Begin Chapter Four
Chapter 4: Getting to Know You
"Class settle down this instant! You are sixth years, I need not remind you to behave." The stern voice of Professor McGonagall quieted the Gryffindor class quickly. "I understand that you are excited about our new students. And quite happy that you get out my class early as well," she said dryly. "But behave yourselves. We must show these girls that we are well mannered…"
At that moment, Seamus let out an extremely loud belch and the whole class went into hysterics. Professor McGonagall gave the class so stern a stare that the grins faded right off everyone's faces as quickly as they got there.
"And that we are an excellent school," she continued. "They must see that their arriving here doesn't get us in a frenzy. They are just new students though their situation is most serious. Which brings me to my next topic. Under NO circumstances, will ANY of you bring up what is going on with their family or You-Know-Who. I will not hesitate to take away five hundred points."
She peered at the class over her glasses and let what she just said sink in.
"You all may be excused to the castle entrance to meet our new arrivals."
The whole class all but Disapparated out of the room. Everyone was anxious to see the girls from New York.
"How do you think they'll look Harry?" Ron asked which drew a loud groan from Hermione.
"Ron is that all you think about? You are really beginning to annoy me!"
"Well who was talking to you anyway? My goodness I asked Harry!" Hermione huffed off and walked over to Parvati Patil, Ginny Weasley, and Lavender Brown and threw a withering glance over her shoulder at Ron.
"Really Ron, do you think that was necessary. I mean, you two argue like you're married," said Harry.
"Ugh, Harry. I will not even dignify that comment with an answer," Ron said haughtily, imitating Hermione. "And like I asked before I was so rudely interrupted, how do you think they'll look Harry? Do you think they'll look like Fluer or Professor Dean," Ron said dreamily.
"I dunno. Do you think just because they're from New York that they'll have horns or something?" They both laughed at the visual. Harry and Ron met up with Seamus, who had just learned he was getting a detention for "extreme lack of control over his bodily functions", and Dean, who didn't want to let Seamus live it down. As they entered the grounds, they noticed how crowded it was. Everyone was out there.
"Bloody hell! There weren't even this many people when we were supposed to meet all the contestants for the TriWizard Tournament! And the whole school was out here!"
"Wait. There are people from the Ministry of Magic. I think they're here to formally welcome the girls to Hogwarts since they're coming from so far," Dean said. "I think there's even some reporters from the Daily Prophet."
"Ugh, just my luck. Guess which of my favorite reporters is coming this way right now?" Harry said. As the boys looked, they say Rita Skeeter scurrying towards them. She had been reinstated as a reporter after Sirius had gotten his name cleared. She used the fact that he was an unregistered Animagi as well to get herself off with only a few fines. She was wearing robes of acid green with a magenta fur collar. Her long nails, which were wrapped around a Quick-Notes Quill, were shocking pink. The look on Harry's face was one of pure disgust but on Hermione's there was pure loathing.
"Oh Harry! My dear friend…," Rita started off.
"I am NOT your friend Rita. What do you want?" The fake smile on Rita's face remained plastered (even after Harry's comment), revealing some gold teeth.
"Ah, Harry. Ever the jokester! Now, I want to know how you feel about these two girls coming to Hogwarts. Rumor is that because He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named is after them, that it'll take the spotlight away from you? How do you feel about that?" She had her Quick-Notes Quill ready to right down her twisted version of what Harry would say.
"If I were to throw a stick would you leave?" Harry said, glaring at Rita. His hatred for her showed clearly in the look on his face.
"I'm afraid I don't understand you Harry," Rita said, her fake smile faltering slightly.
"You are a mangy dog looking for someone to throw you a bone, woman! Even I got it!" Ron screamed. The smile on Rita Skeeter's face melted off her face and her true colors shone through. Her eyes blared with pure venom. Her face was a nasty shade of magenta to match her collar.
"I could ruin your life with just this quill alone! Although, the quality of it now is questionable due to your mongrel of a father. So I suggest you treat me with respect!" Ron turned red and clenched his fists.
Just as Harry was about to shoot back his remark, he heard a familiar voice.
"And I suggest that you stop harassing this Mister Potter and Mister Weasley or you will be kicked off the grounds. I will make sure of it,' Professor Dean appeared out of nowhere. There was disdain on her face as she looked at Rita.
"And just who are you?" Rita sneered.
"I am the new Defense against the Dark Arts teacher, Professor Dean." Rita snickered at Professor Dean.
"Well, you have no power. You won't last here. They never do. Seems that this school can't hold a decent Defense against the Dark Arts teacher for long. Especially one that looks like she should be studying here rather than teaching." Rita looked smug.
"Such a long speech for a complete idiot," Professor Dean said, shaking her head slowly. "How long did it take you to come up with that measly comeback, you featherwit? If you don't mind, I will escort you off the grounds now. Unless, of course, you have any objections?" Professor Dean had her wand at the ready and it was pointed directly at Rita. She looked quite deadly. Harry thought it stupid if Rita didn't listen to Professor Dean.
"Er… none at all. No objections. I think I'll escort myself, thank you." Rita's voice was oddly high and she looked rather terrified. She walked towards the gate looking behind her every couple of steps. Harry, Seamus, and Dean looked at Professor Dean in amazement. Ron looked like he was in love.
"You didn't have to do that, Professor Dean. She might write something nasty about you," Harry said. Professor Dean looked at him with an eyebrow raised and a smirk tugging at the ends of her mouth.
"Well, that's the best thank you I've ever received."
"Oh no, thank you. I really appreciated it. I've never seen anyone go toe to toe with Rita Skeeter and not back down. It was amazing," Harry said.
"It wasn't amazing Harry. People like her disgust me. She didn't need to harass you like that. Now if you'll excuse me gentlemen, I must go meet with Professor Dumbledore. Good evening."
As Professor Dean was walking away, Ron gave a strangled cry.
"I LOVE YOU!" Professor Dean turned around and looked at Ron like he was a complete nutcase.
"He is a very disturbed little boy," she muttered under her breath. She smiled at him just the same. Ron looked so enraptured that he didn't notice that Harry, Seamus and Dean were nearly on the floor rolling in hysterical fits of laughter.
All of a sudden, the gates opened up and everyone got silent. It pulled up to the steps of the castle. Everyone waited with bated breath. Hagrid came out and held the door open. The first girl to step out was Ava. Harry felt his heart skip a beat. He thought she was gorgeous. Then, Dinah then stepped out of the carriage and looked around at the crowd. Harry saw Malfoy smirk Dinah's way. There was a long silence where the crowd stared at the girls and the girls stared at the crowd. So Dumbledore decided to break the ice.
"Well, well. Our long-awaited arrivals have arrived." The girls smiled. They were instantly flocked by representatives of the Ministry and reporters, who were shaking their hands and asking questions.
"Welcome to Hogwarts. As you can see, a lot of people have been eager to meet you. But the meeting comes later after the Sorting and the feast," Dumbledore said pointedly looking at the reporters. "Come along."
Ava smiled nervously at Hagrid and gave a little wave. He gave her a reassuring smile. Dumbledore escorted the girls into the building. At once, everyone started buzzing.
"Ron, did you see the first girl? She was…wow!" Harry looked at Ron.
"Yeah they were pretty cute. But they aren't even in the same league as Professor Dean. Did you see her smile at me? Did you?"
"You're hopeless Ron," Seamus said. "Let's go see the Sorting."
Everyone poured into the Great Hall. They could see the two sisters standing side by side by the stool, where the Sorting Hat had already been placed. They were now in their robes. They looked apprehensive. Everyone was seated rather quickly, for they all wanted to see where the girls would end up. When everyone was settled, the hat burst into song, startling the two girls by the stool. Sniggers erupted in the hall.
"Settle down! Now we won't waste time about this. Just place the hat on your head and relax," Professor McGonagall said. "Ava Richardson, you are first."
Ava stepped up and put the hat on as she sat on the stool. It took a few moments before the hat yelled "GRYFFINDOR!" The table burst into applause. Harry clapped the hardest. Ava smiled at walked to the table. She sat down across from Harry, next to Hermione. Everyone was shaking her hand and she smiled.
"Dinah Richardson." Dinah put the hat on her head. The Hall was quiet as she sat there. There was a tense silence that seemed to last forever. Professor McGonagall looked like she was about to rip the hat off when the tear at the seams opened up and yelled…
"SLYTHERIN!"
End Chapter Four