their good-byes and went to their own house tables. Once they sat down Ginny immediately launched into questioning them about Draco.

"What are you doing hanging out with that prat Malfoy?" Ginny demanded.

"Shhh! He's denounced his father, can you believe it? Dumbledore trusts him, so I believe I trust him too. As long as he remains civil, we can be civil too," Hermione said.

They didn't have the opportunity to fill Ginny in on the rest because Professor McGonagall was shepherding the first years to the front of the hall. With one look from the stern deputy headmistress the hall became silent. Every eye turned to the hat to see what song it would deliver this year.

"O'er a thousand years ago,
There dwelled the Hogwarts four.
They built a school of magic,
To let young minds soar

These great wizards and witches alike,
Each had an excellence to strive
They each built a house, dubbed with their name,
And put brains in me to keep them alive.

You may find yourself in Gryffindor,
The house of scarlet and gold.
Where dwell the hearty lion,
Brave, smart, and bold!

Or maybe you'll be in Slytherin
The house of silver and green
Where those with wit and cunning,
Strive to achieve their means!

Perhaps in Ravenclaw,
The house of bronze and blue,
For those with the smarts,
Always stay true!

Maybe dear Hufflepuff,
The house of yellow and black
Where dwell the just and loyal,
Now we're on the right track

So put me on,
I'll climb right in
Place me on that head
And let's begin!"



"When I call your names please step up and I will place the Sorting Hat on your head. After you are placed, please make you way to your new house table."
After the sorting ceremony, the headmaster rose to make a speech.

"I would like to remind all students that the Forbidden Forest is, possibly to no-one's surprise, forbidden. Mr. Filch has asked me to remind all students that there are to be absolutely no fireworks in the hall this year, although as I understand we had a beautiful display last year."
This brought a good few snickers from the Gryffindor table.
"I'm sorry to have missed that, but on with the announcements. Quidditch trials will begin next week. House captains will be posting schedules soon. I would also like to welcome Professor Lupin back to the staff, He will be resuming his post as Defense Against the Dark Arts instructor.
As I cannot think of anything else of much importance that you won't forget, let's eat!" Dumbledore said as he sat back down.

"I can't believe it! Professor Lupin came back, I must say it's good to know that we have a proper teacher to prepare us for our NEWT exams," Hermione said

"Hermione we have two years until then, give it a rest already," Ron said in between mouthfuls.

"You can never be too prepared, Ron," Hermione replied huffily.

"So who is our team captain this year anyways?" Harry asked quickly wanting to change the subject.

"What are you, daft or something mate? You're the only person left besides me," Ron said.

"Oh, I guess you're right. We'll have to make some plans when we get to the common room" Harry told his Ron, his mind already streaming ahead with half-formed ideas about the Quidditch team

Soon everyone had eaten and started leaving the Great Hall. Just as the trio were leaving, Professor McGonagall stopped them.

"Ms. Weasley, if you excuse us for a moment, I need to speak with Harry, Ron, and Hermione. They won't be long, I assure you."

"We'll catch up with you in a minute Ginny." Hermione said.

"As you know, you are to start apprenticing at the Ministry this year." McGonagall said. "I will need you to report to my office tomorrow morning for further instructions. Mr. Potter you have been playing on the Quiddtich team the longest, and I have full confidence that you will make sure we are ready to compete for the House cup. That will be all, I suggest you all head up to Gryffindor tower."

Harry, Ron, and Hermione had just entered the common room to find everyone in quite a state of… -Next author will start here.

By Dadelius, (song by AddisonRae)