Hi!!! I'm so glad people reviewed! This will hopefully be another long chapter.

I don't own Harry Potter!

Oh and thank you to amythest, Artemis fire mage of Golin, and Lady Lin. (Sorry for not thanking you last chapter!) The reviews were very encouraging.

Now on to the chapter!

/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\ (This has officially become my tradition!) (September 1st)

Confusion. That was the best word to describe the Burrow at this point in time. Everyone was running around trying to finish packing for the train ride to school.

Mrs. Weasley was yelling upstairs for Ginny to hurry up and come down so she could have breakfast. Mr. Weasley was trying to carry out Hermione's trunk, that she had cleverly packed the night before, but was having a slight problem. Crookshanks, who had not been stowed away in his basket, was weaving between the poor man's ankles forcing him to do an odd kind of shuffle so he could get out the door without killing the creature. The twins were walking around sort of dazed, due to lack of sleep, as they had been up late into the night inventing more tricks to play on the first years. Fred had a piece of toast partially in his mouth, that he must have forgotten to eat, and George had a comb stuck in his un- brushed hair. The two were so out of it that when they tried to get to their room they went into Ginny's instead.

"What are you doing!?!" Ginny shrieked from the floor where she was kneeling in front of her trunk, " You can't just barge in here whenever you please. Haven't you heard of knocking? Don't I have any privacy?" (Obviously she was a little stressed.)

George, being the intelligent person that he is, answered, "Huh?"

Ginny got up marched over to where her brothers stood and shoved them both out the door slamming it shut behind them.

Fred looked at George and asked quiet seriously, "Since when does Ginny live in our room?"

George shrugged and they both went downstairs.

Finally, everyone had everything they needed out in the car. It had taken lots of screaming, tons of collisions, but now the whole group was ready to go. Some had made it out of the mess easier than others. Mr. Weasley had definitely had more than his fair share of stubbed toes from trying to get all the trunks out to the car. Also, Hermione and Ron were nursing aching foreheads since they had whacked into each other's head. Ron had dropped one of his books, nearly cracking Crookshanks on the head with it in the process. When he had went to pick it up Hermione had been rushing over to sooth her cat, and well, it wasn't a pretty picture.

Mostly everyone else had gotten out unscathed but tempers were still running high. That was partially because they were going to be late getting to the station.again. As soon as they made it to King's Cross, they grabbed carts, piled their trunks on them and made a mad dash for the platform. They probably weren't being as cautious as they should have been when entering the platform, but time was of the essence.

Harry, Ron, and Hermione charged at the 'solid' wall first bursting into the platform on the other side. The trio was closely followed by the twins, Ginny, and Mr. and Mrs. Weasley. They all hurriedly said goodbye to the Weasley parents then scrambled to get their trunks into an empty compartment. Harry and Ron had just finished settling Ginny's trunk inside when the scarlet steam engine let out a shrill whistle and began to move.

The three friends flopped down on the seats with contented sighs. Ginny and the twins had left to go look for their friends so they were alone.

"This is the first time I've gotten to actually sit down and relax all morning." Ron sighed.

Hermione nodded in agreement as she fiddled with the ties on Crookshanks basket so she could let him out. She finally succeeded and was able to sit down herself as Crookshanks got out of his carrier and settled on her lap.

The trip started out rather well, Harry and Ron talked about Quidditch while Hermione had stuffed her nose in a book. The witch with the food cart came around so Harry got them all cauldron cakes, chocolate frogs, and other assorted sweets. Nothing could go wrong as far as Harry was concerned, but every time things are going well something has to come by and ruin it. This time instead of being something, per say, it was someone.well, two someones.

Crabbe and Goyle stood just outside their compartment door.

"What do you want?" Ron asked harshly.

"Uh." Goyle looked at Crabbe trying to come up with an insulting answer. They weren't doing to well.

"Stupid!" Crabbe stated triumphantly pointing at Ron. He was obviously very proud.

Ron rolled his eyes, Harry quirked an eyebrow, while Hermione just gave an exasperated sigh.

Crabbe looked disappointed; this was obviously not the effect he had expected to get from his "great" insult. He was about to make another comment when someone rushed past both of them into the compartment and shut the door. It was Ginny.

"What?" She asked confused when the trio just stared at her. She frowned then asked worriedly, "I'm sorry, did I interrupt anything?"

It was just too much Harry started to chuckle a little. Which made both Ron Hermione start laughing as well.

Ginny was utterly confused so Harry explained to her what she had just done. She also found it funny and they all laughed for a while.

"So Ginny," Ron began after he caught his breath, "Where's the fire?"

"Oh," Ginny smiled as she took a seat which happened to be right next to Harry, "I was with my friends and it got too crowded in their compartment. There was no place to sit, or to stand for that matter. So I came here hoping there would be an empty seat."

"We have a few." Harry stated from beside her. It was then that Ginny realized exactly whom she had sat next to and she blushed scarlet. Harry pretended not to notice.

"Crabbe and Goyle sure are bad at insults." Ron chuckled thinking about the previous incident.

"Obviously that's why they hang out with Draco," Hermione stated thoughtfully, "He does the thinking and the talking while they're the muscles of the group."

"I suppose you're right Hermione." Harry stated in a content voice. Well. almost content something was really starting to bug him. Why wasn't Draco with Crabbe and Goyle? He had to get to school somehow and if he were on the train his lackeys would be with him. It just didn't make sense.

He was broken out of his thoughts when he felt the train begin to slow.

"We need to change!" Hermione cried out in panic as she flipped open her trunk and grabbed her robes. She and Ginny left the compartment to change as Ron and Harry hurriedly pulled on their robes. They managed to get dressed just as they pulled into the Hogsmeade station.

When they got off the train instead of hearing Hagrid's booming voice call out for the first years it was Filch. They hurried past the grouchy old caretaker giving the terrified first years sympathetic looks as they passed. Harry, Ron, Hermione, and Ginny all piled into one of the horseless carriages shutting the door behind them. As soon as they were all in the carriage began to make its way up to the castle.

"I wonder where Hagrid is?" Ginny asked thoughtfully. "He's always taken the first years across the lake before."

"I think he went on a trip." Harry answered. He wasn't lying Hagrid had gone on a trip. Harry had just. skipped a couple parts about the trip; like the fact that Hagrid was going to see the giants on this vacation.

Hermione and Ron nodded in agreement with Harry's statement. Harry had told Ron and Hermione about the letter he had received so they knew all the details.

Soon the carriage had pulled up to a stop at the castle doors allowing all the students to enter the Great Hall.

Harry was in complete bliss. He was finally home. He was only broken out of his reverie when Ginny made a comment.

"I love that ceiling," Ginny whispered dreamily as they entered the Hall.

Hermione nodded in agreement as the four friends took their seats at the Gryffindor table. The other students trickled into the hall and the noise was reaching a crescendo when Professor McGonagall walked in with the first years lined up behind her. The hall fell silent as she brought the sorting hat out. The hat's rip for a mouth opened and it began to sing. (Look at this! I was so bored I made up my own sorting hat song! Tell me what you think.)

Oh you may think I'm tattered, All battered up and worn. But for a thousand years my seems have held, And will for a thousand more.

The four great founders formed me into what you see today, A clever cap that will last as long as the school they made.

And just to make sure I did the job right, They put some of their thoughts into me that night.

Knowledgeable and lovely Ravenclaw wanted students who were wise, Children who would go any length to learn in their lives.

Faithful Lady Hufflepuff wanted students who were true, People who when troubled always found a way to pull through.

Next great Slytherin wanted students who were clever, Pupils who could always find a way to what they wanted, whenever.

Lastly brave Gryffindor treasured students who had chivalry, Friends who never gave up and treasured everyone in their company.

So try me on and see where you fit in, I'm sure wherever I place you the match will be a win.

After the hat finished the hall burst into applause. The hat bowed and then fell still as Professor McGonagall rolled out a piece of parchment.

"Allanby, Trieste," Professor McGonagall called up the first student to be sorted.

"Ravenclaw!" the hat shouted after it had sat on her head for a minute or two.

Harry's thoughts drifted from the sorting. He had one question on his mind. Who was the new defense against the dark arts teacher? His eyes went up to the staff table. The normal teachers were there. well all of them except Hagrid. Snape looked rather grouchy still so he definitely hadn't gotten the post. (What a relief!) A shimmer of whitish gold hair caught his attention. Fleur Delacour!!! Harry grabbed Ron's shoulder shaking it roughly.

"Hey what's that for?" Ron asked Harry in an agitated voice. He was obviously not pleased with Harry's method for getting his attention.

"Look." Harry pointed up to the staff table where Fleur was sitting talking pleasantly with Professor Flitwick.

Ron gaped and said nothing. He looked as if he had been petrified. Hermione noticed this and trodded on his foot to bring him back to reality. It didn't really affect him though. All he did was shut his mouth as he continued to gaze at the French girl.

Hermione waved a hand in front of his face before huffing an indignant "I give up!"

Ginny giggled at her brother's reaction causing Harry to chuckle a little himself. Hermione just continued to glare at her friend. Ron was only broken out of his daydream when the last student had been sorted, "Zellan, Matthew", and Professor Dumbledore had stood up to give his start of term announcements.

"First of all, I would like to welcome everyone back. I hope that you have all thoroughly emptied your brains so we can fill them again properly." Dumbledore's eyes twinkled as he spoke, "Secondly I would like to inform all first years and remind all other students that the forbidden forest is still off limits. Lastly I would like to tell you that for the first part of term there will be no care for magical creatures due to the fact that our teacher is currently on holiday. Also I would like to introduce everyone to our new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher, Miss Fleur Delacour."

The hall burst into applause.

"Now I only have two words left to say. Dig in." and with that the gold plates were filled with food.

Harry had really missed the school's food. When it came to feasts.well, you could find no better food.

Ron had filled his plate to the brim with food and was already shoveling it into his mouth by the time Harry had gotten the first thing on his plate.

"I love this," Ron sighed in content between bites.

Hermione looked at him and stated dryly, "I think we're all aware of that by now."

Harry nodded in agreement with Hermione then went to his own food. Shepherds pie, roast beef, potatoes, and so many more things to try.

Soon Harry felt like he couldn't possibly eat another bite. He was sitting back and looking around the hall. The first years seemed to be fitting in well and many people looked just as content as he felt. His eyes traveled across each table. Ravenclaw, Hufflepuff, Gryffindor, and finally Slytherin. Perhaps it was that nagging thought in the back of his mind that forced him to pause at the Slytherin table. Where was Malfoy? Normally he would be bragging about something to the new first years, but he was nowhere in sight.

The remains of dessert were starting to disappear when Dumbledore stood again. "Now we all must be heading off to bed. Prefects, please lead the first years to the dormitories."

As soon as this announcement had been finished Hermione stood up quickly as she fiddle with something on the front of her robes.

"Hey, Hermione, what are you doing?" Ron asked in a lethargic voice.

"Fulfilling my duties as a prefect." She stated proudly showing as shiny silver badge on her chest.

"Blimey Hermione." Ron murmured, "You never told us you were a prefect."

"You never asked." She sniffed huffily. Then, turning on her heal, she called the first years to her and led them out of the hall.

"You never asked," Ron mocked in a high pitch voice, "Gee Harry it's like we don't matter."

"I think you hurt her feelings when you acted so surprised," Harry stated as they began to make their way up to the common room.

"It's not like I didn't expect her to be a prefect or anything," Ron began slowly, "I just thought she would have told us."

Harry shrugged. It wasn't like the two wouldn't make amends. They always did. After a couple of minutes of walking they finally made it to the portrait of the fat lady.

"Password?" She asked.

"Smidgeon bits." Ron answered.

The fat lady swung forward and let them in the common room.

"Where did you here the password Ron?" Harry asked.

"Hermione mentioned it," Ron shrugged.

Harry rolled his eyes. Ron sure wasn't the one for clues. If Hermione had known the password she had to be a prefect. Ron had just missed that fact.

Mostly everyone had already gone up to their dormitories so Harry and Ron followed suit. Once they got to their four- posters they changed into their pajamas flung, back the curtains, and hit the sack.

Harry's last conscious thought was, 'I'm home.' ************************************************************ Yeah!! Go me! This is longer than last chapter. I hope to continue to lengthen the chappies!

Oh, is anyone concerned about Draco? Where is our favorite "no good Slytherin"?

Perhaps I'll tell you. then again perhaps I won't! (Smiles evilly.)

Review!!!!!

Geko (not to be confused with Gieko!) I want to know were the devilishly good-looking Slytherin is!!!

Kitty: OH! Introductions...this is my beta reader ..Geko! She is also the author of the story "Damia..Gundam Wing style"

Geko: I'm back.. To all those who might be interested in continuing my story, review and I will put up the next chapter! Thanks bunches! Hugs, Geko

Kitty: Are you about done?

Geko: Yes, don't forget to review!